AI: The Future of Fashion Design

The biggest breakthrough in AI generative tools has already happened.

Since Stable Diffusion and Midjourney went public, they have inspired a new generation of creative people who have embraced novel ways of design and conception.

I have been engaging with these AI tools for the past 1.5 years. Only now do I truly understand the nuances of computer vision and methods for successful fashion design and creative expression.

Imagine a person who is not able to sketch their ideas and is forced to communicate with image references, time-consuming collages, or photographs of someone else's work. It takes an understanding of garment construction, materials, couture, and RTW techniques to create illustrations that carry value.

Having graduated from Central Saint Martins and worked in show bags at Louis Vuitton for 7 years, with my graduation project acquired by the CSM museum and photographed by Nick Knight, I could have never imagined that design could be so easy, swift, and truly enjoyable.

The only thing that disappoints me is the fact that the entire fashion industry is lagging, unwilling to understand and adopt the revolutionary ways assisted by AI. The same tendency is observed in sustainable materials. Simply being a little more expensive, management is not willing to invest, leading many such startups to struggle to make ends meet.

In the dynamic and intense environment of every fashion house, the mental sustainability of designers is simply neglected. I cannot justify the tremendous amount of work, 90% of which ends up in the rubbish bin. It's the backside of the glittery coin of the industry.

Currently, I teach the Midjourney tool for design, and it's only the students who are my clients. People in the brands are busy cutting fabrics, organizing meetings, and serving the golem of fashion.

It's devastating to observe talented professionals leaving brands burnt out, only to swap spots for a little more money elsewhere.

I believe that the AI tools already publicly available allow for producing work to the highest industry standards. But their development is lagging because professionals don't engage with the technology. Without feedback, the tools won't improve, and their interfaces will remain non-user friendly.

I hope that the leaders of the fashion industry will open their eyes and embrace these technologies. We need inspiring creative directors who can demonstrate what new AI technology can do and lead the rest of the playground. We need brave people like Alexander McQueen - passionate about their craft and aware of the impact of textile and fashion giants on the CO2 problem.

It's time to slow down this carousel powered by vanity.

Speak soon,

Sergiy

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