Who is Metamorphix and can you share how you got started with ai?
Metamorphix represents the alter ego that emerged when I first ventured into the Web3 world in January 2022. Although I was initially unfamiliar with NFTs (non-fungible token) and the mechanics of the Web3 space, I was eager to immerse myself in this cutting-edge technology. Thus, I created a PFP collection bearing the name Metamorphix, a moniker inspired by the concept of metamorphosis itself. This name has since become emblematic of my drive to constantly push the boundaries of my craft and embrace the process of evolution.
As I continued to engage with the community on Twitter, I began to discover AI art which captivated my imagination. While I initially mistook these works for the products of human creativity, I became fascinated with the concept of AI generated art. Over a year ago, I began experimenting with AI myself, dedicating countless hours to the study and refinement of this new medium. Since then, there has not been a single day where I have not integrated AI in some form into my artistic pursuits, constantly refining my techniques and honing my skills. The possibilities of AI art are endless, and I find great joy in exploring its limitless potential through experimentation and creative exploration.
- Do you have a background in fashion?
From a young age, I have always been captivated by the world of fashion. Driven by a desire to find pieces that were both unique and rare, I pursued a degree in fashion design. I can still vividly recall the countless hours spent painstakingly hand-sewing couture gowns, all the while thinking about how amazing it would be to design clothing without having to grapple with the many tedious and time-consuming steps that come with the process.
As any fashion designer can attest, the creation of a single garment requires a great deal of time and effort. From conceptualizing an idea and creating a mood board, to draping muslin on a mannequin and drafting patterns, every step is an exercise in patience and attention to detail. Even after completing all of these stages, there’s always the possibility that you become unhappy with the results, necessitating a return to the drawing board.
Despite the challenges, working in fashion has always been my dream. Although life initially took me down a different path, my passion for the industry never waned. When I learned about AI Fashion Week, I was absolutely thrilled. The opportunity to explore the possibilities of AI in the context of fashion is one that fills me with anticipation and a renewed sense of purpose.
- Your collection is featured in ai fashion week, how did that come about and what was the inspiration? How long did it take? Do you work alone / in a team? Is the intention to have the collection made? If so, does this encourage even faster fashion?
When I stumbled upon AI Fashion week, it felt like a stroke of good fortune. Had I not been in the right place at the right time, I might have never known about this exciting opportunity. Looking back, I realize that my journey in the Web3 world had been building up to his moment. A good friend and talented artist (@deftony83 on Twitter), who combines his photography skills with AI, invited me to participate as a guest speaker in a Twitter space, where we talked about art and briefly touched on fashion. It was there that I first learned about the AI Fashion Week competition. I am forever grateful to him for inviting me to that space that day. Despite being a latecomer, I spent a month tirelessly creating and designing, while keeping in mind competition’s guidelines.
My focus was on creating a cohesive, ready-to-wear collection that aligned with current fashion trends and was feasible to reproduce. Given the resurgence of denim, that became a major component in the collection. My goal was to create edgy and unique streetwear-inspired looks. I aimed to create versatile looks that could be mixed and matched while still appearing cohesive.
While it would be amazing to have a team to work with, I currently work solo. Working solo poses its own challenges, as I have to not only create but also learn to market my work and network with others in the community. I only had a month to design and curate my collection, but I’ve gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience throughout the process. While I lack the resources as a solo artist to bring my collection to life if I don’t make it to the final top 3 in the competition, I am hopeful that AI’s integration into the fashion industry will eventually enable me to collaborate with others to bring my designs to life.
- Using ai for imagery already seems like an emotive topic, what kind of response have you had to your work?
Initially, when I began working with AI to create art, it wasn’t widely accepted. There were moments when I felt apprehensive about identifying myself as an AI artist for fear of facing backlash. However, with the continued evolution of AI, it’s encouraging to see more individuals accepting it. Putting one’s work out there for public consumption can be daunting, as it’s uncertain how people will respond. To prepare myself for any possible negative feedback, I braced myself mentally, but I was humbled and grateful for the overwhelmingly positive response my collection received from both acquaintances and strangers.
- Can you explain more about the process.. where do you even start when creating an image using prompts?
Creating something with AI requires more than just a basic understanding of the technology. It takes practice and skill to fully realize the vision in your mind. It is a complex process that involves trial and error, with hours spend trying and failing until you finally achieve the desired result. Sometimes, I draw inspiration from my own photography, while other times I rely on my imagination. The key is to experiment until you discover your own unique style and what works best for you.
With so many AI tools available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. I recommend exploring different tools. The same prompt can generate completely different results on different programs. If you’re up for it, you can even train your own AI models.
For those who are new to working with AI in art, my advice is to not overthink it and just enjoy the process. It’s okay to experiment with unconventional prompts and ideas, and see where they take you. Creating art should be a fun and enjoyable experience, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself to create something perfect right away.
- My partner and I genuinely have lengthy conversations about ai, why it's useful and the impact it can have on industries (both pros and cons). One of the things we discussed was the emotive side of art... such as... if an artist paints a picture.. the value is in the originality, lived experience and the physical form of that artwork. With ai being replicable, does it make the output worth-less?
Some people may argue that the output generated by AI lacks value, but I personally disagree with this perspective. With experience working with AI, one can often times distinguish between those who are just generating content and those who have a creative vision. Many artists combine their own art and photography with AI, using additional tools like Photoshop and Procreate to refine their work in post-processing. While some individuals may view AI-generated art in a negative light, it is no different than traditional photography or other digital art forms. When new art tools and technologies are introduced, there will always be traditionalists who question their validity. However, AI is a powerful tool that will only continue to advance and its potential goes beyond generating simple images.
- I personally see ai fashion as a new category rather than trying to replace something that the fashion industry currently offers. Would you agree?
I agree that AI fashion can be seen as a new category that presents a distinctive outlook on fashion design, production, and consumption. Instead of substituting conventional fashion, it can enhance and complement by introducing novel approaches to fashion creation. In addition, it can provide a platform for exploring sustainability by streamlining production processes, minimizing waste, and generating tailored designs that decrease overproduction. AI fashion can offer a more comprehensive experience by developing designs that cater to diverse body types, skin tones, and cultural backgrounds. I believe it is a new category that expands the horizon of fashion, rather than trying to rival traditional fashion.
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Want to discuss ai in fashion? I would love to hear from you! find me on instagram or via my contact page.
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