Banner Image by James Mason Photography
In a day filled with insight, innovation and imagination, Vogue College of Fashion transformed into a digital atelier. The AI Symposium, led by Kelly Vero, creative futurist and Chief Metaverse Officer at Nak3d, an AI-powered digital fashion house, introduced fashion students to the evolving world of AI-generated fashion. The highlight? A hands-on group challenge where students designed and presented fully AI-generated catwalk shows for some of the world’s most iconic luxury brands.
Understanding AI’s Role in Fashion
Vero began the symposium by grounding students in the fundamentals of AI and its growing role in the creative industries. Drawing from her experience at Nak3d and working with brands like Alexander McQueen, Beulah, Lulu Guinness, LVMH and Clarins, she painted a vivid picture of how fashion’s future is being shaped by code and creativity in equal measure.
The use of generative AI is not limited to smaller, emerging fashion brands—we’re seeing brands like Revolve experimenting with new technologies, collaborating with agencies like Maison Meta, a pioneer in generative AI for fashion. High-end luxury brands like Versace, Loewe, Gucci and Balmain have also included generative-AI designs in their campaigns, according to Vogue.
Critical Issues: Ethics, Bias and Intellectual Property
One of the central discussions of the day revolved around the ethics and biases of AI. Vero emphasised that any limitations or biases in AI outputs are “not the machine’s fault, but ours.” She encouraged students to be conscious of how stereotypes can unintentionally be reinforced and urged them to use AI as a tool for expanding, not narrowing, creative horizons.
The symposium also addressed one of the most debated topics in digital creation today: ownership and authorship in AI-generated works. Vero used real-world examples—including Nak3d’s collaborations with Beulah London and a Taylor Swift x Target campaign—to illustrate the legal and creative complexities surrounding design rights, branding and originality when using AI.
Throughout the Symposium, Vero emphasised the importance of strategic thinking when working with AI, especially when responding to client briefs. “Create an aspiration of what the consumer experience is going to be,” she advised, encouraging students to think holistically, from mood boards to the final render.
Reimagining the Fashion Show
The day culminated in a group task: to conceptualise and produce a complete fashion show using AI tools. Students were challenged to reimagine luxury fashion brands through a futuristic lens, incorporating aesthetic concepts, brand identity and consumer experience. Vero personally engaged with each team, offering guidance and feedback, and transforming the classroom into a vibrant, idea-driven studio.
This workshop mirrored the likes of AI Fashion Week, a global competition where selected designers submit their AI-generated collections to be judged by a panel of industry leaders. The inaugural event featured judges from Vogue and Adidas among others. Above all, events like these challenge participants to express their creative vision without the usual limitations, encouraging boundless expression.
By the end of the Symposium, students had not only learned the technical possibilities of AI in fashion but also the critical thinking needed to apply it responsibly and creatively. It was a day that didn’t just forecast the future of fashion but invited students to start shaping it.
By Bethan Gwynne, MA Fashion Journalism & Editorial Direction student
Images by James Mason Photography
