Mercer (formerly CALA)

Mercer, previously operating as CALA, is a vertically integrated AI platform designed to collapse the traditional complexities of the fashion industry. By 2026, it has solidified its position as the 'Physical-Digital Bridge,' combining generative design engines—specifically fine-tuned versions of DALL-E and proprietary diffusion models—with a global manufacturing network. Its technical architecture integrates Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and real-time logistics into a single browser-based interface. The platform's 2026 market strategy focuses on 'Creator Commerce,' enabling individual designers and large-scale enterprises to move from a text-based design prompt to a physical sample in as little as two weeks. Mercer’s AI doesn’t just generate imagery; it translates visual concepts into production-ready technical packs, suggesting materials, stitch patterns, and factory routing based on real-time global capacity and cost data. This end-to-end automation reduces the overhead traditionally associated with garment production by up to 60%, making it the dominant operating system for modern apparel brands looking to implement agile, data-driven manufacturing.