Highlights from the first-ever AI fashion week in New York City

The presence of AI in all realms of life and in every industry, including fashion, is only growing. It has redefined how clothes are designed, manufactured, and sold. Right from analysing data and predicting consumer behaviour and trends, AI has enabled designers to stay ahead of the curve as they save significant time and effort. According to a recent report from McKinsey & Co, generative AI could add $150 billion to $275 billion (approx. ₹ 12 trillion to ₹ 22 trillion) to the sector’s bottom line. 

The last week was one to remember as the first-ever AI Fashion Week, held on April 20 and 21 at Soho’s Spring Studios—the same location as the New York Fashion Week—served as the one-stop destination for those who wanted to see ‘fashion meets tech’ in every sense of the word.

Garnering a resounding 350+ submissions, the inaugural edition of the AI Fashion Week, hosted by creative agency Maison Meta, featured cutting-edge AI-generated collections and designs from the most innovative minds in the game. Spectators at the event were left in awe of the array of AI collections that were displayed across screens at the venue. The two-day event also saw a host of panel discussions that discussed concepts and way forward with regards to design and development in the AI realm. 

Here are some artists to keep an eye out for.

Land of Arca

The artist is popular for his retro-inspired fashion—think ‘50s and ‘60s—with futuristic themes. The use of colour and the importance of the setting gives his creations their own charm and brings them to life. 

Elmo Mistiaen

This designer creates biomorphic outdoor fashion and unconventional pieces. His work combines hyperrealistic human figures with surreal and biomorphic features, and the end product is some truly outstanding images that push the boundaries of what one can achieve with AI art.

Fashion Coupids

Known for their incredible selection of bright colours and diversity in composition, this artist’s works are loosely inspired by surrealism, odd shapes, silhouettes, and the vastness of nature. 

Homo Aliens

Their "Black Moon" series showcased avant-garde and ethereal arrangements in a frigid, unlit atmosphere. The hyperrealistic portraits transformed the viewer's senses into an unfamiliar domain constructed by AI. 

This one-of-a-kind fashion show will be judged by some of the most prominent names in the world of fashion and the public. In the first stage, the latter will vote online and for the second round, 10 finalists will showcase in front of a prolific jury that includes Michael Mente, CEO, Revolve; Erike Wykes-Sneyd, VP, Adidas’ Three Stripes Studio; iconic make-up artist Pat McGrath; and Tiffany Godoy, head of editorial content, Vogue Japan; and Natalie Hazzout, head of men’s casting at Celine, among others. 

Over the coming weeks, the finalists will be revealed and go on to develop their brands. The top three winners will have the opportunity to participate in Maison Meta’s fashion and technology incubator, developed with the help of Revolve Group. This will enable the designers to launch their own brands and produce real-world collections. The resulting clothes will be sold either on Revolve’s e-commerce channels or its luxury site, Fwrd