Luxury brands Lunar New Year capsule collections

Inspired by the Year of the Horse, fashion houses reinterpret signature pieces with movement, symbolism, and seasonal detail.

Luxury brands are welcoming Lunar New Year 2026 with special capsule collections inspired by the Year of the Horse, a zodiac sign associated with energy, movement, independence, and progress. In Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes drive, confidence, and momentum, making it a fitting theme for a year focused on fresh starts and forward motion.

Fashion houses are interpreting the zodiac through their own design language, using equestrian references, symbolic details, and refreshed house icons. Below is a closer look at how luxury brands are marking the season through their Lunar New Year collections.

Balenciaga

Balenciaga welcomes the Year of the Horse with a Lunar New Year capsule launch last January 6. Shot in Shanghai by artist John Yuyi, the campaign centers on familiar CNY moments like shopping for bingtanghulu (a traditional Chinese sweet street food made of fruit coated in candied sugar), picking up red lanterns, and watching the city from a rooftop at dusk. The cast includes actors Ma Sichun, Yang Chaoyue, Chen Feiyu, alongside content creators JM and Tan Suan.

The ready-to-wear line focuses on casual staples such as tracksuits, hoodies, T-shirts, and scarves, with oversized cursive Balenciaga Paris lettering. Footwear arrives in Lunar New Year colorways, with the sneakers updated in red, grey, white, and black. Completing the drop are playful bag charms shaped like hearts and lucky horseshoes, adding a festive note to the collection.

Burberry

Burberry’s Year of the Horse collection puts the spotlight firmly on one of the house’s most recognizable symbols: the equestrian Knight. For Lunar New Year, the emblem is redrawn as a loose watercolour and ink sketch, giving it a more expressive feel while staying true to Burberry’s heritage.

Red takes the spotlight too by appearing on outerwear, leather goods, and accessories alongside the Burberry check. The Knight motif shows up in embroidery, cross-stitch details, and badges.

Loewe

Loewe’s Year of the Horse collection focuses on craft and playful detail. The house updates its signature bags including the Puzzle, Flamenco, and the new Amazona 31 cropped with hand-knotted fringes and leather tassels inspired by a horse’s mane.

Most pieces come in deep red leather, paired with braided accents and small horse-shaped charms. These details add movement and personality without changing the bags’ familiar shapes. Even accessories like charms and dice follow the same horse motif, keeping the collection cohesive.

Polo Ralph Lauren

Polo Ralph Lauren’s Year of the Horse collection leans into rich reds and warm, earthy tones, with horse-inspired details woven throughout. Across the Purple Label, Polo, and Lauren lines, classic pieces are refreshed with embroidered Ponies and horseshoe motifs stitched in festive red and gold.

Standout items include embroidered sweaters, varsity jackets, equestrian knits, and a bag in shades of scarlet. One highlight is a satin jacket featuring a free-stitched Big Pony design, created using a mix of Chinese Su hand embroidery and modern machine techniques. There’s also a playful nod to the season with the Polo Bear, dressed up for Lunar New Year gatherings.

Dior

Dior’s Lunar New Year 2026 selection leans into symbolism. A soft toile de Jouy print scattered with four-leaf clovers appears across totes, silk scarves, and Lady Dior bags, while horse motifs and horseshoe details show up throughout in charms and accessories.

The palette stays gentle, soft green, reds, and whites that nod to new beginnings and renewal. The clover anchors the collection and rather than going bold, Dior focuses on small, meaningful details.

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Valentino

Valentino’s Lunar New Year collection focuses on light, wearable pieces inspired by the horse and the idea of new beginnings. The palette leans soft and spring-ready, with designs that are easy to style without losing their festive edge.

A key piece is the blush pink wool cardigan with lace trim. The lace detail is subtle, and the cropped cut keeps it modern. The collection overall keeps things simple and practical, offering thoughtful pieces that fit naturally into everyday wardrobes while still marking the season.

Max Mara

Max Mara’s Chinese New Year collection for the Year of the Horse focuses on its strongest signatures. The capsule features iconic coats, tailored knits, and clean separates in red, beige, and warm cream.

The classic 101801 coat appears in a bold red update, giving the brand’s signature piece a festive shift. Across the ready-to-wear, stylized horse motifs appear through embroidery and subtle prints, referencing the zodiac without overpowering the pieces.

Chloé

Chloé’s Lunar New Year collection uses small horse details across ready-to-wear and accessories. The theme shows up through horse-buttoned denim, tailoring, and classic blouses.

Bags are updated in gold tones, accessories include horse medallions and vintage-style gold charms. The collection focuses on familiar Chloé pieces with simple seasonal updates, making it easy to style beyond the holiday.

Luxury brands charge into 2026 with Lunar New Year capsule collections