Applications of Computing in Industry : Lecture

Sarah McVittie and Frederick Cheung from Dressipi.com give insight into the art of choosing the perfect item and outfits and the commercial benefits this brings to fashion retailers. Sarah & Fred will show the data that underpins the process of matching customers' style, perception and expectations to the myriad products, types, styles and brands. This session will give pause to those who are concerned that 'big data' cannot be tamed or turned to commercial benefit.

Sarah McVittie founded Dressipi with Donna Kelly. Prior to co-founding Dressipi, Sarah was the co-founder and CEO of Texperts the world's first text message question answering service. The company won numerous awards for its concept and technology. In 2008 the company was sold to KGB, owners of the 118118 directory enquiries service, in a multi-million pound deal. The Times recently called Sarah one of the UK's "top rising female entrepreneurs", and she was named by Management Today magazine as one of the top 35 female entrepreneurs under the age of 35. Sarah also has a passion for motorbikes and in 2001 rode her motorbike and sidecar from London to Beijing along the oldest Silk Route.