The fashion industry stands as one of the cornerstones of the global economy—but its influence goes far beyond economics. It is a powerful cultural force, continuously mirroring the social, technological, and economic changes that define our times.
Today, the industry is undergoing a deep and dynamic transformation. Digitalization, sustainability, and artificial intelligence are driving a radical rethinking of how collections are created, products are personalized, and supply chains are managed—from concept to consumer.
In this context, the AI for Digital Content Factory project—led by the Institute of Information Systems and Networking (ISIN) and the Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA USI-SUPSI), in collaboration with Hyphen-Digital SA, a Swiss leader in supply chain solutions for fashion brands—is developing innovative AI technologies to automate the creation of digital content from physical fashion items.
At the heart of the project is the development of AI-based tools capable of automating two critical processes: the creation of product descriptions aligned with brand-specific language, and the generation of hyper-realistic 3D visualizations using state-of-the-art technologies.
“Digitizing a shoe, for example, involves two major challenges,” explains Andrea Quattrini, Researcher at ISIN. “First, we need to generate automated captions that reflect brand-specific vocabulary. Second, we must faithfully reconstruct the product in 3D—capturing even the smallest details, from materials and stitching to colors and accessories.”
A standout feature of the project is the use of Gaussian Splatting, a cutting-edge technology that overcomes traditional photogrammetry’s limitations, especially with reflective, transparent, or textured surfaces. Unlike conventional methods, which struggle with complex surfaces like reflective, glossy, or transparent materials, Gaussian Splatting offers remarkable fidelity—capturing subtle textures and intricate details with unprecedented realism.
The outcome? Digital twins of physical products that are virtually indistinguishable from the original high-quality images—rich in detail, texture, and depth.
Beyond visual fidelity, this innovation offers tangible benefits: faster and more accurate product digitization, streamlined cataloging, and significant time savings in the production of digital content.
With this pioneering approach, the Fashion & Luxury sector is entering a new digital era—where artificial intelligence becomes a strategic ally in fueling creativity, accelerating innovation, and enhancing quality across the entire value chain.