Fabulous Headpieces of the Chinese New Year Parade

It's the Year of the Dragon.  Look out for a baby boom from those who celebrate the Lunar New Year.  On Sunday afternoon, NYC's Chinatown was host to a glorious display of cultural pageantry to celebrate the big holiday.

While you can usually count on colorful processions of dancing dragons and confetti canons, most people don't looks to the streets as a runway for great hairpieces and hats.  Some spectators wore  classic embellished chopsticks.  While riders on the floats donned millinery made from flowers, pearls, fur and jewels.

The Easter parade in New York has always been a showcase for flamboyant chapeaux, but this is street fashion with a little more depth. The accessories here were worn in tribute to the tribes and performing arts of China.  A fortuitous occasion indeed.

Photos by Mariana Leung