Arête Studios: The Fashion Tech Revolution Redefining Style and Sustainability
Arête Studios: The Fashion Tech Revolution Redefining Style and Sustainability
Fashion is fickle. As consumers shift away from fast fashion and mass-produced trends, a new movement is emerging – one that champions authenticity, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Arête Studios, founded by Kotryna Juknviciute and MJ Perez, is at the forefront of this transformation. More than just an online marketplace, Arête is a revolutionary fashion-tech platform designed to connect the public with lesser-known yet exceptional designers. By blending meaningful tech mechanisms with a human-first approach, the company is carving out a future where fashion discovery is both seamless and deeply personal.
The Journey to Arête: Kotryna’s Vision and Founding Story
Kotryna’s path to founding Arête alongside co-founder MJ Perez, was shaped by her global upbringing and deep-rooted passion for emerging designers. Originally from Lithuania, Kotryna moved to the United States as a child and later pursued a degree in international business at Georgetown. Her career took her across the world, where she encountered a recurring problem: talented designers with unique, high-quality pieces lacked access to international markets.
While traveling, she stumbled upon independent designers whose craftsmanship rivaled luxury brands but who remained undiscovered due to limited exposure and logistical barriers. “It was a shame because these designers were never able to reach audiences in fashion capitals like New York or London,” she recalls. This realization was one of the pivotal moments that inspired Arête – a platform that would break down these barriers and give these artists the global stage they deserved.
But launching a fashion-tech company was no easy feat. The early days were filled with challenges, from refining the platform’s AI capabilities to ensuring the sustainability of every designer featured. A major turning point came when Kotryna and MJ pivoted away from a styling-focused app to a full-fledged marketplace – one that prioritized community-driven fashion discovery.
The Innovation Behind Arête: How It Works
Arête Studios is more than a shopping app – it’s a curated fashion ecosystem. At its core, the platform is powered by cutting-edge AI designed to personalize the shopping experience. Unlike traditional e-commerce sites that flood users with thousands of products, Arête refines discovery through several key features:
AI-Driven Recommendations: The platform tailors suggestions based on a user’s saved items, searches, and aesthetic preferences. Rather than pushing mass-market trends, it surfaces niche, high-quality finds that align with individual styles.
Shoppable Closets & Social Engagement: Users can build digital wardrobes, save looks, and even explore other users’ curated collections. This gamified shopping experience fosters a sense of community where fashion lovers can share and discover together.
Semantic & Visual Search: Whether searching for ‘cottagecore dresses’ or using a picture to find similar designs, Arête’s advanced search tools make it easier to find unique pieces from independent designers.
Direct Engagement with Designers: A key social feature of Arête is the ability for users to communicate directly with designers via DM. Unlike many e-commerce platforms where customer inquiries are handled by bots, Arête ensures that shoppers can ask designers about sizing, custom orders, and other details directly. This eliminates the barriers between creators and consumers, making fashion discovery a more interactive and personal experience.
Beyond technology, the platform’s heart lies in its commitment to slow fashion. Each designer on Arête is carefully vetted, ensuring ethical production methods and sustainable practices. Many brands work on a made-to-order basis, reducing waste and promoting thoughtful consumption.
The Role of Creators: Shaping Trends and Building Community
Creators play a crucial role in the Arête ecosystem, helping shape trends and guiding users toward unique fashion choices. Verified creators — selected based on their style and influence — get featured on the explore feed, providing an organic way for users to discover fashion through tastemakers rather than traditional advertising.
In addition, creators earn commissions on purchases made through their curated closets, further incentivizing a diverse and engaged fashion community. Those interested in becoming verified creators can apply by emailing info@areteforyou.com with their Arête username.
Reshaping the Industry: The Arête Effect
The impact of Arête Studios extends beyond consumer convenience—it’s a game-changer for both designers and shoppers. Emerging designers, particularly those in smaller markets, now have access to an engaged global audience without the overhead costs of traditional retail partnerships.
For shoppers, the platform offers an alternative to the microtrend-fueled chaos of fast fashion. Instead of cycling through disposable trends, users discover lasting, meaningful pieces that tell a story. “We want to create a world where the best designers—no matter where they are—can connect with people who truly appreciate their work,” Kotryna explains.
With AI-powered curation, personalization, and community interaction, Arête is redefining online shopping. No more algorithm-fed impulse buys; instead, shoppers engage with a more intentional, personalized, and sustainable retail experience.
What’s Next for Arête?
As Arête continues to evolve, Kotryna and MJ have ambitious plans for the platform. The company is set to expand internationally, with its sights on fashion hubs like London, Berlin, and Los Angeles. Additionally, new partnerships with ethical manufacturers and cutting-edge AI enhancements are on the horizon.
This month, Arête is taking its vision offline with the launch of a physical space at 147 Grand Street, New York. More than a store, this hub will serve as an incubator for emerging designers, hosting weekly events, educational panels, and community gatherings. It’s a testament to Arête’s commitment to blending technology with real-world connection.
Looking to the future, five years ahead, Kotryna and MJ envision Arête as the definitive destination for discovering the next big names in fashion. “We want to be the go-to platform for those who seek unique, high-quality fashion while ensuring technology empowers, not replaces, the human element of style.”
For those eager to explore the future of fashion, Arête offers an invitation: download the app, discover independent designers, and redefine your shopping experience. This is more than fashion – it’s a movement.