ONLINE WHOLESALE PLATFORM, AI GENERATED MODEL IMAGERY, AND AI POWERED STYLING SERVICE
In this section, WeAr reviews the best apps and so ware used by retailers and brands. Some of them are available to all stores; some are exclusive to one retailer or territory but will inspire and inform in order to keep abreast of the changes in the digital fashion landscape.
THE FOLKLORE CONNECT
The Folklore Connect is an online wholesale platform and marketplace for retailers to discover and shop diverse, sustainable, independent brands from emerging markets such as Africa, South America, and Asia. Covering a wide range of products from apparel to lifestyle, this B2B online wholesale platform responds to the need for cultural sustainability—a movement that puts cultural heritage and representation at the forefront through visibility. The Folklore Connect provides technology that enables these brands to streamline and scale their wholesale business, allowing retailers to tap into markets that will make their assortment unique and inclusive. The service is 100% free for retailers. Clients are diverse, ranging from rental marketplace Nuuly to Shopbop. In 2023, The Folklore Connect held a digital market week where retailers could schedule virtual appointments with designers to preview the newest collections. This demonstrates how the platform seeks new ways to connect industry parties for a holistic, sustainable fashion system. thefolklore.com
AI HUMAN GENERATOR
US start-up Generated Photos specializes in AI-generated images of models. Their new AI Human Generator tool creates photos for websites or marketing campaigns without the need for model releases, buyouts, or the high photo shoot costs. The design process is simple: The website features three tabs that display the parameters for creating images—body, clothing, and background. This setup avoids the need for complex prompts, offering options to suit a wide range of tastes and purposes. Users can select from over 115 ethnicities, specify age, proportions, skin tone, hair color, hairstyle, gender, and pose. Designing the perfect outfit requires patience. It is not yet possible to dress the artificially generated models in custom brand clothing for digital marketing purposes. However, models' faces can be "replaced" with existing headshots to achieve a realistic, photograph-like result. Subscription costs 20 USD per month, plus a tiered download fee per image, allowing for unlimited usage. generated.photos
INTELISTYLE
Launched by the London-based tech company, Intelistyle, the innovative AI-powered styling service is transforming the fashion retail experience. It generates outfit recommendations, personalizing the customer journey and enabling retailers to expand their human styling services cost-effectively. The AI styling model, constantly updated and quality-checked, captures global fashion trends. To mirror the human stylists' expertise, the AI has been enhanced with insights from fashion professionals, incorporating essential fashion rules and regional preferences, such as the adaptation of hemlines to align with local cultural standards. This innovative fusion of AI and data analytics has garnered the trust of luxury fashion houses including Dolce&Gabbana, Max Mara, and Lane Crawford. Available through a subscription model, Intelistyle provides various pricing tiers. Intelistyle has won many awards from leading organizations like CogX, Drapers, and Retail Week. As the company continues to evolve, it promises a more sustainable and personalized approach to fashion, bridging the gap between technology and style. intelistyle.com