AI has a number of benefits to offer the fashion industry - greater personalisation for customers, increased efficiencies and even sustainability. But the question that many in the industry are asking is - by using AI are we truly innovating, or just automating the average? The fashion industry is quick to chase the next big thing, but if we don’t apply AI with intent, we risk losing what makes fashion fashion: creativity, culture, and craftsmanship.

The rush to implement AI
Everyone’s racing to integrate AI, from startups like Doji, which acts like a virtual stylist to Google’s Vision Match, where AI dreams up new fashion pieces based on a few inputs. These tools can bridge the gap between what consumers want and what brands sell. But let’s not pretend AI is a magic wand. Without human intervention, the result often misses the mark.
An example of this is Amarra, a formal dress distributor, which slashed its content creation time by 60% using ChatGPT. While this might be great for efficiency, what’s the road ahead when every brand starts churning out the same chat gpt copy and designs? What happens to originality?
The role of AI and Sustainability
AI is being marketed as a potential aid to help businesses support their sustainability efforts. Some of the uses include predicting trends and reducing overproduction. However, there is a significant carbon footprint involved in AI (and any digital media such as email, websites and cloud storage). In order to use AI in the most productive way, it is best to understand where it’s adding the most value in fashion - This could include predictive analytics for demand forecasting and supply chain transparency.
Fashion Needs a Reality Check
Jonathan Chippindale, founder of Holition, nailed it: brands need a technology-agnostic mindset. Just because AI can do something doesn’t mean it should. The best fashion brands won’t let AI dilute their creative DNA. They’ll use it to enhance, not replace, human creativity.
The future of fashion-tech isn’t about AI replacing designers, stylists, or tastemakers. It’s about giving them better tools.
We know that fashion thrives on disruption but AI is not a substitute for good taste. It’s time to stop chasing tech hype and start using AI with purpose. The brands that get it right will blend human creativity with AI’s capabilities to amplify what makes them unique. Fashion isn’t just about efficiency - it’s about emotion, identity, and culture. AI should enhance these elements, not erase them.
Keen to continue the conversation?
We’d love to chat!
Tanya, Amy, Natalie and Jackie
Permanser Consulting - Recruitment Specialists - Fashion/Textile/Lifestyle/Accessories Industries
E admin@permanser.com.au
P (03) 9654 5988