The fashion industry, notorious for being the world’s second-largest producer of greenhouse gases and environmental pollutants after oil and gas, generates enough clothing to outfit the next six generations. Amid this backdrop of waste and excess, Stanford graduates Phoebe Gates and So phia Kianni have launched Phia that aims to tackle this sustainability crisis. Wondering how? The app and desktop tool aggregates secondhand and retail shopping options from across the web, with the aim to make sustainable fashion accessible and affordable.
Phia functions as a one-stop shop for fashion. As Kianni told New York Post, the platform is “Google Flights for fashion.” Phia scours the internet to find the best prices for clothing, enabling users to compare options effortlessly. It aims to address common pain points in secondhand shopping, such as concerns about scams or inflated prices. The app not only prioritizes affordability but also promotes sustainability by encouraging secondhand purchases, reducing the demand for new clothing production, which contributes significantly to the industry’s 10% share of global carbon emissions.
Phoebe Gates, the youngest daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates, brings a unique perspective to the venture. Beyond her famous lineage, Gates has carved her own path as an advocate and entrepreneur. A Stanford graduate with a degree in human biology, she interned at British Vogue, gaining insight into the fashion world, and has emerged as a prominent voice for reproductive rights. In 2024, she was named Reproductive Freedom for All’s Champion of the Year and has spoken at high-profile events like Global Citizen. Her co-founder, Sophia Kianni, is equally accomplished. At 23, Kianni founded Climate Cardinals, the world’s largest youth-led climate nonprofit, and serves as the youngest United Nations advisor, bringing her environmental expertise to Phia’s mission.
Phia’s core features include an interface that aggregates listings from platforms like Poshmark, Depop, and major retailers, allowing users to filter by price, size, condition, and sustainability metrics. The platform also provides transparency about an item’s environmental impact, such as its carbon footprint or water usage, empowering consumers to make informed choices. For example, buying a secondhand jacket through Phia could save the equivalent of 10 pounds of CO2 emissions compared to purchasing new. The app’s algorithm prioritizes listings from verified sellers to ensure authenticity and quality, addressing trust issues prevalent in secondhand markets.
Gates is determined to establish Phia independently of her family’s influence. While she acknowledges the privilege her background affords, she and Kianni secured funding without relying on her parents. Their cap table, though private, includes notable investors like Kris Jenner, who revealed her involvement on “The Burnouts.” “We want this to be a real company, with a product that stands on its own,” Gates told NY Post.
Phia functions as a one-stop shop for fashion. As Kianni told New York Post, the platform is “Google Flights for fashion.” Phia scours the internet to find the best prices for clothing, enabling users to compare options effortlessly. It aims to address common pain points in secondhand shopping, such as concerns about scams or inflated prices. The app not only prioritizes affordability but also promotes sustainability by encouraging secondhand purchases, reducing the demand for new clothing production, which contributes significantly to the industry’s 10% share of global carbon emissions.
Phoebe Gates, the youngest daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates, brings a unique perspective to the venture. Beyond her famous lineage, Gates has carved her own path as an advocate and entrepreneur. A Stanford graduate with a degree in human biology, she interned at British Vogue, gaining insight into the fashion world, and has emerged as a prominent voice for reproductive rights. In 2024, she was named Reproductive Freedom for All’s Champion of the Year and has spoken at high-profile events like Global Citizen. Her co-founder, Sophia Kianni, is equally accomplished. At 23, Kianni founded Climate Cardinals, the world’s largest youth-led climate nonprofit, and serves as the youngest United Nations advisor, bringing her environmental expertise to Phia’s mission.
Phia’s core features include an interface that aggregates listings from platforms like Poshmark, Depop, and major retailers, allowing users to filter by price, size, condition, and sustainability metrics. The platform also provides transparency about an item’s environmental impact, such as its carbon footprint or water usage, empowering consumers to make informed choices. For example, buying a secondhand jacket through Phia could save the equivalent of 10 pounds of CO2 emissions compared to purchasing new. The app’s algorithm prioritizes listings from verified sellers to ensure authenticity and quality, addressing trust issues prevalent in secondhand markets.
Gates is determined to establish Phia independently of her family’s influence. While she acknowledges the privilege her background affords, she and Kianni secured funding without relying on her parents. Their cap table, though private, includes notable investors like Kris Jenner, who revealed her involvement on “The Burnouts.” “We want this to be a real company, with a product that stands on its own,” Gates told NY Post.
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