Ella Emhoff Biography: Age, Height, Family, Career, Boyfriend and Net Worth 2026

Ella Emhoff is an American model, fashion designer, and artist best known as the stepdaughter of former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. She gained national attention for her standout Miu Miu coat at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration and has since built a distinct career in high fashion, knitwear design, and contemporary art based in Brooklyn, New York.

This Ella Emhoff biography covers her age, height, family background, career journey, boyfriend, net worth, and recent activity in 2026, with complete details on her life from Los Angeles to the global fashion runways.

Quick Facts

If you follow Ella Emhoff’s journey in fashion and art, you may also be interested in similar Gen Z models, designers, and creative personalities like Gigi Hadid, Kaia Gerber, Iris Apatow, Lila Moss, and Amelia Gray Hamlin who are also shaping modern runway and street style trends in 2026.

Early Life & Education

Ella Rose Emhoff was born on May 29, 1999, in Los Angeles, California, to Douglas Emhoff, an entertainment lawyer, and Kerstin Emhoff (nee Mackin), a film producer and founder of Prettybird. She was raised in a close-knit, blended family alongside her older brother Cole Emhoff, who was born in 1994. Her parents divorced in 2008, and her father later married Kamala Harris in 2014, who became a supportive stepmother to Ella and Cole. The siblings famously call Harris “Momala.”

Growing up in Los Angeles, Ella attended Wildwood School in Los Angeles where she developed an early interest in fine arts, textiles, and swimming. She was a member of her high school swim team and was known for her creative and individualistic sense of style. Her mother’s work in the creative industry and her father’s legal background gave her exposure to both art and public life from a young age.

After high school, Ella moved to New York City to pursue her passion for fashion and art. She enrolled at the prestigious Parsons School of Design at The New School, majoring in Fine Arts with a concentration in Apparel and Textiles. During her time at Parsons, she focused on knitwear, sculpture, and textile design, often creating one-of-a-kind hand-knitted pieces, jackets, and hats. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in May 2021, just months after her viral inauguration moment. Her senior thesis collection featured colorful knitwear and crochet pieces that highlighted her love for texture, slow fashion, and sustainable design.

Career Journey

Ella Emhoff’s career is a unique blend of modeling, fashion design, and visual art. Unlike traditional models, she entered the industry with a strong artistic identity, tattoos, curly hair, and a personal style that challenged conventional beauty standards.

Modeling Breakthrough and the 2021 Inauguration Moment

Ella Emhoff became an overnight fashion sensation on January 20, 2021, at the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Wearing a jewel-embellished burgundy Miu Miu coat over a Batsheva dress with a white collar, she captured the attention of the fashion world. The look was widely praised by Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and The New York Times, and it led to immediate modeling offers.

Just eight days after the inauguration, she signed with IMG Models, one of the world’s top modeling agencies representing Gigi and Bella Hadid. Her modeling debut was marked by editorial features and runway appearances. She walked for Miu Miu, Balenciaga, and Proenza Schouler during New York and Paris Fashion Weeks. She has appeared in campaigns for Miu Miu, Adidas by Stella McCartney, and Mulberry, and has been featured on the covers and in editorials for Vanity Fair, Vogue, Paper Magazine, and Garage Magazine.

Known for her distinctive look — including her many tattoos, bushy eyebrows, and curly hair — Ella has been celebrated for promoting body positivity and individuality in an industry often criticized for uniformity.

Fashion Design and Knitwear Label (2021-2024)

Alongside modeling, Ella has continued to build her career as a knitwear designer. While still a student, she started selling her handmade knit pieces, including hats, sweaters, shorts, and jackets, often featuring bright colors, checkerboard patterns, and playful designs. She initially sold her work through pop-ups and her website and later through collaborations.

In 2021, she launched a small knitwear collection and collaborated with the sustainable knitwear brand Ella Emhoff x Mall. She also partnered with Batsheva for a limited collection. Her designs emphasize slow fashion, handmade craftsmanship, and sustainability, often made from deadstock yarns and upcycled materials. She has showcased her knitwear at New York Fashion Week pop-ups and art markets in Brooklyn, where she is based.

As an artist, Ella also works in ceramics, painting, and drawing. She has held small exhibitions in New York and Los Angeles, selling ceramic sculptures, paintings, and knit sculptures. Her art often explores themes of body image, identity, and femininity.

Recent Activity and Career in 2026

As of 2026, Ella Emhoff remains active as both a model and independent designer in New York City. She continues to model for select fashion campaigns while focusing more on her art and knitwear studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn. In late 2025 and early 2026, she expanded her knitwear line with a new collection of hand-knitted outerwear and accessories that was featured in several sustainable fashion showcases in New York.

In 2026, she has also increased her presence as a creative consultant and has been involved in art exhibitions and charity knitting workshops. She frequently shares her creative process, studio life, and behind-the-scenes fashion content with her followers on Instagram, where she maintains a loyal audience. Her recent activity shows a shift toward long-term creative entrepreneurship rather than full-time runway modeling, positioning her as a designer and artist first.

Career Stats & Notable Works

Ella Emhoff’s portfolio spans runway, editorial, and design work. Her career highlights include:

• Modeling Agency: IMG Models Worldwide (Signed January 2021)
• Runway Shows: Miu Miu, Balenciaga, Proenza Schouler, Lacoste
• Campaigns: Miu Miu, Adidas by Stella McCartney, Mulberry, Batsheva x Ella Emhoff
• Magazine Features: Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Paper, Garage, The New York Times Style, Dazed
• Design Collections: Handmade Knitwear Collection (2021-present), Ella Emhoff x Mall Collaboration, Batsheva Collaboration, 2025-2026 Sustainable Knitwear Collection
• Art Exhibitions: Group shows in Brooklyn and Los Angeles featuring ceramics and textile art (2022-2025)
• Education: BFA from Parsons School of Design (2021)

Personal Life

Ella Emhoff is known for keeping her personal life relatively private while being open about her values, creativity, and family bonds. She currently lives in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York, where she runs her studio and lives with friends and fellow artists.

Family Tree

• Father: Douglas Emhoff – American lawyer, Second Gentleman of the United States (2021-2025)
• Mother: Kerstin Emhoff – Film producer and CEO of Prettybird
• Stepmother: Kamala Harris – Former U.S. Vice President (2021-2025), U.S. Senator, and California Attorney General
• Brother: Cole Emhoff – Film assistant and producer, born 1994, graduate of Colorado College
• Grandparents: Michael and Barbara Emhoff (paternal)

Ella shares a very close relationship with her brother Cole and both parents. Despite her father’s divorce, her family has remained amicable and blended, often appearing together at public events. She has spoken publicly about how Kamala Harris has been a loving and supportive figure in her life since she was a teenager.

Relationship Status and Boyfriend in 2026

As of 2026, Ella Emhoff is in a relationship with Sam Hine, a fashion writer and editor at GQ Magazine. The couple was first publicly linked in 2021 and made several public appearances together, including at fashion week events and art openings in New York. They have been photographed together and have shared supportive posts about each other on social media.

Sam Hine is known for his work covering menswear and fashion culture. The pair share common interests in fashion, art, and New York’s creative scene. As of early 2026, they are reported to be still together and living in New York, though Ella keeps details of her dating life largely out of the spotlight.

Dating History

Ella Emhoff has kept her dating history private. Before her relationship with Sam Hine, there were no other publicly confirmed long-term relationships. She was briefly linked to other creatives in the New York art scene during her time at Parsons, but none were confirmed. Her current relationship with Sam Hine is her most public and long-standing one to date.

Awards & Achievements

• Viral fashion icon at the 2021 U.S. Presidential Inauguration, named Best Dressed by Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar
• Signed to IMG Models in 2021, one of the most prestigious modeling agencies globally
• Featured in Vogue’s 2021 list of emerging fashion talents
• Walked for major fashion houses including Miu Miu and Balenciaga at Paris Fashion Week
• Recognized for promoting sustainable and slow fashion through handmade knitwear
• Graduated with honors from Parsons School of Design with a BFA in Fine Arts
• Advocate for mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, and body positivity

Physical Statistics

Ella Emhoff is known for her distinctive and natural look that sets her apart in the fashion industry.

• Height: 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
• Weight: Approximately 55 kg (121 lbs)
• Body Measurements: 32-26-34 inches
• Body Type: Slim
• Hair Color: Dark Brown (naturally curly)
• Eye Color: Dark Brown
• Tattoos: Multiple tattoos including designs on her arms, shoulders, and torso
• Piercings: Multiple ear piercings and nose piercing
• Shoe Size: 7 (US)
• Dress Size: 4 (US)

Quotes

“I think it’s important to have your own sense of style and not just follow trends. Fashion should be fun and personal.”

“Knitting is very meditative for me. It’s a way to slow down and create something with your hands in a fast-paced world.”

“I never expected to be a model. I just wanted to make art and knitwear, and the modeling came as a surprise. I’m grateful I can do both.”

Controversies

Ella Emhoff has largely stayed away from major controversies, but like many public figures connected to politics, she has faced some public scrutiny:

• Political Attention: As the stepdaughter of Kamala Harris, she has occasionally been targeted by political commentary on social media, especially during the 2024 election cycle. She has generally avoided engaging in partisan debates.
• Fashion Criticism: Some of her bold fashion choices and runway looks have drawn mixed reactions online, with critics debating her unconventional style. However, she has been widely praised within the fashion industry for her authenticity.
• Fundraising Event: In 2024, she faced brief online criticism for promoting a fundraising event for a humanitarian cause, which drew both support and backlash due to its political context. She clarified her stance as a private citizen supporting humanitarian relief.

Overall, she has maintained a positive public image focused on creativity and advocacy rather than controversy.

Favorites

• Favorite Designers: Miu Miu, Batsheva, Marc Jacobs
• Favorite Food: Tacos, Vegan baked goods
• Favorite Color: Burgundy, Mustard Yellow
• Favorite Hobby: Knitting and Ceramics
• Favorite City: New York City and Los Angeles
• Favorite Music Artists: Indie and alternative artists
• Favorite Pastime: Thrifting and visiting art galleries

Earnings & Net Worth in 2026

As of 2026, Ella Emhoff’s estimated net worth is between $2 million and $3 million. Her income comes from multiple sources, reflecting her diverse career.

• Modeling: As an IMG Model, she earns an estimated $15,000 to $50,000 per campaign and runway show, depending on the brand. Editorial shoots and campaigns contribute significantly to her annual income.
• Fashion Design: Sales from her handmade knitwear line, which retails from $150 for hats to over $1,000 for custom coats and jackets, provide a steady income stream.
• Art Sales: Income from ceramics, paintings, and textile art sold through exhibitions and online platforms.
• Brand Collaborations: Paid partnerships with sustainable fashion brands and sponsored content on Instagram.

Industry benchmarks suggest that models at her level with additional design ventures can earn $200,000 to $400,000 annually. While she is not among the highest-paid supermodels, her combined earnings from modeling, design, and art have allowed her to build a stable financial foundation as an independent creative in New York. Her net worth is expected to grow as she expands her knitwear business in 2026.

Interesting Facts

• She learned to knit as a child and taught herself advanced techniques through YouTube tutorials.
• She has over 15 tattoos, many of which she designed herself.
• She was a competitive swimmer in high school and still swims regularly.
• Her inauguration coat by Miu Miu took over 300 hours to embellish with crystals.
• She lived in a small apartment in Brooklyn with several roommates even after becoming famous, preferring a low-key artist lifestyle.
• She is an advocate for mental health and has spoken openly about anxiety and self-acceptance.
• She often makes her own clothes and upcycles vintage pieces.

Did You Know Already?

• Ella Emhoff initially wanted to be a fine artist and did not plan to become a model until the inauguration changed her path.
• She calls Kamala Harris “Momala” as a term of affection that Harris herself embraced.
• She designed and knitted her own prom dress in high school.
• Despite her political family connections, she identifies primarily as an artist and designer rather than a political figure.

Social Media Links

Ella Emhoff is active on social media where she shares her art, fashion, and daily life. Only verified official accounts are listed below:

• Instagram: @ellaemhoff – Verified account with 400K+ followers (as of 2026)
• TikTok: @ellaemhoff – Shares knitting tutorials and studio vlogs
• Website: ellaemhoff.com – Official portfolio and knitwear shop

She does not have official public accounts on Facebook, X (Twitter), or LinkedIn. Any other accounts claiming to be her are fan pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Ella Emhoff has transformed a viral inauguration moment into a thoughtful and creative career in fashion and art. From her early life in Los Angeles to her current work as a model and knitwear designer in Brooklyn, she has stayed true to her artistic vision and individuality. As she continues to grow her brand and studio work in 2026, she remains an inspiring figure for young creatives who value authenticity over conformity. If you found this Ella Emhoff biography helpful, please share it with friends and fellow fashion enthusiasts and explore more celebrity biographies on our site.

Key Sources: Vogue Magazine, The New York Times, Parsons School of Design, IMG Models Official Profile