Karlie Kloss
Supermodel, Victoria's Secret Angel, entrepreneur, tech advocate
Karlie Kloss (born August 3, 1992) is an American supermodel, businesswoman, and television personality who rose to prominence in the 2000s as one of the most sought-after models in the fashion industry. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she was discovered at a local charity fashion show and quickly became a fixture on international runways for top designers including Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, and Chanel. Kloss achieved mainstream recognition as a Victoria's Secret Angel from 2013 to 2015, appearing in multiple runway shows that reached millions of viewers. Beyond modeling, she has diversified her career significantly: she has appeared on television as a host and contestant on "Project Runway," launched her own shapewear line, and founded Kode with Klossy, a nonprofit coding academy for young women. Her entrepreneurial ventures and advocacy for STEM education have positioned her as a modern role model who transcends traditional modeling. Kloss has maintained her relevance in an industry known for its fickleness through strategic business moves and authentic engagement with her audience across social media platforms.
Entertainment
American
1992
Thinking about the name
Karlie
Germanic origin
“A modern feminized and shortened form of Karl, meaning 'free man' in Germanic roots. Karlie gained significant popularity in the 2000s-2010s as part of the trend toward casual, friendly spellings of classic names. The -ie ending gives it a youthful, approachable quality while maintaining strength.”