The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and fashion is revolutionizing the industry. AI is poised to add up to $275 billion to operating profits in the apparel, fashion and luxury sectors, according to McKinsey’s March report. As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize industries around the world, the convergence of AI and fashion is changing the landscape, making it more sustainable and innovative.
In this exclusive interview with Miss USA chemical engineer Morgan Romano, we discuss the future of fashion, the role of AI, and how her unique background inspired her to advocate for girls in STEM. Morgan shares her thoughts on role models, offers advice to young girls, and offers recommendations to the fashion industry.
Morgan’s Journey: Bridging the Gap Between Engineering and Fashion
Morgan Romano’s passion for STEM began at the age of 17 in high school. Her curiosity and love of reading inspired her to explore engineering. Naturally inquisitive in her teenage years, she loved reading and asking questions, which led her to explore the world of STEM. Her Morgan, despite being her self-professed ‘girly girl’ who likes dancing, dressing up and performing, is an expert in combining her own technical skills with her love of creativity and design. I knew the possibilities.
Her high school chemistry teacher was the first to recognize her aptitude for problem solving and encouraged her to pursue engineering as a career. ”My high school chemistry teacher taught me this. But on the other hand, I grew up as a competitive dancer all my life and loved being a performer and being on stage. I was a girly girl and I loved dressing up and wearing heels and wearing heel crowns. interesting. There are so many pictures of little girls in plastic crowns, now Miss USA, so I guess it was fate.”
Morgan’s role model:
Growing up, Morgan’s first role model was her dance teacher. He displayed a beautiful balance of strength, empathy, and love. This prompted Morgan to seek that same balance in her own life. Morgan cites the Kardashian family as examples of women who have found a balance between their business and personal lives. They are human, strong, and successful, showing young women that they can have it all.
After earning a degree in mechanical engineering, Morgan found himself at the intersection of engineering and fashion, taking on a challenging and rewarding role as an applications engineer. This niche field has allowed her to combine her technical skills with her creativity and love of design. Through her academic journey, she discovered her passion for applying engineering principles to solve real-world problems.
Once deeply involved in the world of fashion, Morgan realized the potential to use her unique platform as Miss USA to advocate and inspire girls to pursue a STEM education. She began sharing her own story and her experiences in engineering, showing that her STEM career is both fulfilling and engaging. This dual passion for engineering and fashion has made Morgan a strong advocate for the next generation of female engineers, breaking down gender stereotypes and championing the importance of diverse perspectives in the industry.
Impact of AI on Fashion and Sustainability
Morgan highlights the transformative potential of AI to revolutionize the fashion industry, stating:I think this is very innovative, really expands what we can do in fashion, is very important in product development and efficiency, and allows for really creative and innovative design and marketing techniques.“She envisions AI as a tool that can drive innovation, creativity and efficiency, and place a greater focus on sustainable practices.
AI is also being used to create customized products, says Morgan.Sunglasses made by AI according to the shape of the face.AI model agency La Land claims that using AI models is 90% faster than photography and requires no samples, reducing waste and saving time for brands. Some designers want to move the fashion industry entirely online and ditch all physical parts.
Morgan believes this approach could have a significant impact on the fashion industry’s carbon footprint and resource consumption, especially as AI continues to advance. But she also emphasizes the importance of maintaining human-emotional connections within the fashion industry, stating:It’s very emotional and feels like a work of art.“She voices concerns that over-reliance on AI can lead to isolation and loss of the human touch in creative processes and customer service.
Morgan shares his excitement about AI Fashion Week in New York, where emerging AI designers are coming to the fore.It’s a very interesting concept and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with the first concept.“She recognizes that the world is moving toward increased AI integration, but reiterates her belief in the importance of human connection and emotion in fashion.”We are designed to become isolated humans and have emotional connections with humans..”
AI has the potential to revolutionize fashion, but Morgan believes striking the right balance between AI innovation and human creativity is critical to the future of the fashion industry.
Advice for Young Girls: Bridging the Gender Gap in STEM
A strong advocate for girls in STEM, Morgan uses her platform to inspire and encourage young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. She shared her own story, referring to her “AHA moment” during her freshman year of college.When I got there, the male and female division of STEM was in my first year of class, 75% boys, and all attending summer camps in programming and stem and science. I just noticed that. And I found out about it exactly one year ago.“
Morgan advocates for educational programs that encourage girls to pursue STEM and recognizes that early exposure to STEM is key to bridging the gender gap.
she explainsI think the way to make that number 50% girls is to start at a young age. And start involving girls before they’re 5. According to another statistic, if a girl doesn’t learn her STEM by the age of 5, she’s 97% likely not to pursue her STEM career.”
Morgan emphasizes the importance of women’s participation in the rapidly evolving field of technology and AI. ”That’s very important to us growing up, and we’re a very innovative world. And as you mentioned AI, having women at that table is very important.Because we bring a very different perspective and bring the emotional side of itMorgan believes it is essential to have diverse perspectives in this area, especially when it comes to creating and using AI. She wants the next generation of female leaders to play a key role and be empowered to shape the future of technology and her AI that will undoubtedly impact the fashion industry.
Morgan stresses the importance of setting boundaries for young girls who, like my 14-year-old daughter, want to be famous on social media platforms. She encourages girls to realize that social media is not the real world and that comparing themselves to others can lead to anxiety and depression. If social media becomes a career, it’s important to treat it like any other job with boundaries and self-care in mind.
Way forward
AI is undoubtedly transforming the fashion industry, potentially increasing profits, promoting sustainability and redefining the design process. To harness the full potential of AI and ensure a prosperous and sustainable future, the fashion industry should consider the following recommendations.
- Investment in AI technology and research: Businesses should allocate resources to research and develop AI-powered solutions that streamline supply chains, optimize product design, and improve customer experience.
- Prioritize sustainability: Employ AI-driven technologies that promote environmentally friendly practices such as reducing waste, minimizing resource consumption, and using ethically sourced materials. This benefits the planet and appeals to many environmentally conscious consumers.
- Encourage employee diversity: As Morgan points out: Diverse perspectives are essential in the industry, especially when it comes to AI development and implementation. Companies should actively promote diversity and inclusion, empowering and encouraging women and other minority groups to pursue careers in technology and AI.
- Facilitate collaboration between AI and human creativity: As the fashion industry adopts AI, it’s important to maintain a balance between technology-driven innovation and human creativity. Companies should foster a culture of collaboration where designers and AI experts work together to create unique, innovative products that resonate with customers on an emotional level.
- Supporting and Sponsoring STEM Education for Girls: Fashion companies are important in bridging the gender gap in STEM by sponsoring educational programs, offering internships, and partnering with organizations that promote girls’ involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. can play a role. This ensures a new generation of female leaders who can shape the future of the fashion industry and contribute to the development of AI technology.
By following these recommendations, fashion giants will successfully navigate the AI revolution and create a more sustainable, efficient and innovative future that empowers the next generation of female leaders to shape the world. can do.
With her unique background and platform as Miss USA, Morgan Romano is poised to make a big impact in the lives of young girls interested in the fashion industry and STEM. By embracing AI, promoting authenticity, and encouraging girls to pursue their passions, she inspires a new generation of leaders ready to shape the future of fashion and technology.