Generative AI has revolutionized how digital products create personalized user experiences, with fashion and retail emerging as particularly promising application domains. The intersection of GenAI, computer vision, and recommendation systems offers unprecedented opportunities to transform how consumers discover, curate, and manage their wardrobes. As these technologies mature, the challenge shifts from technological feasibility to practical implementation: How can GenAI be integrated into consumer-facing applications that deliver genuine value? 

This thesis is embedded in a real startup venture that is developing a GenAI-powered digital wardrobe application. You will join the founding team in the pre-launch phase, helping to build the pivotal product from the ground up. This unique opportunity allows you to conduct rigorous Design Science Research while simultaneously contributing to a commercial venture with significant market potential. 

The goal of this thesis is to design, prototype, and evaluate the core GenAI-based fashion recommender application following Design Science Research principles. Through combining literature review on AI-driven recommendation systems and product management with hands-on development and user testing, you will create the MVP including digital wardrobe management, AI-powered outfit suggestions, and personalized style recommendations. By evaluating technical performance and user experience through structured testing with early adopters, the thesis will generate evidence-based insights for product development strategy and startup operations in the AI & fashion domain. 

• A strong interest in fashion, app development, and artificial intelligence. 

• Ideally, but not required, prior experience with app development, and experience with API integration. 

• Solid programming skills (e.g. Python). 

• Entrepreneurial mindset: comfortable with ambiguity, iteration, and fast-paced startup environments. 

• Proficiency in English (written and spoken); German skills are a plus. 

• The opportunity to join a startup form the very beginning and shape the product as one of the first team members. 

• The chance to work at the cutting edge of GenAI application development with real market impact. 

• Join forces with a Data & Advanced Analytics expert turned founder. 

• In-depth academic supervision, including guidance on quantitative methods and literature integration. 

• Flexible start date: the thesis is expected to be completed within ±6 months. 

• Potential for your findings to be published or presented in academic or industry settings and for your developed product to be launched. 

If you are ready to take on this challenging and rewarding project, please apply with: 

• Your CV. 

• Academic transcripts. 

• A proposed timeline for the thesis. 

• A motivation letter (max. 500 words), outlining your interest in fashion, app development, and empirical research.

Prof. Dr. Ingrid Bauer-Hänsel (ingrid.bauer-haensel@unisg.ch), Assistant Professor for IT Management at the IWI-HSG.