A smartphone app created by an eastern Iowan is launching globally this week, an app that aims to become a leading source of everyday fashion tips for the “Snapchat Generation.”
Luke Stoffel, a 37-year-old Dubuque native, says the app Cinderly is open to everyone but is focused on making high school and college-aged girls feel good about their looks.
“We have hundreds of girls on from all over the world that are uploading photos of their clothes every day,” Stoffel says. “What we do is, we match you to the girls that are the best fit for your dress size. So, if a girl in your local area is only wearing size 6 clothes, she tags the clothes and where she got them and then you can understand how to shop from where she’s shopping.”
The Cinderly app.
The app is free and in order to download it, you’ll need to agree to be positive while on the site. Stoffel says internet “trolls” who go on the attack will be forever banished from the Cinderly kingdom.
“We’re tired of the internet being this unsafe place for people,” Stoffel says. “Twitter has become this bashing ground for everybody to go on and just say whatever they want. We really wanted to create something that was fun and safe for teenage girls, so we created Cinderly in the spirit of that. What’s unique about Cinderly is it really celebrates everyday style and personal, unique choices.”
Luke Stoffel
A photo shoot was held in December using students from Dubuque Senior High School to begin creating the app’s database and now those young ladies are getting prime exposure around the planet.
“They are being used in the whole ad campaign rollout and they’re even being used in the app store,” Stoffel says. “We have a campaign that’s rolling out today in China, Singapore, Japan, Italy, Paris, everywhere that’s a big fashion capitol, so we’re super-excited to have Senior High girls all over the world, shining their bright faces.”
Stoffel calls himself an app entrepreneur and now lives in New York. He says Cinderly is the first ever data-driven fashion trends app to search by style. It features a “Glass Slipper” mode so you can get instant feedback from the community on what you should wear.
Audio: Matt Kelley interview with Luke Stoffel. 3:15.