What happens when a fashion legend taps into the transformative power of artificial intelligence? For greater than five a long time, designer and entrepreneur Norma Kamali has pioneered daring industry shifts, creating iconic silhouettes worn by celebrities including Whitney Houston and Jessica Biel. Now, she is embracing a brand new frontier — one which merges creativity with algorithms and AI to redefine the longer term of her industry.
Through MIT Skilled Education’s online “Applied Generative AI for Digital Transformation” course, which she accomplished in 2023, Kamali explored AI’s potential to function creative partner and make sure the longevity and evolution of her brand.
Kamali’s introduction to AI began with a gathering in Abu Dhabi, where industry experts, inspired by her Walmart collection, suggested developing an AI-driven fashion platform. Intrigued by the concept, but wary of the concept of “downloading her brain,” Kamali as a substitute envisioned a system that would expand upon her 57-year archive — a closed-loop AI tool trained solely on her work. “I believed, AI could possibly be my Karl Lagerfeld,” she says, referencing the designer’s reverence for archival inspiration.
To bring this vision to life, Kamali sought a deeper understanding of generative AI — so she headed to MIT Skilled Education, an arm of MIT that has taught and inspired global professionals for greater than 75 years. “I wasn’t sure how much I could actually do,” she recalls. “I had all these preconceived notions, however the more I learned, the more ideas I had.” Initially intimidated by the technical features of AI, she persevered, diving into prompts and training data, and exploring its creative potential. “I used to be determined,” she says. “After which suddenly, I used to be playing.”
Experimenting together with her proprietary AI model, created by Maison Meta, Kamali used AI to reinterpret one in every of her signature styles — black garments adorned with silver studs. By prompting AI with iterations of her existing silhouettes, she witnessed unexpected and thrilling results. “It was magic,” she says. “Art, technology, and fashion colliding in ways I never imagined.” Even AI’s so-called “hallucinations” — distortions often seen as errors — became a source of inspiration. “A few of the very best editorial fashion is absurd,” she notes. “AI-generated anomalies created entirely recent types of art.”
Kamali’s approach to AI reflects a broader shift across industries, where technology shouldn’t be only a tool but a catalyst for reinvention. Bhaskar Pant, executive director of MIT Skilled Education, underscores this transformation. “While everyone seems to be speculating in regards to the impact of AI, we’re committed to advancing AI’s role in helping industries and leaders achieve breakthroughs, higher levels of productivity, and, as on this case, unleash creativity. Professionals should be empowered to harness AI’s potential in ways in which not only enhance their work, but redefine what’s possible. Norma’s journey is a testament to the ability of lifelong learning — demonstrating that innovation is ageless, fueled by curiosity and ambition.”
The experience also deepened Kamali’s perspective on AI’s role within the creative process. “AI doesn’t have a heartbeat,” she asserts. “It could’t replace human passion. But it might probably enhance creativity in ways we’re only starting to grasp.” Kamali also addressed industry fears about job displacement, arguing that the technology is already reshaping fashion’s labor landscape. “Sewing talent is harder to seek out. Designers need recent tools to adapt.”
Beyond its creative applications, Kamali sees AI as a vehicle for sustainability. A longtime advocate for reducing dry cleansing — a practice linked to chemical exposure — she envisions AI streamlining fabric selection, minimizing waste, and enabling on-demand production. “Imagine a system where you design your wedding dress online, and a robot constructs it, one garment at a time,” she says. “The chances are limitless.”
Abel Sanchez, MIT research scientist and lead instructor for MIT Skilled Education’s Applied Generative AI for Digital Transformation course, emphasizes the transformative potential of AI across industries. “AI is a force reshaping the foundations of each sector, including fashion. Generative AI is unlocking unprecedented digital transformation opportunities, enabling organizations to rethink processes, design, and customer engagement. Norma is on the forefront of this shift, exploring how AI can propel the style industry forward, spark recent creative frontiers, and redefine how designers interact with technology.”
Kamali’s experience within the course sparked an ongoing exchange of ideas with Sanchez, further fueling her curiosity. “AI is evolving so fast, I do know I’ll need to return,” she says. “MIT gave me the inspiration, but that is only the start.” For those hesitant to embrace AI, she offers a striking analogy: “Imagine landing in a small town, in another country, where you don’t speak the language, don’t recognize the food, and feel completely lost. That’s what it can be like in case you don’t learn AI. The train has left the station — it’s time to get on board.”
Together with her AI-generated designs now featured on her website alongside her traditional collections, Kamali is proving that technology and creativity aren’t at odds — they’re collaborators. And as she continues to push the boundaries of each, she stays steadfast in her belief: “Learning is the journey of life. Why stop now?”
