If the first few weeks of your 2023 have felt a bit lackluster, fear not: A second chance at a fresh start is right around the corner. Based on the cycles of the moon rather than the sun, the Lunar New Year, typically celebrated in Asian countries including China, Vietnam, and South Korea, falls on January 22 this year, and preparations for the festivities are already well underway.
The Chinese zodiac calendar marks this year as the Year of the Rabbit, and we’ve already spotted tons of Strat-favorite brands releasing adorable red-and-gold bunny-themed wares to celebrate the holiday. Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite items sure to bring you good fortune in the New Year; however, we advise you not to dillydally, as many of these products are limited edition and, much like a fleet-footed rabbit, won’t stick around for long.
Asian emporium and beloved NYC staple Pearl River Mart is a one-stop shop for Lunar New Year goodies. This gift box contains everything you need to ring in the Year of the Rabbit, including red envelopes, noisemakers, and sweet treats like ginger candy and mandarin jelly.
Strategist beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton says Tower 28’s lip jellies are “hands-down one of the most unique, flattering formulas I’ve slathered on.” The AAPI-owned beauty brand has partnered with the Mayfair Group to create two limited-edition Lunar New Year bundles, one with a full-size SOS face spray, the other with a travel-size spray plus a lip jelly in the shade of spicy. Both bundles include a festive sticker pack designed by Korean Canadian illustrator Kimi Kimo, who’s also released a matching sweatshirt emblazoned with adorable characters.
Marimekko’s peppy, uplifting prints never fail to inspire a smile. In honor of Lunar New Year, the brand has reissued designer Katsuji Wakisaka’s beloved 1981 Rulla (roll) pattern for a limited time; you can find the quirky roller-skating rabbit on everything from socks to mugs to tote bags, but it makes for an especially high-impact print on this scarf.
Fly by Jing’s Chili Crisp became a runaway hit almost as soon as it launched, and the brand has been teasing an even hotter and tinglier chili oil for quite some time now. The Sichuan Gold hot sauce is finally out, and each purchase includes a free download of the brand’s Lunar New Year Hosting Guide, which is packed with recipes, tips, and more.
Lush bath bombs are a big hit among toddlers and teen girls alike. Scented with a blend of sweet neroli and earthy sandalwood, this special Lunar New Year bunny bomb will turn a regular bath into a delightful swirl of pink and gold.
Feiyue’s trainers are among the best workout shoes for both men and women. According to Strategist U.K. contributor Anna Fielding, they originated “in 1920s Shanghai, where they were adopted by martial-arts practitioners,” resulting in a bouncy, grippy sneaker that’s “actually supportive.” For Lunar New Year, the brand has updated its signature Fe Lo 1920 model with a special red-and-black colorway, featuring golden-rabbit detailing on the tongue.
Or if you’re planning to throw a glamorous New Year fête, Sarah Flint — whose shoes our friends at the Cut have deemed “luxurious upgrades on the classics” — has released a Lunar New Year capsule collection. It includes a Mary Jane pump, a ballet flat, and these stiletto pumps wrapped in a red-and-gold jacquard-rabbit textile. If you’re worried about spending all night in high heels, fear not: According to trend forecaster Sidney Morgan-Petro, the “very elegant” design conceals borderline-orthopedic “footbed technology” in the soles.
For Lunar New Year, Our Place has given its Strat-favorite Perfect Pot and Always Pan an upgrade with a spicy new colorway: firecracker red. There’s also a spruce steamer for making perfectly tender dumplings and this limited-edition rice bowl set adorned with cavorting rabbits that comes with matching bamboo chopsticks and stoneware chopstick rests.
Taiwanese grocery store Yun Hai, purveyor of chef-approved miso and editor-endorsed chili crisp, has teamed up with graphic design studio o.oo to release a set of three red envelopes inspired by the craft of Chinese paper cutting. Each element in the design — from lanterns to golden coins — was cut and arranged by hand before being printed with a Risograph machine. Red envelopes filled with money are traditionally gifted as a symbol of good blessings for the year ahead.
Aritzia has partnered with four Asian artists — Vanilla Chi, Zila Li, Xiao Mei, and Shuhua Xiong — to release a Lunar New Year sweatshirt collection highlighting each illustrator’s distinctive style. Pictured here: a fluffy bunny butt depicted in Xiong’s dreamy airbrush technique.
LEGO recently launched a festive 872-piece Lunar New Year set that builds two display-worthy models. Festooned with symbols of wealth and luck, the pieces feature ingots, koi fish, and peony flowers as well as traditional greetings to usher in prosperity and happiness in the New Year.
Lululemon’s Align leggings — which Dianna Falzarano, director of TRX programming at Flex Studios, calls a “second skin” — are now available in three Lunar New Year designs: an abstract burgundy swirl, a solid bright red, and a camo print that, if you look closely, reveals itself to be frolicking bunnies. If you want a head-to-toe look, the brand has also unveiled tanks, jackets, towels, and more in the same prints.
Gifting tea for the New Year is always a nice gesture. Harney & Sons tins make great hostess gifts, and the brand’s special Lunar New Year tin contains 30 sachets of a black tea blend that includes toasted rice and coconut pieces — the flavor is inspired by nian gao, a delicacy made of caramel, sesame, and coconut.
Created in collaboration with Sanrio, famed patisserie Lady M’s Lunar New Year gift set is sure to delight fans of the kawaii cartoon character My Melody. The limited-edition keepsake box includes illustrations of plum blossoms, a folding fan, confetti-stuffed red envelopes, and an interactive 3-D pop-up diorama. But the best part is that each pull-out drawer opens to reveal exclusive Lady M bonbons, perfect for enjoying with friends (or just by yourself).
Sandy Liang is no stranger to Don’t Dillydilly; the designer is known for her youthful, whimsical aesthetic, from candy-colored fleeces to daisy-patterned kicks. Liang’s Lunar New Year capsule includes barrettes, necklaces, and phone charms, but our favorite is this sweet pair of silver bunny studs — sure to add some sparkle to your ears all year long.
Lingerie brand Fleur du Mal’s Year of the Rabbit set comes with a triangle bralette and V-string featuring rabbit embroidery on sheer dotted tulle. And if you’re feeling really festive, you can also pick up a pair of lace bunny ears to complete the look.
Calvin Klein has also come out with a collection of underthings for both men and women printed with cheeky rabbit graphics. The brand’s trunks are among our picks for the best men’s underwear since, according to Hawthorne co-founder Phillip Wong, the “shape is exceptional, not too tight, and it’s very low maintenance.”
Create a dazzling New Year’s look with these special-edition shades from Pat McGrath, a Strat-favorite maker of expert-approved eye shadow palettes. The quartet of burnished bronze and copper hues, which come in both matte and shimmery duo-chromatic textures, are enveloped in luxurious red-and-gold-embellished packaging.
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