Build the foundations for responsible AI adoption in fashion
Understand AI technologies, data and governance, and connect their potential with the business models and workflows of fashion and luxury companies.
AI Foundations for Fashion
Technologies, data, governance and business context.
A practical introduction for fashion professionals who want to understand AI, work confidently with enterprise assistants and establish clear principles for responsible adoption.
Module overview
Module 1 establishes a shared understanding of artificial intelligence and its role in fashion and luxury. Explore the business context, the technologies behind AI and the opportunities emerging across the fashion value chain.
Day 1 connects fashion business models and digital transformation with AI fundamentals, generative AI, automation and agentic AI. Day 2 explores prompting, data quality, governance, legal and ethical considerations, and human oversight.
An enterprise AI assistants lab introduces Microsoft Copilot, Claude and AI workflows for fashion businesses. The practical output is an AI governance checklist for fashion companies.
Module key facts
Dates
2 and 9 October 2026
Live online + 12-month replay
Duration
6 teaching hours across two sessions
Session times
15:00–18:00 CEST on both days
14:00–17:00 UK time
Language
English – English subtitles. Other languages available on demand.
Practical output
AI governance checklist for fashion companies
Enrolment
Contact us for module availability, fees and enrolment details.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Connect AI with fashion business priorities: relate use cases to business models, channels, the value chain and digital transformation.
- Distinguish key technologies: explain AI, machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, automation and agentic AI through accessible frameworks.
- Assess agentic AI: recognise practical applications and the limits of what agents can do.
- Work with AI assistants: understand prompts, NLP, memory and guardrails, and explore enterprise workflows.
- Assess data readiness: recognise the role of data quality, ownership and access.
- Identify governance considerations: recognise issues involving privacy, intellectual property, copyright, brand protection and security.
- Define human oversight: establish principles for validation, control and escalation.
- Develop a governance checklist: structure acceptable AI use and internal policy considerations for a fashion company.
AI Foundations for Fashion Programme
Two sessions connect AI technologies and fashion business context with prompting, governance and responsible use.
Day 1: AI, Fashion and the New Business Context
2 Oct 2026 — 15:00–18:00 CEST — 3 hours
- Overview of the fashion and luxury industry: business models, value chain, channels and digital transformation
Instructor: Gianluigi Zarantonello - Why AI matters now: megatrends, competitive pressure, efficiency, personalisation, speed and creativity
Instructor: Gianluigi Zarantonello - What AI is: history, definitions, myths and real-world examples
Instructor: Andrea Pertici - AI vs Machine Learning vs Deep Learning vs Generative AI vs Automation vs Agentic AI: simplified frameworks for non-technical users
Instructor: Andrea Pertici - Agentic AI applied to fashion: what agents can actually do today and what remains unrealistic
Instructor: Christian Parmigiani - The unified fashion AI value chain: products, images, customers, transactions, stores, suppliers and social trends
Instructor: Christian Parmigiani
Day 2: Prompting, Governance and Responsible AI
9 Oct 2026 — 15:00–18:00 CEST — 3 hours
- Governance, legal and ethical frameworks shaping AI in fashion
Instructor: Riccardo Campione - EU AI Act, privacy, IP, copyright, brand protection and data security
Instructor: Riccardo Campione - Talking to AI: prompts, NLP, memory, guardrails and enterprise assistants
Instructor: Luca Lisci - The role of data quality, ownership and access
Instructor: Luca Lisci - Bias, reputational risk and sustainability implications
Instructor: Luca Lisci - Human control, validation and escalation rules
Instructor: Luca Lisci - How to define acceptable and unacceptable AI use inside a fashion company, Designing an internal AI policy for fashion companies
Instructor: Luca Lisci - Enterprise AI Assistants Lab: Microsoft Copilot, Claude and AI workflows for fashion businesses
Instructor: Gianluigi Zarantonello - Output: AI governance checklist for fashion companies
Instructor: Gianluigi Zarantonello
Benefits of understanding AI foundations
Develop the knowledge to assess AI opportunities and guide responsible adoption.
- Build a shared vocabulary: discuss technologies and use cases more confidently across teams.
- Connect technology with business value: evaluate opportunities for efficiency, personalisation, speed and creativity.
- Set practical boundaries: understand data, legal, ethical and reputational considerations.
- Support human oversight: define principles for acceptable use, validation and escalation.
Who is this module for?
Designed for fashion and luxury professionals who want a business-focused introduction to AI.
- Managers and business leaders evaluating AI adoption.
- Marketing, ecommerce, merchandising and product professionals.
- Digital transformation, innovation and technology teams.
- HR, operations and governance professionals supporting internal AI policies.
- Fashion entrepreneurs and consultants developing AI knowledge.
Why choose this module?
Create a foundation for applying AI across the fashion value chain.
- Fashion-specific context: connect AI with products, images, customers, transactions, stores, suppliers and social trends.
- Accessible frameworks: understand key technologies without a technical background.
- Practical exploration: discover enterprise assistants and AI workflows in the lab.
- Responsible adoption: bring governance principles together in a practical checklist.
Learning experience & methodology
The module combines instructor-led sessions, accessible technology frameworks and an enterprise AI assistants lab.
- Examine the business context for AI in fashion and luxury.
- Compare AI technologies and their applications through practical examples.
- Explore prompts, enterprise assistants and AI workflows.
- Discuss data ownership, governance, legal and ethical considerations.
- Develop an AI governance checklist for fashion companies.
The emphasis is on informed business decisions, practical exploration and clear human accountability.
Module instructors
Learn from business, technology and governance specialists
Meet the instructors leading the scheduled sessions. The descriptions below reflect their teaching topics in this module.
Gianluigi Zarantonello
Fashion and luxury business context, AI adoption drivers, enterprise AI assistants lab and governance checklist.
Andrea Pertici
AI history, definitions and examples; frameworks for AI, machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, automation and agentic AI.
Christian Parmigiani
Agentic AI applications and limitations, and the unified fashion AI value chain.
Riccardo Campione
Governance, legal and ethical frameworks, EU AI Act, privacy, intellectual property, copyright, brand protection and data security.
Luca Lisci
Prompting, NLP, memory, guardrails, data quality, responsible use, human control and internal AI policy design.
Executive Master in AI for Fashion
Build your skills within the Executive Master
This module forms part of the Executive Master in AI for Fashion. For certification requirements and any certificate available for standalone module participation, please contact Digital Fashion Academy.
Standalone module or full Executive Master
Choose this standalone module to develop focused capability in one area. Choose the full AI for Fashion Executive Master to connect use cases across the value chain and build an organisation-wide adoption roadmap.
Standalone module
Explore AI technologies, business context, prompting and governance for fashion companies. Contact us for module availability, fees and enrolment details.
- 6 hours focused on AI Foundations for Fashion
- Module fee: €490
- 12-month replay access
- Module materials, exercises and certificate
Explore the Executive Master
Build a broader understanding of AI across the fashion value chain with the Executive Master in AI for Fashion.
- 48 hours across 8 modules
- Integrated coverage of the fashion value chain
- Cross-functional portfolio
- Final AI Adoption Roadmap
- Programme fee: €2,150
- Three mentoring sessions
FAQs
When does Module 1 take place?
The sessions are scheduled for 2 and 9 October 2026, from 15:00 to 18:00 CEST (14:00 to 17:00 UK time).
How long is the module?
Six teaching hours across two sessions of three hours each.
Are the sessions recorded?
Yes. Sessions are delivered live online and recordings remain available for 12 months.
Will I practise using AI?
Yes. The enterprise AI assistants lab explores Microsoft Copilot, Claude and AI workflows for fashion businesses. The practical output is an AI governance checklist.
Will I receive a certificate?
Participants who complete the module receive a module-specific certificate of attendance, distinct from the certificate for the full Executive Master.
Does the module cover agentic AI?
Yes. Day 1 explores practical agentic AI applications in fashion and the limits of what agents can do.
Does the module cover responsible AI and governance?
Yes. Topics include legal and ethical frameworks, data quality and ownership, bias, reputational risk, sustainability implications, human oversight and internal AI policies.
Do I need technical knowledge?
No coding knowledge is required. The module uses simplified frameworks for non-technical professionals. A working knowledge of English is required.
What is included in the module fee?
Two live online sessions, 12-month recording access, learning materials, practical exercises and a module-specific certificate of attendance. Contact us to confirm fees and availability.
Is mentoring included?
The three individual mentoring sessions are included with the full Executive Master. Contact us for separate mentoring options.
Can I enrol in this module only?
Yes. Contact us using the form below for standalone module enrolment or team participation.
Where can I find the full Master programme?
Visit the Executive Master in AI for Fashion page.
AI Foundations for Fashion — Contact us
Ask about Module 1, team participation or enrolment in the Executive Master in AI for Fashion.