Istituto Marangoni Special Public Lecture in Tokyo

How AI and Designers Are Shaping the Future of Fashion Design

Date: Saturday, 31 October 2026

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Venue: Italian Cultural Institute, Tokyo

Admission: Free (Advance Registration Required)

Simultaneous Interpretation: English ⇄ Japanese

Registration Form

Artisanal Intelligence

Exploring the Future of Fashion Design and Creative Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence is transforming not only our society, but also the fashion industry. AI is increasingly being used across a wide range of areas, from creative development to business, including design research and concept development, visual creation, 3D simulation, product development, marketing and trend forecasting.

At the same time, the increasing use of AI raises important questions about how the role of designers and creativity may evolve. While automation can accelerate creative processes and expand the possibilities of expression, it may also lead to aesthetic homogenisation, weaken authorship, and create a growing distance between design and its material and cultural contexts.

In this changing environment, students who aspire to work in fashion and design will need more than the ability to use AI as a tool. They will need to combine AI with human creativity and sensitivity, knowledge of materials, technical expertise, cultural judgement and craftsmanship in order to create new value.

To explore these questions, Istituto Marangoni, one of the world's leading institutions for fashion and design education, will welcome Francesco Fioretto, Director of Research, Education & Academics at Istituto Marangoni Milan, to Tokyo for a special public lecture.

Lecture Title:

Artisanal Intelligence

Fashion Futures Transformation in the Era of the AI Dilemma

How AI and Designers Are Shaping the Future of Fashion Design

What is Artisanal Intelligence?

AI creates possibilities. Humans give them meaning.

At the heart of the lecture is Artisanal Intelligence, a concept proposed by Francesco Fioretto that explores how AI's advanced computational capabilities can be combined with the knowledge, material sensitivity, technical expertise and cultural judgement developed by designers.

Rather than viewing AI as an autonomous creator, the lecture considers it as an “expanded design tool” that can support research, concept development, illustration, digital pattern-making, 3D simulation and material experimentation. The discussion explores how these capabilities can be integrated into the designer's creative practice and transformed into meaningful fashion outcomes.

The lecture will also consider the challenges that emerge as AI expands the possibilities of creative expression, including aesthetic homogenisation, weakened authorship and the distance between design and its material and cultural contexts. Through this AI dilemma, the lecture examines the importance of keeping human intention, judgement and creativity at the centre of the design process.

The discussion will then expand beyond fashion design to explore AI's impact across the wider fashion ecosystem, including fashion image-making, hybrid photography, brand strategy, product development, merchandising, retail and trend forecasting, with examples from both education and the fashion industry.

A Unique Opportunity to Meet an International Expert

This special public lecture offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from a leading international expert overseeing research, education and academic strategy at Istituto Marangoni Headquarters in Milan, and to explore how AI and human creativity are shaping the future of fashion design and creative education.

Following the lecture, a networking reception with light refreshments will be held. Participants will have the opportunity to meet Francesco Fioretto, the Istituto Marangoni Asia Manager and the official representative of Istituto Marangoni in Japan, and to discuss studying abroad, careers and future opportunities in fashion and design.

Speaker Profile

Francesco Fioretto

Director of Research, Education & Academics

Istituto Marangoni Headquarters, Milan

Francesco Fioretto studied Communication Design at Politecnico di Milano before beginning his career in Paris as an Art Director and Creative Director for leading fashion and luxury brands.

He joined Istituto Marangoni Paris in 2014, where he served first as Graphic Design and Art Direction Tutor and later as Programme Leader of Fashion Styling & Creative Direction. In 2020, he was appointed Director of Education at Istituto Marangoni Shanghai.

Since 2023, he has served as Director of Research, Education & Academics at Istituto Marangoni Headquarters in Milan, where he oversees academic strategy, research and educational development across the institution's global campuses. He is internationally recognised for his research into the impact of Artificial Intelligence on creative education and the fashion industry, and regularly lectures around the world.

About Istituto Marangoni

Founded in Milan in 1935, Istituto Marangoni has been shaping the future of fashion, design and luxury education for more than 90 years.

With campuses in Milan, Florence, Paris, London, Dubai and other major creative capitals, the institution welcomes students from over 107 countries, providing an international learning environment that combines creativity, innovation and industry connections.

Its alumni include internationally renowned designers such as Franco Moschino, Domenico Dolce (Dolce&Gabbana) and many other influential figures who continue to shape the global fashion industry.

Who Should Attend?

This Special Public Lecture is recommended for:

Students interested in Fashion Design, Art and Creative Industries
Anyone interested in the future of AI and Design
Students considering studying abroad at an overseas university or postgraduate school
Those wishing to experience world-class fashion education
Future creatives who aspire to build an international career