Clothes shopping app to bring customers and retailers closer

A new development in online shopping for clothes which allows customers to upload a description of what they want and have the retailer search it out was launched yesterday.

Stylists Brendan Courtney and Sonya Lennon spoke about celebrating what they called "Fashion Independents' Day'' with a whirlwind tour taking in 25 stores across the country. They were launching their new online app Frockadvisor.

Afterwards they joined about 100 of Ireland’s fashion industry to launch their new interactive fashion program in Dublin. Ms Lennon said the mobile phone app aimed to bring shop owners and customers closer online.

“This app brings the human relationship back into online shopping.”

Upload a photograph

“It can really personalise the offering based on who you are, where you are and your tastes.” Ms Lennon said people could upload a photograph of an item they wanted to buy and retailers could post if they had the product or a similar item. “You can find wonderful clothes you didn’t know existed through browsing and connect to the boutiques you love already.”

Ms Lennon said independent shop owners who connected with customers online were more profitable.

Shoppers can download the app for free and independent retailers pay €50 a month subscription.