Ed note: Phia’s business practices have been called into question — first by Bloomberg. I urge you to read about the situation, which is still unfolding.
Phoebe Gates has innovation in her DNA. Her dad, Bill Gates, founded Microsoft. Her mom, Melinda French Gates, is a former tech product developer who co-founded the world's largest private charitable organization (and, as such, has been lauded for her charitable work for years).
Phoebe herself is whip-smart, incredibly stylish and — at just 22 — has developed a new way to secondhand shop online.
Phia, the company she co-founded alongside Sophia Kianni, is a high-tech shopping tool that claims to help users shop smarter, faster, and save money in the process.
I tested the beta version for a few months and it works like this: you download an extension, a little “P” gets added to your screen, and while you shop, you can click to button to show you the average resale value of the piece and view secondhand alternatives. It is expected to launch this spring.
“Phia’s aim is to save customers time and money, while contributing to a more sustainable future for fashion,” Phoebe explains of the tool.
Being that she is a vintage shopping lover, and a woman entrepreneur whose business is focused on secondhand shopping (specifically through the lens of high-end fashion), it only made sense that I ask Phoebe about her best vintage find ever. And boy did she deliver, in the form of a Tom Ford for Gucci dress that she describes as “classic and strong, but feminine and sexy…fully empowered, really.” An apt description — both for the dress itself, and for young women entrepreneurs looking to expand and shape the way we all shop for clothes.
“My best vintage find ever is this Gucci by Tom Ford 1998 ‘G buckle’ dress from Villa Amour; I found it earlier this year while scouring secondhand websites. It’s a black mini, with long, slightly-belled sleeves and a fitted waist — the perfect LBD.
I love Villa Amour’s curation, and am a huge fan of anything vintage and secondhand. I came across this using Phia in its early development stage, and it instantly reminded me of images I have saved on Pinterest.
I have been obsessed with suiting and dresses that are classic and strong, but feminine and sexy…fully empowered, really. This piece represents exactly how I want to look and feel.
It was a sneaky purchase — late-night, online — and it was not the cheapest. But considering prices now, and the fact that the look is almost 27 years old and looks and feels new, I know it’s a piece I will have and wear forever.
I started looking through the 1997 collection (this look was worn by model Jodi Kidd, who was one of Tom Ford’s known faces for the brand) and every look just feels incredibly modern and powerful. The patent leather ‘G’ belt — which is popping up again under the brand’s new creative director, Sabato De Saarno — the mini wrap silhouette … it’s just timeless, as secondhand proves time and again.
Currently, the dress is hanging right where I can see it — my closet! It’s most special because I found it using Phia, which is exactly what Phia is intended for — unlocking amazing value in timeless, luxury pieces on the secondhand market.”
In honor of International Women’s Day, I spoke to a couple of architectural professors about nine pieces of iconic furniture you might not realize were actually designed by women.
I have spoken/written at length about my love of this all-natural deodorant that actually works and doesn’t give you a weird rash. I found another one: This saffron and cedar scented deodorant is extra strength, so it is meant to last a full 48 hours and let me tell you: it works. I applied it once on a day when I had a slew of media interviews and a public speaking engagement and it lasted all day. It smells so good and it’s all-natural.
This tongue-in-cheek essay about the importance of having a nemesis is really great. I often joke that I operate almost entirely out of spite but I’m really only half joking. If someone tells me I can’t do something, or they turn me down, I will work twice as hard to prove them wrong or show them that they made a (in the words of Julia Roberts) “Big mistake — big. Huge.”
From the article: “Research by a professor at the Wharton School found that underdogs perform better because they want to prove others wrong. Research by me (unscientific) has found that it feels really good to stick it to people who doubted you. Even if only silently in your head.”A new pretty thing for my kitchen island: this colorful pitcher that doubles as a super-chic vase. I love everything this brand makes, from these incredibly fun wine glasses to this mosaic marbled vase.
All Hail the Slightly Tacky
Years ago, there was an Instagram account that was dedicated almost entirely to making fun of architectural choices. For a long time, it was really funny and it felt very harmless! There would be pho…
And I’ll leave you with this…
Feeling justified in having a work nemesis now 😏
That’s such a great idea, Phia, to help guide people to secondhand pieces, thank you for writing about this, Virginia!💕