CHIC-Finder app quickens online shopping

Need a red cocktail dress? Imagine a collection of red cocktail dresses pop up on your phone where it's easy to choose one and buy it in a matter of seconds.

Now it's a reality with the CHIC-Finder app. The online shopper can search for a specific item with the results coming with the price tag and a button that goes straight to the webpage. Also, search terms like "organic cotton" and "tencel" can lead to items made with those eco-fabrics.

If the shopper finds something at the store, she can snap a photo of the item while the app finds a visually similar version and allows her to compare alternatives by style and price.

The app creates a profile through Facebook and Twitter, where users can follow other chic finders and brands like Burberry and Calvin Klein, along with some eco-friendly ones like ASOS and Vivienne Westwood. 

Buffalo Exchange runs fur drive to keep animals warm

Resale retailer Buffalo Exchange has partnered with Coats for Cubs to accept donated fur attire and repurpose it as blankets to protect animals from wintry cold temperatures.

Shoppers can drop off their real fur coats, scarves, hats, and other accessories at any Buffalo Exchange store. The fur will be shipped out to animal rehab centers and disassembled to create bedding for orphaned and injured animals.

In 2011, Buffalo Exchange, along with the Humane Society of the United States, Gucci, Macy's, Charlotte Ronson, and other major retailers, endorsed the Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2010, which stopped manufacturers from mislabeling real fur priced under $150 as faux fur.   

Only real furs will be accepted starting this week till Earth Day on April 22. Information is available at: http://coatsforcubs.com.

iMerchandise app simplifies fashion buying process

If you need to bring a top look to the masses, there's an app for that.

With the iMerchandise app, buyers can get the job done while never leaving their front row seats at a fashion show. As the model sashays down the runway, the buyer snaps a shot of the ensemble and can post it to Instagram or Twitter, make an order, and start a pre-sale, all minus the tedious paperwork.

The iPhone/iPad app comes with a built-in database with a few eco-fashion designers like Envirosax and Blue Pacific Fashion, and it can be tweaked to add and remove designers.

To file away photos, there's a section to organize the photos from each event and categorize the type of clothing/accessory as a jacket or handbag. 

Though perfect for buyers and boutique owners, frequent fashion show attendees can also benefit from having all their fabulous runway photos in one place and sharing them with the social mediasphere.