Eight Israeli Teen Girls Develop AI Stylist to Solve Online Shopping Woes

Eight Israeli teenage girls have developed an AI-powered digital stylist called "Flair" to help users find outfits online. The problem Flair addresses is the overwhelming number of choices and difficulty in selecting clothes when shopping on the internet. The system takes basic user information such as body size, shoe size, skin tone, hair color, and eye color, along with the type of event the user is preparing for, the season, and the relevant time period, including holidays.

Flair's algorithm, built with Python and JavaScript, works by first classifying each item in a database according to characteristics like category, color, size, style, and season. It then filters items based on the user's input and attempts to assemble a complete look. A significant challenge was teaching the computer which items go well together, moving beyond basic compatibility to incorporate color matching, styles, and trends. The developers researched color combinations and trends to translate this information into rules for the algorithm.

While described as AI-based, the current version of Flair functions as a matching algorithm using a pre-defined database and rules. The developers explained that the initial goal was to create logically coherent outfits, with subsequent efforts focused on matching styles. The system allows users to generate multiple outfit options by simply trying again if they dislike the initial recommendation. A demo website showcases the user experience, presenting a visual recommendation after the user completes the questionnaire.

Flair was developed as part of a collaboration between Factori 54 and the "Magshimim" non-profit organization, under the umbrella of the Rashi Foundation. Participants in the "Mamri'ot" and "Magshimim Cyber & AI" programs were given business challenges from the retail world to develop technological solutions. Other groups worked on projects like demand forecasting systems, social shopping platforms, gamified shopping experiences, and trend prediction models. The Flair team came through the "Mamri'ot" program, which teaches technology skills like Python, C++, networking, and operating systems, alongside soft skills such as teamwork and creative thinking.

For some of the developers, the training has influenced their future paths. One participant noted that the program helped her secure a desired role during her national service, enhancing her ability to handle complex tasks and boosting her self-confidence. The team members, some of whom met for the first time through the program, described the moment they saw their code produce a result on screen as when their idea truly began to materialize into a product. Flair is currently a demo and, while not claiming to solve all fashion dilemmas, represents a successful effort by the young developers to break down a daily problem into a data-driven, rule-based code solution.