A notably brief six weeks after its official launch and initial funding announcement, San Francisco-based fashion startup Threadflip is out with a second Series A funding announcement today and news of its new iPhone app.
The arrival of the mobile app makes Threadflip one of the few person-to-person marketplaces focused on fashion to boast both a web and mobile presence. eBay obviously offers both, and so does San Francisco-based Style.ly. There are many others gaining attention in this ouch-it’s-hot space, but most are operating on just one platform (The Real Real, Copious, Material Wrld on the web vs. Poshmark on the iPhone). And word has it, an iPad app is coming hot on the heels of Threadflip’s mobile app. CEO Manik Singh tells me it should be out within the month, though timing, of course, is dependent on the Apple approval process.
So why will Threadflip users want to download the app asap when they already have the web version? One major reason is immediacy. Since individuals are the sellers, and not retailers, there’s only one of each item.
“By the time you get back in front of the computer, that bag might be gone,” Singh says.
While scrolling Threadflip’s main listings returns plenty of style eye candy, the White Glove Service boutique is the place to look for designer merch and special items such as a pair of Elizabeth & James pony hair platforms and a Salvatorre Ferragamo u-shaped handbag.
“We’re getting some amazing inventory,” says Singh.
As for the funding, the company raised $6.5 million in a round led by Shasta Ventures, with participation from Lowercase Capital. That brings Threadflip’s total funding to date to $8.1 million.
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