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The Lunar New Year has arrived, and with it, one of the most talked-about creative partnerships in streetwear has officially hit the shelves. After much anticipation leading up to the January 20th launch, the adidas Originals x CLOT by Edison Chen collection is now live, offering a fresh look at the Year of the Horse. While lucky fans in New York recently enjoyed a private tea ceremony on the 27th to mark the occasion, the rest of the world is now getting a close-up look at how Chen is reimagining Chinese heritage for a modern wardrobe.
A visionary jump into anime and tradition
This season goes beyond just clothes and shoes. Edison Chen has stepped into a new role as a “key master” within a dedicated anime universe. This creative direction kicks off a multi-part series that will run throughout 2026, featuring a cast of special guests. The idea revolves around unlocking new paths and potential, a theme that mirrors the energy of the horse, an animal known in Chinese culture for its power and free spirit.
Redefining the icon: The horse-print superstar
The standout piece of the range is undoubtedly the CLOT Superstar Dress Shoe. This isn’t your standard shell-toe; Chen has reimagined the icon with a cowhide upper adorned witha bold horse-hair print. It feels more like high-end footwear than a gym shoe, featuring leather lining and a leather midsole.
Small, clever details elevate the design, such as gold tips on the cotton laces and leather tassels that add a bit of movement. The classic three stripes are stitched on rather than glued, and a sturdy rubber outsole ensures that, despite its fancy look, you can still wear it every day on the street.
Modern Kung Fu
The collection also looks to the discipline of martial arts. The CLOT Qi Flow shoe is a nod to the fluidity of kung fu. It uses a mix of nylon and satin for the upper, held together by pearl and frog-button closures that you’d usually see on traditional Chinese shirts. Underneath, an espadrille-style sole gives it a relaxed, summer-ready feel that sits somewhere between a trainer and a classic slipper.
Tailoring with a martial arts edge
The clothing line follows the same path, mixing Western shapes with Eastern functional details. The CLOT Track Jacket is made from heavy cotton twill and features a Mandarin collar and those same frog-style buttons. On the back, you’ll find Western-style decorative stitching, while the arms carry the adidas stripes made from applied rope.
Matching this is a new take on the Beckenbauer Track Pant, which includes a special Lunar New Year woven label and herringbone elastic stirrups at the bottom to keep the fit sharp and focused.
For colder days, the CLOT Jacket is the centrepiece. This piece uses quilted crinkle nylon packed with PrimaLoft Gold insulation. Chen personally worked on the layout of the stripes to create a unique pattern around the collar, giving it a classic Chinese down-jacket look with a twist. It’s finished with a soft satin lining, braided rope details, and Concho buttons, making it a rugged but refined piece of outerwear.
Edison Chen continues to show why CLOT is a major player globally. By taking the “Year of the Horse” literally with tactile textures and mixing it with the rigid geometry of martial arts gear, this collection avoids the usual clichés of New Year releases. It is a solid example of how to respect the past while making something that feels right for right now.
