AI-powered digital model graces the pages of Vogue magazine this month
In a groundbreaking move, Vogue magazine featured an AI-generated model named Shudu in an advertisement for Guess in their August 2025 issue. The model, created by the company Imagimax, is depicted as a stunning Black woman wearing a dress designed by Balmain and photographed by renowned photographer Steven Meisel.
The advertisement's appearance in Vogue, a magazine known for pushing the boundaries of fashion, has sparked a significant cultural debate. According to a conversation between NPR's Ayesha Rascoe and Washington Post fashion critic Rachel Tashjian, the use of AI in fashion is no longer a novelty, but a potential game-changer that raises questions about creativity, labour, and representation.
Rachel Tashjian highlighted that Vogue's role as a fashion authority makes this ad a significant cultural statement. However, the ad's widespread backlash among readers is a cause for concern. Critics argue that the use of AI undermines authenticity and raises ethical concerns about transparency and the potential displacement of human models.
The controversy intensified as subscribers cancelled their Vogue subscriptions and called for clear disclosures about AI-generated content to avoid consumer deception. Additionally, critics and industry insiders worry that AI models reinforce unrealistic beauty standards and threaten jobs, especially for underrepresented human models striving for inclusion.
As the debate continues, it's clear that the role of AI in fashion advertising is a complex issue with far-reaching implications. The conversation between Rascoe and Tashjian serves as a reminder of the cultural and ethical dimensions at play as AI continues to shape our world.
Sources: 1. Ideastream.org, 2025-08-03 5. Webpronews.com, 2025
The use of AI in fashion is no longer a novelty, but a potential game-changer, as evidenced by the backlash against Vogue's AI-generated model, Shudu. Artificial Intelligence poses ethical concerns about transparency, authenticity, and potential displacement of human models in the fashion industry.
