Ella Emhoff fronts new Stella McCartney X Adidas Campaign

When it comes to stylish sportswear, Stella McCartney’s Adidas line has been a go-to since 2005.

And now the collaboration has a new face: model, artist and activist of the moment, Ella Emhoff, stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris. The White House connect has just posed in their latest campaign of outdoor and sportswear, in a drop named EARTH EXPLORER arriving in time for the winter months.

Last night, at the 2021 Met Gala, Emhoff was representing McCartney and Adidas in her red, sporty-sparkly ensemble. In glistening trainers, ruby high-shine baggy trousers and a panelled, skin-tight mesh top complete with shimmering crystal panels, she took to the cameras that line the infamous steps.

The look came as a surprise to some. Ex-Vogue Fashion Critic Suzy Menkes said “Not quite sure how Ella Emhoff’s sporty garment by Stella McCartney for Adidas fits the Met Ball theme of ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’.” But today’s announcement of the new partnership explains her sporty ball attire.

In the campaign shots, Emhoff is pictured on dimly-lit beaches, amongst trees and lurching over rocks. Most striking is the multi-purpose Sleeping Bag Puffer Jacket, full length in bright orange with high-vis panels, worn over a silver, zip front jumpsuit and new trainers made with PRIMEBLUE, which is part recycled Parley Ocean Plastic.

Another standout is the metallic silver body suit, also keeping to the outdoors-meets-functional focus, using AEROREADY which aims to keep wearers dry and comfortable. “I feel a very strong connection to the environment in the sense that to continue on as a world we need to protect it,” Emhoff said of the looks made by fashion’s figurehead in sustainability. “This is an issue that is really easy to not confront and almost give up, but I truly think that that alone should be the reason we fight even harder.”

Emhoff, who signed to Gigi and Bella Hadid’s modelling agency IMG in January this year, was catapulted into the fashion sphere after the inauguration that same month. Having demonstrated an eye for luxury with outings in a Miu Miu crystal embellished overcoat and another in a skirt, tie and overcoat combo by Thom Browne, she went on to make her catwalk debut at Proenza Schouler for their AW21 collection.

Alongside her in this McCartney drop are upcoming R&B artist Audrey Chu and activists Alima Lee and Yanece Cotto. “When creating this campaign, we really wanted to be able to support next-gen explorers on their adventures within nature through a multi-functional collection,” McCartney says.

“Ella and Audrey, alongside Alima and Yanece continue to inspire me with how they care for the planet they inhabit,” she continues. “The legacies they want to leave, and how they’re using their platforms to uplift the communities around them.” Time to nab a piece before the chill hits.