Robots
Pepper on the catwalk at Design Week Sfântu Gheorghe. How we integrated a humanoid robot into a SOLD OUT fashion show
After being a host at corporate events, an actor in Romanian films and an assistant in educational projects, the Pepper robot reinvents itself as an artist and parades on stage, in a sold out show at the Sfântu Gheorghe Design Week. We invite you to discover how artificial intelligence becomes an active promoter of diversified creativity.
Design Week Sfântu Gheorghe – the platform for celebrating talent, innovation and expressiveness
Design Week Sfântu Gheorghe is an event dedicated to creative industries, held this year under the banner "Creative Connection". The event brings together established designers, talented young people and local artists who invite the public to fashion parades, textile creation workshops, animation and multidisciplinary exhibitions.
During an open discussion with the organizers of Design Week, alongside Ms. Kovacs Zenko, we learned from behind the scenes of the event how art and technology were intertwined to create a truly spectacular experience.
"The main goal of the event was to promote diversified creativity, offering a common platform for the presentation of a wide range of collections. Thus, the catwalk featured creations signed by young designers at the beginning of the road, but also works by students and established designers, such as designer Hampel Katalin. This broad spectrum demonstrated that fashion can be a common language between different generations and styles, underscoring the event's mission – to celebrate talent, innovation and expressiveness in all its forms.” – Ms. Kovacs Zenko
Integrating AI into a new fashion show concept
This year's edition of the Fashion Show brought together an outstanding selection of designers and collections, each contributing a distinct artistic vision, yet harmoniously integrated into the overall concept of the event. The themes, techniques and visual expressions reflected the diversity of contemporary creativity – from the innocence of experimentation of young creators to the sophistication of established designers.
Pepper was chosen to bring a robotic perspective, complementing the human vision of the two presenting actors. In the script, the roles were clearly differentiated: the presenters provided an emotional perspective and Pepper introduced a rational, data-driven analysis. With each collection, the robot intervened with synthetic observations, translating the emotion into metrics, proportions and visual balance.
KreaKids - "Dreamy Mist" - the KreaKids studio collection, made by students between the ages of 14 and 16, opened the show with a poetic and introspective atmosphere. Inspired by the mystery of mist and the subtle play of light, the collection conveyed a sense of tranquility and meditation. Layered fabrics, soft textures and the contrast between gloss and matte suggested the fragile balance between visible and invisible.
"72% neutral tones, 28% discreet accents" - algorithmic interpretation of the range
Olosz Karola - diploma collection -A personal reflection on identity and form, visually supported by the rhythm and depth of the signature music Bonobo.
The contrast between firm structures and fluid textures expresses the poetic tension between man and nature.note "color transitions 0.8" on a scale of visual continuity
Nádudvary Mária Magdolna & Nádudvary László – "Blue Sea" - Fusion between textiles and jewelry under the sign of water. Batik, shibori and eco-print surfaces reproduce transparency and fluid movement, complemented by organic jewels in deep shades of blue.
indicates a perceived 50/50 balance between textile and metal
Ditta & Mea – joint collection - Hand felting and vegetable dyeing of textiles by Simon-Dina Judit (DittaFelt), integrated with jewelry from recycled leather, stones and beads by Benedek Tímea (MEA creations).
reports 67% organic textures / 33% geometric elements and recommends presentation by archetypes
Frigy Nóra & Antal Hajni – "Fusion" - An elegant and contemporary vision where timeless femininity intertwines with urban modernity. Fine lace, velvety leather and contrasting shades of cream, black and cherry.
quantifies chromatic contrast ratio - 62%
UNArte - "Fantastic Animal" - Project coordinated by Oana Roșca. The idea of mythological protection becomes wearable sculpture from reclaimed materials, with volumetric shapes and intense chromatics.
emphasizes 100% reclaimed material
UNArte – “Bodies That Matter” - Inspired by the philosophy of Judith Butler. Freeing the body from norms through raw materials, deconstructed corsets and tense knitwear.
estimates the level of deconstruction at 78%
Jánosi Matilda – TildArt - Spectacular eco-fashion approach. Used bicycle inner tubes transformed into sculptural creations decorated with Swarovski crystals.
marks "100% recycled materials" integrated into luxury design
Hampel Katalin – the final collection - Inspired by noble and civilian Hungarian clothing. Historical motifs reinterpreted through velvet, brocade, lace and silk, with painstaking research and impeccable execution.
How the Pepper robot handled the role of presenter
By differentiating the roles, a lively dialogue between human and AI was created, and Pepper's closing remark sealed the perception of a unified concept of "100% cohesion", which values human creativity and artificial intelligence, as part of a common future.
The spectators at the event were pleasantly surprised and excited about the presence on stage of the Pepper robot, as an innovative extension of the "Creative Connection" concept - the connection between man and technology. In the moments of interaction with the other presenters, it created a dialogue effect between emotion and reason, causing smiles and reactions of amazement. Its calm and expressive tone, fluid movements and natural reactions made Pepper seem not just a technological guest, but a genuine stage partner.
The organizers' feedback was equally positive: Ms. Kovacs Zenko, together with the organizers, pointed out that "Pepper reacted in a very natural and pleasant way to what was happening around it and performed all assigned tasks with precision and promptness. Its presence added a touch of originality and technological sophistication, without overshadowing the human emotion of the moment."
Results and reactions
The presence of the Pepper robot had a visible impact on the audience. The audience was surprised by the naturalness of the interactions and the way the technology was integrated into the set design. During the event, hundreds of attendees filmed and shared moments with Pepper on social media, making it a viral highlight of the evening. Thus, the event benefited from increased visibility at the local level, which created a positive atmosphere around the collaboration.
Through the collaboration with Design Week Sfântu Gheorghe, we are happy to have staged technology, alongside the artistic act, and we have been surprised how well they can cooperate together in creating a unique experience for the public. For us, this experience validates the public's openness and interest in technology in various forms and encourages us to develop new software possibilities tailored for the entire artistic field.
Pepper has shown that innovation can take the stage alongside art – and together they can create genuine emotion. At IRIS Robotics we continue to explore innovative ways to bring technology directly into contact with the public through projects that unite research, education and art. And if you have an idea that you want to stage with the help of Pepper, we invite you to fill out the form below to talk to one of our colleagues.
