In the recent DigiTALKS by Fashinnovation we talk about the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the fashion industry was the main focus. With 200 registrants, this event provided valuable insights into innovation, sustainability, and the future of digital fashion.
Here are the highlights and key moments of this inspiring conversation!
Artificial Inteligence and the market
The DIGITALKS event featured an innovative conversation between Michele Parsons, Former Chief Merchandising Officer at Kate Spade, and Zhanna Naymankhanova, co-founder and CEO of Senstile.
The main focus was on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the fashion industry. Zhanna emphasized the radical transformation AI will bring, promoting an abundance of options and enabling on-demand production.
Presentations by Zhanna and Michele
Zhanna Naymankhanova and Michele Parsons were the main speakers at the event. Zhanna, founder of Senstile, shared her journey from fashion production to technology. Michele, with extensive experience in the industry, discussed how AI is transforming generative design, allowing designs to be created in minutes, a task that traditionally took months.
“AI will bring an abundance of everything, so we need to think from this perspective and, most likely, the on-demand production we’ve been talking about for so many years to deal with inventory, reduce waste, and optimize history, this is the future with AI moving so fast.” – Zhanna Naymankhanova
Michele highlighted the importance of companies aligning their brand strategies with AI capabilities to enhance efficiency and innovation. Both agreed that AI will not replace jobs but will improve how we work, stressing the need for the fashion industry to keep pace with these rapid technological advancements.
Impact of AI on Fashion
The discussion focused on how AI is revolutionizing fashion, especially in generative design. This technology not only increases efficiency but also enhances the creativity of designers. Michele believe that AI can boost operational efficiency by up to five times, a significant advancement for an industry still heavily reliant on manual processes.
“I think the right question is ‘What is the brand strategy and how can AI support it?’… What Zhanna is working on is simply amazing and, you know, I’ve never seen anything like it, and I think there’s much more, but you’re so ahead of where the world is and we have to keep up.” – Michele Parsons
Challenges in Digitalization
Zhanna mentioned that the digitalization of fashion production still faces challenges, such as the slow pace of the process and reliance on manual tools like Excel. She emphasized the need to digitalize the physical and sensory properties of fabrics to achieve greater efficiency and innovation.
What do we conclude?
AI-Driven Abundance: Zhanna’s insight into AI bringing an abundance of everything was significant. This perspective shifts the focus from scarcity to leveraging AI for more efficient inventory management, waste reduction, and optimization of processes, particularly in the fashion industry.
On-Demand Production: The emphasis on on-demand production becoming more feasible with AI advancements underscores a transformative shift in manufacturing and supply chain dynamics, making it a crucial point for businesses to consider.
Integration of AI with Brand Strategy: Michele’s point about aligning brand strategies with AI capabilities rather than just focusing on AI strategies is crucial. It suggests a more holistic approach where AI supports and enhances the existing brand vision and goals.
Future of Work: Both speakers agreed that AI will not replace jobs but improve the way we work. This highlights the need for industries to adapt and integrate AI in a way that enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them.
Technological Advancement: The need for the fashion industry to keep pace with rapid technological advancements was a recurring theme. This emphasizes the importance of staying ahead of the curve and continuously innovating to remain competitive.
Future Events – Worldwide Talks 2024
One of the most anticipated moments was the announcement of “Worldwide Talks,” a major event to be held in New York on September 4th. This event promises to bring together discussions on technology, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and inclusion, crucial themes for the future of fashion.
The Fashinnovation and Digitalks webinar demonstrated how AI is changing the fashion industry, bringing efficiency and innovation.
The presentations by Zhanna Naymankhanova and Michele Parsons highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of this digital transformation.
Registration for the 11th edition of WorldWide Talks is open! Register on the website and be present at one of the biggest fashion and innovation events in the world.
