New York Fashion Week is behind us, and with it, all those lovely celebrities perched front row, hands in lap, attention on the runway. This season was lousy with notable names including Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Teyana Taylor, Debbie Harry, and Gabrielle Union-Wade, to name just a starry few.
Apologies to all of them but no one was more magnetic, more charasmatic, more eye-catching than a certain larger-than-life pachyderm with long lashes and green nails so attention-grabbing, she practically stole the show at Sergio Hudson, Luar, and Miss Claire Sullivan. Friends, we’re referring to none other than Ellie the Elephant.
“This actually happens to be my second NYFW, and this year really blew me away,” the sassy and stylish New York Liberty mascot tells Vogue. “As you know, during Fashion Week it is all about who you are wearing and who wants you wearing them. Thanks to my amazing team, I’ve built relationships with new designers and reconnected with designers who we know really well already.” OK!
“Dressing Ellie and having her attend my event was such an honor,” said CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund nominee Miss Claire Sullivan, who put her in an iconic “I ❤️ NY” T-shirt and a swishy pleated skirt. “Ellie embodies the New York spirit—much like the brand itself.
Dancing with her at Dover Street Market was such a quintessential New York moment. We’re all about bringing together fashion and fun and embodying main character energy– which Ellie does so effortlessly.”
At Sergio Hudson’s show, meanwhile, she went full glam and donned a floor-length violet sequin gown under crimson coat. “I love dressing all women, and Ellie the Elephant is no exception,” said the designer. “She represents the NY Liberty, one of my favorite teams in the WNBA, it was amazing to have Ellie at the show.”
Ellie felt the same. “Sergio is a dear friend of the New York Liberty, having dressed my girls JJ, Sabrina, Stewie, and the incredible Clara Wu Tsai for the Met Gala in 2025. I was so honored to attend his show. We really love his work and what he represents.”
Like any other front row girlie, a lot of behind-the-scenes prep goes into getting her look put together, especially as Ellie exclusively wears custom pieces. “The designers I work with often refer to me as their canvas,” she says.
“They are so talented and I do my part to make sure their beautiful designs look phenomenal on me. As my fashion star rises, I love wearing pieces and committing to fashion in the way that I walk, breath and move.
It’s all vision, cohesion and collaboration.”
One couldn’t speak about Ellie with, of course, talking about her trademark nails. “My nail looks are always inspired by my friends at essie,” she said. “This time my set was an homage to my home, New York City—featuring charms and images that represent the greatest city in the world. It’s all about the details that make you sit up, lean in and look closer.”
Shana Stephenson, the New York Liberty’s chief brand officer said that Ellie has transcened her on-court role representing the team, helping, she says, to cement it as a “cultural force in New York.” That extends well beyond Manhattan too, as Ellie was spotted at the community-driven People’s Runway in Brooklyn on Saturday as well as designer Luar’s show out in Queens on Monday.
“The Luar show was a complete full circle moment for me,” says Ellie. “When I first started Ellie-vating my style, Luar was the very first brand to reach out and gift me a bag. So being there as a guest sitting in the front row, watching such a spectacular story being told through fashion and supporting those who have always believed in me—it brought tears to my eyes.”