AI is the trend. Does it feel real?

When human creativity meets artificial intelligence

Humans, AI is the trend! Indeed, artificial intelligence is taking over the fashion industry, as any other area. But the conversation is all about highlighting how advanced and marvellous it is. Very few consider the possible risks.

And while we are here, waiting to receive the spring-summer orders and be inspired by tangible, real fashion stuff, which we will show you soon, we cannot avoid this trending topic. Indeed, some “artificial creativity” surprised us!

AI: what is it?

Artificial intelligence is a machine’s ability to display human capabilities such as reasoning, learning, planning and creativity. Specifically, the computer receives the data, processes it and responds – as in the case of ChatGPT. AI is crucial for digital transformation and certainly will bring great changes.

Though the perspective of losing the human touch is quite scary, everyone seems to prioritise the positive aspects. Of course, the fields of application are countless, and many of them are not even understandable now. And perhaps in the next future, we’ll reach a point where humans aren’t needed anymore!
Indeed, you can write blog posts, books, songs or even pass an exam with AI! Therefore, many jobs now made by humans may disappear. 

AI generated content in the fashion industry

Practical applications in the fashion field could be for customer service, stock management or market research. But we have seen beautiful fashion editorials made with ChatGPT! See the fashion concepts that Gianluca Traina, an Italian talented artist and fashion designer, made with ChatGPT. A collection and a complete fashion editorial inspired to the architecture of Samarkand.

SAMARKAND – Women’s clothing collection by Gianluca Traina

And here’s the men’s clothing collection:

Look at the colours! And the silhouettes! Gianluca Traina’s work is impressive, thought-provoking. In fact, it makes you question everything. Now seriously, do we still need fashion magazines made by professionals? Say hello to fashion editors, photographers, stylists, make-up artists, models, and so on… Well, shut down everything and say hello to humans!

But wait, will AI purchase products, too? Since it is the fashion industry’s biggest issue! And who will have the money to purchase fashion items if people will not work anymore?  

Among all the conversation around AI, Nick Cave came up with great insight, a human perspective indeed! A fan asked ChatGPT to write a song in the style of Nick Cave and then requested Cave’s feedback.
His reply, from “The Red Hand Files”, is this:

“Mark, thanks for the song, but with all the love and respect in the world, this song is bullshit, a grotesque mockery of what it is to be human, and, well, I don’t much like it — although, hang on! rereading it, there is a line in there that speaks to me —

‘I’ve got the fire of hell in my eyes’ 

— says the song ‘in the style of Nick Cave’, and that’s kind of true. I have got the fire of hell in my eyes – and it’s ChatGPT.

Love, Nick”

The Red Hand Files – Nick Cave

Will AI replace humans?

AI is the trend, and we cannot stop progress. However, despite our limits and flaws, we are creative humans. And our creativity is crucial for progress. But most importantly, creativity without the heartbeat is nothing.

And you, have you got the fire of hell in your eyes? Love it or hate it?

AI is the trend. Does it feel real? Read More »

Vogue Philippines: the beauty of humanity

A brave cover story of representation fighting the myth of youth

With its April 2023 issue, Vogue Philippines celebrates the beauty of humanity. Lately, fashion doesn’t provide such a momentum of passionate engagement and genuine enthusiasm. But finally, we can say: this is a cover story!

Indeed, this cover goes beyond fashion. Not only is it a story of representation, but also it is a powerful challenge to modern beauty standards and the cult of youth.

A centenarian is the cover story of Vogue Philippines!

Vogue Philippines’ April issue made history by featuring the oldest person ever on a cover. The woman, Apo Whang-Od – also known as Maria Oggay, is a 106-year-old tattoo artist from the Philippines. Specifically, she comes from the village of Buscalan – from the Kalinga tribe. And she is considered the oldest mambabatok. Batok is the traditional indigenous tattooing whose symbols signify strength, bravery and beauty. (Read her story here!)

Vogue Philippines: the beauty of humanity
Credit: Vogue Philippines

“We believe that the concept of beauty needs to evolve, and include diverse and inclusive faces and forms. What we hope to speak about is the beauty of humanity” said Bea Valdes – Vogue Philippines editor-in-chief.

In our modern society, people are subjugated by the myth of youth, so ageing is considered a curse, something to fight as much as possible. In fact, most people invest in plastic surgery or less invasive techniques to keep their “forever young” illusion alive. But the results are quite sad.

However, this issue doesn’t relate to the fashion and beauty industries only. It’s a matter of culture. Because of patriarchy, men are allowed to age while women are not. Though men, too, enjoy plastic surgery a lot, there is a different posture towards men’s and women’s ageing. With age, men become interesting while women just get old.
Moreover, women struggle to fit into beauty standards because that’s what men expect from them: plastic dolls in tight-fitting clothes. Indeed, women accept the idea of how a woman should look based on a male perspective. And they do not even question it! Therefore, they are easy to manipulate.

The beauty of humanity: more than a cover of a fashion magazine

So this is more than a cover of a fashion magazine. This is a change maker. Because it is a story of representation as Whang-Od is one of the last practitioners of Batok tattooing. But also, it is an ode to ageism.
This woman is powerfully elegant. She is strong and soulful, proud and delicate. She is a pierce-through beauty!

And that is what we need to challenge modern beauty standards and embrace our life in all its stages.

Vogue Philippines: the beauty of humanity Read More »

The Multicolor Knit Vest

Unique knitwear #formodernhumans

Today we introduce The Multicolor Knit Vest by Meagratia.

It is a gorgeous piece of knitwear showing an exclusive design concept. Indeed, the image is contemporary, fresh and delicate at the same time. Add this garment to your capsule wardrobe of meaningful pieces to improve your spring-summer style. 

The creativity, refined designs and impeccable quality of the Meagratia Japanese brand will fully satisfy your passion for uniqueness. In fact, his dedication to details and finishings is incomparable. 

Discover The Multicolor Knit Vest

About the design
The sophisticated design of this vest features several types of delicate knitted fabrics. The shadow, the collection theme, is expressed by the contrasting part on the right side and the material transparency. Moreover, the colour block pattern beautifully enhances this concept. Another detail is the co-threaded fringe along the sides and hem.
V neck, dropped shoulders and loose silhouette.

The Multicolor Knit Vest
The Multicolor Knit Vest by Meagratia

About the material
Polyester 55% – Cotton 45%
The lightweight and soft hand of the material makes it comfortable to wear during the warm season.

About the colour
The vest presents a three-colour combination: a white base is mixed with a pop of teal on the right shoulder and a light blue stripe along the hem and neckline. The image is elegant and easy to mix and match.

Laundry
Dry clean only.

Styling tips
As it is a knitwear garment, you can wear it over a shirt or t-shirt, during springtime or as a top during the summer season. However, it looks good untucked, but you can try it tucked in your trousers or skirt for a cleaner image. Certainly, it will improve the clothes you already have in your wardrobe.

Do you want to shop The Multicolor Knit Vest? Find the information here below!

International Shipping available!

We are based in Milano but ship our niche fashion selection #formodernhumans everywhere.

How to order:

Drop us an email or WhatsApp for any further information. Also, you can book your private shopping experience – physical or via video call. We’d love to help!

The Multicolor Knit Vest Read More »

The retail impasse

Fashion business: the therapeutic obstinacy for an almost-dead patient

The retail impasse and the problems emerging in fashion these days revolve around two main topics: late deliveries and markdown strategies. 

However, both issues are indicators of a fashion system that is basically dead, but everyone pretends not to see it. Or they refuse to accept it. So every operator in the field is on a kind of therapeutic obstinacy for a patient that is almost gone. And which, by the way, has a huge impact on the planet.

Two main points of the retail impasse

One: many stores have received a small percentage of the Spring-Summer pieces, which makes it complicated to assemble outfits. Why does this happen? Top brands monopolise good manufacturers. So smaller brands get materials late (for the same reason) and consequently are left as the last link of the chain. Therefore, they cannot deliver on time.

Two: markdown strategies and how to get rid of the stock in excess that stores keep purchasing. Even though retailers are perfectly aware that the number of people entering a store isn’t the same as in the pre-pandemic time, they don’t stop overstocking. Of course, it gets more complicated to sell discounted items! They are available online and offline throughout the year. Markdowns aren’t attractive anymore. And a discount isn’t the only reason people purchase a product.

The excessive stock policy is harmful to the planet and business. So, we must change it.

Can we find solutions to revive the fashion business?

These solutions need to experiment with new ways of operating the fashion business. 

First: a dramatic reduction in consumption! Let’s face reality: if we do not consume less, much less, we can forget to have a future. So, there’s no point in procrastinating the change.

Second: a shift to artisanal garments and made-to-order clothes and accessories, having the chance to reorder during the season. It’s about choosing tailoring over mass-produced garments – quality over quantity.

If we want to overcome the retail impasse, overtreating fashion with more overproduction will take us nowhere. We need a completely different strategy: it’s a matter of reducing the number of pieces while providing a higher value.
Less but better.

The retail impasse Read More »

EU Commission: a plan against greenwashing

Can non-mandatory rules fight greenwashing?

On March 22nd, the EU Commission released a plan against greenwashing claims. But these new rules leave some leeway that will probably generate more confusion. 

Environmental claims aren’t reliable!

Over the last five years, we started digging deep into sustainable matters. And how tricky it is for people to understand which label is sustainable or not. That is because of greenwashing: the process of brands and companies deceiving consumers to believe they are green when they are not. Obviously, brands release fake green claims to sell more. Indeed, the sustainability business is flourishing! And perhaps, those who believe in fairy tales are happy with it!

The plan to fight greenwashing

These are the data:
53% of green claims are vague, misleading or unfounded information.
40% of claims have no supporting evidence.
1/2 Half of all green labels offer weak or non-existent verification.
There are 230 sustainability labels and 100 green energy labels in the EU, with vastly different levels of transparency.

Hence, the new criteria want to make green claims reliable across the EU, protecting consumers from greenwashing. Also, contribute to creating a circular economy based on reuse, repair, and recycling.

Expected impacts

“With certain consumers purchasing products that will be truly better for the environment, it is estimated that the impacts on the environment will be highly positive.”

Now the above statement may sound like greenwashing, too! In fact, the only “better for the environment” is a drastic reduction of new products and not more eco-products!

The controversial point

“However, it remains a decision of companies to include (or not) environmental claims in their voluntary commercial communications. This means that the companies can control their costs by determining the scope of the claim (if any) considering its expected return on investment. In short, the costs of substantiation are of a voluntary nature to companies as they are part of one’s marketing strategy and therefore credible estimations of the overall cost for the Union market are difficult.”

Therefore, rules aren’t mandatory for companies. Indeed, businesses have been given leeway on how to provide their evidence. Likewise, governments will be able to decline the guidelines when they transpose them into national legislation. 

In conclusion, without unified regulations, the EU plan to fight greenwashing won’t stop greenwashing!

EU Commission: a plan against greenwashing Read More »