Phoebe Gates Set to Change the World of Second-Hand Fashion with AI Platform
Date: May 1, 2025
By: TOI Trending Desk
Phoebe Gates, daughter of Bill Gates, enters the world of used clothing. She builds an AI tool named Phia with her friend from Stanford, Sophia Kianni. This tool links smart tech with a new way to shop for pre-owned clothes. It cuts down waste from fast fashion.
A Growing Focus on Sustainability
Fast fashion started in the 1990s. Brands like Zara make clothes very fast. That speed leads to piles of gowns and shirts in dumps. Unsold garments now hurt nature with heavy pollution.
Young buyers now choose thrift stores. They favor clothes that do less harm to the earth. Phoebe Gates joins the scene as shoppers seek a simple change.
Introducing Phia
Phia comes from the clear plan of Gates and Kianni. The tool went live on April 24, 2025. It collects more than 250 million used items from sites like eBay, StockX, ThredUp, and Vestiaire Collective. Phia checks current market points to set fair prices. It makes buying used clothes plain and quick.
In an interview, Gates said, "Women spend a lot on shopping. Not giving them a special buy that suits both their purse and the earth is hard to see."
Market Outlook
The used clothing market grows fast. A 2023 report by ThredUp shows that the global resale market may double by 2027 to a value of $350 billion. Even with many sites in this space, Gates feels Phia shows its own clear way.
For buyers who want a low-cost pick that cares for nature, Phia fits well. Kianni asked, "How do you know you get a fair deal? We built this tool because we missed one in college."
Addressing the Environmental Impact
The fashion world sends out much carbon gas and wastes water. It now makes 92 million tons of textile waste each year, say experts at the United Nations Environment Programme. Phia helps by providing a way to shop that is kind to our earth. The tool also asks buyers to think hard about what they choose.
Phia does more than show used items. It works to change how buyers view and purchase clothes. Now, as the tool starts its path, all watch how it may shift habits and care for nature.
In sum, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni bring Phia as a fresh answer to fast fashion. The AI tool weighs both cost and care for the world. With Phia in play, the world of used fashion may soon see a bold change for careful buyers.
