Anatomy of a catwalk image
Cassandra Rosenthal
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5 million images and live analysis across the globe - ever wondered how our experts break down fashion trends in real time?
From colour to categories, we speak with Cassandra Rosenthal, Senior Digital Asset Manager at WGSN, for a behind-the-scenes look into Catwalk image tagging. We explore the recent data advances in WGSN’s image tagging processes, how AI is helping brands access images, and lean into trends faster and more accurately than ever.
Q: What do you do at WGSN?
A: My role at WGSN is digital asset management. I lead a large global team of fashion, beauty, interiors, material and sports experts who work to categorise data from all our imagery in the most efficient way possible. I like to tell people that our work is similar to being a digital librarian since we both organise and evaluate various forms of information.
Q: How many images are there in WGSN’s Catwalk library?
A: The unparalleled WGSN Catwalk Library comprises over five million catwalk images spanning across our 25 years in the industry. These images cover every look from every major catwalk show across New York, London, Milan and Paris. This includes main and pre-season collections. Additionally, we are increasing our coverage for regional Catwalks globally.
Q: How do you tag catwalk images? And what are the category breakdowns?
A: Our worldwide team of fashion experts reviews every full-length image from all collections and breaks them down into 27 different garment and accessory categories using our proprietary digital asset management system. These are then cropped, colour-tagged, and further tagged with category-specific tags for silhouettes/items, design details, embellishments, fabrics/materials, lengths, prints and graphics, sleeve details and neckline details.
For example, one item might get tagged as a dress with the following tags:
- Product: Cocktail Dress, Empire/Babydoll, Bubble/Balloon
- Materials: Crinkle/Wrinkle, Shine
- Colour: Neutral
- Embellishment/Trim: Ruffles, Embroidery
- Length: Knee Length
- Sleeves: Short Sleeve, Puff/Gathered Sleeve
- Neckline: Sweetheart Neck
- Print/Pattern: Florals
- Design Details: Backless
Starting from Women’s S/S 25, we will speed up data delivery to our clients by leveraging AI to tag, crop and colour-tag key categories within minutes of receiving Catwalk data. Our human experts will then do a fast follow, reviewing the work from the AI model and amending and adding relevant information to ensure our high and unrivalled accuracy.
Q: What role does catwalk imagery play in WGSN’s trend forecasting process?
A: Catwalk imagery is usually the first place to see emerging trends, colour shifts and category changes. We analyse this data by gauging them with WGSN’s STEPIC Index, using insights derived by combining qualitative market insights with WGSN shelf, search and social data to forecast trends up to 24 months out.
Q: How can clients use WGSN Catwalks to plan ahead?
A: We are giving clients more data quicker to help them understand the Catwalks trends and implement them in their next-season assortment plans. We combine Catwalk show data with social and retail shelf data in an AI model to assess the strength of trends over time, empowering our clients to decide which trends to lean into.
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Change the way you work:
Imagine all the catwalk analysis you need - from live coverage to post-show analytics - in a single, dedicated place. From analysing total looks and details from the runway to daily data updates on colour and category shifts, WGSN enables you to quickly identify emerging and evolving trends every season.
Discover the tools WGSN clients already have access to and how you can start translating catwalk inspiration and design direction into the right products.