A tech-savvy way to keep up with local independent fashion trends…

Whether you’re immersed in the world of local fashion or not, there’s something to be said for keeping up stylish appearances. Fashtory could be your secret weapon for staying up-to-date with the hippest indie designers in the city.

The app acts like a stripped-down social network, focusing on five fashion-related categories: clothing, footwear, jewellery, accessories and concept. Within each category is a list of local designers that you won’t likely find in the shopping malls. Click on one and you’ll be presented with a portfolio of work that you can flip through for inspiration.

While some items have a cost attached to them, you aren’t able to actually buy anything directly via Fashtory. Instead, the app provides you with the contact information for each designer and the ability to chat directly with them from within the app.

This is meant to facilitate a more open and down-to-earth exchange that you’re unlikely to get with the likes of Gucci, Verace etc. You can even set the app to send you notifications whenever a designer updates their collection, so you stay ahead of the latest trends.

One cool feature we like is that the app isn’t just restricted to the UAE, there 12 other countries whose fashion trends you can peek in on if you feel like searching abroad for inspiration. This could also be handy if you’re travelling and want to track down a unique piece that will make you the envy of all your fashionista friends.

Fashtory works both ways, too. Up-and-coming local designers who want to get the word out about their new line of handmade retro-chic earrings can easily sign up to the platform for free, upload samples and start connecting with customers and fashion fans quickly.

Fashtory is free and available now for iOS and Android smartphones.

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