Year of the Horse Collections

Nearly one year after joining Dior as the Creative Director, Jonathan Anderson releases his designs for Lunar New Year, focusing on the themes of luck, nature, and renewal. Highlighting four leaf clovers, horseshoes, and ladybugs, the collection embraces symbols of luck from across the world: the clover, no doubt, a nod to Anderson’s Irish heritage, and the horseshoes paying tribute to this year’s zodiac animal. Even the complementary colours of red and green that permeate the collection are commonly associated with luck. Anderson’s attention to detail symbolically parallels the Maison’s artisanal craftsmanship and reinforces the designer’s place in Dior.

The relationship between the city and its dwellers is on full display through Jil Sander’s, honouring memory and growth. The simple yet timeless designs of the Milan-based house are impeccably represented through the cinematic display of the collection. The image of the leather loafers, or the designer’s classic Goji Pillow bag exude a nostalgic portrait of young professionals interacting with their urban environment and escaping to the sea for fireworks. 

The designs themselves don’t necessarily explode like the pyrotechnics, but instead make a lasting impact with natural materials such as cashmere, wool, silk, and calf leather. The classic feel of their pieces is echoed in the campaign with simple still life photos and a muted colour palette. Evolving but not radically changing the perception of the house, the collection takes on the symbolism of the horse through its liberating journey to authenticity.

The Italian house uses more overt imagery of the horse in their Lunar New Year collection. Centring their collection on jewellery, Marni homes in on a burgundy and gold colour palette inspiring a regal sentiment to their pieces. The gold horse slides along the chain, as if it were galloping across the neck. The organic, floral shapes are hand-enamelled in the form of a brooch, necklace, earrings, hair clips, and a ring, each item uniquely crafted. Marni’s attention to detail is subtly unveiled in the gold horse earrings featuring small, pink rhinestones along the hoop and in the eyes of the horse. The captivating colours, shimmer, and shapes of this collection faithfully represent the passionate energy behind the Fire Horse. 

The Italian house travelled to Shanghai for a new edition of Miu Miu Encounters, offering a series of immersive experiences across the metropole. Through decorated, tree-lined streets, specialised drinks, and curated menus at exclusive events dedicated to honouring movement, vitality, and joy, Miu Miu provided a riveting celebration chock full of storytelling. The red poplin garments evoke a charming, almost doll-like sentiment while the chocolate-brown suede Utilitaire bag and leather belt adorned with a key ring and metal clasp recall imagery of a saddle and reins, alluding to the Year of the Horse. The sporty and sweet elements of the collection play on an effective contrast and embrace duality, as does the freedom of the horse.

The collection teeters on the lines between sweet and sultry, safety and uncertainty, past and present. It weaves in notions of Chinese heritage through both classic and contemporary designs, culminating in a dreamy amalgamation of pieces. The campaign, starring Chinese actress Lareina Song and model Yi Fan, calls upon traditional elements like jade teacups, the red envelope, and even the zoetrope (a moving image machine) whose initial concept also has roots in China. The collection itself highlights the signature colour of Valentino finding common ground with the Chinese lucky symbolism in red. But the collection isn’t drowned in a sea of red. Instead, it explores the hues of the colour and branches out to pastel blue, luxurious gold, and soft browns. Developed by Creative Director, Alessandro Michele, and directed by Marcus Tang, the campaign incorporates Michele’s whimsical vision to a compelling cultural narrative.