The fashion of food

By Nicola DeGregorio

2 / 9 / 2024

Gabriette took the fashion world by storm, coupling a healthified yet decadent culinary prowess with an edgy y2k aesthetic that sent both foodies and fashion girls alike into a spiral.  Sydney Carlson seemed to shift her content (and her brow shape) to mirror that of Gabriette’s, now balancing the ideal body with luxurious food related content.  However, while the two are currently dominating the influencer realm, this isn’t anything new. Whether it be the controversial pizza Bella Hadid did (or didn’t) eat, the Chanel FW 2014/15 ready-to-wear collection shown in a faux-supermarket, or the iconic diet-coke based diet of the brand’s fatphobic former Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld, food and fashion have a history occupying overlapping spheres. In the spirit of this renewal, let’s take a look at some other creators channeling their aesthetics into culinary creations.

@Yungkombucha420 is the instagram of  brooklyn based baker Aimee France, who rose to fame after baking and decorating Chloe Sevigny’s wedding cake.  If you are unaware, Sevigny is a long beloved fashion it-girl, muse and actress formerly hailed as “the coolest coolest girl in the world.” To this day she remains relevant and established among the elites in New York’s creative community.  France’s cakes are frosted with whimsical embellishments, sans piping tips and are often adorned with preserved wildflowers from her home state of New Hampshire or other seasonally available foliage.  The social media display of her culinary prowess extends beyond impressing the fashion community; an October 2023 post of her wedding cakes was praised by none other than Martha Stewart herself. Her unique flavor pairings – such as caramelized date cognac butter creams and yuzu olive oil cakes – are a result of none other than a love of baking, as her mastery in the kitchen is not a product of a formal culinary education.  

@Paris.Starn turned to baking during the pandemic as she moved on from channeling her creativity into her role as creative director of her brand Paris 99.  While the account mainly focuses on the highly stylized creations that mimic the decadence one would imagine graced the tables of the famously saccharine Marie Antoinette, her content too features snippets of her incredible sense of style.  From glimpses of silk bows, hot pink pointed toe heels, pastel mini skirt, and checked matching sets, one can only imagine the girlish whimsy of her cakes and cookies extends into her personal dress.

Not entirely focused on baking, Starn posts editorialized versions of pastas, tarts and even salads, charming viewers with innovative ways to decorate and honor the beauty of seasonally occurring ingredients.  There is no one else who could make the simple eggs in toast appear so appealing; this, I think, is key to her appeal, she balances both modern and retro aesthetics to elevate even the simplest of fares.  With a masters in Art History, Starn manipulates the natural beauty of local produce into a well designed gastronomical feat.

This past year she created a birthday cake for fashion risk taker and Spanish pop-star, Rosalia.  Like France, Starn’s creations are noticed and cherished as artistic feats that happen to be just as delicious.

Finally, @RomillyNewman was the youngest contestant to ever compete on Food Network’s Chopped, and just recently was named Gen-Z’s Martha Stewart by Town and Country.  Her Instagram features photos of fabulous table scapes, sponsorships by brands such as Larroudé, and appearances alongside Stewart herself.  She compliments an indulgent party girl aesthetic, with an equally decadent round up of eats.  Recently, she served as the cover star for the Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Westchester holiday issues of Edible Magazine.  The covers showcase Newman in glitzy dresses, fuschia Manolos, and a serious display of diamonds hosting a dimly lit dinner party of caviar, bellinis, champagne, and an assortment of roasts.  Moreover, her Brooklyn Heights apartment was featured in an Architectural Digest article, and one can only imagine the glamorous nights spent at her vintage dining table.

Thinking of the way the heroin chic aesthetic lingers in fashion culture, it’s hard to imagine the fashion world’s budding appreciation and incorporation of culinary decadence.  However, with such iconic it-girls championing these equally stylish edible artists, it only makes sense to have food look as good as it tastes.  After all, you are what you eat.