It may have come around even earlier than usual this year, but January 25 marks the start of the new lunar year – aka Chinese New Year. Celebrated by more than 20% of the world, it's the most important holiday in China.
The run up to the new year has a set of traditions and taboos including: no showering on New Year’s Day (to make sure you don’t wash away the good luck), no hair cutting before February 2 and no swearing (which entirely rules out my family from the celebrations). To ensure you don't slip up, see a full list of Chinese New Year taboos, here.
From Saturday 25 onwards, 2020 will officially be known as the Year of the Rat. Which may sound like a grim omen for the New Year, but is actually a symbol of renewal in Chinese culture, and the fashion and beauty giants are celebrating with exclusive collections and campaigns. The Rat is the first of all zodiac animals (hopefully not reflecting the age old 'first the worst'...) and represents the beginning of a new day. In Chinese culture, rats are seen as a sign of wealth and surplus and, due to their reproduction rate, married couples are encouraged to pray to them for children.
Gucci, Adidas Originals and Aldo have all turned to the world’s most famous rodent by releasing collaborations with Disney’s Mickey Mouse. Moschino, ever the aberrant, opted for Mickey Rat (a 1970's parody created by cartoonist Robert Armstrong) emblazoned sweaters, tees and accessories.
A major tradition is to buy new clothing to symbolise the new start, particularly in the colours of red and gold. During Chinese New Year, red is considered to be a lucky colour, meaning “happiness, passion and luck”. Bottega Veneta, for example, has forgone the rat motif for bold red - symbolising fire, fortune and joy. Burberryon the other hand has designed a collection for all the family in chic reds and golds, with a tiny rat peeking out from between its monogram. The best of both worlds, in our opinion.
SHOP: The Fashion & Beauty Buys To Celebrate Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year Fashion
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1 of 18Dolce & Gabbana, Twill Silk Foulard With Silk Road Print, £335
Dolce & Gabbana's printed silk and modal scarves are inspired by travellers along the Silk Road.
2 of 18Bottega Veneta, The Pouch, £1,990
A symbol of fire, fortune and joy, Bottega Veneta celebrates Chinese New Year 2020 in bold red. Iconic bags – from the Pouch and Shoulder Pouch, are plunged into the emblematic palette.
3 of 18Too Faced, Lunar New Year Edition Diamond Highlighter, £28
4 of 18Paul Smith, Red 'Year Of The Rat' Print Cotton T-Shirt, £65
5 of 18Alberta Ferretti, It's My Year red bag, £435
To celebrate the Chinese New Year in 2020, Alberta Ferretti presents ''It's My Year'', a small capsule collection dedicated to the Year of the Rat. The icon of this collection is the famous mouse character, Topo Gigio.
6 of 18Burberry, Monogram Motif Silk Square Scarf, £300
Burberry's Chinese New Year 2020 collection – a vibrant celebration in red – heralding joy, health and happiness for the Year of the Rat.
7 of 18Chloé, Mini C bag in shiny calfskin, £1,160
This playful mini Chloe C bag, designed by Julie Verhoeven, is the cutest way to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Rat.
8 of 18Urban Decay, Chinese New Year All Nighter Spray, £24
9 of 18Marni, Chinese New Year 2020 knitted top, £620
10 of 18Aldo, Lny-mickey trainers, £65
Inspired by the Lunar New Year, Disney x ALDO are back with their second collaboration. The Disney x ALDO Lunar New Year collection puts a Mickey and Minnie spin on the 2020 Chinese zodiac.
11 of 18Eve Lom, Lunar New Year Limited Edition Cleanser, £85
12 of 18Moschino, Wool Pullover Mickey Rat, £535
13 of 18Estee Lauder, Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex, £78
14 of 18Furla, Sleek Red Bucket Bag, £320
After just announcing an exciting new SS20 campaign with Irina Shayk, accessories brand Furla have since launched a Lunar New Year capsule to welcome the Year of the Rat.
15 of 18Alighieri, Year of the Rat, £195
To celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, Alighieri decided to create 12 Modern Heirlooms, one for each animal in cycle.
16 of 18Adidas Originals, Superstar shoes, £89.95
17 of 18Dior, Grand Bal Plume Watch, £25,500
Specially designed to celebrate the 2020 Chinese New Year, the Dior Grand Cal collection includes this new model combining the delicacy of a feather with flamboyant reds.
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