Designer Kate Barton teams up with IBM and Fiducia AI for a NYFW presentation | TechCrunch

TechCrunch

by Dominic-Madori Davis

February 14, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

**Kate Barton Showcases AI-Driven Fashion Experience at NYFW** Renowned designer Kate Barton has teamed up with Fiducia AI and IBM Watsonx on IBM Cloud to create a cutting-edge multilingual AI agent for her New York Fashion Week presentation. The AI, built using IBM Cloud technology, allows guests to interact with her collection in multiple languages, identify pieces, and even try them on virtually through photorealistic augmented reality (AR). Barton emphasizes that this integration is not just about showcasing AI but enhancing the storytelling and immersive experience around her designs. The collaboration highlights how advanced technologies like Visual AI and IBM Cloud Object Storage can transform fashion presentations. Ganesh Harinath, CEO of Fiducia AI, revealed that the hardest part of the project was orchestrating the seamless integration of these tools to create a polished, production-grade activation. The AI's ability to detect specific pieces from Barton’s collection and provide real-time, multilingual interactions marks a significant step forward in merging fashion with artificial intelligence. Barton’s approach reflects a growing trend where brands are quietly adopting AI, primarily for operational efficiency rather than public-facing innovations. While some worry about the risks of over-reliance on technology, Barton believes that when used responsibly and ethically, AI can enhance creativity and storytelling without replacing human artisans. She stresses the importance of clear discourse and shared understanding to ensure AI complements, rather than replaces, human contributions in fashion. Experts like Dee Waddell from IBM Consulting agree that AI has the potential to become a growth engine for the fashion industry by driving innovation in design, prototyping, and consumer engagement. As AI continues to evolve, Harinath predicts its full integration into retail operations by 2023 and widespread normalization in fashion shows by 2028. For now, Barton’s NYFW presentation serves as a compelling example of how technology can elevate the fashion experience, blending creativity with cutting-edge tools. This collaboration underscores why tech-savvy readers should pay attention: AI is no longer just a buzzword but

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Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/14/2026