Chrysalis🌹

It's undeniable that fashion is an ever-evolving realm. Each day, month, or year, something new emerges that reshapes how we engage with it. Fashion constantly grows and evolves, driven by its intersection with cultural trends, technological advancements, and artistic expressions. Since the dawn of time, these three elements have intertwined with fashion in various ways. While their manifestations may have differed from what we see today, their influence and intersection have always been present.

Now, more than ever, the convergence of fashion with these elements is poised to revolutionize the industry once again, particularly in how people use fashion to stand out. To achieve this, consumers either seek the latest market trends or opt for a more accessible approach with potentially greater impact: customization. Generative art, a concept that has been around for some time but has only recently gained widespread popularity, may have a significant influence on the future of fashion and personalization.

Before exploring how generative art may impact fashion and our experience of it, let's briefly discuss the origins and evolution of generative art.

For those unfamiliar, generative art refers to artwork created using autonomous systems, such as algorithms or mathematical rules. These systems generate forms, patterns, and designs that often transcend the imagination of a single human creator, producing endless variations and ensuring each creation is unique. Can you see where this might lead us?

While many believe generative art is a recent phenomenon, it has actually been with us for several decades. The roots of this movement can be traced back to the early days of computer science in the 1960s. Pioneers like Vera Molnar and Frieder Nake began experimenting with computers to create abstract art, laying the foundation for what would become a significant movement in the art world.

Vera Molnar ( May her rest in peace ) was one of the first artists to use computers in her artistic process. She explored geometric abstraction through algorithmic means, producing works that challenged traditional notions of art and creativity. Frieder Nake, on the other hand, was a mathematician and artist, and one of the early practitioners of computer-generated art. He created pieces that combined mathematical precision with aesthetic exploration.

Although the works of these pioneers pale in comparison to what can be achieved today, thanks to advancements in computational power and digital technologies, they deserve significant praise. Without them, we wouldn't have the contemporary artists who continue to push the boundaries of generative art, creating mesmerizing works that captivate people worldwide. In my view, Tyler Hobbs, Sofia Crespo, and Refik Anadol are three of the most impactful generative artists today.

Tyler Hobbs is known for his intricate, algorithmically generated artworks, which explore themes of complexity and order. His works often feature organic forms and vibrant colors, serving as a testament to generative art's potential to produce visually stunning pieces.

Sofia Crespo's art, while using the same generative techniques, differs from Hobbs'. Heavily inspired by the natural world, she uses neural networks and other AI technologies to create art that mimics the complexity and diversity of biological forms, showcasing the interplay between technology and nature.

Refik Anadol, on the other hand, creates art that stands apart from both. He's one of my favorite generative artists. Anadol employs data and machine learning algorithms to create immersive, large-scale installations. His works transform raw data into dynamic visual experiences, merging art, architecture, and technology in innovative ways.

As I’ve mentioned, the work of these three artists wouldn't have been possible without technological advancements. The development of software and the increasing accessibility of powerful computational tools have democratized the field, allowing more artists to experiment and innovate in art, technology, and beyond.

If you're interested in exploring generative art through practice (often the best teacher), programs like Processing and frameworks such as p5.js are excellent starting points. They make it easier to learn and apply generative techniques, enabling you to code intricate designs and animations. Don't worry if you're not a coder – everything can be learned along the way, with plenty of online tutorials guiding you through these platforms. Beyond these tools, AI technology, machine learning, and neural networks are also worth considering, as they've opened new realms in generative art. One of the most impactful elements they enable is the creation of works that evolve over time, respond to environmental stimuli, or even interact with viewers in real time. (Take things one step at a time – don't try to learn everything at once, as it won't benefit either you or the creation. ) Below you can see and collect the Exordium of my journey within the realm of generative art.

Ultimately, we can agree that generative art is an essential element at the intersection of creativity and technology. Although it has been with us for a long time, it's only now offering us a glimpse into the future of artistic expression. While generative art may change how we perceive and engage with art, I believe it will similarly transform fashion, particularly in the realm of customization and personalization.

As with generative art, let's revisit fashion's origins, specifically the early days of “customization”. Since fashion's inception, personalization has been one of its cornerstones, always bonded with its essence, reflecting the deep-seated human desire for individuality and personal expression.

In earlier times, clothing wasn't mass-produced as technology didn't allow for it. Instead, it was crafted to fit the unique measurements and tastes of each individual. Bespoke tailoring, rooted in the sartorial traditions of Savile Row, London, is perhaps what people think of when they hear “customization”, as it's often regarded as the pinnacle of personalization. Tailors would meticulously measure, cut, and sew garments to ensure a perfect fit, often involving multiple fittings and a high level of craftsmanship. Each bespoke piece served as a unique reflection of the wearer's style and status.

Similarly, handmade garments played a crucial role in preserving traditional techniques and personal expression across different cultures. These pieces often carry deep cultural significance and personal meaning (consider the intricately embroidered dresses in India, custom-made kimonos in Japan, or even the traditional garments of your own culture which were handmade centuries ago).

However, in the 18th and 19th centuries, things changed in the fashion industry. The Industrial Revolution made mass production a reality, making clothing more accessible and affordable, but at a significant cost: the loss of individuality.

Gradually, the rise of ready-to-wear collections, which standardized clothing sizes and styles, made fashion more democratic. The emergence of fashion brands and retail chains introduced standardized sizing and mass-produced designs, making fashion accessible to a broader audience but marking a shift away from the deeply personalized approach of bespoke tailoring or custom-made garments.

Despite this decline, people's desire for individuality never changed. Regardless of what they wore, they always found ways to stand out and return to their roots. Nike, being in the fashion business for a while, understood people's desire to customize their outfits. In 2000, they released the well-known NikeID, which I consider a landmark moment in fashion's modern era. If you're unfamiliar with NikeID, though I doubt it, it was a platform that allowed customers to design their own sneakers by choosing colors, materials, and even adding personal inscriptions. In my view, it was one of the first iterations of “co-creation”, empowering consumers to become designers and finding a balance between mass production and individual customization, between mindless and mindful consumption.

While customization in fashion is important, I believe its impact on humanity is even more significant. It's through analyzing and understanding our kin that we can understand why it has always been and will always be an essential element of fashion, and why people yearn for it so much, whether consciously or not. There are two elements in particular that I believe customization has always impacted humanity.

Firstly, it boosted people's confidence. Wearing custom-made or personalized garments increased their confidence and self-esteem, as people felt their clothing truly represented their personality and preferences (most of the time this happens unconsciously, but if you were to reflect on your fashion choices, I believe this element would become more evident). Another aspect deeply impacted by customization, which I find bonded with this boost of confidence, is the communication of people's social identity and affiliations, whether through “IYKYK” elements such as symbols or logos, unique messages or graphics, or one-of-a-kind designs.

In my opinion, there's only one reason why customization has always been at the heart of fashion: it reflects one of the deepest human desires, that for individuality and self-expression. Even in a society where conformity prevails, looking deeper, we can see how people strive to stand out, often through their fashion choices. Customization can come in many forms. It doesn't have to be only what you're thinking of. That's why I believe that while many don't consider it impactful, the future of fashion will be strongly bonded with generative art, particularly because I believe that through their marriage, the avenues of customization will be entirely different from what we've seen or imagined thus far.

As we understood in the first part of this piece, generative art is the art form that uses algorithmic or rule-based systems to breathe life into a piece of art. The same process will be integrated into fashion, allowing designers to produce complex patterns and structures that would be challenging or impossible to achieve manually. As we've learned, generative art can create endless variations, when applied to fashion, this “marriage” will result in endless pieces that can be as unique as their wearer.

As the fashion industry thrives on novelty and exclusivity, the impact of generative art is exciting. A generative algorithm can create a vast array of designs based on specific parameters set by designers or consumers, producing endless variations and ensuring each garment is one-of-a-kind.

While generative art will significantly impact humanity by allowing people to showcase their uniqueness and individuality in enhanced ways, it will also positively affect the industry itself and serve as a great tool for brands to stand out in the emerging future.

Through generative design, material use can be optimized, reducing current waste and fostering a more sustainable industry. Generative algorithms and AI can calculate the necessary amount of fabric, minimizing required off-cuts and significantly lowering the environmental impact of garment production.

As people's desires slowly change and they start expecting more from the brands they purchase, generative art can play an important role in any brand's future by allowing them to create more interactive and engaging consumer experiences. Developing platforms where customers input their preferences (such as color palettes, patterns, styles, or any other element you can envision) into a generative system that produces customized designs is just one-way brands can enhance customer satisfaction while deepening their connection with them. What other ways of leveraging generative art as a fashion brand do you envision?

The marriage of generative art with fashion won't be limited to a single realm. In my view, it will manifest in both digital and physical spaces. This could include digital fashion, where the boundaries of what can be created and worn are truly non-existent, limited only by the artist's mind and creativity. It might also involve XR tech, allowing people to visualize generative designs or garments in real-time before purchase, playing with algorithms and variations on the spot. In the physical realm, a generative piece could appear as a unique graphic on a garment or be realized through advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing. Thus, the fusion of generative art and fashion will span both digital and physical domains.

While the ideas I've presented in this piece represent my vision of how this marriage may look and its potential impact on industries and humanity, I believe that with time, we'll see manifestations that neither of us could imagine. Regardless of the specific manifestations, what's certain is that fashion's customization realm is about to be enhanced. Along with it, the sustainability of fashion, people's happiness, and the way we perceive and engage with garments will change, as they will no longer be merely worn, but rather “experienced”.

The dawn of a new era is upon us, one in which technology and fashion will be more connected than ever. There are many advancements that people are skeptical about, such as blockchain or NFTs, which I believe will play an essential role in fashion's future. People may not realize it, but these technologies offer what they want and need. I believe generative art will be part of this future as well, not just because it enhances various aspects of traditional fashion, but because it fulfills our strong desire to showcase our uniqueness and individuality.

In this emerging era we're co-creating, our relationship with garments will transcend mere wearing. We'll truly experience them. Fashion and self will merge as clothing becomes as unique as its wearer. While this may seem insignificant to some, I believe this shift in behavior and needs, coupled with our new technological tools, offers profound opportunities to “enrich” ( look beyond the financial aspect, please! ) both our collective humanity and our individual selves.

We stand at a threshold where surface-level understanding is no longer enough. The true potential of these technologies isn't confined to any single industry. Rather, it resides in their capacity to transform humanity itself. As we embrace this new fashion era we need to remember that we're not just changing what we wear or the way we wear our garments—we're redefining how we connect with the world around us and even ourselves!

Thank you!

Have a fantastic day!🌹

Eduard ( Lens | Farcaster )🌹