March 27th, 2025 at 08:39 am
“What would you do if you knew you only had 10 years left?” – a question famously posed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos that sets the tone for bold, purposeful action.
In this episode of our podcast, Ronak Shah sits down with Shanya Tsai, the passionate founder of HangRr, to explore a journey that redefines what it means to build a sustainable, tech-driven fashion platform. Shanya’s story isn’t your typical startup tale—it’s a compelling reminder to all of us about living with urgency, making bold choices, and investing in innovations that genuinely connect with people.
Shanya shares how she bootstrapped HangRr with over $100,000 of her own money, cleverly pivoting from a conventional subscription model to a gamification-driven approach for better user retention. This honest conversation offers brilliant lessons on startup grit, the art of customer-centric design, and the transformative power of artificial intelligence in achieving proper sustainability.
Embrace the Urgency to Innovate
That thought-provoking question—”What would you do if you knew you only had 10 years left?”—reminds us all that time truly is our most precious resource, isn’t it? Shanya’s transition from corporate life to full-time founder wasn’t just a career change; it was driven by her genuine desire to make every moment count. She took the plunge and invested her personal savings to create a platform that not only meets the needs of today’s savvy consumers but also champions sustainable practices in fashion. Her journey shows us how a sense of urgency can spark remarkable innovation when you’re truly passionate about making a difference.
Harnessing AI and Gamification for Unmatched Engagement
- Personalise User Experiences: Smart AI algorithms analyse user behaviour to offer spot-on fashion recommendations that feel like they’re coming from a personal stylist.
- Boost Engagement: Gamification elements—such as rewards and interactive challenges—have led to a smashing 40% increase in user engagement, according to early metrics.
- Drive Retention: Creating fun, meaningful interactions doesn’t just keep users coming back—it builds a proper community of like-minded people who care about sustainable fashion.
These insights highlight what we at Nordstone have always believed: brilliant technology isn’t about flashy features for the sake of it—it’s about creating genuine value that users can feel and truly appreciate in their daily lives.
Building with Sustainability in Mind
Sustainability isn’t just a fashionable buzzword for HangRr; it’s at the core of their mission. By cleverly leveraging AI, the platform promotes eco-friendly fashion choices, helping everyday consumers make informed decisions and reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion. With the AI in fashion market projected to reach nearly $5 billion by 2025, Shanya’s approach brilliantly demonstrates how technology can drive both business growth and genuine social good.
- Listen to Your Users: The best apps aren’t simply built for users—they’re built with users. Understanding and integrating real feedback early on can be an absolute game-changer.
- Invest Wisely in Technology: Whether it’s AI, gamification, or other emerging tools, strategic investment in the right technology can accelerate growth and create meaningful connections with your audience.
- Prioritise Sustainability: Building a tech platform that supports sustainable practices doesn’t just appeal to today’s eco-conscious consumers—it establishes a proper foundation for long-term success that you can be proud of.
If you’re looking for more strategies on optimising growth and customer retention, have a look at our article on Stop Burning Money on Ads and Get Customers Buying Again and Again.
Gamification That Truly Transforms the Fashion Experience
- Style Challenges: Weekly themed competitions where users create outfits from their virtual wardrobe and receive community votes, with winners earning “HangRr Points” redeemable for sustainable fashion discounts.
- Sustainability Streak: A clever feature tracking consecutive days of choosing eco-friendly outfits, with milestone rewards including exclusive brand partnerships and limited-edition virtual accessories.
- Wardrobe Detective: Mini-games where users identify versatile pieces that can create multiple outfits, teaching practical styling skills while earning in-app rewards.
“We noticed an astonishing 78% increase in daily active users after introducing our ‘Style Challenge’ feature,” Shanya explained. “Users weren’t just logging in more frequently—they were spending an average of 14 additional minutes per session exploring sustainable styling options.”
Perhaps most impressive is the “Community Closet” feature, where users collectively work toward sustainability goals. This feature unlocks charitable donations to textile recycling initiatives once certain community-wide milestones are reached. This social impact element has created a remarkable sense of shared purpose among HangRr’s growing user base.
These gamification elements aren’t merely surface-level engagement tricks—they’re thoughtfully designed to reinforce sustainable fashion habits while providing genuine entertainment value. This proves that purpose and playfulness can brilliantly coexist in today’s digital landscape.
The AI Engine Behind HangRr’s Personalization Magic
What truly sets HangRr apart is its sophisticated AI personalization system that goes far beyond basic “you might also like” recommendations. During our conversation, Shanya revealed the intricate workings behind their recommendation engine:
- Visual Recognition Technology: The AI scans user-uploaded photos of their existing wardrobe, identifying not just item categories but specific attributes like fabric texture, pattern density, and color saturation levels.
- Occasion-Based Learning: When users tag outfits for specific events (work meetings, casual weekends, formal occasions), the AI builds contextual understanding of personal style preferences across different settings.
- Weather-Adaptive Suggestions: By integrating with local weather APIs, HangRr makes recommendations that are seasonally appropriate—suggesting lighter fabrics during unexpected warm spells or recommending layering options during temperature drops.
- Body Shape Analysis: Through an optional body mapping feature, users can receive recommendations specifically suited to their proportions and preferred fit styles.
One particularly impressive feature is the “Style Evolution Timeline,” where the AI tracks subtle shifts in a user’s preferences over time. “We noticed that users who initially favored bold patterns often gradually shifted toward more minimalist styles after several months on the platform,” Shanya noted. “Our AI adapts in real-time to these evolving preferences rather than keeping users boxed into their initial style profile.”
The results speak for themselves: HangRr users report a remarkable 67% decrease in “wardrobe regret” purchases, with 83% stating that AI recommendations helped them discover sustainable brands that perfectly matched their personal style—brands they likely wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Perhaps most fascinating is the “Wardrobe Gap Analysis” feature, where the AI identifies versatile pieces missing from a user’s collection that would maximize outfit combinations with existing items. “One user discovered that adding just three carefully selected pieces could create 27 new outfit combinations from clothes she already owned,” Shanya shared. “That’s the power of AI applied thoughtfully to fashion sustainability.”
Real-World Impact and Strategic Partnerships
The conversation with Shanya Tsai isn’t just inspiring—it’s backed by tangible results. Explore our Ecommerce App Client Testimonials to discover how companies across London and beyond have transformed their customer experiences with our innovative solutions.
Ready to take your e-commerce or mobile app strategy to the next level? Schedule a Free Ecommerce App Strategic Session with Ronak Shah to learn how we at Nordstone can help you achieve similar success.
For more insights on leveraging AI and cutting-edge technologies in mobile apps, do check out our latest piece on How UK Companies Lead in AI-Powered Mobile Apps.
