MCM’s Lunar New Year collection is winning across the board

This year more than any before, we’ve seen a huge influx of fashion houses celebrating the upcoming Lunar New Year with equestrian-themed collections. Though the majority of the capsules we’ve seen so far are celebrating the Year of the Horse by hopping on the trending cowboy-core aesthetic, Berlin-based brand MCM is doing things a little differently. The house is making their move by centering the knight chess piece (traditionally depicted as a horse) as their Lunar New Year mascot. 

While the horse is a symbol of freedom and agility, the chess piece is an insignia of intentionality. Intentionality is what lays at the heart of this collection, which sees the brand keeping true to its sustainability policy; no small feat when it comes to designing a limited-edition collection.

It does so by reworking the house’s famed Aren bags, upcycling them with chess pieces hand-painted across the body and a detachable leather keyring. A rework of a classic as opposed to a whole new product, the accessories are still adorned with the brand’s signature Visetos monogram and accompanied by luxury inclusions like 24k gold-plated hardware.

By avoiding overly-gimmicky equine motifs and reworking their most popular pieces, MCM’s Lunar New Year collection is a masterclass in sustainability. The capsule might celebrate the Year of the Horse, but you’ll be galloping with the pieces by your side into every new year, thanks not only to the timeless design, but the durable leather craftsmanship, too. Checkmate.