Makalot bets on real-time AI to solve fashion’s speed, cost, and waste problem, debuting its new StyTrix platform at CES 2026 as an end-to-end engine built “by designers, for designers.” By fusing more than three decades of manufacturing expertise with startup-grade AI, the company is positioning itself as a tech-first partner for global apparel brands.
From factory powerhouse to AI fashion player
Founded in 1990 in TAIWAN, Makalot has grown into a world-leading apparel manufacturer with more than 33,000 employees worldwide. It serves major retailers in the US, Europe, and Asia through OEM/ODM services. The company has steadily moved beyond pure manufacturing into smart textiles. It has also focused on AI-powered fashion innovation, underpinned by advanced ERP systems and integrated design capabilities.
Through its digital subsidiary Portal:M, Makalot is now investing in specialized tech partners like startup Meta Intelligence. This investment aims to accelerate this shift. The launch of StyTrix marks a strategic moment where traditional garment know-how is deliberately translated into software. This software can serve designers, brands, and e-commerce players in real time.
Inside StyTrix: AI for the full fashion lifecycle
StyTrix is described as the industry’s first end-to-end, real-time AI platform. It is built to support the entire fashion development lifecycle, from design ideation through to production alignment. Unlike generic design tools, it is rooted in Makalot’s deep understanding of garment construction, fabric behavior, pattern-making, and supply chain workflows. This enables AI outputs that are actually manufacturable at scale.
Vanessa Chou, Director of Strategic Planning at Makalot, said, “Makalot is channeling over three decades of garment design and manufacturing expertise to power StyTrix — the proprietary AI design engine made by designers, for designers, ” targeting everyone from product teams to consumer-facing platforms. She added that the platform aims to speed up production and marketing while cutting costs. It also supports sustainability. Moreover, it enables the virtual experiences that younger shoppers increasingly expect from fashion.
Tackling fashion’s waste and speed crisis
The press release points to long-standing pain points in fashion development. These include slow, linear workflows and difficulty visualizing ideas. Heavy reliance on time-consuming, expensive physical samples is another issue. In some cases, up to 80% of development effort is ultimately wasted before a style even hits production. This locks brands into high costs and missed trends.
StyTrix is positioned as a direct response. Projections show it can deliver up to 80% higher productivity and 90% lower costs. This is achieved in parts of the development process by compressing timelines and automating repetitive tasks. To address the 92 million tons of textile waste generated annually worldwide, StyTrix aims to cut physical samples by up to 70%. Instead, it relies on high-fidelity virtual prototypes to make decisions earlier.
Why this matters for brands and e-commerce
For global fashion brands and retailers, the promise of StyTrix is the ability to move from inspiration to production with far fewer iterations. It uses AI to visualize and validate concepts in real time. That could translate into shorter time-to-market and more relevant assortments. It also offers the flexibility to test digital styles with consumers before committing to fabric and factory capacity.
E-commerce players stand to benefit as well, with StyTrix built to support virtual fashion experiences that younger consumers increasingly prioritize. This includes digital try-ons and immersive product storytelling. Because the platform is grounded in real manufacturing constraints, virtual looks created within StyTrix are designed to be production-ready. This reduces the gap between online experimentation and physical delivery.
CES 2026 showcase and what’s next
Makalot, Portal:M and Meta Intelligence will showcase StyTrix at CES 2026 in LAS VEGAS at the Taiwan Tech Arena Pavilion in Eureka Park, Hall G, Booth #62201 from January 6–9, 2026. The team is inviting fashion and retail leaders who want to understand AI-driven design, speed, sustainability, and cost reduction to see the platform in action on the show floor. As the apparel industry looks for ways to cut waste while protecting margins, Makalot’s move signals how manufacturers are stepping into the role of AI partners, not just production vendors. If StyTrix delivers on its efficiency and waste-reduction projections, it could become a model for how legacy factories evolve into real-time digital engines for the next era of fashion.
