The fashion tech startup Alta has acquired $11 million in preliminary funding to realise the vision of a virtual stylist. Menlo Ventures led the investment, which has a stellar roster of fashion insiders and celebrity investors.
Jenny Wang, a 28-year-old engineer with years of IT industry expertise and a Harvard degree, launched the startup. Alta uses personalised avatars and artificial intelligence to change how consumers buy for clothing and design themselves.
Fashion Driven by AI Motivated by “Clueless”
Alta is bringing your dream of owning the digital closet from the film Clueless to life.
The app acts as a personal stylist and shopper, using AI to recommend outfits based on:
- Your wardrobe
- Your calendar events
- The weather
- Your style preferences and budget
Users can upload their clothing items by:
- Taking photos of their existing wardrobe
- Uploading receipts from past purchases
- Browsing Alta’s built-in database of brands
You can also “try on” new outfits virtually, mix them with items from your own closet, and build lookbooks for specific events — like a work presentation or a night out.
What Sets Alta Apart
While other AI fashion apps like Whering and Cladwell exist, Alta is aiming higher — both in technology and user experience.
Jenny Wang says today’s AI has finally caught up to her long-time vision. In her words, “The AI just wasn’t ready back then — but it is now.”
Alta focuses on building a fresh architecture and intuitive user interface, something existing platforms like Pinterest or Google Shopping don’t yet offer in this space.
Backed by Top Names in Tech and Fashion
Alta’s funding round includes some of the most influential names in fashion and tech:
- Meredith Koop, Michelle Obama’s stylist (who also helped train Alta’s AI)
- Algaé Ventures, backed by the prestigious Arnault family of LVMH
- Phenomenal Ventures, led by Meena Harris (niece of Kamala Harris)
- Anthropic’s Anthrology Fund
- Tony Xu, CEO of DoorDash
- Karlie Kloss and Jasmine Tookes, supermodels and tech advocates
- Jenny Fleiss, co-founder of Rent the Runway
- Manish Chandra, CEO of Poshmark
Wang also tapped into her own career network. She previously interned at DoorDash, worked on the Kode With Klossy podcast, and held roles in venture capital and tech advisory.
Fueling Growth with New Capital
With this $11 million boost, Alta plans to:
- Expand its team, especially on the technical side
- Invest in R&D to refine its AI models
- Improve user experience based on community feedback
- Broaden global reach, starting with key partnerships
Already, Alta has teamed up with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to offer the app to its members.
The company is also working with Marie Kondo to expand in Oceania and Pacific regions and aims to strike global retailer partnerships next.
Moving to NYC, Thinking Globally
Originally based in San Francisco, Wang has since relocated to New York City, calling it the perfect home for Alta’s next phase.
“NYC is closer to Paris,” she said — a nod to potential expansion plans in Europe. She’s getting support from angel investor and tech influencer Zita d’Hautville and tapping into connections at LVMH to grow Alta’s presence internationally.
Wang added that many exciting AI startups are now emerging from NYC, and she’s building a team that’s both technically skilled and passionate about fashion.
“I’m still coding every day,” Wang said, showing her hands-on role in building Alta’s future.
Key Takeaways
- Alta raised $11M to launch a powerful AI fashion styling app.
- Jenny Wang, a Harvard engineer and fashion-tech visionary, leads the company.
- The product offers personalized outfit suggestions using AI and virtual avatars.
- Users can upload and organize their closet, try on new clothes virtually, and get style help for any event.
- Backed by top-tier investors from tech and fashion, including LVMH and Michelle Obama’s stylist.
- Alta is expanding globally with strategic partnerships and strong R&D investment.
Alta isn’t just a fashion app — it’s a bold step into the future of personalized AI shopping. By blending cutting-edge technology with deep fashion insights, the startup is reshaping how people decide what to wear, one outfit at a time.