#material wrld

1) THE COOLS – www.thecools.com

What it does: A curated social shopping platform where you can follow tastemakers like the Clarins sisters and shop recommendations in an intuitive way that actually makes you want to buy things.

What’s it like: Sort of like Nowness - but better.

Why we love it: Bridges online and offline with pop-up parties including the super-successful “The Cools” Jamboree.

  2) EVERLANE – www.everlane.com

What it does: Set out to change conventions and build a new retail model they create the finest essentials and their own luxury basics without the traditional retail markups.

What’s it like: A greener version of Stylemint.

Why we love it: Also launched already in 2011, they started bridging online and offline in 2012. They have “create your own cashmere” and “silk and sip champagne” workshop classes, yes please!

3) STYLITICS – www.stylitics.com

What it does: The world’s largest social closet platform, it allows users to keep track of their wardrobes (a la Cher in Clueless. Seriously.), like what they buy, how often they wear it, etc.

What it’s like: WGSN mixed with Stylesight.

Why we love it: Because ever girl should have a color-coordinated closet, oh, and it’s an amazing market research tool for brands.

  4) MATERIAL WRLD – www.materialwrld.com

What it does: Curated online fashion community for shoppable personal closets, meaning, the stylish from around the world can peek into each others’ closets and easily refresh their looks with crush-worthy pieces from one another. Also about closets, but more about sharing (and caring).

What it’s like: The Coveteur coming to life.

Why we love it: Founded by two women, friends, Harvard Business School, need we say more?

  5) OF A KIND – www.ofakindcollections.com

What it does: By offering small quantities of very special items, Of a Kind bestows shoppers with exclusive bragging rights in addition to awesome goods. They launched their tumblr in 2012, but they grew up in 2012 and started a private beta for Collections!

What it’s like: AhaLife for only new designers.

Why we love it: Sharing behind-the-scenes footage of the making of each item and the stories of on-the-rise designers. It's all about the details - and story-telling of course.