After its April debut in New York City, AI Fashion Week is gearing up for its next installment later this month. But Revolve, one of its main backers, and tech-driven creative studio Maison.Meta, the event’s founder, haven’t quite moved on from the inaugural competition. Instead, they’re ensuring it continues to reverberate by producing the top three collections from Season 1 and on Friday, they plan to announce availability on Revolve.com.
According to an advance copy of the press release seen by WWD, the physical products will drop immediately on Friday, putting a spotlight on Season 1 winner Paatiff and runners-up Molnm and Opé.
Michael Mente, cofounder and co-chief executive officer of Revolve Group Inc., led a judging panel that featured Dame Pat McGrath of Pat McGrath Labs; Matthew Drinkwater, London College of Fashion’s head of innovation agency; Vogue’s Tiffany Goddoy, and Erika Sykes of Adidas 3 Stripes Studio. The top-ranked designers were also the first cohort in the Revolve and Maison.Meta’s AI Fashion Incubator.
These types of initiatives often allow tech-driven fashion companies to bathe in an aura of innovation. But for Revolve, there’s a bit more to it than that. According to Mente, the company is actually laying out its path forward.
“Through AI, we’re able to explore new emerging designers, brands and trends that we are known for delivering in unique ways,” he said in the statement. “Our continued collaboration with Mainson.Meta is forward-thinking in that it sets the tone for where we are heading.
“Together, we have the ability to launch new groundbreaking, innovative collaborations and experiences for our customers.”
AI has permeated the fashion and retail sectors, as automations boost efficiencies in logistics, merchandising, marketing and customer service, among other things. It has also dramatically accelerated crucial aspects of the beauty sector, from augmented reality and its increasingly realistic virtual try-ons to skin analysis and more. But AI’s creative use in design tended to be more academic or experimental, that is before the past year’s boom in generative AI, a form of machine intelligence that can impressively create original works, and a new wave of agencies like Maison.Meta, a one-year-old company that bills itself as the world’s first generative AI agency.
With AI increasingly capable of doing what once could only come from humans, it’s only natural to wonder about the role of designers or creative directors. But the art to this science is still driven by people who can pick the datasets, guide the process via prompts and ultimately decide whether the result is good enough to meet their standards or vision. That remains a pivotal role where artistic genius matters.
That’s what Paatiff, Molnm and Opé represent to Cyril Foiret, Maison.Meta’s founder and creative director. With “cutting-edge, AI-generated collections,” they are “the most innovative minds in the game,” he said.
Paatiff’s winning line, called “Futuristic Old Soul,” puts a futuristic twist on classic looks by blending eras to create something timeless, according to the description. Inspired by materials, transparencies and shadows, designer José Sobral played with proportions, shapes and fabrications, using even the underlying human skin as another color or material.
“The collection pushes the boundaries of sustainable fashion and design, creating pieces that are not only beautiful but also highly functional,” said Sobral. Prices start at $248.
Drawing from nature, runner-up Molnm used organic materials and lightweight fabrics for an ethereal effect. Comfort also matters — designer Matilde Mariano’s inclusive designs accounted for different body types, and the looks were created to work with the skin to strike a balance between style and comfort.
“Each creation is built for both beauty and longevity,” she explained, “ensuring a future where fashion and nature coexist harmoniously.” Prices start at $228.
The final collection, Opé’s “Emergence,” offers some whimsy with romantic, yet modern ensembles. The line features flowing fabrics and a soothing color palette of azure, seafoam, black and cream set with ruffled sleeves and plunging necklines alongside asymmetrical hemlines. According to designer Opé StyleStar, the collection was designed for fashion-forward consumer who enjoys the spotlight and isn’t afraid of going over-the-top.
“When you wear Opé, you effortlessly embody a girly yet electrifying presence who is the life of the party wherever you go,” said StyleStar.
Availability on Revolve will arrive in the lead-up to Season 2 of AI Fashion Week, Nov. 16 to 19 in Milan. Each collection will debut with the initial release of 10 to 12 styles, with prices starting at $228 to $298, up to $1,598.