Style Your Year of the Dragon

The Chinese Lunar New Year begins Monday, Jan. 23. This change represents year 4710 on the Chinese calendar, and is marked by the legendary dragon. To the Chinese, the fictional creature typically represents power and good fortune. To stylemakers everywhere, it’s the perfect excuse to add a touch of the exotic to their collections.

According to luxury watchmaker Panerai, the company has “released 50 pieces of limited edition watches” bearing the image of a long, serpentine dragon on a watch face cover. These pieces are being sold exclusively in Shanghai and Beijing boutiques. Panerai states on its website that, “in Eastern philosophy, the dragon is seen as the representative that passes good luck and supreme power.”

But if you’re not scheduled to shop any Beijing watch boutiques this week, how can you incorporate this powerful symbol into your wardrobe?

From luxe to punk, from subtle to exclamatory, designers have incorporated dragon-inspired style into wearable fashions.

Paloma Picasso for Tiffany – Renowned designer Paloma Picasso has teamed up with legendary jeweler, Tiffany & Co., to create a series of charms that represent the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac. Her dragon charm is crafted in 18 carat gold and boasts a certified Tiffany diamond.

Cartier Le Baiser du Dragon – This eau de parfum named for a “dragon’s kiss” comes in a bottle of Asian inspired design and offers mysterious scents of the Orient.

H&M’s “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Collection – Whispers of “Oscar nomination” for dramatic powerhouse, Rooney Mara, are on just about everyone’s lips these days. Mara portrays the fictional Lisbeth Salander in the first film of a trilogy based on the best selling books by Stieg Larsson. Salander’s style is edgy, and more than a little rock and roll. H&M’s collection, released late last year, is a nod to Salander’s outsider, ultra-modern look. The uban, edgy collection was created by H&M and Trish Summerville, the costume designer on the film. Summerville said in a release, “Salander’s look is very real…with pieces that her character has worn for a long time.”

How will you wear the dragon?

Click here to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.