Emily Ratajkowski: Modern Feminist Icon

Emily Ratajkowski is far more than just a supermodel. She is a writer, activist, entrepreneur, and cultural icon who continues to shape the conversation around feminism, beauty, and empowerment in the 21st century. With dual nationalities from the United States and the United Kingdom, Emily has leveraged her international identity to become one of the most influential figures in fashion, media, and beyond.

Early Life and Cultural Roots

Born on June 7, 1991, in Westminster, London, Emily O'Hara Ratajkowski grew up surrounded by creativity and intellect. Her father, a painter, and her mother, an English professor and writer, instilled in her a deep appreciation for the arts. Her early years were spent traveling through Europe, especially in Ireland and Spain, experiences that broadened her perspective and enriched her cultural understanding. She was later raised in Encinitas, a coastal city near San Diego, California, where she nurtured her interests in acting and fashion.

Modeling Career: Global Stardom

Emily’s modeling career skyrocketed following her appearance in the controversial yet career-defining “Blurred Lines” music video by Robin Thicke in 2013. This catapulted her into the global spotlight, earning her titles such as Esquire’s "Woman of the Year" (2013) and GQ’s "Sexiest Woman in the World" (2014).

Since then, she has graced the covers of some of the most prestigious fashion magazines, including multiple international editions of Vogue (Italian, Spanish, German, and Turkish), Harper’s Bazaar, V Magazine, Madame Figaro, GQ, Glamour, and InStyle (British, Australian, and American editions). In 2025 alone, she was featured on the covers of Vogue Turkey and Pop Magazine and appeared in editorials for Document Journal and System Beauty.

Ratajkowski has also been a muse for leading fashion photographers such as Inez and Vinoodh, Mert & Marcus, David Sims, Mario Testino, Mario Sorrenti, Grace Ahlbom, and Cass Bird. She has fronted campaigns for global fashion houses like Versace, Marc Jacobs, Paco Rabanne, Kérastase, and Self-Portrait.

Emily is represented by top modeling agencies worldwide, including DNA Models in New York, Viva Paris, Viva London, and Viva Barcelona, solidifying her status as an international fashion powerhouse.

Entrepreneurial Vision: Inamorata

In 2017, Emily launched her own clothing line, Inamorata, a collection that includes swimwear, loungewear, and body-positive basics. The brand celebrates female empowerment, body acceptance, and sensuality. Through her massive Instagram following—over 26 million—she successfully turned her influence into a booming business, earning a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2020.

Inamorata reflects Emily’s San Diego roots and personal style. It challenges traditional beauty norms and invites women to embrace their individuality, regardless of shape or size.

A Voice for Feminism and Self-Ownership

Emily Ratajkowski’s influence extends well beyond fashion. She is a vocal feminist and author who uses her platform to dissect the complexities of body politics and gender dynamics. Her essay “Buying Myself Back,” published in The Cut in 2020, was a powerful meditation on the commodification of female images and the fight for self-ownership.

This essay laid the foundation for her critically acclaimed book My Body (2021), a collection of essays exploring the tension between empowerment and objectification. The book was praised as "sincere" and "transcendent" by The New York Times, and became a New York Times bestseller. It has been recommended by Vogue and TIME as essential reading for anyone interested in feminist thought and media critique.

In a trailblazing move to reclaim her image, Emily sold an NFT of a conceptual photograph of her body through Christie’s auction house in April 2021. This act was symbolic of her broader campaign for autonomy and control over her representation.

Acting Career: From iCarly to Hollywood

Emily began acting at a young age, with early roles in short films and a recurring part on the Nickelodeon show iCarly (2009–2010). Her breakthrough role in film came in 2014 with Gone Girl, directed by David Fincher, where she played Andie Fitzgerald opposite Ben Affleck. The film was a critical and commercial success, marking her entry into mainstream Hollywood.

Subsequent roles include starring alongside Zac Efron in We Are Your Friends (2015), Entourage (2015), I Feel Pretty (2018) with Amy Schumer, Cruise (2018), In Darkness (2018), and Lying and Stealing (2019) with Theo James. On television, she has appeared in series like The Spoils Before Dying (2015) and Easy (2016).

Style and Influence: A Modern Icon

Emily’s fashion sense is iconic—feminine yet bold, classic yet daring. She has become a style reference, not just for her red carpet looks but for her effortless street style. Whether she’s in dresses, suits, or her beloved sneakers—especially her colorful Puma SpeedCats—she always finds a way to balance comfort and sophistication.

She uses fashion as a tool of expression and empowerment, embodying a generation that refuses to be boxed in. Her rejection of outdated beauty standards and embrace of authenticity resonates with millions.

In a candid interview with Glamour UK, she reflected on her career: “I didn’t want to be famous. I was just trying to save money to do what I really wanted: create things.” That creative drive, paired with a fearless attitude, continues to define her path.

Personal Life and Advocacy

Emily married actor and producer Sebastian Bear-McClard in 2018, and they welcomed their son, Sylvester Apollo Bear, in March 2021. The couple separated in 2022, and Emily has since spoken openly about motherhood, identity, and personal growth.

In 2022, she was briefly linked to comedian Pete Davidson, a relationship that made headlines but did not distract her from her work and advocacy.

She has also used her platform to voice concern over socio-political issues. For example, she criticized the Blue Origin space flight that featured Katy Perry and Lauren Sánchez, calling it a "marketing stunt" disconnected from the real struggles many people face on Earth. “What’s the point of this?” she asked, voicing frustration over wealth inequality and environmental hypocrisy.

The Legacy of Emily Ratajkowski

Emily Ratajkowski stands at the intersection of beauty, intellect, and cultural relevance. From high-fashion runways to bestselling bookshelves, from Hollywood to social media, she continues to redefine what it means to be a woman in the public eye.

Unapologetically herself, she’s not just modeling clothes—she’s modeling a new form of modern femininity. One that is powerful, self-aware, unfiltered, and unafraid.