Kamala Harris’s Stepdaughter Ella Emhoff Stuns in a Sheer Lace Dress at WSJ Magazine’s 2025 Innovator Awards
Baring it all — and making no apologies. Ella Emhoff, the 26-year-old American artist and fashion designer, stepped into the glaring spotlight Wednesday night — not just for her jaw-dropping ensemble, but for the mystery man by her side, the unapologetic display of skin, and the firestorm that followed.
Appearing at the 2025 WSJ Innovator Awards in New York City on October 29, the stepdaughter of former Vice President Kamala Harris ditched her usual tomboy chic — and instead stunned in a sheer black lace dress that left very little to the imagination.
A netizen's comment on Ella Emhoff, dated October 31, 2025 | Source: Instagram/ellaemhoff
The sultry outfit featured a corset-style top, a full-length skirt, and delicate floral lace draped from head to toe. But it was what lay beneath that had mouths agape — a black thong, plainly visible through the translucent fabric, completing what many online called a bold and scandalous see-through look.
Ella Emhoff smiles during her appearance at the WSJ Innovator Awards on October 29, 2025, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Emhoff strutted into the ceremony in black pointed-toe heels with bow accents, a small black leather Gucci handbag with a gold chain, and her signature dark brown bob, parted perfectly down the middle and clipped with minimalist black barrettes.
Ella Emhoff at the WSJ Innovator Awards on October 29, 2025, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Her makeup was equally refined — a clean, polished base, rosy blush, glossed lips, and defined eyeliner that brought attention to her strong, structured features.
Charlie Vessell and Ella Emhoff attend the WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards at MoMA on October 29, 2025, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Taking to Instagram to flaunt the daring look, Emhoff captioned her post, "@wsj Innovator Awards. Thank you for having me and thank you to Billie Eilish for saying what needed to be said in a room of people who needed to hear it."
She added a cheeky confession in the comments, revealing, "I stole this dress right out of my mom's closet… will return one day @kemhoff!!"
Ella Emhoff is photographed at the WSJ Innovator Awards on October 29, 2025, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Social media erupted. On Facebook, confusion and criticism rolled in. One person asked, "Is this a new trend???? Show it all??" Another wrote, "I'll be really happy when the see thru dress trend ends. It's so non creative and boring already [sic]." A third person questioned, "What happened to classy [?]"
Ella Emhoff attends the WSJ Innovator Awards on October 29, 2025, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Instagram, however, was a mixed bag of sassy side-eyes and adoring praise. One commenter said, "This half nude [sic] look is getting old 😴." Another praised her by writing, "Ms. Emhoff is a natural beauty with brains & class. She looks great in anything!"
Ella Emhoff is seen at the WSJ Innovator Awards on October 29, 2025, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Someone else remarked, "When did lingerie become outerwear?" Another shared, "Wow! Stunning in an edgy kind of way!" One person expressed, "I'm kind of surprised that she wore a dressed so revealing but I love it, she is giving sexy but tasteful, 😊❤️[sic]."
Ella Emhoff is pictured at the WSJ Innovator Awards on October 29, 2025, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
And in case that wasn't enough to fuel the frenzy, Emhoff posted a short TikTok clip from the glittering night — ending with a brief but intimate kiss with her date, Charlie Vessel.
https://www.tiktok.com/@smellaemhoff/video/7567020959081712910?mWidth=350&mHeight=775&dWidth=600&dHeight=775But this wasn't Emhoff's first style shocker of the year. During Paris Fashion Week in March, the fashionista turned heads again at the Lacoste Fall RTW 2025 show, where she strutted in an all-white look that mixed minimalist elegance with inked rebellion.
Netizen comment about Ella Emhoff's tattoos, posted on March 13, 2025. | Source: Facebook/AmoMama Nostalgia
Her outfit: a structured short-sleeved collared shirt, tucked into a pleated mini skirt that moved with grace — drawing the eye to her heavily tattooed arms and legs, boldly on display.
Ella Emhoff posing for a picture at the Lacoste fashion show, posted on March 10, 2025. | Source: Instagram/ellaemhoff
With her slicked-back hair, bare face, and simple drop earrings, Emhoff's raw beauty took center stage. She accessorized only with a white Lacoste handbag, letting her tattoos steal the spotlight.
Ella Emhoff at the Lacoste Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025-2026 show during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France on March 9. | Source: Getty Images
The ink was impossible to ignore: abstract sketches, fine-line illustrations, bold traditional designs, all woven like a tapestry across her skin. They clashed — in the most visually arresting way — with her soft white knee-high socks and matching sneakers.
Ella Emhoff posing for the cameras. | Source: Getty Images
From hotel indulgences to quirky selfies, Emhoff brought followers behind the scenes via an Instagram carousel — serving glamor with a wink.
One shot showed a five-star breakfast spread with avocado toast, poached eggs, and crusty bread served on a Lacoste-branded tray.
The delicious breakfast spread Ella Emhoff was treated to during her stay for the Lacoste show. | Source: Instagram/Ella Emhoff
Another showed her puckering up to her handbag, while a mirror selfie in a white robe embroidered with her name and the Lacoste logo offered a quiet, luxurious pause.
Ella Emhoff kissing her white handbag. | Source: Instagram/ellaemhoff
Ella Emhoff posing in her robe. | Source: Instagram/ellaemhoff
Then came a final image — her hand stretched out holding what appeared to be either a Lacoste-branded macaron or a tennis ball, prompting playful speculation among fans.
Ella Emhoff holding a Lacoste-branded object in her hand. | Source: Instagram/ellaemhoff
Her caption read, "🎾🎾Lacoste FW 25 🎾 🎾 Thank you to the @lacoste team for such an amazing trip and making my first show such a special experience. I've been a big Lacoste fan since I was little, so this has been extra cool. Congratulations to @pelagia.kolotouros on a great show."
But while her minimalist outfit received praise, it was her tattoos that lit a match under the online community — and ignited a debate that split followers in half.
Ella Emhoff seated at the Lacoste fashion show. | Source: Getty Images
After AmoMama posted a snapshot of Emhoff's tattoo-covered appearance, the comments section exploded with strong — and often scathing — opinions.
"To each their own but not a fan of tattoos. Her's look like she got them out of a bubble gum machine and she slapped them on. Too bad they weren't temporary. Looks like advertisement for Disney," one AmoMama reader wrote.
Ella Emhoff is posing for pictures at the Lacoste fashion show. | Source: Getty Images
Another stated, "They spoil her looks," while someone else remarked, "Ditch the tattoos. Not a fan of body graffiti or piercings." A critic dismissed her ink with a single word, "Scribbles."
Similar comments ensued, with yet another spectator expressing how "dirty" they think the tattoos make Emhoff look. Another compared her appearance to everyday youth culture and expressed annoyance over the big deal being made about Emhoff in general.
Ella Emhoff is laughing for the cameras. | Source: Getty Images
Others took a more neutral stance, acknowledging that while beauty is subjective, Emhoff's aesthetic didn't appeal to them personally. On the other hand, one supporter praised, "Beautiful young lady." Still, a naysayer weighed in on her outfit as a whole, urging her to put on more clothes.
Ella Emhoff is holding hands with Charlie Vessell. | Source: Getty Images
Though the discourse around her tattoos and revealing outfits remains heated, one thing is certain: Ella Emhoff is not just a passing trend — she's becoming a fixture in the fashion world, bold enough to show her ink, her body, and her truth.