Hello, and welcome to another installment of The Global Fashion Files! In this post, we are taking a look at a topic within technology and fashion: AI-designed clothing.
Undoubtedly, technology has infiltrated nearly every aspect of our lives, especially fashion. While it is not uncommon to read about the newest step-tracking footwear or temperature-regulating textile, have you heard about AI-designed apparel? It should come as no surprise that this appears to be the next step in the fashion industry.
A South Korean fashion firm named Handsome is one of the most well-known companies to utilize artificial intelligence and release apparel designed by it. By partnering with Designovel, a startup company that focuses on AI-oriented fashion technology, the company was able to produce its first AI-designed garment. Dino Hood Tee is a hoodie-like garment that features a dinosaur and block image. This image was created by Designovel’s fashion program called Style AI. Handsome provided Style AI with over three hundred thousand different images, and the program processed the provided images to create this design. The garment is sold under the SJYP brand and became available for sale in early December 2018, costing $215 and being sold online and in-store.
Although this technology is still in its early stages, it has great potential applications for the future. Handsome continues to work with Designovel to determine if artificial intelligence is appropriate for use in other sectors of the fashion industry. At the moment, they are looking into providing Style AI with additional data, such as trends, customer preferences, and social media, in order to create more relevant fashion lines as well as customized designs.
This trend even extends to U.S.-based companies, including Amazon, which is purportedly trying to use artificial intelligence to design some of the company’s apparel. Similar to designers, AI can analyze trends, examine past looks, and test new designs in order to create fashionable garments. According to some technology experts, it is a process that is easily replicated by a well-written algorithm.
Some individuals argue that AI is not yet prepared to design clothing by itself. By being “too mathematical,” AI runs the risk of being predictable and losing some fashion flair. In addition, though the technology may be able to examine images, it may be difficult to make a subjective determination about what image may be called “fashionable.” Furthermore, it may more frequently create garments and images that are inappropriate and potentially offensive depending on the images it uncovers in its search. While this technology could serve a purpose in the lower levels of the fashion industry, it will likely not affect higher-end or couture brands that pride themselves on tradition and creativity.
Nevertheless, AI is another exciting technological breakthrough in the fashion industry. As we move into the future, it is apparent that the trend will continue and more apparel designed by AI will be available for purchase online or in-store throughout the world. However, I suspect―for now―that the designs will be a joint effort, the result of a collaboration between a discerning designer and an evolving AI.
My Resources, Your Resources:
Arnault, Laurenti. “Korea’s First AI-Designed Clothes are Now Available in Stores.” WT VOX, 4 Dec. 2018, https://wtvox.com/fashion-innovation/ai-designed-clothes/. Accessed 26 Dec. 2018.
Gonfalonieri, Alexandre. ““Alexa, How Do I Look?” How AI is Disrupting the Fashion Industry …” The Startup, 14 Nov. 2018, https://medium.com/swlh/alexa-how-do-i-look-how-ai-is-disrupting-the-fashion-industry-a8e82351e4b6. Accessed 3 Jan. 2019.
“Korean Fashion Firm Handsome Unveils AI-Designed Clothes.” The Korea Times, 28 Nov. 2018, https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2018/11/325_259461.html. Accessed 19 Dec. 2018.
Wilson, David. “Could Advances in AI Fashion Design Signal the Beginning of the End for the Industry?” South China Morning Post, 24 Sept. 2017, https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-luxury/article/2112355/could-advances-ai-fashion-design-signal-beginning-end. Accessed 1 Jan. 2019.
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