In China if you happen to spot a person with what appears to be a plant sprouting out of their hair, don't worry. No one's pushed the envelope on self-sustenance to the point of growing food on your own head. It's just a fashion trend.

Maybe not "just". What started as plastic bean sprout clips now consists of a whole range of plant and vegetable saplings, fruits, flowers and mushrooms, protruding upwards from the head like an antenna. Much like Japan's Kawaii, these clips are sported for, well, cuteness.

The accessory is not exclusive to women. Men and children are also walkng around unselfconsciously with them. As with most fashion trends, it gained popularity when Chinese celebrities began wearing these in public.

Some people believe the origins may be in ancient Chinese culture, when people used this accessory to signal that they wanted to sell themselves. That is certainly not the message now.

The trend is said to have started in Chengdu, a city in southwest China, from where it spread all over the country. Now about a month old, it has expanded to include fried eggs, sushi, chicken wings, and steak. The Indian expression "eating someone's head" could have a whole new meaning here.