Ancient, elemental symbolism is fused with the instantly-identifiable Prada Triangle. Photo: Prada
The Fire Horse is known for dynamic energy and passion, characterised by a spirit of adventure, leadership and independence.
Brands are paying tribute to this revered character and Chinese New Year with powerful campaign imagery and chic capsule collections.
A story of courage
Loewe celebrates the Year of the Horse with a short film featuring global brand ambassador Wang Yibo.
Honouring Chinese craft to celebrate the new year, the animated short film created with the Shanghai Animation Film Studio pays homage to Peng Wenxi’s classic fable Little Horse Crossing the River.
The film follows a young horse who sets off to fetch lanterns for the village and meets a deer, a platypus and Wang along the way.
Illuminating a story of self-belief and courage, the film showcases the brand’s continued affinity with Chinese animation craft and literary heritage.
Inspired by the spirit of the horse, the New Year collection features iconic designs, including special editions of the Puzzle and Amazona 31 cropped bags adorned with hand-knotted fringes and tassels inspired by a horse’s mane.
An accompanying campaign photographed by Nick Yang features Wang with model Wei Yiting bringing a complementary presence to the imagery.
Read more: How Chinese New Year fashion celebrates heritage while setting a festive mood
A forward-looking spirit
Burberry honours the Year of the Horse 2026 with a capsule collection and campaign which stars brand ambassadors Chen Kun, Tang Wei, Wu Lei and Zhang Jingyi.
Directed by AJ Duan and photographed by Anton Gottlob in the streets of Shanghai, the hero film captures the poetry of movement in the city’s rush hour.
At the heart of the capsule collection – titled "Burberry Year of the Horse Collection" – is the brand’s house code, the Knight, playfully reinterpreted as a watercolour and ink sketch, brought to life through intricate techniques such as vibrant metallic embroidery, cross-stitch and appliqued badges.
Imbued with symbolism, the horse, a significant motif for Burberry, represents protection, innovation and the brand’s forward-looking spirit.
The collection is grounded in red, a symbol of luck and prosperity in Chinese culture, with scarves and daywear in an exclusive new red Burberry Check.
Pieces bloom with painterly prints and quilling-inspired swirls. Photo: Tangoo
The collection is grounded in red, a symbol of luck and prosperity in Chinese culture. Photo: Burberry
Celebration of past and future
Prada is celebrating the year of the Fire Horse with a special advertising campaign and a site-specific event within Prada Rong Zhai, the historic 1918 residence located in the heart of Shanghai.
Installations at three venues across Shanghai and Chendgu will also pay tribute to the Lunar New Year between now and March 2026.
In a celebration of past and future, this ancient, elemental symbolism is fused with the modern emblem synonymous with the brand – the instantly-identifiable Prada Triangle.
The Prada Triangle becomes a lens through which to reimagine the Fire Horse, where it evolves into a Prada character, an avatar placed at the center of campaign imagery.
It features a duo of Chinese personalities and brand ambassadors, Yang Mi and Ma Long, each dressed in key pieces from the Prada Spring/Summer 2026 collections.
Read more: Effortless, warm and enduring styles: Hot hair trends this Chinese New Year
A celebration of femininity
Homegrown label Tangoo’s Chinese New Year 2026 collection celebrates movement, freedom and the poetic energy of renewal.
Inspired by the graceful power of the horse, a symbol of vitality, elegance and unbridled spirit, the collection reimagines traditional festivity through a dreamy, modern lens.
The pieces bloom with painterly prints and quilling-inspired swirls, mirroring the intricate curls of paper art and the majestic arcs of a horse’s mane, with soft ruffles, flowing silhouettes and airy tulles echoing the rhythm of galloping wind.
Pastel golds, sea-mints, blush tones and warm butter hues dance together, creating a palette that feels both nostalgic and newly awakened.
Gold accessories and sculptural details add a touch of divine fire while lace appliques and chinoiserie touches anchor the collection in cultural memory.
