Fashion Meet Tech: How Dressi Helps You Dress with Purpose – ft. Iris Phan
Building a startup is rarely a straight path, and for Iris Phan, it all started with a feeling many of us know too well: standing in front of a full closet and still thinking, I have nothing to wear. But instead of ignoring that frustration, Iris used it as fuel to create Dressi — a Tech-based personal styling app designed to help people dress with confidence and clarity.
Iris’s journey into fashion tech didn’t begin with industry connections or a background in Tech. It began with something more powerful: lived experience and a determination to solve a personal problem.
“I used to be a woman who stood in front of the mirror and felt ugly – weird in her own skin… I’m not building Dressi for everyone. I’m building Dressi for me — for the little girl, for the little me who did not feel enough.”
From Frustration to Solution
For Iris, the mission behind Dressi was never about chasing trends or building a flashy startup — it was about healing. Caught in a cycle of overconsumption, guilt, and dissatisfaction with her wardrobe, she knew something had to change. She began asking deeper questions about self-worth, representation, and why so many people — especially women — are made to feel like they’re not enough.
“Consumerism kept pushing me to buy more… After I buy something, I feel guilty about it. But quickly enough, weeks later, I keep buying again for me to feel good, to have that dopamine hit.”
Dressi aims to break that cycle. Rather than promoting constant purchasing, the app uses Tech to help users better understand their personal style, body type, and how to feel confident in what they already own.
Backing Herself — and Taking the Leap
Taking the leap into entrepreneurship isn’t easy — and Iris didn’t do it alone. Her early steps were supported by Launch Pad’s Ignition program, a startup accelerator designed to help founders move from idea to action.
“It gave me the structure and belief that I could actually do this,” she reflected during the podcast. Through Ignition, she gained valuable tools, mentorship, and confidence to build Dressi into a real business.
“At one point I was like, this is not how it should work. There must be a way out. Things should change. And that’s the reason why I started Dressi.”
Facing the Lonely Reality of Representation
While building Dressi, Iris encountered a challenge many founders of colour know too well — the feeling of being the only one in the room. As a woman of colour in both tech and fashion spaces, she often felt isolated and unseen.
“Sometimes I feel really isolated… because not so many female founders or women of colour are operating in this space. I can feel like I’m the only one out there.”
But rather than letting that feeling stop her, Iris used it as a motivator. She knows that visibility matters — and that by showing up authentically, she’s making space for others to do the same.
Finding Her People
One of the most pivotal moments in Iris’s journey was finding her people. Through Launch Pad, she connected with a community of like-minded creatives — including those in Style Circle, a supportive network where fashion, identity, and personal growth intersect.
These connections reminded her that she wasn’t building Dressi alone — and that others believed in her vision too.
“You haven’t met all the people who will support you and be there for you yet… and I know it’s going to be amazing.”
A Letter to Her Past and Future Self
At the end of the podcast, Iris read aloud a letter she wrote to her past and future self — a moment that captured the vulnerability and strength behind everything she’s building.
“Hi Iris. I see you and I see how much you’ve been trying. I know it can feel really overwhelming and scary right now, but you got it. You’re going to be OK. Keep going, keep learning.”
And to her future self:
“Thank you for not giving up on me and on our dream. And I’m proud of you.”
Iris’s story is a reminder that startups don’t have to start with perfection or polish — they can start with a personal problem and a willingness to try. Dressi isn’t just about style. It’s about identity, healing, and empowerment — and it’s just getting started.
You can follow Iris’s journey at @meetdressi
And if you want to be part of the next generation of changemakers, check out Launch Pad’s Ignition program.
At Ignition, Launch Pad accelerates YOU as well as your business. We provide support at each step of your growth journey, empowering you to become a resilient founder.