In a COVID-19 world, Artificial Intelligence is tailoring a perfect fit for the fashion industry

The $2.5 trillion fashion industry seems vulnerable to a long drawn out recovery, due to the discretionary nature of consumer spending on clothes. Retailers will now experience first-hand, the need for a digital-first mentality to even stay afloat. Empowered by AI insights, designers, merchandisers and buyers could soon predict customer preferences, way before they become fashionable. Even before the coronavirus pandemic crashed the global economy, disrupting supply chains and stalling consumer demand, the fashion industry was not looking forward to walking the 2020 ramp. Headwinds such as slowing demand, rising competition, shifting demographic-driven preferences and the rising carbon footprint of fast fashion, were already hanging over the sector's head.