February 17, 2026 |
2026 is the Year of the Horse, specifically the fire horse. This staggering stallion is an embodiment for strength, courage, loyalty and freedom – setting the year before us up in flames. New beginnings arise. Whether or not the Chinese zodiac leads any of your emotional and spiritual choices, saddle up for what these selected fashion houses have in store to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Lillie Elston
Miu Miu
The Encounter (如期而遇) is the hottest iteration of the original campaign created in 2025 for Lunar New Year. Across a series of still images shot by Li Sihao and a short film directed by Gu You, Miu Miu has symbolised the free-spirit of the horse, blending modernity and memory in cinematic form. The film was shot next to the Gongwang Art Museum located on the architectural landscape of Hangzhou – surrounded by wintry mist, red spheres and hilly viewpoints. The accompanying collection is filled to the brim with structured yet relaxed silhouettes in a palette of neutrals that are brought out by sudden and momentary pops of prosperous rouge. Auspiciously charming accessories include the Wander, Arcadie and Aventure bag styles and customisable lucky bag charms, amongst other exclusive shoppables. Additional festive activations will arise on Donghu Road, Shanghai (Jan 23-25), and Lexie Liu, who stars in the campaign alongside Zhao Jinmai, will release a single on Jan 19 titled Chun alongside a special launch at the Miu Miu iAPM store. A subtle but thoughtful provocation, Miu Miu canters into the Year of the Horse with stylish vitality, and a little help from some friends. LE
Bvlgari
Honouring togetherness within fresh starts, Bvlgari has barged into the stable with special-edition jewellery, timepieces, accessories and fragrances that blend favourable tones, exquisite craftsmanship and iconic brand motifs. The star of the show is a limited horse brooch crafted in yellow gold that’s reminiscent of 1970s heritage. It is thoroughly coated in over 40 cabochon rubies, pavé diamonds and black onyx – a talisman for strength and success, reflected in the 130 hours spent designing and 50 hours of goldsmithing the piece. Classic designs are reimagined with celebratory undertones, for example, the Serpenti Viper which features ruby accents and gold boules. To complete the festive air, Bvlgari Parfums have produced a Chinese New Year fragrance box featuring complimentary brand symbolism in a ritualistic scent celebration of joy and lucky upcomings. Good fortune that smells expensive… count us in. Shop here. LE
Valentino
Maison Valentino has created a cosy campaign that evokes the tender emotion so vivid in a Wong Kar-Wai film. Conceived by creative director Alessandro Michele, the campaign features a short film directed by Marcus Tang and a series of images shot by Julie Greve. The Valentino Cruise pre-spring collection is featured throughout the film and is donned by brand-ambassador Lareina Song and model Yi Fan. Intimately dream-like, the narrative centres on a zoetrope – a 19th Century illusion/animation device created from static images – of a running horse. Looked on by the characters, fleeting moments of hope and prosperity are in the air (yes, even through the big screen). Within the intimate setting of a voyeuristic, moodily-lit restaurant, the pair converse over sea-foam jadeite-reminiscent teacups – a gesture of warmth within a harmonious shade of green. Valentino has presented an additional iteration of celebration, through a Lantern Fair named Illuminate Your Dream currently open until Feb 18 in Shanghai. Curated by X Zhu-Nowell, the event features contemporary light installations reinterpreting the Year of the Horse and combining Chinese heritage with modern art forms. Now that’s something to get head over hooves about. LE
Moschino
A pleasantly kitsch creation that combines features of functionality and surrealism, Moschino’s latest bag centres the Year of the Horse as prominently as possible. The 3D horse, conceived by creative director Adrian Appiolaza, embraces the Chinese zodiac traits of speed and breakthrough. Crafted entirely from soft nappa leather, the mechanics of the bag feature a red saddle integrated into its architecture. A perfect example of Moschino’s playful attitude, the bag was created to replicate the animal with its embroidered eyebrows, glossy eyes and even a leather patch tongue. Attention to detail is taken up a notch – you honestly won’t even need the real thing to channel horse energy this year, Moschino’s bag does it all. Shop here. LE
McQueen
This Lunar New Year, McQueen isn’t horsing around – or perhaps it is… just look at the brand’s campaign celebrating the Year of the – you guessed it – Horse. Exploring the energetic shift stirred by the next 12 month period, the images are shot in Shanghai and see seven models and ambassadors come together, joined by their “shared values and drive”. Across the photos, the collective wave sparklers, ride motor bikes and congregate upon a bridge backdropped by the neon city to form a sort of family portrait whilst sporting checked pieces and glistening jewels from the SS26 collection. Elsewhere, amidst the playful campaign, the Manta Clutch crops up alongside razor-sharp tailoring, as the individuals trot into the New Year with a celebration of their unique ties. Emily Phillips
Dior
Dior delivers a selection of pieces by fashion’s golden boy (and its sole creative director) Jonathan Anderson for Chinese New Year, each one a tribute to luck, nature and renewal. Inspired by 18th-century pastoral scenes, Toile de Jouy is reinvented in a poetic, luminous version, dotted with four-leaf clovers, unfurling across the Lady Dior and Dior Book Tote bags, as well as silk scarves and Mitzahs emblazoned with Dior.
The Dior Clover Garden motif, punctuated with these talismanic emblems, features on skirts, jackets, jeans, shirts and sneakers for a refined laid-back look. Brimming with energy and motion, the line honours the Chinese zodiac sign for 2026 through a novel Horse print, while the horseshoe – a symbol of good fortune – embellishes jewellery and charms, bringing a burst of vitality to each silhouette. The Dior Toujours and Lady Dior bags, meanwhile, are presented in pink, the colour of joy and femininity cherished by Monsieur Dior. As for the images? These lean into mundanity, seeing the models kick back on ornate sofas or lean over chairs whilst wearing the celebratory collection – stepping into the Year of the Horse, Dior style. EP
Thom Browne
Giddy up – the Year of the Horse is upon us, and Thom Browne is hitching a ride into the new year. Introducing the Thom Browne 2026 Lunar New Year capsule – no horsing around. Against a serene sandscape, bright crimson fruit grows on an ancient tree as The Year of the Horse comes into focus. Long tied to movement and freedom, the horse charges through the collection: in motion on the back of intarsia knit cardigans, traced in satin-stitch embroidery along repp stripe oxford shirts and sculpted into brown pebble-grain leather with a black mane and tail. Long hair, don’t care.
Vibrant red – a throughline of strength – is woven into knit classics with staying power and remains ever-present on grosgrain, the colour of vitality, passion and good fortune. Together, two protagonists trot along, a noble steed leading the way. EP
Top image: photography by Li Sihao, courtesy of Miu Miu.
