Vivian Jenna Wilson, the 21-year-old daughter of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, walked the CHRISHABANA runway at New York Fashion Week on Monday in an avant-garde metallic gown constructed from rows of safety pins and small chain links.
The appearance came a day after Wilson, who transitioned and legally changed her name and surname in 2022, made her catwalk debut at an Alexis Bittar presentation at the Abrons Theater, where she wore a bright red dress and a purple sash reading "Miss South Carolina." At CHRISHABANA she wore pointed-toe white heels, long straight blonde hair and striking claw-like rings on her middle fingers, drawing attention from photographers and attendees as she walked confidently.
Designer Alexis Bittar described the SS26 presentation as "MISS USA 1991: a dream sequence," saying the show explored themes of misogyny, unchecked predators, objectification and trans rights, drawing on surreal inspirations. Bittar thanked Wilson on social media for participating in what he described as her first show as "Miss South Carolina." Wilson posted an Instagram image after the show saying, "First fw show done, very slay."
Wilson has been publicly estranged from her father since she transitioned. The rift widened in 2022 after she filed to change her gender and surname; she later criticized Musk on social media and in interviews. Musk has made blunt comments about the family split while publicly aligning with conservative political figures. During campaigning activities he said Wilson had been "killed by the woke mind virus," a remark she and others publicly rejected.
In interviews this year, Wilson said she does not receive financial support from Musk and lives with roommates in Los Angeles. She told The Cut that she does not "have a lot of money," is considering community college because of cost, and appreciates having enough to cover basic needs and some discretionary spending. Her comments underscore a sharp contrast with public estimates of her father's wealth, which have been reported in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
Wilson, born in 2004 as one half of a twin pair with her brother Griffin, is the eldest of a group of children Musk has with different partners. She has spoken about neurodiversity and social experiences, saying she was diagnosed with ADHD and struggled at a private high school she described as filled with "nepo babies." She has also publicly criticized some of her father's actions and words; after filing to change her name she referred to him in a social media post as a "pathetic man-child."
Musk has said he has made efforts to repair the relationship, telling a biographer that his overtures have not been successful and that she does not want to spend time with him. He has at times said relationships with his children may change as circumstances evolve.
Wilson's back-to-back appearances at New York Fashion Week mark an early phase of her modeling activity in the public eye, drawing attention both for her runway looks and for the ongoing family tensions that have occasionally played out in public statements and legal filings.