Can Artificial Intelligence Save the Fashion Industry?
With all this talk about the metaverse, many are thinking about the ways in which a future that is so intertwined with technology can be both beneficial and detrimental. Artificial intelligence in general is no longer a thing of the past. What used to be a distant dreamlike concept, depicted wildly in sci-fi films and written about only hypothetically by scholars and creatives alike, is now reality. In some states, instead of actual humans delivering online food orders, a robot will promptly place it at your doorstep. Cars can drive themselves, our phones can talk, and there is now little to no distinction between human intelligence and one which has been stimulated by gears and coding. But how does this all relate to the universe of fashion?
If you know fashion brands or monitor Internet trends, you may have seen Instagram ads displaying “digital fashion” or noticed the increase in major labels expanding into the NFT and technological spaces. This is fashion’s latest phenomenon, and some are even saying it could become fashion’s saving grace.
We know that the fashion industry has not been friendly to the planet. The powerhouse industry contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and pollution every single day. The data exist and the numbers are growing exponentially that show the impact on the environment. So where exactly does advanced technology and artificial intelligence fit into this narrative? There are multiple ways in which the fashion industry can insert digital touches into its traditional practices. For starters, many have opted into digital presentations or runway shows instead of in-person showings, especially after the onset of the pandemic.
During this past New York Fashion Week, 70+ designers and brands (out of the 170+ who participated in events and shows) displayed digitally or through live streams. This marks a large shift in the way in which fashion is widely disseminated. There is not always a need for a huge live production anymore. Instead, we can share the story through creative films or digital mock-ups. This is not only efficient for those who may not be able to run from show to show in the middle of the workweek, but it also cuts down on carbon emissions due to traveling and resources needed to craft a traditional runway and in-person event.
Some brands go beyond shows and presentations by making fully digital clothing. As a result, the production process is smoother, less wasteful, and more intelligent. The idea is to make samples of clothing or certain collections digitally to gauge consumer feedback or so that their own digitally rendered (and personally sized) avatars can try them out. As a result, companies may be able to reduce the amount of waste from manufacturing excess amounts of items that later become discontinued or don’t sell well, and customers may be able to avoid buying things that do not fit correctly or may not look the way they wanted them to.
Technology also makes for more savvy production. It could potentially assure minimized errors, which again, leads to the overall goal of less waste. At the rate that the fashion industry is growing and continuing to suffocate our environment, change is necessary. With that being said, there are few drawbacks to the application of technology within the fashion industry. To create digital renderings and mock-ups, data are necessary, and such data are powered by cloud-driven platforms that produce small amounts of carbon emissions and greenhouse gasses themselves. Our devices actually make up for about 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is not an inexcusable percentage, but it is progress compared to the emissions the clothing industry sets off.
It would be incredibly ironic, but almost prophetic at the same time, that the one thing that has accelerated the fashion waste crisis, could also be its redeemer. It may not be a perfect solution, but perhaps it really is worth a try — check out these brands that are beginning to make waves in the digital fashion realm: DressX and The Fabricant,
Source: https://www.thefabricant.com
Article by Kayla Curtis-Evans,
Contributing Sustainable Editor PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
