Fall patterns took a traditional turn with highland tartans and madras checks. Plaid has continued its raison d`être as one of fashion`s favourite fabrics for F/W 2010. But this season is not about the lumberjack shirt, the designers went a little further with plaid dresses and pants, plus the absolute must-have: The kilt-inspired skirt!
If you want to work a touch of heritage-chic into your cold-weather wardrobe, I recommend starting now with those super-cool skirts below. From mini to pencil, from draped to pleated, those versions are catering for all tastes. Update your capsule wardrobe with a piece like that and you are all on for new-season cool. Prices can vary depending on the country you live in.
In case you are worried to look too preppy-back-to-school, juxtapose this classic fabric against something with a bit more edge. I put an outfit together to show you what I mean:
The classic skirt by Chloé works perfectly with a corset top and asymmetrical sweater, both by Alexander Wang. Team with a must-have cape by Stella McCartney and stocking-attached ankle boots by Givenchy and finish off your modern, sexy look with a floppy hat by YSL. This is anything but conservative!
Like I always say, keep your stuff, there will be a time that you can wear it again! My outfit is completely from previous seasons and looks very up-to-date this fall.
Plaid skirt by Gucci, leather biker jacket by Ralph Lauren Collection, red boots by Prada, bag by Chanel and hat by H&M.
There is always a time for a kilt! And you can spare the underwear…
LoL, Sandra
A few days ago I was at the Ralph Lauren store on Robertson Blvd when my eyes caught something so adorable that I had to take a photo and share it with you: Sweet little baby feet in a pair of patent thong sandals with a big suede flower topping off the mini-fashionista look.
The flats have also a stay-put wraparound ankle strap and are available at RL stores or online for $45.- (on sale now for $34.99 in the US) in pink and white. It is never too early to become a shoe-addict!
I also loved the cashmere blanket in Ralph Lauren`s signature cable knit covering the tiny legs ($295.-) that can be personalized for an additional $5.- with custom-embroidered initials or name.
A gorgeous gift for a stylish mum!
LoL, Sandra
Welcome to the most fashionable book-of-the-month club ever! Coming out this August, Kate Spade puts a new spin on the book club idea by turning vintage book covers into adorable clutch bags. Retailing for $325.-, one “new” book will debut every month including The Great Gatsby, Emma, The Importance of Being Earnest, Great Expectations, and A Tale of Two Cities.
Very sophisticated, very collectible and very brunch, these clutches will make you look so intellectual and they are also perfect for interior decoration.
Required reading for fashionistas!
LoL, Sandra
Chanel is expanding their iconic J12 lineage with their first diving watch: The new J12 Marine. It will be available in two different sizes (42mm and 38mm) and three colours (blue, black and white). All versions have ceramic, unidirectional rotating bezels, come with a rubber strap, are waterproof to 300m and possess all attributes for going deep into the sea. Inspired by the force of the oceans and maritime symbols, the choice of surf legend Laird Hamilton as ambassador for Chanel`s J12 Marine watch could not have been any better.
Rachel Bilson and Kristen Bell at the party.
On Sunday, a fashionable crowd along with many celebrities like Rachel Bilson, Kristen Bell, Cindy Crawford and Robert Downey, Jr. just to name a few could see the perfect match for themselves at Chanel`s launch party held at Ron Meyer`s stunning Malibu home. The French house celebrated their new J12 watch with an outdoor screening of the documentary “Hollywood Don`t Surf” by Greg MacGillivray – a cinematic retrospective of fifty years of Hollwood surfing movies that had premiered at 2010 Cannes Film Festival before.
As it can get really chilly at the Pacific coast in the evening, Chanel made sure that the guests are covered in style with to-die-for branded towels, pillows and black pashminas. The decoration was right down to the last detail, even the beach ball in the seaside pool carried the Chanel emblem.
I have always been a big fan of the J12 collection. Now, you can see my object of desire to the right: the Chanel J12 Marine 42mm in blue, Ref. H2559. The prices of the new models are approximately between $4700.- and $4900.-.
LoL, Sandra
Since almost 2 years now, I have been in two minds about how colouring my hair. I used to be a blonde before letting it grow out. But I realised my undecisiveness bestowed a gift upon me. My hair is having the new must-have It-colour: Bronde!
Photo: Marie-Luise Kammerer
I know it is another new term but I am loving it. It is a little brunette and a little blond– a combination that almost suits everyone instantly bringing out a warm glow in the face. Forerunners of those honey, caramel, buttersotch and cognac-coloured highlights or let`s better say lowlights are Gisèle Bündchen and Jennifer Lopez among many others.
Sarah Jessica Parker paraded the very natural, sun-kissed look wonderfully in Sex and the City 2 with just a little lighter colour framing her face.
The much-coveted hue has two other advantages: it is budget- and texture-friendly. I still love silky, shiny and healthy-looking blonde hair but the time of too-much broken platinum “blonderexia” is definitely over.
I am enjoying my low maintenance version of blonde and my upgrade for brunette.
LoL, Sandra
Me in the Haight area wearing black leggings by BLUMARINE, military shirt by BALMAIN, top and pink-khaki scarf by LOUIS VUITTON and suede clogs by MIU MIU
Last week, I spent a few days in San Francisco. Haight Ashbury is the famous intersection in the area that gets its notoriety from the “psychedelic” culture and the 1968 “Summer of Love”. Today, you can still feel the hippie vibe with its fragments of flower-power.
When I was walking around the district, I got so inspired by the gorgeous bright coloured houses, so-called Painted Ladies. The term refers to Victorian and Edwardian buildings painted in three or more colours that embellish their architectural features.
Adopting that idea and transferring it to fashion, I styled some beautiful outfits in different colour combinations. You will see how stunning some shades can look together. Most people tend to wear a more neutral palette along with black. There is nothing against this. But today, I want to challenge you a bit and demonstrate how wonderful a little mix with some bolder tones can appear without looking like a clown.
It is again all about that special twist. Carrie in Sex and the City might be the perfect example: Patricia Field, the show`s stylist, opts very often for something that looks kind of strange in the beginning, but then so surprising and interesting that you cannot take your eyes of it.
Experiment with your own style! That is the thing that is so hard to copy and will earn you lots of admiring glances.
Spare for a little hug?
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Remember your first sets of day-of-the week undies when you were a little child? I still have strong memories of being excited to pick out the correct one each morning. I am sure that many of you had the same experience. To relive your girlhood delight, Stella McCartney has these sassy knickers of the week for us adults. Every day is well taken care of with the seven silk-blend briefs with multicoloured floral embroidery that come in a stylish dressing-drawer style box. The set will look adorable in your bedroom boudoir or make a fabulous gift for a fellow fashionista. Available in black,white and light pink.
Get yourself organized! These knickers are a natural winner!
LoL, Sandra
Visionaire, the art and fashion bible, has designed a gorgeous limited edition book in honour of the late Alexander McQueen with the contribution of some famous names like Nick Knight, Lady Gaga, Stephen Klein und Mario Testino. Only 1.500 numbered copies of the boxed set Visionaire58 Spirit, A Tribute to Lee Alexander McQueen will be available at Alexander McQueen boutiques and Colette for €1500.-. The reason why this is so pricey might be on one side the wrapping in a metalized brocade from the S/S 2010 show and on the other the paper quality. The pages are embedded with seeds that, if planted and watered, will bloom real flowers. How cool is that?
If this is still not convincing, why not getting a great piece from the last collection that McQueen was working on before he comitted suicide last February. His beautiful fall pieces have already started to arrive in stores. So keep your eyes open. I am completely in love with the chevron-tweed jacket. It has a shredded silk trim which gives its classic cut a fierce twist. Combine it with motorcross leather pants plus a cool tank and upgrade the look with some drama by adding gorgeous heels and a studded clutch. If something is not available anymore, I recommend contacting McQueen directly or visit the online shop.
Have fun shopping and paying your own tribute!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Alexander McQueen
What a divine liaison: the “Collection Créateur” – an collaboration between Jean Paul Gaultier and La Perla.
Madonna 1990 in Gaultier
I could not think of a better designer to join forces with the Italian house. Gaultier has lingerie in his blood being the godfather of the very pointed conical bra cups that became famous due to his creations for Madonna`s 1990 Blond Ambition Tour. He loves to use underwear as outerwear.
During the ongoing haute couture shows in Paris yesterday, two special limited edition garments were already presented at Gaultier`s show: a backstitch satin bra with a shoulder-strap motif and glove-holding strings plus a suspender belt, demonstrating the stylish union between haute couture and lingerie. Dita van Teese walked down the aisle as the finale, what a match!
The 27 creations of the capsule collection will go on sale in November 2010 at La Perla and Gaultier boutiques worldwide, and select department stores.
So pretty and soooo hot!
LoL, Sandra
Like I always say, keep your stuff, there will be a time that you can wear it again! My outfit is completely from previous seasons and looks very up-to-date this fall.
