Shedding Skins: How Luxury Fashion Reimagines the Year of the Snake
- Claudia Limaverde Costa
- Aug 27
- 4 min read
In the hands of Prada, Gucci, Loewe, and Fendi, the Year of the Snake becomes more than a symbol—it becomes a statement. In Chinese culture, the snake encompasses the power of renewal through transformation, evident in its ritual of shedding skin. Each fashion house interprets the mythology of the Snake through its own lens, highlighting different facets to craft collections that balance personal vision with a shared cultural meaning. Prada draws on the snake’s silhouette to explore themes of community, whilst Fendi hones in on the creature’s gaze, transforming its playful ‘Monster Eye’ into a bold, serpentine emblem of power and intimidation. Gucci reimagines its classic GG monogram with winding snake forms, infusing heritage patterns with both elegance and strength. Loewe turns to ancient Chinese cloisonné—a meticulous enamelling technique steeped in imperial tradition—partnering with master artisan Xiong Songtao to craft delicate pieces like the ‘Cloud Clutch,’ where the cloud motif echoes the fragility and grace of porcelain.
For Prada, the Year of the Snake is described as a “powerful source for metaphorical visions.” The brand draws inspiration from the snake’s unique form—its coils and spirals—to craft “striking creative symbols” and offer a “visual representation of the concept of community.” For the collection shoot, creative director Ferdinando Verderi, together with photographer Oliver Hadlee Pearch, drew inspiration from the intricate form of the snake to shape the visual narrative. The result was a “snake-like chain of human silhouettes,” symbolising interconnectedness. Verderi brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as ambassadors, art historians, artists, and models, to honour Chinese culture and to celebrate both individuality and the “innate correlations between one another.” Designs from the collection include a reimagined Prada logo, subtly reworked with a snake silhouette, as well as four infinity symbols crafted from the serpent’s body. The snake, rendered in a vibrant, auspicious red, references its cultural significance in China, where red symbolises luck, happiness, and prosperity. This choice also alludes to the tradition of red envelopes (hóngbāo, 紅包), which convey good wishes and blessings for the Lunar New Year.
Fendi mark its centennial with a bold embrace of the snake motif, channelling themes of transformation and reinvention. Iconic pieces like the Baguette and Peekaboo bags are reimagined with a serpentine edge, while the brand’s infamous ‘Monster Eye’ returns with a venomous twist, reimagined as golden snake eyes that captivate with a bold, hypnotic gaze. Once a playful accent, the ‘Monster Eye’ now takes on a darker, more commanding presence—most notably in the Peekaboo mini leather top-handle bag, where elegance meets intimidation. Beyond the snake, Fendi also incorporates the orchid, a symbol of both sophistication and power. In Chinese culture, the orchid represents admiration and strength, creating a striking contronym: a delicate bloom paired with the powerful metaphor of the serpent. This juxtaposition is expressed through bold red designs radiating confidence, as well as softer iterations in pinks and browns that evoke quiet sophistication. The Lunar New Year capsule collection, centred on a reinvented ‘Monster Eye,’ encapsulates the spirit of bold creativity and metamorphosis, echoing not only nature’s cycles, but Fendi’s own evolution as a house unafraid to transform.
Gucci’s take on the Lunar New Year leans into the central themes of reunion and renewal. Its campaign centres around two families, illustrating the unbreakable bonds of love that transcend distance and time. Serpentine motifs appear throughout both the menswear and womenswear collections, symbolising transformation with a subtle, seductive edge. Two standout pieces include a burgundy sequined dress, where snakes in varying shades of red slither across the silhouette, creating depth and shadow through tone and texture; and a blue button-down shirt stitched with the classic GG monogram, elevated by delicate serpents interwoven with the iconic print. Once again, the snake weaves its way into Gucci’s visual language, transforming heritage patterns into something intricate and unexpected.
Loewe’s Lunar New Year collection takes an alternative path by paying homage to traditional Chinese craftsmanship. At the heart of the collection is cloisonné, a centuries-old enamelling technique known for its precision and beauty. Originating during the Yuan dynasty and reaching peak popularity in the Ming and Qing dynasties, cloisonné involves carefully bending fine metal wires—often gold or copper—into intricate patterns, such as florals or clouds, which are then filled with vividly coloured enamel paste. After multiple rounds of firing and polishing, the surface emerges with a jewel-like brilliance and a delicate, almost sculptural quality. Loewe partnered with third-generation enameller Xiong Songtao, whose lineage traces back to the Qing court, to bring this historic art form into the present. Together, they created a sculptural ‘Nest Bag’ adorned with a snake’s head and detailed cloisonné elements, alongside the ethereal ‘Cloud Clutch,’ inspired by traditional porcelain motifs. The cloud pattern evokes transformation, impermanence, and elevated beauty, perfectly in tune with the serpent’s symbolism of change and renewal. Loewe’s partnership with Songtao to create traditional cloisonné plays a vital role in bringing intricate craftsmanship into luxury fashion, bridging heritage and contemporary design to tell a story that transcends history and culture.
The Year of the Snake symbolises power and elegance, qualities that resonate deeply with the fashion industry, a world shaped by reinvention, evolution, and an ever-renewing sense of identity, mirroring the snake’s transformative nature. Brands like Fendi and Gucci embody this spirit by reinterpreting their iconic pieces, much like a snake shedding its skin, showcasing fashion’s continuous drive to invent and reinvent. The brand’s attention to detail—whether through the use of red to echo traditional hóngbāo envelopes, the incorporation of orchids to symbolise beauty and refinement, or the revival of the ancient cloisonné technique— demonstrates a deep respect for Chinese cultural heritage. In doing so, these brands merge art and fashion into a rich, universal language, layered with cultural significance and timeless beauty.
Written by Claudia Limaverde Costa,
Edited by Arielle Sam-Alao, Co-fashion editor
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