Smartphone fanatic and Queen of Denim, Donna Ida, shared her favourite fashion apps at a recent event at Liberty in London.
Donna took some time out to tell us about how she gets the best from her phone – and tipped us off about some must-have fashion apps that can help transform fashion-followers’ lives.
Hello Donna. What do you love most about your smartphone?
I’ve been an avid smartphone user since 2007 and I’m amazed at the increasingly huge array of apps available. I’m absolutely loving my new Nokia Lumia and think the Bing Translate option is fantastic: with all the travelling I do, it will certainly come in handy!
What’s your favourite app?
I’ve always loved Twitter - as a business owner it's a great way to connect with suppliers, designers and customers - it's the perfect informal platform.
And what about your favourite fashion apps – any recommendations?
Apps like Dress Pal and Red Laser are great for logging what I wear to events and to check what the going rate is for a product I've spied without having to shop around.
Five fantastic fashion apps.
And who are we to say no to a bargain? To help us keep a finger on the pulse of the fashion world, we take a closer look at some great fashion apps. And the best bit? They’re all completely free.
Dress Pal. (Free, Windows Phone)
Ever wanted a personal assistant? This app comes close. It’s a quick and easy way to catalogue all your clothes: just upload pictures straight from your phone. You can record which outfit you wore when (and with whom) so you're never seen in the same thing twice. It's also great for planning outfits for a holiday – and most importantly, deciding what new items you need to invest in each season.
Dress Pal is free to download for
Windows Phone.
ShopStyle. (Free, iPhone)
Don’t spend hours going from shop to shop: just type in your search and let the clothes come to you. Browse hundreds of retailers including John Lewis, New Look, House of Fraser and Net-a-Porter. Fallen in love with that pair of blue Manolos? Hit ‘favourite’ to save them for after pay day. And here’s the best bit: get alerts on your phone when your favourite brands and products go on sale.
Shop Style is free to download for iPhone.
Red Laser. (Free, iPhone, Android and Windows Phone)
Red Laser is a money-saving barcode and QR code scanner. Fire up the app and it’ll use your phone’s camera to read a barcode or QR code on any product. Cue a high-speed search for the lowest online and local prices from hundreds of thousands of retailers – so you can see if you’re getting a good deal. Perfect for bargainistas. Plus, scan a food bar code and see all the ingredients: a really handy tip if you’re intolerant or have food allergies.
Red Laser is free to download for
iPhone,
Android and
Windows Phone.
ASOS magazine. (Free, iPad, Android)
Give yourself a headstart in the fashion stakes by flicking through the latest ASOS magazine. Browse stylist picks, exclusive interviews, new talent (yes, that kind too) and key pieces for 2012. And because style is all about inspiration, this app's slicker than a T-Bird – with thousands of beautifully-presented items that are bound to get your creative juices flowing. Forget dog-eared paper magazines: this is the future.
Asos Magazine is free to download for
iPad.
Bubblegum. (Free, Windows Phone)
If Rankin and Leibowitz aren’t available, you might just have to do the photo shoot yourself. But if you’ve got the Bubblegum app, you’ve got nothing to worry about. It’s a truly addictive way to edit and share the photos you take on your phone. You can even give your images a retro look with filters and effects. Ideal for papping your mates and turning them into artsy Italian muses. Or get an instant opinion on today's outfit, right from your bedroom.
Bubblegum is free to download for
Windows Phone.
