Finding my true colours

I honestly never thought I’d have a reason to use ChatGPT. The whole AI world feels galaxies away from mine and I insisted our worlds need never collide.

My brother-in-law, who works in AI (and who lives in a voice-controlled smart home - and car), thought it was hilarious that I’d never used ChatGPT. I believe his exact words were, “how do you know how to do anything?!” But I get frustrated by technology at the best of times. I’m the first to declare I’d rather live screen-free in the woods! So for the longest time I was happy to pretend AI didn’t exist.

But this changed when, to settle a long-running argument on my husband’s eye colour (he’s always insisted they’re brown; I was unconvinced), I suddenly realised I could upload a photo of his eyes to ChatGPT. And low and behold: it confirmed that his eyes are, in fact, hazel!

This made me appreciate I may actually have the occasional use for AI. And this occurred at the same time as I’d discovered my "colour season". For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to warm, earthy tones for clothing and gold for accessories. One look at my Instagram grid will tell you I love autumnal colours. They feel cosy and grounding. But after finding out that my colour season is True Summer, I realised those rich, warm tones actually wash me out. Whereas cool, muted, dusty shades - and silver jewellery - make me glow.

I’m not about to throw away the clothes I already own (fast fashion makes my skin crawl, and I can’t stand waste), but this discovery has made me more considered in the fabrics and yarns I choose for making new garments.

And here’s where ChatGPT comes in: instead of endlessly scrolling through fabric and yarn websites, wondering which colours would actually suit me, I ask it directly for suggestions. It saves me time, reduces overwhelm and helps me make choices I’ll be happy with for years to come.

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How you can use AI to help with your own colour palette

If you know your colour season - or even just the tones you feel happiest wearing - you can use ChatGPT in the same way.

Here are two examples of what I’ve asked it:

• which linen fabrics by Merchant & Mills would suit my True Summer colour palette?

• can you suggest some shades of Knitting for Olive Heavy Merino yarn for someone with a True Summer colour palette?

If you don’t have a specific website you’re wanting to shop from, you could try asking something like:

• what fabric colours would suit someone with a True Summer palette?

• suggest yarn shades in cool, muted tones for knitting a jumper that won’t wash me out

• what fabric types and colours work best for a capsule wardrobe in a True Summer palette?

  
  

Whilst AI isn’t making the final choice for you (that would be a step too far!), it acts like a filter, narrowing down the overwhelming options into a shortlist that fits your palette. That way, you can spend less time scrolling and more time sewing or knitting pieces you’ll actually wear.

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The knock-on effect? When I sew or knit something in a colour that flatters me, I wear it more often. Which means less unworn clothing lurking at the back of my wardrobe and less textile waste overall.

In that sense, using ChatGPT actually supports my values: sustainability, longevity and making garments that feel truly mine. I’m not about to start using AI for everything - I still believe in the power of human creativity and craft. But like most things in life, it’s all about balance. If a tool can help me be more intentional, reduce waste and spend more time making, then I’m glad to welcome it into my process.

If anybody has the same anxiety as me about the environmental impact of using AI, I recommend reading What's the carbon footprint of using ChatGPT?, an article which helped me come to the conclusion that perhaps it’s okay as long as I’m being intentional with my AI usage.

That’s exactly the ethos behind my business too: whether it’s through sewing workshops where you can learn to make your own clothes with me, or my small-batch handmade clothing (coming soon!), it’s all about thoughtful design, sustainability and garments that you’ll love wearing again and again.

Thanks for reading! I'd love to know - would you or have you used AI in this way?

Photo credit: Ana Clark Ribeiro