According to Dapprly CEO and founder Anoop Kansupada, dapper describes someone who owns their style.
Kansupad recently launched Dapprly, an application that allows men to seek advice about their wardrobe by posting photographs. Through social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, users upload two mobile images of themselves so friends, followers, the Dapprly team and the public can vote on the two choices.
“It’s an app to help men get dressed with what they already have with the advice of their friends,” Kansupada said. “It focuses on men utilizing it and women embracing it.”
Kansupada began with no previous experience in fashion but was inspired to create the global advice system one day when consulting his best friend on what to wear. Even though the future CEO thought he was dressed in attire appropriate for a city outing and dinner, his best friend disapproved of his outfit. “You don’t dress for the neighborhood,” she explained to him. “You dress for the actual location you’re going to.”
“I think most women already know that, but men don’t realize you dress for the restaurant or destination,” Kansupada said.
He decided men needed a comfortable and more inviting environment to turn to for fashion advice. A vast majority of apps cater to women because they use more apps than men.
“It’s creative,” said Kerrin Smith, Gallatin junior and fashion blogger. “It’s a really effective way to avoid awkward conversations and a good conducive for men.”
Alberto Rosende, a Tisch sophomore, plans on using the Dapprly app for dates.
“People tend to idolize a certain style,” Rosende said. “The app helps them get near the goal of looking a certain way.”
The company has received positive feedback so far, according to Steinhardt professor Anna Akbari. Akhari is also the image advisor of Dapprly. However, NYU students reacted with mixed feelings towards the concept and could not decide whether they would be the ones posting
or advising.
LSP freshman Adan Kohnhorst used to ask his roommate for clothing advice because he did not have a full-length mirror in his dorm. Now with Dapprly, Kohnhorst said he hopes commenters will help him combine New York City style with his own
European-based look.
“There’s been a thing of girls taking pictures of clothes on Facebook,” Kohnhorst said. “Now guys can get into that and beat the stereotype.”
Others, such as Steinhardt freshman and fashion industry hopeful Alan Simpson Quinn, believe the app does not accurately express what fashion’s true purpose is.
“Cool outfits don’t ever look as good in pictures,” he said. “Fashion is meant to be worn and seen in person.”
Quinn admits that even though he plans on getting inspiration for his own wardrobe from Dapprly users, he does not plan on posting pictures or comments.
Although the idea behind the app is women helping men improve their fashion habits, the real focus is creating confident men who are able to dress for any occasion. Akbari said many men are fashion-conscious, and the app will boost their self-esteem because they will know they are dressed stylishly.
“I am significantly more confident, and not because people are noticing, but because I’m comfortable with the clothes that I’m wearing,” Kansupada said. “I know it looks good.”
Dapprly is currently only available for free from the Apple App Store, but according to Kansupada, the company plans to expand to Android and Windows 7 users. Additionally, Akbari said the app will feature tagging and microtrends in different neighborhoods, so users can get an idea of what the locals are wearing.
A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday. Sept 26 print edition. Kathryn Jones is a contributing writer. Email her at [email protected].
