The Year of the Horse inspires movement, freedom, and fearless energy — and Malaysian brand TANGOO captures it perfectly in their Chinese New Year 2026 collection. From flowing tulle and painterly prints to dramatic face-changing performances, the collection blends heritage, theatricality, and modern style.
Riding High on Tradition and Fantasy
The Horse is the zodiac animal for 2026, the seventh sign in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Long associated with strength, speed, and charisma, it is also one of the most glamorous zodiac animals to dress for. Unsurprisingly, fashion is off to a galloping start this Lunar New Year.
From playful homages to sleek reinterpretations of Chinese culture and historical roots, this year’s Lunar New Year collections arrive with no shortage of flair. Bold, fast, and forever in motion, the Horse offers the perfect excuse to be fearless and turn heads.
Local Malaysian brand TANGOO, led by designer Moses Law from Sarawak alongside Eric Yeong from Kuala Lumpur, delivers an especially compelling Chinese New Year 2026 collection that boldly embraces Chinese drama and theatricality.
Early glimpses of the collection, teased on social media, reveal strong references to historical and heritage arts, layered with TANGOO’s signature dramatic styling. Intrigued by this striking visual narrative, we sat down with the designers to uncover the spirit behind the collection.
The Interview
What is the spirit behind your Chinese New Year 2026 collection?
The Year of the Horse represents movement, freedom, and fearless vitality. For CNY 2026, we wanted to capture that poetic energy of renewal — a feeling of momentum and stepping forward with grace and confidence. This collection is about embracing motion, both physically and emotionally, as we enter a new year.
How does the symbolism of the Horse translate into your designs?
The horse is powerful yet elegant, untamed yet refined. We interpreted that duality through flowing silhouettes, soft ruffles, and layers of airy tulle that move like wind in motion. There is a sense of rhythm in every piece, almost like the echo of galloping hooves, expressed through fluid lines and cascading forms.
The prints and textures feel very artistic. What inspired them?
We were inspired by traditional paper quilling and painterly brushwork. The swirling motifs mirror the intricate curls of paper art and the majestic sweep of a horse’s mane. These elements bring a handcrafted, almost dreamlike quality to the collection, blurring the line between fashion and art.
Tell us about the colour palette.
We chose pastel golds, sea-mint greens, blush pinks, and warm butter tones to evoke nostalgia while feeling freshly awakened. These shades reflect optimism and softness, balancing the horse’s dynamic energy. The palette feels celebratory yet calm, luminous without being overpowering.
How does the collection honour tradition while remaining modern?
There are lace appliqués, chinoiserie references, and silhouettes inspired by traditional opera sleeves. At the same time, the cuts, layering, and styling are contemporary. We wanted the collection to feel rooted in cultural memory yet reimagined through a modern lens.
What role do accessories and details play in the story?
Gold accessories and sculptural details represent divine fire and auspicious energy, symbolising prosperity and strength for the New Year. They add a ceremonial touch, elevating each look while reinforcing the festive spirit of CNY.
Who is this collection designed for?
It is for the dreamers, the bold, and those who stride fearlessly into the future — people who honour heritage but are not bound by it. They move forward with confidence, imagination, and grace.
The face-changing performances added another layer of drama to the photo shoot. Bian lian is an ancient Chinese dramatic art from Sichuan opera, known for vividly coloured masks depicting iconic characters. With the flick of a fan, a tilt of the head, or a wave of the hand, performers transform their faces almost instantaneously, offering a mesmerising display of skill, mystery, and tradition.
In one sentence, the TANGOO Chinese New Year 2026 collection is a celebration of heritage, fantasy, and modernity, guided by the luminous, courageous spirit of the Horse as we step into the new year.
Photo Shoot Credits
Art Director: @azukii_beanss
Co-Directors: @foundstudio.my, @ashh113_
Photography Team: @foundstudio.my, @wei_kang_02, @michaelykhxz, @ke_hong_0_0, @teo_nicole
Styling: @style_by_azukii
Makeup: @m.nicolemakeup, @jingfei.1217, @fayeee.makeup, @appleleng, @c_cherlyn22, @iris.w.520, @glamby.may
Hair: @vv1016, @hairsalonbyvvchan
Fashion Attire: @ilovetangoo, @ahlok116, @whoisthongdee
Lunch Sponsor: @shiwei_eatery
Coffee Sponsor: @singledosecoffee_
Face-Changing Performers: @nasilemak_face
Models: @karhao, @kell.n99, @racracrac.rac, @elaineyap_
