The Best Finds of The Lunar New Year
Fashion

Linger in The Lunar New Year Spirit With These Great Finds

Photographed by Amie Milne for the September 2023 Issue of Vogue Philippines

Nothing ranks higher in importance amongst Chinese holidays and celebrations than the Spring Festival to kick start the Year of the Snake.

Lunar New Year, often called the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is believed to have originated in the legend of Nian. It’s a story about a ferocious beast, that would come out of its home in the mountains, attack nearby villages, and devour the flesh of children on New Year’s Day.

Fortunately, the village citizens discovered from an old man Nian’s weaknesses, fearing bright lights, loud noises, and the color red. While regarded as an ancient myth, with no written evidence of the story before the 20th century, the holiday as we know it today puts emphasis on the warding off Nian and evil spirits; using fireworks, lighting lanterns, hanging banners, and of course wearing red.

Considered a lucky color, it is synonymous with strength, prosperity, and said to chase away the bad juju for the rest of the year. If red isn’t your color, then go for gold to symbolize wealth. Avoid black or white, associated with mourning or death, and a big taboo is wearing damaged clothing.  

Any new garments should be bought and worn during this period, and there’s no better time to commemorate the Year of the Wood Snake by shedding your old skin and wearing something fresh.

Below, we have assembled Lunar New Year inspired pieces that caught our eyes to buy to start your year in style.

The Lucky Red Envelope Essentials

HERMÈS

If you want to retain the luck and prosperity of the good fortune you’ve received from loved ones, exchange your red envelopes for a scarlet colored card holder from Hermès.

GUCCI

From interlocking snake motifs to auspicious lacquer red, Sabato De Sarno’s Year of the Snake collection for Gucci has a wide range of items catering to every member of the family. Like a classic saddle crossbody bag to take on your travels, or encourage prosperity with a token charm bracelet.

TTSWTRS

Red for luck and gold for prosperity are heavily featured in the Opéra collection by Ukrainian brand TTSWTRS. Established by Anna Osmekhina, each collection celebrates tattoo culture through blurring the lines between fabric and skin. These ornate garments will carry you through the dinners, events, and parties across the rest of the year.

GONGDID DESIGN

The Thai-born brand Gongdid Design has created a signature stress-free pleating technique, like the innovations of Fortuny or Issey Miyake. Relax and renew on your beach and city vacations with dresses, tops, skirts, and trousers in a tone of strength and resilience.

The Lucky Charms

TIFFANY & CO

In collaboration with Oscar Wang, Tiffany & Co has commissioned the Chelsea College of Art graduate to create a ceramic motif. Produced in ‘Blanc de Chine’ porcelain from Dehua, Fujian; the ceramic decorative case, and jewelry holder pays homage to the brand’s Open-Heart design, fused with infinite loops of figure of 8.

Lunar New Year Shopping Ideas
Tiffany & Co x Oscar Wang

DIOR

Limited to only 38 pieces across the world, Dior has created a watch inspired by the Year of the Snake. Titled ‘Dior Grand Soir Automate CNY Snake,’ it features a mother-of-pearl dial and 52 brilliant-cut diamonds, symbolising the eternal love and empowerment through the sixth animal of the Chinese zodiac.

NUMBERING

“Gold is boys and gentleman” according to the Korean jewelry brand Numbering. Gift the spirit of wealth (women included) with chains, bottle openers, carabiners, and key rings from The Attitude collection.

Daily Ritual Must-Haves

OPEN YY x CASETiFY

Founded by sisters Ji-Yong and Bo-Young, Seoul-based OPEN YY has collaborated with CASETiFY to launch a capsule collection of graphite-colored pieces. From hoodies to phone cases, printed with a ribbon-like snake motif, to celebrate the zodiac like a modern day rockstar with merchandise to match.

UNIQLO  

Give your loved ones a fresh beginning with brand new clothes and accessories to start the new year from Uniqlo. In collaboration with J.W Anderson, back-to-school essentials are simplified and assorted with a collection of oxford shirts, hoodies, jeans, and sweats in pastel tones and shades to mix-and-match.

Photographed by AMIE MILNE of MINK MGMT. Styling by HOLLY GORST. Makeup: Victoria Bond using Victoria Beckham Beauty. Hair: Hiroshi Matsushita using Oribe Hair Care. Model: Steph Shiu of Select Models. Casting: Troy Westwood. Nails: Jessica Ciesco of Snow Creatives using Ashe. Production Design: Joanna Goodman of One Represents. Production: MINK MGMT. Production Assistant: Maddy Dempsey. Photographer’s Assistant: James Donovan. Stylist’s Assistant: Nathalie Owen. Post-Production: The Banksia Pod.

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