Karlie Kloss hung up her Victoria's Secret Angel wings in February 2015. At the time, the official reason was scheduling: Kloss was studying at NYU. But in reality, something more principled was happening: Kloss was leaving the brand because she did not think its portrayal of women matched her own feminist values.

Kloss told British Vogue that she had started studying feminist theory at New York University’s Gallatin School, and that led her to quit what was one of her most lucrative contracts at the time, according to the outlet.

'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,' Kloss said.

'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.'

When Kloss's departure was announced, Ed Razek, chief marketing officer of Victoria's Secret, attributed the decision to Kloss not having enough time to do the job with everything else.

'Karlie Kloss [and] I met several months ago to discuss the many things she hoped to do in her life and career,' he wrote in 2015.

'As we talked, it became clear she would not have the time to fulfill her myriad commitments. Reluctantly, we agreed she would leave the brand at the end of her contract. Karlie is one of a kind, a very close friend, someone I truly admire and love. She is, without question, one of the best models ever. But she is an even better person. Her future is unlimited, and I am excited to see all the good she will do. Karlie Kloss will always be an Angel to me.'

While Kloss is no longer a Victoria's Secret Angel, she did walk the brand's annual fashion show in 2017.

Kloss also talked in her British Vogue interview about her decision to convert to Judaism ahead of her marriage to Joshua Kushner.

'Changing part of who you are for someone else can be seen as weak,' she started. 'But you know what? Actually, if you’ve been through what I’ve experienced, it requires you to be anything but weak. It requires me to be stronger and self-loving and resilient. I really did not take this lightly.'

'It wasn’t enough to just love Josh and make this decision for him,' she continued. 'This is my life and I am an independent, strong woman. It was only after many years of studying and talking with my family and friends and soul searching that I made the decision to fully embrace Judaism in my life and start planning for a future with the man I chose to marry.'

Kloss adheres Shabbat, a day of rest where those practicing it disconnect from the digital world from sunset each Friday until nightfall on Saturday. 'I think we all have a tendency to just keep going,' Kloss said.

'Some people find grounding through meditation. Some find it through exercise. And to each their own, but for me, Shabbat has brought so much meaning into my life. It helps me reconnect to the actual world.'

From: ELLE US
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Alyssa Bailey
Senior News and Strategy Editor

Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she's not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.