Ella Emhoff, 21, has now been signed to IMG Models, the New York Times reports. Photo / via Instagram
Ella Emhoff, 21, has now been signed to IMG Models, the New York Times reports. Photo / via Instagram
The stepdaughter of US Vice President Kamala Harris has been signed by a major fashion agency one week after making fashion headlines at the Presidential inauguration.
Ella Emhoff, 21, who was as quickly dubbed the "First Daughter of Bushwick" by fans online during the swearing in ceremony, has now been signed to IMG Models, the New York Times reports.
The Brooklyn-based textile artist and fine arts student, was selling her creations online until recently. Her website is currently marked as "under construction".
Doug Emhoff (from left), Vice President Elect Kamala Harris, Cole Emhoff, Ella Emhoff, and Vice President Mike Pence stand as Lady Gaga sings. Photo / AP
IMG is one of the world's most high profile global modelling agencies, and represents elite models including Kate Moss, Miranda Kerr, Gigi Hadid and Hailey Bieber.
"It's not really about shape, size or gender any more," Ivan Bart, president of IMG Models said of Emhoff's appeal. He said consumers were drawn to authenticity.
"Ella communicates this moment in time. There's a cheekiness and a joy she exudes."
Emhoff made global headlines in her inauguration outfit, styled by Jill Lincoln and Jordan Johnson. She wore a burgundy Batsheva frock beneath a Miu Miu coat, which Bart said caught his attention.
Bart said he thought: "Wow, she's communicating fashion."
"I was pretty surprised when everything with IMG was happening because when I was younger, I never saw that as being part of my timeline," Emhoff told The New York Times.
"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," she said.
She said she was motivated to be "part of that change" and said she saw herself as more than a mannequin.
Emhoff is a student of fine arts at Parsons School of Design in New York.
