‘I’M ONLY IN COMPETITION WITH MYSELF’

Supermodel and global Adidas ambassador KARLIE KLOSS speaks exclusively to WH about her sweat session preferences, the power of a good pair of leggings and why she’s calling time on comparing herself with other women

Supermodels get a bad rap, don’t they? Somewhere along the line, between ‘the original supers’ making their (often controversial) mark in the 1980s and now, when most combine the catwalk with fashion lines, beauty ranges and charity work, they’ve become a different breed of woman. One to which the average Jane can’t relate, what with their Amazonian looks and high-gloss lifestyles. Which is an entirely small-minded, short-sighted view, especially when it comes to Karlie Kloss. Because while you might think that a 6ft 2in model who’s walked the Victoria’s Secret runway in the skimpiest of smalls, has 7.3 million Instagram followers and a girl gang that includes

Taylor Swift, Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner is immune to the sort of afflictions that trouble the rest of us, it’s not the case.

As WH catches up with Karlie over a transatlantic call a few weeks after shooting her exclusively in the new Adidas x Stella Mccartney collection in London (we were due to talk on the day but schedules overran, the usual), the 25-year-old admits that she can fall down the wormhole of comparison the same as anyone else. ‘I’ve had to realise that, at 6ft 2in, my body is different from anyone else’s,’ she explains. ‘I think women compare themselves to others all the time. In modelling especially, you’re constantly being measured up against and compared with others. I’ve had to just become fully focused on being in competition with myself.’

One of the great things about activewear – and fashion as a whole – is that it has the power to give you confidence. When you feel good in what you’re wearing, it makes a difference to how you hold yourself, how you walk down the street or into a room,’ Karlie says.

But the struggle to find the togs that furnish Karlie with fitspiration is real. ‘I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with leggings,’ she explains. ‘I have really long legs so when I find the right pair I buy them in every colour. When you discover leggings that make you feel all tucked in or a fabric you feel really comfortable in, that makes you want to work out. These pieces totally do that for me. It’s such a personal thing; everyone’s body is different.’

MAKING CHANGES

That Karlie is such a champion of diverse body shapes explains why the new Adidas x Stella Mccartney range isn’t just for those blessed with supermodel proportions. ‘I personally love leggings that are more of a high-rise fit in a fabric that’s breathable and that you can move in, but some people love a low-waisted legging. That’s the fun part about working with Adidas: the designers are incredible and really care about who is wearing their designs.’

Karlie’s involvement with the collection goes way beyond lending her face and body to the campaign images. ‘I’ve been able to sit down with the designers and tell them directly what I love about a specific sports bra or material or what I wish existed; what I love and don’t love. They really listen and apply that to the products. They want to create designs that are going to serve the needs of every woman wearing them; designs that are fashionable, functional and – of course – sustainable.’

Sustainability is the buzzword du jour and Adidas are playing their part. They’ve partnered with Fashion For Good to scale up sustainable innovation in the apparel industry and reimagine the way fashion is designed, made, worn and reused. A known social activist (you’ll find posts denouncing gun crime and expressing concern for coral reefs among her selfies with Kendall and co), Karlie is as woke as they come. Throw Stella Mccartney – a lifelong vegetarian who famously refuses to use leather or fur in her designs and boasts a long-term commitment to sustainability – and Adidas into the mix and you’re looking at one seriously powerful athleisure triumvirate.

SWEAT IT OUT

So, Karlie’s wearing the garms to get her into the gym – what does she do once she’s there? ‘I’ll do some kind of circuit involving high-intensity cardio like rowing to get my heart rate up, then move on to HIIT training and weight lifting. It has to be something that makes me sweat in the short period of time I have to work out, but that also really strengthens and tones muscle.’

A meeting running over is enough to derail our workout plans, so surely a jet-setting lifestyle puts the kibosh on a strict gym regime? ‘Sometimes there’s not even a gym in my hotel, so no matter where I am, I bring my sneakers, put my headphones on and go for a run – even if it’s just for 20 minutes, it will change my day. And I love mixing yoga into

‘Even if I run for just 20 minutes, it will change my day’

my workouts. It makes you feel really present and strong in your body, which is important. I’ll take a class or just do my own practice in my room. Yoga With Adriene on Youtube is great – her videos are perfect for anyone who doesn’t have a ton of time.’

SUPER FOOD

As the creator of the gluten-free, dairy-free, but definitely not taste-free Karlie’s Kookies, this is one model with a confirmed sweet tooth. ‘I’m a dark chocolate kind of girl; it always sneaks into my day at some point.’ And what makes it on to her plate the rest of that day is peak wellness.

‘I start my day with a workout and have something proteinpacked afterwards, either an egg white omelette or a smoothie – my favourite is vegan protein

‘If you work hard, you’ve got to enjoy it’

powder with almond milk and frozen banana, and I like to add a natural adaptogen like maca or ashwagandha,’ she continues. ‘I don’t like to have too much caffeine but I love decaf coffee with almond milk. I eat lots of vegetables and I make sure I add protein to every meal.

For lunch I’ll have a big salad with lots of veg and a balsamic dressing, and dinner might be a soup, salad and a piece of fish or some sort of grilled veg. Oh, and a glass of red wine – if you work hard, you’ve got to enjoy it!’ Now that’s a philosophy we can get on board with.