When the fireworks are lit to ring in the Lunar New Year on 10 February, many a Bond Street luxury brand will be marking this special occasion with a series of eye-catching prints, coveted accessories and limited-edition capsule collections. With 2024 being the Year of the Dragon, a mythical beast symbolising power, dignity and strength, expect plenty of vibrant reinterpretations of this legendary creature.
From Armani’s dragon-print leather sneakers to Loewe’s exquisitely carved jade pendants, our pick of the best dragon-inspired pieces and collections shows that this auspicious fire-breather comes in many different guises and hot shades of red this Lunar New Year. Let the firecrackers crackle!
Valentino
Synonymous with the colour red, Valentino’s 2024 Chinese New Year collection takes things up a notch to pack plenty of punch. In addition to the signature Valentino Rosso palette, the famous red ‘V’ logo sets the tone for each piece. You’ll find it printed on jackets and a striking red dress. The logo is also evident on a pair of sassy slingbacks and on the surface of signature bags, including the Valentino Garavani Locò mini bag, Valentino Garavani Locò bucket and Valentino Garavani VLogo Moon mini bag.
Valentino, 39 Old Bond Street, W1S 4QP
Piaget
The Swiss luxury watchmaker and jeweller located at 169 New Bond Street has pulled out all the stops for its four-piece Lunar New Year collection. The first of two Phoenix High Jewellery Watches features brilliant cut diamonds in an asymmetrical motif, while the second is crafted from rubies and white gold. The new Piaget Emperador watch depicts a gold engraved dragon against a sky of snow-set sapphires and diamonds. Lastly, the 41mm Altiplano High Jewellery Dragon timepiece portrays a gold engraved dragon with red lacquered eyes clasping a black opal fireball in its claws.
Piaget, 169 New Bond Street, W1S 4AN
Burberry
With red hues symbolising good fortune and joy in China, it’s no wonder that this vibrant colour features heavily in Burberry’s homage to the Chinese New Year and its fiery protagonist, the dragon. Here, wardrobe staples, including trench coats, scarves and dresses, are updated in a red houndstooth check and seasonal rose print. Meanwhile, as part of the accompanying ad campaign, Burberry brand ambassadors Tang Wei and Chen Kun are filmed on the streets of Chengdu by American photographer Ryan McGinley.
Burberry, 21-23 New Bond Street, W1S 2RE
Gucci
This Lunar New Year, Gucci takes a more subtle, yet playful, slant in its coveted dragon-themed capsule collection, modelled in its accompanying campaign by actors Tian Xiwei and Zhou Yiran. A colourful, cartoon-like dragon can be seen on a wide range of items, including the Double G Mini Bag, jersey dresses and shorts. Elsewhere in the collection, a reversible silk skirt and cropped shirt depict a more sophisticated dragon print, etched in blue on an ivory background. The iconic Dionysus leather bag completes the line-up, topped with a red chain print and interlocking dragons forming an ornate silver GG clasp.
Gucci, 144-146 New Bond Street, W1S 2TR
Fendi x FRGMT x Pokémon
As part of an unlikely brand pairing, Italian fashion house, Fendi, has teamed up with Japanese media franchise Pokémon for its Lunar New Year offering. The whimsical limited-edition collection features three loveable animated characters – Dratini, Dragonair and Dragonite – from the first generation of the famous video game. The colourful little dragons are emblazoned on a range of items, from casual hooded tops to keychains. They also appear on bags, including the emblematic Fendi Peekaboo and Fendi Baguette, which are expected to fly off the shelves.
Fendi, 141 New Bond Street, W1S 2BS
BOSS x Feng Tang
Celebrate Lunar New Year in style with the BOSS bomber jacket, a masterpiece born from collaboration with novelist and calligrapher Feng Tang. This limited edition jacket, crafted from a blend of leather and wool, pays homage to the Year of the Dragon by intertwining traditional Chinese characters with modern calligraphy motifs - a subtle but effective way of honouring this celebration.
BOSS, 122 New Bond St, London W1S 1DT
Lucie Muir writes for the Financial Times HTSI