Revolutionizing Fashion Discovery with AI
Gen Z consumers are more influenced by their favorite celebrities’ and creators’ styles than any particular brand, according to Emir Talu and Bobby Maylack, founders of OneOff, a new AI-powered fashion search platform. Launched in beta mode, OneOff allows users to search for products worn by popular creators and celebrities, providing a seamless bridge between inspiration and purchase.
How OneOff Works
The platform’s simple premise begins with users answering the prompt ‘Who are you wearing?’ by selecting a creator whose style they wish to emulate. OneOff then presents a curated selection of AI-generated products inspired by the chosen creator’s style. These items range from exact matches to ‘inspired by’ pieces, primarily featuring luxury brands with some affordable basics.
For instance, searching for Addison Rae yields results like $262 red Repetto pumps and a $995 polka dot Dolce & Gabbana bustier top. Similarly, users looking to dress like Hailey Bieber can find a Wardrobe.NYC blazer dress for $2,500 or $470 Saint Laurent cat-eye sunglasses.
The Celebrity Style Influence
The grip of celebrity style on consumers is evident in the popularity of celebrity outfit accounts and the business models of modern fashion magazines. According to a recent LTK report, 91% of Gen Z shoppers look to creators for the latest trends, while 51% say social media influencers set these trends, and 21% attribute trendsetting to celebrities.
Addressing the Shopping Gap
Talu notes that shopping for items seen on Instagram remains a broken process. While Instagram Shop was introduced and later discontinued, affiliate links managed by companies like LTK and ShopMy offer a workaround but with a clunky setup. OneOff aims to fill this gap by providing a streamlined shopping experience directly tied to celebrity and creator styles.
Key Features and Future Plans
- Verified Creators: OneOff allows creators to get verified, enabling them to earn affiliate revenue. Verified creators can approve AI results and provide feedback.
- Partnerships: The platform is partnering with multibrand retailers like Ssense, Mytheresa, and Net-a-Porter.
- Personalization: Future plans include developing a personalized home feed based on user preferences, similar to Netflix’s recommendation algorithm.
The Role of AI and Human Oversight
OneOff uses an AI ‘agent’ that taps into existing large language models like ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini, rather than building its own AI from scratch. A human approval step ensures the quality and relevance of AI-generated results. Talu estimates that the AI does a ‘really good job’ about 90% of the time.
A New Affiliate Model
Talu describes the celebrity angle as OneOff’s ‘retention superpower.’ The platform offers a passive revenue stream for creators without requiring them to manage affiliate storefronts or post promotional content. This model addresses the challenge of top talent lacking the time to engage with traditional affiliate marketing methods.
Conclusion
OneOff represents a significant step in bridging the gap between fashion inspiration on social media and actual purchases. By leveraging AI technology and focusing on celebrity and creator styles, the platform aims to revolutionize the fashion discovery and shopping experience. As the platform scales and evolves, it promises to deliver a more personalized and engaging experience for users.
