On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, romance come to the fore—at least, according to the legend of Vega and Altair; the lovers at the heart of the Qixi Festival. Trapped on opposite ends of the Milky Way, the two lovers make their way across the sea of stars just once a year—guided by the light of the moon and the stars.
Such is the myth behind Qixi Festival—otherwise known as Chinese Valentine’s Day. The tale of the two star-crossed lovers that traces back to the Han Dynasty—it is perhaps one of the few romance tropes that never fail to enamour year on year again. There is a good reason why this particular fantasy remains undiminished: that somewhere in the vastness of the universe, two people are destined to meet; that even the stars might conspire to bring them together.
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There is something irresistible about the idea of the moon and stars quite literally aligning for two fated lovers—the invisible string stretched across the night sky, pulling them towards one another. This year, fashion has equally found inspiration in the tale of fate, of the invisible string and a fated romance.
Burberry finds love in a record store, as brand ambassadors Zhang Jingyi and Zhang Kangle meet, by chance, in the ‘Love, On Repeat’ campaign. Valentino stars Lars Huang, Yidan Huang, and Zen Yue in an intimate moment of fate tucked away in a bookstore, in a campaign shot by Wing Shya. Loewe, meanwhile, strips romance back to its most instinctive language: touch. In a campaign starring Xiang Si Don, mime and gesture take precedence over dialogue, allowing a brush of the hand, a glance or a shared movement to say what words cannot.
From an extensive Dior collection spanning ready-to-wear, accessories, bags and homeware, all embodying the deeply emotive spirit of Qixi Festival, to Burberry’s reimagining of the shield motif in the shape of a heart, even the brands have found themselves enamoured of this season of love—breathing new spirit into the love-soaked moment steeped in history.
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Burberry Heart Knight classic fit cotton shirt, $615
Available at Burberry.
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Valentino Garavani Panthea small shoulder bag in suede and nappa with chevron pattern, $2,575
Available at Valentino.
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Miu Miu Vedette blu-ray transparent sunglasses, $655
Available at Miu Miu.
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Valentino Mary-Jane Rockstud Nappa Ballerina 05 Mm, $985
Available at Valentino.
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Balenciaga passport holder in black semi matte soft textured calfskin with qixi strass artwork rhinestones, $1,050
Available at Balenciaga.
