Chinese New Year-How are the famous brands celebrating the Year of Chicken

Image sources are individually  stated.

Here comes the Chinese New Year, and luxury brands never fail to seize the opportunity to have some limited editions. It is a trend because Chinese culture has increasing status as China economy and global influence getting stronger.

It is fascinating to see how foreigners understand Chinese culture, although I do not know if there are Chinese designers in the design team, the limited editions certainly bring new aspects to the Chinese zodiacs. Some of them did a great job from a Chinese perspective; others might need to understand more about the concept. Let us now look at the products for the year of CHICKEN. The comments I make are not mean to be offensive.

Christian Dior Chicken bracelet image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml
Christian Dior Chicken bracelet
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

Dior has Chinese Zodiac bracelet every year. I am not sure what horrible thing the chicken is staring at because she looks stunned to me. But this is not so bd compared to the monkey, dragon and snake.

Christian Dior monkey bracelet image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml
Christian Dior monkey bracelet
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml
Christian Dior dragon and snake bracelet image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml
Christian Dior dragon and snake bracelet
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

When you look into the eyes of the dragon…Maybe it is a dragon baby?

Giorgio Amarni Year of Chicken foundation pack image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml
Giorgio Amarni Year of Chicken foundation pack
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

It seems alright until you see the cover

Giorgio Armani year of Monkey foundation pack image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml
Giorgio Armani year of Monkey foundation pack
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

The cover remains the same for the limited edition each year, only the pattern on the foundation changes. So after u finish using the foundation, you can’t tell which box if for what zodiac anymore. In addition, the “福” character on the cover is in a not so enticing font. It looks like taken from Microsoft word…

Estee Lauder year of Chicken foundation pack image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml
Estee Lauder year of Chicken foundation pack
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

This is how the price of a foundation pack triples…

Calvin Klein year of Chicken men's underwear. image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml
Calvin Klein year of Chicken men’s underwear.
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

It is a low-profile to celebrate the year of Chicken.

Dolce & Gabbana year of Chicken Jacket image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml
Dolce & Gabbana year of Chicken Jacket
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

The two roosters in the front reminds me of the ancient pass-time cockfighting. I can’t decide whether is the rooster makes the brand more special or the brand makes the roosters more special…I don’t find the jacket ugly but I personally don’t find it that persuasive to me neither…Maybe seeing the real product will have bonus points from the craftsmanship or the intricacy.

Burberry Chinese New Year scarf image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml
Burberry Chinese New Year scarf
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

Burberry checked scarf is a very classic product. The Chinese calligraphy style “福” instantly makes it elderly-friendly. But at the same time, not so youth-friendly…Probably because of the style of the character.

MCM year of Chicken pouch image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml
MCM year of Chicken pouch
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

At first I though it is a bladder or a heart(as an organ). Then I realize it’s designers’ effort to make it a heart shape yet cute at same time.

Gucci year of Chicken sweatshirt image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1
Gucci year of Chicken sweatshirt
image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1

The color is pretty hard to pull of though. If not match well can become a rural auntie from Northeast China village.

Gucci year of Chicken scarf image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1
Gucci year of Chicken scarf
image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1
Gucci year of Chicken sneaker image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1
Gucci year of Chicken sneaker
image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1

The embroidery used to be a bee, now becomes a chicken for the CNY.

Louis Vuitton year of Chicken wallet image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1
Louis Vuitton year of Chicken wallet
image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1

The face of the chicken(or owl?) certainly brights up  my day.

Nike CNY limited edition sneakers image source: http://nextplus.nextmedia.com/news/%E6%99%82%E4%BA%8B%E8%A6%81%E8%81%9E/20160113/334088
Nike CNY limited edition sneakers
image source: http://nextplus.nextmedia.com/news/%E6%99%82%E4%BA%8B%E8%A6%81%E8%81%9E/20160113/334088

發huat and 福fortune are auspicious wished individually. However, when combine together发福 it means getting fat/gaining weight..So…

year of chicken limited edition products image source: gogoboi weibo http://photo.weibo.com/1706372681/wbphotos/large/mid/4056914830138197/pid/65b52e49gw1fb43cadyvfj20ic2gcwru
year of chicken limited edition products
image source: gogoboi weibo
http://photo.weibo.com/1706372681/wbphotos/large/mid/4056914830138197/pid/65b52e49gw1fb43cadyvfj20ic2gcwru

Here are the more pleasant example of the designs.

First Vans shoe design took inspiration from eggs and roosters respectively, and incorporate the colors into shoes.

Second design is a Gucci key chain.

Third design is a scarf by Salvatore Ferragamo

Fourth is a Piaget wrist watch.

Chopard year of Chicken wrist watch image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860
Chopard year of Chicken wrist watch
image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860

The eight blossoms symbolize auspicious number 8 in Chinese culture, which sounds like Fa(huat).

Jaquet Droz year of Chicken wrist watch image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860
Jaquet Droz year of Chicken wrist watch
image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860
Piaget year of Chicken wrist watch image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860
Piaget year of Chicken wrist watch
image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860
上下“随喜” shangxia suixi beacelet image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860
上下“随喜” shangxia suixi beacelet
image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860

Inspiration products-Shanghai Tang

All images in this article are taken from shanghaitang.com, unless specified otherwise.

I went both the store and its online website for some inspiration. I love some of its items as they are so modern looking yet they have some Chinese traditional elements.

Take the bracelet for example. it is a simple bangle with Shou or Fu or Xi, the auspicious Chinese characters on it. The overall design of the bangle is quite commonly seen, Hermes have something pretty similar.

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All above images are from Shanghai Tang official website

Hermes Bangle image source: http://usa.hermes.com/jewelry/enamel-jewelry/h-bracelets/yellow.html last access 26th September 2016
Hermes Bangle
image source: http://usa.hermes.com/jewelry/enamel-jewelry/h-bracelets/yellow.html
last access 26th September 2016

the color of the bangle if of the customer’s choice. I personally like the snakeskin material as it looks more high class and sophisticated compared to solid color.

Some other interesting jewelries from Shanghai Tang official website:

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I couldn’t list all of them down, but from what I selected we can see the elements designer put into the jewelries–cloud pattern, Chinese Ancient coin(铜钱), Chinese characters, fan, tassels, red thread, peonies, etc.

I am also attracted by its apparels and bags:

cropped_17813_1472696119

abcd cropped_17815_1472696126 1aa01a5_aw_00_249x332

I like the leather jacket, which is so cool, so modern chic, but still have the traditional patterns/motifs printed on it. leather+tradition

The black and white Qipao in the second picture(the left) is something I would buy as well(if I have enough $ ha), I wouldn’t feel old fashioned in it although it is a qipao, the material, the shimmer and the monochrome make it wearable even for fashionable young ladies.

The black bag with cloud patterns reminds me of Gucci Jackie bag:

Gucci Jackie Bag from gucci official website last access 26th September 2016
Gucci Jackie Bag
from gucci official website
last access 26th September 2016

Anway, speaking of Gucci, its 2016 new designs is another style worth mentioning  because they started to incorporate embroideries and floral paintings, which is so fascinating, playful, and traditional-modern.

Gucci Dionysus GG supreme shoulder bag image source: https://www.gucci.com/int/en/ca/women/handbags/womens-shoulder-bags-c-women-handbags-shoulder-bags lst access 26th September 2016
Gucci Dionysus GG supreme shoulder bag
image source: https://www.gucci.com/int/en/ca/women/handbags/womens-shoulder-bags-c-women-handbags-shoulder-bags
lst access 26th September 2016
Gucci Dionysus bloom mini shoulder bag image source:https://www.gucci.com/int/en/ca/women/handbags/womens-shoulder-bags-c-women-handbags-shoulder-bags last access 26th September 2016
Gucci Dionysus bloom mini shoulder bag
image source:https://www.gucci.com/int/en/ca/women/handbags/womens-shoulder-bags-c-women-handbags-shoulder-bags
last access 26th September 2016
Gucci tian GG supreme tote image source: https://www.gucci.com/int/en/pr/women/handbags/womens-totes/gucci-tian-gg-supreme-tote-p-427015K0L2N8689?position=33&listName=ProductGridComponent&categoryPath=Women/Handbags/Womens-Totes last access 26th September 2016
Gucci tian GG supreme tote
image source: https://www.gucci.com/int/en/pr/women/handbags/womens-totes/gucci-tian-gg-supreme-tote-p-427015K0L2N8689?position=33&listName=ProductGridComponent&categoryPath=Women/Handbags/Womens-Totes
last access 26th September 2016

However, Gucci mainly uses literal patterns while Shanghai Tang puts more elements in the designs. For example, the buttons of the men’s jacket(burgundy color) is the traditional button used in Tang Zhuang, the standing collar of men’s suit is also a subtle representation of Chinese style.

I also admire how the ladies match the attire withankle boots. Recently i have growing interest in booties because they can instantly play up the outfit by adding boy-ish chic to the style. They are heels that are not that feminine, and it shows the character of the person once you change heels to boots! Matching boots with Qipao in the advertisement making the whole outfit even more “in”,  youthful,  and stylish.

Below are the photos I SECRETLY took when I went to Shanghai Tang shop(Raffles City):

image1

So they have not only apparels, jewelries, but also cups, chopsticks, wine stopper, etc.

image2

Beautiful china with intricate patterns. Again reminds me of Hermes. Apparently not only Hermes does great stuff, although it is the most famous one.

image3

Interesting Item! Because the featured person is the last Emperor of Qing Dynasty, a.k.a the last Emperor of China–Puyi, and his favorite concubine who is believed to be murdered by Empress Dowager Cixi. The style is Andy Warhol but the theme is so China. Like how it was played around Chairman Mao, etc.

image4

Chopsticks and chopstick pillow(that’s the direct translation from Chinese). The prints and details make the items so much more high class. Of course, the presentation as well. I don’t think I will ever use it if I buy it back.

image5

Chopsticks again, with Chinese Zodiac heads. They become art pieces instead of utensils. They even have their own pedestal, the presentation makes it look like some ceremonial stuff. The box for the chopstick is also so well designed or overly designed. Just like all the perfume bottles, although the smell of the perfume is the most important factor but companies still spend so much money and effort on the bottles. It is the whole package that matters.

image6

The design of the display wardrobe has strong Chinese influence as well. The Chinese Knot中国结 , the wooden frame, red and golden color. etc.

i hope after simplify and refining my designs, my jewelries can also be modern-chic yet have the sense of tradition.