Today, fashion is all about accessibility. From start-up bloggers to editors of prominent magazines, the fashion industry is constantly searching for innovative ways to provide readers with the tools they need to be trendy. Three second-year MBA students at the Stern School of Business created a new social media platform called ThreadMatcher.com. Kevin St. John, Amrish Singh and Alejandro Chahin created the site to change the way people shop online.
The primary function of ThreadMatcher is simple: Users add a thread-it feature to their bookmark bar, which allows them to thread desirable, online products and add them to virtual closets on ThreadMatcher. A user’s products that are threaded appear in their followers’ activity streams and can be rethreaded into the closets of other users.
“[ThreadMatcher] allows users to curate the clothes that they love and get relevant recommendations by following other users who share a similar style,” St. John said.
The concept of ThreadMatcher came from the notion that finding the perfect clothing and accessories is often a frustrating and involved process. The idea of borrowing from the closet of someone more stylish seemed very convenient to the creators of ThreadMatcher.
A focus on each individual user is a key part of TheadMatcher’s mission. New users take brand and style surveys, which allow the site to suggest people to follow others sharing similar tastes. Each time a user enters a product into his or her virtual closet, the site makes additional relevant suggestions.
When creating ThreadMatcher, Singh noticed a problem with many major fashion publications — while magazines are great for identifying trends, they do not cater to all styles.
“We also needed relevance because everyone has a certain, different idea of style,” Singh said.
A major feature that sets the site apart from others is the fact that a direct link to purchase the product is provided with every image. This option stands out for LSP freshman Kimberly Fuller.
“The ability to click through to a specific product means I’m more likely to get my hands on something I really want,” Fuller said.
ThreadMatcher is a simple way for the fashion-forward to gain a following and show their influence by threading popular items. It also allows aspiring fashionistas to learn more about style.
“[The site] is not only for people who are super fashionable,” St. John said. “We want our users to have a style expansion.”
Collaboration means inspiration, and ThreadMatcher represents the direction fashion is headed: toward providing style for all.
A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday, Sept. 12 print edition. Michael Joerres is a contributing writer. Email him at [email protected]