App Showcase: Moda Operandi

What it does

Moda Operandi is a luxury fashion e-commerce app that serves as a digital storefront for high-end designer clothing, accessories, and home goods. Its standout feature is the "Trunkshow," which allows discerning shoppers to pre-order items directly from runway collections months before they are available to the general public. The app combines a traditional retail experience with this exclusive pre-order model, positioning itself as a key destination for fashion trendsetters.

Where it shines

The app excels at creating an atmosphere of exclusivity and curation. The Trunkshow feature, seen at 06:56, is central to this. It's not just a product list; it's a timed event that makes users feel like they have insider access. Another strong point is the proactive personalization. The "Build Your Closet" pop-up at 00:13 immediately guides new users to follow their favorite designers, promising a tailored shopping experience from the very first session. This combination of exclusive access and early personalization makes the app feel more like a service than a simple store.

UX highlights

• Elegant Loading Animation: The app uses a custom loading animation (00:21) where geometric shapes morph into the letters M-O-D-A. It’s a sophisticated touch that reinforces the brand's high-end identity.
• Contextual Sign-Up: Registration isn't forced upon launch. Instead, the sign-up screen appears at 00:28 only after the user tries to save an item to their wishlist, making the request feel justified.
• Clear Scarcity Cues: When selecting a size for a coat at 01:46, the interface clearly states "Only 1 left," creating a sense of urgency without being overly aggressive. This information is crucial for high-value items.
• Granular Filtering: The refine and sort functionality (03:01) is robust, allowing users to filter by category, size, designer, and color, which is essential for navigating a large luxury catalog.
• Size Guide with Regional Conversion: The product detail page includes a comprehensive size guide (01:56) that allows users to convert sizes based on their region (e.g., US, Italy), reducing purchase friction.
• Trunkshow Deposit System: For pre-order items in Trunkshows, the app clearly displays the total price and the required deposit (07:08), providing transparency in the purchasing process.

Monetization & growth

As a retail app, monetization is based on direct sales of luxury goods. The video does not show any subscription models or in-app purchases beyond the products themselves. A key growth mechanic is the notification warm-up screen seen at 00:08, which encourages users to opt-in for updates on "exclusive items and new arrivals." This direct communication channel is vital for announcing limited-time Trunkshows and sales, driving repeat engagement and purchases.

Who it’s for

The app is clearly designed for affluent, fashion-forward consumers who are knowledgeable about designer brands and want early access to new collections. The high price points (e.g., a coat for $1,750 at 01:36) and the focus on runway pre-orders target a niche audience that values exclusivity and is willing to wait for sought-after items. It's for the shopper who follows fashion week and wants to secure key pieces before they sell out.

Notes & opportunities

The app experience is polished, but there is a small point of friction. After creating an account, the user is shown a full-screen message at 01:01 instructing them to verify their email. While necessary, this is a dead end that requires leaving the app. An alternative could be a less intrusive banner or allowing continued browsing with a persistent reminder. Additionally, the shopping bag shows an error when the user tries to add more than one of a low-stock item (09:07), but the error message could be more specific than "Please select a smaller quantity" by stating exactly how many are available.