Canine Creations
Lunar New Year is the biggest holiday in Asia, with most people taking an entire week off to celebrate. Although it has traditionally been a holiday for family, food, and receiving red envelopes of money, fashion houses and online retailers have recently been taking advantage of the massive Asian consumer base. Luxury brands, like Dior and Prada, that are coveted among Chinese consumers have released special capsule collections or adaptations of iconic designs to celebrate the Year of the Dog. However, many brands missed the mark with Chinese shoppers, who criticized some releases as gaudy and underwhelming. From Adidas and Nike’s Lunar New Year colorways to H&M’s special Year of the Dog collections, here are some collections that did hit the mark for many Year of the Dog enthusiasts.
Gucci’s Year of the Dog collection is whimsical, youthful, and evokes a kira-kira feeling. The collaboration with Unskilled Worker, a prominent artist who has worked with Gucci in the past, features the artist’s dogs in exclusive illustrations on sweatshirts, shoes, and bags. The collaboration centers on bold colors, detailed illustrations and embroideries of the dogs. The Gucci app offers more special content as well. Although the collection is out of the average college student’s price zone, high street retailers are likely to release copycats or inspired pieces in the future.
The revamped Adidas Original Superstars 80s are just one of the standout designs in the Lunar New Year sneaker pack. Featuring subtle but sophisticated red accents along with embroidered Chinese characters on the insole and the heel logo, these Superstars embrace the festivities of Lunar New Year without veering into overly showy territory. Adidas designed the pack with the four Chinese blessings of happiness, fortune, longevity and good luck, so the label pays its respects to the cultural significance of Lunar New Year with style.
H&M’s Lunar New Year not only features 100 unique and stylish pieces, but also the stars of the hit drama Eternal Love, Yang Mi and Mark Chao. The collection was released in eleven countries (sadly not in the US, but it’s available in Canada). With items ranging from dressier pieces to accessories and shoes, the collection focuses on slightly edgy silhouettes accentuated with shades of scarlet, black, white and gold.