Happy Chinese New Year! The Chinese zodiac marks 2011 as the Year of the Rabbit, and so we hop from the tiger’s year to yet another four-legged creature’s year. The rabbit symbolizes tranquility and fashionability among other characteristics, so on the subject of good taste in clothing, I’ve hunted down some interesting artists in time for Wabbit Season!
Sung's series for "Wearable Foods" captures her imagination such as this dress precisely made out of tomatoes.
Yeonju Sung is an artist from Korea who has a knack for creating clothes out of knickknacks. She says that the edible items used in her “Wearable Foods” series merely borrow the form of clothes. Forget Jeremy Scott’s meat dress for Lady Gaga because Sung has come to town. Now through February 19, Sung’s designs will be on exhibit at the “Ahn-Nyung | Hello” Korean Contemporary Art Exhibition at Lebasse Projects in Culver City, Calif. Check out her delicate dresses made out of chewy treats such as bubble gum and shrimp for yourself.
The Emmanuelle spring 2011 collection has 12 different looks showcasing items ranging from layered tanks to reversible trench coats.
Emmanuelle by Thomas Chen is yet another blossoming bud among the densely fashionista-populated NYC. With a spring 2011 debut collection after experience under labels such as Thakoon, Chen introduces the bold and the beautiful through classic diversity, which entails ’70s inspiration from trousers to prairie dresses.
Guo Pei showcased her haute couture designs at The Hong Kong Fashion Extravaganza 2010.
Guo Pei is a veteran Chinese fashion designer who designed the lavish costumes for the Beijing 2008 Olympics, but her claim to American fame was with the fame monster Lady Gaga herself. Pei doesn’t seem to hold back on using luxurious resources such as Swarovski crystals, but she also doesn’t hold back her disinterest in dressing Lady Gaga. She’s like a fusion of Hussein Chalayan’s structural concepts and the late Alexander McQueen’s extravagance, but whatever she’s up to for the year will surely amaze.
This is my year.
Seriously.
This year’s Chinese New Year falls on Feb. 3 and will be, according to the Chinese Zodiac sign, the Year of the Rabbit. This also happens to be my birthday and my Chinese Zodiac sign. I told you it’s so my year!
Many Chinese people, including my mother, are big believers in the Chinese Zodiacs, believing that according to your sign, your personalities will be a certain way and your life’s path will be a certain way.
I’m a little bit skeptical about that. Mainly because growing up, I always believed I was a Rabbit only to be informed by my mother in 8th grade that I was actually born in the Year of the Tiger, (the Chinese Lunar calendar runs differently than the calendar we’re used to so the Chinese New Year falls on a different day every year) only to find out four years later that I actually am a Rabbit. Can you say identity crisis? 
Nonetheless, I’m willing to give this thousands-year old belief a chance. I decided to look up my horoscope via the internet and gauge if I actually fit the personality of the Year of the Rabbit. If so, who knows? Maybe my fortune may be all mapped out for me this year?
RABBIT CHARACTERISTICS (via the Internet)
Rabbits, like their animal counterparts, are quite calm people who do not exhibit aggressive behavior and will avoid confrontation at all costs. <<I can pack a mean punch if need be. But yea, I’m a pretty big people pleaser.
When angry about something, a Rabbit will approach it calmly and considerately, hardly ever raising his voice or becoming visibly annoyed. <<No. I’m pretty bad at controlling my emotions and am often told that I need o curb my attitude when angry.
Because of their serenity, Rabbits seem to miss things, whether they are confrontational in nature or not. <<Huh?
However, the Rabbit is quite keen and pays close attention to the situations developing around him. <<Yep. Pretty good with that.
He is intelligent and quick and can talk himself in or out of most situations with no problem.<<Lol. This strikes true. One of my bad habits is my tardiness and I used to joke that that’s why I have a pretty good personality, I have to make up for being late all the time!
The Chinese Rabbit is one of the most stylish creatures of the Chinese Animal Signs and finds interest in different cultures.<<Stylish? I work for a fashion mag so yeah, have to be pretty stylish.
He is classy and sophisticated, and can be found adorning one of the latest fashion magazine cover looks. <<Not necessarily so. I tend to favor classics and vintage finds. I love digging through my mom’s closet so all the stylishness comes from her!
Rabbits also like artistic ventures, such as painting and music and are generally quite present in these worlds. <<Yep.
They love top express themselves, which is evident when joining them at home for a function or a cup of coffee.<<Whoa. This is true. Do you know me or do you know me?
I also happen to be born in the year that’s classified as the year of the Fire Rabbit. Here are some additional characteristics.
THE FIRE RABBIT
Fire adds an unspoken magnetism and mystery to the Rabbit. <<I don’t know about mystery. I’m an open book.
These creatures have a burning desire to get out there and live life to its fullest.<<Yes I do but it is my hope that you all do as well!
They are active and adventurous and love anything that sparks their creativity or curiosity.<<Uh huh! Uh huh!
They can throw tantrums here and there, if provoked, but most of the time they work very hard to avoid conflict or unpleasant confrontations.<<Hey that’s true! But why does this contradict that other trait they had of me?
Fire Rabbits are charming and tend to push their emotions into the backs of their minds, but will speak up if necessary.<<Yes on charming, not really so on holding back emotions.
OK, so like all other types of astrologies, this one seems to have pretty general characteristics that I sometimes fit and sometimes don’t. Yes, some of the descriptions are spot-on but others, not so much.
And what’s knowing your astrological sign without knowing your fortune? Here is what is predicted for me in the year 2011 (via the Internet)
Rabbit Fortune in 2011:
This is the Tai sui year for the rabbit, there is plenty of evil star and less lucky ones. You may encounter many obstacles this year in the things you do. You may have nobility that can lend a hand in your career but you will still be prone to possible pressure. You have to stay positive and strive to forge ahead, try as much as you can to improve your social skills to make future career. You will be very much prone to emotional problems, you will encounter many mood swings, hot temper and it is sometimes difficult to control. You may encounter many argument with others. This year, you should pay attention to your health, stay alert to prevent accidents. Wealth is bad, not suitable for high-risk investments in order to avoid money disputes.
Oh goodness. Luckily (ironic, har har) for me, I don’t believe that astrological signs determine your future. Most importantly, your view on life does. I’m going to keep hopping ahead and make 2011 better than ever.
What about you? How is your year (astrological sign-wise or not) looking to be?
