THE ROBOFASHION MAKEOVER

While human inspiration will always be the primary source of new designs, machines are learning to spot current trends and predict new ones. Sylvia Chang reports from Hong Kong.

When Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej died in October 2016, a low-to mid-end Hong Kong fashion brand sold out of black shirts and white ones - the colors of respect worn during the official mourning period - almost overnight.

That prompted designers and merchandisers to begin wondering whether such color-focused shopping sprees could be predicted.