By Jane Rocca

ABC Arts

Topic: Fashion

Melbourne-based designer Karla Špetić had mixed results using AI to create clothing at the Melbourne Fashion Festival.

AI is changing the way fashion designers work, from administrative tasks to trend forecasting and idea generation.

Not everyone in the fashion industry is convinced AI is the way forward.

Karla Špetić experimented with AI for her latest collection at the Melbourne Fashion Festival.

She has mixed feelings about the technology.

Špetić says she has many emotions towards AI, like most people do.

Using AI as a tool, not a replacement, can be powerful in the fashion industry.

Karla Špetić used AI to generate words for designs, but it couldn't create the images she wanted.

Špetić used generative AI for slogan prompts for her T-shirt range.

She had to be careful when asking AI to create images, and it worked like a virtual assistant.

Attempts to use AI for images were unsuccessful.

AI didn't replace her creativity, but it did demand clarity.

There was a lot of trial and error to get the desired results.

The human lived experience is irreplaceable and can't be replicated by AI.

AI came up with affirmations, but sometimes the designs were inaccurate.

Špetić finds AI helpful for forecasting trends, visualizing ideas, and improving work efficiency.

AI as 'an enabler'

Footwear designer Vince Lebon is a big fan of AI.

Lebon developed his own AI tool to create an entire footwear range from his sketches.

Lebon says fear is driving a reluctance around AI, but it helps his business reduce costs.

AI is a huge enabler for designers if used correctly.

Lebon presented his first collection using the AI tool, which was incredibly efficient.

Fear culture around AI is still prevalent.

The fear is that workers won't be needed and AI will replace them.

As a business owner, Lebon sees AI as a tool to streamline processes and reduce costs.

AI has saved a huge amount of cost and time wasting in his business.

When art can't imitate life

New York fashion designer Prabal Gurung says AI is not all it's cracked up to be for ready-to-wear or bespoke pieces.

Prabal Gurung has mixed feelings about AI in fashion, but it can be used for menial tasks.

Gurung says art imitating life doesn't quite translate.

His creative process is his lived experience, which AI can't replicate.

AI can try to blend cultures, but it's nothing extraordinary without human touch.

Gurung says AI's power lies in saving time on menial tasks to free up time for creative pursuits.

AI helps streamline the administrative side of the business.

Fashion is needed to foster a community, and staying true to your identity and voice is key.

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