5 luxury bag collections celebrating Chinese New Year 2024, the Year of the Dragon, from Valentino’s festive Rosso hue, to an MCM x Bape collab, and Loewe colourways inspired by antique jade carvings

Jan 31 , 2024

A handheld pouch from the MCM x Bape Lunar New Year capsule collection. Photos: Handouts

As we draw the curtain on another lunar year, it’s traditional in Chinese culture to go shopping for new clothes to welcome in the new year. A wardrobe refresh symbolises starting the year with a clean slate and helps usher in plenty of good fortune.

Luckily for us, several notable brands have debuted limited collections of arm candy dedicated to the Year of the Dragon, one of the most powerful zodiac animals in Chinese culture that embodies good luck, strength and yang energy.

Here are five exclusive bag collections that will make captivating additions to your wardrobe this Lunar New Year.

1. MCM x Bape

Korean-owned German fashion house MCM has teamed up for the first time with Japanese streetwear powerhouse A Bathing Ape (Bape).

The collaborative collection features an unprecedented transparent rendition of Bape’s signature camo. The pattern has been debossed in sophisticated black and gold on some of MCM’s most iconic accessories including its backpack, belt bag, crossbody bag, Boston bag, weekender bag, North-South tote and handheld pouch.

Each piece in the collection is adorned with exquisite patterns and elaborate imagery, with details ranging from animal-inspired patches to gunmetal accents.

2. Valentino

Valentino’s signature Rosso hue is the star of the brand’s Chinese New Year 2024 collection

Valentino celebrates the festive season with its classic Rosso shade, an iconic and vibrant red hue. In Chinese culture, red is a significant colour that symbolises prosperity.

The maison presents the finest pieces from its Garavani range: the Locò bucket bag, VLogo Moon mini bag and VLogo tote – all masterfully reimagined in the auspicious Rosso hue to herald the arrival of the new year.

3. Loewe

For Chinese New Year 2024, Loewe’s Flamenco bags appear in colourways inspired by the tones found in antique jade carvings

Instead of the traditional red or gold, Loewe opted for something a little different. The Spanish brand launched a Jade collection, featuring pendants displaying the extraordinary craftsmanship of master jade carvers Yin Xiaojin, Qiu Qijing and Chen Lei. Each of the five pendants is limited edition masterpiece.

Loewe’s Jade collection features five limited edition pendants handcrafted by master carvers

Traditionally referred to as the “stone of heaven”, jade is an emblem of affluence and enduring vitality. The pendants take the form of various flora cultivated in Chinese soil, holding strong cultural significance.

Drawing on the artistry of the pendant series, Loewe also introduced an assortment of Flamenco bags in colourways inspired by the tones found in antique jade carvings. Each bag houses a precious jade stone within its interior pocket, symbolising a bountiful year filled with prosperity and fortune.

4. Tod’s

Tod’s limited edition Chinese New Year collection features a white and burgundy colour palette and a double-dragon motif

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, Tod’s has unveiled a limited edition collection that not only draws inspiration from the Dragon zodiac animal, but is also perfect for welcoming spring.

Harmoniously blending white and burgundy, this launch collection includes a leather and fabric bag that showcases scrupulous attention to detail, while the internal leather pouch boasts an enchanting double-dragon motif.

5. Berluti

Berluti’s Chinese New Year collection includes leather briefcases, backpacks and jackets

Just in time for the Lunar New Year festivities, Berluti has unveiled a line of leather goods with a colourful depiction of a coiled dragon that takes the form of the maison’s logo.

Berluti’s colourful coiled dragon takes the form of the maison’s logo

Berluti’s exclusive capsule collection showcases a selection of timeless pieces, including the Un Jour briefcase, sophisticated E’Mio briefcase, trendy Working Day backpack, and even the sleek Formula 1005 rolling suitcase – all adorned with the exquisite dragon monogram. Available in rich leather tones like the luxurious Cacao Intenso and the vibrant St Emilion Red, these bags capture the essence of spring.

Lunar New Year

Valentino’s iconic Rosso red hue finds festive applications in the Garavani Locò bucket bag, VLogo Moon mini bag and VLogo tote, while Bape’s signature camo is rendered on MCM bags, totes and pouches
Loewe’s Flamenco mini bags have a precious jade stone in their pocket, and Berluti unveils leather briefcases, suitcases and backpacks with a colourful dragon monogram as the brand logo