Emily Blunt made a striking appearance on the red carpet at the Paris movie premiere of "The Fall Guy," a film in which she stars. Her ensemble was a testament to creativity and whimsy. Wearing a shirt and billowing trousers from Loewe's Fall-Winter 2024 collection, Blunt caught everyone's attention with an unconventional choice of design. The clothing was adorned with an assortment of vegetables, including turnips, radishes, and potatoes.
Not only did the outfit reveal Blunt's impeccable sense of style, but it also added an element of playfulness. Her look embodied a sense of health and vitality, making her stand out as a true fashion icon.
While radishes rarely make an appearance on the red carpet, fashion has embraced the incorporation of natural elements into its designs. In 2022, Ganni, a Danish brand, launched a unique "pop-up grow market" to celebrate their eco-friendly denim collaboration with Levi's. This interactive shopping experience allowed customers to explore fresh beetroot while admiring a stunning mineral-dyed maxi dress in a matching hue.
During the Spring-Summer 2020 season, Collina Strada, a New York-based label, not only showcased trousers adorned with tomato prints but also created a captivating farmer's market stall for their NYFW runway show. Attendees had the opportunity to take home donated produce after the event, amplifying the connection between fashion and nature.
Taking inspiration from Emily Blunt's potato-adorned ensemble, Loewe's creative director, Jonathan Anderson, took it a step further. In March, Loewe unveiled a collection that featured a hand-beaded purse shaped like a bunch of asparagus, adding an unexpected and whimsical touch to their designs.
Is this merely a passing fad, referred to as "greengrocer girl autumn" by the Guardian's fashion editor Jess Cartner-Morley in her article from last October? Or does the current popularity of artichoke-printed clothing signify a deeper and more enduring fashion tradition? Furthermore, should we consider the viewpoint of a food academic on TikTok who proposes that these turnips may be comparable to tea leaves, conveying insights about the future of climate change and global food security?
While the prevalence of food-inspired fashion may seem like a recent phenomenon, the truth is that edible patterns have been around for quite some time. As early as 1953, designer Hubert de Givenchy showcased his culinary-meets-couture vision by creating a dress adorned with sliced tomatoes on "salt white" fabric. Fast forward forty years, and Cynthia Rowley made a statement with a mini-dress featuring a printed cornfield. In 2004, Phoebe Philo embraced a fruity theme in her Spring-Summer collection at Céline, adorning dresses and leotards with bananas. Dolce & Gabbana has also long sought inspiration from the fresh produce section. In 2011, during Milan Fashion Week, the Italian house introduced bustiers, maxi skirts, and tailored jackets embellished with eggplants, onions, and peppers. Clearly, the fusion of fashion and food has deep roots in the industry's history.