Ella Emhoff is showcasing high-end fashion at the 2024 Democratic National Convention this week. After wearing a sleek monochromatic outfit by Helmut Lang on Monday, the stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris donned a stylish Thom Browne suit to support her father, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, during his speech on the second night of the convention in Chicago.
Emhoff’s suit featured a navy blazer adorned with Thom Browne’s recognizable armbands, a checkered design, and padded shoulders. She complemented this look with a white button-down shirt and a navy tie.
Thom Browne has become a favored designer among Democratic figures. Michelle Obama famously wore a Thom Browne coat and dress ensemble to President Barack Obama’s second inauguration in 2013. Similarly, Jill Biden sported a Thom Browne blazer during the 2020 presidential campaign, while U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has also been seen in Thom Browne suits during his campaigns and official engagements.
Emhoff is the daughter of U.S. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and film producer Kerstin Emhoff. After her parents divorced in 2008, her father married Kamala Harris in 2014. Ella graduated from Parsons School of Design and founded Soft Hands, a business focused on fashion, design, and creative consulting. Additionally, she established a knitting club to teach the craft and frequently shares her knitting projects on Instagram.
She first gained attention in the fashion industry in January 2021 when she wore Miu Miu at Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration. Shortly after, she signed with IMG Models Worldwide, the same agency representing supermodels like Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid. Since then, Emhoff has modeled for high-profile brands such as Balenciaga and Adidas by Stella McCartney and walked the runway for designers including Miu Miu and Proenza.
During the event, Douglas Emhoff was introduced by his son, Cole Emhoff, with both wearing matching black suits. The Second Gentleman shared the stage with former First Lady Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama as key speakers of the evening.
Kamala Harris opened the Democratic National Convention on Monday, which aims to host approximately 5,000 delegates over four days. Notable attendees include U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton.