What do Ella Emhoff’s tattoos imply?
Kamala Harris‘s stepdaughter has for years now been cementing her status as not just a model, but a certified It-Girl with a chic sense of style, knitting habit and lots of body ink.
In a New York Times interview a few years ago, Ella Emhoff, 25 – whose father is ‘first gentleman’ dad Doug Emhoff, 59 – revealed she had ‘maybe around 18’ tattoos, including some she she did herself during the Covid lockdowns – some of which her parents ‘may not know about’.
Some of the designs – which are always flaunted on Instagram. where Ella has more than 387,00 followers – featured are a cow, a quirky crab claw holding a gemstone, and two teddy-bears walking alongside one another.
Others include a rendition of Donald Duck, some cartoony apples and a flower, whereas a handful are not as visible or clear to make out.
They are sweet and wholesome in nature, to match Ella’s trendy but cozy aesthetic, marked by Crocs, crochet clothing, bucket hats and minimal make-up.
In a New York Times interview a few years ago, Ella Emhoff , 25 (right) – whose father is ‘first gentleman’ dad Doug Emhoff , 59 – revealed she had ‘maybe around 18’ tattoos
This week, many of the designs on display as Ella showed support for her family at the first night of the Democratic National Convention, accentuated by her ensemble; a plain white T-shirt that she tucked into a pair of matching dress pants.
And later, she took the stage Thursday ahead of her stepmom or ‘Momala’ for a touching tribute and to rally support.
Ella was all smiles as she was joined on stage by the vice president’s niece Meena Harris as well as her goddaughter Helena Hudlin.
Their appearance comes on the fourth night of the convention as the Democratic party introduces Harris to the American people as their presidential nominee before she formally accepts the presidential nomination.
They called the 59-year-old vice president who they know on a personal level an ‘extraordinary woman.’
‘Kamala came into my life when I was fourteen, famously a very easy time for a teenager,’ Ella said.
‘Like a lot of young people, I didn’t always understand what I was feeling, but no matter what, Kamala was there.’
‘She was patient, caring and always took me seriously. She never stopped listening to me, and she’s not going to stop listening to all of us.’
Kamala Harris ‘s stepdaughter has for years now been cementing her status as not just a model, but a certified It-Girl with a chic sense of style, knitting habit and lots of body ink
The tattooed Ella, with slicked back hair and attired in a white and ice blue off-the-shoulder dress designed especially for the occasion by Joe Ando ignited the internet with her appearance on the convention stage.
Ella, who is known for her knitting, crocheted the flower on her dress’ sleeve herself, Joe revealed.
Here, FEMAIL takes a closer look at the fashionista’s body art and what the meaning behind them is…
COW
Almost always visible, on Ella’s left arm is a sweet cartoonish cow, tattooed right above the elbow
Almost always visible, on Ella’s left arm is a sweet cartoonish cow, tattooed right above the elbow.
The design is also partially coloured-in, with black spots for the hide and a pink udder.
She is understood to have had the tattoo since at least 2020.
BABY ANIMAL
On her right arm – along the bicep – Ella has what appears to be a baby calf, lamb or deer. The adorable design, which is more realistic in nature than her others, is perched on the opposite side to the cow
On her right arm – along the bicep – Ella has what appears to be a baby calf, lamb or deer.
The adorable design, which is more realistic in nature than her others, is perched on the opposite side to the cow.
CUSTOM ANIMATED DESIGN
Ella’s right arm features a fun quirky design of a cartoon character emerging – seemingly from her flesh – and shooting either pills or water drops at a pot of flowers
Ella’s right arm features a quirky design of a cartoon character emerging – seemingly from her flesh – and shooting either pills or water drops at a pot of flowers.
The fun little caricature is also wearing a bat or cat-ear-esque costume.
CRAB CLAW WITH GEMSTONE
The playful tattoo takes up quite a bit of space on the bicep, and includes incredible pattern work
One of the designs on Ella’s body includes a crab claw holding onto a gemstone.
The playful tattoo takes up quite a bit of space on the bicep, and includes incredible pattern work.
On her Instagram, Ella was full of praise for the artist, Emile Bernardo, adding they ‘deserve an Oscar’.
APPLES
One of Ella’s most colorful tattoos is a set of apples against the background of sunny blue skies and green grass
One of Ella’s most colorful tattoos is a set of apples against the background of sunny blue skies and green grass.
Of the four apples pictured, one is eaten to the core while the other has had a bite taken out of it.
Tattoo artist Cole (@cruelbarb) took their social media to thank the model for ‘getting a cool one’.
WOMAN BUTTERFLY WINGS
The masterfully inked design on Ella’s arm pictures a naked woman covering herself as she hugs her torso
Ella ‘s left arm also includes a tattoo of a woman with butterfly wings.
The masterfully inked design pictures a naked woman covering herself as she hugs her torso.
FLOWER POT
Clearly a fan of all things floral, Ella has a number of tattoos which illustrate plants. However, this sweet one of a flower pot is arguably one of the more simple
Clearly a fan of all things floral, Ella has a number of tattoos which illustrate plants.
However, this sweet one of a flower pot is arguably one of the more simple – and adorable – selections.
LAVENDER
Known to allude to calming and soothing themes, it’s possible Ella’s tattoo is symbolic as well as aesthetic
Ella’s left arm features a custom lavender, inked by artist Lexi Stahr. The coloured-in piece has been filled in with green and purple hues.
Known to allude to calming and soothing themes, it’s possible Ella’s tattoo is symbolic as well as aesthetic.
VINE AROUND WRIST
A chic thick vine design wraps itself all the way around – and serves as a cool contrast against the lavender flower
The 25-year-old’s left wrist is usually adorned with bracelets, but has also been joined by a permanent accessory.
A chic thick vine design wraps itself all the way around – and serves as a cool contrast against the lavender flower.
SMILEY BREAKFAST
Although rarely spotted, one of Ella’s more playful photos is a joyful plate of breakfast. The fried eggs constitute the eyes, while a piece of bacon works as the mouth
Although rarely spotted, one of Ella’s more playful photos is a joyful plate of breakfast.
The fried eggs constitute the eyes, while a piece of bacon works as the mouth.
Taking rise and shine to a new level!
RABBIT
One of Ella’s more tucked away tattoos is a leaping rabbit, who can be seen hopping away as they run
One of Ella’s more tucked away tattoos is a leaping rabbit, who can be seen hopping away as they run.
It is placed on her sternum, so is usually only visible in lowcut tops or when she wears a swimsuit.
BABY
While it’s rarely ever visible, a tattoo on the back of Ella’s right arm appears to show the outline of a cartoon baby
While it’s rarely ever visible, a tattoo on the back of Ella’s right arm appears to show the outline of a cartoon baby.
The design appears to be jovial, with the character smiling.
BOO CAKE
Ella’s tattoo artist for this fun cake – who is also called Ella – shared the design to their Instagram in 2020
Ella’s tattoo artist for this fun cake – who is also called Ella – shared the design to their Instagram in 2020.
‘Colorful ‘boo’ cake bc it’s scary out there y’all,’ the caption read.
‘Made this for @ellaemhoff as part of an artists’ trade- she makes amazing knit garments check it out!!!’
Tattooist Ella was also the mastermind behind model Ella’s cow tattoo.
TEDDY BEARS
Tattooist Hazel inked Ella up with an adorable pair of teddy bears holding hands, which is placed on her legs
Tattooist Hazel inked Ella up with an adorable pair of teddy bears holding hands, which is placed on her legs.
‘Teddy bear lovee,’ they wrote in Instagram post in 2022.
DONALD DUCK
Vintage Disney tattoos are always a nostalgic classic, and this retro Donald Duck design is no exception
Vintage Disney tattoos are always a nostalgic classic, and this retro Donald Duck design is no exception.
In the sweet image, the beloved character is holding onto flowers.
The design is also coloured in with shades of blue, yellow and red to add a fun pop of vibrancy.
VIOLET FLOWER
Tattoo artist Lexi Stahr created a stunning violet flower design that runs along Ella’s right arm, pictured
Tattoo artist Lexi Stahr created a stunning violet flower design that runs along Ella’s right arm.
In an Instagram post explaining the ink in a ‘nerd bonus’, Lexi wrote: ‘Artemis turned one of her nymphs into a violet to protect her from Apollo and keep her a maiden forever.
‘Thus the violet was created and became a famous symbol of modesty that is now joined by 500 plus species. It also is an exciting marker of the return of spring.’
LITTLE GIRL
It features a cartoon little girl walking around with a paintbrush, while the words ‘I love my friends’ are scrawled at the top
Tattoo artist Ricky Sunshine took to their Instagram in 2022, to share a fun design they’d inked on Ella’s left leg.
It features a cartoon little girl walking around with a paintbrush, while the words ‘I love my friends’ are scrawled at the top.
KME INITIALS
It is not known or clear what it stands for, but Ella’s right hand features the initials KME on it. It may be a possible tribute to her mother – whose maiden name is Kerstin Mackin – but she still appears to professionally go by Emhoff
It is not known or clear what it stands for, but Ella’s right hand features the initials KME on it.
It may be a possible tribute to her mother – whose maiden name is Kerstin Mackin – but she still appears to professionally go by Emhoff.
DOG
One of Ella’s few leg tattoos appears to be the outline of a dog’s head, positioned right under her knee
One of Ella’s few leg tattoos appears to be the outline of a dog’s head, positioned right under her knee.
The dog is facing in a side profile, and shows off some impressive line-drawing skills.
CAR
Another tattoo on Ella’s right leg – this time her thigh – is a lot flashier. A vintage car outline appears to take up most of the space
Another tattoo on Ella’s right leg – this time her thigh – is a lot flashier. A vintage car outline appears to take up most of the space.
Once again, it is captured from a side profile, with minimal shading.
LITTLE CIRCULAR DESIGN
One of Ella’s arms contains a mysterious circular little design, right next to a calf tattoo. It’s unclear if the tattoo is more abstract in nature
One of Ella’s arms contains a mysterious circular little design, right next to a calf tattoo.
It’s unclear if the tattoo is more abstract in nature or is meant to fit into her general floral theme, perhaps as a fruit.
SCATTERED LEG TATTOOS
Over the years Ella has accrued a number of tattoos across her legs over the years – but some of them are not always visible or clear
Further up her thigh also shows off a hidden tattoo – which appears to be a checkered board and a little circle
Over the years Ella has accrued a number of tattoos across her legs over the years – but some of them are not always visible or clear.
This includes small circular designs around her knees and calves, all adding to the fun patchwork aesthetic of her body ink.
Further up her thigh also shows off a hidden tattoo – which appears to be a checkered board and a little circle.
RIBCAGE TATOO
There also appears to be a delicate – but relatively spacious – tattoo along Ella’s right ribcage. However, it is not clear what the design could be
There also appears to be a delicate – but relatively spacious – tattoo along Ella’s right ribcage.
However, it is not clear what the design could be.
Followers of her Instagram page may sometimes get a glimpse of it if the model dons a cropped top or ensemble.
