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The Asian and Pacific Islander interest nonprofit organisation Gold House and Texas-based Western wear brand Stetson have partnered to create a unique, one-of-its-kind cowboy hat commemorating the Lunar New Year, as a nod to this year’s zodiac animal, the horse.
Dubbed the Year of the Horse Cowboy Hat, the headpiece features a custom “2026 Year of the Horse” sweatband, gold hardware and the rich red colour that symbolises good luck, joy and prosperity in several East Asian cultures. The hat will be auctioned off this summer, with all proceeds supporting Gold House’s operations.
By re-envisioning a traditional emblem of Americana, the partnership aims to answer “who gets to wear the United States’ most pronounced crown — the cowboy hat — for the Year of the Fire Horse,” said Gold House co-founder and CEO Bing Chen, in a statement.
The collaboration with Stetson — whose eponymous founder is largely credited with inventing the cowboy hat — has been in the works for several months, and comes during the 250th year of US history. It serves to honour the early wave of Chinese immigrants who helped to construct the Transcontinental Railroad between 1863 and 1869.
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Gold House is deepening its ties to fashion. The non-profit’s Lunar New Year party, held last Thursday in Chinatown during New York Fashion Week, was hosted by “Heated Rivalry” breakout star and Balenciaga ambassador Hudson Williams, Meta’s vice president of fashion Eva Chen, “Bridgerton” star Yerin Ha and designers Prabal Gurung, Bach Mai and Kim Shui — and attended by guests including Phillip Lim, Public School co-founder Dao-Yi Chow, bridal wear designer Andrew Kwon, entrepreneur Jessel Taank and actor Bowen Yang.
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Gold House aims to uplift Asian and Pacific Islander representation in media; to foster community building and professional development; and to provide cash infusions and support to API entrepreneurs through its early-stage venture capital arm, Gold House Ventures.
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