Fashion industry gears up for dragon-themed items for new year

[Courtesy of Fendi]

As the Year of the Dragon approaches in 2024, South Korea’s fashion industry is capturing the attention of consumers born under the dragon zodiac sign with a flurry of dragon-themed products. The dragon, known to symbolize hope and luck, is gaining popularity as a sought-after motif for New Year gifts.

According to sources on Tuesday, global luxury brand Fendi is set to launch a collection in January to commemorate the Year of the Dragon, collaborating with the popular animation series Pokémon. The collection will feature various products, including the signature bag, adorned with selected “Dragon-type Pokémon.” The flagship product includes a baguette bag embroidered with Pokémon characters such as Dratini, Dragonair, and Dragonite.

The trend of dragon-themed marketing, particularly in children’s clothing, is rapidly picking up steam. CURLYSUE, a children’s apparel brand under Hansae MK, recently launched an exclusive collaborative collection in partnership with Universal Pictures’ ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ animation. Their flagship item features captivating artwork from the series, prominently displayed on T-shirts, complemented by a lineup of four distinct-sized bags.

Laughing.child, a kids’ brand operated by Suhyang Networks, is introducing a dinosaur series as next year’s dragon-themed items under the theme “Dinosaurs Want to Be Dragons.” This series, the brand’s first new release next year, focuses on dinosaur designs incorporating dinosaur patterns and horn-shaped elements.

Footwear and timepieces are also embracing the dragon’s spirit. Global sports brand Nike is gearing up to launch the ‘Air Force’ and ‘Dunk Low’ new releases in honor of the upcoming Year of the Dragon. The ‘Air Force 1 Low’ in January and ‘Dunk Low Disrupt 2’ in February showcase textures reminiscent of dragon scales. In addition, Swatch has unveiled the ‘Dragon Zodiac’ collection within its children’s watch line Flik Flak.