Bloomberg Originals
Bedford Media relies on lean operational frameworks and small core teams to make traditional magazines like Life and i-D profitable without chasing tech-sized financial returns.
AI-assisted summary of How Karlie Kloss Went From Cover Girl to Media Mogul | The Circuit — original source. Check the original for full context.
Source published:
Detailed notes
## Background This episode of "The Circuit with Emily Chang" was published on YouTube by Bloomberg Originals on July 1, 2026. According to the page description, host Emily Chang goes inside the world of supermodel-turned-entrepreneur Karlie Kloss to explore how she is working to revive magazine publishing.
## TL;DR Karlie Kloss discusses her transition from a top fashion model to an investor and media entrepreneur acquiring iconic print publications like Life, i-D, and W Magazine through Bedford Media. Returning to her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, she reflects on supporting her family through bankruptcy during her early modeling days, launching Kode with Klossy, and her advocacy for reproductive rights. She also addresses operating lean startup models for legacy titles, maintaining editorial independence, navigating her family's political dynamics, and balancing her business pursuits with raising three young children.
## Atmosphere & style The interview strikes a warm, intimate, and candid tone as it bridges high-fashion glamour with grounded Midwestern roots. Emily Chang and Karlie Kloss share an easy, conversational rapport, transitioning seamlessly from thoughtful discussions on media economics and political principles to playful, nostalgia-filled moments like sampling St. Louis frozen custard and critiquing tech CEO wardrobes. The experience feels accessibly personal yet deeply business-focused, illustrating Kloss's journey with a mix of reflective authenticity and sharp entrepreneurial drive.
## Key takeaways - [00:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=2s) Karlie Kloss is leading Bedford Media to revive historic media titles like Life, i-D, and W Magazine by running them as lean, startup-style digital and commercial operations. - [07:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=456s) Bedford Media's core philosophy is to preserve the editorial integrity and cultural impact of heritage titles without needing massive traditional overheads or huge tech teams. - [01:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=90s) Growing up in St. Louis, Kloss entered high-fashion modeling at age 15, balancing high school with international assignments like shooting for Vogue on the Great Wall of China. - [03:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=209s) Following the 2008 financial crisis and her family's bankruptcy, Kloss's early modeling income served as a critical financial lifeline to support her parents and educate her sisters. - [05:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=342s) Kloss transitioned from modeling to business and investing early on, launching her YouTube channel Klossy, founding Karlie's Kookies, hosting Project Runway, and angel investing. - [14:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=872s) To address the gender gap in technology, Kloss founded Kode with Klossy in 2015, a free coding program for young women and non-binary teens that has reached over 12,000 alumni. - [13:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=781s) Addressing media ownership concerns, Kloss emphasizes maintaining a strict boundary between commercial management and creative editorial independence. - [15:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=944s) Kloss remains politically active as a Democrat and advocate for reproductive rights, campaigning for Missouri's constitutional amendment protecting reproductive access. - [18:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=1122s) Through the Gateway Coalition, Kloss has helped direct over $4 million to local clinics nationwide to maintain access to healthcare. - [20:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=1226s) Now in her early thirties with three young children, Kloss is balancing her media ventures with family life.
## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=2s) Navigating the Tough Business of Media
Emily Chang introduces her conversation with supermodel-turned-entrepreneur Karlie Kloss, focusing on the daunting economics of the modern magazine industry. Kloss discusses how small, independent print media businesses are continually failing because they refuse to innovate or think outside the box. Facing a world dominated by fast-paced digital distractions, Kloss explains that her main operational goal is to figure out how to capture consumer attention and create tangible publications that truly break through the noise and matter.
Karlie Kloss has built a multifaceted identity spanning fashion, tech, and media investment. Chang highlights her journey from a runway supermodel to a businesswoman who uses her capital strategically, asserting that "money is power." The dialogue touches on Kloss's approach to her high-profile personal life with husband Josh Kushner, maintaining a strict boundary around their privacy despite relentless public interest. As she steps into her newest role—buying up iconic publishing titles like *Life*, *i-D*, and *W Magazine* through Bedford Media—Kloss analogizes her transformation of these historic properties to "running a startup inside a vintage car."
- **Key Media Acquisitions:** Bedford Media's portfolio includes *i-D*, *Life Magazine*, and a major stake in *W Magazine*. - **Editorial Philosophy:** Viewing legacy print publications as high-credibility platforms that need modern, leaner startup operations to survive.
[01:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=90s) Returning to St. Louis Roots and Early Modeling Days
Emily Chang travels with Karlie Kloss back to her hometown in the Midwest, starting at Webster Groves High School near St. Louis. Walking through the halls triggers vivid memories of Kloss balancing a dual life as a regular teenager and an international model. Kloss jokes about missing school yearbook photos because she was off shooting on location for major fashion houses, including a *Vogue* shoot on the Great Wall of China while her classmates were sitting in the school gymnasium.
The narrative shifts to her high school years, where Kloss describes herself as a "total nerd" rather than a runway star. A playful exchange with a former high school peer reveals that while she was allegedly rejected for a prom date early on, they ultimately went to senior prom together. Kloss attended wearing orange Dior Couture while her date wore a tuxedo rented from Men's Wearhouse.
- **High School:** Webster Groves High School in the St. Louis suburbs. - **Prom Attire:** Dior Couture dress paired with a standard Men's Wearhouse tuxedo.
[03:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=209s) Cinderella Story and Navigating Family Financial Hardship
At her parents' house in St. Louis, Kloss reflects on her abrupt rise to stardom. Raised in the Midwest, she had never flown on an airplane until age 13, as her family took cross-country road trips for summer vacations. Her life transformed almost overnight at age 15 when she was cast in the Calvin Klein New York Fashion Week show. She quickly found herself jet-setting between suburban Missouri, Paris, Tokyo, and New York.
During a slice of local Emo's Pizza with her mother, Kloss reflects on the financial reality behind her early success. Her sudden rise in 2008 coincided directly with the global financial crisis. Her family was severely impacted, enduring bankruptcy and losing their house. Kloss's high-earning modeling career allowed her to step in as a teenager to support her parents and put her sisters through school, turning her modeling work into an essential lifeline for her family.
- **Breakthrough Runway Moment:** Walking for Calvin Klein at New York Fashion Week at age 15. - **Financial Context:** Used her early modeling income to support her family through bankruptcy during the 2008 financial crisis. - **Local St. Louis Detail:** Kloss introduces Chang to St. Louis-style Emo's Pizza (cut into square slices).
[05:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=342s) Evolving from Cover Girl to Creator and Investor
Looking through scrapbooks of newspaper clippings and cover shoots saved by her mother, Kloss discusses how the modeling industry shifted dramatically during her career. Starting at a time when models were expected to be "seen and not heard," she capitalized on the arrival of social media to speak directly to her audience, build her personal brand, and pivot into business ventures.
Her entrepreneurial journey expanded beyond modeling: - Launched her own YouTube channel (*Klossy*) during the initial wave of the creator economy. - Founded **Karlie's Kookies**, a philanthropic cookie line that funded over 500,000 school lunches. - Took a coding course at Flatiron School, which sparked her passion for technology education. - Hosted the television series *Project Runway* in 2019, stepping into Heidi Klum's former role. - Began actively angel investing in early-stage startups, leveraging her capital to support founders and causes aligned with her values.
Kloss notes that while she loves walking runways and considers fashion part of her identity, she always viewed modeling as a stepping stone to fund broader ambitions and learn from creative masterminds.
[07:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=456s) Bedford Media and the Business Model for Legacy Titles
Kloss outlines the core business rationale behind Bedford Media, the media venture she founded with her husband, Josh Kushner. Bedford aims to apply a nimble startup framework to storied, heritage media brands. Speaking on taking over titles like *Life Magazine* (over 90 years old) and British style magazine *i-D* (acquired out of Vice Media's bankruptcy), Kloss acknowledges that critics view her move as "running into a burning building."
Rather than hunting for massive tech-like financial returns, Kloss states her intent is to build lean, sustainable business models that preserve the cultural soul and editorial integrity of these outlets.
> "I don't think that we're gonna have like Facebook outcomes on this investment necessarily, but like that's not my intention here... my intention is to build a really viable business, but to make really meaningful work along the way."
- **Bedford Media Strategy:** Running lean, startup-style tech and commercial operations without needing massive traditional overheads or hundred-person tech teams. - **Key Brand Heritage:** Preserving *Life Magazine*'s historic photographic legacy and *i-D*'s youth culture roots.
[09:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=541s) Inside the Offices of *i-D* Magazine
Kloss takes Chang on a tour of the *i-D* magazine office in New York City's Lower East Side shortly after the release of their spring issue. They meet with staff members, including Global Editorial Director Steff Yotka, amidst the post-Fashion Month whirlwind. Kloss highlights *i-D*'s origin story—founded by Terry and Trish Jones, who hand-stapled early issues and pioneered "Straight Up" street-style portraiture.
When asked why physical magazines still matter in an era of digital saturation, Yotka explains that print serves as a permanent, tangible historical record of culture that can never be erased from the internet. Yotka also points out that having Kloss at the helm is a departure from traditional publishing ownership, where media properties are typically owned by older male executives out of touch with modern youth culture.
- **Location:** Lower East Side, New York City. - **Leadership:** Steff Yotka serves as Global Editorial Director of *i-D*. - **Founding Roots:** Created by Terry and Trish Jones, originating street-style snapshot aesthetics.
[13:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=781s) Editorial Independence and Scrappy Startup Operations
Addresssing broader industry anxiety over billionaires buying media properties—such as Marc Benioff acquiring *Time*, Jeff Bezos buying *The Washington Post*, and Elon Musk taking over X—Chang questions Kloss on how she guarantees editorial independence. Kloss emphasizes that her role is to act as a supportive steward for the creative community rather than an overbearing publisher, maintaining clear boundaries between commercial management and editorial vision.
To make independent media profitable, Bedford operates in a lean, scrappy manner. Acquiring *i-D* out of bankruptcy meant rebuilding its core operations from scratch—including the commercial division, in-house creative agency, and digital infrastructure—without incurring the unsustainable debt and massive headcounts that led to the collapse of legacy media conglomerates.
- **Operational Thesis:** Rebuilding media brands from the ground up with lean teams and efficient web infrastructure. - **Philosophy:** Protecting editorial freedom while maintaining financial discipline so the brand doesn't lose its core identity.
[14:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=872s) Expanding Representation in Tech with Kode with Klossy
Beyond media, Kloss details her commitment to closing the gender gap in technology through **Kode with Klossy**, a free coding camp for young women and non-binary teens aged 13 to 18 that she launched in 2015. Kloss highlights research showing that girls often opt out of math and STEM subjects long before high school due to social conditioning or a lack of access.
Kode with Klossy focuses on the creative applications of software development to build confidence early. Kloss shares that the organization has reached over 12,000 alumni, with over 70% of participants going on to major or minor in computer science in college.
- **Target Age:** Young women and non-binary youth aged 13–18. - **Impact:** Over 12,000 program alumni; >70% pursue computer science degrees in higher education.
[15:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=944s) Marriage, Politics, and Reproductive Rights Advocacy
The walkthrough shifts to Kloss's personal life with husband Josh Kushner, founder of Thrive Capital (an early investor in OpenAI, Spotify, Skims, A24, and Instagram). She lightheartedly recalls that when they met at age 19, she was significantly more famous and successful than he was. Kloss addresses her conversion to Judaism, expressing pride in her choice to embrace her husband's faith.
Addressing the political elephant in the room—her marriage into the Kushner family, whose brother Jared Kushner is married to Ivanka Trump—Kloss speaks candidly about navigating family dynamics with differing political views. Stating clearly, "I'm a Democrat," she notes that growing up in Missouri taught her how to engage in open dialogue across the aisle. She clarifies that despite public speculation, she has never personally met Donald Trump.
Kloss also details her hands-on advocacy for reproductive freedom, including her work as a Planned Parenthood escort and her campaigning in Missouri following the overturning of *Roe v. Wade*.
> "I've been here many times over the past few years helping fight for the ballot initiative. And we passed the ballot initiative for access to reproductive rights here in the state of Missouri."
- **Thrive Capital Investments:** Early backer of OpenAI, Skims, Spotify, A24, and Instagram. - **Advocacy Work:** Active Planned Parenthood volunteer and vocal campaigner for Missouri's constitutional amendment protecting reproductive freedom.
[18:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=1122s) Protecting Access and Navigating Personal Principles
Karlie Kloss addresses her active involvement in reproductive rights and political issues, highlighting her work with the Gateway Coalition. She emphasizes that access to healthcare "should not be political," detailing how the initiative has directed significant funding to local healthcare organizations. Host Emily Chang notes that given Kloss's high-profile status, it would be easy to stay silent, asking if she feels an unsolicited pressure when speaking out. Kloss responds candidly, framing it as a matter of personal integrity and conscious choices made over time.
She outlines three foundational choices that guide her life: choosing to be with the person she loves regardless of external complications, maintaining her true self amidst those challenges, and continuously fighting for the causes she cares about. Through her advocacy and business pursuits, Kloss aims to show that these different facets of her identity do not have to be mutually exclusive.
- The Gateway Coalition has helped direct over **$4 million** to small clinics across the United States to preserve access to care. - "I made the choice a long time ago to one, be with the person that I love despite any complications that came with it. Two, not to lose sight of who I am in that, and three, to just continue to stand up for and fight for the things that I care about."
---
[19:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=1175s) A St. Louis Hometown Honor: The Karlie Concrete
The scene shifts back to Kloss’s hometown of St. Louis, where local pride is on full display with a street and a signature frozen custard flavor named in her honor. Visiting the local spot with Emily Chang, Kloss orders the "Karlie Concrete"—a thick frozen custard mix featuring chocolate chips and granola. She jokes with genuine excitement that having a custom ice cream flavor created for her is the single "greatest accomplishment of my entire life outside of my children."
The moment turns playful as the server flips the cups upside down to demonstrate the traditional thickness of a St. Louis concrete. After a brief panic about whether the cameras are still rolling, Chang and Kloss successfully perform the upside-down cup test together before raising their treats in a toast to the finest frozen custard in St. Louis.
- The **Karlie Concrete** frozen custard flavor consists of chocolate chips and granola.
---
[20:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=1226s) Life's Next Chapter and Balancing Family
Reflecting on her career path, Kloss shares her gratitude for starting out in the fashion industry at a very young age. Having accomplished so much early on, she looks forward to navigating her early thirties with a clear focus on family. She balances her ongoing entrepreneurial ventures with spending quality time with her three young children, striving to remain fully present during this fast-moving stage of motherhood. Chang raises a toast to enjoying this current chapter of life and eating plenty of ice cream along the way.
- Kloss is **33 years old** and has **three children under five years old**. - She emphasizes being "hyper-conscious" about wanting to enjoy this specific moment with her young family while continuing her work.
---
[21:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=1273s) Tech Style Review: Project Runway Meets Tech Icons
To close out the conversation, Chang asks Kloss to combine her *Project Runway* hosting experience with her tech industry knowledge to rate the iconic wardrobes of famous tech founders. Looking at photos, Kloss evaluates Steve Jobs’s classic black turtleneck as "iconic," while admiring Jeff Bezos’s wardrobe evolution, commenting that he is "living his best life and expressing that through fashion." She reacts to Mark Zuckerberg’s high-fashion suit choices—guessing they might be Schiaparelli or Thom Browne—and jokingly defends Sam Altman’s fleece vest habit by noting, "you are cold, but you wanna have your sleeves out."
The lighthearted critique continues with a look at Palmer Luckey’s casual Hawaiian shirt style before turning to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, whom Kloss hails as a true "legend" and "style icon" for his signature leather jackets. The conversation naturally transitions to her husband, Joshua Kushner, who she reveals wears the same uniform every day. Looking at a photo of Kushner, Kloss affectionately points out his sweater collection, jokingly adding, "This is probably his."
- **Steve Jobs**: Praised for inventing the iconic black turtleneck look. - **Jeff Bezos**: Noted for his style evolution over the years. - **Mark Zuckerberg**: Reacted to his elevated fashion choices, speculating the suits might be by Schiaparelli or Thom Browne. - **Sam Altman**: Defended for wearing vests to keep warm while leaving his sleeves free. - **Jensen Huang**: Dubbed a legend and style icon specifically for his trademark leather jackets. - **Joshua Kushner**: Described by Kloss as her "sweet husband" who wears a daily uniform and boasts a great sweater collection.
## Notable quotes > [00:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=2s) money is power — Emily Chang
> [00:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=2s) running a startup inside a vintage car — Karlie Kloss
> [07:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=456s) I don't think that we're gonna have like Facebook outcomes on this investment necessarily, but like that's not my intention here... my intention is to build a really viable business, but to make really meaningful work along the way. — Karlie Kloss
> [05:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=342s) seen and not heard — Karlie Kloss
> [07:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=456s) running into a burning building — Karlie Kloss
> [15:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=944s) I'm a Democrat — Karlie Kloss
> [15:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=944s) I've been here many times over the past few years helping fight for the ballot initiative. And we passed the ballot initiative for access to reproductive rights here in the state of Missouri. — Karlie Kloss
> [18:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=1122s) should not be political — Karlie Kloss
> [18:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=1122s) I made the choice a long time ago to one, be with the person that I love despite any complications that came with it. Two, not to lose sight of who I am in that, and three, to just continue to stand up for and fight for the things that I care about. — Karlie Kloss
> [19:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=1175s) greatest accomplishment of my entire life outside of my children — Karlie Kloss
> [21:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=1273s) living his best life and expressing that through fashion — Karlie Kloss
> [21:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=1273s) you are cold, but you wanna have your sleeves out — Karlie Kloss
> [21:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU&t=1273s) style icon — Karlie Kloss
## Mentioned Karlie Kloss, Emily Chang, Josh Kushner, Bedford Media, Life Magazine, i-D, W Magazine, Webster Groves High School, Vogue, Great Wall of China, Dior Couture, Men's Wearhouse, Calvin Klein, Emo's Pizza, Klossy, Karlie's Kookies, Flatiron School, Project Runway, Heidi Klum, Vice Media, Terry Jones, Trish Jones, Steff Yotka, Marc Benioff, Time, Jeff Bezos, The Washington Post, Elon Musk, X, Kode with Klossy, Thrive Capital, OpenAI, Spotify, Skims, A24, Instagram, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump, Planned Parenthood, Gateway Coalition, Karlie Concrete, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Schiaparelli, Thom Browne, Sam Altman, Palmer Luckey, Jensen Huang, Nvidia
[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dat7sucxxzU)