FASHION

Ella Emhoff’s Best Style Moments Are Elevated Art School Chic

by Matthew Velasco
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Ella Emhoff attends the 2021 Met Gala benefit "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" at Metropolitan Mus...
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A fashion star was born when Ella Emhoff sported an embellished Miu Miu coat to the 2021 inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Since that moment, and with an IMG modeling contract under her belt, Emhoff has brought a rarely-seen fashion sense to the national political scene thanks to her role as America’s Second Daughter. The California-native is the youngest child of Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and the stepdaughter of Vice President Harris.

Emhoff, who resides in Bushwick, Brooklyn (some jokingly referred to her as “The First Daughter of Bushwick”), has walked the runways of brands like Proenza Schouler and Maisie Wilen since her catwalk debut in 2021. Off the runway, the model’s wardrobe is full of quirky knitwear, dresses worn over pants, and cheeky accessories like the Puppets and Puppets cookie bag she wore in 2022. For more formal occasions like red carpets and movie premieres, Emhoff still abides by her elevated art school aesthetic, albeit with pieces like sheer black dresses and chic power suits mixed in.

Below, a look back at Ella Emhoff’s style evolution, from Paris Fashion Week to the White House.

2024: Democratic National Convention

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For the final night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Emhoff showed off her Gen Z bonafides. She wore a custom dress from the designer and TikTok creator Joe Ando. Emhoff paired her princess dress with white ankle-length socks, trendy ballet slippers and a flower she personally crocheted that was attached on the side.

2024: Democratic National Convention

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Cheering on her father and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, the model looked chic in a Thom Browne skirt suit that she paired with her go-to Puppets & Puppets cookie handbag.

2024: Democratic National Convention

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Emhoff brought a bit of the New York fashion scene to the opening day of the Democratic National Convention. She wore a tank top and matching pants from Helmut Lang designed by Peter Do. The model styled her set with the now viral (and sold-out) Harris Walz camouflage hat.

2024: Bulgari Event

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Armed with a new chopped hairdo, the model co-signed the ballet flats trend during a 2024 Bulgari event in New York City.

2024: Feud: Capote vs. The Swans Premiere

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Emhoff slipped into a very not Swan-like look for the series’s New York City premiere. She slipped into a leather jacket, baggy black pants, and leather stompers.

2024: Helmut Lang Show

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While she’s accustomed to walking the runway, Emhoff took her place on Helmut Lang’s front row in this abstract multi-color top and low-rise jeans.

2023: Pandora Event

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Emhoff offset this feminine floral gown with leather penny loafers to attend a 2023 Pandora event.

2023: LVMH Prize

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For the 2023 LVMH Prize, Emhoff brought the skirt over pants trend to Paris. She sported bell bottom jeans, a pinstripe mini skirt, and an ab-baring sweater.

2023: Proenza Schouler Show

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What’s better than leather and lace? For Proenza Schouler’s 2023 NYFW show, Emhoff paired a sheer top with a flare skirt, chunky mules, and a white bag.

2022: W Magazine 50th Anniversary Party

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Emhoff slipped into her best party attire for W’s 50th anniversary bash. The model mixed a sparkle pleated skirt with towering combat boots and an off-the-shoulder top.

2022: Bloomingdale’s Party

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In a sheer lace Thom Browne look, Emhoff put an artsy spin on menswear tailoring for a 2022 Bloomingdale’s party.

2022: CFDA Fashion Awards

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Emhoff’s Puppets and Puppets cookie bag, which she sported with a gauzy LBD at the 2022 CFDA Awards, looked good enough to eat.

2022: Miu Miu Show

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For a Miu Miu event in Paris, the model mixed an ultra-cropped top with the perfect pair of high-waisted jeans.

2022: Loewe Show

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Outside of Loewe’s fall 2022 show, Emhoff took the phrase “pattern play” rather seriously in this loud bodycon dress.

2021: WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards

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The model paired a low-cut white dress with artsy platform shoes.

2021: Stella McCartney Show

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Suited up in plaid tailoring at Stella McCartney’s 2021 Paris Fashion Week runway show.

2021: Met Gala

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Emhoff went bold for her Met Gala debut in 2021, wearing a bright red adidas by Stella McCartney mesh bodysuit, baggy pants, and sheer sneakers.

2021: Presidential Inauguration

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During Joe Biden’s Presidential Inauguration, Emhoff made a splash in this strong shouldered Miu Miu coat. She wore the embellished piece on top of a dress from the New York brand Batsheva.

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