20 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN All of which could take considerable time, money, energy and material. Fast-forward to now, with all of those options still available but with a new one, too. AI virtual representations of clothing and accessories, where models walk runways in digital space, showcasing numerous designs and colors almost at a glance for you to mix and match options with a designer in one fell swoop. Giant international fashion companies such as Sweden’s H&M, London’s ASOS and Spain’s Zara, which operates approximately 1,800 stores in more than 90 countries worldwide, leverage artificial intelligence to maintain leading positions in the fast fashion industry. LOCAL ADOPTION “Among the many AI services my clients seek, the top three would be automation of repetitive tasks, knowledge transfer and utilizing AI tools as a thought partner for the creative process,” Edwards said. Locally, however, AI has been adopted sparingly as a business tool. “I really don’t use AI unless it’s for captions on social media,” said Kilby Bronstein, owner of the Finicky Filly boutique on King Street. And Ali Guy, marketing manager with Rhodes Boutique in South Windermere Center, pointed out that AI is used in their business only for customer convenience. FEATURE Get ready — the next fashion trend you experience will likely not involve new styles, retro fabrics, fittings or runway showcases, but electronics. Artificial intelligence has not only begun reshaping industry traditions and timetables but can now allow you to get the perfect style and fit without ever having to leave home. “AI-powered tools now allow designers and even consumers to virtually conceptualize and visualize garments in countless styles, colors, fabrics and fits,” said Tanqueray Edwards, founder of Charlestonbased TR Edwards Consultancy, which helps businesses leverage AI for increased profitability and streamlined workflows. “It propels the design cycle forward, ensuring a much quicker journey from idea to finished product.” THEN VS. NOW Consider shopping for something unique to wear to a special event in the 1950s. Your options would include attending a fashion show in person with real models and runways, visiting a hometown store that specialized in in-house designs, contacting a top fashion designer to create a one-of-a-kind piece just for you (if you have enough money and can get their attention) or going to a local tailor to discuss fabrics and styles, get measured and fitted then have something created to your specifications. THE FUTURE OF FASHION: HOW AI IS RESHAPING STYLE From virtual runways to personalized fits, artificial intelligence is transforming how we shop and design BY L.C. LEACH III Tanqueray Edwards
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjcyNTM1