Daniel Drak
Generative AI in Teaching, for Intro to Fashion Management
Students were introduced to current thinking in fashion management. Informed by historic and current principles and thinking in the fashion industry, students became familiar with the industry and began to position themselves to explore strategic interventions within existing models to imagine future systemic change.
Faculty Reflection
PMFM 5030 looked at AI as a core methodology, woven into every aspect of the course. This experience was designed conceptually by Daniel Drak and Isabella Dawn Notaro. From the development of our AI Ethics & Community Agreement in our first week and onward, students understood that AI would be a constant companion in their research, creative ideation, and critical analysis. This co-created agreement was not a token exercise; it foregrounded ethical considerations for both people and the planet, ensuring that students approached tools with curiosity, but also with an awareness of potential harm, bias, and environmental impact.
Early in the semester, several students expressed reluctance to engage with AI tools precisely because of these ethical concerns. My aim was never to erase those hesitations, but to help students understand both the benefits and drawbacks of various manifestations of technology. This was intended to equip the students to make informed, values-aligned decisions in their personal and professional practices.
One of the biggest surprises was realizing how many students had little or no prior experience with AI tools beyond basic interactions with ChatGPT. As a result, much of our work involved introducing AI’s creative and strategic possibilities, contextualizing them within industry realities, and scaffolding activities to ensure everyone could participate fully. This required a swift reorientation of some course elements to balance foundational exposure with more advanced experimentation.
As confidence grew, so did ambition! Students began to see AI not as a shortcut, but as a catalyst for expanding creative range, challenging assumptions, and presenting work with greater polish. Tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney accelerated iteration, while the ethics framework encouraged consistent reflection on inclusivity, sustainability and long-term impacts of AI/technology.
By the end of the semester students were not only more comfortable with AI-assisted workflows, but also equipped with the critical judgement to apply them responsibly. This is a skill set that I believe is essential for any leader navigating fashion’s future.
Curriculum and Student Projects
Project 1:
Technological Advancement Strategy for Brands
Students developed comprehensive innovation strategies for a chosen brand or organization, proposing a technology-based advancement (e.g., AI-powered personalization, immersive retail, digital fashion integration. Using AI for both research and creative prototyping, students applied market analysis, stakeholder mapping, and ethical frameworks to ensure proposals were future-facing and values-aligned. Final deliverables included pitch decks with AI-generated visuals, scenario planning, and implementation roadmaps.
Learning Outcomes:
- Integrate AI into strategic innovation design
- Align technological advancements with brand identity and values
- Use AI for both creative and structured business tasks
- Present complex proposals in visually compelling, accessible formats
Figures: Images of a concept for Bvlgari, imagining their iconic perfumes as in-game items/power ups for popular video game Fortnite. This idea pitches a branded activation for the platform to expose new audiences to Bvlgari’s brand and products.
Credit: Sarah Chun, Irene Zhang, Jasmine Jin, Ruogu Chen
Project 2:
In-Class Presentations: Technology Introductions
In small groups, students researched and presented on an emerging technology relevant to fashion (e.g., blockchain, 3D printing, etc.) and were challenged to do so in a very short amount of time. Presentations covered fundamentals, current industry examples, and projected future applications, building peer-to-peer knowledge exchange skills. AI supported quick synthesis of research and visual storytelling, allowing for a rich discussion of the positives and negatives of such AI use/reliance.
Learning Outcomes:
- Rapidly synthesize complex information with AI assistance
- Use AI visuals to clarify concepts
- Develop teaching and public speaking skills in a collaborative setting
Figure: A sample of a timeline produced by a group within a very tight timeframe to overview the development of AI.
Credit: Ruogu Chen, Jelisa Brown, Erica Da Rosa Ribeiro Mesentier & Shivani Thakur
Project 3:
Virtual Fashion
Students designed virtual garments, accessories and/or experiences for a fashion brand, integrating them into a broader brand narrative. AI tools accelerated ideations and asset creation, with Midjourney uses for concept art and Runway for animated/interactive mockups. Work was evaluated for design quality, storytelling integration, and market potential.
Learning Outcomes:
- Apply AI creatively in fashion and content production
- Pitch virtual assets strategically as extensions of existing brand narratives
- Explore digital fashion as a sustainable innovation tool
Figure: AI mockups of in-game items for a hypothetical collaboration between Roblox and Vestiaire Collective, a prominent second-hand fashion brand. These mockups establish the idea of “worn” clothing as digital fashion assets, encouraging a certain appeal of second-hand items in digital spaces.
Credit: Amira Ghobrial, Aiden Gao, Shivani Thakur & Emily McKay
Project 4:
Design a Product
Students worked in groups to design a product for a specific market segment and shared context. Using ChatGPT, they developed the product idea, refined its concept, and drafted marketing copy. Midjourney or DALL-E was then used to create a visual representation of the product. Students packaged their concept into a quick slide presentation with visuals and AI-generated marketing materials.
Learning Outcomes:
- Use AI to rapidly ideate products tailored to specific market demographics
- Apply AI image generation for product visualization and marketing assets
- Collaborate under time constraints to create cohesive, market-ready concepts
Figure: Students developed a quick product idea and marketing copy for NYC tourists and enthusiasts. Using AI tools, the group mocked up a NYC skyline ring that is customizable, appealing to potential consumers who want a personalized item to reflect their experiences of the city.
Credit: Jelisa Brown, Aiden Gao & Prachi Batra