Since 1926, Purina Dog Chow brand dog food has been a staple for millions of dog-loving families, and the brand’s role in pop culture, advertising, and art has made it a household name and symbol of Americana. Now, the brand is in the spotlight of New York Fashion Week as designer Jason Wu has highlighted Dog Chow in his Spring 2026 collection
Inspired by Robert Rauschenberg’s fabric works of the 1970s, including Groundings (Hoarfrost) from 1975 which famously featured the Dog Chow packaging, Wu’s collection includes three original ensembles that incorporate the Purina Dog Chow motif. The “Collage” collection pays tribute to the late artist in his centennial year – and spotlights Dog Chow as an icon of pop culture ahead of its own 100-year milestone in 2026.
A cultural convergence of art and design
Wu, a longtime admirer of Robert Rauschenberg, drew inspiration from the artist’s transformative use of everyday materials, including pet food packaging. In Groundings (Hoarfrost) from 1975, Wu was struck by how Rauschenberg elevated familiar imagery into poetic expressions through the use of solvent transfer and collage on fabric. “I was captivated by the bold Americana aesthetic,” said Wu, “especially the iconic checkerboard pattern featured on the Purina Dog Chow bag collaged within the work.”
The collaboration also reflects Wu’s personal connection as both a designer and pet owner. “As someone who deeply loves animals, I recognized that same appreciation in Rauschenberg’s life and work as well. This connection felt both meaningful and serendipitous, providing the perfect opportunity to weave Purina Dog Chow’s 100-year heritage and visual identity into our collection in an authentic and artistic way,” said Wu.
Honoring a century of pets and culture
Since its founding in 1926, Dog Chow has helped transform the way Americans view dogs – from working animals, to members of the family. The brand’s presence in culture made it a symbol of care, loyalty, and domestic life – and an inspiration for both Rauschenberg and Wu, underscoring the brand’s century-long influence on American culture and its continued relevance in shaping how we care and connect with our pets.
“Dog Chow’s evolution mirrors the broader cultural shift in pet ownership,” said Susan Anderson-Bauer, Purina archivist. “Rauschenberg’s inclusion of the Purina checkerboard and Purina Dog Chow packaging in his work was a recognition of the brand’s role in society. Jason Wu’s reinterpretation invites a new generation to see Dog Chow through a fresh lens – not just as a dog food brand that’s been around for 100 years, but as a symbol of how deeply pets are woven into the American experience.”
The rauschenberg connection
Robert Rauschenberg was a pioneering American artist known for transforming everyday materials into evocative works of art. In the mid-1970s, he incorporated Purina Dog Chow packaging into his Hoarfrost series, and later the Chow Bags series of screenprints that blended collage, photography, and the iconic Purina checkerboard design. A lifelong animal lover whose pets often accompanied him in the studio, Rauschenberg’s affection for dogs and fascination with patterns echoed throughout his career, rendering his work both deeply personal and visually resonant.
To view the Jason Wu Collection, Spring 2026, go to @jasonwu on Instagram. To learn more about Rauschenberg, visit rauschenbergfoundation.org or @rauschenbergfoundation on Instagram. For more information on Purina Dog Chow, visit www.DogChow.com.
Source: Purina Dog Chow
