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Happy Chinese New Year! We have now entered the year of the dragon. Traditionally the dragon has heralded the mightiest of the zodiac signs, symbolising dominance and ambition. So this is the year to be confident in yourself and reach for your dreams.
Chinese and oriental stories have long had an influence on Western fashion. Last summer a strong Eastern story could be seen at John Galliano, Alberta Ferretti and Oscar de la Renta. Marc Jacobs really went for it at the Louis Vuitton show with cheongsam dresses, kimono jackets and stain geisha trousers all inspired by Kenzo Takada and Kansai Yamamoto, the first Japanese designers to show their collections in Paris, in the 1970's (we’re just merging Chinese and Japanese together now, sorry).
If this were a feature for ‘How to Spend it’ magazine it would be accompanied by an image of Crow’s Nest ‘Secret Keeper’ jewellery collection. The ultimate in gothic luxe, designer and founder of Crow’s Nest, Daniel-Philip Belevitch has created a range of eight oriental dragon inspired bracelets. One is strung on black cotton string, whilst the others are made from black spinell beads. With prices starting from £3000, each is made with 18k white, rose or yellow gold with rows of black and white diamonds and a signature pear-shaped tsavorite for the dragon’s eye.
If that is a bit out of your price range, then check out this bargain dress from boohoo.com. Priced at just £15, the Lucy oriental print skater dress is super cute and available in five colours of oriental floral print. Wear it for day with flats and a tan belt, or for evening with heels, a clutch and sparkly accessories.
Other ways to wear the trend include opting for an obi belt (another favourite from last summer), or wearing your hair in a high chignon, securing with a couple of decorative chopsticks or pins. Be bang up-to-date with the trend by sporting an oriental inspired pyjama suit, in silk of course.
