Virtual vs. Reality: Are AI Influencers Replacing Human Models?

Informational • 9m read

Virtual vs. Reality: Are AI Influencers Replacing Human Models?

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Mai Nguyen • Mar 03, 2025

Since 2024, we have seen a breakthrough strike of AI technology across nearly every industry. We cannot deny the remarkable impact of AI technology, like digitalized inventory management to virtual shopping and garment fitting. Since with AI, the fashion world has improved a lot of cost, waste pollution issues and other unexpected human limitations. 

In particular, AI influencers have successfully blurred the lines between reality and virtual representation, offering brands an alternative to traditional influencer marketing. Their ability to remain controversy-free, operate globally without travel restrictions, and seamlessly adapt to changing trends makes them a powerful tool in the industry’s digital transformation.

As technology advances, AI influencers will likely play an even more significant role in fashion, from virtual try-on experiences to entirely AI-driven brand ambassadors. Whether they complement or replace human influencers remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: AI-driven fashion influencers are here to stay, reshaping the industry one digital post at a time.

Now, there is growing concern about whether AI models could completely replace real human models. Can they?

Furthermore, AI-driven models are not only conquering the marketing sector in general, they have been seen and adopted in every corner of the fashion industry. For example, major fashion brands are launching virtual ambassadors and integrating AI models into the shopping experience. Accordingly, manufacturers are leveraging AI-customizable models in the design phase, enabling brands to visualize their creations on life-like digital figures with ease.

Luxury fashion houses became a pioneer in recognizing their potential in digital campaigns, leading to groundbreaking collaborations. Brands such as Balmain, Prada, and Dior have embraced AI-generated models to enhance their marketing strategies and appeal to younger, tech-savvy consumers.

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The competitive points of virtual models tell why brands gradually turn their heads:

  1. Highly Customizable

AI influencers offer unmatched flexibility. They can be tailored to fit any brand aesthetic, from avant-garde to minimalist styles. Designers can modify their appearance, wardrobe, and personality in real-time, ensuring seamless brand alignment.

For example, Prada’s collaboration with Lil Miquela showcased AI’s adaptability, featuring the virtual influencer in Milan Fashion Week content, perfectly embodying Prada’s sleek aesthetic. Similarly, Shudu Gram has modeled both futuristic and luxury styles, proving AI models can effortlessly shift between brand identities.

  1. Consistency Guaranteed

Balmain Paris is introducing their Virtual Army.

Unlike human influencers, AI models ensure a consistent image, tone, and branding, free from controversies or shifting reputations. AI influencers are fully controlled by brands, aligning seamlessly with marketing strategies.

Balmain Paris exemplifies AI-driven consistency with its Virtual Army, a set of digital models that perfectly align with the brand’s aesthetic. These virtual figures were introduced to ensure a timeless presence—free from aging, shifting opinions, or controversy—maintaining a flawless brand image across campaigns.

  1. Productivity is Limitless

Shudu Gram appears at every event without any limitations.

AI influencers can work around the clock without the constraints of time zones, travel, or personal schedules. They can be seen in multiple campaigns across various markets at the same time, promoting collections in different markets without scheduling conflicts.

Noonoouri x Balenciaga

For example, Noonoouri, a digital fashion influencer, has collaborated with major brands like Dior and Balenciaga, effortlessly promoting collections across different regions without delays. Meanwhile, Lil Miquela has simultaneously featured in campaigns for multiple luxury labels, ensuring a continuous global presence without scheduling conflicts.

  1. No Controversy 

Lil Miquela posted her personal feelings toward people.

AI influencers remain free from personal scandals, ensuring brands avoid potential PR crises. Their actions and messaging are entirely controlled, making them a safe marketing investment. For instance, brands working with AI influencers like Lil Miquela or Shudu Gram never have to worry about unpredictable behavior, contract disputes, or negative press. In contrast, high-profile human influencers, no matter how carefully vetted, can still face backlash for controversial opinions, past actions, or personal choices that brands may have no control over.

  1. Cost-effective Compared to Big Influencers 

Bella Hadid x Lil Miquela

Collaboration with AI influencers often costs less than working with top-tier human influencers, who often charge substantial fees for endorsements. Supermodels like Bella Hadid charge high fees for campaigns and appearances, while AI influencers require only initial development costs, making them a more affordable long-term investment.

Virtual influencers like Lil Miquela and Noonoouri have partnered with high-fashion brands such as Prada and Dior,  promoting collections without the financial burden. Thus, brands can easily work with virtual figures and use them across multiple campaigns without the additional expenses of travel, accommodation, or appearance fees. 

Virtual models are making their mark in every sector of the fashion economy

As the fashion industry witnesses the advantages of virtual models, it seems that everyone wants to become an AI model creator. They aim to develop virtual partners who can help with large volumes of work, are instantly available, and maintain consistent productivity with no compromise.

Come with Dress X—a big fashion retailer platform is transforming the fashion industry by introducing entirely digital garments. Unlike luxury brands that rely on physical production, DressX leverages artificial intelligence to generate designs within seconds, test them in virtual environments, and customize them for different audiences—all without producing material waste. This AI-driven approach enables instant personalization and allows consumers to wear digital fashion in spaces like the metaverse and social media.

AI-driven fashion outpaces traditional luxury brands like Gucci in speed, sustainability, and accessibility. While Gucci’s designs take months, AI-generated pieces launch instantly, reducing waste and production time. AI enables real-time adjustments in size, color, and pattern, unlike Gucci’s seasonal approach. While Gucci thrives on handcrafted exclusivity, AI fashion offers limitless digital variations. In 2025, luxury brands are integrating AI tools to boost efficiency while preserving craftsmanship through tech-driven design and manufacturing.

By learning real-time data from multiple channels and transforming even the most complex ideas into reality swiftly. AI-powered tools, like Inflow’s AI-driven fashion customization and virtual try-ons, allow brands to create and visualize designs effortlessly. With just a few clicks, hyper-realistic samples appear on AI-generated models, providing instant previews of fit, texture, and movement. Inflow’s digital manufacturing ecosystem not only streamlines the design process but also allows brands to experiment with a diverse range of virtual models, each tailored to different body types, aesthetics, and brand identities.

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Can AI-driven models outshine real models on the runway?

AI influencers and AI models are certainly reshaping the fashion industry, but they are unlikely to completely replace real models. Instead, they are carving out a new space alongside human models, offering unique advantages such as consistency, cost-effectiveness, and 24/7 availability.

However, real models bring something AI cannot replicate, that is authentic human presence, emotional connection, and the ability to bring life experiences and individuality into their work. High-fashion brands, especially those rooted in heritage and craftsmanship, still value the human touch, storytelling, and aspirational qualities that real models provide.

That said, AI models will likely dominate certain areas, such as digital campaigns, virtual try-ons, and fast-paced trend-based content. Brands seeking efficiency and cost savings may rely more on AI, while luxury fashion houses will continue to work with real models for runway shows and exclusive campaigns. Instead of fully replacing human models, AI will likely push the industry toward a hybrid approach where both coexist strategically.

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