Jacques Wei x H&M Ushers in the Year of the Horse With a Refined Chinese New Year 2026 Collection

H&M heads into Chinese New Year 2026 with a thoughtful new collaboration that places craftsmanship and cultural storytelling front and center. For the second season of its Chinese Designer Collaboration Project, the global retailer teams up with Shanghai-based designer Jacques Wei, unveiling a collection timed to the Year of the Horse and revealed in partnership with Shanghai Fashion Week.

The campaign frames Los Angeles-style ease through an Eastern lens, grounding symbolic references in pieces designed for real, everyday wear. Jacques Wei’s signature restraint shapes the collection from the start, with a color palette that feels ceremonial yet modern. Bright red sets the tone alongside dark camel brown, agate gray, and moonlight blue, creating a balance that feels festive without leaning into costume.

Horse motifs run quietly through the lineup, appearing as fluid line drawings rather than bold graphics. They bring a sense of movement to the garments, echoing the spirit of the zodiac symbol while keeping the overall look polished. Halter tops and flowing maxi slip dresses arrive in glossy, lightweight fabrics, detailed with soft ties and gentle draping that follow the body naturally. Metallic horse-shaped buckles accent necklines and straps, adding a sharp point of contrast.

Skirts trimmed with fringe and finished with thigh-high slits introduce motion with every step, a subtle nod to a horse’s mane in motion. Tailored pieces offer structure, with cropped jackets and blazers featuring defined shoulders, clean lines, and metallic buttons or horse-head clasps that feel modern and architectural. Animal prints, a familiar element in Jacques Wei’s work, are woven throughout the collection and elevated with beading and metallic finishes that keep the look layered but controlled.

Accessories continue the story with sculptural precision. Jewelry reinterprets the horse through sleek necklaces, brooches, and openwork bracelets that feel decorative yet wearable. A standout saddle-shaped shoulder bag anchors the accessories lineup, combining a molded silhouette with softened curves. A chain belt detailed with horse, sun, and swallow charms references the traditional “Galloping Horse and Flying Swallow” motif, tying cultural heritage directly into styling.

Launching online January 21 via HM.COM.CN and H&M’s Tmall flagship, followed by an in-store release on January 22 at select Mainland China locations, the Jacques Wei x H&M Chinese New Year 2026 collection reflects a clear point of view. It honors symbolism through disciplined design, offering a wardrobe that feels intentional, contemporary, and quietly expressive as the Year of the Horse begins.