Food, But Make It Fashion

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Happy Wednesday, Future Party. Did you know that today is the second-most American holiday? For those who don’t have a screaming bald eagle on their pin-up calendar, May 28th is National Hamburger Day. We Americans eat 50 billion hamburgers each year, which… honestly… feels like an undercount. But like many of America’s favorite dishes, the origin of the hamburger started across the Atlantic — in the very aptly named Hamburg, Germany.

At least we can take responsibility for French fries… oh, wait.

Fashion brands are increasingly featuring food in their ad campaigns as a way to tap into a surging trend in eating experiences and a shifting perspective on food as a luxury.

Why It’s Delicious: Fashion advertising is always centered around the “it” happening of a generation. In the 90s, it was nice homes. In the aughts, it was nightlife. In today’s economy, where eggs cost an arm and a leg and scoring a hot restaurant reservation is cutthroat, food-centric experiences are about the coolest thing out there.

Between the Snacks: Michael Scanlon, chief creative officer of creative agency Chandelier, told The Business of Fashion that “food has become a status symbol.”

Last Bite: The lines between fashion and food have blended in recent years. Luxury brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Ralph Lauren have opened high-end restaurants and cocktail bars. Meanwhile, trendy restaurants have released reservation spots and limited-edition menu items, including streetwear drops, turning hunger into hype. Miles Canares, founder of streetwear and fashion festival Family Style, even said he started the event after noticing the same people in line for Supreme and LA hot-chicken shop Howlin’ Ray’s — a tasty Venn diagram.

Prediction: We wouldn’t be surprised if celebrity chefs soon get tapped to design capsule collections to deepen the relationship between food and fashion.

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The FTC’s rule banning unfair and deceptive fees went into effect this month for live-event and short-term rental companies, which has forced companies to show all-in pricing on their sites.

Why It Hits: Hidden fees, junk fees — whatever you want to call them — have been taking advantage of consumers for years, pressuring them to make quick decisions based on misleading prices. What looks like a fair deal at first often turns out to be much more expensive at checkout. Giving people the full, upfront cost from the start could disrupt how ecommerce works across industries.

Behind the Prices: The Biden administration, which kicked off the FTC’s rule, estimated in 2023 that Americans were losing $1 billion per year due to hidden fees.

Checkout: There’s a sneaky psychology at play when it comes to hidden fees. People instinctively react to the first price they see, and when confronted with the higher total at checkout, they have already subconsciously committed to the purchase and feel a “sunk cost” if they abandon it, per Insider.

In fact, between 2014 and 2015, StubHub tested an all-in pricing strategy, hoping that consumers would reward them for their transparency. The opposite was the case — there was a 28% decline in revenue. StubHub quickly reversed course after that.

Prediction: As all-in pricing creates the perception that tickets and rentals are more expensive, smaller bands or rentals off the beaten path could see a surge in popularity as people try to make more budget-conscious decisions.

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80.6% of you voted Yes in yesterday’s poll: Do you ever shop at the dollar store?

“When I was young and broke, it helped keep the pantry stocked and was a go-to for party supplies like mylar balloons, decorations, snacks and mixers, napkins, and even bubbles.”

“The dollar store allows me to buy many things that are outrageously priced in regular retail. However, there’s no such thing as a dollar store any longer. Here in California, prices start at $1.25, except for some items you can get 3 for $1.”

“Growing up, the family always loved going into the $0.99 store to poke around. They’re everywhere in Brooklyn. I love going in to see what kind of knick knacks I might need.”

“My grandparents used to take me to buy toys when I was little. I can’t remember the last time I set foot in one, though.”

Let’s keep the conversation going. Join our Poll Of The Day newsletter, so your opinions can shine. Discover how your views line up with your peers’, check out cool insights, and have some fun. It’s data with personality.

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