The Department of Fashion Design and Management at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) hosted a special lecture on November 4, 2025. The event featured Professor Franck Pouchoulin, Director of Fashion Business at the Paris campus of the world-renowned Istituto Marangoni, school of fashion and design.
Professor Pouchoulin’s lecture, which was entitled “Branding the Future with Fashion Tech,” drew focused participation from the department’s faculty and students.
Professor Pouchoulin is a creative executive with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. He currently serves as the Head of the Business and Management undergraduate and master’s programs at the Istituto Marangoni Paris campus. His expertise lies in creative strategy, product development, and innovation. He has previously collaborated with internationally recognized brands such as Le Bon Marché, Veronique Leroy, and Isabel Marant, and is adept at using creative thinking to bridge design and commerce and promote innovation in fashion education and the industry.
THE FUTURE OF FASHION: TECH, AVATARS, AND GAMING
At the core of the lecture, Professor Pouchoulin discussed industry trends and creative thinking, exploring how technology is shaping real-world style and brand operations. He highlighted the ways in which virtual characters are becoming a new language for brand storytelling, pointing out that in the digital age, consumers can simultaneously possess multiple “virtual avatars” and identities, which necessitates brands to re-think how they establish connections with audiences across different digital worlds. He further explained that gaming mindsets are transforming brand experience models. The fashion of the future will not just be a product but an interactive and engaging experience that allows consumers to express themselves freely between virtual and real worlds.
Q&A AND EXPERT INSIGHTS
During the Q&A session, students posed questions regarding technological updates in the industry. Nian-Tsen Tsai, a student from Fashion Design and Management Class 3A, asked, “Given that 3D printing technology is currently being applied in the fashion industry, is it likely to be replaced by newer technologies in the future?”. Professor Pouchoulin responded by explaining that technological evolution is inevitable, but the true key lies in the adaptability of creativity and mindset. Chung Chia-Wen, also a student from Class 3A, then inquired, “What challenges do brands face when adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI), and how should they address them?”. Professor Pouchoulin and Dr. Wei-Her Hsieh, Chairman of the Department of Fashion Design and Management, both responded by saying, “Do not worry that AI will replace humans. AI is created by humans, and we can utilize it as a tool to help us drive brand innovation”. They emphasized that the real importance is how humans understand and employ AI to make technology a catalyst for brand innovation.
CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE OUTLOOKS
In conclusion, Professor Pouchoulin encouraged students to combine creative and technological thinking to lead brand development through innovation. In this way they will become a new generation of design talent with a global perspective and critical thinking skills.
The lecture successfully expanded the students’ international perspectives and deepened their understanding of the interaction between fashion, AI Technology and creativity. The NPUST Department of Fashion Design and Management is committed to the promotion of international exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration with the aim of cultivating forward-thinking fashion innovators.
Dr. Wei-Her Hsieh, Chairman of the Department of Fashion Design and Management, extended his gratitude to the Professional Teacher Development Communities Project (2025 Higher Education SPROUT) for financially supporting the lecture.
