Levi’s Announced They Would Use A.I. Models For Diversity; Rather Than Hiring Them

Levi’s announced it would partner with Lalaland.ai, an AI-powered digital fashion studio that creates lifelike fashion models.

According to a press release, the initiative hopes to increase “the number and diversity” of Levi’s models “in a sustainable way.”

The announcement was met with backlash, including from models of color who are already underrepresented in the fashion industry.

“I think it’s silly, especially because there are so many diverse models out there,” said Jasmine Rutledge, a Black, 28-year-old model based in Los Angeles. “So they talk about diversity, yet they’re not willing to go out of their way to book those people,”

Rutledge has worked with Levi’s before and recalls being the only Black person on set. “I only worked with them one time because I was probably their token Black girl for the day, instead of being like a regular model with them. These companies have their rotation of models that they use all the time,” she said.