In yesterday's post we wondered if Artificial Intelligence (AI) may help us generating something more complex for the fashion industry, rather than just glossy images of flawless yet non-existent collections.
In a previous post we suggested that AI could be employed to generated ideas for innovative solutions and cutting-edge applications for textiles elaborations, surface treatments and texturing, so let's move from there and from a scientific/medical inspiration – the intricate structure of alveoli, the balloon-shaped air sacs at the end of the bronchioles.
Why choosing for this medical inspiration? Well, for the profound significance of oxygen in human life and thinking about all those people who are dealing with respiratory illnesses and may have a condition that obliges them to be connected with oxygen tanks for survival.
Besides, the inspiration for this textile and for the interventions on its surface also stands as a commentary on the often overlooked health hazards faced by textile workers and laborers in the fashion industry. Indeed, in an industry where long hours, poor ventilation, and exposure to harmful chemicals are commonplace, respiratory illnesses among workers are sadly prevalent.
To get an idea of what alveolar structures look like, let's browse the Wellcome Collection archive and search for electron micrographs of inner surface of lungs, showing alveoli and close-ups of the tiny sacs, computer-coloured in red and pink. The images may provide us with a better idea of how we could describe what we want in the prompt.
Midjourney can create intriguing alveolar structures, but the white or pale pink colour I initially opted for did not make them justice, so I changed change the colour and opted for a deep purple hue (the word "purple" also appeared in the previous post, so it seems very apt…) to symbolize the life-giving properties of oxygen, reminiscent of the depths of the human body and the mysterious allure of the cosmos as well.
The outcomes I obtained were surprisingly satisfactory: blending elements of science, medicine, and innovative textile technology, at first glance, the textile appeared to have porous cavities, and a surface that mimicked the intricate network of the alveoli and the elasticity and resilience of lung tissue, while also hinting at the resilience of the human respiratory system and at inhalation/exhalation. Though this is just a digital image, the three-dimensional elements gave the AI textile a tactile quality, inviting touch and exploration.
The next step was trying to apply the textile idea generated with Midjourney to clothes or to come up with some closeups of garments on dummies made with a textile similar to the one generated by Artificial Intelligence.
The material of choice was a diaphanous organza (a light material synmbolising breathability) in purple with a sort of holographic patina printed or embossed with synthetic alveoli that catch and refract the light.
Artificial Intelligence generated a series of tops and a dress, according to the prompt, but the clothes departed from the original image of the textile generated. That said the delicate patterns etched into the fabric replicated the branching structures of alveolar sacs, creating a visually intriguing texture that draws the eye.
Besides, the interplay of light and texture in the images evokes a sense of wonder and curiosity, inviting observers to contemplate the mysteries of the human body and the infinite possibilities offered by science and technology.
How could we call such a textile inspired by alveoli? AlvSciTex FuturMaterial? Too complex? Or maybe RespiraFiber ("respira" means "breathe" in Italian")? Well, call it whatever you want, as long as you can think it, generate it with AI and create something fun or intriguing with it. Sky's the limit when it comes to merging fashion with another area, field and subject, so let's get working blending different disciplines together.
