Why I Gave AI a Chance
As someone who learned knitwear design the old-fashioned way – by hand, by swatch, by obsessive attention to detail – I didn’t expect AI to become part of my daily practice. But here we are. And while it’s tempting to dismiss it all as hype, I’ve found that, when used thoughtfully, AI can be a powerful ally in designing more sustainably. It won’t fix the fashion industry. But it can help us make better decisions, faster. And sometimes that’s enough to shift the needle.
Here are five ways designers can use AI to stay creative while being a little kinder to the planet.
Use AI to Reduce Waste, Not Ideas
AI visualisation tools can simulate stitch, drape, colour, and construction before anything is physically made. That means fewer sampling rounds, less material waste, and fewer boxes shipped across the world only to be sent back. In my own work, I’ve cut development waste by over 40%. But the real win is being able to explore more ideas, not fewer, with less risk attached to every one.
Smaller Collections, Smarter Data
AI can help predict demand – real demand – based on geography, sales history, and even seasonal weather patterns. That means you can design tighter collections, produce less inventory, and still serve your customer better. The aim isn’t to outsmart the market. It’s to stop designing for stockrooms.
Choose Tools That Respect Your Values
Not all AI is built the same. Some tools come with a heavy energy cost. Others are trained on data sets that are murky at best. Ask questions. Choose platforms that align with your ethics, not just your workflow. If you’re designing sustainably, your tools should be doing the same.
Cut the Guesswork with Manufacturers
When you send a visualisation instead of a vague flat sketch, your factory gets what you mean. That means fewer errors, fewer physical samples, and a lot less back-and-forth. I’ve used AI to bridge language, time zones, and even cultural nuance. Saving both carbon and creative intent in the process. It’s not just efficient. It’s respectful.
Keep the Craft at the Centre
Sustainability isn’t just about tech. It’s about intention. AI is brilliant for speeding up certain tasks, but it should never replace your eye, your instinct, or the small, human decisions that make something feel right. Start with the sketch. Feel the yarn. Then bring in the machine.
Final Thoughts
Fashion doesn’t need more output. It needs more thought. AI won’t save us from our bad habits – but it can help us build better ones. Used well, it allows us to design with more clarity, more efficiency, and more care.
Let’s use it to do less harm, make less waste, and leave more room for ideas that matter.
by
Yekaterina Burmatnova
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