As the Year of the Rat comes to an end next week, fashion brands welcome the Lunar New Year by interpreting the second zodiac animal in their designs.
Diesel
According to one myth, the rat tricked the ox to give it a ride to a party organised by the Jade Emperor. Hence, the rat and the ox became the first and second of the 12 zodiac animals in Chinese astrology.
While Mickey Mouse and his sweetheart Minnie represented the Year of the Rat, another cute Disney character, Clarabelle, stars in Kate Spade New York's collection.
The often self-righteous and clumsy cow loves to gossip and tends to incorporate "moos" in her dialogue. Along with her best friends Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck, Clarabelle appears on ready-to-wear pieces, handbags, small leather goods and accessories.
Tory Burch's assortment of bags and accessories come in shades of auspicious gold and reds, while the adorable Ozzie the Ox appeals in items such as sweater, T-shirt and shoes.
Coach's Lunar New Year collection features a motif portraying a playful cow jumping over a moon on a silk scarf, a sweatshirt, T-shirts and its signature canvas.
Tory Burch
Diesel's genderless and athletic-inspired capsule collection differs with a striking oxen zodiac motif, in the form of illustration, patch-appliqué or chrome treatments, in vibrant colours overlaid with bold prints, to create a distinct graphic impact, not to mention the lettering "BRAVE CNY 2021".
In addition, each piece of denim is detailed with a special leather patch of the ox icon that sits on the waistline.
Armani Exchange designed the collection for men with a new logo, outlining the silhouette of a bull's head with the A|X letter, which is presented in black and gold embroidery on T-shirts, sweaters, hoodies and sweatpants.
The logo for the women's collection features a 3D lenticular effect, with the letters O and A overlapping, revealing the word OX and the A|X logo in a different perspective.
Inspired by the Chinese knotting techniques used to create good luck charms, an abstract print adorns Mulberry's sustainable Portobello Tote with leather from environmentally accredited tanneries and stitched with recycled thread. The hardware is made from recycled metal, and the bag is entirely made in the brand's carbon-neutral factories in the UK.
The knot motif is also incorporated into small leather goods while a keyring pays homage to the Year of the Ox, which begins on Feb 12.
Armani Exchange
Coach
Mulberry
