Paris Couture Week And Lunar New Year Collide In 2026 Fashion

Paris in January is always abuzz with anticipation, but this year, the city pulsed with even more excitement as two of fashion’s brightest stars—Jonathan Anderson and Matthieu Blazy—unveiled their debut couture collections at Dior and Chanel, respectively. Over five days, the world’s fashion elite gathered for the Spring/Summer 2026 Haute Couture Week, a period when only a select few couture houses present their latest visions. According to Coveteur, the mood this season was one of distilled beauty and creative freedom, offering a welcome respite from the heavier themes dominating global headlines.

At the heart of this week’s collections was a clear dialogue between the body and the natural world. Anderson and Blazy, each at the peak of their creative powers, found common ground in exploring how fashion can reflect and even amplify nature’s wonders. Birds, flowers, and ethereal motifs took center stage, weaving a narrative of renewal and hope—just in time for Lunar New Year celebrations that would soon sweep across the globe.

Blazy’s Chanel debut was particularly striking for its poetic inspiration. As reported by Coveteur, the collection sprang from a simple haiku: “Bird on a mushroom / I saw the beauty at once / Then gone, flown away.” The result? Models glided down the runway in featherlight silk mousseline, layered and embroidered with birds and mushrooms. The avian theme was more than just a visual treat; it was a statement on freedom—a sentiment echoed across the week’s shows. Real feathers, scalloped tweeds, and bird-like silhouettes gave the collection a sense of movement and levity, perfectly in tune with the season’s spirit.

Jonathan Anderson’s Dior debut, meanwhile, leaned into symbolism with a heavy nod to the natural world. Scalloped materials mimicked pelts of feathers, and some draped tops featured actual plumes. The collection’s floral elements paid homage to Monsieur Dior’s famed obsession with gardens, with everything from cherry blossom prints to clusters of sequin flowers adorning sheer kimonos. The effect was one of lush abundance, a celebration of spring’s perennial promise.

Elsewhere, Daniel Roseberry’s Schiaparelli collection took a dramatic turn, drawing inspiration from a recent trip to Rome and the grandeur of the Sistine Chapel. According to Coveteur, Roseberry’s designs featured animalistic and religious motifs—think winged jackets and otherworldly horns. The closing look, a jacket crafted entirely from gold and green feathers with a crystal bird perched on the model’s head, was a showstopper. Alessandro Michele’s Valentino collection also nodded to the divine, blending Hollywood glamour with references to the Madonna, complete with an angelic gold headdress and flowing organza capes.

One trend that united many collections was the unexpected prominence of mint green. Chanel’s silk mousseline gave the hue a dreamy quality, while Valentino used it to line gowns and peplum skirts. Armani Privé took things a step further, rendering 70% of its looks in celadon—organza, beading, silk, and suiting all bathed in the cool, fresh shade. The color’s association with freedom and optimism made it a fitting choice for a season defined by lightness and new beginnings.

Bird motifs, too, were everywhere. As Coveteur observed, they appeared not only in Chanel’s intricate embroideries but also at Dior, where feathered details abounded, and at Schiaparelli, which opened and closed with winged silhouettes. The symbolism was clear: in a world longing for escape and elevation, designers found inspiration in creatures that embody both.

Florals, a perennial spring favorite, took on new life this year. Valentino beaded oversized blooms in gold and silver onto high-necked black gowns, while Schiaparelli opted for subtle white floral appliqué on sheer bodices. Anderson’s Dior, meanwhile, drew deeply from nature, with every piece reflecting the house’s garden heritage. It was, as Coveteur put it, "not groundbreaking, but breathtaking nonetheless."

As Paris Couture Week wrapped, the global fashion world shifted its gaze eastward, where Lunar New Year 2026 was about to usher in the Year of the Horse. Designers across continents responded with collections that celebrated the zodiac’s energy—bold, fast, and forever in motion, as described by Harper’s BAZAAR. Brands from Acne Studios to Valentino released festive capsules brimming with galloping motifs, horse charms, and lucky horseshoes.

Dior, fresh from its Paris runway triumph, unveiled a Lunar New Year selection full of subtle symbolism. Soft-hued toile de Jouy dotted with clovers adorned Book Totes, silk scarves, and Lady Dior bags, while horse motifs and lucky horseshoe details galloped across ready-to-wear. The palette of joyful pinks and whites captured the season’s themes of renewal and quiet prosperity—an elegant bridge between Parisian couture and Eastern celebration.

Other brands brought their own interpretations to the festivities. Balenciaga went big on logomania, with accessories embellished by lucky horseshoes. Chloé leaned into feminine freedom and confidence, updating classic bags and tailoring with horse-buttoned details and vintage-gold talismans. Delvaux offered a Pin Mini Bucket crafted from Cavale—an intricate weave of horsehair, cotton, and linen—paying homage to both festive symbolism and Belgian craftsmanship. Even Birkenstock joined in, reimagining its iconic sandals in glossy red leather and gold buckles, a direct nod to Lunar New Year luck.

Color played a starring role in these collections. Red, the traditional color of luck and celebration, dominated everything from Ralph Lauren’s varsity jackets and Polo Bear sweaters to Roger Vivier’s vermillion-toned handbags and Ferragamo’s gilded pumps. Gold, another auspicious hue, appeared in embroidery, hardware, and shimmering textiles, infusing the collections with a sense of prosperity and joy.

What made this year’s Lunar New Year drops especially noteworthy was their blend of tradition and modernity. Brands like Good Addition and Klarra focused on contemporary heirlooms and versatile tailoring, offering pieces that could be worn long after the festivities end. Meanwhile, collaborations such as H&M x Jacques Wei and Farfetch x Ami Paris reflected the global reach of fashion’s new year celebrations, mixing Eastern motifs with Western silhouettes for a truly cosmopolitan wardrobe.

From Parisian runways to festive gatherings across Asia, Spring/Summer 2026’s fashion narrative was one of renewal, joy, and connection. Whether through the poetic flight of a bird, the bold gallop of a horse, or the hopeful bloom of spring flowers, designers invited us to celebrate not just the changing seasons, but the enduring power of creativity and tradition to bring people together.

As the last model exited the runway and Lunar New Year festivities began, it was clear that fashion in 2026 is as much about storytelling as it is about style—a testament to the enduring magic of couture and the universal language of celebration.