5 Things To Pack
Plus, more technology news: How will AI transform shopping this summer?
What Caught My Eye is a daily column about internet culture, people you should know about, business, shopping, and fashion.
Now that What Caught My Eye Daily feels firmly established, I’m excited to introduce a new summer editorial extension: 5 Things to Pack. You’ll be seeing it as a last look before closing this email.
I’ll be traveling quite a bit over the next few months—starting in two weeks with a mystery destination I wish I could tell you about (soon!).
In the meantime, 5 Things to Pack is your quick, daily hit of travel-inspired style. Think of it as a suitcase-sized edit of what’s stylish: highlights from Neiman Marcus and Mr. Porter, the pieces Substack writers are buzzing about, and of course, whatever catches my eye along the way.
More than just a packing list, it’s a light-touch look at innovation and good taste—travel-tested, editor-approved, and ready to roll. Because I firmly believe the best ideas come from keeping things moving.
Let’s dive in.
WCME: How will AI transform shopping this summer?
Alexander McQueen—perhaps fashion’s most technologically attuned designer—understood the power of digital long before the rest of the designers ran to the server. It all started when Shalom Harlow posed almost doll-like in a white leather-belted strapless dress in the middle of the runway, and two robotic arms painted her dress in the finale.
Years later, McQueen’s Plato’s Atlantis show (Spring 2010) would become the first to livestream online—and crash servers in the process. It was the moment fashion officially entered the digital era. Since then, executives have been racing to lead the tech charge. So, how will artificial intelligence transform the way we shop this summer?
Online shopping curated by an AI stylist
Don’t worry, the actual people aren’t going away any time soon, if you want to call a brand and speak to them. But more and more, brands are offering you boards of curated products based on your shopping and browsing history. Reportedly, Net-A-Porter is already experimenting with this. Moda Operandi is also in on the game, using machine learning to predict emerging trends, and sharing with clients exclusive shopping picks.
Just because this new way of shopping is computer driven, doesn’t mean the humanity is out of bag. Think of AI recommendations like a virtual card reader. Your online fortune teller.
VIP services, but smarter
When I was at LVMH, we were beta-testing new technology that let sales advisors preview a client’s preferences before they even arrived in-store. That meant curated racks, preferred room temperatures, and even whether to offer champagne or espresso.
Personal luxury retail is getting smarter—not colder. You can read more about this in Harper’s Bazaar latest tech report.
Designers are using it
Good designers are resourceful. They can, as the saying goes, make an evening gown out of a trash bag and make you look like a million bucks. Still, by no means will AI replace designers any time soon. If the luxury downturn has proven anything, it’s that customers are alive and well after good design.
AI-generated moodboards, material variations, and silhouette concepts can be explored with AI at faster speeds than ever before. Come runway time though, the magc is still in the editing.
5 Things To Pack: exotics edit
Your daily packing list: men’s, women’s, and summer’s best style—wherever you’re headed.
Akila Sunglasses $140
Vinny’s Cognac Fisherman Sandal $320
Pucci Sheer long-sleeve dress $940
Dries Van Noten Camp Shirt $1,090
L.L.Bean x Tibi Belted Tote Bag $475
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