What is AI and its Application in Fashion? In simple words, AI refers to mimicking human intelligence. It involves using a machine’s ability to perform cognitive functions, usually concerned with the human brain. AI’s entry into fashion is relatively new yet rapidly growing and evolving. It has several applications across various areas from apparel design to retail. For instance, when it comes to designing outfits, AI can identify new trends with demand in projecting new trends, thus significantly reducing the forecasting error. On the other hand, AI can play a vital role in manufacturing as well. AI-enabled robots and machines can quickly stitch fabrics with precision, while simultaneously detecting errors and enhancing outfit quality. It can help save companies millions, especially in cases where consignments face rejections for trivial manufacturing defects. Other examples of AI’s application in fashion include personalising apparel. AI algorithms can analyse and use data across aspects like buying history, social media activity, etc., to understand their preferences, likes and dislikes. The result is more personalised and closely aligned recommendations are provided which are likely to resonate with them individually. AI can also help transform retail buying experiences. For instance, AI can provide insights into shopping behaviours and preferences, enabling retailers to deliver a more personalised and meaningful shopping experience. Concepts like AR/VR are further helping consumers virtually visualise an attire on them before they buy it. Why is AI needed in fashion? The above applications speak for AI’s relevance in fashion. But let’s highlight them separately for a better understanding of the benefits of Ai in fashion. Personalisation The most prominent benefit of AI in fashion is its ability to personalise. AI, with its exceptional analytical and decision-making capabilities, can help manufacturers and retailers personalise the fashion experience through precise and action-driven customer insights. While manufacturers would produce what’s trending, retailers would sell it, thus delighting the customer and creating a win-win situation for everyone. Quality AI-enabled machines used in manufacturing outfits can help identify errors, thus preventing defective apparel from reaching the market. In times where quality can make or break a manufacturer’s reputation, AI proves a critical advantage. Sustainability AI can help fashion apparel manufacturers embrace sustainability by optimising their supply chain and production process. Data analytics can help them identify waste reduction areas and those where manufacturers can enhance energy efficiency. Better Decision-Making AI-driven analytics help manufacturers, supply chain players and retailers make informed decisions based on insights received. It can help eliminate instinct-based decision-making and the risks associated with it. Enhanced Customer Service Improved customer service is the result of personalised products and shopping experiences. Consumers would be encouraged to return to a particular brand for its personalised outfits and highly engaging customer experience. It is possible through AI. Quicker Sales Leveraging technologies AR/VR can expedite the consumer’s decision-making process and potentially accelerate the pace of sales. Designing Apparel with AI Outfit designing is a creative process that involves trial and error. But AI can help expedite the design process and make it more effective and efficient. AI algorithms can analyse massive amounts of data from various virtual sources. The data includes consumer buying patterns, searches, trends, etc. In addition, it can generate design concepts per inputs like fabric, colour, etc., thus saving much of the designer’s time and effort. Designers can use the time and effort saved here to focus on refining the designs, rather than working it out from the beginning. AI in Fashion Manufacturing Garment manufacturing is a labour- and resource-intensive process. There’s an exigent need for the fashion industry to embrace sustainable practices to reduce the impact of apparel production on the environment. Not only that, but apparel manufacturers deal with many other concerns like quality, volume, and consumer acceptance (considering the dynamicity of the fashion trade). AI can prove a one-stop solution to all these concerns. Some areas where AI can help transform the apparel manufacturing process include the following. AI in Supply Chain The fashion supply chain is a complex web of various intertwined and disparate elements and stakeholders. Inefficiencies of any kind in the fashion supply chain can affect product delivery, revenues and customer dissatisfaction. Integrating AI in the supply chain can help the fashion industry optimise its supply chain through analytics and value-driven insights. Some ways through which AI can positively contribute to the fashion supply chain include demand forecasting, quality control, inventory management and logistics optimisation. It can contribute to the supply chain’s efficacy, thus helping companies achieve the desired value and revenue. What are the Challenges of AI in Fashion? Every technology has its set of benefits and challenges. The use of AI in fashion isn’t an exception to this fact. Let’s review some challenges of AI in fashion. Negative Impact on Human Resources AI is disruptive. Its intelligent algorithms can replace designers, manufacturing workforce, marketers, etc., thus resulting in mass job losses and unemployment. Here, the need of the hour is to embrace AI while ensuring little to no impact on the already employed human resources and talent. Homogenisation AI algorithms can perform many tasks. Yes, that’s without a doubt. But with AI algorithms driving design and marketing decisions, fashion can potentially become more homogenised. It will become less personalised and creative, leading to a massive decline in the quality of fashion products. Now, it is up to the industry to decide the extent of dependence on AI. The purpose of using AI is to enhance offerings. Accordingly, the fashion industry should focus on creativity and diversity while looking to accomplish quality, volume and revenue goals. Cost of AI Adoption Adopting any technology at any scale demands a significant investment. It includes AI as well. Deploying AI-driven machines, robots, analytics, etc., requires a considerable investment. Not every company would have the financial muscle to do it. In situations like these, the adoption of AI would remain half-hearted. The Future of AI in the Fashion Industry So, how will AI fare in the fashion industry? While it will continue to grow,

Fashion Entrepreneurship: Key Steps to Building a Successful Brand It is incredible to start your fashion brand. But it is as challenging as starting any other business. Hence, it requires you to go plan your venture carefully and meticulously and work out the plan to make your entrepreneurial venture successful. Research and Analyse the Market Foremost! For you, your idea is the best in the market. Theoretically, it indeed could be one. But is it practically viable in the real world? Are your design concepts and outfit types in demand in the market? Are they vogue only in the present? Will the demand for them remain the same, grow or dry out in the future? Of course, enlisting every question isn’t possible. But the above are some fundamental questions you must ask yourself before you begin your venture. There’s no point trying to sell something which wouldn’t remain in demand. Accordingly, the first step is to research and analyse the market and its demand extensively. Step into the market. Speak with people. Conduct surveys. Know what’s required at the moment. Decode the market’s future to know what the current market will morph into in the future. Spend time, thought and effort in this exercise. Don’t confine your efforts to online research and surveys. Your unique idea requires an exclusive survey to help you find answers to questions specific to your venture. Develop a Proper Business Plan This is another significant step in your endeavour to start a fashion brand. Your business plan helps you map your way to near and distant milestones. In other words, it guides you in accomplishing your goals over the next few months or years. Accordingly, it is prudent to invest time, thought and effort in creating a realistic business plan that includes a rational outreach and sales target. However, ensure your business plan is flexible and allows you to adapt to a particular situation or sudden shifts in the market environment. Fashion is a trend-driven industry. Hence, you should have room to accommodate those trends and revamp your strategy to stay aligned with the market’s orientation. Identify Your Prospective Buyers It is identifying the people you would sell your creations to and understanding their needs. It will help you align your designs to their needs. Remember, every prospect segment and their needs are different. For instance, designs that work well with middle-aged people might not necessarily resonate with youngsters in their teens or 20s. While you would already know this as a fashion designer, you will have to make conscious efforts to learn what your prospects would like to wear. Start Designing Your Outfits Now that you know whom to target and the market’s demand size, you can bring your concepts to life. It means you can start designing your outfits. However, as mentioned earlier, fashion is a highly dynamic business. New trends quickly dethrone old ones, making them redundant. Hence, you should be quick enough to design your outfits and take them to a manufacturer capable of maintaining the required production pace. Search for a Manufacturer This one can take some time. It might also require you to travel extensively. Searching online and making decisions through online searches won’t help. While searching for a manufacturer, you should pay a site visit and factor in aspects like the manufacturer’s reputation, adherence to SLAs, manufacturing processes, capabilities and capacity, and the willingness to help to sprout fashion startups like you. Factors like the distance between your market and the manufacturer’s location should also be considered as it will directly affect the transportation costs and overall production expenses. Of course, balancing all these aspects could prove challenging. But no one ever said starting and running a fashion business would be easy! Start Marketing Your Business Fashion marketing goes hand-in-hand with brand building. Hire traditional and digital marketing agencies or marketers, in general, who can help you leverage the power of 360-degree marketing. Ensure your fashion marketing partners tap all the possible and relevant channels to help you optimise your reach. It is worth noting that marketing doesn’t yield results at the drop of a hat. It takes time. So, you must ensure you have the time required between designing, manufacturing, marketing and selling before you forecast the next fashion wave to hit the market. As a side note, while in business, delivering something on time matters – neither earlier nor later. Fashion isn’t an exception, unless you are a trendsetter, which you wouldn’t transform into, no sooner than you become an entrepreneur. Work on the Branding Aspects Once assured about the manufacturer’s delivery dates, start working on brand building aspects like preparing your brand communication, brand name, logo, colours, tagline, etc. Fashion is part of the show business. The more visible and attractive you are, the healthier it is for your reputation and sales. Monitor Your Sales and Plan for the Next Lot Start monitoring your sales once you hit the market. Prepare for everything, from success to failure, as it takes time for any brand to gain momentum. Continue monitoring the daily sales figures and keep innovating strategies to help you accomplish your primary goals and ensure that your initial sales at least cover your manufacturing costs and team remuneration, if not profits.

Who is a Fashion Designer? Fashion designers are professionals, who have completed a fashion design course and are engaged in designing and making clothing, footwear, and accessories. Fashion designers either work as part of a team or handle a team of fashion designers to translate the client’s vision into reality. Accordingly, they handle a broad spectrum of roles and responsibilities that place them at the nucleus of the fashion design profession. Roles and Responsibilities of a Fashion Designer Fashion designers play a crucial role in the success of a particular outfit or fashion concept. They are involved across every stage of the creation of an attire from its conception to creation and manufacturing to marketing it. So, here are some vital duties and responsibilities of a professional fashion designer. Hard and Soft Skills Required to Become a Professional Fashion Designer Handling the above roles and responsibilities requires fashion designers to have various hard and soft skills to Become a Professional Fashion Designer. Here are some of them. For a high-flying start in the fashion design profession, you need a fashion designing institute in Pune that resonates with your aspirations. NIFD Global Kothrud Pune can prove one!