The Future of Fashion & Sustainability | 24 Fashion-Technology Startup Retrofit Brings AI Agents to the World of Fashion
Let’s set the scene. We live in an era of sameness. Trends are changing faster than ever due to social media and fast fashion, but these same factors contribute to a culture of homogenization of fashion styles. We’re exposed to the same trends on our social media feeds, and fast fashion makes it easy for everyone to buy in at low prices. And yet, there’s a counter-movement led by Millennials and Gen Z searching for uniqueness, nostalgia, and frankly, the “thrill of the hunt.” Vintage never goes out of style.
Today, there are over 25,000 resale stores across the U.S., from non-profits to small businesses and national chains offering pre-loved clothing at various price points and styles.[1] According to a report by online consignment platform ThredUp, the growth of resale is not expected to slow down. The U.S. resale market will more than double by 2028 to reach $73 billion, and online resale is driving this growth.[2] Online channels are expected to account for nearly 50% of all secondhand spending by 2025 and more than double in the next 5 years.[3] The thrill of going to a Vintage store, seeing, feeling, and trying on pieces is difficult to replace, but there is a strong market for online platforms to coexist alongside brick-and-mortar stores.
That is the space Retrofit occupies. Founder Sandra Lifshits loves Vintage shopping but noticed people don’t feel comfortable shopping Vintage on eBay & Poshmark or they don’t have the time to go into a brick-and-mortar shop. She volunteered at Vintage stores to better understand this problem and noticed a few challenges. Vintage stores want to sell more online, but existing processes for listing quality visual merchandise are cumbersome, and individual websites don’t get as much traffic.
To tackle this problem head-on, Sandra and co-founder Maddy Yip are building a curated marketplace to connect Vintage store inventory to both Vintage enthusiasts and first-time shoppers. While the resale market has competition from existing online consignment stores, luxury fashion resale marketplaces, and brand-owned resale channels, Retrofit takes a different approach. They are the first to leverage AI agents to connect shoppers with Vintage stores.
How does it work? Retrofit’s proprietary AI agents serve as both trend analysts and digital merchandisers. The agents scan social media platforms, analyzing thousands of posts to detect patterns in consumer preference. Retrofit’s AI agents then determine which Vintage inventory should be put in front of shoppers. The AI agents automatically search partner Vintage stores for matching inventory, curating pieces that align with current market demand. The AI agents enhance product listings by standardizing product photography, creating detailed descriptions, and ensuring consistent presentation across the platform. This solves a major pain point for Vintage retailers, who often lack the time and resources for effective online merchandising. Retrofit also offers consumers free shipping and returns to make shopping secondhand as frictionless as shopping new. Looking ahead, Retrofit wants to personalize the shopping experience by allowing users to connect their social profiles. AI agents analyze individual style preferences and make tailored Vintage style recommendations.
When asked what the most challenging yet fruitful aspect of building Retrofit has been, Sandra highlights their experience as one of only 12 Consumer startups partaking in the Winter 2025 Y Combinator batch. Sandra and Maddy are building Retrofit alongside other entrepreneurs and taking full advantage of the network, shared knowledge, and advice of companies across Consumer applications. With just a few more weeks of the program left, Sandra and Maddy are ready to make Vintage shopping even easier with the help of AI agents. Over the next 6-12 months, Retrofit aims to build the best inventory online, so they’re the first place anyone goes to when looking for Vintage.
As consumers continue to seek unique styles and pre-loved luxury fashion, Retrofit is uniquely positioned to deliver on consumer needs. By leveraging AI agents to bridge the gap between brick-and-mortar Vintage stores and today’s digital-first shoppers, Sandra and Maddy have created a platform that preserves the thrill of Vintage discovery while eliminating traditional barriers to entry. The company’s selection for Y Combinator’s Winter 2025 cohort validates their unique approach to fashion e-commerce. With the U.S. and global resale market projected to reach new heights by 2028, Retrofit has an opportunity to reshape how consumers discover and embrace fashion’s past.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/30/business/thrift-Vintage-store-growth.html
[2] ThredUp 2024 Resale Report
[3] ThredUp 2024 Resale Report