What occurs when a fashion icon harnesses the revolutionary capabilities of artificial intelligence? For over five decades, fashion creator and entrepreneur Norma Kamali has initiated bold transformations within the industry, crafting legendary designs donned by stars such as Whitney Houston and Jessica Biel. Now, she is venturing into uncharted territory — a space that intertwines imagination with algorithms and AI to reshape the future of her field.
Through MIT Professional Education’s online “Applied Generative AI for Digital Transformation” curriculum, which she completed in 2023, Kamali examined AI’s capabilities to act as a creative collaborator and secure the sustainability and progression of her brand.
Kamali’s encounter with AI commenced at a conference in Abu Dhabi, where industry specialists, inspired by her Walmart collection, proposed the creation of an AI-based fashion platform. Curious about the concept, yet cautious of the idea of “downloading her brain,” Kamali envisioned a system that could build on her 57-year legacy — a closed-loop AI instrument trained exclusively on her creations. “I imagined AI could be my Karl Lagerfeld,” she expresses, alluding to the designer’s admiration for archival influence.
To realize this vision, Kamali pursued a more profound comprehension of generative AI — thus, she turned to MIT Professional Education, a division of MIT that has educated and inspired international professionals for over 75 years. “I wasn’t certain how much I could genuinely accomplish,” she reminisces. “I held many preconceptions, but the more I studied, the more notions I conceived.” Initially daunted by the technical components of AI, she persisted, immersing herself in prompts and training data, while delving into its imaginative possibilities. “I was resolute,” she states. “And then, all at once, I was experimenting.”
While experimenting with her proprietary AI model, developed by Maison Meta, Kamali utilized AI to reimagine one of her signature looks — black garments adorned with silver studs. By feeding AI variations of her established silhouettes, she encountered surprising and exhilarating outcomes. “It was enchanting,” she remarks. “Art, technology, and fashion converging in manners I never anticipated.” Even the so-called “hallucinations” of AI — distortions often viewed as mistakes — turned into a wellspring of inspiration. “Some of the most compelling editorial fashion is surreal,” she points out. “AI-generated anomalies birthed entirely new artistic expressions.”
Kamali’s strategy towards AI mirrors a broader evolution across sectors, where technology serves not merely as a tool but as a catalyst for reinvention. Bhaskar Pant, executive director of MIT Professional Education, highlights this change. “While many speculate about the implications of AI, we are dedicated to promoting AI’s role in assisting industries and leaders to achieve breakthroughs, elevate productivity, and, in this instance, unleash creativity. Professionals must be empowered to leverage AI’s potential in manners that not only enhance their endeavors but also redefine what is achievable. Norma’s journey exemplifies the power of lifelong education — illustrating that innovation knows no age, driven by curiosity and ambition.”
The experience also enriched Kamali’s outlook on AI’s significance in the creative process. “AI lacks a heartbeat,” she emphasizes. “It cannot replicate human passion. However, it can augment creativity in ways we are only beginning to grasp.” Kamali also tackled industry anxieties regarding job loss, asserting that the technology is already transforming fashion’s workforce landscape. “Finding sewing talent is increasingly challenging. Designers require new tools to adapt.”
Beyond its creative potential, Kamali perceives AI as a means for sustainability. As a long-time proponent of decreasing dry cleaning — a practice associated with chemical exposure — she envisions AI optimizing fabric choices, reducing waste, and facilitating on-demand manufacturing. “Envision a system where you design your wedding dress online, and a robot fabricates it, one garment at a time,” she states. “The opportunities are limitless.”
Abel Sanchez, MIT research scientist and lead instructor for MIT Professional Education’s Applied Generative AI for Digital Transformation course, underscores the transformative capabilities of AI across fields. “AI is a driving force reshaping the foundations of every industry, including fashion. Generative AI is unlocking unparalleled digital transformation prospects, allowing organizations to rethink processes, design, and customer interaction. Norma is at the forefront of this movement, discovering how AI can advance the fashion sector, ignite new creative dimensions, and redefine how designers engage with technology.”
Kamali’s journey through the course ignited a continual dialogue with Sanchez, further fueling her inquisitiveness. “AI is advancing so quickly; I realize I’ll need to return,” she remarks. “MIT provided me with the groundwork, but this is merely the start.” For those hesitant to adopt AI, she offers a striking metaphor: “Picture arriving in a small town, in a foreign land, where the language is unfamiliar, the food is unrecognizable, and you feel utterly disoriented. That’s what it will be like if you don’t embrace AI. The train has departed — it’s time to board.”
With her AI-generated creations now showcased on her website alongside her conventional collections, Kamali exemplifies that technology and creativity are not in opposition — they are collaborators. And as she persistently challenges the boundaries of both, she remains unwavering in her conviction: “Learning is life’s journey. Why halt now?”