Last week, I was in Milan for work. Here you see me inside the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which is one of the world’s oldest shopping malls. Housed within a four-story double arcade in the center of the city, it is named after Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. It is also the home of the first Prada store founded in 1913 by Miuccia’s grandfather Mario. Whenever I am inside, I am impressed by its beauty.

My look: Tweed blazer, ruffled leopard-print silk-georgette mini dress and ‘Babies’ mid-calf boots in silver, all by Saint Laurent, makeup face-printed saffiano tote illustrated by Jeanne Deallante by Prada, diamond stud earrings by Cartier and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Great news, my dear Swiss readers! This week, the annual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich kick off on Wednesday evening with their big opening night and you have the chance to win two tickets. But you have to be fast!

To participate, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header “Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich” to . All entries must be received until today November 10, 2014 at 6pm CET. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules. The winner has to have a Swiss address.

At work front row during last year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich

Let me tell you a little more what you can expect during the night at Schiffbau Zurich and also during the next days in general. There will be a lot of highlights taking place at Switzerland´s biggest fashion event from November 12-15, 2014. First of all, Max Mara is the headlining designer of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich which will celebrate their  fifth anniversary this year. The well-known Italian luxury-brand whose signature-look consists of timeless coats and jackets, was founded in 1951 by Mr Achille Maramotti and the label is still a family-run company that seeks to design elegant long-term fashion. With more than 2300 stores in 105 countries, Max Mara has become one of the largest international fashion houses.

A stunning red carpet look during the MBFDZ 2013 by Good & Vitalini St. Moritz

Furthermore, red carpet favourite, Bibhu Mohapatra will showcase his S/S 2015 collection at the Mercedes-Benz Opening Night. After working for more than a decade as design director for J. Mendel, the New York based Indo-American designer founded his own label in 2008. Today the brand is sold in prestigious stores, such as Bergdorf Goodman and dresses influential women like Michelle Obama, Glenn Close and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Below please find the event overview of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich below. I attached some photos of last year’s events for you to get an idea of what will be going on. It is your chance to indulge in fashion and experience first class designers, models and shopping first hand. I highlighted the best events for you!

Front row next to Karlie Kloss last year.

PUBLIC EVENTS:

LATE FASHION SHOPPING NIGHT ZURICH
By cool shopping map, annabelle & Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich
· Aziza Zina, St. Peterhofstatt 8
· Deecee Style, Talacker 21
· H&M, Bahnhofstrasse 92
· BOSS Store Zürich, Bahnhofstrasse 39
· IRO, Strehlgasse 5
· Little Black Dress, Rämistrasse 7 & Josefstrasse 45
· N2, Brotgasse 3
· Onitsuka Tiger, Sihlstrasse 17
· Trois Pommes, Bahnhofstrasse 12
· Van Bery, Torgasse 6
· Vestibule, St. Peterstrasse 20
Tuesday, November 11 (7:00PM – 10.00PM)
Late Fashion Shopping Night Drinks (10:00 PM) @ Onyx Bar, Park Hyatt Zurich, Beethoven-Strasse 21

MEET & SHOP THE DESIGNERS @ TEMPORÄR, FASHIONSLAVE Wednesday, November 12 (4:00PM)

SAMSUNG LIVE ACT Thursday, November 13 (7.45pm) @ VIP TENT
Creating a bespoke Samsung Galaxy Tab S by Sandra Bauknecht (Style Icon, Editor in Chief 
L’Officiel Switzerland and Blogger www.sandrascloset.com).
Great news is that my dear readers will be able to win this Samsung Galaxy Tab S designed by me after the FDZ here on my blog. Stay tuned for the contest coming up next week!

AFTER PARTY @ CLUB BELLEVUE Thursday, November 13 (11:30PM)

Aziza Zina’s finale last year

MODE TRIFFT DESIGN @ HGC SHOWROOM Aziza Zina exhibition at HGC Showroom, Hardturmstrasse 101 Friday, November 14 (4:00PM)

AFTER PARTY @ PLAZA CLUB Friday, November 14 (11:30PM)

With Carmen Cita Jones at last year’s opening night.

SWISS DESIGNERS SALE by Montagsmarkt @ SCHIFFBAU FOYER
Berenik, Kazu, Pelikamo, Laend Phuengkit, RS Hader, Javier Reyes, Stefanie Biggel, Aziza Zina, LBD – Little Black Dress, Van Bery, studiowinkler, Julian Zigerli, Alsamendi, Carmen Cita Jones Jewellery, Griesbach, Kinsfolk, Pamb, Yana Rey, Yoshiki und Viu. Saturday, November 15 (12:00PM – 9:00PM)

With Italian designer duo Frankie Morello

POP-UP SALE @ TROIS POMMES THE STORE Notte Italiana Pop-Up Sale (9.30AM – 6PM)
My tip: A MUST GO!!!

SCHIFFBAU FOYER Pre & after show drinks November 12-15

Karlie Kloss taking pictures of the Cushnie et Ochs collection

Designer duo Cushnie et Ochs with Karlie Kloss and me

BY INVITATION ONLY EVENTS:

H&M STUDIO SS15 @ CLOUDS Exclusive event for invited guests only Wednesday, November 12 (2:00PM – 4:00PM)

DISNEY FASHION OPEN HOUSE @ CLOUDS Exclusive launch of the latest Disney, Marvel and Star Wars products, for invited guests only Friday, November 14 (10:00AM – 4:00PM)

MBFDS TALKS@ VIP TENT presented by Mercedes-Benz & The League of Leading Ladies
Talking the latest fashion trends of 2015, for invited guests only
Normcore with blogger Sandra Bauknecht and trend researcher Joan Billing Friday, November 14 (12:00PM – 2:00PM)

H&M CLOSING PARTY @ ESCHERWYSS CLUB Exclusive party for invited guests only Saturday, November 15 (10:30PM)

Follow me live on instagram @sandrascloset during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: @ Sandra Bauknecht, © Andrea Monica Hug (Chic in Zurich), David Biedert Photography, © Fashiongamble Joy, © Getty Images, Style.com and Courtesy of the MBFDZ

For Frédéric Malle home scents are about atmospheres. A cluster of lily of the valley, a gentleman’s den, a dinner in Paris: so many different olfactory images have gone through his mind, and over time he has asked the best perfumers in the industry to transcribe them into fragrances. Each of these highly figurative scents can transform the atmosphere of a room. The fact that these perfumes evoke such precise images inspired Monsieur Malle to call illustrator Konstantin Kakanias and ask him to create his own interpretation of the image conjured by each perfume. For a limited time each illustration will be featured on the box of its corresponding candle, in a collection of images as eclectic as the collections of the iconic scents.

Special edition for X-mas: JOYEUX NOEL by Dominique Ropion

This limited collection will be available in Switzerland for example at Osswald.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Frédéric Malle

Some of you might suffer from dry skin all year around while others only have that problem during the winter season. A great new product on the market that targets flare-ups of severe dryness is La Roche-Posay‘s new LIPIKAR Baume AP+ Lipid Replenishing Anti-Irritation Body Balm that helps to regain supple, soft skin and a durable comfort. If you imagine a greasy heavy cream, you are mistaken. It is a pure pleasure applying it due to its quickly absorbed texture that is also fragrance- and paraban-free. Suitable for babies, children and adults, it works also for sensitive, atopy-prone and allergy-prone skin.

LIPIKAR Baume AP+ is composed of Aqua Posae Filiformis, a new and exclusive patented ingredient, to act on the two determining factors for atopy-prone skin:
• Re-establish the and stabilize the microbiome’s balance.
• Restore and preserve the skin barrier.
All within a formula concentrated with niacinamide  and shea butter (20%).

Available as 400ml pump dispenser (CHF 34.00) and 200ml easy squeeze tube with outer package (CHF 26.00) from November 2014.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Roche-Posay

As always, I would like to keep you ahead of the game and put together the most important S/S 2015 runway trends! Scroll through my forecast to see what will stay and which styles will be on everyone’s shopping list next season.

S/S 2015 TREND 1
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER
Tom Ford – Saint Laurent – Louis Vuitton

Sequins and metallics are here to stay and will surely make you feel sexy under the disco ball next summer.

S/S 2015 TREND 2
PRIMA BALLERINA
Valentino – Giorgio Armani – Vionnet

Soft and pastel, the long tutu tulle skirts and dresses seen gracing the runways were inspired by ballerinas. A must for your next red carpet moment.

S/S 2015 TREND 3
LUXURIOUS HIPPY 
Chloé – Emilio Pucci – Etro

70s inspired looks seemed like a common theme throughout the fashion weeks. Long, light and flowing dresses or lace materials are the way to work the luxury bohemian trend. My favorite!

S/S 2015 TREND 4
JUMPSUITS 
Christian Dior – Céline – Sonia Rykiel

Fashion-forward utilitarian looks, the jumpsuit might not be the most comfortable piece of clothing but next summer definitely the the most up-to-date one.

S/S 2015 TREND 6
KIMONO GIRLS 
Gucci – Marni – Alexander McQueen

Ethnical prints and long silhouettes tied at the waist, the kimono was a huge source of inspiration for a number of fashion houses this season.

S/S 2015 TREND 7
KHAKI – THE HUE TO STAY 
Chanel – Marc Jacobs – Ralph Lauren

Call it haute safari gear for the wilds of the shopping streets. Khaki has become a fashion classic and is here to stay. It is up to you if you opt for for a safari-style or military-inspired look.

S/S 2015 TREND 8
DENIM – HEAD TO TOE 
Prada – Burberry Prorsum – Fendi

It is all about denim head to toe. Next season the beloved fabric is reinvented in in all sorts of blues and with eye-catching stitchings.

S/S 2015 TREND 9
POP ART
Peter Pilotto – Balmain – Junya Watanabe

Some of the world’s leading pop-artists, such as Roy Lichtenstein, Mondrian and Sonia Delaunay were the force behind a lot of collections. Circle motifs, bright colors and bold, intersecting stripes gave the runway an energetic vibe.

S/S 2015 TREND 10
POLKA DOTS
Marc by Marc Jacobs – Moschino – Dolce & Gabbana

A simple and extremely joyful print, the polka dot, hasn’t lost its impact over the last seasons.

S/S 2015 TREND 11
ANDROGYNOUS & ASYMMETRIC TAILORING
Anthony Vaccarello – Jean Paul Gaultier – Maison Martin Margiela

Conquering the male wardrobe, the designers used the codes of masculine suits, but added a touch of sexy. The trend reveals itself in the asymmetric cuts which are a must next summer.

S/S 2015 TREND 12
PATCHWORK BABYDOLLS
Rodarte – Stella McCartney – Mary Katrantzou

The babydoll makes its comeback in an array of fabrics and lace patterns. Patchwork is the key to success!

S/S 2015 TREND 13
BLACK MESH
Balenciaga – Akris – Proenza Schouler

Worn all-over or a as a single piece, mesh is next summer’s answer to sportswear. The sheer fabric works day and night and has been spotted all over the catwalks.

S/S 2015 TREND 13
BLACK AND WHITE
Narciso Rodriguez – Givenchy – Thakoon

Black and white – the probably most classic color combination. This season, designers set about experimenting with the codes of femininity through black and white suits and used this ultra-refined palette for maximum optical effects.

S/S 2015 TREND 14
MIX AND MATCH
Giambattista Valli – Fausto Puglisi – Prabal Gurung

Conceptual and experimental, the next season silhouettes take center stage with pieces in an array of different colors and all sorts of materials. The probably most modern trend of all.

S/S 2015 TREND 15
HEMLINES
Matthew Williamson – Versus Versace – Elie Saab

Business in the front, party in the back, the new hemlines play with length.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Style.com

Greetings from Barcelona where I went this week with La Mer for the launch of their new eye care product that I will soon tell you more about. I stayed at the beautiful Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, which is located in the center on the shopping mile Passeig de Gràcia. Outside of the hotel before we left for the press conference, those photos were taken. The weather was sunny and extremely warm for the end of October which made this trip even more amazing.

My look: Lace appliqué wool coat, floral quilted top, floral print trousers, floral keys printed scarf, crystal-embellished key earrings, Agata ayers-trimmed appliquéd felted-twill clutch and embellished slippers, all by Dolce & Gabbana. Limelight Gala watch by Piaget, diamond ring and bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is my Moschino look that I wore to the Alexander Wang x H&M launch event in NYC. “Barbie is so joyful – and I wanted to bring some joy and fun into fashion,” said Jeremy Scott of the inspiration behind his S/S 2015 collection for the Italian house that has been available right after the runway show to the customers. Needless to say, being a huge fan of Barbie, I had to shop those pieces first hand. Please don’t take this post too seriously, as Jeremy said it is all about having fun and that means sometimes being a little cheesy and tacky.

My look: Logo intarsia cropped sweater, matching cotton mini skirt and leather jacket shoulder bag, all by Moschino, Janis embellished suede ankle boots by Saint Laurent, earrings by Prada, diamond ring and diamond bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Ladies and Gentlemen, don’t forget that this week on the 6th of November the Alexander Wang x H&M collection will hit the stores. To get you in the shopping mood, I would love to show you all the impressions of the amazing launch event that took place at the Armory on the Hudson, an indoor track and field stadium in New York City Mid October. When H&M celebrates a designer collaboration, it means that VIP’s from the worlds of entertainment, fashion, and Hollywood, follow the invitation with pleasure. This year, I spotted for example Jessica Chastain, Dakota Fanning, Justin Theroux, Mary J Blige, Kate Mara and many more.

H&M approached Wang a year and a half ago, and the designer immediately knew he wanted to take things in a different direction than anything they’d tried in the past. “They’ve done such an incredible job with the previous projects, everything from Versace and the archival Margiela,” he said. “But the approach had to be different for this one, both for me and for H&M.”

Alexander Wang is the first American to partner with the company whose designer collaboration program is in its tenth year. He mixed sports and performance for everyday life by capturing the speed of the city. Using technical details and functional fabrics, Wang created the perfect versatile performance wear wardrobe for both, men and women, a collection to be worn on the street, in the gym, at the club – the way we live our lives today.

After a men’s and women’s full speed runway fashion show, the doors of a pop-up store opened where we could shop the collection first hand (click here to see what I got myself). The evening culminated when Sharaya came on stage as the opening act before the rare performance by Missy Elliott took place. She was so fantastic that even Alexander Wang, who had said earlier during the press conference that he doesn’t do sports, jumped on stage and danced crazily to her vibes. The party continued with music by DJ’s Diplo and Jesse Marco. It was again one of those magic nights with a gazillion of highlights that I will treasure forever.

Let me show you more impressions of that fantastic event:

Me arriving at the event location in a Moschino S/S 2015 look (the outfit post will come up tomorrow).

Dakota Fanning rushing to her seat.

The Armory on the Hudson from the inside.

Actor Justin Theroux…

… was extremely charming. Now, I understand Jennifer Aniston.

A redhead seldom comes alone: Jessica Chastain…

…and Eddie Redmayne.

Glamourous front row: Actors Dakota Fanning, Eddie Redmayne and Kate Mara.

An energetic acrobatic performance before the runway show…

… that captured the speed of the city.

Mary J Blige seemed to like it a lot.

A confetti rain was the perfect backdrop…

… for a happy Alexander Wang running around the catwalk.

Me taking the provided boxing gloves to get ready for the fight…

… in the pop-up store.

I was in the first slot. Therefore it still looks pretty quiet.

Even the supermodels went crazy for the collection, here you see Karlie Kloss.

Swiss girls: Barbara and Karo with me.

Before the runway show, I caught singer Sharaya…

… who was the opening act that night.

The highlight of the event was the performance of…

… Missy Elliott…

… who rocked the stage…

… that even Alexander Wang couldn’t stop dancing.

Party time…

… that the Swiss crowd didn’t need to be told twice. Being the only rooster in the yard, René Zibold, PR and Communication Manager for H&M Switzerland, surrounded by the Swiss girls (check out his travel tips for Paris here) going crazy.

Thanks H&M for taking me on this amazing adventure, to be continued next year…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of H&M, Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for H&M

Somebody has answered my prayers: meet Paul & Lulu, an online shopping destination that delivers amazing dishes directly to your table and the only thing you will need to do is to add some finishing touches. But I am not talking about fast food! Embracing the next generation of modern gastronomy, Franzoli’s Catering have brought their mission to a new level  by producing honest, high-quality convenience food, delivered quickly and easily from their kitchen to yours. Based on their passion for perfection, the dishes are handmade with market-fresh ingredients, carefully selected from their tried-and-trusted suppliers, then arranged and prepared in a way that gives you more time to enjoy your meal.

The minute I looked at the website, I was sold. The pictures are beautiful, showing all the ingredients. Especially if you are following a certain diet, you will appreciate the vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, nut-free, lactose-free, halal descriptions.

Paul & Lulu will deliver the best that their pots, pans and experience have to offer straight to your kitchen – quickly and at short notice.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Paul & Lulu

During a dinner conversation last weekend, a friend of mine asked me for advice to find a great pair of winter shoes that is suitable for bad weather conditions.

Here is a selection of footwear designed with a gripped rubber sole for maximum traction, even in wet or icy conditions. Constructed with a sturdy block heel or a wedge, they are ideal for day-long wear or a winter’s night out. Now it’s the time to stock up on some sturdy and stylish footwear for the new season. Have fun!

1 Lace-up patent-leather pumps by Valentino
2 Two-tone leather platform pumps by Marc by Marc Jacobs
3 Safety pin-embellished leather pumps by Tod’s
4 Lizzie shearling-lined suede wedge boots by Michael Michael Kors
5 Shearling-lined textured-leather wedge ankle boots by Burberry
6 Barbara goat hair-lined suede boots by Pedro Garcia
7 Verna shell and faux fur boots by DKNY
8 Shearling-lined suede platform ankle boots by Alexander McQueen
9 Shearling-lined suede and leather knee boots by Emilio Pucci

My personal favorites are those three pairs below:

Those rubber sole wedges are ideal to walk during a cold winter night: 
Creeping Tessa embroidered velvet wedge pumps by Charlotte Olympia

Cute and edgy at the same time, those shoes look great with a mini dress:
Textured patent-leather ankle boots by Alexander McQueen

Wear them with a skirt or loosen the buckled tabs to tuck in your jeans:
Dart buckled leather biker boots by Jimmy Choo

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands