Can AI models help us with buying clothes online?

[MauraLabingi]

I saw in the news today that Vogue had used an AI model, and I'm sure other magazines/retailers are too.

I was wondering if we're heading for a far better online shopping experience? If a garment, eg a t shirt, is put online by a retailer, and photographed lying flat, could AI use this photo along with the fabric composition and measurements to work out how it will hang on different body shapes? Then the customer uploads their measurements into the website to create an avatar, and can then try different sizes on their avatar to see which fits best?

If the customer doesn't want to upload measurements, then they could choose between generic models at their approximate size.

If it worked it would massively reduce returns. I guess lots of clothes models would be out of work, but it's presumably not a long lasting career anyway. I'd feel sorry for them, but would choose the environmental benefits of less wastage.

Yes I've been thinking for ages what a useful thing this would be. So far I've only found sites like this, is this the sort of thing you mean?

https://pixnova.ai/ai-clothes-changer/

What you suggest about entering measurements to produce an avatar is a really good idea - I absolutely want to know what the dress will look like on a size 14, 5'4, top heavy woman (me), not what it looks like on a 6 ft size 2 waif.

I think that is its own thing, though, and separate from using AI models in marketing generally. In the headline advert, the fashion brand wants to grab attention and convey its brand. The big brands will want to use known models and influencers who they feel encapsulate their brand 'ethos' - an invented AI creation isn't going to do that.

Where I think we might see AI models is in areas like catalogue modelling and those adverts in low-end magazines for beige slacks in sizes 12 to 26 at a bargain £12.99 + p&p, where they just want to show the product on someone to people who might want to buy it and shift as many units as they can.

I think it's more worrying in terms of presenting ridiculously unattainable levels of attractive perfect looking images for the population to compare themselves to.

There was previously a movement towards using different body shapes, ethnicity etc as models but is this is the future it's just depressing

WRT AI models for cheap ads we're as good as there already with the photoshopping of pics on sites like amazon ect.

Half the time it's a photo shopped (smaller waist, bigger bum, more hair, ect) picture of a woman with the clothes superimposed on top! See it in a different colour? Yep same pic with colour filter on it. You can tell cos the creases and folds and position of the model doesn't change.

The idea of the tech on web sites being able to change the shape of the model to match your own is a great one!

I wonder though if retailers won't like that because for every customer it helps to make a purchase there'll be a good few who sees the style on 'them self' and sees clearly it'll look crap 🤪

I really believe a large percentage of online shopping is based on a bit of a fantasy of what we think well look like and the hope that folks won't be bothered to send stuff back ...