The Lunar New Year, a cherished celebration marking the arrival of spring and ushering in the New Year in several cultures around the world, is set to bring in the Year of the Snake on January 29, 2025. The snake is a symbol of wisdom, transformation, and quiet elegance — basically all of the energy we want to manifest in the new year. According to the Chinese zodiac, this serpentine era of us ahead promises a time of reflection, growth, and renewal.
Along with age-old traditions and family feasts being shared in homes all across the globe, it’s also customary during the holiday to give and receive gifts and exchange bright red envelopes with money to lavishly ring in the upcoming year. As always, to celebrate the holiday, our favorite fashion and beauty brands have joined in on the fun, and there’s a lineup of brand new, bold, red, and gold releases adorned with snake motifs. Whether you want to treat someone you love to a luxe gift (psst, Rimowa has a special edition Red Envelope that they hand out every Lunar New Year at their stores) or are looking to bring back red lipstick for yourself (yes, Dior has released a special edition package of their Rouge Dior lipstick again this year), there’s a bit of something for everyone.
If you haven't already gotten your fill of festivities to prepare, don't worry! There's still time left! Here are some of Teen Vogue’s favorite Lunar New Year fashion and beauty releases, perfect for gifting or treating yourself:
1. Loewe
Loewe’s Lunar New Year collection is a perfect marriage between high fashion and cultural celebration. The collection features designs with motifs of snakes and clouds, paying homage to the ancient Chinese art of cloisonné. Third-generation Chinese master of enamel, Xiong Songtao, worked with the brand on the capsule collection, which features a stunning contemporary dance video to pair with the products.
2. Tower 28
Cult-favorite AAPI-founded brand Tower 28 has released a brand new shade for its Lipsoftie Tinted Lip Treatment, and it’s inspired by one of our favorite Asian snacks — red bean mochi! The sheer, rosy, nude balm is fragrance-free and flavored with food-grade ingredients to avoid irritation. Grab yourself this dose of winter lip hydration and the sweet treat it’s named after to celebrate this Lunar New Year.
3. Silk Laundry
Silk Laundry’s Lunar New Year pieces are perfectly playful yet elegant, with a bold nod to the Year of the Snake. You can don these silky styles all year long. The details in the design are meant to celebrate nature, personal evolution, and the beauty of the natural world.
4. Sundae School
Elevate your streetwear game with Sundae School’s new special release design to commemorate the upcoming Year of the Snake. This sleek and cozy hoodie from the Korean-American brand features slithery graphics drawn in the style of a tattoo and a modern design that captures the transformative energy of the creature.
5. Staud
The signature Tommy bag from Staud received a makeover with a brand-new design released for the Lunar New Year. The Year of the Snake bag features hand-beaded snake motifs in vibrant reds, golds, and blacks. It’s the perfect mix of playful and chic, making it the ultimate statement piece to bring you good fortune — and endless compliments!
6. Swarovski
Swarovski released a collection that’s nothing short of a sparkling celebration of the Year of the Snake. Featuring intricate crystal designs covering all bases from sophisticated to playful, there really is something in this collection for everyone. Whether you’re ready to become a watchperson this year and are eyeing that bright and bold red watch, or you want a cute crystal trinket to bring you good fortune on your nightstand, look no further.
7. Gucci
Gucci jumped head first into the Year of the Snake fun with a collection that’s all about bold vibes and high-fashion flair, with a campaign featuring global ambassadors Ni Ni and Xiao Zhan. The new releases feature the brand’s iconic and recognizable flair but with a serpent-inspired glow-up.
8. Zenni Optical
Zenni Optical is celebrating festive and functional with its special-edition frames inspired by the Year of the Snake. This special release has 14 limited-edition frames that all incorporate snake motifs and bold designs to elevate your eyewear this year, whether prescription or not. If you make a purchase from the collection, you’ll also receive a limited-edition case and lens cloth that’s also equally snakey.
9. Glasshouse Fragrances Candle
This year, you can care for your home and space as you care for yourself and your loved ones with the Wisdom of the Snake Candle, a special holiday release from Glasshouse Fragrances. Not only is the scent divine with notes of orange blossom and orchid, but the soy wax candle comes in a beautiful, bright vessel celebrating the mystique of a snake that you can keep long after it burns.
10. Coach
Coach has released a sophisticated new capsule collection ahead of the holiday. Grab yourself a gold bag or a cute snake T-shirt to dress to impress this upcoming year. The tote bag is a must-have accessory to carry good fortune and all your essentials into the new year.
11. Lush
Nothing says new year better than a new self-care routine, and a bath is the best way to give yourself a refresh. Crafted by Lush’s teams in Greater China and Japan, the Lunar New Year collection features a bunch of new products, including a brand new citrus-scented bath bomb. There’s also a square cotton wrap designed by Shenzhen-based graphic designer and illustrator, Cheng Peng inspired by the art of Chinese paper-cutting.
12. Blueme Fan & Scent Set
If you’re not a candle person, try this fragrance and fan set from AAPI-founded brand Blueme, inspired by a snake’s fluid and sleek form. The beautifully designed fan that comes with the fragrance serves as both a cultural symbol and a functional piece in the kit. Blueme also has a commitment to sustainability and is the first candle brand to offer refills for all of its products, so you’ll be doing a service to the earth as well!
