Fashion food is the marriage of two art forms that equally engage the senses. Although an unexpected pairing, these two have often intertwined throughout history. Creating a fascinating interplay between taste and sartorial elegance.
Today innovative designers are breaking boundaries by making fashion food, creating edible masterpieces that leave both the eyes and taste buds mesmerised.
Rewind to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards when Lady Gaga arrived wearing a dress made from meat. In the realm of fashion, there are few garments that have been as provocative, polarising, and conversation-stirring.
The garment created a media frenzy and left people questioning what the boundaries of fashion are. Beyond its shock value, Lady Gaga’s meat dress transcends its controversial nature and holds a profound cultural significance, intertwining art, food, fashion, and society.
Gaga is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of societal norms with her artistry, and some may have not thought twice about her meat dress being yet just another avant-garde statement.
However, it is so much more.
The dress, made entirely from layers of raw meat served as a powerful symbol of the objectification of women in the entertainment industry. Using meat as her message, Gaga conveyed how she felt female artists are dehumanised and objectified in the music industry.
Beyond the realm of feminism, the meat dress, naturally, ignited debates about animal rights. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) condemned the use of animal flesh as a fashion statement and discussions arose around whether animal produced should be used for artistic purposes.
Whatever your stance, it is undeniable that the meat dress left a mark on the fashion world. Becoming an icon of its own. It opened up new possibilities and challenged the notion of what constitutes as being “wearable art”. Inspiring artists and designers to explore concepts of incorporating food into their work.
Designers who bring fashion food to the runway:
Viktor & Rolf
Dutch design duo Viktor & Rolf are renowned for their conceptual approach to fashion. In their 2010 Spring/Summer collection, they introduced a line of garments featuring voluminous bows and ruffles made entirely from layers of sweet wrappers.
Jeremy Scott
In his collaboration with Mcdonald’s in 2014, the American designer and creative designer of Moschino, Jeremy Scott unveiled a collection that paid homage to the iconic fast-food chain. From french fry handbags to hamburger-inspired dresses, Scotts collection celebrated pop culture with a fast-food aesthetic.
Anya Caliendo
Anya Caliendo, a Russian-born milliner, has gained recognition for her extraordinary hat designs. In her collection titled “Fashion and Food: The Art of Millinery”, she merged the worlds of food and fashion by creating headpieces inspired by culinary delights. From an intricate headpiece shaped like a sushi platter to a towering cake-inspired hat. Caliendo’s collection animated gastronomy to new heights.
Dolce & Gabbana
Italian fashion powerhouse Dolce & Gabbana has frequently embraced food motifs in their collections. Their Spring/ Summer 2012 collection featured vibrant prints of fruits, vegetables, and pasta-inspired accessories. The creations reflected the rich culinary heritage of Italy and exude a playful and mouth-watering charm.
Alexander McQueen’s “La Poupee”
Renowned for his theatrical designs, the late British designer Alexander McQueen once presented a collection titled “La Poupee”. In this show, he featured a dress made entirely of razor clams, with an intricately constructed bodice and a flowing skirt composed of delicate shells.