In the age of click-and-cash-out, it’s easy to get disheartened when planning your OOTD (Outfit Of the Day, for you uninitiated). For one, you’ll need to scourge either online shops or physical boutiques for that perfect “co-ords” and amp up the vibes with a matching choker, stud, or bangle.
Well, both your woes and wishes have just been solved by a magical team of stylists: StyleGenie, a subscription box where you get clothes and accessories suited for your taste and personality and curated by legit fashion gurus.
How the magic began
It was over a delivered diet meal that the thought of delivering outfits right to your doorstep struck Abbie: “Now, why isn’t there one for styling/clothing?”
Abbie Victorino, chief executive officer, considers StyleGenie a passion project. When she approached a few people with a five-slider concept on March 2016, two of her friends—former boss Steph Oller, now StyleGenie’s chief finance officer, and teammate Rhij Sarenas, now StyleGenie’s chief marketing officer—believed in the budding vision and jumped right in.
“Abbie nailed it to the core with one purple presentation,” Steph recounts in our interview.
From taking on challenges to thriving
StyleGenie launched officially in August 2016 and made their first sale just two days after. While it seemed like an early buena mano, things weren’t always glamorous for the trio.
Rhij recalls that they had to exchange bootstrapping ideas to push through. “Being a startup company, the main challenge was having limited budget.” Steph adds, “There were a lot of uncertainties in the beginning: sales projection, operating protocols, optimal structure, and the like.”
But with an impeccable sense of coordination and a healthy friendship, the ladies managed to make StyleGenie thrive in no time. “I’m blessed to be surrounded with a lean but mean team,” Abbie concludes.
Currently, StyleGenie caters to a little more than 200 women a month. While Rhij says the majority of their clients are ages 18 to 30, Steph drops a fun fact: “Believe it or not, we curate boxes for the glam women in their ‘60s. Beat that!”
How to make a wish
Abbie says getting a box is easy. First, you should go to the StyleGenie website and create a profile, and then answer the style quiz to have size, style, preferences, and even an OOTD wish listed down. Afterwards, you may choose a subscription box from the options ranging from P899 to P3,799. StyleGenie’s stylists will then mix-and-match pieces from the rack to make a handpicked, quality box.
When asked where they get that many talented stylists, Abbie says that she’s had friends since she’s been in the industry since the age of 17. Among this pool, Steph says StyleGenie features one stylist per month to “explore the wide gamut of personal styling” and to “allow loyal clients to brave new styles.”
Once assembled, the box would arrive at your doorstep three to five days if you live within Metro Manila or seven to 10 days if you live outside of the Metro.
What’s in store for the future?
Although StyleGenie services only women for the meantime, the ladies answer an ecstatic “Yes!” when asked whether the service would open to other clients as well.
“I envision StyleGenie catering to a much bigger market in the future. We want to grant closet wishes not only for women but also for men, kids, and more!” Abbie beams.
That, folks, means that the ‘gents can soon order by click-and-cash-out, too.
