Why Chinese people wear red during Lunar New Year – and how to master the style like a modern millennial
Are you ready for the Year of the Rat? Here’s 5 scarlet red luxury handbags – from Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Valentino Garavani, Giorgio Armani – to see in the start of a new zodiac in style
Are you ready for Year of the Rat, which starts from Chinese New Year on January 25?
The Lunar New Year is also known as guonian in mandarin. In Chinese folklore, nian is a scary monster that reportedly came out to eat humans and livestock at that period of time. Yet the animal is afraid of the sharp hue of red and the sound of firecrackers. Since then, humankind put up red decorations from chunlian to jianzhi (Chinese paper cut), as well as new clothes, in order to scare the monster away.
Today, for young millennials, wearing auspicious colours like red has grown into a fashion choice, as well as a way to show respect to tradition.
Here, we elect the newest and hottest bags that endow the most prosperous energy, and fashion-forward designs that ace the spirit of guonian.
Bottega Veneta
The Acro 48 tote bag is inspired by the curves of Milan’s 19th-century landmark Arco della Pace. Woven with the house’s signature intrecciato pattern, the bag is now available in striking red, priced HK$33,900 (US$4,360).
Saint Laurent
The classic Kate 99 bag is made of red lambskin to mark the Lunar New Year. Decorated with a tassel, the bag has a removable chain strap and an interchangeable suede belt. Price on request.