Artificial Intelligence Will Be an Essential Part of Fashion With the Help of ChatGPT

Cutting up the latest magazine, collaging a paper full of clothing, and stringing the common threads between different designers is now a thing of the past due to a new phenomenal AI and its accuracy in predicting trends.

In the past, consumers and designers used forecasters in the fashion business which will do their best to predict trends with the information given to them. Though speculative, a fashion forecaster is important for a company to know what colors, materials, prints, and styles will be trending in the near future. Based on this, companies can increase their revenue by having a product in higher demand that they know people will be more likely to purchase. Companies can also use the knowledge of trends to their advantage in marketing, gearing certain products to demographics they believe will purchase their item.

A recent example of this is how Urban Outfitters, a lifestyle retail corporation, used the “balletcore” trend of elegant loungewear, petite flats, and feminine dresses trending on TikTok to their advantage. On their website, the “featured” tab has a whole section dedicated to pieces from multiple designers that encompass this niche aesthetic. But Urban Outfitters, though certainly gaining revenue from this online addition, was late to the trend.

If I think back to the fashion lover’s cult classic movie, The Devil Wears Prada, fashion trends don’t exactly work as they do in the office of Runway Magazine. Trends are not put into circulation through the pages of a magazine, just as streetwear is not dictated through the color sneakers the page three model wears in Vogue. Instead, mainly because of social media, fashion forecasters will have to use something other than scissors and glue sticks to be ahead of the trends.

*The Urban Outfitters Page “Balletcore Trend” urbanoutfitters.com*

For a while now, coding algorithms have been used to see the common threads of fashion with large amounts of data. Whether this is just Vogue Runway or multiple social medias, these algorithms are a fast and effective way to track trends in the present. But what about the future?

That's where simple Javascript cannot be used. Artificial intelligence, more commonly known as just AI, could be the next way that companies find out what consumers are looking for.

But, I am skeptical. Some trends are “bottom-up”, meaning designers are influenced by the consumers, but with AI predicting trends in the future, there would be no true basis for how trends occur. Trends would be a mix between designers' ideas and those of consumers.

Just like forecasters, there is no true way to figure out if the trends predicted will be accurate. Unless there is?

ChatGPT is a recently published chatbot launched by OpenAI, its purpose is to hypothetically answer any question proposed. The issue by most critics is that it only knows information from 2021 and nothing more. But this can be useful for us to see how accurate AI is by asking it the trends of 2022.

I already know the trends of last year, so by asking about the fashion trends of 2022 I can compare the accuracy to see if ChatGPT’s thoughts on 2023 will be accurate as well.

When I first asked for ChatGPT to predict the trends of 2022, I got a very robotic response:

As a language model, I don't have the ability to predict future fashion trends, but I can tell you about some trends that are currently popular in the fashion industry. Some trends that have been gaining momentum in recent years include sustainable and ethically-made clothing, streetwear, and vintage and retro-inspired styles. Additionally, many experts predict that digital technologies will continue to play a larger role in the fashion industry, with virtual try-ons and online shopping experiences becoming more prevalent. However, it's worth noting that fashion is a highly dynamic and ever-changing industry, so trends can shift quickly and unexpectedly.

Too broad for my taste, so I pressed further. One of the wonderful things about ChatGPT is that it allows for a more conversational Q&A. I can ask follow-up questions on any of their answers. So, to get a more specific answer, I asked for specific brands and styles. But, yet again, I got an even more monotone response.

I apologize if my previous response was not helpful. As a language model, my abilities are limited to providing information based on patterns and data in the text that I have been trained on. While I can provide information on current trends and make educated guesses based on that, I cannot predict future trends with certainty. It's important to note that the fashion industry is a highly dynamic and ever-changing industry, and trends can shift quickly and unexpectedly. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on runway shows, fashion weeks, street style, and fashion industry news to stay informed about current and emerging trends.

This technology is very new, so it is too hopeful for me to think it would give the answer I wanted right away. Mind you, this tool will only respond to what you say, so how you pose your question matters. Rearranging my question once more, I got a broad but slightly informational answer:

Based on the information available from 2021, it's likely that sustainable and ethically-made clothing will continue to be a popular trend in 2022. As consumers become more conscious of the impact of fast fashion on the environment, they are increasingly looking for clothing that is made using sustainable materials and methods. Streetwear will probably continue to be popular, as it offers a mix of comfort and style that appeals to many people.

Vintage and retro-inspired styles will probably continue to be popular in 2022, as people look for ways to express their individuality and stand out from the crowd. Additionally, the integration of technology into fashion is likely to become more prevalent in 2022, with virtual try-ons, digital showrooms, and online shopping experiences becoming more common.

Another trend that has been gaining momentum is the rise of unisex and gender-neutral clothing, as well as a movement towards comfort and functionality in fashion, which can be seen in the rise of athleisure and loungewear.

And finally, the use of upcycled and repurposed materials in clothing and accessories will probably continue to grow as more people become interested in sustainable fashion.

Though broad and talking about trends years in the making, it was the first true response I received from ChatGPT. From this response, I could see how its predictions were pretty accurate.

The true test, though, was predicting trends in 2023. Would ChatGPT give a rudimentary, the same, or a completely different set of trends?

*Example of the prevalent virtual try ons @farfetch*

Sadly, when asked about 2023, ChatGPT gave essentially the same answer as before. Obviously, ChatGPT must not like the word “trend”. It either cannot predict trends at all, or the idea of predicting a whole trend is too broad. So, I asked if a specific decade would be trending in 2023. That gave a fruitful response.

Many fashion designers have been drawing inspiration from past decades, particularly the 80s and 90s, which have been popular in recent years. The 80s trend has been seen in bold colors, strong shoulders, and power dressing, while the 90s trend has been seen in slip dresses, mom jeans, and grunge-inspired ensembles.

It's worth noting that fashion is a cyclical industry, and trends from different decades often come back in style. So it's possible that there will be a resurgence of other decades' styles as well in 2023.

This is pretty accurate considering the resurgence of simple 90’s grunge in both music and fashion.

*Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, a style icon for those in on the resurgence of 90’s minimalist style.*

What about materials?

Based on the information available from 2021, it's likely that sustainable and eco-friendly materials will continue to be popular in 2023. Consumers are becoming more conscious of the impact of fast fashion on the environment, and are looking for clothing that is made using sustainable materials and methods. This includes materials such as organic cotton, linen, hemp, and Tencel, which are grown and processed without the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides.

Another trend that has been gaining momentum is the use of upcycled and repurposed materials in clothing and accessories. This not only helps to reduce waste and promote sustainability, but it also allows for unique and one-of-a-kind pieces.

It's also possible that there will be a continued focus on natural fibers, like wool and silk, as they are durable and biodegradable.

Considering the rise in ski-like cardigans made out of wool seen in early 2023 and the long silk dresses due to a more feminine style of clothing, this analysis may be broad but is accurate.

*An example of the wool sweaters trend as seen on Matilda Djerf @matiladjerf*

*An example of the silk trend @pinterest*

…and prints?

Based on the information available from 2021, it's likely that bold and colorful prints will continue to be popular in 2023. Many designers have been incorporating bold prints and patterns into their designs, as they add a playful and fun element to clothing. I expect to see a mix of geometric and abstract prints, as well as more traditional prints like florals and paisleys.

Another trend that has been gaining momentum is the use of oversized prints, which can make a statement and add a touch of drama to an outfit.

It's also possible that there will be a continued focus on nature-inspired prints and patterns, as consumers become more conscious of the environment and look for ways to incorporate it into their wardrobe.

*Example of how a large print brings drama*
*@LizLangleyStudio on Pinterest*

Lastly, I wanted to ask about popular brands in the future. I wanted to know the top 3 luxury and top 3 less-known brands.

For luxury:

Gucci: Known for its bold and colorful designs, Gucci has been one of the most popular luxury brands in recent years. The brand's popularity has been driven by its unique blend of vintage and modern styles, as well as its collaborations with other designers and brands.
Louis Vuitton: Louis Vuitton is one of the oldest and most established luxury brands in the fashion industry. The brand is known for its high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, as well as its ability to stay relevant and on-trend.
Hermès: Hermès is known for its timeless, luxurious designs, and its focus on quality and craftsmanship. The brand has a reputation for being exclusive, and its products are often considered status symbols.

Gucci being at #1 was either a lucky guess or an educated answer considering that recently Alessandro Michele, the creative director of Gucci known for his color and unique garments, is stepping down. Now, Gucci is entering a new era with a more “Tom Ford” feel with elevated basics while still keeping a luxury feel.

For brands that will begin to be popular:

Collina Strada: A sustainable luxury fashion brand that creates unique, hand-crafted designs with a focus on sustainability, ethical production, and inclusivity. The brand has been gaining recognition for its bold and colorful designs and commitment to sustainability.
C2H4: A streetwear brand known for its avant-garde designs and innovative use of materials, C2H4 has been gaining popularity among fashion-conscious consumers looking for unique and edgy designs.
House of Sunny: A London-based brand that offers a playful and colorful collection of clothing and accessories. The brand has been gaining recognition for its unique and fun designs, as well as its commitment to sustainability and ethical production.

For House of Sunny, I feel like this brand gained popularity in 2021 and dropped off the face of the fashion planet, but ChatGPT does not know this with the limited data it has. I have never heard of C2H4, but upon first look I think the brand has potential if they marketed more to people. Lastly, ChatGPT predicted well with Collina Strada. Their colorful designs without being overpowering to the eye is exactly what streetwear lovers want in their closet.

*An example of a popular product collinastrada.com*

To end this experiment, I think it is safe to say that human input in fashion will be needed for a long time. AI may be able to predict trends that are occurring already, but it cannot yet predict the future because it does not yet understand human behavior. It doesn’t know what clothing will be popular based on the economy, geographical location, and circumstances of a population. Once AI can “think” like a human, it will be able to “dress” like one.

by IZZI SCHULTE