The Problem:
Saying I have a shopping addiction might be putting it lightly. I’ve always loved putting together new outfits and planning what I’ll wear the night before. But I know this habit isn’t the most sustainable. That’s why I started Kaleido, a platform that helps people express themselves through fashion without constantly buying more. It encourages creativity, community, and finding new ways to rewear what you already own
Summer 2024 - My Personal Project!
My Goal
The goal of Kaleido was to reimagine fashion consumption by helping users express their style without overconsumption. It aimed to create a more sustainable and creative approach to fashion through features like outfit planning, styling inspiration, and community sharing
My Notes!
This was my first UI/UX project, and I loved bringing it to life from start to finish. It taught me how much thought goes into every detail—user flows, wireframes, and visual choices that shape how people interact with a product. I learned to balance creativity with usability and gained a deep appreciation for thoughtful design.
Research
Audit of Behavior
I spoke with peers and reviewed user forums to understand why people feel the urge to constantly refresh their wardrobe. Common themes emerged around a lack of styling inspiration and peer influence, especially from social media. Many users also shared they often buy new clothes not out of necessity, but because they don’t know how to style what they already own.
Landscape Research
To design intentionally, I analyzed fashion and lifestyle apps like Pinterest and Depop, looking for gaps in how they support creativity and sustainability. While some focused on shopping or mood boards, few offered tools for people to remix what they already own. I also studied behavior-based apps such as fitness trackers to understand how gamification encourages long-term habit change.
Solution
I created a solution that uses AI to scan your closet and generate outfit combinations based on what you already own. It also tracks what you wear and when, helping users get more creative with styling while reducing unnecessary purchases.
Branding
One of the most exciting parts of building Kaleido from scratch was shaping its identity. From choosing a name to defining the brand’s look and feel, every detail mattered. I was drawn to the name Kaleido because it’s inspired by a kaleidoscope, an object that rearranges the same colors into infinite patterns. That idea felt like the perfect metaphor for the app—using what you already have in new, creative ways. I explored color palettes that reflected that playful yet intentional spirit, with vibrant and flexible tones that reflect personal style constantly in motion.
Brainstorm & Ideation
My Slide Deck
My Hypothesis
If users can visualize and style outfits using what they already own, they’ll feel more creatively fulfilled and less inclined to overconsume. This shift can lead to more mindful shopping habits and a stronger sense of personal style.
My Design Goals
Design an intuitive tool that scans your closet, suggests outfit combinations, and tracks what you’ve worn. Make the experience playful and inspiring while removing friction from everyday styling decisions.
My Long-Term Vision
Build a community-centered platform that encourages sustainable fashion habits, sparks creativity, and celebrates self-expression. Kaleido aims to redefine style not by how much you buy, but how well you wear what you love.
Product Features
Kaliedo
Kaleid!
With Kaleido, the first step is scanning your closet to digitally input what you already own. Once your items are uploaded, the Home Screen highlights pieces you haven’t worn recently. From there, you can prompt Kaleid—your virtual stylist—to create an outfit using items from your wardrobe, tailored to the weather or a specific occasion. You can then browse outfit suggestions, make edits, and mix and match pieces to create a look that feels uniquely you.
Friends Channel Feature
Kaleido’s social side lets you join style channels based on your interests like “Campus Fashion,” “NYC Streetwear,” or “Wedding Season.” Within each channel, users can post upcoming events and see what others are planning to wear, making it easy to draw inspiration and coordinate looks. It’s a way to stay in the loop, never show up underdressed, and build community through shared style moments.
Interactive Feature Ideation
One of the most exciting parts of building Kaleido from scratch was shaping its identity. From choosing a name to defining the brand’s look and feel, every detail mattered. I was drawn to the name “Kaleido” because it’s inspired by a kaleidoscope—an object that rearranges the same colors into infinite patterns. That idea felt like the perfect metaphor for the app: using what you already have in new, creative ways. I explored color palettes that reflected that playful yet intentional spirit—vibrant, flexible, and reflective of personal style constantly in motion.
My Reflections!
This was the very first time I touched Figma, and let’s just say... it wasn’t love at first click. But after getting through the learning curve, I fell head over heels. I had so much fun figuring out how to bring the brand to life, from tiny UI decisions to the bigger picture of how everything would feel. Huge shoutout to Lilah Durney for being the best design buddy.
On top of designing the mobile app, one of my favorite parts of this process was also building out the branding. I loved playing with color palettes, thinking about the vibe, and even imagining what marketing for the app could look like. It made me realize how much I enjoy not just designing the product, but creating the world around it too.
So on that note remember,
We have clothes at home.
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