Karlie Kloss' Express Runway Show Featured Women of All Races and Ethnicities
Growing up, Karlie Kloss couldn't find jeans that fit — and had to wear tall boots to disguise her high-waters. The supermodel even admits to feeling "body envy" for her sisters, who had shorter, curvier frames. "I was always the flat, tall, skinny girl in the room and they were curvy. And I was always so insecure about that," she tells Teen Vogue. "In my house, we were all different shapes and sizes and eventually, we learned to embrace our own uniqueness. That's when you truly start to shine." With that journey toward body confidence in mind, she created a line of wardrobe staples for Express that "flatters different shapes" — from high-waisted trousers that complement her own tall figure to a fitted pencil skirt inspired by her sister's curves. A collaboration with celebrity stylist Karla Welch, the 17-piece capsule brings Karlie's unique brand of model-off-duty dressing to the masses. It ranges from $25 for a fitted t-shirt to $168 for a reversible bomber jacket.
On Thursday (Mar. 30), Karlie returned to the site of her first runway show at 13-years-old — the Pageant Theater in St. Louis, Missouri — to debut her collaboration with Express. Fans filed into the venue for a chance to meet the supermodel-turned-business mogul, who also runs a coding scholarship program for teen girls, [Kode With Klossy] (http://kodewithklossy.com/), and launched a vegan baked goods collab with Momofuku Milk Bar. Alongside the fashion show, the audience enjoyed a performance by Charli XCX and a DJ set by Hannah Bronfman.
It was important to Karlie to send a diverse group of women down the runway. She hosted a national competition to scout non-models for the show, and tapped women of all races and ethnicities — including Tiara Sevon Cook, a military service member with short natural hair, and Mattea Linea, a local photographer born in South Korea. On Karlie's runway, Summer Albarcha became the second hijab-wearing model to walk in a major fashion show since Halima Aden at Fall 2017 Fashion Week. The significance of that moment wasn't lost on Summer, a modest fashion blogger based in St. Louis. "Growing up, I rarely saw anyone who dressed like I do in magazines or on television, so I feel very proud and grateful to have been able to walk in Karlie's show," Summer told Teen Vogue. "I hope to be able to bridge the gap between mainstream and modest fashion for my sisters around the world." With recent reports about models being discriminated against for their race, size, gender identity, and hair texture, it's more important than ever that diverse casting becomes the norm and not the exception.
Karlie is hopeful that the industry is progressing in the right direction. "I want more inclusivity in fashion, and for me, it's important to stand for that," she said. Ahead, get your first look at Karlie's collection — alongside her tips for making it in fashion, embracing your body, taking the best selfies, and so much more.
Courtesy of Express1/19Teen Vogue: I heard you walked in this venue for a runway show when you were 13!
Karlie Kloss: It's a total full-circle moment for me. This is where it all began. It was 11 years ago. I remember distinctly how it all went down, and how nervous I was. It was a big charity runway show and the whole community bought tickets. It was to benefit my friend's family because her Dad had cancer. I was not anticipating starting a career, or thinking about modeling or fashion whatsoever.
I got cast at the mall, in an open casting. I remember — even at that point — the people who worked with me would say 'Karlie, you have this unique walk. Usually, we're telling girls how to walk and changing their walk but we're just going to let you do your thing.' And it's so funny because I never felt like I was doing anything different. And at 15, I went to New York City for a weekend, and got booked to walk for Calvin Klein. And that's when my career began full-time.
Courtesy of Express2/19TV: Looking back, what advice would you give that 13-year-old girl now after you've accomplished so much in the industry?
KK: You have no idea what's ahead. Just you wait! Just buckle down and enjoy every minute of it. I'd tell myself to not overthink things, not to take yourself too seriously. As girls, we can be so hard on our ourselves. We're so self-critical. So I'd say, self-love is key and just enjoy the moment.
Courtesy of Express3/19TV: How did this collaboration with Express come about?
KK: My sisters, friends and I grew up locally here [in St. Louis], and Express was definitely a destination that I would shop at for back-to-school shopping. In the past few years, in my modeling career, I've worked with Express on my campaigns as a creative consultant. A year ago, we started this conversation about designing a collection together. I wanted it to be super authentic to the pieces I love most in my wardrobe. I wanted to design the ultimate staples that my sisters and friends could benefit from, pieces that can be dressed up and down, worn at work or just hanging out with your girls.
I worked really closely with Karla Welch, my stylist, to think through how to create simple pieces with a little bit of an edge. Express has been an amazing partner to take these designs and make them on a large scale and flatter all different shapes. Even in my house, my sisters and I are all different heights and shapes and sizes.
Courtesy of Express4/19TV: What are your thoughts on how the industry is progressing in terms of diversity and representation?
KK: I grew up with sisters with different body types. I've always had body envy of my sisters because they always had curves. I was always the flat, tall, skinny girl in the room, and I was always so insecure about that. Even when I began my modeling career, and was successful because of my tall, lanky body, I was still insecure. I'd come back to St. Louis and my sisters had these curves and all this different texture hair, and I always felt so Plain Jane. And I was so jealous of them. You always want what you don't have.
But, I don't think that there's 'one size that fits all' in the fashion industry. There's so much beauty in uniqueness. I want more inclusivity in fashion, and for me, it's important to stand for that. On our runway, we have girls of all backgrounds. And that's what I find beautiful. When people embrace their own uniqueness, and have confidence, they shine the best. The industry has gotten better over the past 10 years, but we still have a lot of progress to make, especially in terms of diversity on the runway. I'm definitely starting to see small steps in the right direction.
Courtesy of Express5/19TV: Is there one piece from the collection that you especially love?
KK: I love a high-waisted trouser. So, for me, this is just such a staple. I love a boss lady pant and boss lady pantsuit. I have a white and a black matching blazer and high-waisted trouser. We have two reversible bombers, and it's like 2 jackets for the price of 1. I love the retro summer dresses. They're super effortless: there's a red one, and one in a black-and-white polka dot print. Those you can dress up with heels and a red lip, or you can wear them with sneakers, which is totally my vibe.
Courtesy of Express6/19TV: Speaking of your vibe, you've created your own brand of model-off-duty dressing. How would you describe your personal style?
KK: I'm really true to myself, and I'm really simple. I love pieces that are comfortable because I live a busy life — running from class, to work, to the airport, catching up with friends. I love my Stan Smiths. I live in my sneakers because I'm 6'2"! I hope my style is chic and timeless, but with a little bit of an edge. And I love a mini skirt and a mini dress. Now that it's starting to get somewhat warmer, I say get those legs out.
Courtesy of Express7/19TV: What's one trend you'd never wear?
KK: I'm always up for trying new things but I'd never wear a flood pant or a drop-crotch pant because I'm so tall. There's certain things I know wouldn't work for my body.
Courtesy of Express8/19TV: What would your fans be surprised to learn about you?
KK: There's a lot of random, weird things about me, including my love of coding and general nerdiness. That fact shocked a few people I'm sure. Also, I'm really amazing at selfies. My tips are to always find natural light whenever possible. Whenever I take a picture, I find the first window. And I tilt the camera up above your head and find my angle. I've perfected the lighting technique. Oh! And always, always hit the side button.
Scroll through for select pieces from Karlie Kloss' collection for Express.
9/19Pair this reversible bomber jacket with everything from cut-off shorts to high-waisted trousers.
Karlie Kloss Satin Reversible Bomber Jacket, $168. express.com.
10/19Channel Clueless and layer this flirty bralette over a white t-shirt.
Karlie Kloss (Minus The) Leather Cropped Bralette Tank, $49.90. express.com.
11/19Red is the color au moment — and this maxi has the perfect cut-out surprise in the back.
Karlie Kloss Solid Maxi Dress, $88. express.com.
12/19Every summer wardrobe needs a fun (and optimistic!) graphic tee.
Karlie Kloss Shoot For The Moon Graphic Tee, $29.90. express.com.
13/19High-waisted trousers are the hardest-working pair of pants in your closet. Wear these with a blazer to your summer internship, and then pair them with a bra top for dinner with friends.
Karlie Kloss Wide Leg Belted Dress Pant, $88. express.com.
14/19Denim is so much more fun when patches and pins are involved.
Karlie Kloss Oversized Destroyed Embellished Denim Jacket, $168. express.com.
15/19Take it from us: you'll live in this comfy cotton tee.
Karlie Kloss Slub Cotton Tee, $24.90. express.com.
16/19Long live the (faux) leather mini skirt. Throw on a graphic tee or a distressed chambray shirt — and you're good to go.
Karlie Kloss High Waisted (Minus The) Leather Mini Skirt, $49.90. express.com.
17/19This reversible bomber jacket is even better from the back.
Karlie Kloss Satin Reversible Optimist Bomber Jacket, $168. express.com.
18/19The embellished trend is still going strong. Add a pin to your clothing and accessories to show off a little personality.
Karlie Kloss Heart And Smiley Face Pin Set, $29.90. express.com.
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