Take a moment to glance around your kitchen pantry. What do you see? Perhaps boxes of pasta stacked neatly, tins of sardines, or a jar of olives. Maybe there's some fresh fruit hidden away, a bottle of olive oil, or a bag of rice. These everyday items are staples in many households, but they are increasingly finding their way into our closets and living rooms. In a surprising twist, food motifs are now popping up in fashion and home decor, even in the luxury sectors, and they come with a hefty price tag.

Consider the corn-on-the-cob stool made famous by influencer Emma Chamberlain, priced at a staggering $245. Or the T-shirt stamped with tins of sardines, available at the renowned Lisa Says Gah boutique for $78. How about lamps crafted from real croissants ($88), a purse that mirrors a Barilla pasta box ($1,500 resale), or a faux-diner experience where a stuffed waffle costs $40 (and is now out of stock online)? These are just a few examples of the growing trend of food-centric design.

The Luxury of Food Imagery

Food is no longer just something we eat; it has become a status symbol in the world of fashion and design. This trend of incorporating food motifs into clothing and decor has been percolating for a few years, but it is now flourishing as everyday foods like eggs and produce become increasingly inaccessible to many. In the midst of an escalating tariff war, food iconography has become a way to signal luxury and status.

The incorporation of food imagery in design is not new. Historically, artists like Antoine Vollon depicted familiar ingredients in their works, such as his 19th-century still life "Mound of Butter." Salvador Dalí used lobsters as a motif for sex and pleasure, inspiring Elsa Schiaparelli's 1937 evening gown with a giant lobster printed across the front. The Pop art movement also frequently featured food motifs, exemplified by Andy Warhol's 1962 Campbell's Soup can artwork, which drew on everyday mass culture and consumerism for inspiration.

The Influence of Millennials and Gen Z

The current wave of food-centric design is driven in part by Millennials and Gen Z, who have embraced the concept of the "premium pantry." Andrea Hernández, founder of the food and beverage trend newsletter Snaxshot, explains that Millennials were the first to seek out higher-end versions of everyday items, such as luxury olive oil in a squeeze bottle or gourmet hot sauce. These premium versions often claim to be better in terms of ingredients, health benefits, or aesthetics, but they come with a higher price tag.

This trend is evident in products like Cloud23, Brooklyn Beckham's hot sauce label, which costs $34.99 for a pack of two. Other examples include Brightland olive oil ($37 per bottle), Fishwife tinned sardines ($32 for 3), and Fly By Jing chili oil ($15). These items are often more expensive than their supermarket equivalents but are marketed as trendy and desirable.

Hernández notes that Millennials and Gen Z are willing to spend more money on grocery items they deem "better" than budget options. This trend extends beyond the pantry to places like Erewhon Market in Los Angeles, known for its celebrity smoothie collaborations, such as Hailey Bieber's $20 strawberry smoothie. Even Walmart has launched a new private label called bettergoods, aimed at appealing to a younger, trendier demographic.

Food in Advertising and Luxury Design

As the hype around everyday grocery items grows, food has also made its way into advertising and luxury designs. Elizabeth Goodspeed, a graphic designer and writer, explains that food is an affordable prop for brand photoshoots, cheaper than flowers or other products that may bear another brand's imagery. Brands like French fashion label Jacquemus and New York-based La Ligne have used food in their campaigns, featuring items like butter and baguettes.

However, there is also a class signaling aspect to this trend. The same person who might spend money on picturesque apples from the farmers market might also have the disposable income to spend $2,000 on a luxury bag. This trend has moved from magazine advertisements to real-life luxury goods, such as the corn-on-the-cob stool, the pasta box purse, and the Kate Spade Heinz Ketchup purse.

The Social Significance of Food Imagery

Jess Rauchberg, who studies digital culture at Seton Hall University, notes that beyond the cuteness of these food-inspired products, there is a deeper social significance. The cost and accessibility of everyday items like eggs and produce are becoming more challenging for many consumers. By wearing or purchasing items with food motifs, individuals are signaling their ability to afford these products and their disposable income.

This trend is not entirely new. In the 2010s, we saw cupcakes on dresses and bacon on everything, which represented a gendered Americana energy. Today, the focus has shifted to more sustainable and accessible foods like pickles, olives, tinned fish, preserved lemons, heirloom tomatoes, and butter. Designers like Rachel Antonoff have swapped tropical fruit prints for rainbow chard on knits and blue coffee cups on puffer jackets.

Food as a Status Symbol

The rise of food imagery in fashion and design reflects a broader trend where food has become a way to signify wealth and luxury. What we eat and how we present it has become a public display, thanks to social media. Pantry videos and fridge landscapes are now common, allowing people to compare their culinary choices and organizational skills with others.

Goodspeed notes that food, especially seemingly modest ingredients, has become another way to signal luxury. By wearing food as an accessory or incorporating it into design, individuals are signaling their ability to afford and appreciate these products. This trend extends even to foods that are not usually expensive, like corn or tomatoes. These humble ingredients become luxury emblems, signaling that the consumer does not have to worry about basic life requirements.

The Impact of Rising Food Prices

The current trend of food imagery in luxury goods is particularly significant in the context of rising food prices. With proposed tariffs on seafood, fresh fruits, and vegetables, these staples are becoming more inaccessible to many consumers. However, for those with disposable income, food imagery in fashion and design becomes a way to assert their status.

Rauchberg explains that wearing a T-shirt with tinned fish or a dress with a food motif is a way to signal participation in a consumer environment where these items are still accessible. As food prices rise, the ability to afford and display these items becomes a status symbol. For those who can afford it, a designer bag inspired by Hellmann's mayonnaise might be a worthwhile purchase, even if it costs $2,300.

The trend of incorporating food motifs into fashion and design reflects a broader shift in how we perceive and value everyday items. What was once a private experience—grocery shopping, cooking, and dining—has become a public display, thanks to social media. Food imagery in luxury goods is not just a cute trend; it is a way to signal wealth, luxury, and status.

As food prices rise and staples become more inaccessible, the display of food imagery in fashion and design becomes even more significant. For those who can afford it, these items are a way to assert their status and participation in a consumer culture where basic necessities are no longer guaranteed.

This trend is a reflection of our times, where even the most humble ingredients can become symbols of luxury. Whether it's a T-shirt with tinned fish or a stool resembling corn on the cob, food imagery in fashion and design is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future.