FASHION AND AI x Policy
Symposium Dates: April 9-11, 2026
About the Symposium
Fashion has long served as a cultural, social, and aesthetic language—one that reflects identity while responding to technological and political change. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes embedded in design processes, retail strategies, and supply chain systems, the fashion industry enters a new phase of transformation requiring interdisciplinary dialogue.
AI technologies such as generative design models, recommendation systems, and predictive analytics not only enhance creativity and efficiency but also reshape production, communication, and consumer–brand interactions. Yet, these innovations raise critical questions about cultural authenticity, representation, and inclusivity. Research has highlighted the risks of bias, misrepresentation, and cultural erasure when AI tools are not developed thoughtfully.
Simultaneously, policymakers around the world are developing frameworks to promote transparency, regulate creative ownership, safeguard labor rights, and ensure sustainable production. Regulations such as the EU AI Act and Digital Product Passport policies underscore the need for responsible governance as technology reshapes fashion systems.
The Fashion and AI × Policy Symposium offers a global platform for scholars, designers, technologists, industry professionals, and policymakers to explore the intersections of fashion, AI, culture, and policy, and to critically engage with the opportunities and tensions that define AI-enabled fashion futures.
The Fashion and…Symposium was established at the University of Minnesota in 2012 by Dr. Kim Johnson and Dr. Brad Hokanson as a forum to present and discuss current topics broadly related to fashion. The symposium supports diverse perspectives from a variety of disciplines in a venue that allows international participants to meet and develop new partnerships.
If you are interested in hosting a future Fashion and…Symposium, please contact Dr. Juanjuan Wu, jjwu@umn.edu, for information. The host site proposes the topic for the symposium and is responsible for all operations and logistics.
Symposium Host
Department of Textiles, Apparel Design & Merchandising
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Important Dates
Abstract submission: October 13, 2025 – February 1, 2026
Notice of acceptance: February 24, 2026
Online registration closes: March 6, 2026
Symposium Sponsors
Linctex Digital Co., Ltd (Style 3D)
SCHOOL OF FASHION DESIGN & ENGINEERING,ZHEJIANG SCI-TECH UNIVERSITY
Submission Categories:
Scholars and practitioners are invited to submit abstracts that are original, completed at the time of submission, not submitted to another journal, and/or presented at another conference in the following categories:
- Research – Empirical or theoretical studies grounded in diverse disciplinary frameworks.
- Teaching – Work advancing pedagogy, curriculum, and instructional design related to fashion and AI.
- Concept – Position papers, emerging perspectives, systematic reviews, bibliometric analyses, or theory-building grounded in rigorous synthesis.
- Creative Design –Original design work integrating themes of AI, culture, or policy.
We welcome abstract submissions from professionals, faculty members, graduate students, and undergraduate students.
At least one author of each accepted submission must register and present by March 6, 2026.
Topics of Interest:
(not limited to)
- AI-driven creativity, design innovation, retailing, and supply chain management.
- Cultural heritage, digital preservation, and the future of fashion.
- Ethical and responsible AI in apparel and fashion systems.
- Copyright, intellectual property, and authorship in the AI era.
- Fashion as cultural identity and a site of social expression.
- Policy frameworks shaping digital fashion, sustainability, and labor rights.
- Consumer perceptions, trust, and responses to AI-generated fashion.
- Algorithmic bias, inclusivity, and representation in AI.
- Cross-cultural perspectives on AI adoption.
- Fashion pedagogy in the age of AI.
- Theoretical or conceptual approaches linking technology, culture, and policy.
Abstract Format & Submission Requirements
- APA style; Times New Roman, 12 pt; single-spaced; 1” margins
- Center title and up to four keywords
- Length: 1 page, including references; an additional page may include images
- Submit two PDFs:
- Review File (for peer-review): Title + keywords; no names or affiliations
- Final File (for symposium schedule): Title, authors, affiliations, country, keywords
- Example filenames: Review_Title.pdf, Final_Title.pdf
2026 Symposium Co-Chairs
Dr. Chuanlan Liu
Chair
Professor & Graduate Advisor
Doris L. & Jules A. Carville, Jr. Professor in Human Ecology
Department of Textiles, Apparel Design, and Merchandising
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Phone: 225-578-2400
Fax: 225-578-2697
Email: clliu@lsu.edu
Dr. JuYoung (Jill) Lee
Co-Chair
Associate Professor
Fashion Design and Merchandising
School of Human Sciences
271 Lloyd-Ricks-Watson Building
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Phone: 662-312-2869
Email: jlee@humansci.msstate.edu
Dr. Ling Zhang
Co-Chair
Associate Professor
Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management
Iowa State University Mackay
2302 Osborn Dr.
Ames, IA, 50011-1078
Phone: 515-294-7474
Email: lzhang1@iastate.edu
Dr. Xin Binjie
Co-Chair
Dean and Professor
School of Textiles and Fashion
Shanghai University of Engineering Science
Art Building
333 Longteng Rd
Songjiang District, Shanghai 201620
Phone: 086-21-67791291
Email: xinbj@sues.edu.cn
CTRJ Focus Issue
This symposium is aligned with the Clothing & Textiles Research Journal (CTRJ) Focus Issue titled:
“Fashioning AI × Policy: Rethinking Governance, Creativity, and Ethics in Fashion Futures.”
The Focus Issue invites manuscripts that examine how AI, cultural systems, and policy frameworks jointly shape the future of creativity, governance, transparency, and sustainability in fashion. Topics include:
- AI-generated design, authorship, and copyright governance.
- Algorithmic bias, inclusivity, and representation in fashion AI.
- Digital Product Passports and lifecycle traceability systems.
- Consumer trust, disclosure formats, and digital communication design.
- Comparative analyses of AI regulation across jurisdictions.
- Sustainability and circularity policy alignment with AI technologies.
- Ethical frameworks for responsible AI deployment in fashion supply chains.
- Labor and workforce transformation under emerging AI policy regimes.
- Fashion education, data literacy, and regulatory compliance training.
- AI technologies in fashion supply chains and their policy implications for business and industry sectors.
- Theoretical or conceptual models linking technology, culture, and policy.
Submission Deadline: July 31, 2026
Clarification on Symposium Attendance and CTRJ Submission
Symposium attendance is not required to submit a manuscript to the CTRJ Focus Issue. However, authors who present at the symposium are strongly encouraged to develop their work into a full paper and submit it to the Focus Issue for consideration.
The Focus Issue welcomes full empirical studies, theoretical manuscripts, and systematic or critical literature reviews. All submissions follow CTRJ’s double-blind review procedures with an accelerated revision timeline.