Who is Ella Emhoff? Meet the Artist & Model 2025

In 2014, at the age of 15, she played a brief role in a music video for Bo Burnham’s song “Repeat Stuff”.

In September 2019, Viola (Ella’s modeling agent) signed her to his modeling agency. She worked in the Institute of independent fashion magazine, “Buffalo Zine”.

In January 2021, Ella signed a contract with an international modeling agency based in New York. BBC & New York Times consider her a top trending modeling piece for having tattoos and not shaving her underarm hair…..

Ella joined the agency’s A-list roster. After joining, she modeled for brands like Balenciaga, posed for Vainty Fair (a renowned fashion magazine), and walked in shows like Miu Miu & Porenza.

In an interview, Ella said:

“I think modeling now is not just about modeling, but it’s about creating space for people who do other things, whether it be art, activism, writing, any type of creation. And I get really excited when I’m able to do things that and work with brands that actually let me not only be the model but actually share my own thoughts and have [conversations] like this where I can talk about sustainability and activism in general.”

In May 2021, Ella attended the Met Gala (a grand & prestigious event of fashion’s world, held annually at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York)  and donned the designer.

In September 2021, she worked with designer’s Adidas Earth Explorer collection in a campaign of Adidas by Stella McCartney….Ella said to Vogue:

“I feel that Stella McCartney represents the future of fashion!” 

In 2021. At the age of 22, she launched a company named “Soft Hands” after completing her graduation. This company focused on seeking opportunities in fashion, design, creative consulting, and hosting events.

According to her official website:

“Ella Emhoff is a multidisciplinary artist and creator who founded her company Soft Hands, Inc. in 2021 to explore opportunities in fashion, design, creative consulting and hosting events. A graduate from Parsons School of Design, Ella has used her fine arts degree to explore textiles through knitting, designing knitwear, creating installations for brands, and upcycling donated materials.”

In October 2023, she launched an inaugural meeting of the Soft Hands Club at The Standard in the East Village. She said, “This is a dream come true. Come learn to knit, work on existing projects, or just hang out and have some snacks!” 

She posted about the club: “A big part of my ability and inspiration to make knitwear is through community!”

In an interview, she shared, “So many formative moments [as an artist] come from the people you meet and the work you create in group settings. A lot of people coming to the [knit] clubs want that sense of place.”

In 2023, she launched a pop-up presentation, “Ella likes to knit,” in New York Fashion week….. In 2024, at Gotham (a gallery in New York City) she showcased her knit paintings in an exhibition.

In 2024, her stepmother faced serious issues (security concerns) in her presidential campaign…..Due to this, Ella made a campaign to temporarily suspend her Soft Hands club on 29 August 2024.

She posted on Instagram that “I need to pause the soft hand club for the protection of myself & other members”!

Ella is a member of “The 3% Movement” (an organization focused on increasing the number of women Creative directors in the US. 

In October 2024, Ella launched a Substack “Soft Crafts”. She said about it: 

“I really wanted to join Substack because I wanted an authentic community, something that I feel is being lost on other platforms,” 

Ella said,

“I started a knitting club in NYC last year and have been posting about it online. I found that the whole point of the club was sort of being lost because it was so limited to my small world here, and a lot of people from around America wanted to engage and be a part of it. I’d always wanted to find a platform that was sort of a little bit of everything (video, lives, writing, chats ) but saw that other platforms still felt like there was this barrier between you and your followers. I’m really excited to continue what I’ve been building through my knitting club and expand to more mediums, more people, and more of a relationship with my community that loves arts and crafts as much as I do.”