In the lead up to the Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year, its not uncommon to see Chinoiserie popping up everywhere. I contemplated pouring myself into a cheong sam this year, but decided not to because I knew it’d only ever see the light of day once – on the 1st day of the New Year and thereafter it’d languish at the back of the closet as a “Why on earth did I buy that?” purchase.
Not wanting to be left out of the Chinoiserie race, I picked up instead a necklace with a Chinese mystic knot motif! That’s very Chinese!
I actually spotted this in the Isetan sale newsletter and I somehow identified with it so I HAD to have it. Actually went to join in the madness of an Isetan sale day just to make sure it wasn’t sold out 😛 I don’t do that very often. Its a very simple pendant comprising a metal mystic knot and a sphere of pale jade.
The necklace came with a black rubberish necklace which makes it look somewhat casual, but I tried putting the pendant on a shiny silver/white gold chain and it really stands out very prettily so that’s an option I have of dressing up the pendant.
So that’s my bit of Chinoiserie for this Chinese New Year. Thankfully so, because the new outfits I bought weren’t very in theme at all! 🙂 I actually bought this because I liked the design, but I also recently found out that the mystic knot symbolizes a good fortune and harmony. I could live with that! 🙂
For anyone wondering, this necklace/pendant came with a pair of matching jade sphere earrings (sans mystic knot) and is by Shinju Pearls, available at Isetan The Gardens. I think the set was on special offer for RM98 or thereabouts. I picked mine up at the Shinju Pearls store in Lot 10 – long story 🙂
What’s your spot of Chinoiserie for Chinese New Year? Accessories? Cheongsam? Or have you *gasp* not yet done your shopping? 🙂
Paris B
Necklace/pendant set was from Shinju Pearls and was a Isetan exclusive, or you can check out other designs at the Shinju Pearls store at Lot 10
That’s gorgeous! Unfortunately, CNY is just another work day in Australia, so nothing special for me. Have a great time and lots of delicious food!
Oh boo! Doesn’t help its a Thursday too! We’ll have 4 days off so thats awesome 😀
Lovely necklace! I like how simple yet elegant it is at the same time 😀
My bit of Chinoiserie for this year is a cotton cheongsam! Much less formal than the usual silk/satin ones, and not to mention more comfortable and bearable to wear as well 😛 So I don’t have to worry that it would just be worn once.
Thank you! I’ve been thinking about trying a cheongsam but other than the fact I’d never wear it anywhere else, I look a million years older. That said, cotton cheongsams are great! I’ll be keeping my eye out for one 🙂
Nice somehow it reminds me of chunli with the black string. Yeay for workless n shopping monday
For you maybe! I still have 1 more day!
I almost got meself a sleeveless cheongsam top at the Gardens yesterday… ^.^ But I settled for a red sundress instead. As for Chinoiserie, does a Pichiu count?? It’s the little thing that looks like a lion/dragon with wings! I love mine! ^.^
Haha gotta get that bit of red for CNY right? I don’t think I have anything red this year. How odd.
Your pendant surely looks adorable! I love jade! I didn’t know that mystic knot was a Chinese thing. I’ve seen it before but I was sure it was Japanese because I always see it together with maneki-nekos! Maybe that’s Chinese too… 😀
Here in Sao Paulo we’re celebrating Chinese New Year this weekend (because it’s convenient or everyone). Sao Paulo’s got a large asian community, mostly Japanese and Chinese, so a big festival is being held by the locals and the city hall, with dragons and all. I’ve never been to CNY celebrations, so I’m very excited about going there tomorrow.^^
Maybe I’ll by myself some Chinoiserie. 🙂
Thank you Mari! I think the mystic knot is used both in Chinese and Japanese and possibly even Korean knotting because these countries have a shared cultural heritage so there are quite a lot of similarities. I didn’t know there was such a big Asian community in Sao Paolo. You should go down, enjoy the dragon dance and possibly firecrackers and above all, I hope there’s lots of food and mandarin oranges to be had! Enjoy yourself 😀
hahaha~! my mom is wearing the mystic knot gold pendant that my sis and I bought for her birthday. Can’t find any suitable cheongsam though, my shoulders are broad =(
bought a summerset dress but haven’t bought any shoes…..omg…….
I don’t have new shoes either! Oops! I wonder if knee high boots will do?… although in this rainy weather it might haha 😉
Our family is making the CNY offerings and going to temples and stuff. Otherwise, I don’t really do any Chinoiserie shopping (or maybe I should!). I’ll be waiting for my red envelopes though!
Ooh the best part of CNY! 😀 Red packets!
I tailored a knee-length lace qipao last year so this year I’m going baby tee and jeans. Though am itching to tailor a cotton qipao for everyday/office wear after this CNY. Good idea of incorporating chinoiserie in jewelery instead of apparel!
Goodness your qipao sounds decadent and very lovely! I might start a bit of a hunt for a cotton qipao too – always nice to have a bit of traditional dress in the wardrobe
I bought two cheongsam this year..I’ll go chinoiserie this year. 😀
Woohoo! Lovely demure Chinese girl 😉
Wow~ This is very Zen on you Paris 😀 Compliments the Estee’s Black Crystal eyeshadows 😛
Teehee… thank you 🙂 The EL shadow might overwhelm though won’t it? 🙂
LOL Good point! It might though 😛
That’s really pretty PB! I’m always attracted to costume jewelery, but find that my entire collection goes unworn. Must resist buying more!
For this year, I bought a Philip Lim dress in MUSTARD. I’m telling myself that it’s GOLD, therefore very CNY. Haha! Mustard is just one of those odd colours that you either love or hate. For some reason I’ve got 2 mustard dresses. Sounds absolutely horrific, but it works. It’s in silk ok???–haha!
I’m like you! I buy but rarely wear jewellery but I do try to incorporate some accessories where possible these days. Trying hard to be you know, chic and pulled together hehe… I must agree with you that some colours look so awful or blah but on the right person it looks amazing. I’m sure mustard looks amazing on you! In my case, I have a chartreuse dress. Beat that! LOL
That’s really pretty!! I still wanna get me a nice necklace or earrings. Something chinese themed for the first day 🙂
Thanks! Hope you find something 🙂
That’s really nice, PB! Too bad my Isetan card has expired – I didn’t bother to renew it. 😛
Ala… but you can get it from Shinju Pearls’ own store which doesn’t need the Isetan card. That’s where I got mine 🙂
Looks beautiful!
That’s a lovely piece of necklace. I’ve kept my cny shopping to just clothes this year. No accessories. But I’ve also indulged and bought myself more cosmetics and a Clarisonic! Hoping to have some ‘me’ time during this cny. But think it’s a bit difficult.
Thanks Lisa and a Clarisonic! Good to keep good care of your skin 🙂 I know what you mean about not having me time during CNY. Its always such a hive of activity isn’t it?
I bought a silver toga cheongsam! My very first chinoiserie item!
That sounds pretty!
you know, i love the chinese mystic knot. i even bought one in gold from poh kong years back as a present for my mom 🙂
I love it too! Its so intricate and looks special. I think I shall now hunt down a gold one just because 😀
Going shop on Wednesday! :-p