In this riveting episode of "Love, Hate, Automate," host Dale Parr welcomes Rupert Breheny, a distinguished figure whose career spans significant roles at Google and the BBC, now a luminary in the fashion retail space. Braheny, self-described as a "creative technologist," shares his journey from Google, where he fostered relationships with e-commerce retailers and fashion brands, to launching his startup, Cobalt, aimed at demystifying AI integration for businesses.
Key Highlights:
Rupert Breheny's Fashion Lineage: Rupert shares a personal connection to fashion, tracing back to his grandparents who met at a Scottish woolen mill, crafting for Lyle and Scott. This heritage, coupled with his family's creative pursuits, underscores the intrinsic link between technology and fashion in his career.
Cobalt - Simplifying AI: Rupert introduces his startup, Cobalt, as a beacon for companies struggling to integrate AI into their workflows efficiently. By offering a bridge between complex AI technologies and practical business applications, Cobalt aims to revolutionize how fashion retailers leverage digital innovation.
Fashion's Digital Frontier: Dale and Rupert delve into the burgeoning relationship between fashion and digital platforms, highlighting the significant role of games like Roblox and Fortnite as emerging spaces for fashion engagement. They discuss the potential of digital fashion to create new categories for brands, emphasizing the importance of digital-only collections.
Sustainability and Innovation: The episode shines a spotlight on the collaboration between DMACC, Polymoda, and digital creators in Florence. This partnership exemplifies the push towards designing with circularity in mind from the outset, a critical step towards sustainable fashion practices.
The Future of Personal Styling: Rupert envisions the future of fashion styling, where AI plays a pivotal role in personalizing fashion choices. This future sees AI as a tool for enhancing self-expression through style, potentially revolutionizing personal shopping and styling services.
Challenges and Opportunities: The discussion touches on the challenges facing the fashion industry, including the potential loss of traditional crafts and the importance of internships in nurturing the next generation of fashion professionals. Rupert expresses concern over the decline in internship opportunities, underscoring the need for a balance between technological advancements and preserving craftsmanship.
If you need support integrating AI into your business visit: https://www.cobaltstars.com/
Contact Rupert Breheny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupertbreheny/
Contact Dale Parr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daleparr/
Rupert Breheny : Scottish Mills to Silicon Valley