Exclusivity, personalization, and undiluted brand experiences, CAKE is carving a niche as a new kind of loyalty-driven shopping community. This invite-only app reimagines brand discovery and customer rewards by giving members curated access to premium brands, exclusive perks, and up to thousands of dollars in shopping credits—all for a $100 annual fee. It’s not a clearance marketplace or a cashback platform—it’s a curated gateway to fashion’s inner circle.
What Is CAKE?
CAKE is a members-only mobile app and shopping community that delivers upfront value through shopping credits, early collection access, and exclusive perks at over 80 luxury and emerging fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands. Members receive “CAKE Cards”—preloaded digital coupons valued from $50 to $450—which can be spent directly at featured brand partners.
Unlike traditional loyalty programs, CAKE doesn’t require points accrual or previous purchases to unlock benefits. Membership immediately provides access to curated perks and savings usually reserved for high-spend insiders.
Key Features
-
Generous Shopping Credits: Redeemable digital gift cards for shopping in-season collections, typically worth over $2,000 each year.
-
Exclusive Brand Access: Early product drops, limited capsule releases, and unique member perks such as free shipping, monogramming, or gifts-with-purchase.
-
Offline & Online Events: Invitations to NYC showroom experiences, private brand previews, and special perks throughout the year.
-
80+ Integrated Brand Partners: Including Jenni Kayne, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Veronica Beard, Mansur Gavriel, CO, Freda Salvador, and others.
-
No Fees for Brands: Brands participate at zero cost, and the platform encourages organic, high-intent discovery.
Learn more at the CAKE official website.
Who Is CAKE For?
CAKE is designed for modern, fashion-forward consumers seeking:
-
True value from quality shopping
-
Curated access to both established and independent brands
-
A more rewarding and elevated shopping experience
-
Insider treatment and upfront savings
CAKE especially appeals to:
-
Style-conscious shoppers looking for curated discoveries
-
Social connectors interested in sharing brand finds within a community
-
Shoppers missing traditional department store perks but wanting a modern, DTC-friendly take
What Does CAKE Membership Include?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $100 |
| Shopping Credits | $2,000+ in CAKE Cards (gift cards per brand) |
| Brand Partners | 80+, spanning luxury and direct-to-consumer brands |
| Early Collection Access | Yes |
| Event Invitations | In-person and digital exclusives |
| Bonus Perks | Free shipping, gifts-with-purchase, styling support |
| Referral Program | Invite-only access grows via member referrals |
Details on how it works are outlined at cakemembers.com/how-it-works.
Proof of Value
CAKE is generating buzz with early adopters, stylists, and fashion editors. According to Boston Magazine, many members say the app “makes shopping feel special again,” often recouping their annual fee using just one or two CAKE Cards.
In the Moda Veritas newsletter, Irene Kim recognized CAKE as “a promising approach to giving shoppers—especially Gen Zers—huge value and discovery without spam.” The model positions consumers as “friends of the brand, not just another CRM entry.”
User responses in the App Store reviews mention real, valuable credits and genuine discovery.
Founders & Vision
CAKE was created in 2023 by a team with deep roots in consumer and retail sectors:
-
Dave McLaughlin, former WeWork executive
-
Ben Fischman, founder of Rue La La and Lids
-
Estelle Palandjian, consumer strategist and retail marketer
Their goal: reinvent loyalty, brand discovery, and rewards for an era where value and trusted access matter to both shoppers and brands.
Why CAKE Matters in Fashion Tech
-
Real Value Upfront: No spend thresholds or point systems—just immediate credits and perks.
-
Elevated Retail Experience: An exclusive, personal, and engaging approach to brand discovery and shopping.
-
Friend-of-the-Brand Access: Get pricing and treatment once reserved for VIPs and stylists.
-
Win-Win Ecosystem: Consumers discover quality brands; designers gain access to highly engaged shoppers.
For shoppers, it’s a smarter, more rewarding way to discover and engage with premium fashion and lifestyle labels. For brands, it’s a powerful, no-risk way to connect with highly engaged, high-intent audiences. As invite-only shopping continues to rise, CAKE is leading the charge by making premium retail feel exciting, personal, and truly worth the membership.
