Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni's Phia Fashion App: From Browser Extension to AI-Powered Platform

Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, Stanford roommates and founders of Phia, built their AI-powered fashion app by evolving their initial concept for a browser extension that made secondhand shopping easier. The app is free for users and earns affiliate commissions on purchases made through its platform. Kianni, who previously founded Climate Cardinals, a nonprofit that translated climate resources into over 100 languages, has applied her experience in mobilizing people online to Phia.

Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, Stanford roommates and founders of Phia, have introduced their AI-powered fashion app, designed to simplify and enhance the online shopping experience. The app, which is free for users, leverages artificial intelligence to find the best prices across over 40,000 shopping sites.

Phoebe Gates, the youngest child of Bill and Melinda French Gates, and Sophia Kianni, who previously founded the nonprofit Climate Cardinals, met at Stanford University. Their shared passion for fashion and sustainability led them to develop Phia, an app that uses AI to compare prices, identify overpriced items, and suggest better alternatives. The app is available as a browser extension and can also be downloaded on Chrome for desktop users.

Phia's model is based on partnerships and content, with collaborations with major resale sites like eBay, The RealReal, and Poshmark, as well as brands such as Reformation and Prada. The app earns affiliate commissions on purchases made through its platform, providing a sustainable revenue model.

The app's development was influenced by Kianni's experience in mobilizing people online through Climate Cardinals. She applied lessons learned from that experience to Phia, particularly in building from scratch and leveraging digital platforms to scale.

Phoebe and Sophia's journey began at Stanford, where they discovered their shared love for fashion and sustainability. They initially conceived a browser extension to simplify secondhand shopping but evolved their idea into Phia, an AI-powered tool that makes finding the best deals effortless.

Phia aims to revolutionize the fashion industry by making online shopping more efficient and sustainable. By using AI to compare prices and suggest alternatives, the app helps users avoid overpaying and promotes sustainable fashion practices.

References:
[1] https://www.aol.com/bill-gates-daughter-phoebe-sophia-130107215.html
[2] https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/dont-millions-spend-call-her-180140305.html
[3] https://vocal.media/styled/how-ai-makes-thrifting-and-second-hand-cool-again