The Rise of AI in Fashion: Timeline of Jobs Disrupted, from Photography to Virtual Styling

The Rapid Evolution of AI Reshaping the Fashion Industry: A Timeline of Change

In recent months, the fashion industry has witnessed a dramatic transformation driven by artificial intelligence. Traditional roles such as fashion photographers, stylists, and even creative directors are quickly becoming targets for automation. Here’s a detailed look at how AI advancements are accelerating across the sector, with a focus on the most recent developments.

Key Milestones in AI-Driven Fashion Tech

January 2025: AI-Powered Models Disrupt Photography
In early 2025, Botika secured $8 million in funding, introducing AI-generated fashion models that immediately replaced human photographers for smaller brands. This shift signals a move toward fully digital representations in marketing and advertising, reducing reliance on traditional photoshoots. Read more

May 2025: Virtual Try-Ons Go Social
Later in May, Doji raised $14 million in investment to develop AI avatars capable of trying on outfits virtually, allowing users to share their looks on social media platforms like TikTok. Additionally, Google launched “AI Mode,” enabling virtual try-ons for billions of products instantaneously, democratizing access to digital fitting rooms. More details | Google’s update

Two Weeks Ago: AI Stylist Platforms Gain Traction
Fast forward two weeks, Alta raised $11 million to introduce a comprehensive AI stylist platform, capable of replacing traditional fashion stylists entirely. This technology offers personalized styling advice and outfit curation without human input. Learn more

Recent Breakthroughs: Ultra-Realistic Virtual Models & Moving Video Content
Just two days ago, FASHN AI released a hyper-realistic virtual try-on model, producing images at a resolution of 1 megapixel—eliminating the need for human models in many commercial segments. Now, with the advent of Google Doppl, AI can generate dynamic videos of avatars showcasing outfits in motion, further