ReadWriteWeb

A new startup is looking to apply crowdsourcing to the fashion industry. Fashion Stake, whose website will open to the general public in several weeks, will allow the fashion-conscious to directly invest in designers.

Its motto is, "Democratize Fashion" - a tall order.

The site, led by Harvard Business School alumnus Daniel Gulati, will put designers and companies together with consumers on two levels, financially and critically. Financially, an investment in a designer will return the ability to apply credits toward purchasing that designer's garments.

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Coming soon to a mall near you: the Microsoft Retail Store.

Yes, that's right: Redmond, Washington's favorite son wants a closer, snugglier relationship with you, the consumer.