AI Replicas Revolutionize Fashion Industry, Sparking Ethical Debates and Cost-Cutting Innovations
February 24, 2025
Companies like Genera are addressing this issue by offering a catalogue of 500 customizable AI-generated models, promoting inclusivity across various body shapes, genders, and ethnicities.
AI technology allows models to maintain a 'timeless' presence, as their digital replicas do not age, providing new opportunities in the fashion industry.
In response to the challenges posed by AI, New York's upcoming 'Fashion Workers Act' aims to give models control over the use of their likenesses, though its practical implementation may be complex.
This trend is evident at events like London Fashion Week, where the use of AI helps designers and retailers save time and costs.
Fashion brands are increasingly adopting AI technology to create imagery for e-commerce and advertising, which helps reduce costs and streamline the production process.
However, Gondora has voiced concerns about brands using AI-generated images derived from unlicensed databases, emphasizing the need for consent and compensation for models whose likenesses are utilized.
Gondora views her AI model as a 'timeless' representation of her youth, allowing her to maintain a youthful image indefinitely, regardless of the passage of time.
This innovative approach enables Gondora to collaborate with the AI-generated supermodel Shudu Gram, showcasing the potential for ethical AI usage in the fashion industry.
Despite its advantages, AI often produces generic models that reflect a dominant 'white, Western' aesthetic, prompting creators to refine their prompts for more authentic results.
For instance, a ski eyewear campaign that traditionally costs around 35,000 euros and takes months to prepare can now be produced in just a few days for approximately 500 euros using AI.
Critics of AI in fashion express worries that it could lead to job losses for models, makeup artists, and photographers, while also promoting unrealistic beauty standards.
London-based model Alexsandrah Gondora is leveraging an AI replica to enhance her modeling career, allowing her digital double to participate in photo shoots without her physical presence.
Summary based on 3 sources
Get a daily email with more AI stories
Sources

Economic Times • Feb 23, 2025
AI opens 'endless' doors for fashion models, closes others
Tech Xplore • Feb 23, 2025
AI opens 'endless' doors for fashion models, closes others