Fast is the new famous

OpenAI quietly launched a new shopping feature—and it’s about to redefine how fashion products get discovered online.

Author

Tam Sood
May 08, 2025

Hey there,

In fashion, it used to be: the bigger you are, the harder you dominate.

But in 2025? The fastest brand wins — not the biggest.

This week, we’re breaking down how AI is turning fashion teams into creative strike squads. From real-time trend tracking to 48-hour product launches, speed isn’t just an operational flex — it’s becoming the product itself.

If you’re building in fashion (or just trying to keep up), this is what the new pace looks like.

Here’s what we’ve got for you:

✅ Fast is the New Famous
✅ AI Tool of the Week: Icon
✅ Swipe File: Real-time trend detection, done right
✅ Fun Fact: When AI fakes your drop better than you can

⏱️ Total read time: 2 minutes 47 seconds

Let’s get into it.

Feature Story

Fast is the new Famous

AI is transforming fashion — and speed is the new product.

TL;DR

In 2025, AI is reshaping the fashion industry from top to bottom. It’s not just helping brands move faster — it’s changing what “fashion” even means. Speed, powered by AI, is becoming the product itself.

The What: Speed is the new currency

Once upon a time, fashion rewarded the big players.
Big shows. Big warehouses. Big seasons.

But in a world shaped by Social media trends, digital aesthetics, and instant gratification, size is no longer the advantage it once was.

Speed is.
And AI is making that speed possible.

From Catwalks to Code: How AI Rewires Fashion

AI isn’t just a backstage tool anymore. It’s becoming the engine of fashion’s next chapter — touching every layer of the industry.

Here’s how:

1. AI-Generated Design
Tools like Midjourney and DALL·E let designers — or even solo founders — generate high-quality fashion visuals in minutes.
What once required a team of illustrators now happens with a well-written prompt.

2. Trend Prediction in Real Time
AI scrapes platforms like IG, Pinterest, and Reddit to detect emerging aesthetics.
Instead of chasing trends late, brands can now ride them early — or even start them.

3. Agile Production & On-Demand Manufacturing
AI-powered platforms like Suuchi and CALA match brands with the right manufacturer instantly.
Think micro-batches, local sourcing, and no more dead inventory.

4. Automated Ad Creative
Tools like Pencil or Icon test dozens of ad formats at once — cutting weeks of back-and-forth with agencies.
The result? High-performing, trend-aligned marketing launched while the moment’s still hot.

What a Fast Fashion Drop Looks Like Now (AI Edition)

Here’s how a small brand — or even an individual creator — can use AI to launch a collection in under 10 days:

  • Day 1: AI trend detection flags a rising “goth western” look.

  • Day 2–3: Prompt AI to generate design mockups. Post top choices on Instagram for feedback.

  • Day 4: Finalize designs and route to on-demand production.

  • Day 5–6: Use AI to generate Instagram ads with multiple creatives and test them live.

  • Day 7–9: Based on real-time performance data, refine copy and visuals.

  • Day 10: Official drop goes live.

This isn’t the future — this is how small brands are operating now.

The Key Takeaway

Fashion isn’t just being disrupted by AI — it’s being redefined.
In 2025, the most exciting brands aren’t the biggest. They’re the ones who’ve made AI their secret weapon — and speed their signature style.

Swipe File (Real tactics used by Fashion brands)

Zalando, the European fashion marketplace, uses an AI-based tool to analyze customer preferences and predict fashion trends up to 6 months in advance. It factors in color, pattern, and cut preferences across regions and adapts inventory accordingly.

Steal this: Use platforms like Heuritech to monitor trend momentum on Instagram and TikTok. These tools give you a predictive edge — so you’re not just following trends, you’re ready before they peak.

The Runway Reel

This week i talked about creating a photoshoot with AI. I used one of my earlier shoots to repurpose. Have a look

Tool Time

AI Tool of the Week: Icon

Your AI-powered content studio for fashion drops

What it is:
Icon is an AI content creation tool built specifically for fashion brands. It helps creators and marketers turn product photos and trend ideas into full campaigns — complete with visuals, copy, and ready-to-post assets.

Why it matters:
🎨 Turns product images into polished campaign visuals using AI styling
✍️ Writes product descriptions, social captions, and email copy on-brand
📆 Speeds up launch timelines — from weeks to hours

Who's using it:
Independent designers, agile fashion teams, and DTC brands doing weekly drops who need studio-quality content without the full creative team.

A Final Note

Fun Fact

An AI-generated image of Pope Francis in a white puffer coat went viral, fooling millions.

In March 2023, a photorealistic image depicting Pope Francis wearing a stylish white puffer jacket circulated widely on social media. The image was created using the AI tool Midjourney and was so convincing that many believed it to be real, including public figures like Chrissy Teigen .

Lesson?
In the age of AI, even the most unexpected images can seem authentic. This incident underscores the importance of media literacy and the need for tools to verify the authenticity of digital content.

Let me know what you thought of this edition.Until next time,