Sarah Findlay's Garde-Robe: Revolutionizing the Online Shopping Experience.
By Cate Hewitt | October 16, 2024
In a world where clickbait and convenience reign supreme, Sarah Findlay identified a significant gap in the online shopping landscape. Once a revolutionary force in retail, online shopping has morphed into a solitary and often overwhelming endeavor. Consumers find themselves sifting through endless products, bombarded by inauthentic sponsored posts and influencer endorsements, leaving them adrift in a superficial sea of screenshotted “outfit inspo.”
Enter Garde-Robe (pronounced guard-robe), a digital shopping app and Chrome extension that brings a social dimension to the online shopping experience. Launched by Findlay in late 2022, the platform encourages users to shop alongside friends, sharing genuine recommendations free from the distractions of paid promotions.
Born and raised in Canada, Findlay's career path seamlessly intertwines fashion and business. While earning her MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business, she attended classes at night while working tirelessly during the day, ascending through the ranks at luxury powerhouses like Chanel and Ralph Lauren. Her unique position as both a student and a corporate worker in the most prestigious design networks inspired her to launch Garde-Robe.
Garde-Robe aims to bridge the gap between high-end fashion and everyday style, transforming the way people shop. The platform took what was previously a solitary experience for shoppers and introduced a more authentic, interactive and efficient shopping experience. Users can create and answer polls to gather opinions on fashion choices, build wishlists to keep track of desired items, and add purchases to their virtual closet for easy organization. Their friends and followers have access to these activities, thus Garde-Robe facilitates a collaborative and community-based shopping experience.
“The most stylish people I know are in my immediate circles. They’re not influencers; they’re my friends who aren’t always posting. I wanted to see what they, stylish but 'normal' people, were buying,” she explains, underscoring the need for genuine style influences in an era dominated by curated feeds.
The Spark Behind Garde-Robe
Frustration with the impersonal nature of online shopping further ignited the idea for Garde-Robe. For Findlay, finding clothes that inspire confidence extends beyond mere financial transactions; it’s about recreating the joyous experience of shopping with friends, exchanging opinions and discovering new styles together. Garde-Robe aims to replicate that face-to-face connection in a digital format.
“College students are stylish and always on the lookout, getting inspired by their friends. But they're also looking for more authentic recommendations. With Garde-Robe, you can digitize your closet, make informed decisions, and receive real feedback from your friends,” Findlay highlights, emphasizing the platform’s focus on genuine interactions.
A Platform with Purpose and Leadership
Garde-Robe stands apart in the crowded digital marketplace thanks to its unwavering commitment to authenticity. Users share their favorite pieces without the interference of sponsorships or promotions, and friends can follow one another to get trusted recommendations and a peek inside the closet of your most fashionable peers. In a landscape where influencer culture often compromises integrity, Findlay’s vision seeks to restore trust and transparency to the shopping experience.
Why Garde-Robe Matters to College Students
For students at USC and beyond, Garde-Robe offers more than a social shopping tool; it serves as an entry point into the dynamic worlds of fashion and technology. The platform’s Campus Ambassador Program invites students to promote Garde-Robe on their campuses, gaining hands-on experience in marketing and technology while developing essential professional skills.
“It’s been a great opportunity for our college ambassadors to get involved early and promote the product within their school. They give feedback that helps us shape a product in constant iteration. Together, we are building something that truly suits our community,” Findlay notes, reflecting the collaborative spirit at the heart of Garde-Robe.
For those interested in a fashion, marketing, and tech-related learning opportunity, check out Garde-Robes’ bio for more information on applying to this rarely-presented position.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Garde-Robe
As Garde-Robe continues to gain traction across the states and college campuses, Findlay has developed even more ambitious plans for the app’s future. The app is poised for expansion, with exciting new features designed to enhance user engagement and interactivity.
“We’re just scratching the surface. Down the line, I’d love to incorporate a resale component. We're all trying to be more mindful of sustainability, but we also want to monetize our closets, and the current options are just appalling,” she shares, indicating a vision for sustainable growth.
Lessons from the Journey
Findlay’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the importance of learning and adaptability. With a rich background in both tech and fashion, she offers valuable insights for aspiring founders.
“Once you're in fashion, it becomes a pretty small industry. People are kind, and I had great mentors who supported me. Securing sponsorships can be powerful, but anyone can do this. It’s achievable; you just have to get started, show up, and keep going,” she advises.
Her success with Garde-Robe reminds us that impactful ideas often arise from challenging the status quo. Why should online shopping feel isolating and overwhelming? Why can’t it be communal and honest? These are the pivotal questions that drove Findlay to create a platform that feels both personal and modern.
A Shopping Experience Built for the Next Generation
In an era where digital marketing can feel disingenuous, Garde-Robe stands out for its commitment to authenticity. For college students eager to jump-start careers in tech, fashion, or business, Garde-Robe offers a unique opportunity to be part of something transformative - reshaping how we experience online shopping.
Sarah Findlay’s Garde-Robe exemplifies the notion that fashion is ultimately about self-expression-and what better way to explore that than with friends by your side, even if only digitally.