Artificial Intelligence has been dominating the tech space for years now, from the development of humanoid robots to new Chabot technologies. The fashion sphere is no different, as a few designers experimented with AI during New York Fashion Week to provide a truly unique experience.
The 2024 spring/summer NYFW season is not even the first time AI fashion technology has been celebrated. The first-ever AI Fashion Week was held in April 2023, giving emerging AI designers the opportunity to display their innovative work.
When it comes to Spring/Summer New York Fashion Week, two notable events took place: Nolcha’s Web3 event, and Collina Strada’s September 8 runway show. Read on to find out how these events used AI technology to turn fashion on it’s head.
Collina Strada
Collina Strada prides itself on its dedication to climate awareness, social awareness, and self-expression, using recycled cotton, deadstock fabric, and rose sylk when creating garments. Given the brand’s forward-thinking mission, its use of up-and-coming technology feels like a natural progression of founder Hillary Taymour’s previous work.
The collection “Soft is Hard” embraces femininity through pastels, florals, and airy fabrics. However, there is a major twist: the looks were created by AI. After running her previous looks through an AI, Taymour took the new results and tweaked them to create looks that made sense for the brand.
Models were presented in an unusual way as well. They strutted down the runway with clenched fists and wide, almost eerie smiles, representing the increasing tension between humans and AI technology. The collection was met with mixed emotions, but there’s no doubt that Collina Strada and Taymour broke boundaries this season.
Nolcha
Nolcha held its two-day event on September 13-14 at the World Trade Center, consisting of runway shows, panel discussions, and an NFT gallery. Runway shows included sustainability-focused brands including Host and Var, Kaiane Designs, and The Tailory NYC.
Also on the runway were Web3 ready-to-wear, and wedding brands ChainGuardians, Oh Polly, and Nazranaa. Web3 is an extension of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology and gives users more control and ownership over digital spaces.
ChainGuardians used Web3 and AI to showcase its Phygital Meta Street Wear collection, using virtual immersion technology that allowed users to try on clothing both physically and in the Metaverse. Similarly, digital fashion brand OhZone used 3DReal™ technology to turn physical garments into NFTs that can be also worn in the Metaverse.
There’s no doubt AI is becoming more prominent in our daily lives, it’s invading all aspects of life from social media to fashion. Here’s hoping these creative fashion minds and many like them will find spectacular ways to incorporate tech into fashion, reaching an end result that’s both fascinating, and stunning.
XOXO,
Your fashion bestie
