Kamala Harris’ influencer niece Meena is continuing to take full advantage of her connection to the Vice President by modeling in an at-home video for Prada – just weeks after she was told by the White House to stop using her aunt’s name and likeness to build her own brand.
The 36-year-old shared a video on her Instagram on Thursday in which she is seen posing on her couch while modeling an outfit and bag from the brand’s Fall Winter 2021 collection to help promote Prada’s designs – and its virtual pre-recorded runway show.
It is unclear whether Meena was paid for the post – which did not include a sponsored or ad hashtag – however it is likely that she received the high-end outfit, which is worth thousands of dollars, for free in return for showing it off to her 812,000 followers.
If Meena did receive a payment for the post, and she neglected to disclose that information clearly, she would be in violation of FTC regulations for social media influencers who make money from paid promotions online.
Meena is one of a handful of influencers enlisted by the brand to model its Cleo bag, which retails for $2,050, however her decision to get involved in such a public fashion campaign could well stir up further tensions with the White House given that it debuted exactly ten days after she was reportedly told by lawyers to stop using her aunt’s status to build up her own personal brand.
Loving the spotlight: Kamala Harris’ influencer niece Meena has cashed in on her connection to the Vice President once again, this time by modeling in an Instagram video for Prada
Brazen: The 36-year-old posted the video just days after she was warned by the White House to stop using her aunt’s name and likeness to build up her personal brand
Paid job? It is unclear whether Meena was financially compensated for the video; she did not use sponsored or ad hashtags when posting it on Thursday
One of the gang: Meena was an influencer before her aunt became Vice President, however her public profile has been significantly increased as a result of her connection to Kamala
Prada debuted the new collection with a more formal digital presentation on Prada.com and the brand’s website, but also enlisted several fashionistas to model the Cleo bag at home.
Among them was Meena, marking her first time modeling for the Italian luxury brand.
On Thursday evening, she shared a video of herself dressed up in a black Prada sweater, a long skirt, and blue heels, with a light blue Prada Cleo bag in her hands.
Meena, who has 812,000 followers on Instagram, struck several poses on her couch, both sitting and lounging in different positions to show off her outfit.
She also busted out a few dance moves, ran around with her shoes off, and swung the Cleo bag around.
‘The #PradaFW21 runway show from my couch shot by the talented @brittney.janae for @prada #pradacleo,’ Meena wrote.
Chic! Meena dressed up in a black Prada sweater, a long skirt, and blue heels, with a light blue Prada Cleo bag in her hands
Strike a pose! Meena, who has 812,000 followers on Instagram, struck several poses on her couch, both sitting and lounging in different positions to show off her outfit
Snap snap: She also busted out a few dance moves, ran around with her shoes off, and swung the Cleo bag around
Not a regular runway: Many fashion shows have gone digital during the pandemic
‘The #PradaFW21 runway show from my couch shot by the talented @brittney.janae for @prada #pradacleo,’ Meena wrote
Look two! Meena also modeled another white outfit for photographer María Esme del Río
Her video has earned over 23,000 likes so far with comments from celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson and celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan.
Meena also modeled another white outfit for photographer María Esme del Río.
Prada enlisted several fashionistas to help promote the new collection, including digital avatar Lil Miquela, singer Tiffany Young, South Korean singer Hyeri, and blogger Tamara Kalinic.
Meena’s fashion cred comes from her position as the CEO and founder of Phenomenal, a lifestyle brand that sells clothing and accessories with empowering messages.
Her line has celebrity fans including Jane Fonda, America Ferrera, Mindy Kaling, and Jessica Alba.
While the clothes are casual — most of the items are T-shirts and sweatshirts — Meena has modeled clothes from other designers in the past.
In November, she joined Stella McCartney’s #StellaAtoZ campaign, and in January, she covered The Times Magazine in a Cushnie dress.
Meena’s mother, Maya (right, 53), is Kamala’s sister. Kamala (center) helped raise her niece
White House lawyers have reportedly told Kamala Harris’ niece, Meena, to stop using her aunt’s status to build her brand
Meena’s Phenomenal line includes several pieces with feminist messages, and previously included quite a few that referenced her famous aunt
Meena’s Phenomenal line includes several pieces with feminist messages, and previously included quite a few that referenced her famous aunt.
However, she was told to stop using the Vice President to promote her line after the November 3 election.
Meena has had to scrub quotes attributed to VP Harris from her site, including one that ran alongside a $59 ‘Ambitious sweatshirt.
‘There will be a resistance to your ambition, there will be people who say to you, ‘you are out of your lane,’ it read. ‘They are burdened by only having the capacity to see what has always been instead of what can be. But don’t you let that burden you.’
She has also removed products that featured the words ‘I’m speaking!’, a quote Harris spoke to Vice President Mike Pence during their debate, as well as a collection of MVP [Madam Vice President] sweatshirts and a collaboration with Beats by Dre on a set of limited-edition headphones featuring a quote from Harris’ acceptance speech.
Social Goods also sells a children’s picture book called Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea for $18.99 – the name was inspired by Harris and Meena’s mother Maya.
The accompanying blurb also references the Vice-President, although it still refers to her as being a US Senator, and reads:
‘Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris is an empowering picture book about two sisters who work with their community to effect change, inspired by a true story from the childhood of her aunt, US Senator Kamala Harris, and mother, lawyer, and policy expert Maya Harris. ‘It’s an uplifting tale of how the author’s aunt and mother first learned to persevere in the face of disappointment and turned a dream into reality.’