thoughts: Food Network X Barney's holiday windows

Barney's has partnered with the Food Network/Cooking Channel and Illy for it's theme for this year's holiday campaign. The slogan of the season is "Have a Foodie Holiday," reported Women's Wear Daily.

In all honesty, as a part of both the food and fashion industries, it's hard to be objective. On one hand, you have a iconic creative director embracing food as an important cultural influence. It's like having the size zero model discussion without really saying "it's OK to enjoy eating".

“We feel like something extraordinary has happened in our culture,” said Simon Doonan, Creative Director. “The foodie icons are stealing the limelight from the regular red-carpet celebs. At Barneys our customers are not really interested in what Kim Kardashian is up to or when Lindsay [Lohan] is getting out of jail. They are much more interested in Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain and Anne Burrell. Food is just as much a part of their landscape as fashion.”

Then there's The Food Network.

There was a time when many of us had high hopes for the network and were engaged in the programming. Let it be known that I have always had a soft spot for Alton Brown's show.

But let's face facts Barney's: Anthony Bourdain (A Cook's Tour) left years ago for the Travel Channel (No Reservations) and Mario Batali has not been seen at the Food Network since around 2004 (even taking a new concept Spain... on the road Again to PBS). Anne Burrell is the only interesting (or edgy) host to join the network in some time.

Furthermore, the motives are confusing. Isn't promoting a show like Sandra Lee's Semi-homemade at Barney's is like saying it's OK for Katie Holmes to hack off that beautiful F/W 2010 Louis Vuitton dress?

What do you think? Is the Food Network relevant?