As technology keeps expanding its abilities, and more people are engaging with AI (Artificial Intelligence), I wanted to to explore the dynamic world where AI and personal style intersect so let’s delve into the fascinating realm where technology and fashion collide, uncovering the strengths of AI while pondering its limitations.
AI in Style: The Benefits and Challenges
Color Analysis: Beyond the Surface
Have you ever encountered those AI-driven apps that promise to unveil your perfect color palette? They’re quite the rage, but do they truly grasp your essence?
AI’s magic lies in the data you provide, such as the photo you upload. But what if the image quality isn’t top-tier? The results are unlikely to not be accurate. Plus, a colour analysis is also only as good as the system it uses – how many palettes are they comparing? The reason why I’ve evolved beyond the seasons and developed the 18 palette Absolute Colour System was that I found that existing systems were lacking, they were too based on Caucasian skins (historically that’s who developed them) and they didn’t take into account how colours change with age. There wasn’t the nuance that the 8ish billion humans on this planet needed to find their ideal palette – you were often left with – the least worst palette, rather than an ideal palette for you.
Plus AI doesn’t know if your dyed hair colour is good or not so great for your complexion, it’s just using the information it has to give you a palette. I can tell you that so frequently, when someone has the wrong hair colour, if you’re not careful, it’s easy to get their undertone incorrect as hair dominates what you notice and see – so if the colour goes with the hair we think it works, yet the minute you take hair out of that equation you can determine the real undertone, and sometimes it’s the opposite of the dyed hair colour.
My online colour analysis technique is more intricate. It’s not just about a single photo; I rely on a series of carefully taken images to decode your authentic color spectrum. Yet AI models use just one photo. My process engages with you and your preferences as well, AI treats you as a personality-less being who has no point of view.
Plus an AI colour analysis doesn’t show you how to wear your colours, how to put your colours together in outfits or any of the other really useful information my clients gain in a personal colour analysis session. Having information and then knowing how to use it are two different things.
Style Recommendations: AI’s Endeavors
Granted, AI lends a helping hand during your online shopping escapades, suggesting items based on your descriptions. Google’s your trusty assistant, right? It’s a fantastic tool for finding a brown leather jacket or a navy pair of boots, but it’s not always that great at doing other things.
Yet, let’s pause for a moment. AI isn’t quite the style virtuoso we hope for. It struggles to interpret your body shape as accurately as a seasoned stylist can.
I’ll always remember when I went to see a well-known stylist “roadshow” where they used AI to determine body shape. I could see with my own eyes the volunteer to be styled didn’t have a defined waist, yet the AI body calculator put her into an A-shaped box because that’s what her measurements indicated. This is why I don’t use measurements, they aren’t accurate, whether you’re determining body shape or face shape, there are guidelines, but experience has shown me that there is more than just a number that needs to be taken into consideration.
Human Element vs. AI’s Approach
Nuances that Define You
- Your personal style transcends mere measurements; it’s a reflection of your preferences, idiosyncrasies, and values.
- AI can’t engage you in a conversation about your values or your comfort zones. It’s like attempting to guess your friend’s preferred ice cream flavor without asking them.
- AI doesn’t develop a relationship with you, yes it will get more accurate over time as it learns about you, but it’s only as good as the information you feed into it. A real personal stylist has experience in the real world with real people with real bodies that are all unique. There are a myriad of different body shapes, proportions and variations and then how you FEEL about each of these – what you want to accentuate, what you want to camouflage, is beyond the scope of our current AI, yet something a good personal stylist can easily understand and help you within a short amount of time.
The Image Consultation Connection
The ongoing dialogue with a personal stylist holds immense value. It’s not just talk; it’s a collaborative journey to unlock your genuine style potential.
Together, you and your stylist can conquer fashion dilemmas. There is a difference between “technical perfection” and human preferences. Whether it’s a personal preference for liking 3/4 sleeves, even though shorter sleeves could look amazing on you, or maybe it’s that you don’t like lower necklines or will never wear a pair of skinny jeans. Or it could be that you feel hot all the time and need easy to put on and take off layers. Or alternatively, you run cold and need to layer up your style but don’t want to end up as the Michelin Man in the process.
AI’s Potential and Its Current Limits
An Ongoing Experiment
- AI tools for shopping or style suggestions? They might hit the mark occasionally, but often, they’re merely shooting in the dark.
- You might have experimented with those AI-generated fashion subscription boxes – some pleasant surprises, some misses. The root cause? AI can’t grasp the intricate essence of your personal style.
The information coded into stores that use AI to give you recommendations may be incorrect, yes, I can’t tell you how often I’ve seen “this works for an H, X and O body shape” when the garment has a defined waist and will look terrible on that H and O shape, but the hapless shopper who doesn’t know buys thinking that the information must be correct as they don’t have the style knowledge to make an educated choice (and it’s why I’m so passionate about giving you that education in colour and style, so that you are your own best expert and can see through faulty recommendations.)
- Contextual Understanding: While AI can crunch numbers and data, it might struggle to understand the emotional and cultural significance of certain clothing choices or styles.
- Nuances of Individuality: AI might not always capture the subtleties that make your style truly yours, leading to suggestions that, while trendy, may not resonate with your unique fashion sense.
- Fashion Evolution: Fashion trends are fluid and ever-changing. AI might lag behind in keeping up with the most cutting-edge trends and street-style influences.
Navigating the Future: AI’s Evolution and Beyond
AI’s Promise and Potential
AI’s a game-changer, transcribing videos, streamlining tasks, and making our lives easier (it can come up with 10 headlines for this blog post in seconds too). And I can only see it becoming better and better with fewer faults (I got it to write a bio for me, and it made me the author of a book that I know I didn’t write… and that was an easy fact for it to check, yet it got it wrong). Still, it can’t fully replicate the role of a genuine stylist.
AI is learning, adapting, and growing. Who knows? It might become a force to reckon with in the world of fashion, but until then, the human touch retains its supremacy.
The Human Touch: Why it Still Matters
- Empathy and Intuition: Humans have an innate ability to understand the emotional aspects of fashion choices. A stylist’s empathetic approach can’t be replicated by AI algorithms.
- Adaptability: Stylists can instantly pivot their suggestions based on your immediate needs and reactions, making real-time adjustments that AI might struggle with. I use what I see in facial expressions, and the body language of my clients to help them. AI is not able to do that.
- Artistry: Fashion is an art form, and stylists bring their artistic flair to the table. They can create unique ensembles that reflect your personality and the occasion, going beyond AI’s data-driven recommendations.
- Every Day Outfits: What do you choose to wear each day? Is it based on mood? Ocassion or activity? Weather? Location? Physical needs? There are so many caveats and other things you take into account each day when putting your outfit together, from how you’re feeling to what you’re doing that the AI is not in your wardrobe pulling together an outfit for you, from the shoes to the jewellery. AI doesn’t understand that what may have been fine for yesterday may not feel right today.
Embrace Your Journey
AI adds a dash of magic (speed potentially) to the style journey, but it’s not a replacement for your personal stylist or the human touch. Revel in the process of uncovering your unique fashion identity finding your style – which is your story to tell.
Remember, personal style is more than appearances; it’s about confidence, authenticity, and self-expression.
Getting more educated in what does and doesn’t work for you means you can use AI to your advantage and know when it’s taking you off track. It’s so easy to make a lot of shopping mistakes because you don’t know what is the right thing for you, and these add up quickly and end up costing you a lot over time.
What are your thoughts on AI’s impact on fashion? Have you dabbled in AI-driven style tools? Share your insights and experiences – let’s engage in a thoughtful conversation!
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