This startup puts AI in vogue with its computer-generated models

ZMO.ai is a China-based startup that creates AI-generated human bodies to model clothing from fashion retailers.

Photo credit: ZMO.ai

Big fashion firms such as Shein launch thousands of items per day, making it an obstacle for them to successfully hire models, conduct product shoots, and process images. The added costs of these processes also make image creation difficult for smaller companies to afford.

This is where ZMO.ai steps in. Its software uses a machine learning framework called a “generative adversarial network” that allows users to choose the skin color, height, pose, face, and body shape of the digital mannequin. The software only requires a photo of a garment to be uploaded, and the rest will be completed automatically.

“Traditionally, the entire cycle of garment manufacturing may take two to three months, from design, fabric selection, pattern making, modeling, to actually hitting the shelves,” says co-founder Ella Zhang in an interview with TechCrunch. “We are flipping and shortening that process. [Customers] can now test a piece of clothing by putting it on a virtual model, which can go on the website. Once orders come in, the ecommerce customer can start manufacturing.”

Ecommerce companies spend around 3% to 5% of their annual gross merchandise value on photoshoots, and ZMO.ai aims to bring this figure down to 1%, said co-founder Roger Yin.

Apart from Zhang and Yin, ZMO.ai was also co-founded by Ma Liqian and Yang Han.

The co-founders have previously been employed at companies like Google, Apple, Evernote, and Tencent.

Recently, ZMO.ai closed a US$8 million series A round led by Hillhouse Capital, with GGV Capital and GSR Ventures participating.

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