Karlie Kloss explains why she really hung up her Victoria's Secret angel wings

karlie kloss

Former Victoria's Secret star Karlie Kloss recently opened up about why she decided to hang up her angel wings back in 2015.

The model started working with the lingerie brand in 2011, and two years later she was made an 'angel', starring in the infamous Victoria's Secret catwalk shows.

But shortly after she began studying feminist theory at NYU in 2015, she quit working for the brand citing 'scheduling issues' as the main reason for leaving.

However, in a recent interview with British Vogue she revealed that the brand was no longer 'reflective of who [she was]'.

She told the publication: 'The reason I decided to stop working with Victoria’s Secret was I didn’t feel it was an image that was truly reflective of who I am and the kind of message I want to send to young women around the world about what it means to be beautiful.

'I think that was a pivotal moment in me stepping into my power as a feminist, being able to make my own choices and my own narrative, whether through the companies I choose to work with, or through the image I put out to the world.'

Karlie did return to the VS runway in 2017 and defended the world famous fashion show, telling The Telegraph that it was 'so relevant in the world we live in today' despite calls for it to be cancelled at a time when the Me Too movement was gaining traction.

She said: 'There’s something really powerful about a woman who owns her sexuality and is in charge.

'A show like this celebrates that and allows all of us to be the best versions of ourselves. Whether it’s wearing heels, makeup or a beautiful piece of lingerie — if you are in control and empowered by yourself, it’s sexy.'

Karlie has since gone on to develop a program which encourages young girls to learn how to code their own apps, named Koding with Klossy. She hopes it will encourage women to pursue careers in computer science and STEM-related fields.

Go Karlie.

Jadie Troy-Pryde
News Editor

Jadie Troy-Pryde is News Editor, covering celebrity and entertainment, royal, lifestyle and viral news. Before joining the team in 2018 as the Lifestyle and Social Media Editor, she worked at a number of women’s fashion and lifestyle titles including Grazia, Women’s Health and Stylist, and now heads the Marie Claire UK news desk.