For my Swiss and German based readers I have some wonderful news. The new Weltwoche Style Edition is featuring 5 pages of my must-haves for this summer plus an essay that I wrote about my very own luxury. Thanks to the new award-winning art directors Mirko Bosche and Alexis Zurflüh the magazine has a new typography and an amazing layout.
It is available from today.
Enjoy the new look!
LoL, Sandra
Welcome spring with Louis Vuitton`s Cosmic Blossom collection – a new collaboration with Takashi Murakami. After the success of the Monogram Cerise, Eye Love Monogram, Monogramouflage and Monogram Multicolore, Louis Vuitton presents the cute smiling flowers (the blossoms have been the Japanese artist`s signature work for a long time) in three vibrant colours (rose, blue and violet) on leather goods, ready-to-wear and accessories. The collection is modeled by Daisy Lowe and will be available at Louis Vuitton stores on April 15th 2010.
Interesting to know is that Louis Vuitton has developed a new serigraphy technique to give the leather goods a superb glossy effect and intense colour.
Takashi Murakami`s artistic style is called “Superflat” and comments on “otaku“, the Japanese lifestyle with obsessive interests, particularly in anime, manga or video games as well as consumerism and fetishism. The printed artwork shows mostly flat planes of colour and graphic images involving characters from the Japanese comic world.
Some of my own Murakami - Louis Vuitton pieces that I collected over the years.
I love Louis Vuitton`s Cosmic Blossom flower power and will surely get a piece for my little Murakami collection!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton and © Sandra Bauknecht
As you already know, the nautical trend is revived again this upcoming summer. If you don`t want to go overboard with the sailor look, these amazing accessories from the Chanel Cruise 2010 collection could be the perfect solution. They will freshen up your wardrobe and will give you the right nautical vibe for many more seasons to come. Put on a pair of jeans plus a white tee and accent your outfit with a striped scarf and canvas tote for example. Or team up your favourite summer dress and gorgeous strappy sandals with a regatta bracelet. The possibilities are versatile.
Ultra-wearable and still very fashion-forward, you can turn yourself into a style icon in an instant! But hurry, those pieces are a great investment and will be gone in seconds.
LoL, Sandra
As Far Western chic is in the dress codes for next summer, I wanted to show you the most authentic and fashionable addition to your look: the perfect cowboy boots.
Last week I met Pedro Muñoz, owner of Stallion Boots and Leather Goods. A handsome, smart and witty guy in his early fifties, part Native American and grown-up in Mexico, he started to build up a his company in El Paso, Texas in the beginning of the eighties.
Pedro Muñoz with Stallion boots and me
His creations are special! Each pair is the result of many hours of skilled craftsmanship that lead to a perfect and extremely comfortable fit. Approximately 70 are produced per week with top-quality materials like alligator, crocodile, ostrich, lizard, stingray, various snakes, water buffalo and calf leather. I am totally in love with their amazing patterns and colours.
My favourite ones are the “Vintage Butterflies“ with their beautiful red, green and beige leather inlays, view to the top right below. Those boots definitely celebrate a sexy style that makes girls and boys go wild. At request, Stallion even offers custom designs and fittings.
In Switzerland, Trudie Götz sells a large variety of models at her Trois Pommes Stores in Zurich, Basel, Gstaad and St.Moritz.
Heigh-ho and away you go!
LoL, Sandra
Another trend originally imposed by Hippies in the 70s celebrates its come back in a very chic way: Clogs! So many different luxury versions were seen, in linen, printed canvas (Miu Miu) or more sophisticated in suede (Louis Vuitton), some even with a Japanese attitude in studded leather (Céline).
Karl Lagerfeld`s sample for Chanel with wooden high heels is an amazing modern take on the Dutch classics and my favourite as I adore the touch of Bavarian folly very much! I cannot wait to hear the sound of clogs tapping on the asphalt of the streets waking up early summer.
LoL, Sandra
“Eco-Chic” is one of the keywords for next summer and hay fever seems to be a new tropical flu. Natural materials some even with a rough character to them were major on the runways.
At Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld manifested the ecological trend by sending his models carrying whicker baskets on their arms down the haystack aisle. He along with many other designers used raffia, woven cords and other faux-rustic fabrics for a variety of unexpected creations.
Since many years, Dolce & Gabbana have made the raffia tote one of their signature pieces for summer. This time in combination with another key material: lace.
Nothing confirms the hot season is close at hand like a giant straw bag or floppy hat. Loved by the Hippies in the 70s, those pieces are companions of longwearing resilience.
Let`s see when the raffia palm is branching out to you…!
LoL,Sandra
Black and White is always a great combination and was seen a lot on the runways. For winter houndstooth was a must-have. For the upcoming summer 2010, stripes, op-art and graphic prints, some of them with an influence of ethnic ornaments, appeared on the runways.The top by Gareth Pugh is on sale at www.brownsfashion.com and a great buy for the next season.
If you are not so into patterns, you can also achieve the look with an accessory like a black belt on a white dress or combine the two colours by wearing a light top and a dark skirt or vice versa.
As I am a big fan of the nautical look, I like the black and white striped tops that you can order at www.topshop.com. They are cool, not so expensive and will give you an immediate fashion-update. Optional you can go for a black and white bag or shoes.
It is definitely a trend that you will have already in your closet. So start now and enjoy!
LoL, Sandra
Designers made colour one of the essential elements for their spring/summer collections. Turquoise, fuchsia, apple green and pale pink are at the top, all with a little touch of the 70`s.
Colourful accessories with beautiful details are a great way to turn up the va-va-voom factor as they will make an outfit look ultra-fashion forward and you will need just one single piece for that effect.
LoL, Sandra
The ethnic influence is undeniable this spring/summer. Numerous were the sources of inspirations that designers used for their creations. Embroideries, coloured beads, leather thongs and pompoms appeared everywhere. Embellishment is not the only important factor, to my eye the shape is essential, too. A lot of “gym bags” combined with add-on charms and tassels were seen on the runways. A leader of the trend is Marc Jacobs with his collection for Louis Vuitton. You should definitely get your hands on one of those bags. Good luck!
LoL, Sandra
One of the trends for accessories next season is transparency. PVC and plexiglass are used as major materials for shoes and bags. The Prada tote with the leather handles and the detachable case will be a good choice for flying as you could probably avoid discussions with the security guards. The other positive aspect might be that you will find all your personal belongings very easily…… but be careful others will do, too! Besides you better be very tidy and have no hidden secrets!
A gorgeous choice are the Prada mules with the plexiglass heel and the crystal chandelier details.
I am looking forward to seeing your life in your bag.
LoL, Sandra