Meet the Co-Founders

Hi, I’m Sophia Kohler, co-founder, Editor-in-Chief, 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 has grown into a broader mission to share insights at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and textiles in an accessible and engaging way.

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 also 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 collaborate with STEM mentors and peers who share my passion for building sustainable solutions.

As a co-founder and Editor-in-Chief, I lead the editorial direction of Smart Fashion, shaping our research, writing, and storytelling to make complex ideas both accessible and impactful. I believe fashion should be more than beautiful; it should be smart, transparent, and regenerative. That is the future I want to help build.

Hi, I’m Julia Kohler, co-founder and Social Impact & Strategy Lead at Smart Fashion.

My work focuses on understanding how social systems, cultural values, and patterns of consumption shape the fashion industry, and how more thoughtful approaches can lead to more equitable and sustainable outcomes. Through my research at REDD Intelligence analyzing macroeconomic trends across Latin America, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of how structural forces, such as inflation, income dynamics, and labor market conditions, translate into individual behavior and access.

I lead Smart Fashion’s clothing drives, coordinating the collection and delivery of high-quality garments to families in need with organizations like HANDS St. Jerome, an experience that has shown me sustainability is also about access, dignity, and equity.

In addition, I develop and guide our digital content strategy, using platforms such as Instagram to communicate ideas around sustainability, consumer behavior, and social impact. By translating complex concepts into accessible content, I aim to engage a broader audience and encourage more intentional decision-making.

As co-founder, I help shape the direction of Smart Fashion by connecting research, storytelling, and community engagement to create meaningful change. I believe fashion is not only a form of expression, but a reflection of the systems that define our society.