As the pages of the fashion industry turn, we encounter visionaries who dare to challenge conventions, disrupt the status quo, and shape the future of fashion. One such luminary is Paula Marie Kilgarriff, an emerging technology expert weaving a new narrative for the fashion world. Based in Tuam, Co. Galway, Ireland, Paula dedicates her work to instilling sustainability and inclusivity into the fashion industry through emerging technologies.
Embroidering Tech into the Fabric of Fashion
“I am a Fashion Retail Innovation and Emerging Technologies Lecturer at Technological Univerisity Dublin, delivering Fashion Retail and Marketing E-commerce focusing on web3, blockchain, AI, and Metaverse technologies,” Paula Marie explains. Through her work, she champions a new era of fashion retail and marketing, empowered by emerging technologies. She serves as the bridge between tradition and innovation, infusing the timeless charm of fashion with the dynamic potential of technology.
Technology as a Catalyst for Positive Change
Paula Marie believes in leveraging technology to craft a better future for all. Her methodology involves several key facets: 3D generative AI for community creation, blockchain technology for transparent transactions, on-demand printing for sustainable fashion, and education to foster a culture of sustainability in the next generation of fashion industry professionals.
Her endeavors serve to democratize fashion, enabling individuals to co-design and personalize fashion items while promoting an inclusive and diverse fashion ecosystem. She taps into blockchain technology to bring transparency and traceability into the supply chain, ensuring authenticity and protecting the intellectual property rights of creators. “By leveraging blockchain, we can ensure the authenticity and provenance of fashion items, provide transparent supply chain information, and protect the intellectual property rights of creators,” she elaborates.
The Power of Technology
“Technology holds transformative potential,” proclaims Paula Marie. “Technological advancements allow us to gather, analyze, and utilize vast amounts of data to gain insights and make informed decisions.” It’s more than just data. She believes it is the key to unlocking the immense potential for creating positive change. She sees technology as an enabler for co-creation and knowledge-sharing within communities.
“Platforms and tools for collaboration enable diverse individuals to come together, exchange ideas, and collectively work towards solutions.” She argues that this shared knowledge and collective intelligence accelerates innovation, allowing us to address complex challenges effectively. As we step into the future, the tech-driven co-creation and collaboration platforms will undoubtedly shape the contours of our societal and economic landscapes.
“With the digital revolution, barriers to education can be dismantled, providing free access to knowledge and educational resources for all,” she elucidates. This democratization enables individuals from all backgrounds to contribute to society in meaningful ways, a trend that will inevitably shape the future of women and humanity at large.
The Trailblazer’s Journey
Paula Marie was always a visionary, challenging societal norms and dreaming of a more accountable and inclusive world. Her journey took her through an array of experiences, from studying business languages, computer science and fashion marketing and management, to working in various roles in China, and eventually landing in her current role as a lecturer of Retail Innovation and Emerging Technologies.
Throughout, she remained true to her ethos of driving positive change and championing sustainability. “I decided to study for an MBA in fashion marketing and management in France in 2008, where I noticed the lack of emerging technology with a sustainable focus in fashion academia,” she recalls. Her experiences inspired her to deliver a TEDx talk in 2016 on the topic of “Defining the Undefined: Educating a Supply Chain Simultaneously to Encourage Sustainability,” and led her to champion blockchain technology.
Through her role as a lecturer, she discovered her voice and ability to inspire students. In the process, she began to see the potential of technology as an enabler for co-creation and the sharing of knowledge, fostering critical and creative thinking.
One project Paula Marie proudly highlights is creating the first end-to-end phygital retail asset, with Phygital Twin, a fashion marketplace for phygital fashion created in 2021.
Yet, her contributions extend beyond singular projects. From hosting the 2023 Metaverse Entertainment Awards in Monaco to speaking at the Defi Conference UK, Reflect Festival Cyprus, and lect
Shaping the Future of Education and Fashion
Paula Marie is not just an observer but a participant in the future’s construction. When asked about the significant trends or changes in her industry, she responds with palpable excitement. “I am excited about the decentralization of education, which will empower learners to take control of their educational journeys.”
She also sees significant potential in integrating AI to create virtual educational worlds. Through these immersive and interactive environments, she can foster critical thinking, collaboration, and exploration among her students.
Looking forward, she envisions herself playing a pivotal role in shaping the direction of education. She aims to bridge the gap between traditional and modern educational practices and ensure her students are well-prepared to thrive in the rapidly changing world. Paula Marie is also excited about web3 fashion and retail possibilities, foreseeing her students positively impacting these sectors.
Women, Emerging Technology, and the Future
“Believe in yourself, erase self-doubt: have confidence in your abilities and believe you deserve to be where you are,” Paula Marie implores other women who are forging their own paths. “Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and take calculated risks.”
“Gender Bias,” she says, “can limit opportunities for women.” To combat this bias, Paula Marie advocates implementing policies and practices promoting gender equality, including unconscious bias training, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and mentorship programs.
“Women are often underrepresented in leadership roles,” she acknowledges, suggesting transparent promotion and hiring processes, diversity goals, and leadership development programs as possible solutions. On the issue of pay inequality, Paula Marie argues for equal pay for equal work, achieved by conducting regular pay audits, promoting salary transparency, and establishing fair compensation practices.
“Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion benefits women and the industry as a whole,” she believes, leads to increased innovation, creativity, and a broader range of perspectives.
As the world stands on the brink of a technological revolution, Paula Marie stands at the helm, paving the way for a future that embraces diversity, challenges norms, and values every individual’s contribution. With this, we see the positive impact of technology on the world and the exciting, empowering future it promises for women.
uring at London College of Fashion & Nottingham Trent University, to more recent Gen AI Conference in London and in Japan on the Future of Fashion Retail & Web3, Paula Marie’s role in the innovation ecosystem is undoubtedly expansive and influential.
Through education, she cultivates an awareness of sustainable practices, encouraging critical thinking and responsible decision-making among future fashion professionals.
