The Year of the Horse 2026 - How Luxury's Most Powerful Emblem Galloped Back into Style

As the Year of the Horse surged into 2026, luxury houses responded with collections that honoured not just zodiac tradition - but their own equestrian legacies.

The horse - long associated with power, elegance, prestige and forward motion - has been embedded in the DNA of several of the world's most storied maisons. For Lunar New Year 2026, designers reinterpreted this symbol through house codes that felt celebratory, contemporary, and unmistakably on-brand.

What emerged was not costume dressing - but heritage, re-saddled for a new cultural moment.

Whimsy Meets Craft - Horse Charms, Mane Trims & Zodiac Detail

Accessories led the charge - playful, symbolic, and finely crafted.

Loewe trimmed its iconic Puzzle and Amazona bags with hand-knotted fringes reminiscent of a horse's mane, paired with miniature equine charms that added movement and texture.

Fendi revived its limited-edition BFF bag charms, decorating them with persimmons and peanuts - referencing a Chinese phrase symbolising smoothness and good fortune. The Italian house has long understood the power of craft-meets-narrative, as seen in Fendi Casa's showcase of Italy's finest craftsmanship.

Loro Piana introduced horse-shaped charms for its Extra Pocket L19 and unveiled an antique gold-toned horse pin for tailored coats - understated yet symbolic.

Dior presented the limited-edition Grand Soir Year of the Horse watch in rose gold, illuminated with diamonds - blending horology and zodiac mythology. The maison has form here - its earlier Grand Soir Year of the Rabbit timepiece set the template for this exquisite zodiac horology series.

Meanwhile, Hermes ignited digital momentum with its "Jump into the Year of the Horse" campaign page - a curated edit of charms, sneakers, scarves, and gifts celebrating renewal and velocity. Social platforms responded in kind. For context on Hermès' enduring positioning, explore the Hermes brand story and the deeper narrative of the glorious history of Hermes.

The message was clear - symbolism sells when heritage supports it.

Saddled in Signature Codes - Reinterpreting House Emblems

Beyond accessories, fashion houses reimagined equestrian motifs across ready-to-wear and leather goods.

Burberry revisited its Equestrian Knight Design in soft ink and watercolour-style prints, applying red and warm hues that bridged British heritage with Lunar New Year symbolism. The house's ability to marry technology with tradition has been a defining strength — explored in our analysis of how machine learning is transforming Burberry.

Loro Piana introduced the Chandani Horse motif across womenswear and Cash Silk scarves - remaining faithful to its quiet luxury aesthetic.

Polo Ralph Lauren embroidered festive pony and horseshoe motifs in celebratory red and gold.

Prada honoured the Fire Horse with a bold geometric red emblem fused with its triangle logo - amplified through a China-focused campaign.

Moncler reinterpreted movement itself, replacing straight quilting with curved stitching that suggested equine motion and momentum.

Rather than introducing foreign motifs, brands leaned into their own histories - strengthening authenticity while embracing cultural celebration. This alignment between heritage codes and cultural moment echoes a wider trend — luxury brands that truly understand what defines a luxury brand know that zodiac marketing only resonates when rooted in genuine lineage.

How Horses Defined Luxury Fashion - A Heritage Revisited

The equestrian narrative is not decorative. It is foundational.

Hermès began in 1837 as a Paris harness workshop crafting saddles and bridles for European nobility. Its carriage-and-horse emblem remains a direct homage to those origins.

Burberry introduced its mounted Equestrian Knight Design in 1901 - bearing the Latin "Prorsum," meaning "forwards."

Gucci transformed the horsebit - inspired by a bridle - into one of fashion's most recognisable hardware signatures. Gucci's enduring dominance as the most popular luxury brand online owes much to these deeply coded heritage markers.

Polo Ralph Lauren built an empire around the sport of polo, embedding aristocratic athleticism into American luxury identity.

In this context, the Year of the Horse was less a marketing opportunity and more a return to source. The interplay of zodiac symbolism and luxury heritage extends beyond fashion — Montblanc's Legends of Zodiac limited-edition pens and Fizzy Goblet's zodiac-inspired collection demonstrate how the celestial calendar inspires across categories. For a broader perspective on the luxury landscape's top performers, revisit the top 10 luxury brands that remain reigning champions.

Why the Horse Still Matters in 2026

In an era defined by speed, status, and symbolism, the horse represents forward drive without losing grace. It communicates heritage, athleticism, and elevated lifestyle - attributes that align seamlessly with luxury positioning.

For Lunar New Year 2026, maisons did not simply apply zodiac graphics. They reaffirmed lineage. The broader luxury ecosystem responded in kind - from Hublot's Lunar New Year celebrations to Bang & Olufsen's limited-edition Lunar New Year collection, the zodiac calendar continues to be a powerful creative catalyst for houses that know how to honour tradition while staying resolutely modern.

The Year of the Horse did not introduce something new to luxury fashion - it reminded the industry of where it began.