Karlie Kloss, Model and Founder of Kode With Klossy

Karlie Kloss discusses her journey to becoming one of the world’s most famous models, her work supporting girls and young women to become leaders in tech, and how she’s built a personal brand that emphasizes inclusivity and empowerment. 

On learning how to code and empowering women in tech: “Just because I'm a woman that works in the fashion industry doesn't mean that I a) can't learn these skills, or b) be interested in tech and business and realize how many ways these skills can be applicable to any industry—and that's what I really want to help other young women realize. It’s, unfortunately, primarily a male-dominated field and I think there's a lot of reasons for that; I think there are a lot of barriers to entry. There's not enough access to learning opportunities… Another big factor is not having enough women in leadership positions that you can see and aspire to be.”

On developing her personal brand: “Back in 2007, it was a very different kind of experience being in fashion, but through this kind of evolution of social media, it's given someone like me—who didn't previously have a voice—a platform. Not just be the canvas for a brand or a designer, but actually be able to show who I am, stand up for what I believe in, [and] say how I feel.”