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Slither into the new Lunar Year
In honour of the Year of the Snake, we round up the products to unleash some of that oh so refreshing transformative spirit.
Just Because... | Jan 28, 2025
Amidst the disquieting January days, the descent into a new Lunar year prompts a brighter outlook on the months ahead, with talk of transformative beginnings, good fortune and prosperity. For 2025, we enter the Year of the Snake, symbolising wisdom, transformation, elegance and intelligence. Just as the snake sheds its skin, we too can begin fresh. While skin shedding might be a tad extreme, even for us, the new year is as good a time as any to experiment with your personal style, beauty routine or living spaces. Let us lay out some inspiration to bear you into a bright new year.
By Olivia Barrett
Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne Westwood has released a suite of jewellery featuring coiled serpent motifs in gold or platinum-plated recycled brass. A knotted snake choker clasps the iconic Westwood orb in its jaws, while scales slither around the neck of the wearer. Matching earrings and bracelets and a twisted snake ring add intrigue to your usual jewellery routine and mean that you can carry that transformative spirit with you wherever you go.
Birkenstock 1774
Reconfiguring three classic models, Birkenstock 1774 add a reptilian flair to their Year of the Snake series. Python-embossed detailing in a soft beige and rich scarlet accentuates the details of the serpent’s pattern across the Arizona and Florida models while the supple suede of the Tokio Birkenstock is revisited in sandy beige and black, with contrasting snakeskin embossing.
COS
To help you carry a touch of that Lunar prosperity with you, COS have released four bag charms, each welcoming new possibilities for the coming year – so you can lean into the bag charm trend and insure yourself some good fortune at the same time. It’s a win-win! Taking traditional Chinese knotting and adding a contemporary twist (pardon the pun), each charm is complemented by a handmade jade or quartz decoration and can be attached to keys, bags or even belt loops. Representing new beginnings, peace and harmony, wealth and success or, of course, unconditional love (no big deal, right?) COS have you covered.
Miu Miu
While of course it’s important to look ahead and register the metamorphoses of a new year, Miu Miu’s lunar capsule mirrors the celebratory moment, honouring the opulence of celebration with embellished sweaters and jewel-encrusted poplin, sweaters and leather goods. Chinese twist charms and juicy red snakescrafted from knotted leather can be bundled on bags or shine by themselves. Launching the new capsule with a short film, the campaign stars Chinese actresses, Liu Haocun and Zhao Jinmai, set against the backdrop of a bustling Cantonese restaurant.
Hourglass
Coming off the back of their Shanghai installation launched in collaboration with visual artist Andrés Reisinger, Hourglass have released the new volumising Glossy Stick in Red 0 just in time for Lunar celebrations (or for trialling that new beauty look on your moodboard). With a hydrating formula and full-bodied pigment, Red 0 promises to be your new perfect partying shade.
Dior
Each year, the Dior Grand Soir explores the sign of the lunar calendar through uniquely beautiful renderings. For the Year of the Snake, Dior presents two timepieces depicting the serpent and the elegance and transformation that it embodies. The watch face becomes a painted scene, with the rose gold snake weaving through a miniature Tolie de Jouy landscape, peppered with mother-of-pearl foliage. What better way to celebrate the passing of the hours, days and year – than with the chicest of time pieces?