BCG Presents the Future of Fashion and Tech at the AFI Masterclass

This season’s AFI Masterclass at Cape Town Fashion Week featured a thought-provoking presentation by the event’s knowledge partner, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), exploring how technology is shaping the fashion industry's evolution.

The presentation was led by Vishakha Chopra, BCG Project Leader; Trudi Makhaya, former economic advisor to President Cyril Ramaphosa and current BCG Partner, and Kirsten Mennella, Managing Director and Partner at BCG, joining virtually from Amsterdam.

Together, they offered a dynamic blend of expertise, grounded in global and local insights.

The session opened with Chopra who set the stage in recognising the already existing synergies between fashion and technology and the unique opportunity Africa holds in this space.

Reflecting on the continent’s rich heritage and innovative potential, Chopra framed the conversation with a question: “We’ve talked about the inspiration rooted in African creativity, but where do we go from here?”

She underscored the significance of collaboration in exploring these complex issues.

Makhaya provided a macroeconomic perspective, emphasising the role of fashion in Africa’s economic landscape.

Makhaya articulated the economic significance of fashion as a driver of growth, job creation, and industrialisation.

She stressed that fashion must receive the same policy support as other industries to unlock its full potential. “Fashion is a serious contributor to economic growth. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating an industrial ecosystem that supports innovation and production,” she explained.

This sentiment resonated as she highlighted the need for strategic integration of technology. From supply chain optimisation to the manufacturing of textiles, the conversation emphasised how Africa could leverage its resources to strengthen the sector globally.

The presentation delved deeper into the transformative role of technology. Reflecting on historical shifts, Chopra noted how each technological leap—from the Industrial Revolution’s mass production to the rise of TV and cinema—reshaped fashion. Today, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and the advent of generative AI are leading the charge.

Kirsten Mennella brought a global view, highlighting her work with leading fashion brands and how technology could revolutionise the industry at every level, from supply chain efficiencies to creative processes.

She underscored this with real-world examples of generative AI’s impact on fashion brands. “Generative AI can process enormous datasets and provide insights in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago. This isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about enabling creativity on an unprecedented scale,” she remarked.

The audience engaged actively as Chopra posed a question to gauge their familiarity with AI tools like ChatGPT. The overwhelming response underscored the growing integration of AI into everyday workflows, from design to marketing strategies.

Chopra further demystified generative AI, illustrating how its natural language processing capabilities have simplified access to complex data.

“What makes AI a game-changer is its accessibility. You don’t need to be a programmer anymore to extract meaningful insights—you can ask a simple question in plain language and receive actionable data,” she said.

Highlighting AI’s adoption rate, the session pointed out a striking statistic: it took ChatGPT just five days to reach one million users, compared to 75 days for Instagram and 150 days for Spotify. This acceleration reflects AI’s growing ubiquity and the urgency for industries, including fashion, to adapt.

However, despite its benefits, Chopra acknowledged the apprehension surrounding AI.

A common fear is whether AI would replace designers, models, or even entire supply chains?

“Technology will redefine processes, but it cannot replace the originality and humanity that underpin great fashion,” she assured, emphasising the importance of balancing efficiency with creativity.

Mennella echoed this optimism, envisioning AI as a collaborator rather than a competitor.

She shared examples of AI tools were being used by the fashion industry, aiding in trend forecasting, personalised shopping experiences, and even the design of new collections, while reiterating that human creativity remains irreplaceable.

The Masterclass concluded with BCG emphasising the need for Africa to embrace technology proactively. “Our fashion industry is not just a cultural powerhouse—it’s an economic one. To thrive, we must combine our creativity with cutting-edge tools,” Makhaya urged.