Bode’s Answer to Fashion’s AI Era? Handcrafting a Full Replica of its FW25 Collection in Miniature Form

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Bode has revealed an innovative campaign rather than the usual lookbook for their Fall 2025 collection. Instead of models, miniature dolls are dressed in replicas of the designs from this line. Spanning nearly 80 images, the storyboard displays a blend of the American designer’s love for historical menswear and inspiration drawn from the work of composer Morris “Moose” Charlap. This campaign comes at a time when the quick advancement of generative AI is causing concern among fashion innovators. Bode’s charming handmade campaign powerfully advocates for human creativity.

Entitled “The Expressionist,” this collection draws its name from Charlap’s last, incomplete musical piece jointly created with lyricist Eddie Lawrence. As Bode describes, the play unfolds the biography of a painter, set amidst post-Impressionist Paris, New York City, and rural Pennsylvania. The collection is predominantly characterized by fabrics handknitted and made from wool, embellished with striped motifs and royal trimmings. In other areas, evening wear suggests an evening at the opera through grand collars, fringed details, and even stage costumes. Meanwhile, within a mini art studio setting, less formal styles like graphic painted tees, a patchwork field jacket, and a denim blouson with studs are effortlessly pictured in modern, everyday life.

Under Bode’s posts on Instagram, some people question whether the campaign is genuine or created by AI, as the brand doesn’t mention AI in relation to its collection. However, Emily Bode, a two-time winner of the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year award, consistently showcases her craftsmanship skills in contemporary American menswear. Her designs evoke a romantic aesthetic reminiscent of historical clothing, and traditional techniques such as quilting, mending, and appliqué are prevalent throughout her collections. Given the brand’s emphasis on heritage and craftsmanship, it seems unlikely that an AI-generated stunt would be part of its ethos.

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Despite being baseless, these doubts indicate that many people are uneasy about the idea that AI-created art clashes with established concepts of authenticity. In recent times, the adoption of generative AI in fashion campaigns by brands such as H&M and others has encountered criticism for overshadowing human creativity and expertise. Furthermore, the introduction of an image editing feature by ChatGPT, mimicking Hayao Miyazaki’s distinctive illustration style, has sparked significant controversy and even brought back a viral video where Miyazaki expressed his view that AI-aided animation is a desecration of life itself.

If we accept that it’s genuine, Bode’s Miniature Fall 2025 initiative questions AI’s emerging role in editorial content with an emotional tribute to human creativity. This campaign, while paying homage to a lesser-known figure in the field of musical theater, presents an entertaining platform for showcasing its upcoming collection – one that is led by humans. Take a peek at the gallery above for a complete preview of Bode Fall 2025.

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2025-04-08 23:58