Written by: Alexis King

^{How the Mada app is changing the world of styling}

What makes the perfect outfit? Is it shoes, your favorite handbag or jewelry? The world of styling has changed through the years right before our eyes. Trends come and go like clockwork. But even though dressing to the trends sounds easy enough, too often we look in our closets and have “nothing to wear.”

Many of us have encountered the trials and triumphs of styling ourselves and our friends. But one Boston College graduate developed an app that eases the stress of creating the perfect outfit for any occasion.

2015 was Madison Semarjian’s first year of college and she was struggling to create an outfit for a first date.

Soon after, she decided she never wanted to face this feat again and the Mada App, a personalized shopping and styling app, was created.

_{“I was rushing to get ready for a first date when I couldn’t find anything to wear-- even though my credit card statement could confirm that I had enough clothes,” said Semarjian. “We swipe left and right on our romantic prospects. Why couldn’t we do the same for our clothes? And that’s how Mada was born.”}

Founder of The Mada App, Madison Semarjian poses in a House of Sunny sweater. (Photo Courtesy of @themadaapp Instagram)

Founder of The Mada App, Madison Semarjian poses in a House of Sunny sweater. (Photo Courtesy of @themadaapp Instagram)

Semarjian spent the next four years building the concept for the Mada App and launched it shortly before she graduated. Using artificial intelligence and patent-pending technology, Mada allows users to choose outfits for any possible occasion.

We spoke with Madison about everything Mada and what Mada means for the future of fashion and styling…

Five spring and summer pieces that posted on the Mada App's Featured Outfits Page which gives customers full outfit ideas. (Photo courtesy of @themadaapp Instagram)

A Staud Moon bag featured on @themadaapp Instagram page. Staud Clothing offers reasonably- priced statements pieces and accessories designed to be worn season after season. (Photo courtesy of @themadaapp Instagram)

Statement blazers are a popular item on the Mada App for people who want a professional look. (Photo courtesy of @themadaapp Instagram)

_{AK: How do you think the Mada App or styling apps, in general, could help the styling aspect of the fashion industry?}

MS: Modern consumers want to be inspired, and it’s not enough to just sell good products anymore. You need to emotionally connect with your customer. My generation is criticized for being a bit fickle when it comes to loyalty in comparison to other generations, but I beg to differ. I think we, as consumers, want more, and expect more from brands. So, at Mada, we are helping brands and retailers step up to my generation's expectations and provide that inspiration for the shopper through styling.

_{AK: What would you say describes your style aesthetic?}

MS: According to my Mada profile, I tend to dress mostly feminine and trendy, which is very accurate because Mada knows me so well at this point. I’m a pretty minimalist expression of this though-- I tend to dress in only one or two colors and gravitate to black, white or pastels. Fun, but no fuss.

_{AK: What are some challenges when styling outfits for yourself or your friends?}

MS: A great wardrobe is one that makes you feel amazing, so sometimes when styling friends I need to see what they naturally gravitate towards before styling. It’s a trial-and-error process since personal style is so intimate and emotional, whether you’re into fashion or not. But I have a pretty good sense of what will look good on people, and so I’ll be at a store or a showroom and know, “oh, this is meant for Taylor.”

Honestly, I don’t really struggle with styling myself anymore, but I attribute that to knowing myself very well. I have my uniform that I know I feel good in, so I tend to stick to variations of that. Creature of habit! It makes my life easy so I can focus on the fun stuff. And really that’s what we are aiming to do with the app-- get our users to a place where they know what they love and don’t even need us anymore.

_{AK: In your opinion, what completes the perfect outfit?}

MS: Confidence! And a killer coat.

_{AK: Do you see styling apps like Mada being effective for the fashion industry with fashion trends and styling aesthetics constantly cycling back into style (for example, 90s style trends coming back into 2020-21)? What about individuality?}

MS: At Mada, we don’t just recommend the trendiest look, though we do for those wanting to dress trendy. We recommend outfits that will make you feel amazing. For some people, that’s wearing the newest runway collection. For others, it’s playing it a bit safe and wearing something classic. Others like to wear a trend after it’s been around for a while. We help you find and amplify your own personal style, so trends become pretty irrelevant whether they are recycled or not. So yes-- 100%. Mada will be effective as long as we are inspiring our customers, regardless of what’s “in style.” P.S., HUGE 90s style fan.

Popular items that can be found browsing the Mada App. (Photo courtesy of @themadaapp Instagram).

Amina Muaddi is a female-founded fashion brand carried on the Mada App. (Photo courtesy of @themadaapp Instagram).

Suit by Black Halo carried on the Mada App. (Photo courtesy of @themadaapp Instagram).

TCU fashion students have seen how styling apps, like the Mada App, have had an impact on the future of fashion and its consumers. Meghan McCoy, a junior fashion merchandising major, said she has heard of the Mada App and thought it was a “really creative idea that brings brands and consumers together.”

Bringing brands and consumers together is important as today’s fashion industry is consumer driven.

_{“Consumers want experiences that feel personalized to them, are fast and accessible and Mada achieves this.” McCoy said.}

Having a style aesthetic that is a mix of classic, contemporary and preppy, McCoy said that an app like Mada would be an app that she would use herself.

“One of my biggest problems with online shopping is the lack of time to sit and scroll through website after website,” McCoy said. “Taking away the products that I as a consumer wouldn’t buy is a great way to increase sales in the fashion industry.”

But some fashion merchandising majors do not think styling apps are effective at matching the average consumer’s individuality.

“I do not think apps like Mada or styling apps, in general, are effective for individuality because they are doing the styling for you," said Tessa Worner, a fashion merchandising major at TCU. "Personally, if you want your individuality to shine through, I think styling yourself is the best option for an occasion."

But Worner said styling apps can have their benefits. Since styling pieces is harder to do online, apps like this can help with that issue.

_{“Styling apps are also great for people who struggle more with fashion but still want to put together cute outfits,” said Worner.}

With the Mada App, styling the perfect outfit is only a few clicks away. To learn more about the Mada app and how to style your first outfit, visit the Mada App website.

_{Alexis King is a journalism major with a minor in digital culture/data analytics from Plano, Texas. Alexis hopes to pursue a career in the fashion industry after she graduates. Alexis enjoys traveling and spending time with her friends & family.}