The Rise of AI in Fashion: Timeline of Jobs Displaced by Technology, from Photography to Styling

The Rapid Evolution of AI in the Fashion Industry: What You Need to Know

In recent months, the fashion landscape has undergone a seismic shift driven by artificial intelligence. Traditional roles such as fashion photographers, stylists, and creative directors are increasingly being replaced by cutting-edge technology. To understand the magnitude of this transformation, let’s take a look at a detailed timeline highlighting key developments from the past six months.

A Timeline of AI Disruption in Fashion

January 2025: Botika, an emerging AI startup, secures $8 million in funding. Their innovative technology employs AI-generated fashion models capable of replacing human photographers, especially benefiting smaller brands looking to cut costs and streamline their production processes. [Source]

May 2025: Doji raises $14 million to develop AI avatars that enable virtual try-ons which are highly shareable on social media platforms like TikTok. This innovation transforms the online shopping experience by making virtual fittings more engaging and social. [Source]

May 2025: In a significant move, Google launches “AI Mode,” a feature that allows virtual try-ons for millions of products, making the technology instantly accessible to billions of users worldwide. This democratizes AI-driven fashion retail at an unprecedented scale. [Source]

Two Weeks Ago: Alta secures $11 million in funding to introduce a comprehensive AI stylist platform capable of replacing traditional fashion stylists entirely. This development signals a shift toward fully automated styling services. [Source]

Two Days Ago: FASHN AI unveils a hyper-realistic virtual try-on model with high-resolution imaging (up to 1MP). This advancement removes the need for human models in commercial styling images, accelerating production timelines and reducing costs. [Source]

Today: The latest breakthrough comes with Google Doppl, a platform that generates dynamic, animated videos of avatars wearing outfits—all automatically animated without human intervention. This tool is transforming how brands produce promotional content, making it faster and more cost-effective. [Source]

A Fast-Paced Future

In just six months, over $33 million has been invested into fashion-focused AI startups and platforms, with new innovations emerging at an ever-increasing rate. If you believe that traditional roles like stylists, photographers, or creative directors are immune to these changes, it’s time to reconsider.

The message is clear: this technological wave is reshaping the industry. To stay relevant, professionals must adapt swiftly. Those who cling to outdated methods risk becoming obsolete in