A new app known as Modabound allows students around New York City to sell and exchange clothes with ease. Modabound reinvents the virtual fashion marketplace by localizing its users within the city as well as creating an exclusive environment for college students.
“It’s much more than a platform where you buy and sell clothes with strangers, it’s a community where girls come together to refresh their look and develop real friendships with their peers who have a common interest,” said Gallatin sophomore Francesca Conlin, NYU’s Modabound representative.
Modabound’s process of making a sale is very simple. An item can be listed for viewers to browse in less than a minute and all exchanges are made in person, thus eliminating shipping and complicated methods of online payment. The process is personal and simple and puts the seller in charge of the entire transaction.
“What’s great about Modabound is that you get notified whenever someone adds an item to their cart, that way you know who is interested in purchasing it and can message them to complete the sale,” Conlin said.
Modabound raises the bar in the world of online shopping. Not only has making an online sale become a more realistic occurrence, but users are able to find inspiration for their personal style simply by browsing other products on the app. A large part of the Modabound app is highlighting the interpersonal aspect of the selling process.
However, Tisch freshman Emory Parker said she would not want to use the app, and likened the experience to online shopping.
“It’s kind of like buying something on Amazon,” Parker said. “It’s hard to judge by a small photo the condition of the product being sold. Personally, I would prefer to go to a thrift store myself to see the item and to try it on.”
Conlin said Modabound is currently planning a meetup event on campus during the spring semester where students and local users can swap clothing, make sales and learn more about the app.
Modabound can be downloaded on iPhones, iPads or iPod touches from the App Store.
A version of this article appeared in the Monday, Jan. 27 print edition. Kate Marin is a staff writer. Email her at [email protected].