Over the past few years, supermodel Karlie Kloss has taken the world by storm. She has walked hundreds of runway shows and graced the cover of countless magazines. Along with her contracts and workout sessions, Kloss has also started programs like “Kode with Klossy” that promotes girls to take part in computer science. Kloss also has a collection of “Kookies” at the trendy Manhattan Momofuku Milk Bar. The profits from the healthy cookies go to providing children with school lunches.

With Kloss going above and beyond her modeling duties, Kloss decided to take on a role from the other side of the runway by launching her new collection with Express. To show her collection off, Express and Karlie selected the models from a handful of applicants.

“They [express]  posted a video on their instagram saying that if you wanted to enter, you just had to post a video of you explaining how you live your best life, and how you inspire others to do the same,” Liz Bissonette one of the models that walked in the show said.  

Proud of her midwest roots, Kloss chose her hometown of St. Louis to make her design debut. The show took place at the same location Kloss first walked the runway at a charity event.

“This is really a full circle moment for me,” Kloss said.

Kloss invited the models that were selected to join her in St. Louis.

“I spent Wednesday morning traveling and spent the afternoon at fittings and doing interviews,” Bissonette said. “Thursday we had breakfast, went on a tour of the city, had lunch, then did hair and makeup and then rehearsal”

With Kloss’s collection inspired by the women in her life, it only made sense to have her fans walk the show.

“Karlie told us that this collection was heavily inspired by her own wardrobe,” Bissonette said.  “She said she wanted this to be timeless. She also talked about how she’s always on the go, and how these would be the items that she would throw in a suitcase.”