How a Met Gown is Made | 2018 | Karlie Kloss

Karlie Kloss in Town & Country

Karlie Kloss Is Taking "Girl Boss" to Another Level by Teaching Young Women How to Code

The supermodel-turned-mentor has made quite an impact since she founded the nonprofit Kode With Klossy in 2015.

by CHRISTY TURLINGTON BURNS

There are many definitions for the word model, and Karlie Kloss transcends all of them. It has been 10 years since Karlie came onto the fashion scene, and at 25 she remains at the top of her game, while in her “downtime” she has been quietly and graciously taking on so much more. These days she is most passionate about Kode With Klossy, the nonprofit she founded in 2015.

On the surface it’s about teaching girls—who may not have the access, resources, or nerve to seek out computer science training—to code. But at its core it gives young women a sense of self, supplying them with proof that there is no task they should shy away from attempting, no room they should feel unworthy of entering.

I launched my own nonprofit, Every Mother Counts, in 2010, with a mission to improve access to safe and respectful maternity care for all women, after experiencing a childbirth-related complication when I delivered my daughter. That was around the time that Karlie and I first met and discovered we were kindred spirits. We are both committed to improving access to skills and opportunities for girls and women, because we know in doing so the world will be a better place.

Christy Turlington Burns: Why did you create Kode With Klossy? Karlie Kloss: I remember when you launched the movie for Every Mother Counts, No Woman, No Cry, in 2011, and watching a ­morning show where you were talking about the documentary. I must have been 18 years old, and I realized there was an opportunity to do more not only for myself but for others.

CTB: How did coding become part of your life? KK: I ended up in a class in 2014 because I was curious about this language that a handful of people knew and were able to use to build things. After the first year of learning how to code, I put out on my social media platforms an offer for scholarships for 20 girls to learn the same. I got 1,000 entries for those spots.

CTB: Before you started modeling and took this path, were you at all interested in computers? KK: I didn’t grow up with a smartphone. You’re a good mom, and your kids don’t always have phones around them…

CTB: Oh, they do. KK: I didn’t have my first phone until I was 13, and that was only for emergencies. I never had a computer science class growing up. I was always good at math, science, and logic-based problem solving, but I wish I was exposed to this earlier on.

CTB: What is meaningful to you about passing on your knowledge to girls? KK: There’s a real confidence that comes with learning something challenging. They’re recognizing their potential in an industry in which they previously hadn’t seen themselves.

CTB: They’re 13 to 18. Do you find that people in that age range like to be together and become a team easily? Is it a shared learning experience? KK: The thing that’s awesome is watching them not only become comfortable in group dynamics but build strong friendships. Often, young women don’t take coding classes in school, if they’re lucky enough to be offered them, because they might be the only girl. We wanted to eliminate the barriers to entry that could keep someone from entering that classroom in the first place.

CTB: What do you think about the importance of mentoring? KK: It’s ironic to be asked that question by you, because you’ve been such a role model. With the mentoring component of Kode With Klossy, there’s this byproduct that I never anticipated, which is the connection that is made throughout the community. We’re going into our fourth summer this year, and many of the girls who have been in our camps in the past want to be part of teaching other girls. There’s something so inspiring about seeing this circular experience.

CTB: When you realize that what you do can impact more people than you anticipated, it’s a powerful thing. It’s also daunting. Have you had that experience with your philanthropy? KK: That word, philanthropy, is so formal. I never set out with the intention of being a philanthropist. I am somebody who was raised in a family and community where if you have something to give, that’s what you do. The girls in the community we’re building have the same desire. There’s a group of girls who built an app to better serve the homeless community in St. Louis; they built the app just to help but ended up winning a $50,000 GlobalHack prize. My perspective on philanthropy isn’t that you should work your whole life and then give it away, but that you should think about what you can do or give or share now that will impact people.

CTB: What advice would you offer someone who wants to give back? KK: The best advice I can give is to lead from your gut, even if that’s different from what other people want you to do.

CTB: You were so helpful to my daughter recently when she was making a huge decision. I think you can learn from almost anyone in your life, but when there’s someone who’s just a bit ahead of you, that person can be someone to really look up to. KK: Part of the beauty of giving is that it’s a chain. The way you have affected me, and so many others, I feel a responsibility to pass that on. We women can be tough on ourselves, and it’s important to remember that if you’re overwhelmed by everything that comes with being a young woman, give yourself the time and space to learn who you are.

CTB: What do you think success going forward looks like for Kode With Klossy? KK: We have plans for year-round programs to support girls every step of the way to become leaders in tech or whatever they want to go into. Investing in teachers is something that’s been a big focus for us, building out curriculums, and working to change the idea that coding is only for a guy in a hoodie. Another inspiring part of building Kode With Klossy is learning about the other people out there, people like Melinda Gates, who I admire on so many levels. CTB: She’s someone we share as a mentor. Early on with Every Mother Counts, she and the Gates Foundation were making bold investments in women’s health. I’ve loved seeing her talk recently about tech and computer science, which bridges both of our interests. KK: Thank you, Melinda Gates! And thank you, Christy. I never would have thought to dream as big as I do if I hadn’t seen you on TV in that moment. CTB: If that one morning show had that impact on you, imagine the way every time you talk about this issue affects people. KK: In the world we live in, you can tell how many likes or eyeballs something gets, but there’s not an easy metric to measure the ways you’ve touched people’s lives. CTB: Investing in teachers, training, skills building, and communities is the way to make the world the place we want to live in. I’m so going to have my daughter enroll in your camp at some point. KK: I’m going to text her right now and tell her to apply! Applications close Sunday, so she needs to get on it.(x)

Girls in FRAME: Karlie Kloss

Karlie Kloss is the prototypical contemporary supermodel. While the St. Louis native has graced the cover of Vogue 36 times, she’s also fronted the likes of Forbes, Fast Company, and earned a spot on Time’s influential 100 list for her entrepreneurial and philanthropic efforts. A master multi-hyphenate, Kloss defies the status quo, challenging the very definition of “model.” At the age of 15, her first fashion week tour saw the six-foot-two beauty walk a staggering 64 shows. Outside of the fashion scope, and ten years later, Kloss is an entrepreneur, coder, television host, philanthropist, role model, smoothie mad scientist (as she explains), and that hardly scratches the surface. While undoubtedly atypical, our friend and longtime FRAME collaborator decodes an ordinary day (if there ever was one).

First things first, let’s talk about FRAME and “Forever Karlie.” We must have met five years ago. I love being part of the FRAME family. I immediately fell in love with their energy and creativity. When we first started talking about doing a collaboration together, I was super flattered and excited. I always struggled with finding the right pair of jeans, so when we first spoke about creating the “Forever Karlie” collection featuring super long-legged jeans for long-legged girls, it was a no-brainer and is something that today, years later, I’m still asked about. At the Oscars this year, a woman even stopped me in the bathroom and said, “Karlie, I have to tell you. I wear your jeans every day.” You know, It’s always nice hearing from people about projects I’ve worked on.

What is a typical day like for you? Does one exist? It’s always changing and depends on where I am. For instance, I blocked out the first two weeks of January to just focus on my learning. So I’m starting my day with a good workout, studying with my coding teacher and spending time in my office for any calls or meetings later in the day but I’m more so based in New York on days like these. Those are my favorite days when I get to do all the things that I love – a little bit of learning and a meeting with my team to keep the ball moving forward on all projects. It’s my favorite thing to just be in the office and to really be productive. I love to collaborate with my team and be in the same space as everyone. Being in my own office is such a luxury because I travel so much. Or, it might be getting on a plane and going to a photo shoot, which I love too.

What is your favorite place in all of New York? Washington Square Park. I love going there on a Saturday or Sunday morning to see the piano players in the park. It’s a totally immersive New York City experience. I love to walk everywhere and anywhere. I love my commute to work. My office is in SoHo and I love to stop at this little coffee shop, La Colombe, which is downstairs from my office. It’s the best.

Jumping into fashion. What is one thing that you have in your closet that you’ll never throw away? Oh, well first of all, my “Forever Karlie” jeans. I also have so many beautiful handbags and shoes that were gifts from designers, which are really personal and special. I have an Oscar de la Renta gown that I wore to the Met Ball with him [in 2014]. I was his date and it was the last time  I got to spend time with him. I will never, ever get rid of that.

Tell me about your Instagram use. Do you have any rules? I don’t like to be on my phone all the time because it feels too distracting. It’s hard to be present and productive if you’re only looking at your phone. I look at Instagram a couple times a day – first thing in the morning, around lunch, and again in the afternoon or evening. But I love working off my laptop to answer emails, code or work on any other projects.

Speaking of Instagram, what apps are you obsessed with? I’m obsessed with Postmates and Uber. Those are essentials. I’m also really into these two investment apps. The first is called Robinhood, where you can invest, watch stocks and manage your own investment portfolio, which is awesome. I love learning about investing and about different tech companies. Robinhood is a cool new tech company and I love their app. The other one is called Coinbase where you can buy and sell Bitcoin and other currencies. I also love Instacart to avoid going out to get groceries, and the ESPN app for my fantasy football team.

How do you switch off after work? If for whatever reason I didn’t work out in the morning, I love to do some light cardio at the end of the day, which could mean a bike ride or long run. I call my family, friends, check in with loved ones. I love going to great restaurants, I’m always looking for cool new spots. I definitely love to go for a run to blow off some steam. When I can, I’m also obsessed with Netflix and binge-watching. When I was home for the holidays, I watched every minute of The Crown. I watched the entire second season twice. [laughs] and I love Stranger Things and South Park.

Who is on your dream list to bake cookies with? I feel pretty lucky that I’ve been able to bake with some pretty dreamy people including Martha Stewart, who is such a legend, but I absolutely worship Oprah. I would love to bake with her.

OK. Now, if this conversation were a cookie, what type of cookie would it be? A double chocolate vegan cookie with extra chocolate chips, salt on top, and maybe some walnuts for a nice bit of nuttiness.

Perhaps frozen? Yes! Frozen. Love it. (x)

What's In My Bag? Carry-On Edition | Karlie Kloss

Whether I'm going home for the weekend or headed to Europe for a few days, you will always find this exact set up in my carry-on. Checked luggage? Different story.

ELECTRONICS: iPhone, iPad, Wireless Headphones (charged), Double charger outlet, Apple Charger (2), Samsung/mini usb, USB-C Charger (only if taking laptop), Mophie (Charged), International adapters.

TOILETRIES: Toothbrush+Toothpaste, Floss, Q-tips, Eye/face masks, Deodorant , Lip balm (Labello), Eye cream, Face day and night cream, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, Face Serum, Face wash, travel size, Simple Lotion, Body Lotion, Face Exfoliator, Hair mask, Hair shampoo, Makeup remover wipes/towelettes, Hair brush, Scrunchies, Headband, Bobby pins (4), Safety pins, Nail file, Nail oil, Tampon, stain remover, perfume.

MAKE UP BAG: Concealer, Uncover up concealer, Nude Lip Pencil, Nude Gloss, Lip Balm, Mascara, Creme Blush, Hair extensions, Mini lint roller, Sunglasses, Pens (black/purple), Post-its, Band-aids, Earplugs, Eye sleep mask

VITAMINS/SUPPLEMENTS/MEDECINES: Melatonin, Magnesium pills, Vitamins, Probiotics, Advil, Tylenol, Charcoal

CLOTHES: Socks (3), Underwear (3), Bras (x of days away, black+nude+strapless), Spanx Black, Spanx Nude, PJs, Sweatpants, Plain sleeping t-shirts, Comfy Undies, Plain white tees (Karla), Long sleeve cashmere sweater (black or grey), Black skinny jeans, Blue jeans (high waisted/boyfriend), Stan Smiths, Chic ( Channel) flats, Handbag

WORKOUT: Black leggings (Running shorts in the summer), Sports bras, Tanks or other tops, Jacket or long sleeved tee, adidas socks, adidas running sneakers

SNACKS No Cow Bars, Dark Ritter chocolate 73%, Liquid stevia + Stevia in the raw packet, Crystal light (lemonade and grape), Chocolate low calories protein bars, Protein Bottle Shaker + vegan chocolate & vanilla protein sachets, Extra gum: Spearmint, Trident gum: Bubblegum, Lifesavers: Wintergreen, Hot chocolate packets, Lemon Ginger tea, Green tea, Hot sauce packet, Almond butter Packet