MIT and Adobe create AI software for sustainable fashion design
Refashion helps users transform existing garments into new, adaptable pieces.
Researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and AI Lab (CSAIL) are collaborating with Adobe to create Refashion, a new AI-driven design tool promoting sustainable fashion. The software deconstructs clothing into modules, allowing designers and consumers to reimagine garments for reuse or transformation.
Users can utilise the AI to sketch shapes and combine elements to create adaptable pieces, such as a skirt that transforms into a dress or maternity wear that evolves throughout pregnancy. The system provides blueprints for flexible, reconfigurable designs that reduce waste.
Lead researcher Rebecca Lin said the project encourages reuse from the outset, contrasting with the disposable nature of fast fashion. By making clothing easy to resize, repair and restyle, Refashion aims to extend each item’s lifespan and reduce environmental impact.
MIT Professor Erik Demaine described Refashion as a bridge between computation, art and design, envisioning it as a tool that makes creative fashion accessible while embedding sustainability into every stage of garment creation.
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