How does Karl Lagerfeld use generative artificial intelligence (AI)? Hun Kim, Head of Design for Ready-to-Wear at the brand, explains this.
“When I started as a designer, the process was always the same,” Kim explained. He spoke last week at fashion technology company Alvanon’s digital 3D Tech Fest. There he explained how Karl Lagerfeld integrated AI into his design process. “We sketched ideas, selected fabrics, created technical drawings and sent everything to the sample rooms, which are now often overseas. Then the waiting began: four to six weeks for the first prototype to arrive, and longer if there were problems. By the time the sample finally arrived, the spark of the original idea was often already extinguished. Fashion design required more patience than creativity. That was my reality before AI.”
Since last November, Kim has really integrated AI into his work and ‘completely changed’ his workflow. “Now I create a hand sketch and use AI to produce a realistic image in minutes. When the prototype arrives weeks later, it is remarkably similar to the AI version. This means I can make design decisions four or five weeks earlier. This saves time and provides more flexibility. Using the AI renderings, my merchandising team can immediately see what works and what doesn’t. This makes it easier Product planning and strengthens trust across the entire team.”
When he presented AI-generated designs to the company for the first time, those he met were amazed. Today, Karl Lagerfeld also uses AI for virtual models, AI influencers, and new ways to connect with younger audiences on social media. “In fashion, where speed, clarity and visual storytelling are everything, this is nothing short of revolutionary,” said Kim.
A look into the AI toolbox
Kim introduced some of his favorite AI tools and emphasized that they are very personal. He uses Vizcom AI to transform his hand drawings into photorealistic renderings: “I upload my sketches and with instructions on how to make them and ideas, it generates realistic images. Now it’s even possible to create moving images of models walking down a catwalk or through a city scene.”
He uses Runway AI for cinematic presentation videos. He often combines it with images created in Vizcom. Kim also uses ChatGPT to refine texts, gather insights, and efficiently structure presentations. He is also experimenting with midjourney for “more cinematic and dramatic images used in small presentations or advertising.”
The dynamics of AI
“I see global companies moving quickly,” shares Kim. “For example, Korean company CLO is combining AI with virtual draping and sewing to create incredibly realistic digital garments. Soon, AI-generated designs could be wearable almost instantly. We’re already seeing 3D printed shoes – so what’s next for wearables? It’s exciting to imagine.”
“If you want proof of the dynamism of AI, look at Nvidia. The company is investing over $100 billion in OpenAI. This isn’t science fiction; this is real money shaping our future,” said Kim. “AI is no longer an experiment but a necessity. It has become almost impossible to imagine true efficiency without it.”
Karl’s legacy: endless curiosity
According to the designer, many people hesitate to work with AI because they are too old, it is too complicated, it has nothing to do with their own work or they simply do not have the time to deal with it. Still, he recommends using it: “You can catch the big wave of AI and maybe even enjoy the ride.”
His work with the brand’s namesake also helped him take this step: “The biggest lesson I learned from Karl Lagerfeld was his endless curiosity,” said Kim. “I worked closely with him for five years. He never looked back, only forward. Karl often said: ‘I’m not interested in my own past, only today and maybe tomorrow.'”
“As Karl has always shown us: Approach change not with fear, but with curiosity. AI is not there to limit our creativity; it is there to expand it – to multiply our possibilities.”
The Alvanon 3D Tech Fest 2025 took place online on Thursday, October 9th. The event’s video sessions can be viewed on the website.
This article was created using digital tools translated.
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