Why Supermodel Karlie Kloss Quit Victoria’s Secret to Build a Tech Empire

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Jul 10, 2025

In a captivating discussion, Karlie Kloss, a model, investor, and founder of Kode With Klossy, dives into her fascinating journey from runway to tech. She reveals how early burnout led her to pivot towards empowering women in STEM. Karlie shares stories about funding her nonprofit through brand deals and her unique investments, including tampons! She emphasizes the importance of trusting instincts, navigating fame, and using her platform to advocate for reproductive rights, all while inspiring the next generation of women in both fashion and technology.

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ANECDOTE

Teen Model's Double Life

Karlie Kloss juggled walking Dior Couture shows at 15 while starting high school in Missouri.
She maintained a double life away from her peers who didn't understand the fashion world she inhabited.

ANECDOTE

Frugal Jetsetter Model

Karlie save every dollar and flew economy, even when clients paid for business class.
She cleverly used airline vouchers to fly her family around the world, showing her frugal mindset.

INSIGHT

Social Media as Business Tool

Karlie used social media as a professional tool to build her business and voice, not for personal exposure.
This detachment helped her handle negativity without taking it personally.

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Model, investor, activist, founder—Karlie Kloss has worn a lot of hats (and a lot of couture).

In this episode of The Burnouts, Karlie sits down with Phoebe and Sophia to talk about what happens when your “dream job” turns into something more. From getting scouted at 13 and walking Dior at 15, to launching Kode With Klossy and acquiring i-D magazine, Karlie shares the real story behind the headlines—and how she’s used her platform to build power on her own terms.

She opens up about early burnout, learning to trust her instincts, and the pressure of growing up in public. Plus: how she used brand deals to fund a coding nonprofit, why she angel invested in tampons, and what she’s learned about failure, focus, and building a career that actually lasts.

Also: how she made $10k flying economy???

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CHAPTERS
02:15 – Getting scouted at 13
04:10 – Saving every dollar (even mid-Fashion Week)
06:30 – Modeling as a means, not the end
09:20 – Using social media as a business tool
11:00 – Starting Kode With Klossy
15:10 – Investing in women-led companies
18:45 – Mistakes, pivots, and building something real
24:00 – Why she uses her dinner parties to fund reproductive rights
29:20 – Reimagining i-D for the next generation
33:00 – Advice for young women entering fashion
35:00 – Letting go of the pressure to have it all figured out

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Karlie Kloss

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