Ideas worth spreading

How data is driving the future of fashion

23,420 views | Steve Brown • TED@Tommy

The fashion industry is on the brink of a revolution. Today, designers have the latest trends at their fingertips with data gathered from Instagram feeds, runway shows and even changing rooms. But if the future of fashion design is dedicated to data, does that mean the death of true creativity? Fashion buyer Steve Brown argues for the opposite: that with more efficient production cycles, designers are free to focus on what they love.

The fashion industry is on the brink of a revolution. Today, designers have the latest trends at their fingertips with data gathered from Instagram feeds, runway shows and even changing rooms. But if the future of fashion design is dedicated to data, does that mean the death of true creativity? Fashion buyer Steve Brown argues for the opposite: that with more efficient production cycles, designers are free to focus on what they love.

This talk was presented at a TED Institute event given in partnership with Tommy Hilfiger.

Read more about the TED Institute.

About the speaker

Steve Brown

Steve Brown

Data advocate

Steve Brown began his career in the fashion industry making photocopies. Fifteen years later, Brown was on the team while working for Ben Sherman Accessories that won a Maxim Brand of the Year award, worked on the DKNY global Menswear labels, and helped set up the buying department for Calvin Klein Menswear. He has a bachelor’s degree in Design Management and Communications, from Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, enjoys competing with his twin, and he believes that everything happens for a reason.

About TED Institute

Every year, TED works with a group of select companies and foundations to identify internal ideators, inventors, connectors, and creators. Drawing on the same rigorous regimen that has prepared speakers for the TED main stage, TED Institute works closely with each partner, overseeing curation and providing intensive one-on-one talk development to sharpen and fine tune ideas. The culmination is an event produced, recorded, and hosted by TED, generating a growing library of valuable TED Talks that can spur innovation and transform organizations.

Read more about the TED Institute

This talk was presented at a TED Institute event given in partnership with Tommy Hilfiger.

Read more about the TED Institute.