Codes of Culture | Issue 60
The next big thing? Walmart says AI can predict it
Happy Easter to all who will celebrate this weekend. I’m still catching up after spending a week in Whistler, recovering from an intense week in Vancouver for TED. Getting used to writing on Substack as well so apologies for not getting this to you as usual on Friday. Making another small change to the format and the 10 things on my radar will be sent on another day as a slightly longer version with my personal take on why it matters. Please do send us your feedback on what you have enjoyed reading and what you would like to see more of.
This week’s issue is a window into how AI is shaping everything - from what we wear to how we shop and also how we perceive ourselves. Walmart’s new tool wants to forecast what we’ll want next, a start-up introduces a virtual fitting room that reimagines the try-on, a viral TikTok trend is questioning where luxury fashion is really made — sparking fresh debate on transparency and origin stories in high-end supply chains and ByteDance is gearing up to take on Meta in the hardware race. Finally, we’re also touching on a more controversial frontier — how AI is starting to reshape the plastic surgery conversation.
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1. Walmart introduces new AI trend predictor
Courtesy of Walmart & AXIOS
What's Happening: Walmart has introduced “Trend-to-Product,” a generative AI tool that analyses online fashion trends and speeds up the design-to-shelf process for clothing.
TLDR:
The tool tracks emerging trends across social media and online platforms.
It converts those insights into product designs nearly instantly.
New items can hit shelves in six weeks, compared to the usual six months.
It’s part of Walmart’s push to modernise product development with AI.
The focus is on relevance and efficiency, not traditional fast fashion. It will then plan to expand the tool beyond clothing.
It builds on Walmart’s history of retail innovation—from supply chain digitisation to AR-powered shopping—cementing its position as an avant-garde force in mass retail.
Why it matters: Walmart is blending AI with retail to respond faster to consumer demand—an increasingly crucial move in a competitive market. Instead of waiting months to bring new styles to stores, the retailer can now act on emerging trends almost in real time. This gives Walmart a better shot at keeping shelves fresh while minimising waste and excess inventory. It also shows how generative AI is being used in practical, large-scale ways, helping to reshape supply chains and retail strategies.
2. TikTok trend questions where luxury fashion is really made
What's Happening: In a new TikTok wave, Chinese manufacturers are claiming to expose luxury fashion’s hidden manufacturing ties to China, challenging long-held beliefs about where high-end goods are really made.
TLDR:
Viral videos show warehouses of polybagged handbags allegedly made for top European luxury brands.
Creators say Trump-era tariffs blocked exports, prompting them to sell stock directly at deep discounts.
They allege that many luxury items labelled “Made in Italy” are actually produced in Chinese factories – brands like Hermès and Chanel declined to comment.
Analysts doubt the claims’ accuracy but warn of reputational fallout.
The trend emerges as LVMH and others report slowing sales, amplifying pressure on the sector.
Why it matters: Luxury fashion thrives on exclusivity, craftsmanship, and compelling origin stories. But these viral videos—true or not—threaten that narrative. They tap into growing consumer scepticism around inflated prices and declining quality, while giving a global platform to claims the industry has long tried to suppress. If enough people start to question what “Made in Italy” really means, it could force luxury brands to rethink how they justify their price tags—and raise the question of how Gen Z, the dominant audience on these platforms, will respond.
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3. LVMH Revives 'You&Me' Tour in Italy to Promote Luxury Craftsmanship Careers
What's Happening: AI startup Swan, based in Dublin, has launched a browser-based virtual fitting room that lets shoppers try on clothes using just a photo and a product link—no app or downloads needed.
TLDR:
Swan’s tool uses AI to simulate how clothes fit on real people.
Users upload a photo and product link to get personalized fit and size recommendations as rhe tool offers body measurement via video scan, size suggestions and comparisons, and outfit building.
It works across any brand and doesn’t require integration on the brand’s side.
Retailers can easily add the tool to their sites via APIs or Shopify.
This is not the only player in the industry, we have previously tested doji which allow shoppers to shop directly from the app while putting some screenshot in.
Why it matters: Swan is tackling one of online fashion’s biggest headaches: finding the right size without trying anything on. By making virtual fittings easy and accurate, the company hopes to reduce returns, boost shopper confidence, and close the gap between browsing and buying. For retailers, it’s a lightweight solution that could improve customer experience and reduce operational costs. As online shopping keeps expanding, innovations like this could help reshape how people shop for clothes digitally.
4. ByteDance takes on Meta with reported AI smart glasses in the works
What’s Happening: ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is reportedly developing AI-powered smart glasses with a focus on camera quality and battery efficiency.
TLDR:
ByteDance is said to be building AI smart glasses, similar to Meta, according to sources cited by The Information.
The focus is on capturing good-quality images and video while maintaining strong battery life.
The project reportedly began in the past year.
ByteDance has hired hardware design engineers and started discussions with suppliers.
Details like pricing, features, and a launch timeline are still under wraps.
ByteDance recently teamed up with Qualcomm at MWC 2025 to develop a new VR headset, signaling broader ambitions in AI and wearable tech.
Why It Matters: This move suggests ByteDance is aiming beyond social media and deepening its stake in the hardware game — not just in VR but also in AI wearables. With Meta already pushing into this space with its Ray-Ban smart glasses, ByteDance could be setting up a new front in the competition between Big Tech players over the future of consumer AI devices.
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5. How AI is changing plastic surgery in real life
AI-generated image on ChatGPT
What’s Happening: AI has been affecting most industries over the past year — and plastic surgery is no exception and this may feel like it is science-fiction. The technology is now advancing how procedures can be performed, monitored, and even predicted, blending aesthetics with health and innovation.
TLDR:
AI-guided injectables could offer real-time health monitoring and micro-adjustments.
At-home scanners and digital mirrors might help track ageing and suggest treatments.
Digital twins could simulate internal health and assist in personalised care. It also allows virtual replica of a patient's anatomy, allowing surgeons to simulate procedures and predict outcomes. This approach enhances surgical precision and personalized care.
Ethical concerns loom over data ownership and tech’s role in beauty standards yet, experts believe traditional surgery is evolving, not disappearing.
Why It Matters: AI is reshaping aesthetic medicine — not just in how procedures are done, but in how we think about ageing itself. As tools offer real-time diagnostics and near-perfect simulations, we face a deeper question: what does it mean to be 60 and look 30? This tech-driven future pushes us to reconsider our relationship with time, identity, and beauty standards. The body becomes less a fixed reality and more a canvas for constant optimisation. But as we blend biology with data, the challenge will be balancing innovation with ethics — and deciding how much of ageing we want to embrace, not erase.
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