The Rise of AI in Fashion: From Disappearing Photography Roles to the End of Virtual Stylist Positions—A Timeline of Automation Taking Over the Industry

The Rapid Rise of AI in Fashion: A Closer Look at the Latest Transformations

The fashion industry is experiencing a seismic shift, driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence technology. Traditional roles such as fashion photographers, virtual stylists, and creative directors are increasingly being replaced by automated solutions. To understand the magnitude of these changes, let’s review a recent timeline highlighting key developments within just the past few months:

January 2025: AI-Generated Models Disrupt Photography
In early 2025, the startup Botika secured $8 million in funding, launching a platform capable of creating entirely AI-generated fashion models. Smaller brands are now able to replace human photographers instantly, reducing costs and streamlining production processes. Read more.

May 2025: Virtual Try-Ons Go Social
Later that spring, Doji attracted $14 million to develop AI-powered avatars that facilitate virtual try-ons designed for social sharing, reminiscent of TikTok trends. Meanwhile, Google introduced “AI Mode,” enabling virtual try-on features across billions of products, making shopping experiences more interactive and engaging. Details here and Google’s update.

Two Weeks Ago: AI Stylists Enter the Mainstream
High-profile investment continued as Alta raised $11 million to develop a comprehensive AI stylist platform. This solution aims to replace traditional stylists entirely, offering personalized fashion advice without human intervention. More information.

Just Two Days Prior: Hyper-Realistic Virtual Models
FASHN AI unveiled a new high-resolution virtual try-on model capable of rendering hyper-realistic images (1MP quality). This breakthrough means human models may soon be rendered obsolete for commercial styling campaigns. See the announcement.

Today: Fully Animated AI-Generated Fashion Videos
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