The Year of the Dog in Fashion
Tomorrow officially marks the Chinese Lunar New Year and we enter the Year of the Dog - the eleventh sign in the Chinese zodiac (which you can read more about here).
This year is an Earth Dog year, which only happens once every 60 years, and in Chinese zodiac it's predicted that this year will be all about family and hope. Familial relationships will be of importance this year and it's a great year to make lifestyle changes; such as quitting smoking or starting a new business. It's said to be a year full of hope, filled with dialogue that helps cultures reject indifference and achieve solidarity.
Unfortunately, for those born in the year of the dog (like my Neve and Krissy Marsh), this year may not be the luckiest one as, in Chinese astrology, the years that share your birth sign are thought to bring bad luck.
If you're a dog who is looking to increase your fortune, here are some tips from Chinese Astrology:
If You're Looking for Luck:
The numbers 3, 4, 9 and the numbers containing them (for example, 34 or 49) are your lucky numbers. The 7th and 28th of every Chinese lunar month will be lucky days for you and the colours red, green and purple will bring you luck too.
When it comes to flowers, roses and cymbidium orchids will bring you luck - as will the 6th, 10th and 12th months of the Chinese Lunar year.
Unluckiy Things Dogs Should Avoid:
Dogs should avoid the numbers 1, 6 and 7 as well as the colours blue, white and gold. The 5th and 8th Chinese lunar months may be unlucky months for you too.
But whilst many are busily looking into what the year means for them, planning delicious menus, preparing for traditional celebrations and filling lucky envelopes, high fashion brands around the world are celebrating in their own way; with Year of the Dog designs and collections.
Gucci
To celebrate the year of the dog, Gucci have launched a special capsule collection, featuring 63 pieces that feature an illustration Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele created, inspired by his own dogs; two Boston Terriers named Bosco and Orso.
The collection includes denim pieces, sweaters and polo shirts as well as shoes, handbags, luggage and accessories all embellished with the dog motifs.
See the Collection:
Click below to shop/find out more and use the arrows to swipe across.
Longchamp
Collaborating with Chinese fashion blogger Tao Ling – known as Mr Bags – Longchamp have launched a line of dog motif adorned bags and accessories to celebrate the Year of the Dog.
Unfortunately for those looking to get their hands on one of these super cute bags, it is a limited collection and only available for sale at Longchamp’s Paragon flagship boutique in Singapore.
Thom Browne
Whilst not created exclusively for the Year of the Dog, Thom Browne's Hector collection is too perfect not to include.
Inspired by Thom's dachshund Hector, the collection includes bags and Hector motif adorned pieces that would be a perfect nod to the year of the dog.
See the Collection:
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H&M
H&M has taken a more subtle approach with their Chinese New Year collection, focusing on pieces in the lucky red colour of the Lunar New Year. The campaign is headed by Chinese actors Yang Mi and Mark Chao who feature as on-screen lovers in the popular Chinese drama series Eternal Love.
The collection is available in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, The Phillippines, Vietnam and Canada and can be seen here.
Moschino
Partnering with Betty Boop, Moschino creative Director Jeremy Scott has launches a collection inspired by Betty Boop’s iconic cartoon pup Pudgy.
The ready to wear collection includes 7 items all in Betty Boop’s signature red colour (also a lucky colour in Chinese culture) and featuring the Pudgy motif.
See the Collection:
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Louis Vuitton
New Year, New Tricks is the tagline for Louis Vuitton's Year of the Dog Collection which you can see here.
My Favourite Year of the Dog Pieces
For some brands, it's one or two special edition pieces rather than a whole collection. Below are some of my favourite Year of the Dog pieces from different brands. Click to shop/find out more and use the arrows to see more.
