Generative textile design
From a trained model to a finished runway collection.
Graduate assistants at the Pace AI Lab built two generative models, one with StyleGAN and one with Stable Diffusion, trained on a curated dataset of African wax prints. I joined in 2026 and took the models from research into production. I put both models on Hugging Face Spaces, generated the candidate patterns, and chose the final prints with the lab team. I cleaned up each chosen print in Photoshop so it tiled seamlessly and was ready for fabric printing, then ordered the fabric. I used Gemini to create tech packs built around our patterns, and designers from Senegal worked from them to make dresses, jackets, bags and accessories. The collection was shown at a fashion show at Pace.
Scope of Work
Process
Six stages from dataset to runway. The first stage was built before I joined. I owned the rest from start to finish.
Dataset & models
Earlier graduate assistants collected and curated a dataset of African wax prints, then trained and evaluated two generative models on it: a StyleGAN and a fine-tuned Stable Diffusion model.
Previous lab teamDeployment on Hugging Face
I packaged both models as Gradio apps on Hugging Face Spaces (StyleGAN and Stable Diffusion), so everyone in the lab could generate and compare patterns without setting up the research code.
My workGeneration & selection
I generated a large set of candidate patterns from both models. The lab team reviewed them together and picked the ones strong enough to go to print.
A selection of candidate outputs from both models.
My work · with lab teamPrint preparation
Model outputs aren't ready for print as they come. In Photoshop I cleaned up artifacts, balanced the colors, and rebuilt each motif into a seamless tile that repeats across a full bolt of fabric.
Textile & tech packs
I ordered the printed textile and used Gemini to create tech packs for each piece from our patterns, covering silhouettes, measurements and construction notes. Designers from Senegal used them to make dresses, jackets, bags and accessories from the fabric.
Click a sheet to view it full size.
My work · with lab team & designersFashion show at Pace
The finished collection was shown at a fashion show at Pace University. It was the full journey, from a model checkpoint to garments on the runway.
