She Ate: When Food Becomes Fashion
Hey Babes!
Welcome back to the blog! I hope you’re doing amazing. If there are two things I’m passionate about, it’s food and fashion. Both are incredible creative outlets—but lately, I’ve noticed they’re being blended in ways that go beyond mere inspiration. From designer bags shaped like takeout boxes to luxury makeup campaigns centered around pastries, food is becoming more than just something we eat—it’s turning into a fashion statement.
As innovative (and sometimes bizarre) as this trend may seem, it raises an interesting question: Is food in fashion just another aesthetic choice, or is it a deeper reflection of wealth, exclusivity, and status?
A Quick Disclaimer
Before we dive in, I want to clarify that this isn’t about shaming any business, brand, or individual. There’s nothing wrong with creativity and innovation. However, when trends quietly reinforce elitism or social divides, it’s worth examining the larger implications. Much like the PrettyLittleThing rebrand, my critique isn’t about the artist or the consumer—it’s about the industry and the systems at play. There’s nothing inherently wrong with shopping at Erewhon, just like any other store, but it’s worth asking: why does an air of exclusivity exist around it?
Now, without further ado, let’s get into it.
1. The Subtlety of Wealth: Food as a Luxury Status Symbol
There was a time when owning a Birkin was only possible if you had a direct line to Jean-Louis Dumas himself. Gaining entry into an exclusive country club required the right connections, and foreign luxury cars were once a rare sight. Today, however, traditional markers of wealth—designer bags, high-end cars, and luxury brands—have become more accessible to people outside the ultra-wealthy elite. Almost anyone can save up for a Louis Vuitton bag, but true exclusivity has shifted to something more subtle: the ability to afford organic, locally sourced food, wellness products, and high-end grocery stores that cater to an elite clientele.
The new status symbols aren’t just about what you wear—they’re about what you consume. It’s no longer just about owning luxury goods, but about having the privilege to make certain lifestyle choices. Can you afford to stop by Erewhon daily for a $60 lunch? How about farm-to-table dining or imported mineral water? This shift has made food more than just sustenance; it’s a quiet yet powerful indicator of class, wealth, and social standing. And as brands catch on, they’ve begun weaving food into their aesthetics, using it as a marketing tool to further emphasize exclusivity.
2. The Fashion Industry’s Use of Food as a Motif
Luxury has always thrived on exclusivity, but now, food is being woven into that narrative in unexpected ways. High-end brands aren’t just featuring food in their marketing—they’re incorporating it into their designs. Loewe has turned produce into wearable art. YSL released a takeout box bag. Louis Vuitton has even created a purse that mimics a brown paper bag.
I’ll be honest—I appreciate the creativity. If this were purely an artistic choice, I’d be praising it. But within the broader context of luxury’s evolving exclusivity, it feels like something deeper: the commodification of food as a status symbol.
At the same time, celebrities and influencers are reinforcing this shift, casually posing with food in ways that feel more aesthetic than appetizing. Khloé Kardashian recently celebrated her birthday with a cake stacked on top of dozens of boxes of Dolly Parton cake mix (cute, but girl, be for real). Hailey Bieber’s Rhode campaigns often feature milk, bread, pastries, and berries, all styled to look effortlessly chic. These images are carefully curated, blurring the lines between indulgence and exclusivity. The message is clear—certain foods, when presented the right way, signal taste, affluence, and effortless luxury.
3. The High-Low Irony: Fast Food in Luxury Fashion
Ironically, while food is being positioned as a luxury, high fashion also borrows heavily from the aesthetics of everyday, working-class consumption. The shift from marketing elaborate foods (caviar, wine, macarons) to basic staples (bread, butter, and fast food) is fascinating. It’s a stark contrast—elevating the mundane to high fashion—while simultaneously exposing the strange divide between perception and reality.
In the real world, these foods aren’t considered luxurious. Bread and butter? A classic staple. Fast food? Convenient and affordable. Yet, when repackaged by a designer brand, they become desirable. The irony is clear: the very foods that are dismissed in everyday life are glorified when placed in a luxury context, turning accessibility itself into an aesthetic. In other words, something isn’t “in” until high fashion says so. If you don’t believe me, just look at Balenciaga, J.Crew, and Moschino.
4. The Future of Food as Fashion
As food continues to be used as both a fashion statement and a status symbol, it raises the question: is this just another fleeting trend, or is it a sign of a deeper shift in how we define luxury? Traditional wealth markers like designer handbags and expensive cars are still prominent, but now, the ultimate flex seems to be the ability to consume in ways that signal taste, privilege, and exclusivity—whether through a $30 artisanal ice block or a leather clutch shaped like a fast-food wrapper.
As brands and influencers continue to blur the lines between consumption and identity, one thing is certain: in today’s world, food is no longer just about sustenance—it’s about image, aspiration, and power.
Final Thoughts
That’s all I have for you today! I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Once again, I want to reiterate that this isn’t about shaming brands or creators. The real distinction between artistic liberty and subtle political statements lies in intention.
So, what do you think? Is food in fashion just another creative trend, or does it reflect something deeper? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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