September 15, 2025

The Panic That Started It All

It started with a panic pack for a bachelorette party.

My suitcase was open, the flight was in hours, and I hated every outfit I owned. I had tons of inspo screenshots on my phone — cute dresses for tea parties, dinner and maybe one for clubbing, Pinterest boards I’d forgotten about — but no actual game plan. My usual brands just gave me more filters. No help. No context. Just more overwhelm.

That was the moment I realized: I didn’t need another place to browse. I needed someone (or something) to decide with me.

That’s when the seed for Lila was planted.

💡 From Problem to Product

Lila didn’t start as code — it started as me helping friends. They’d send me screenshots and say, “What do I wear to this wedding?” or “Help, I need something formal but not boring.” I’d send back links, moodboards, shoppable picks. I loved it — and I realized I was doing what the internet should be doing: translating inspiration into actual outfits.

Over time, I started building a product that could scale what I was doing manually.  The first versions were rough. I rebuilt Lila’s backend three times. I figured out how to turn visuals into structured styling cues, how to surface options that feel right not just look right. It took time, feedback, and the courage to start over — multiple times.

🧬 What Lila Really Represents

This isn’t just a shopping tool. Lila is a response to a deeper problem:

• Too many options, not enough relevance

• Style tools that assume you know what you want or already have a closet full of amazing items reuse

• A generation raised on screenshots and vibes — with no translator

Lila is that translator.

She’s fast, smart, stylish, and she meets you where you are — no shame, no endless scrolling, no bad fits.

❤️ If You’ve Ever Felt This…

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to find a dress for a big moment…

If you’ve ever said “I have nothing to wear” with a full closet staring back at you…

If you’ve ever wanted someone to just get it…

Then you understand why I built Lila.

Be the first to try Lila and sign up for our waitlist.

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About the Author

Maria is the founder of Lila the Stylist — building AI that actually gets your vibe. She writes about product building, AI, and the chaos of turning inspiration into something real.

Follow her on LinkedIn for product building, emotional design, and occasional sass.💁🏻‍♀️