Vow To Be Chic

Vow To Be Chic was an online platform focused on the rental of designer bridesmaid dresses, positioning itself as a cost-effective and convenient alternative to purchasing expensive, single-use garments. The company was founded in 2013 by Kelsey Doorey, who conceived the idea after her personal experiences as a bridesmaid and identifying a gap in the market analogous to tuxedo rentals for men. Doorey, a graduate of Columbia University and UCLA's Anderson School of Management, developed the business plan while at UCLA, winning the Knapp Venture Competition which provided initial funding and validation for the concept.

The business operated primarily through its e-commerce website, targeting millennial women who sought quality, affordability, and a streamlined shopping experience for weddings. The model was structured to disrupt the traditional bridal industry by offering dresses from well-known designers like Monique Lhuillier and Jenny Yoo for a rental fee significantly lower than the retail price, typically between $50 and $95. To ensure customer satisfaction, the service included sending two sizes for a guaranteed fit, providing access to personal stylists, and handling all shipping and dry-cleaning logistics. In addition to rentals, the company also offered the option to purchase the dresses and sold wedding accessories.

Vow To Be Chic secured a total of $5 million in a Series A funding round in June 2016 from investors including Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Wavemaker Partners, and the Women's Venture Capital Fund. This capital was intended to scale operations, improve technology, and expand the team. The company gained traction through word-of-mouth and appeared on shows like "Shark Tank". Despite its efforts and having served tens of thousands of customers, Vow To Be Chic ceased operations in May 2018. The closure was attributed to a lack of sufficient capital required to sustain and grow the capital-intensive rental model.

Keywords: bridesmaid dress rental, online bridal service, wedding attire, designer dress rental, Kelsey Doorey, e-commerce bridal, shared economy fashion, wedding planning, bridal party fashion, Monique Lhuillier rentals, Jenny Yoo rentals, affordable bridesmaid dresses, bridal startup, fashion technology, clothing rental service, online stylist, wedding fashion, women-led startup, venture capital, Pritzker Group