Inspired by Chinese cultural elements and made with Italian flair, Ferragamo is globally launching its special 2023 Lunar New Year collection to celebrate the festival.

The collection by Ferragamo’s creative director Maximilian Davis anchors its visual aesthetics in the figure of rabbit, a symbol of auspiciousness in Chinese culture. Set in a red, white and black theme, the scarlet eye of the rabbit provides inspiration, nodding to the creature’s mythical clairvoyance. The classic form is given a contemporary makeover.

The debut of the collection in China comes as millions of Chinese hope for a brighter future in the 2023 Year of the Rabbit as the country emerges from pandemic restrictions.

Ferragamo initially cast its gaze to the East in the ’80s, landing in Hong Kong in 1986 and debuting on the mainland China market in 1995. Since then, the heritage label has expanded aggressively in China, making this market into one of its most important regional growth drivers over the past two decades. So far the brand has 62 retail stores and 18 retail outlets across the country. 

The Florentine luxury house, whose shoes and handbags were favored by Hollywood cultural icons like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe, embarked on a brand revamp last year under its new CEO Marco Gobbetti. In May, Gobbetti said that the company plans to double…