The Fashion Discovery Platform That Bridged Online and In-Store Shopping

Snapette was a mobile application launched in 2011 that combined location-based technology with fashion retail, allowing users to discover and share fashion items from nearby stores.

Origins

Founded by Jinhee Ahn Kim and Sarah Paiji, both Harvard graduates, Snapette emerged from Palo Alto, California. Kim's background in fashion design and Paiji's experience in retail and technology consulting shaped the app's unique approach to bridging digital discovery with physical retail.

Jinhee Ahn Kim

Co-founder, Fashion Design

Sarah Paiji

Co-founder, Retail & Tech

How It Worked

Users could post photos and information about fashion products they discovered, creating a community-driven catalog of fashion finds. The app utilized GPS technology to connect shoppers with deals and products at nearby retail locations, particularly focusing on high-end shoes and bags.

Timeline

2011

Launch

Snapette launches from Palo Alto, introducing location-based fashion discovery

2011–2013

Expansion

Partnerships established with retail stores across New York City, London, and California

2013

Acquisition

Acquired by PriceGrabber, a subsidiary of Experian

Legacy

While Snapette eventually ceased operations, its approach to shopping represented a notable shift in how consumers interacted with retail. The app demonstrated that mobile technology could effectively complement traditional retail environments, driving foot traffic to physical stores through digital discovery.

The acquisition by PriceGrabber validated Snapette's model of integrating mobile technology with fashion retail, and its concepts continue to influence modern retail strategies that blend online and in-person shopping experiences.