AI technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in the fashion industry, from supply chain management to personalising products and services. While it is still early days, and we are yet to see the full potential of these AI tools, one can be confident that things will never be the same again. Having spent some time checking out what fashion brands and entrepreneurs are doing with ChatGPT, I wanted to share the impact of ChatGPT on the Fashion industry, from what is being done today to the future of fashion with ChatGPT.
Chatbots
One specific application of AI in the industry is through chatbots like ChatGPT –Â Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer, which can assist customers in making purchasing decisions, provide styling recommendations, and answer questions about products. ChatGPT’s friendly user interface earned it the right as the most successful startup since time began and the only platform to onboard millions of users in days. Chatbots are typically designed to simulate human conversation, but ChatGPT is a remarkably versatile tool, and its capabilities extend far beyond mimicking human dialogue.Â
It can perform various tasks such as writing and debugging computer programs, composing music, and creating teleplays, fairy tales, and student essays. It can even answer test questions, sometimes even surpassing the level of an average human test-taker. Furthermore, ChatGPT can write poetry and song lyrics, emulate a Linux system, simulate an entire chat room, play games like tic-tac-toe, and even replicate an ATM.
In the fashion industry, ChatGPT can be used to understand customers’ needs and preferences by looking up their previous interactions with the brand and recommending products or services that align with their interests.
Virtual Styling Assistant
ChatGPT can also help fashion brands provide a more personalised and engaging customer experience, leading to increased customer loyalty and sales. A fashion brand can use ChatGPT to create a virtual styling assistant that can conversationally interact with customers. The virtual assistant can ask customers about their preferences, body type, and occasion for which they need an outfit and then suggest a range of options that are personalised to the customer’s needs.
For example, a customer might message the virtual styling assistant saying, “I need an outfit for a beach wedding.” The assistant can then ask follow-up questions, such as what colour the customer prefers or whether they prefer a dress or a jumpsuit. Based on the customer’s responses, the assistant can suggest a range of outfits that fit the customer’s preferences and body type. The assistant can also provide styling tips, such as what shoes or accessories would go well with the outfit.
Virtual Shopping Assistant
Furthermore, ChatGPT can be trained on a brand’s existing product catalogue, allowing it to suggest outfits currently available for purchase. The virtual assistant can also make recommendations based on the customer’s past purchases or browsing history, making the experience even more personalised.
For example, when customers visit a fashion brand’s website, they are greeted by a chatbot powered by ChatGPT. The chatbot asks the customer a series of questions to understand their preferences and needs, such as their style preferences, size, and budget.
The chatbot then recommends a product selection that fits the customer’s criteria. If the customer has specific questions or requests, they can message the chatbot, and it will respond with relevant information and suggestions.
The chatbot can also make recommendations based on the customer’s browsing history or past purchases, making the experience even more personalised. For example, if the customer has previously purchased a pair of jeans from the brand, the chatbot might suggest other styles of jeans that are similar in fit or wash.
Suppose the customer decides to make a purchase. In that case, the chatbot can guide them through the checkout process, providing shipping information and returns policies and answering any questions they may have. I see a chatbot reading the guidelines and asking for confirmation at the end of a long legal script before I checkout.
Ethical Fashion Assistant
ChatGPT could be used to create virtual assistants to help customers make sustainable fashion choices. The language model could provide information on the sustainability attributes of different fabrics, manufacturing processes, and supply chains. It could also offer suggestions for eco-friendly fashion brands or provide tips on how to care for clothes to prolong their lifespan.
Supply Chain Management
In addition to assisting customers, AI technology can also help fashion brands improve their supply chain management by predicting demand, optimising inventory levels, and improving sustainability practices. For example, AI algorithms can analyse data on sales trends, weather patterns, and other factors to predict which products will be in demand and adjust production accordingly. This can help reduce waste and improve efficiency in the supply chain.
By using ChatGPT to manage supply chain management, fashion brands can improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance communication across the supply chain. This can lead to faster production times, more accurate inventory management, and better delivery performance. Additionally, the system can provide valuable insights that can help the brand to optimise its supply chain and reduce costs over time.
Virtual Fashion Designer
Another potential application of ChatGPT is in creating virtual fashion designers. Brands could input their design aesthetics and preferences into the language model, and it could generate unique designs for them. This could streamline the design process and reduce waste by eliminating the need for physical samples.
For instance, when entrepreneurs visit a fashion designer’s website, they are greeted by a chatbot powered by ChatGPT. The chatbot asks the entrepreneurs or customers a series of questions to understand their preferences and needs, such as their preferred style, colour, fabric, and occasion.
Based on the customer’s responses, the chatbot generates several clothing design options tailored to their preferences. The customer can then choose their favourite design and customise it further by adding or removing elements, changing the fabric, or adjusting the fit.
Once the design is finalised, the chatbot can generate a virtual 3D model of the garment, allowing the customer to see how it will look before purchasing. The design can then be sent to a manufacturer for production on-demand or created in-house by the brand.
In conclusion
AI technology and chatbots like ChatGPT are changing how the fashion industry operates, from how products are designed and manufactured to how customers interact with brands. As AI technology advances, we expect to see even more innovative applications in the fashion industry. We also expect fashion brands to use ChatGPT to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact. By leveraging the language model’s capabilities, brands can create more personalised and eco-friendly customer shopping experiences.