Vogue, the iconic fashion magazine, used AI to generate “models” in its latest edition – and caused quite the stir:
Vogue’s August 2025 issue, starring Anne Hathaway on the cover, has ignited a heated debate because of its use of AI-generated models. […] The inclusion of AI-generated “models” has led to subscription cancellations and criticism online.
There are, of course, many angles to this critique – from concern about jobs (models, makeup artists, photographers, etc.), to issues with the uncanny valley (“Although the models wear real fashion from top labels, many say the images resemble luxury video game renders more than genuine editorials.”), to more philosophical questions around “detractors believe it sacrifices emotional depth and the artistry that human models bring.”
All of which brings up an interesting point – with AI and AI-generated “art” becoming more and more prevalent, where do we draw the line? And what’s the market size for both the AI-enabled (digital) and AI-free (analog) world? Draw a parallel to the world of music, and you see a niche market for vinyl records emerge from the depths of the streaming platforms – but it’s tiny in comparison and surely will always be tiny.
Fashion fans aren’t just reacting emotionally, they’re calling out a deeper concern about the future of representation and authenticity in the industry.
