Zalando unveils AFC to advise customers

07 Nov '18

2 min read

Courtesy: Zalando

Zalando has unveiled the Algorithmic Fashion Companion (AFC) to inspire customers with individual outfit recommendations - an algorithm with styling expertise that suggests outfits matching the most recent items customers have bought. The algorithm teaches itself what makes a good outfit. All it needs is training data that tells it what makes a good outfit.

The Algorithmic Fashion Companion acquired its taste through machine learning. Developers at Zalando created the algorithm to be able to identify items of clothing and then put these together into outfits. The algorithm teaches itself what makes a good outfit. All it needs is training data that tells it what makes a good outfit. As training data, Zalando used more than 200,000 outfits created by stylists, primarily from the company’s curated shopping service Zalon.

“Customers often tell us that they find it difficult to combine items and that they appreciate getting inspiration and fashion advice,” says AFC product manager, Marta Skassa. “A previous analysis from other outfit-based services we offer is that customers who interact with outfits have a higher conversion rate and larger basket sizes. We can now offer this with unlimited, free outfit suggestions based on an item that they either already own, or have already expressed interest in."

The algorithm has already proven it’s fashionability. “We did surveys containing outfits created by stylists and outfits created by the AFC to see if they would resonate with customers. Even our team was really surprised by the outcome,” adds Skassa. Survey results revealed that approximately 50 per cent of outfits by both humans and the AFC were considered “good outfits.”

“I think this proves that algorithms are really good at replicating things they have learned. Out of all the training data, the algorithm is able to create something that people generally like. Human stylists can set trends by exploring new ideas; algorithms can only follow trends,” Skassa concludes.

The AFC creates outfits around so called “anchor items”; articles customers have purchased or added to their wishlist recently. The AFC then recommends additional items that match the anchor item. After the initial tests, the AFC is ready to be rolled out. It is to be available for male and female customers in all 17 Zalando markets. (SV)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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