PolyU: Designer-led AI system AiDA officially launches International brand ANTEPRIMA
Organised by the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab) with Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) as the Lead Sponsor *, “Fashion X AI” fashion show, the premier event of the “Fashion X AI: 2022-2023 International Salon” programme, was held today at the M+ Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong.
The officiating guests included Ms Rebecca Pun, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government, Mr Tsang Chiu-hok, Victor, Head of CreateHK and Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, President of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Ms Rebecca Pun said, “The successful launch of AiDA has demonstrated Hong Kong’s edge as a leading force in AI and fashion, bringing together the best fashion and technology talents. I am happy to witness the strong research capabilities and originality of AiDLab, generating advanced and forward-looking research results for the benefit of the industry and the general public.” Prof. Teng explained, “Tonight’s fashion show will demonstrate how AiDLab has been translating its research outputs into real-world applications, contributing to the development of an AI ecosystem, especially in fashion and design-related technology.”
Developed by Prof. Calvin Wong, CEO & Centre Director of AiDLab, and his team, the AI-based Interactive Design Assistant for Fashion (AiDA) is the world’s first designer-led AI design system. Designers can upload their mood boards, patterns, colour palettes and sketches onto AiDA and then, with a few clicks, their original collections will be generated in a matter of ten seconds.
The fashion show also featured the collections of six international and local fashion designer brands including BESFXXK、FENGYI TAN、INJURY、KAY KWOK、MOUNTAINYAM and THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER, as well as those of eight local young design units selected from over 200 entries received via an open call for young talent under the “Fashion X AI: 2022-2023 International Salon” programme to showcase their collections, all using AiDA for the first time. The show brought together the best fashion and technology talent and helps establish Hong Kong as a leading force in AI and fashion.
In addition, the AiDA development team supported renowned international fashion brand ANTEPRIMA with AI technology to design their latest collection. Ms Izumi Ogino, Creative Director of ANTEPRIMA, said, “We input all the past ANTEPRIMA iconic looks into AiDA and infusing the 2023 Spring-Summer 2023 concept as well as a seasonal colour scheme, the system generated the designs. Silhouettes which were generated by AiDA keep our fundamental philosophy of ‘smart, precious, with Love’ complemented by out-of-the-box patterns proposed by AiDLab. If we achieve an appropriate balance between the two, we believe technology and craftsmanship of fashion can co-exist, with the help of AI technology to generate design variations, while at the same time reducing work hours and providing designers with more options.” The fashion event showcased the exclusive collaboration between ANTEPRIMA and AiDLab – resulting in the one-off capsule collection developed by ANTEPRIMA’s designers using AiDA, which will be presented in a touring exhibition in Hong Kong after the show.
AiDA has been hailed by local and international fashion designers for streamlining the design process and providing inspiration. Prof. Calvin Wong, who leads the AiDA project said, “At AiDLab, we believe that AI should be used as a supporting tool for fashion designers. Our approach is human-centred and interdisciplinary, and we have worked with designers for over two years to develop and refine AiDA. We are invested in creating innovation with practitioners from across all disciplines for intelligent fashion solutions.”
AiDA, which is co-developed by AI specialists and designers, is officially launched today via Code-Create, AiDLab’s first spin-off start-up company. Designers can choose different combinations of colours, fabric prints and sketches based on their original inspiration and styles. Through a specific combination of advanced AI technologies, AiDA helps designers to bring inspiration into unique designs and fashion collections. Interested designers may contact AiDLab for an experience of AiDA.
“Fashion X AI: 2022-2023 International Salon” aims to nurture creative capital, future-proof the industry and promote Hong Kong as a leader in intelligent fashion design, through activities including the fashion show and forum, international symposium, touring exhibitions, workshops and a massive open online course.