Karlie Kloss

Karlie Kloss
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Name	Karlie Kloss
Birth name	Karlie Elizabeth Kloss
Birth date	1992-08-03
Birth place	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Model, entrepreneur, philanthropist, programmer
Years active	2006–present
Spouse	Joshua Kushner (m. 2018)

Karlie Kloss is an American model, entrepreneur, and philanthropist known for her work on fashion runways, in editorial photography, and for founding coding initiatives. She rose to prominence through campaigns and magazine covers while also building ventures in technology education and media production. Kloss has been associated with major fashion houses, philanthropic organizations, and technology platforms, positioning her at the intersection of fashion, business, and social impact.

Early life and education

Kloss was born in Chicago and raised in St. Louis suburb Glen Ellyn, Illinois, the daughter of a real estate agent and a Lutheran pastor. She attended St. Louis Public Schools-area institutions and completed secondary education at Elyria High School before moving to pursue modeling, later taking courses at institutions associated with programming and entrepreneurship. Influences from family and Midwestern upbringing shaped her early interests in athletics such as ballet and volleyball and in academic pursuits that later informed her involvement with Harvard University-adjacent initiatives and technology communities.

Modeling career

Kloss's modeling career began after being discovered at a fashion scouting event, quickly leading to runway shows for houses such as Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, and Ralph Lauren. She has appeared on the covers of publications including Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and W Magazine, and worked with photographers such as Steven Meisel, Mert and Marcus, and Mario Testino. Campaigns for brands including Estée Lauder Companies, Victoria's Secret, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy expanded her commercial profile, while runway roles for Prada, Valentino, Versace, and Alexander McQueen established her as a high-fashion model. Kloss served as a Victoria's Secret Angel for several seasons and closed major shows, collaborating with designers like Tom Ford and Karl Lagerfeld in high-profile presentations.

Business ventures and entrepreneurship

Beyond modeling, Kloss founded and led initiatives such as Kode with Klossy, focused on expanding access to computer science education through coding camps and scholarships for young women, partnering with organizations including Microsoft, Google, and ByteDance affiliates. She launched a media production and e-commerce venture, working with creative partners like Condé Nast and YouTube creators to produce fashion and tech-related content. Kloss has been involved with investment and advisory activities, engaging with venture capital and startup communities in Silicon Valley, collaborating with firms and founders associated with Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and technology startups. Her entrepreneurship combines brand partnerships with educational and tech-sector collaborations, intersecting with networks that include CNBC, Fast Company, and Forbes profiles highlighting her business activities.

Philanthropy and advocacy

Kloss founded Kode with Klossy to teach coding skills to girls and underrepresented youth, partnering with nonprofit organizations and corporations such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-aligned programs, technology companies, and academic institutions to expand curricula. She has supported causes related to STEM access, women's empowerment, and disaster relief, participating in benefit events alongside organizations like UNICEF, Save the Children, and The Red Cross. Kloss has publicly advocated for increased representation and mentorship in technology and fashion, speaking at conferences including TED, industry summits like World Economic Forum side events, and educational forums hosted by MIT and Stanford University. Her philanthropic work includes scholarship initiatives and collaborations with public figures and institutions to fund programming and community outreach.

Personal life

Kloss married investor Joshua Kushner in a ceremony attended by friends and family from fashion and finance circles; the couple has connections to figures in New York City social and philanthropic networks. She balances life between residences and travels for professional commitments, maintaining privacy about family matters while occasionally appearing at public events with partners from media and business. Kloss has been vocal about healthy living, fitness routines influenced by dance and pilates, and dietary choices, and she has engaged in discussions with chefs, wellness experts, and lifestyle publications including Bon Appétit and Men's Health regarding wellness practices.

Public image and media appearances

Kloss's public image merges fashion credibility with tech-savvy entrepreneurship, leading to television appearances on programs such as Project Runway, guest segments on The Tonight Show-type formats, and features on digital platforms including Instagram and YouTube. She has been profiled by outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, and The Wall Street Journal, and has appeared at industry events including Met Gala-adjacent functions, award ceremonies like the CFDA Awards, and global forums. Collaborations with designers, photographers, and media brands have reinforced her visibility across fashion weeks in New York City, Paris, Milan, and London, while her advocacy for coding and education has led to keynote addresses and panel participation with academic and corporate partners.

Category:1992 births Category:American female models Category:American philanthropists