Fashion Industry discussion, review, analysis, news, and information

The New York Times published an article today introducing us to a new website called ideeli that has just launched.  Shopping on the web for discounted luxury items isn't a new concept, however ideeli adds a little twist - products are only available for a limited time and for some items you have to be a "1st row" member to purchase.  There's the free membership wherein you become a "2nd row" customer, and then there's the "1st row" member that I mentioned.  You have to pay $7.99 a month to be in this 1st row...

ideeli is building this perception of scarcity that we're all pretty familiar with.  If you've ever shopped at Delight.com, attended any kind of sample sale or been at the release of a fashion designer's collection for H&M, you know what I'm talking about.  ideeli also adds another dimension to it in that consumers are notified on their cell phone of when a sale or giveaway (yes!) is about to start.

 

Is ideeli changing the way fashionistas shop on the web?  I see the company as another one of those gatekeepers that can help luxury brands secure this idea of exclusivity while taking advantage of the technology available in "Web 2.0".  The idea of giving my cellphone number did make me wonder if there was a privacy policy.  In the F.A.Q.'s, ideeli makes these promises:

NO requirement to take some third party offer to get these great deals (a la "Free Ipod").
NO hidden charges
NO selling your personal information to third parties
NO telemarketing
NO spam of any kind

ideeli also guarantees that all the products are indeed authentic.  With a backing of $3.8 million in venture capital from Kodiak Ventures, I think we can safely say that this isn't one of those companies that is going to take your money and run. 

Read other thoughts about ideeli over at CNet and Know More Media.