Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming Japan’s fashion industry, influencing both runway designs and mass-produced apparel. Designers like Yoshio Kubo have integrated generative AI into their creative processes, using it to generate unique patterns and styles. For instance, Kubo’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection featured a white jumpsuit with a race suit-inspired design, crafted using AI-generated patterns. He emphasizes the importance of adding personal touches to AI suggestions to maintain originality.
Specialized tools such as Maison AI enable users to create patterns, designs, and virtual models based on specific inputs. OpenFashion, the Tokyo-based company behind Maison AI, hosted a competition in 2024 where AI-generated designs showcased remarkable realism. Additionally, Toyoshima & Co., a prominent textile trading company, introduced the “Virtual Standard AI-Pattern” system in January 2024. This tool allows users to generate approximately 100 pattern variations within seconds, significantly reducing design revision times and enhancing overall quality.
Despite these advancements, challenges persist regarding intellectual property and design authenticity. As of 2024, Japan’s Economy, Trade, and Industry Ministry has formulated guidelines for content industries, including gaming, anime, and advertising, to address the legal implications of using generative AI. However, specific regulations tailored to the fashion industry are still under development.
The integration of AI into fashion underscores a broader trend of technological innovation within Japan’s creative sectors, blending traditional artistry with cutting-edge technology.
