Meet the Founder

Hi, I’m Sophia Kohler, founder, writer, and passionate researcher behind Smart Fashion.

I started this movement in 2022 to merge two things I care deeply about: environmental responsibility and the future of design. What began as a personal curiosity soon evolved into a broader mission to share insights at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and textiles in an accessible and engaging way.

This past summer, I completed a pre-college program in Fibers and Textiles at Cornell University, where I studied topics ranging from yarn construction to textile finishing. I was a research fellow at the Talaria Summer Institute, working under Professor Izabela Ciesielska-Wrobel, an Assistant Professor at the University of Rhode Island in the Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design. Our project, “The Impact of Fiber Structure on Microfiber Release During Domestic Washing,” examined how fabric properties contribute to microplastic pollution, an issue I care deeply about.

I am also a member of the Junior Academy of the New York Academy of Sciences, where I connect with STEM mentors and peers who share my passion for building sustainable solutions.

As a student, writer, and advocate, I believe fashion should be more than beautiful, it should be smart, transparent, and regenerative. That is the future I want to help build.