In anticipation of the Chinese New Year 2026, H&M launches a captivating collaboration that emphasizes cultural narratives and artisanal skills. The global fashion giant has partnered with Shanghai-based designer Jacques Wei for the second edition of its Chinese Designer Collaboration Project, releasing a collection coinciding with the Year of the Horse in connection with Shanghai Fashion Week.
This campaign emphasizes a California-casual aesthetic viewed through an Eastern perspective, merging traditional symbols with contemporary designs intended for everyday use. The collection reflects Jacques Wei’s unique minimalism, featuring a color scheme that balances ceremonial elegance with modernity. Vibrant red serves as a foundational hue, complemented by rich camel brown, subtle agate gray, and soothing moonlight blue, crafting a festive yet sophisticated feel.
The horse motif subtly permeates the garments, manifested as fluid line art instead of overt graphics. This design choice evokes a sense of motion, capturing the essence of the zodiac sign while maintaining an elegant appearance. The collection includes halter tops and flowing maxi slip dresses made from glossy, lightweight materials, adorned with delicate ties and flowing drapes that complement the body’s natural shape. Metallic accents in the form of horse-shaped buckles embellish necklines and straps, providing a striking contrast.
Fringe-trimmed skirts with thigh-high slits introduce dynamic movement, subtly paralleling the graceful flow of a horse’s mane. Tailored options such as cropped jackets and blazers introduce a structured silhouette, showcasing defined shoulders and sleek lines accentuated by metallic buttons or horse-head clasps, resulting in a progressive, architectural aesthetic. Signature animal prints, a staple in Jacques Wei’s designs, are interwoven into the collection, heightened with beading and metallic details that enhance depth while maintaining a refined look.
The accessories tell a complementary story with sculptural finesse. Jewelry is reimagined with equine themes, as sleek necklaces, brooches, and intricate openwork bracelets embody both decorative and practical qualities. A highlight piece, a saddle-shaped shoulder bag, anchors the accessory collection, featuring a molded design with smooth curves. A chain belt adorned with charms shaped like horses, suns, and swallows harkens back to the traditional “Galloping Horse and Flying Swallow” motif, intricately weaving cultural heritage into the fashion narrative.
Set to launch online on January 21 through HM.COM.CN and H&M’s Tmall flagship, with a physical release on January 22 in select Mainland China stores, the Jacques Wei x H&M collection for Chinese New Year 2026 presents a calculated design ethos. It pays homage to symbolic meanings through meticulous craftsmanship, offering garments that are purposeful, modern, and understatedly expressive as the festivities of the Year of the Horse commence.
