Karlie Kloss is a supermodel, entrepreneur, and founder of Kode With Klossy, a nonprofit empowering young women and nonbinary youth through coding education. This essay is part of CNN Style’s The September Issues, exploring fashion’s evolving role in society and sustainability.
From the Runway to Ruby
Growing up in the Midwest, my father, an ER physician, nurtured my curiosity for science and technology. Though my career took me into modeling at 15, I never stopped learning. Seven years in, I enrolled in a coding class—studying Ruby, HTML, and CSS—and discovered a new passion. Coding wasn’t just a technical skill; it was a creative language shaping our world.
But I noticed a glaring gap: the tech industry was dominated by men. What innovations were we missing without diverse perspectives? In 2015, I launched Kode With Klossy to provide free coding camps for young women and nonbinary students. Since then, over 12,000 scholars have built apps tackling issues like sustainable recycling and tech career accessibility—proving that with the right tools, they can redefine the future.
Fashion’s Digital Revolution
Working in both fashion and tech, I see how they intersect. Designers of tomorrow won’t just sew—they’ll code. Digital tools like 3D modeling, AI, and AR are transforming creativity and sustainability.
For example, my Adidas collaboration with digital fashion house The Fabricant included a virtual jacket reinterpreted by artists and auctioned as NFTs, with proceeds supporting Kode With Klossy. This summer, I partnered with Roblox on the Fashion Klossette Designer Showcase, where creators designed avatar outfits for millions of players. Many of these digital designers are now collaborating with major brands—proof that virtual fashion is democratizing the industry.
Tech as a Sustainability Tool
Fashion is one of the world’s largest polluters, but tech offers solutions. Innovations like Bods, a virtual fitting tool I invested in, reduce returns and waste by matching shoppers to their perfect size digitally. Meanwhile, companies like Eon use RFID tags to track garments’ lifecycle, providing transparency on environmental impact and combating counterfeits in resale markets.
Breaking Barriers in STEM
Historically, women and gender-nonconforming individuals face hurdles in tech. This year, Kode With Klossy hosted 4,000 students from 99 countries. Their potential is limitless—and the diversity they bring will reshape not just fashion, but the world.
The future belongs to those who can blend creativity with code. And as I’ve learned, sometimes the most revolutionary ideas begin with a single line of it.
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