Karlie Kloss
Supermodel Karlie Kloss celebrates her 24th birthday today (3 August 2016) REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

Karlie Kloss will no doubt be pampered and spoiled today (3 August 2016) as she celebrates her 24th birthday. The supermodel may be known to some as Taylor Swift's best friend but Kloss has carved a successful career in her own right, with runway shows and lucrative endorsement deals under her belt.

The Chicago native began modelling at the tender age of 14 in an Abercrombie campaign and the rest is history. Kloss is a regular fixture at New York Fashion Week and has modelled for the likes of Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Versace and Louis Vuitton.

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In 2011, Kloss made her debut as a Victoria's Secret model but her profile soared when she was promoted to the rank of 'Angel' two years later. The exposure led to Kloss landing major ambassador deals with the likes of Swarovski, L'Oreal Paris, Nike, Chanel and Lanvin. In 2014, Kloss was named in a top 10 list of 'most-wanted celebrity ambassadors' by Celebrity Intelligence.

Standing at 6ft2, Kloss certainly exceeds the requirements expected of catwalk models. However, some critics have been sceptical of the supermodel status the new generation – Kloss, Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner for example – have been tagged with.

Kloss is not deterred though and thanks social media for breaking down the "elitist" wall that has been long-standing in fashion. The Swarovski brand ambassador told Glamour in 2015: "The fashion industry has had to become less elitist and more accessible. When I started, only a few hundred people could see a fashion show live. Now anyone with a computer and Internet access can. It's put a bigger spotlight on what we do."

Taylor Swift
Karlie Kloss was a Victoria's Secret model for four years until she quit in 2015 LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

There is certainly more to Kloss than the fashion, beauty and being a member of Swift's famous 'girl squad'. In celebration of the model's 24th birthday, IBTimes UK lists some things you didn't know about the supermodel.

Facts you didn't know about Karlie Kloss

1. It is a case of brains and beauty when it comes to Kloss. The model has a keen interest in computer coding and runs a programme called Kode With Karlie, which offers high school scholarships for young girls.

In a message on the official website, Kloss said of the program: "I was truly inspired by all the applicants for the Kode With Karlie scholarship. Their depth, creativity and thoughtfulness is a testament to how these young women will change the world through code. It was incredibly difficult to select the recipients as there were many qualified and incredible candidates."

2. Some may not realise that Kloss has a boyfriend – despite previous false reports she was secretly dating Taylor Swift. Kloss has been in a relationship with entrepreneur Joshua Kushner for four years. Perhaps explaining Kloss' interest in coding, Kushner is extremely tech-savvy, having been an early investor in Instagram, co-founder of digital health insurance start-up Oscar and also launching an online property-broker company.

3. Kloss may be a highly-sought-after model now she was not always popular. The model told Glamour in 2016: "I was absolutely and totally not popular with the boys – partly because I was so good in terms of academics and ballet, but also because I didn't have time to waste on boys. I did get teased a lot though, because I was so tall and skinny."

4. Once a week, Kloss has a digital detox. The runway star disclosed to Elle magazine: "I will totally shut off and not post Instagrams or answer my emails. I think it's important to step away for a minute and actually reconnect with people and reconnect with yourself."

5. Dispelling the stereotype that it takes women – more notably models – hours to get ready, it actually takes Kloss approximately 14 minutes. Detailing her beauty regime to InStyle, Kloss said: "Hmm, I reckon seven minutes on beauty. And then maybe another seven on choosing my outfit.

"I really love sleep, so I tend to do whatever I can to get a lie-in. I like to keep it simple with just the right amount of 'un-make-up make-up' – some cover-up, a flick of mascara and a bit of cream blush and I'm usually out of the door."

6. Kloss quit her role as a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2015 to study at NYU's Gallatin School of Individualised Study. Explaining her decision to head back to school, Kloss told Self magazine in August 2015: "My ambition is really just to study things that I'm curious about. I want to study computer science. I want to study psychology. I'm fascinated by space. I want to study art history."