Knowles was born and raised in Melbourne[3] to Stuart and Kim on 30 September 1992. She has two younger siblings: a sister, Tahlea, and a brother, Brayden.
Knowles started modelling when she was 10 years old. Throughout primary school she worked for a group of family brands like Target Australia, until she was chosen for a Jay Jays campaign.[4] When she turned 16, she travelled to China and Hong Kong to model internationally.[5]
In 2015, she became a fitness model for Billabong and also designated as an ambassador for the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix as well as the Melbourne Spring Racing ambassador.[6] Elyse also launched her own fashion label, “Evrryday”.[7]
In 2016, Knowles was the face of ulta3 and the Caulfield Cup Carnival,[8] an ambassador for ATC Longines Golden Slipper alongside Rachel Griffiths,[9] and an ambassador for DHL’s “Safer Beaches” campaign.[10]
Knowles and her boyfriend Josh Barker were one of five couples competing in Nine Network’s thirteenth season of The Block, premiered on 30 July 2017.[11] They won when their renovated house was sold at auction to comedian Dave Hughes for $3.067 million AUD. This allowed the couple to pay off their mortgage.[12] In the same year, Elyse became WaterAid’s event ambassador, in her first charity ambassador role.[13]
The publicity boost from Knowles' win in The Block helped her book more modelling gigs and had contributed to a busy 2018.[14] During this year, she was designated as an ambassador for Aveda Haircare,[15] Australian swimwear brand Seafolly,[1] Davidoff Parfum ‘Cool Water’ Fragrance,[16] and the Australian department store chain Myer. Knowles succeeded fellow Aussie model Jennifer Hawkins as an ambassador of Myer, after the latter stepped down from the role after 12 years.[17]
Knowles met her fiancé Josh Barker in his hometown, Byron Bay, in 2013. They moved from Melbourne together and have a son named Sunny.[18]
After winning the 13th season of The Block, the couple founded J&E projects in 2018, a building and design company that handles projects in Melbourne and Byron Bay.[19]
