Bad Bunny's decision to wear two outfits by Spanish high street brand Zara during his Super Bowl half-time performance has sparked debate about power shifting in the fashion industry. The Puerto Rican megastar, who is Spotify's most-streamed artist of 2025, opted for bespoke suits from Zara that cost around Β£250 each, rather than opting for more expensive luxury brands.
Professor Andrew Groves, a fashion designer at the University of Westminster, pointed out that Bad Bunny's suit still reads as authority, but the authority comes from his cultural position, not from the luxury brand's stamp of approval. He noted that the suit uses proportional logic similar to the zoot suit worn by young Black and Latino people in the 1930s and 40s, which was a symbol of rebellion against marginalization.
Groves also drew comparisons between Bad Bunny's suit and Francisco Goya's anti-war masterpiece "The Third of May 1808", which depicts a Spanish civilian wearing a billowing white shirt facing a French firing squad. This reference highlights the tension between traditional notions of authority and power, and how cultural references can be used to subvert them.
Bad Bunny's choice of Zara also reflects a shift towards more affordable and accessible fashion, particularly among younger generations who are increasingly multilingual and international. By wearing high street brands, Bad Bunny is paying homage to a pop culture that values inclusivity and accessibility over exclusivity and luxury.
The performance has been seen as a statement about power-shifting in the fashion industry, where high-end luxury brands are being challenged by more affordable and accessible alternatives. As Groves noted, this shift towards inclusivity and accessibility reflects a broader cultural shift towards greater diversity and representation in popular culture.
Professor Andrew Groves, a fashion designer at the University of Westminster, pointed out that Bad Bunny's suit still reads as authority, but the authority comes from his cultural position, not from the luxury brand's stamp of approval. He noted that the suit uses proportional logic similar to the zoot suit worn by young Black and Latino people in the 1930s and 40s, which was a symbol of rebellion against marginalization.
Groves also drew comparisons between Bad Bunny's suit and Francisco Goya's anti-war masterpiece "The Third of May 1808", which depicts a Spanish civilian wearing a billowing white shirt facing a French firing squad. This reference highlights the tension between traditional notions of authority and power, and how cultural references can be used to subvert them.
Bad Bunny's choice of Zara also reflects a shift towards more affordable and accessible fashion, particularly among younger generations who are increasingly multilingual and international. By wearing high street brands, Bad Bunny is paying homage to a pop culture that values inclusivity and accessibility over exclusivity and luxury.
The performance has been seen as a statement about power-shifting in the fashion industry, where high-end luxury brands are being challenged by more affordable and accessible alternatives. As Groves noted, this shift towards inclusivity and accessibility reflects a broader cultural shift towards greater diversity and representation in popular culture.