Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries globally, from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and retail, by streamlining operations, enhancing efficiency, and driving innovation. This technological shift is not limited to traditional sectors, as AI is also making an impact on creative fields like fashion filmmaking.
As such, filmmaker and assistant creative director Chengge Tan is changing how technology and fashion history interact by blending his eye on romantic storytelling with the advantages of AI. His approach makes history feel alive rather than distant, which is a method that challenges traditional ideas of fashion and gives a fresh perspective on the past.
Behind the Filmmaker: A Romantic Eye in a Technological Age
Tan grew up in China and later moved to the United States, building a career in business and creativity. His education taught him how the fashion world operates from both the creative and commercial perspectives. To understand how brands connect with audiences, he studied marketing at Fordham University. He continued exploring fashion design by finishing his graduate degree in luxury management at Savannah College of Art, and has also modeled for 2 years.
The mix of marketing, design, and storytelling gave Tan the tools to work across different roles in fashion media. He stays involved at every step of a project—planning shoots, working closely with teams, and guiding the visual direction. His focus is always on delivering strong ideas.
After years of exploration, Tan was able to choose a distinct area of expertise on which to focus. While many filmmakers chase sleek, futuristic styles or minimalist aesthetics, the filmmaker tells stories that bring nostalgia to life. His high-profile projects demonstrate this balance of past and future.
As an assistant creative director at NPLUSN FILMS, Tan’s role was essential to the success of one of the most critical events in the fashion industry: the 2024 CFDA Fashion Awards. He gathered archival footage, built storyboards of different fashion brands, and worked with directors to creative director finalize storyboards honoring American designers like Thom Browne, Marc Jacobs, and Ralph Lauren.
He also contributed to the whole ceremony flow, from presenting the 2024 CFDA Year in Review to featuring the nominees and honorees. His eye for detail ensured that each nominee’s legacy was presented with authenticity and depth.
AI and the Art of Fashion Restoration
In his focus on restoring vintage fashion films, Tan recognizes that this process requires exploring modern tools. His approach challenges traditional methods by using AI to accurately revive historical narratives. His work on Polly Mellen’s legacy highlights this approach and defies the idea that conventional restoration methods depend on whatever limited records are available.
Using AI-driven techniques, Tan was able to reconstruct missing details, accurately bringing Mellen’s iconic 1960s aesthetic back to life. His use of AI in film restoration involves techniques, such as machine learning algorithms, to enhance image quality, remove imperfections like dust and scratches, and even colorize black-and-white footage.
These algorithms analyze historical references to ensure the restored films maintain the original era’s aesthetic integrity. According to Tan, AI can upscale low-resolution footage into high-definition, making historical films more immersive and engaging for modern audiences.
Beyond technical enhancements, Tan’s process also emphasizes collaboration and historical accuracy. The filmmaker underlines that even though technological tools are available, collaboration with other artists is still critical.
With this, in the Polly Mellen project, he worked with editors, designers, and researchers to ensure that each digital restoration respects the original era’s aesthetics and offers a visually compelling narrative. This collaborative approach allowed Tan to blend AI-driven restoration with his understanding of fashion history, resulting in a successful film restoration.
AI and the Future of Fashion Filmmaking
Tan’s impact on the fashion and film industry is already visible in projects like the CFDA Fashion Awards and the restoration of Polly Mellen’s legacy. With a strong storytelling and film production foundation, he helps prepare fashion filmmaking’s future.
Experts predict that the fashion sector will be valued at $1.84 trillion by 2025, with AI-driven content being a significant element in branding and storytelling. By 2030, AI-generated visuals are expected to be essential to both commercial campaigns and artistic productions.
The expertise of Chengge Tan in AI proves valuable as technology increasingly shapes creative processes. The filmmaker demonstrates how technology can revive lost details accurately, breathing new life into fashion’s rich history.
This approach preserves cultural heritage and inspires contemporary designers and filmmakers by offering fresh perspectives on historical aesthetics. It opens up limitless possibilities for creating new narratives in fashion filmmaking.
Fashion is always chasing the next big thing, but Chengge Tan’s work proves that the past still has a place in the conversation. His creative approach shows that technology can revive forgotten moments and preserve fashion’s legacy for future generations.