Project September

Project September was a visual shopping platform that aimed to create a direct link between fashion and design influencers, their audiences, and brands. The company was founded in the summer of 2015 by Gilt Groupe co-founder Alexis Maybank, alongside Chief Design Officer Leah Park and Chief Technology Officer Dustin Whitney. Maybank's extensive background in e-commerce, including her role as the founding CEO of Gilt and earlier experiences at eBay and AOL, informed the startup's direction. The idea for Project September emerged from Maybank's observation of the growing influence of platforms like Instagram and Pinterest on mobile-driven sales at Gilt.

The platform operated as a shoppable, digital magazine where users could discover and immediately purchase products featured in fashion and beauty images. It allowed content creators, including stylists, photographers, and influencers, to upload images, tag products, and earn a commission on sales generated through their posts. This affiliate marketing model was a core part of the business, distinguishing itself by allowing any user to earn commissions without needing to meet pre-set requirements. At its launch in April 2016, the platform had 2,000 brands available for users to link to. The service was delivered through a mobile app on the Apple App Store and a corresponding website. The company's name was a reference to the most significant month in the fashion industry.

Project September targeted consumers who were increasingly using social media to discover and shop for fashion. By creating an image-focused feed where items were marked with green dots for purchase, it sought to shorten the path from inspiration to transaction. Users could tap on a tagged item and check out immediately through a partner retailer's site. Despite its initial buzz and backing from figures like WME/IMG, the venture faced challenges in a crowded social shopping market. The company appears to have ceased operations, with data indicating it went out of business by August 2017. Keywords: visual shopping, fashion technology, influencer marketing, affiliate commerce, social commerce, e-commerce platform, Alexis Maybank, Gilt Groupe, content monetization, shoppable content, fashion app, beauty tech, digital magazine, mobile shopping, brand discovery, online retail, commission-based sales, startup, out of business, defunct