August 22, 2025

Why Prom?

When we started building Lila, we explored all kinds of milestones — birthdays, graduations, first date one kept coming up again and again: prom.

Not because it’s glamorous — but because it’s vulnerable.

Every teen we spoke to had the same story: endless scrolling through Pinterest or TikTok, saving screenshots that didn’t quite feel like them. Even parents shared how stressful it was helping their kids find something that felt special, age-appropriate, and authentic — all at once.

That’s when we realized: prom is a pain point no one is actively solving.

Most companies see it as a one-time transaction — a dress, a sale, a photo but for teens, it’s so much more than that.

Prom sits at the intersection of excitement and anxiety — the night you want to feel like the best version of yourself, while being hyper-aware that every outfit, every photo, every post could be judged online.

Instagram and TikTok should be the places where teens ask their friends for help or show off their excitement — but instead, they’ve become spaces where comparison, comments, and subtle bullying happen daily.

There’s no safe space to explore your look, ask questions, or just figure out what feels right without fear of being picked apart.

That’s why we started with prom.

Because prom is one of the few shared moments where self-expression, social pressure, and identity all collide — and we wanted to give teens a place that felt different. A space that’s private, encouraging, and focused on helping them feel confident in their own choices.

And if Lila can help someone feel comfortable and confident in that moment — surrounded by noise, pressure, and opinions — she can help anyone.

💡 So, why prom — and not weddings, professionals, or guests?

Because prom is the hardest version of the problem. If we can build a stylist that can understand the nuance of a 17-year-old trying to express who they are in a high-stakes, high-emotion moment — then that same foundation can support everyone else.

Professionals. Wedding guests. Brides. Grooms. Anyone standing in front of a mirror before an important moment.

Prom is where style meets self-discovery. It’s where Lila learns empathy, taste, and context — so she can scale to every stage of life that follows.

We’re starting with teens, but Lila’s vision is universal to help anyone feel confident in their moment — whatever that looks like.

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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.💁🏻‍♀️