As Lunar New Year 2026 approaches, Malaysian fashion label, Angelique, offers a modern take on festive dressing – blending cultural symbolism, comfort and timeless design for pieces that go beyond the celebration.
Festive Fashion That Lasts Beyond the New Year
WITH the Lunar New Year just weeks away, celebrations will begin on 17 February 2026, and those observing the festival are already shopping for their festive outfits. Much like the arrival of spring, wearing new clothes symbolises fresh beginnings, renewal and good fortune – a tradition that remains deeply rooted in Chinese culture.
For classic festive dressing, the qipao (cheongsam) continues to be a timeless choice. This form-fitting dress, characterised by its high collar and side slits, is both elegant and celebratory.
Over the years, modern interpretations of the cheongsam have evolved, allowing many women to wear it beyond Chinese New Year and transforming it into a versatile wardrobe staple suitable for dinners, weddings and special occasions.
Traditionally rendered in red or gold, qipaos often feature floral or dragon embroidery as symbols of luck and prosperity. For many, red remains the most popular colour, representing happiness, luck and success, while gold signifies wealth and abundance. Jade and green are associated with harmony and good health, while pink reflects youth and renewal.
These colours continue to influence festive fashion today, although modern designers are interpreting them in more subtle and contemporary ways.
For those who prefer a non-traditional approach, what are the key trends for 2026? Increasingly, festive shoppers are seeking designs that go beyond one-off celebrations. They are looking for pieces that are stylish, comfortable and wearable throughout the year.
To explore this evolving approach to Lunar New Year fashion, we spoke to the founder of Angelique, a Malaysian fashion brand known for its beautifully crafted designs that transcend the festive season.
Tan Pei Ling shares that her 2026 Lunar New Year collection takes a thoughtful and modern direction.
“There is no horse motif, even though this year marks the Year of the Horse,” she explains. “Instead, I focused on bright colours such as shades of yellow, chilli red and orange. These colours represent gold and fire, which align with the symbolism of the Fire Horse year.”
Pei Ling also highlights the importance of cultural awareness in design. Wearing zodiac animals or Chinese characters without understanding their meaning, she notes, can sometimes lead to cultural missteps. Her approach is therefore more abstract and symbolic, allowing the wearer to express festivity without being overly literal.
Fabric choice plays an equally important role in Angelique’s designs. For this collection, Pei Ling uses various types of cotton, including cotton silk, cotton Tencel and cotton chiffon silk. These materials are lightweight, breathable and well suited to Malaysia’s tropical climate, ensuring comfort during long days of visiting family and friends.
Angelique is a Malaysian boutique brand from Penang, founded by Tan Pei Ling, whose passion for art and fashion shapes the label’s creative identity. Named after her daughter, Angelique reflects a deeply personal inspiration.
The young woman featured in some of the photographs accompanying this feature is, in fact, her daughter – who also serves as her muse and source of creative energy.
The brand focuses on sustainable, handmade pieces with a relaxed, chic bohemian-luxe aesthetic. Its collections include resort wear, flowy tops, sarongs and accessories, all produced through slow fashion practices and close collaboration with artisans. The result is clothing that feels effortless, elegant and easy to wear, without going over the top.
“The biggest mistake people make is treating Chinese New Year fashion like a costume rather than a celebration of personal style and cultural respect,” Pei Ling shares.
Many young people – especially those drawn to Angelique’s designs – would agree that her pieces are festive yet understated, making them suitable well beyond the New Year season.
So, do her daughter and her friends wear Angelique? Pei Ling laughs and replies simply, “Yes, they do.”
Angelique’s designs have been showcased at pop-ups such as The Collabstore at Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur and are now available at the brand’s new boutique in Pavilion Damansara, with selected pieces stocked in Sarawak.
In Kuching, Angelique can be found at NEXIS, Bormil Commercial Centre, Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce. The brand’s flagship store is housed in Yu Le Yuen, an impressive heritage guesthouse in Penang – a fitting home for a label that blends tradition, artistry and modern living.
