“…Before fashion became a matter of runways, trends, and social-media imagery, it was rooted in function. And among its most influential foundations was the world of Equestrian, a realm where discipline, strength, elegance, and powerful movement defined not only a way of life, but a way of dressing…”
As we enter Chinese New Year 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, a symbol of energy, courage, velocity, and transformation, the horse returns with renewed significance. No longer merely a mythical creature, it re-emerges as the origin point of fashion itself, a force whose influence continues to reverberate through contemporary luxury and design.
Hermès
Hermès stands among the very few luxury houses whose connection to Equestrian culture is not symbolic, but fundamental to its origin. Founded in Paris in 1837 by Thierry Hermès, the house began as a workshop crafting harnesses, saddles, and riding equipment for European aristocracy and royal courts. Its early reputation was built on exceptional craftsmanship, durability, and an intimate understanding of equine movement, essential qualities for equipment that must balance both rider and horse.
These skills became the enduring DNA of Hermès: the meticulous selection of leather, precision hand-stitching, and hardware designed to be both beautiful and functional all stem directly from equestrian expertise. Even as Hermès expanded into fashion, accessories, and lifestyle, this spirit remains unmistakable, from the structured integrity of the Kelly and Birkin bags to the enduring elegance of its leather goods, which echo the architecture of saddlery itself.
Gucci
Gucci’s relationship with Equestrian culture was born not on the runway, but through lived experience and observation. Founded in 1921 in Florence by Guccio Gucci, the brand’s origins trace back to Guccio’s time working at London’s Savoy Hotel, where he encountered aristocratic travellers and nobility accompanied by fine luggage and riding equipment. These encounters shaped his understanding of luxury as a balance between craftsmanship, practicality, and social stature.
In its early years, Gucci produced riding gear, leather accessories, and travel goods, cementing a natural bond with the equestrian world. This heritage crystallised into one of fashion’s most recognisable symbols: the Horsebit, introduced in 1953. Inspired by the metal hardware of a horse’s bridle, the Horsebit became an enduring motif across loafers, handbags, and jewellery, an emblem of refined Equestrian elegance translated seamlessly into modern fashion.
Longchamp
Today, Longchamp is widely associated with the effortless urban appeal of Le Pliage, yet its origins are quietly, deeply rooted in Equestrian culture. Founded in 1948, at a time when horse riding remained integral to French upper-class life, Longchamp began by producing leather goods linked to movement, travel, and outdoor pursuits, objects that demanded resilience, flexibility, and artisanal skill.
Even the name Longchamp carries equestrian significance, drawn from the famed Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, one of France’s most historic horse-racing venues. Rather than overt symbols, Longchamp’s equestrian heritage lives through philosophy, a devotion to freedom of movement, lightness, and functionality. Its bags are designed to be agile, durable, and travel-ready, qualities shared with finely crafted riding equipment.
Burberry
Burberry’s connection to Equestrian culture is less literal, yet deeply embedded in British lifestyle and heritage. In Britain, horse riding, hunting, and outdoor pursuits were long hallmarks of aristocratic life. Burberry’s pivotal contribution came in 1879 with the invention of gabardine, a revolutionary fabric that was weatherproof, breathable, and resilient, ideal for riding and outdoor activity.
At a time when horses were central to transport, sport, and status, Burberry’s coats and outerwear became essential garments for riders, officers, and gentlemen who required freedom of movement without sacrificing elegance. This functional lineage culminated in the iconic trench coat, whose belts, straps, and structured silhouette naturally complemented the posture and demands of riding.
The connection is made explicit in Burberry’s Equestrian Knight Design, introduced in 1901, a mounted knight bearing the word Prorsum, Latin for “forward.” It is a symbol of honour, protection, and progress, reflecting both the values of equestrian tradition and the enduring ethos of British refinement.
