1. Style.com
Ask any fashionista and they will tell you that when it comes to fashion apps, Style.com is the absolute grande dame of them all. Not only does it offer exclusive runway videos and complete coverage of every major collection, it also features photos and reports from the world's most glamorous events. Throw into the mix a style blog that blasts the latest fashion news in real time and the final result is arguably the most comprehensive fashion database you could possibly have at your fingertips. Just like at www.style.com, the app has an intuitive interface to cater to even the most technologically challenged user. Unfortunately, it does nothing to help one's dwindling coffers which is almost a guarantee after a few minutes of playing around on this app.
2. Glamour Ask a Stylist
If you've yet to download this app, do it now. A fantastic app that has stylists on call 24/7 to answer any style query your heart desires, this is definitely a must-have for everyone (male, female, young or old). I tested the service one night by taking a picture of a pair of trainers that I never wear and asked what I could pair them with to make a fashionable outfit. True enough, within a few minutes, a Glamour stylist replied with some really spot on advice - 'Wear them with yoga pants and a v-neck t-shirt or pair with skinny black jeans and add some neon elements to really up the cool factor,' she said. The next morning, a different stylist was on duty but she too gave me useful tips as to how I could accessorise my outfit for the day.
For reference purposes, you even get to keep a history of all the questions so they're always on hand. And of course, it's free.
3. Star Styles for Less
Celebrities and their bottomless pockets (or source of freebies) often produce some pretty stunning fashion looks. Unfortunately not all of us are lucky enough to possess a large disposable income to shop with. Which is where Star Styles for Less can really come in handy.
Just pick your favourite celebrity look from a series of photographs and the app deconstructs the outfit for you and matches each item of clothing that said celebrity is wearing with a much more affordable option. What's more, the app takes you directly to where you can buy the item you want online so you have no excuses not to shop. The only downside is that there aren't too many pictures to choose from so don't be too surprised if you find that your celebrity style icon is not among the chosen few.
4. Sartorialist
Over the past few years, Scott Schuman's street-style blog The Sartorialist (www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com) has gathered a massive following of fans who visit his blog looking for fashion inspiration from beautifully shot pictures of the most stylish people found on the streets. But what happens if you're on the go and need a quick fashion fix? Well, then the Sartorialist iPhone app that allows you to browse the most recent Sartorialist photos is just the thing you need.
Better yet, should a particular picture catch your eye, the app allows you to save the photos in your phone's camera roll for future reference, as well as the option to share any photo you like on Facebook with your fellow fashion lovers.
5. chicfeed
Should you find that the Sartorialist doesn't provide enough fodder for the imagination, chicfeed goes one up by bringing together photographs from all the top style and fashion blogs such as Face Hunter, Jak and Jill and Cherry Blossom Girl, and puts them together so you can have all the style photography that you love in one dedicated little app. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a favourite option for you to revisit the pictures you love, which is a bit of a bummer.
6. Gucci
Normally, I wouldn't put an app associated with a fashion label on this list because most of them only offer brand content such as runway pics, videos and store locators etc. But despite all the usual elements, Gucci's adds a few lifestyle features that make this app stand out.
Not only does the app come with a nifty restaurant and hotel guide; 24-hour music channel and playlists from designer Frida Giannini and music guru Mark Ronson, Gucci throws in a really fun virtual turntable that lets you play dj and mix (and record) tracks produced by Ronson himself. In short, with this iPhone app in hand, you're well on your way to living la dolce vita.
7. Donna Karan
When describing her iPhone app, Donna Karan says: 'With me, it's never just about the clothes. It's about a lifestyle and commonality that I share with my consumer. This iPhone application is the modern evolution of the time I spend with my customers in the dressing room.'
So it is unsurprising to find that like Gucci, Karan has added quite a few lifestyle sections to the app that go beyond the run of the mill such as a 'People Who Inspire' section that highlights the inspiring forces in Karan's life, 'DK Talk' where Karan interviews people she admires, 'DK Travel' where Karan shares her captions and pictures from her trips and an 'Ask Donna' section where clients and fans can ask Karan any burning question that comes to mind. Donna Karan fans will absolutely love this app but even if you aren't one, it still offers an interesting surfing experience.
8. Trendstop TrendTracker
A tool for any fashion lover or professional out there whose very livelihood depends on being at the absolute forefront of fashion, this app was created by the global trend forecasting team for the fashion industry - trendstop.com - to give you up to date fashion and designer news as well as trend forecasts. The information on offer is fresh so it's a great app to have if you want to stay ahead of the fashion curve.
9. Lookz
You're rushing out on a date and you want to achieve a smoky eye look, or perhaps you're due at a chi chi event that requires a Hollywood Glam do but there's just one little problem: you have no idea how. Well, look no further than er, Lookz - a wonder beauty app that gives you access to a vault of videos with clear step-by-step instructions as to how you can recreate what you desire.
For those who are tired of spending money on weekly visits to the nail salon, Lookz also has a dedicated section that shows you ow you can get those beautiful nails done at home. The main drawback to this app is that you will need to be in a place where you have access to fairly high speed Internet, otherwise the videos will take too long to load. Apart from that, this can be really useful app to have. So pick a look, experiment a little and who knows, you might even find the courage to upload your own creations into the app's gallery for others to draw inspiration from.
10. Stylebook (US$3.99)
Stylebook was created for shopaholics who, more often than not, tend to find that we have lost track of what is in our overstuffed wardrobes. Stylebook offers a solution to this problem by acting as a virtual wardrobe that you can carry around. All you have to do is take pictures of your clothes and accessories, sort them out in categories and then like old fashioned paper dolls, you can mix and match your wares to see if the look works before you embark on the arduous task of rummaging through your closet to look for the item.
After organising your wardrobe, the applications are limitless. For example, you're out and tired of wearing those high heels and you want your spouse to bring you a pair of flats but despite your best description efforts, he is still clueless as to what you want. Simply email the precise picture using Stylebook over to him and there's no way he can get it wrong.
To actually master and fully utilise this app however, takes a bit of work. The most obvious task of course is that you have to set aside a few days to take pictures of each item in your wardrobe. Also, read the instructions on how to take photographs carefully because this will determine how clear the clothes in your virtual wardrobe turn out.
Stylebook is the only app in this list that isn't free but what it lacks in (relative) affordability, it makes up for in practicality. And even if this organisation doesn't translate into real life, the next time you look at your messy wardrobe, you can take comfort in the fact that at the very least, you have everything under control in the virtual world.
This article was first published in The Business Times.
