Artificial Intelligence in Fashion
AI, or Artificial Intelligence, has been taking over the modern tech world, but have you heard about how AI is taking over the fashion world too? Artificial intelligence is the science and engineering of making especially smart computer programs and is specifically related to using computers to replicate human intelligence. AI is not limited to biologically observable programs, though many programs do focus on such matters. Science, engineering, and computer programs are not usually words associated with fashion, but in this case, these computer programs are changing the industry for producers and consumers.
From a producer's perspective, AI can forecast trends and demand, make production more eco-friendly, and streamline the production process. As a consumer, we can benefit from AI by using the programs to help pick and plan outfits and make online shopping easier and more efficient.
We’ve all found ourselves standing in front of the closet, shuffling through clothes, trying desperately to find the perfect top with those pants (or even just one that sorta matches). While this creates a big mess and often makes you late, it is also an incredibly frustrating start to your day. Luckily, AI can to help you with this problem. StyleIt is an app you can download on your mobile phone. You simply upload a picture of the shirt or pants you can’t find the perfect match for, and the app generates a piece of clothing using computer vision and machine learning that would match your desired item. You can use this for inspiration and try to get ideas from the app that are similar to those already in your closet, or you can also use the app's in-app purchasing feature and buy the recommended item. Pronti AI is another technology that not only makes outfits for you based on what's in your closet but does so based on the activity and mood you chose for that day. Some other apps utilizing AI focus more on helping you plan your outfits. For example, Acloset not only helps you plan daily outfits, it helps you weed out items you no longer wear and sell them to other users, and you can then buy slightly used items from other users to fill gaps in your closet. You can download this on the app store and start by adding your clothes to plan your outfits, easily explore new combinations, and buy and sell old clothes to eliminate waste and save money.
Aside from apps like Acloset that help users sell and buy other users' clothes, various AIs are making shopping and buying easier and more efficient in other ways. True Fit is an artificial intelligence that helps buyers ensure that they are buying to correct size clothing and footwear while shopping online. To utilize this technology, users can simply create a True Fit account, input information like height and a reference item that they think fits well. Several brands have already incorporated this technology right into their websites for online shoppers, like Lululemon, Carhartt, J. Crew, and Kate Spade.
From the producer's end of things, countless new AIs are working behind the scenes to make your shopping experience as seamless as possible. For example, Twiggle is a technology that allows e-commerce search engines to think the way humans do in order to identify problems that consumers may be running into while online shopping. Recently, Twiggle found that consumers often get frustrated and abandon online websites because product search results are irrelevant to what they are looking for. Twiggle is starting to address this issue and find a solution by using its ability to think the way a human does and process things in terms of natural language to improve shopper search results. Aside from making more consumer-friendly websites, producers are also utilizing AI to streamline design and production processes, create more eco-friendly products, forecast trends and demand, and more.
Technology is being incorporated into all aspects of the fashion industry from both the consumer and producer perspective. Whether you struggle with picking your outfits each morning, want to get rid of those clothes that just sit in the back of your closet, or just want help finding your style, AI likely offers a solution.
