I’ve generally avoided LinkedIn posts, but this time I’m making an exception because the conversation we just started in Milan feels genuinely special.
Earlier this week at Milan Design Week, we officially launched the Pixel Institute of Fashion and Technology (PIFT)—a long-term partnership between Google Pixel and Highsnobiety. The goal of PIFT to be a functional incubator that provides emerging designers—like our inaugural cohort including Chet Lo, Priya Ahluwalia, and Ottolinger—with the actual technological infrastructure and cultural mentorship needed to build sustainable businesses in a complex market.
I had the privilege of leading the "State of AI" module, but I didn't want to talk about technology in the abstract. I started my talk by sharing a bit of my own "why":
-My mom: I am the daughter of a fashion designer. My mother, Lianne, grew up in South Africa, studied at Central Saint Martins, and eventually taught at Pratt Institute. As a teacher, she was a tough critic, often pushing her students to go deeper to question their expectations of fashion and find their unique voice.
-Finding your voice & following intuition: That act of exploration — of being able to feel your own thinking expand and deepen; that feeling of better understanding oneself— this is where I’m really interested in how technology can come into play.
-Deepening Craft: While my day job is quite demanding, I squeeze in time to create (mostly making clothes for my two young boys). This personal connection to the "making" process is why I’m so passionate about AI—not as a replacement for creativity, but as a tool to deepen the craft & better understand one’s unique point of view.
In my session, we moved past the spectacle of innovation to look at 10 practical ways AI can be embedded into a creative workflow across Inspiration, Planning, Making, and Sharing. We explored everything from using Gemini Live to sound out intuitive ideas to using Deep Research for trend analysis and Notebooks to organize complex design projects.
AI is a brilliant instrument, but it is exactly that—a tool. It’s here to augment our creativity, helping us move past the "predictable" and into something more meaningful.
Grateful for the opportunity to share these ideas and connect with so many talented designers across the industry, in close partnership with my Pixel and Highsnobeity friends. Can't wait to continue the conversation.
Alexandra Apostolou Dr. Anne-Katrin Huebel Robert Bruzi Janosch Eink Nina Kong David Fischer Robert Ferrara