Kamala Harris' Stepdaughter Ella Just Got A Big New Job

It was a coat heard 'round the world. A Miu Miu embellished coat, to be exact. 

The 2021 Inauguration Day was immediately praised as the couture moment of the year, ushering in a new fashion era in addition to the 46th President of the United States. Yet it was Vice President Kamala Harris' stepdaughter, aspiring fashion designer Ella Emhoff, who was crowned with the "it" look on Jan. 20, 2021. 

"Emhoff's style — leather and sparkles, loose curls and a starched collar — has spoken loud and clear: She's not here to conform," Glamour wrote about her Inauguration Day ensemble. "Ella Emhoff Brought Brooklyn To Inauguration Day & It Was Perfect," a Refinery29 headline read. And now even the New York modeling world is taking notice of the second daughter. 

Keep scrolling to find out how Emhoff is now making her mark in the elite fashion world, and what we can expect next! 

Ella Emhoff was signed by IMG Models

As if Ella Emhoff wasn't busy enough! The Parsons School of Design textile student has signed to IMG Models, per Page SixInaugural poet Amanda Gorman also was brought on by the famed agency that represents fashion icons like Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss. 

"Ella communicates this moment in time," President of IMG Models Ivan Bart told The New York Times"There's a cheekiness and a joy she exudes." 

Emhoff previously modeled on and off with a smaller agency, but was still surprised to get the call from IMG. "As someone who, like a lot of young girls out there, had self-confidence issues, it is intimidating and scary to go into this world that is hyper-focused on you and the body," Emhoff admitted, hoping to be "part of that change" to challenge the modeling world with "really weird tattoos and kind of a funky haircut." 

The artist is used to modeling her own handmade knitwear on Instagram, and previously told Garage that she hopes to have her own fashion label someday. "I'd like to try and stay a one-woman show, but I think as stuff has started ramping up with my knitwear, it's been harder," Emhoff explained. "I'm only one woman, I can only make so many commissions while I'm also trying to just enjoy life." 

Her personal style ranges from the "crazier and more colorful" to more subdued. We can't wait to see what she dons for campaigns with IMG!

Ella Emhoff is politically active

America's second daughter Ella Emhoff may have taken the fashion world by storm mere weeks after her Inauguration Day debut, but she, like her dad and stepmom, is also into politics. 

Emhoff's passion for politics was part of her upbringing. Growing up in California, Emhoff told The New York Times that she campaigned against Proposition 8, a 2008 ballot measure to ban gay marriage, while stepmother Vice President Kamala Harris was attorney general. Over a decade later, Emhoff has found herself on a national stage. "Now this is like, we're really in it. We're learning the behind the scenes. We're learning policy. But we didn't ever say, like, 'Oh, we're going to be really political now!'" she joked. 

Emhoff even uses her knitwear company to do good. She previously hosted a raffle for a pair of her handmade "Rainbow Brite-inspired pants," with proceeds benefitting For The Gworls, an organization that "raises money for rent and gender affirmation surgery for Black trans people," per Garage

The Times UK even credits Emhoff's eclectic style as an indication of her civic assertion. "Emhoff might be new to the political sphere, but she may yet make use of her new platform — and she could certainly be an asset to [Vice President] Harris, a link to the priorities of a demographic that's seeking change on a grand scale," the piece stated. "At the very least, she might shake up the wardrobes at the White House."

Ella Emhoff has been praised, but also criticized

Ella Emhoff revealed the inspiration behind her Inauguration Day look. In an interview alongside designer Batsheva, founder of the eponymous brand Batsheva Hay, Emhoff admitted she was hoping to enhance her femininity in the now-viral outfit. 

"My mood board was very 'little girl,' in a sense, a lot of scalloped collars and big silhouette shoulders and small buttons," she told Vogue. "I was going for something girlier, to embrace my feminine side... because, like, how many times do you prepare yourself to attend an inauguration? This momentous of an event deserves a momentous outfit."

Yet there has been some backlash to the blurring of politics and modeling. While there has been an outpouring of support on social media for the "First Daughter of Bushwick," as Emhoff has been dubbed, she is not without her critics. Trolls have written on Emhoff's personal social media pages. "This model material, but magazines shunned the stunning Melani[a]? The world is going to s***," someone responded on Instagram

Emhoff's fans are thankfully louder than her enemies. One supporter said it best in an Instagram comment: "[She's] bringing the swag to the White House. The queen we are all waiting for." Cheers to that!