Published in: Artificial intelligence (AI)

Interview Highlights: A Conversation with Caroline Lakshmanan — Co-Founder & CEO of Cloud Closet — on Fashion, AI, Community & Confidence

Author Julia Lach

Published on: July 30, 2025

This blog post provides a summarized version of our conversation with Caroline Lakshmanan, featuring key highlights with slight alterations for readability. To listen to the full discussion, check out our podcast on Spotify and Amazon Music.

In this edition of The LuxeAI Highlights, I sat down with Caroline Lakshmanan, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Cloud Closet, a fashion-tech startup rethinking how we shop, get dressed, and interact with our wardrobes. With deep roots in global luxury fashion and a human-centered approach to technology, Caroline is building something that’s as smart as it is soulful.

We talked about everything from her early days in retail to why the future of fashion might look more like a group chat than a department store.

From Buyer to Builder: Caroline´s Global Fashion Journey

Julia: Let’s start at the beginning. How did you go from working at Parisian fashion houses like Celine to co-founding a fashion-tech startup in Austin?

Caroline: I started in luxury retail — from Bergdorf Goodman to Old Navy and Sears — and later studied at Institut Français de la Mode. After working at places like Celine under Phoebe Philo and Christian Louboutin, I realized I had a deep understanding of merchandising but also a desire to build something of my own.

Eventually I moved back to the U.S., worked in fintech startups, and learned how to build and scale digital products. That experience, blending fashion, tech, and business, brought me to Cloud Closet.

Notes-App Fashion Hacks to Social Wardrobes

Julia: I love the origin story of Cloud Closet, especially the viral TikTok trend with outfit “stickers” in the Notes app. Can you tell us how that sparked the idea?

Caroline: Totally! I was part of that trend. People were taking outfit selfies, turning them into stickers, and organizing them in Notes. It was fun but clunky. That’s when it clicked: people are already doing this, but there’s no platform truly designed for it.

We wanted to solve the friction in wardrobe apps, especially onboarding. The average user doesn’t want to manually photograph and tag every piece of clothing. So we reimagined it as a social wardrobe platform where people can create outfit playlists and get inspired without the overwhelm.

Why AI Needs Emotion (and Outfit Playlists)

Julia: What are users loving most about Cloud Closet so far?

Caroline: Honestly? The emotional boost. Our power users often say they feel better about themselves. Seeing all your past outfits organized makes you realize: “Wait, I do have great style.” Personally, I rediscovered a jumpsuit I had forgotten about, and that saved me on a busy day with back-to-back events.

Plus, people are asking for peer-to-peer features, renting or borrowing pieces directly. That’s where we’re headed next.

Let’s talk AI. What’s Caroline´s philosophy?

Julia: Let’s talk AI. What’s your philosophy on using AI in fashion?

Caroline: AI is a tool, not a replacement. It’s great for surfacing ideas or organizing data, but it can’t replace emotion. Getting dressed is personal. I’m not asking ChatGPT whether these Miu Miu shoes fit me well. I want feedback from a friend who’s actually worn them.

That’s why community matters. We’re building Cloud Closet to feel human, not robotic. And I think the next wave of fashion tech will succeed only if it embraces that.

Building with Impact: From Group Chats to Dress for Success

Julia: I also loved hearing about your partnership with Dress for Success. Can you share more?

Caroline: Yes! Dress for Success helps unemployed women prepare for job interviews by providing them with two outfits. We’re working on a way for Cloud Closet to help extend that by offering digital wardrobe planning, styling tools, and eventually, peer-to-peer access.

It’s deeply meaningful to me. I went to an all-girls high school. I’ve spent my career around powerhouse women. Helping someone feel confident walking into a room? That’s what it’s all about.

Why Social Commerce is the Future

Julia: Social commerce is exploding. How do you see it evolving, and where does Cloud Closet fit in?

Caroline: Right now, platforms like TikTok and Instagram dominate. But they’re not built for fashion discovery — they’re generalized. We want to become the LinkedIn for getting dressed, a place where you can curate, share, and feel inspired by people you actually relate to.

We’re not just a tool; we’re creating a new way to interact with your wardrobe, with your friends, and with fashion itself.

A Look into the Crystal Ball

Julia: Fast forward to 2030. What does your dream wardrobe look like and what role does Cloud Closet play in people’s lives?

Caroline: I hope my wardrobe is even more fabulous and adventurous, but also lighter, more fluid. I want to rent and lend more. I’m already doing that through apps like Borrow, and it’s empowering.

As for Cloud Closet? I see it as the go-to social shopping destination, globally. A place where discovery meets community. Where style meets sustainability. And where people feel good about what they wear, and how they got there.

Julia: Caroline, thank you for sharing your story. You’re building something truly exciting, and I’m rooting for you all the way.

Caroline: Thank you, Julia. This was such a fun conversation!

🎧 Listen to the Full Episode

This conversation is full of insights on fashion, AI, community, and courage.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify and Amazon Music and share it with someone who might love this.