Reimagining menswear: How AI tools spark creativity in fashion education

With the advent of AI and technology, the world is moving faster than one can fathom. This is helping fashion design students enhance their creativity and efficiency manifold. Menswear has long focused on functionality, with silhouettes being modified rationally. Its foray into omens wear occurred during WWII, when women stepped out and engaged in work traditionally carried out by men.

Despite growing awareness of menswear, there is very little keenness to study it amongst students. Introducing AI and digital tools could hopefully ignite greater interest amongst students.

Avik Roy, Associate Professor and Menswear Professional, Pearl Academy has shared how, by integrating innovative tools and techniques, educators can spark a deeper interest in menswear and prepare students for the future.

EXPLORING INNOVATIONS THROUGH NEW AGE SOFTWARE

We can start by teaching students new-age software like Clo 3D, Rhino, and Blender to create digital models. Students can explore menswear patterns and individual components like lapels, cuffs, and collars using these software programs and then have them 3D printed in half scales to see their design innovations come to life without the need to cut and sew fabric! Case studies on designers like Abasi Rosborough could be ideal for such modules, given his penchant for bringing futurism into menswear.

In fact, introducing students to a variety of filaments and materials such as TPU, PLA, and other biodegradable materials would be an excellent way to let them explore how the properties of materials affect design. They can be encouraged to create not only patterns but also an array of textures like houndstooth, plaids, and more, and see how the look of a jacket transforms completely just by changing the shell fabric!

FAST-TRACKING FASHION TRENDS

We all know that to become a good subject-matter expert, one must be able to identify, analyse, and predict trends in the fashion domain. Usually, this is a lengthy process that involves an extensive market survey, leading to a range of results derived from the data collected.

As satisfying as this process can be, the time invested can sometimes take a toll on deadlines, leading to unnecessary conflicts. Natural Language Processing, in collaboration with Machine Learning, can yield wonderful results in a much shorter time frame when it comes to identifying and analysing trends.

AI can also be fed algorithms to immediately detect looks, styles, and trends that are going to be in vogue, across a much larger network and within a time frame that is otherwise nearly impossible for humans.

By analysing the data, AI can also provide predictions regarding styles and looks, thereby helping students experiment with permutations and combinations of shirts, trousers, jackets, suits, and ties, adding that much-needed fun factor to menswear design.

TEACHING STUDENTS FABRIC SUSTAINABILITY AND CIRCULAR DESIGN

Offering classes to students on understanding fabric life cycles, material certification, and empowering them with digital tools like the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI), Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), and Kemper System’s Eco Footprint Tool, amongst others, will help students assess their choices with a more impactful rationale.

A circular design ecosystem can be practised by reducing waste through smart materials and techniques. A combination of recycled, upcycled, and biodegradable fabrics, along with modularity in clothing and zero-waste cutting technology, will increase the garment’s lifespan. Incorporating minimal seams and 3D knitting techniques will further boost sustainability by reducing material waste.

These practices will breathe new life into menswear and help it remain relevant in the fast-evolving world of AI and digital fashion.