Over two billion people on this side of the planet are celebrating the Lunar New Year, particularly in China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam in various iterations as the calendar year begins not on 1 January, but as per the tidings of the moon. It’s the season of new clothes, coveted red lai see packets, mealtimes with family, a long break from work, and other celebrations with fireworks and festivities—gifting included. So here are a few novel rabbit-themed ideas that can be beautifully wrapped in papers of red and gold.
Astier de Villatte
For a slice of refined interiors, we headed over to Lane Crawford to find an original Astier de Villatte box, handcrafted from black earthenware and finished with a white porcelain glaze. Creating exquisite, one-of-a-kind pieces from the workshop that previously housed Napoleon’s silversmith, the eponymous tableware collection is inspired by 18th and 19th century designs. Glazed to create a milky white finish that highlights any colourful food item placed in it, luxurious Astier de Villatte is renowned for its approach to ceramic artisanship. There’s a timeless quality to each signature piece that is quite undeniable. Often handmade with black terracotta clay in Paris, the pieces are extremely durable yet surprisingly light to the touch, making them perfect for everyday use. Infused with an erstwhile inspired aesthetic, the lid topped, with a rabbit, has an endearing, enduring quality that can be a welcome addition to your table setting for any and every occasion.
Charbonnel et Walker
Charbonnel et Walker has launched three limited-edition chocolate truffle boxes to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with a special iconic emblem of a resting bunny in the centre for just the occasion. Each box is gorgeously decorated with the Lunar New Year mascot in gold leaf and is available in three sumptuous flavours: Dark Marc de Champagne, Milk Hazelnut Cream, and Strawberries and Cream. The latter is presented in an auspicious, red-coloured box with a unique Chinese lattice design, whilst the Milk Hazelnut Cream follows suit in luxurious gold. Chocolate truffles, like Paris, is always a good idea.
Vive Boutique Cake
Oh so adorable! Vive Cake Boutique welcomes this Year of the Rabbit with a thematic cake collection studded with absolutely adorable bunnies created by founder and notable cake designer Vivien Lau.
“I enjoy creating unique collections to celebrate momentous holidays,” says Lau of her latest collection. “Chinese New Year especially holds a special place in my heart as it brings loved ones together to welcome the New Year with good fortune and happiness. I hope this collection will bring a smile to everyone’s faces.”
For sure! From the collection, our favourite was the Prosperity Wish cake, an adorable piece of pink confection that takes on the theme of the rabbit embellished with quintessential Lunar New Year staples such as chocolate-made gold ingots and coins, together with an absolutely adorable bunny dressed up as the Chinese god of wealth, symbolising good omens.
Creed x Robbi
Creed x Robbi have collaborated to create the first limited-edition scented Robbi Art Toy to mark the Chinese Year of the Rabbit. This limited-edition piece was created by one of China’s leading female tech entrepreneurs, Rhea He, and has been eyed by collectors all over the world.
The special Creed x Robbi collab comes at a time of surging popularity for collectible art toys—a trend driven by Asian millennials and Gen Zs globally. Here are some stats to bring your hopping to a standstill: according to iiMedia Research, the size of the collectible toy market is projected to surpass US$11.7 billion (a whopping HK$91.58 billion) in 2024!
The Creed x Robbi Art Toy will exist physically in Creed stores all around the world, in 3D video assets across Creed media, and virtually in the metaverse with Ayayi, China’s first “meta-human” virtual influencer. Each piece is available in two sizes, fitted with a unique NFC chip, and each chip is encoded with Robbi’s unique number.
Harry Winston
Reinterpreting a classic Chinese tale of the legend of the Jade Rabbit with its eternal love for the elusive moon, Harry Winston’s latest accessory shines and shimmers while retelling the narrative on its bejewelled watches. A dazzling tribute to the Year of the Rabbit, the diamond-studded watch is housed in a sophisticated 36 mm premier case in 18-karat rose gold and majestically set with 57 brilliant-cut diamonds. Matching the red palette of the dial, the glossy red alligator strap is attached to the wrist with a rose gold ardillon buckle adorned with a further 17 brilliant-cut diamonds. The Premier Chinese New Year Automatic 36 mm is presented in a special red gift box, dotted and decorated with a golden silhouette of the Jade Rabbit picking flowers—an objet for someone whom money is no object.
Qeeboo
The modern Italian brand Qeeboo, founded by Stefano Giovannoni, has a playful and cheeky collection of furniture and objects, made by the group’s avant-garde designers who merged to form a collective aesthetic like no other. This unique Qeeboo chair with the unmistakable silhouette of a rabbit can be seen at Lane Crawford interiors, a whimsical and all-too-cool piece to add a splash of colour and character to anyone’s unique sense of décor.
The Lung King Heen Ultimate Hamper
As the as the luckiest animal out of all 12 Chinese zodiacs, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong is ready to unveil a wealth of auspicious experiences and tantalising treats to celebrate the rabbit. And its ultimate hamper is… well, like nothing else in the city! Pure indulgence from three-Michelin-star-studded Lung King Heen translates to champagne, whiskey, confection, pudding, Lung King Heen XO sauce, Lung King Heen signature tea. Items that are traditionally be considered as good luck for Chinese New Year are also included such as dried fish maw, dried black moss and dried conpoy. Only the finest selection of eatables made by the greatest chefs in the region.
