Ella Rose Emhoff, born May 29, 1999, is an American model, fashion designer, artist, and LGBTQ rights activist. She is the daughter of former U.S. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and the stepdaughter of former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Her viral appearance at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration launched her into the fashion world almost overnight.
Who is Ella Emhoff?
Ella Emhoff is an American model, fashion designer, and artist based in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York. She became a public figure after the January 2021 Presidential Inauguration, where her embellished Miu Miu coat caught the attention of the fashion world.
She signed with IMG Models in January 2021, days after that inauguration appearance. Her runway debut followed quickly, with Proenza Schouler casting her for their fall 2021 ready-to-wear show at New York Fashion Week in February 2021.
Ella signed with talent agency UTA in June 2024.
Beyond modeling, she runs Soft Hands Inc., a knitting community she founded in 2021. She has also exhibited her knit paintings at galleries in New York City, blending fiber arts with fine art in an approach that sets her apart from conventional models.
Media outlets have called her “The First Daughter of Bushwick” for her deep roots in the Brooklyn arts scene.
Early Life of Ella Emhoff
Ella Rose Emhoff was born on May 29, 1999, in the United States. Her father, Doug Emhoff, is an entertainment lawyer, and her mother, Kerstin Emhoff, is a film producer and CEO of production company Prettybird.
Her parents divorced in 2008, when Ella was nine years old. Her father later married attorney Kamala Harris on August 22, 2014, in a private ceremony at the Santa Barbara Courthouse.
Ella and her older brother Cole created the nickname “Momala” for their stepmother.
Her family actively campaigned against California Proposition 8 in 2008 as supporters of same-sex marriage. Ella grew up in a politically engaged household that aligned with the Democratic Party.
She named herself after jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, though a spokesperson clarified that Ella does not practice Judaism despite her father’s Jewish background.
In 2018, she graduated from Wildwood School in Los Angeles, where she participated in the basketball and swimming teams.
Ella Emhoff Age
Ella Emhoff is 27 years old as of June 8, 2026, born on May 29, 1999. Her zodiac sign is Gemini.
She turned 27 on May 29, 2026. In 2024, she walked the runway for Coach at New York Fashion Week and delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Ella Emhoff Ethnicity and Nationality
Ella Emhoff holds American nationality, born and raised in the United States. Her father Doug Emhoff comes from a Jewish family, while her mother Kerstin Emhoff has a non-Jewish background.
A spokesperson confirmed that Ella herself does not practice Judaism. Her stepmother Kamala Harris is of South Asian and African-American heritage, adding further multicultural context to her family background.
Ella Emhoff Height and Weight
Ella Emhoff stands at 5 feet 7 inches (approximately 1.70 meters) tall. Her weight is approximately 51 kg (around 112 lbs), though this has not been officially confirmed.
Her lean frame and distinctive personal style have made her a recognizable presence on the runway. She has modeled for major fashion houses including Balenciaga, Miu Miu, Proenza Schouler, Simone Rocha, and Coach.
Ella Emhoff Education
Ella Emhoff attended Wildwood School in Los Angeles, graduating in 2018. She then enrolled at the Parsons School of Design at The New School in New York City.
She studied for a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a specialization in apparel and textiles. She graduated from Parsons in May 2021.
Her knitwear practice grew directly from her studies at Parsons. In a 2020 interview with Garage magazine, she described taking up knitting as a way to manage anxiety.
Ella Emhoff Career
Breakthrough: The 2021 Inauguration
Ella Emhoff’s public profile transformed on January 20, 2021, when she attended the Presidential Inauguration wearing a cream-colored Miu Miu coat with glittering embellishments on the shoulders. Fashion editors and publications worldwide covered her look extensively.
Within 12 hours of that appearance, she gained more than 50,000 new Instagram followers. IMG Models signed her as a client shortly after, recognizing the wave of public attention she generated.
Her runway debut came at the Proenza Schouler fall 2021 show during New York Fashion Week in February 2021.
Modeling and Brand Work
Following her IMG signing, Ella walked runways for several top fashion houses. Her credits include Balenciaga, Miu Miu, Simone Rocha, and Proenza Schouler. She also appeared in multiple New York Fashion Week seasons, returning to the same circuit in 2022 and 2023.
She served as a brand ambassador for Stella McCartney, Mulberry, and Calvin Klein. In September 2024 New York Fashion Week, she walked the outdoor runway for Coach.
In June 2024, she signed with talent agency UTA, expanding her representation beyond modeling into broader entertainment and creative work.
She also attended the Met Gala in September 2021, wearing an Adidas by Stella McCartney ensemble. That appearance added to her growing presence at major fashion industry events.
Art, Knitwear, and Soft Hands
In 2021, Ella founded Soft Hands Inc., a monthly event series in Brooklyn where she teaches attendees how to knit. The project built community around fiber arts and positioned her as an artist as much as a model.
In 2023, she debuted “Ella Emhoff Likes to Knit,” a pop-up presentation at New York Fashion Week. In 2024, she exhibited her knit paintings at Gotham, a gallery in New York City.
On August 29, 2024, she announced a temporary suspension of the Soft Hands Knitting Club. She cited security concerns related to Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign as the reason.
Recent Work
At the August 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Ella delivered a speech on the final night alongside Meena Harris and Helena Hudlin. She wore a custom baby blue and white dress designed by Joe Ando, a fashion designer known for his viral TikTok series.
In 2025, she publicly endorsed Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral election. Her political engagement has continued beyond the period when Harris held office.
As of 2026, she continues to live and work in Bushwick, Brooklyn, maintaining both her modeling career and her art practice.
Ella Emhoff Awards and Recognition
Ella Emhoff earned recognition from major fashion publications for her Inauguration Day appearance in January 2021. Vogue, WWD, and other outlets immediately spotlighted her as an emerging fashion figure.
Her 2024 DNC appearance drew widespread praise from fashion media. Outlets declared her a “fashion icon” following her custom Joe Ando look at the convention.
Her knit paintings at the Gotham Gallery in New York in 2024 received attention from both art and fashion press for bridging fine art and textile craft.
Ella Emhoff Boyfriend
Ella Emhoff has been linked romantically to Sam Hine, a senior writer and editor at GQ magazine. Page Six first published photos of the pair together in New York City’s West Village in March 2021.
Sam Hine also praised Ella’s Inauguration Day style in his GQ coverage of the event. The two were seen dining together at a restaurant in Chinatown in early 2021, with Artnet reporting on the connection first.
Ella has not publicly confirmed the relationship in formal statements. She keeps her personal life largely private.
Ella Emhoff Net Worth
Exact net worth for Ella Emhoff is not publicly confirmed from verified sources. Her income sources include modeling contracts with major fashion houses, brand ambassador deals with Stella McCartney, Mulberry, and Calvin Klein, and sales from her art and knitwear.
Her Soft Hands Inc. business and gallery exhibitions add further income streams outside of traditional modeling. The June 2024 UTA signing also opens doors to additional commercial and creative opportunities.
Her financial profile continues to expand alongside a career that spans multiple creative fields.
Ella Emhoff Social Media
Ella Emhoff is active on Instagram under the handle @ella_emhoff, where she shares fashion work, art projects, knitwear, and personal updates. Her Instagram profile grew rapidly after the 2021 Inauguration and became a central platform for her creative work.
She does not appear to maintain verified public accounts on Twitter/X or TikTok. Her Instagram remains her primary public-facing channel.
Her social media posts blend personal style, finished knitwear pieces, gallery work, and behind-the-scenes modeling content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ella Emhoff’s net worth?
Exact net worth for Ella Emhoff is not publicly confirmed. Her earnings come from modeling, brand partnerships with Stella McCartney, Mulberry, and Calvin Klein, art sales, and her Soft Hands Inc. community business.
How old is Ella Emhoff?
Ella Emhoff is 27 years old as of June 8, 2026, born on May 29, 1999, in the United States.
Who is Ella Emhoff dating?
Ella Emhoff has reportedly been in a relationship with Sam Hine, a GQ editor, since early 2021. She has not made a formal public statement confirming the relationship.
What is Ella Emhoff’s height?
Ella Emhoff stands at 5 feet 7 inches (approximately 1.70 meters) tall.
What modeling work has Ella Emhoff done?
She has walked runways for Proenza Schouler, Balenciaga, Miu Miu, Simone Rocha, and Coach, and served as ambassador for Stella McCartney, Mulberry, and Calvin Klein.
Where was Ella Emhoff born?
Ella Emhoff was born in the United States and currently lives in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City.
The Bottom Line
Ella Emhoff signed with IMG Models in January 2021 after her Miu Miu inauguration coat generated global fashion coverage within hours of the ceremony. She followed that by walking the Proenza Schouler runway at New York Fashion Week just weeks later.
She graduated from Parsons School of Design with a BFA in apparel and textiles in May 2021 and went on to exhibit knit paintings at the Gotham Gallery in New York in 2024. Her work consistently moves between fashion, craft, and fine art.
In June 2024, she signed with UTA, and she continues to balance runway work, gallery shows, and her Brooklyn knitting community. We hope you enjoyed reading about Ella Emhoff. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!