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I’m surprised they had that many stylists — most of this could be done by AI and a handful of tastemakers. Unless by stylist they also mean customer care, whic

I’m surprised they had that many stylists — most of this could be done by AI and a handful of tastemakers. Unless by stylist they also mean customer care, which they probably do as this article mentions hiring 2k people in lower cost US cities. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/01/stitch-fix-is-laying-off-1400-in-california-18percent-of-workforce.html https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/01/stitch-fix-is-laying-off-140...

gbear605 6y ago
My understanding is that it in large part was done without AI because a lot of the input requests are too complex to summarize in any form other than language. “I work in an semi-casual office but I want to try adding some new colors to my wardrobe to spice things up. Next month I’m going to a wedding and I need a new bracelet and a pair of gold earrings for that. I don’t need any more scarves this fall but I’d love a nice knitted hat in cool colors. Stripes don’t flatter me.” And I could go on for a while longer talking about a wide range of clothing choices. Could you give options for all of that? Yes, with some work. Would that be a good user interface that keeps a wide range customers returning? I doubt it. Plus their user base just prefers at least the illusion of having an individual stylist, so you receive a detailed note with each package talking about the ways that the clothing choices fit your style, wardrobe, body type, and activities.
- sheenobu 6y ago
  You are right about the input requests being too complex. From this microservices presentation[0], they do use machine learning to generate recommendations which are then curated further by the stylists, specifically for this reason. But I've always wondered about the grouping and parity between stylist and customer. IIRC, they say it in the presentation but they do not say how much bucketing happens. Is Person of archetype-A grouped with 100 other people and given to Stylist A? 1000 other people? Or do they only do additional curation if you reject so many items and write so many input request words? Also, is there a good track record for such a request like "I need a pair gold earrings" working? and working specifically because of human curation and not pattern matching on color and item description? 0. https://youtu.be/E8-e-3fRHBw?t=332 https://youtu.be/E8-e-3fRHBw?t=332
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gbear605 6y ago

My understanding is that it in large part was done without AI because a lot of the input requests are too complex to summarize in any form other than language. “I work in an semi-casual office but I want to try adding some new colors to my wardrobe to spice things up. Next month I’m going to a wedding and I need a new bracelet and a pair of gold earrings for that. I don’t need any more scarves this fall but I’d love a nice knitted hat in cool colors. Stripes don’t flatter me.” And I could go on for a while longer talking about a wide range of clothing choices. Could you give options for all of that? Yes, with some work. Would that be a good user interface that keeps a wide range customers returning? I doubt it. Plus their user base just prefers at least the illusion of having an individual stylist, so you receive a detailed note with each package talking about the ways that the clothing choices fit your style, wardrobe, body type, and activities.

sheenobu 6y ago
You are right about the input requests being too complex. From this microservices presentation[0], they do use machine learning to generate recommendations which are then curated further by the stylists, specifically for this reason. But I've always wondered about the grouping and parity between stylist and customer. IIRC, they say it in the presentation but they do not say how much bucketing happens. Is Person of archetype-A grouped with 100 other people and given to Stylist A? 1000 other people? Or do they only do additional curation if you reject so many items and write so many input request words? Also, is there a good track record for such a request like "I need a pair gold earrings" working? and working specifically because of human curation and not pattern matching on color and item description? 0. https://youtu.be/E8-e-3fRHBw?t=332 https://youtu.be/E8-e-3fRHBw?t=332

deleted 6y ago

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