EPISODE · Sep 25, 2024 · 53 MIN
Eveline Ruehlin: Fashioning the Future Through Gen Zers’ Eyes
from Scouting for Growth · host Sabine VdL
On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Eveline Ruehlin, a true visionary in the realm of fashion technology and emerging trends. As a champion of advancements in digital health, artificial intelligence, and fashion technology, she brings a unique perspective on how Gen Z is revolutionizing the fashion industry. In today's episode, Eveline will take us on a journey through the eyes of Gen Z, exploring how this tech-savvy generation is reshaping fashion trends with their sustainability-driven preferences and digital-first mindset. We'll delve into the exciting world where AI becomes a fashion statement and discuss how emerging technologies are transforming not just what we wear, but how we interact with fashion itself. KEY TAKEAWAYS AI is immolating the brain. I decided I need to be influential in both neuroscience and fashion. I’ve always been interested in smart textiles; functional textiles were always a big thing in Switzerland. When designing my own clothes with a designer from Project Runway, I saw the beautiful craft of patternmaking – an art that should never be lost. But with e-commerce, I saw the integration of technology, and my university was right at the forefront of teaching this. Especially with AI or quantum computing on the horizon, we will find many cures. AI has influenced, sped up, replaced, and helped so many doctors, especially during the pandemic. Surgeries can be performed online with a doctor in another country; the industry's digitisation is phenomenal. I was trained as a ‘nose’ while studying in Geneva; olfaction is a big deal for me, and I love how it influences your wellbeing. Digital health is picking up on that; perfumeries are working with health experts to support mental health. The senses can change a person’s well-being and attitude. BEST MOMENTS ‘In-bound social media traffic can improve how quickly you can sell and get recognition.’ ‘Brain-computer interfaces, near-eye computer interfaces, moving into spatial computing, all this is coming.’ ‘The best quality is still handmade in my opinion.’ ‘AI is trying to emulate the brain, but I don’t think it ever will because there are new studies coming out every day about consciousness, where memories are stored, etc.’ ABOUT THE GUEST Eveline Ruehlin is a dynamic, multilingual innovator at the forefront of emerging global technology. With a remarkable career as a top influencer and brand ambassador, Eveline champions advancements in digital health, artificial intelligence, fashion technology, and sustainability. Her extensive experience with international organizations equips her to deliver unparalleled value to enterprises navigating the complexities of global trade and diplomacy. Passionate about fostering a sustainable and circular economy, Eveline is a staunch advocate for smart city design and digital twin architecture. As a continuous learner, she delves into cutting-edge fields, including machine learning, blockchain, quantum computing, and cybersecurity, always with an eye on the digital transformation heralded by the 4th and 5th industrial revolutions. A fervent supporter of mentoring the next generation, Eveline is committed to sharing her knowledge, positive mindset, and leadership skills with young professionals entering the tech industry. Her personal interests in skiing, hiking, and outdoor activities mirror her professional ethos of resilience and exploration. Eveline's thought leadership extends to fashion tech, where she explores how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping the industry. She is particularly interested in how Gen Z and Gen Alpha influence fashion trends through their tech-savvy perspectives and sustainability-driven preferences. Eveline’s insights into the integration of AI as fashion statements continue to drive conversations about the intersection of technology and lifestyle. ABOUT THE HOST Sabine VanderLinden is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur and the CEO of Alchemy Crew Ventures. She leads venture-client labs that help Fortune 500 companies adopt and scale cutting-edge technologies from global tech ventures. A builder of accelerators, investor, and co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, Sabine is known for asking the uncomfortable questions—about AI governance, risk, and trust. On Scouting for Growth, she decodes how real growth happens—where capital, collaboration, and courage meet. If this episode sparked your thinking, follow Sabine VanderLinden on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram for more insights. And if you’re interested in sponsoring the podcast, reach out to the team at [email protected]
What this episode covers
Fashion is no longer just about what we wear. It’s about how we think, feel, heal, and connect. In this episode of Scouting for Growth, Sabine VanderLinden sits down with Eveline Ruehlin, a global thought leader at the intersection of fashion technology, digital health, artificial intelligence, and sustainability, to explore how Gen Z is fundamentally reshaping the fashion industry—and why business leaders should pay attention. Through the lens of a generation that is digital-first, values-driven, and sustainability-obsessed, Eveline takes us far beyond runway trends. This conversation explores how fashion is becoming a platform—one that integrates AI, neuroscience, health, and human experience. Eveline’s journey is anything but linear. From smart textiles in Switzerland to designing garments alongside a Project Runway designer, she has witnessed firsthand how craftsmanship and technology must coexist. Patternmaking, she argues, is an art that should never disappear—even as e-commerce, AI, and automation transform how fashion is produced, sold, and experienced. One of the most provocative themes in the episode is the idea that AI is attempting to emulate the human brain—but may never fully succeed. Eveline explains why emerging research into consciousness, memory, and neuroscience matters just as much as machine learning models or quantum computing. For leaders building consumer-facing products, this raises a critical question: just because technology can scale, should it replace the human layer? The conversation also expands into digital health and the senses. Trained in olfaction while studying in Geneva, Eveline highlights how smell, touch, and sensory design directly influence wellbeing. From perfumeries collaborating with mental health experts to AI-enabled health interventions accelerated during the pandemic, we see how technology is moving from transactional to deeply personal. This episode also tackles what Gen Z understands instinctively: Sustainability is non-negotiable Inbound social media can accelerate brand traction faster than traditional marketing Digital interfaces—from spatial computing to brain-computer interfaces—will redefine how we interact with products Handmade quality still matters, even in an AI-driven world For founders, investors, and corporate leaders, this conversation offers practical insight into where consumer expectations are heading—and how ignoring these shifts could leave entire industries behind. 🎧 If you want to understand how technology, culture, and human experience converge—and what Gen Z will demand next—this episode is essential listening. Fashion isn’t just evolving. It’s becoming intelligent, sensory, and deeply human.
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Eveline Ruehlin: Fashioning the Future Through Gen Zers’ Eyes
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