Starting this year we will select a theme that guides the artistic direction of our new, limited edition seasonal collections. For Winter 2026, the inspiration came from being invited to participate in the CIAF CLTure Day + Night Market celebrating Lunar New Year.

This invitation carries personal meaning. As a Pacific Islander, much of my cultural heritage draws influence from East Asia. Being asked to contribute work to an event that honors Lunar New Year was both humbling and exciting.

The Winter collection celebrates elements of Chinese culture, with special focus on:

  • The Year of the Horse (Year of the Fire Horse, to be specific.  An event that happens every 60 years. How fitting for our brand)
  • Symbolic flora
  • Traditions associated with Lunar New Year

Creating work inspired by another culture carries real responsibility. I devoted significant time to studying the meaning of Lunar New Year, including its traditional symbolism, auspicious and inauspicious imagery, customary gifts, and the deeper cultural context of the celebration. Respect guided every design decision — down to the materials themselves. I incorporated gold sumi ink, traditionally used in Chinese calligraphy and brush painting, and selected cherry wood for many of the pieces. Its natural reddish tone aligns with the symbolism of red in Chinese culture, where it represents joy, prosperity, and protection.

Creative Constraints & Commitment

Coming off a demanding year, launching a limited edition set by mid-February felt nearly impossible.

There were custom commissions still in progress. Personal commitments to honor. Planning for blog posts, podcast episodes, collaborations, and upcoming events. Balancing all of that while developing a cohesive seasonal collection required focus and discipline.

For a moment, I questioned whether I would find the time — or the inspiration — to bring it all together.

But when the invitation from CIAF arrived, I knew this was something I needed to pursue. The time constraints became motivation rather than limitation.

The result is a collection that reflects intentional research, careful design, and a deep desire to honor both the event and our own artistic identity.

Creative Direction: Staying True to BZ FurFur

When drawing inspiration from another culture, it was essential that the work still feel authentically BZ FurFur.

Animals have always been central to our creative voice, so focusing on horses — in recognition of the Year of the Horse — felt both meaningful and aligned with our brand. Bamboo became another guiding element: symbolically rich, visually elegant, and structurally fitting for the materials I wanted to use.

For this collection, I incorporated bud vases sourced from It’s David and Renee, pairing them with lucky bamboo elements to create pieces that feel organic, refined, and celebratory.

The intention was to create artwork that honors tradition while still reflecting our signature wood-burned aesthetic.

Looking Ahead

I have been working diligently on these designs and am excited to unveil the completed Winter 2026 limited edition collection at Blume Studios this Saturday for the Charlotte community.

This collection marks the beginning of something new for BZ FurFur — a structured seasonal release model that allows us to create with purpose, depth, and intention.

I hope you enjoy this set as much as I enjoyed bringing it to life.

Do you have a favorite seasonal theme you would love to see in the future? Let us know @bz_furfur.

As always — stay unique.