The S/S 2016 catwalks have provided us with the beautiful colours of the rainbow. To work the trend, you preferably include the full spectrum, from yellows to sharp shots of orange and pink, and beyond. Call it the rainbow connection — loveliness wins!

Get the look: Metallic-striped cotton-blend terry jacket by Sonia Rykiel, appliquéd cady mini dress by Red Valentino, Set of 10 stretch-lace Brazilian briefs by Hanky Panky, Rainbow leather shoulder bag by Anya Hindmarch and amber lace-up suede peep-toe ankle boots by Edgardo Osorio for Salvatore Ferragamo.

Enjoy some of the best runway looks below.

LoL, Sandra

Mara Hoffman S/S 2016

Chloé S/S 2016

Christopher Kane S/S 2016

Photos: Via Vogue.com and Courtesy of the Brands

Embellished bomber jackets have been making quite the statement in recent designer collections. There is something special about this style. It is the contrast of the ornate embroidery, the floral embellishments or the vibrant hues on the sporty silhouette that everybody loves about them. And there is no end, the Pre-Fall 2016 collections are already filled with those must-haves.

Here are my favourites that are waiting for you:

1 Cecily embroidered crepe bomber jacket by Jonathan Saunders
2 Oriental Garden embellished crepe bomber jacket by Needle & Thread
3 Metallic leather bomber jacket by Gucci
4 Satin and lace-paneled tulle bomber jacket by 3.1 Phillip Lim
5 Floral-intarsia stretch-knit bomber jacket by Alexander McQueen
6 Lace bomber jacket by Gucci
7 Embellished striped wool and linen-blend and leather bomber jacket by Saint Laurent
(Amazing dinosaur embellishment on the back.)
8 Embroidered cotton and silk bomber jacket by Alexander McQueen
(Gorgeous floral embroidery on the back.)

I love bomber jackets. Here are some previous posts:

Embellished satin bomber jacket by Saint Laurent

Embroidered chiffon and twill bomber jacket by 3.1 Phillip Lim

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands
Photos: David Shama

A hijabista is the Muslim equivalent of a fashionista, a trend-loving Muslim woman or girl who dresses stylishly while conforming to the Islamic modesty code. This market is still untapped but for sure very lucrative. Muslim shoppers spent $266 billion on clothing and footwear in 2013 according to a report by Thomson Reuters. That’s more than the total fashion spending of Japan and Italy combined and the number is expected to almost double to $484 billion by 2019.

Dolce & Gabbana has realized the potential and is launching a collection of hijabs and abayas for their Middle East customers. The modest garments have all the flair and iconic details such as lace or prints of any other Dolce & Gabbana collection. They are styled alongside the label’s fantastic accessories like fashion jewelry, oversized sunglasses, and statement bags. I am absolutely convinced that Muslim customers with a taste for luxury fashion will adore this new line.

It will be interesting to see if the collection will only sell in the Middle East or if online platforms such as NET-A-PORTER, MATCHESFASHION and LUISAVIAROMA will take this opportunity as well.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

Olivier Rousteing, Balmain‘s Creative Director, wrote yesterday on his instagram account: «U made me love FASHION yesterday, U make me love FASHION today, and U re going to make me love FASHION in the future.» In the pictures that he commented on, he was next to Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell.

His #BalmainArmy is in expansion mode and the three ’90s supermodels are the faces of the S/S 2016 campaign shot by Steven Meisel. Posing in the designer’s body-conscious and ruffled new seaon’s creations, they look as stunning as 20 years ago and are a perfect fit for the French Maison. Personally speaking, the three icons are so much more beautiful than Kendall and Gigi, the previous faces. I am sure this campaign will have a lot of success.

TO SHOP BALMAIN ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Balmain

Here they are: the most important trends for the S/S 2016 season. Scroll through my forecast to see which styles will be on everyone’s shopping list next season. Let’s be honest, there is nothing really new, but that is the beauty of our century. Everything is possible!

LoL, Sandra

S/S 2016 TREND 1: SWEET GIRLS
Miu Miu – Gucci – Dries Van Noten

S/S 2016 TREND 2: SLEEPWEAR
Balenciaga – Loewe – Alexander Wang

S/S 2016 TREND 3: ARM CANDY
Dior – Fendi – Céline

S/S 2016 TREND 4: OFF THE SHOULDER
Sonia Rykiel – Proenza Schouler – Edun

S/S 2016 TREND 5: ROMANTICISM
Alexander McQueen – Saint Laurent – Etro

S/S 2016 TREND 6: TRIBAL
Balmain – Prada – Valentino

S/S 2016 TREND 7: JUNGLE
Roberto Cavalli – Versace – Bottega Veneta

S/S 2016 TREND 8: TIE-DYE
Narciso Rodriguez – Altuzarra – Paco Rabanne

S/S 2016 TREND 9: FINE LINES
Salvatore Ferragamo – Stella McCartney – Tommy Hilfiger

S/S 2016 TREND 10: STARS & STRIPES
Lacoste – Marc Jacobs – Max Mara

S/S 2016 TREND 11: BOYISH OVERALLS
Louis Vuitton – Isabel Marant – Ralph Lauren Collection

S/S 2016 TREND 12: NEW DENIM
Derek Lam – Chloé – Chanel

S/S 2016 TREND 13: DISCO SPARKLE
Lanvin – Vetements – Nina Ricci

S/S 2016 TREND 14: SILVER
Victoria Beckham – Tom Ford – Courrèges

S/S 2016 TREND 15: TRANSPARENT EMOTIONS
Dolce & Gabbana – Emilio Pucci – Burberry Prorsum

Photos: Via Vogue.com

This is one of those days. I am totally jet-lagged as I just got back from New York City and in between travels which means emptying one suitcase and filling the next one. I hoped for an relaxing evening on the couch when I heard the big and very unexpected news that I had to get out to you in case you haven’t read it yet.

After three and a half years as Creative Director at Christian Dior, fashion designer Raf Simons has announced today that he will be leaving the French Maison. His S/S 2016 collection he showed during Paris Fashion Week in the beginning of October will be his last.
Here some of the beautiful looks:

Here is a statement that Simons released  to ​WWD: «It is after careful and long consideration that I have decided to leave my position as creative director of Christian Dior’s women’s collection. It is a decision based entirely and equally on my desire to focus on other interests in my life, including my own brand, and the passions that drive me outside my work. Christian Dior is an extraordinary company, and it has been an immense privilege to write a few pages of this magnificent book. I want to thank Mr. Bernard Arnault for the trust he has put in me, giving me the incredible opportunity to work at this beautiful house surrounded by the most amazing team one could ever dream of. I have also had the chance over the last few years to benefit from the leadership of Sidney Toledano. His thoughtful, heartfelt and inspired management will also remain as one of the most important experiences of my professional career.»

Raf Simons with me in 2014

It will be interesting who will succeed Simons as ​Dior’s sales increased dramatically under him. I truly loved what he did.

Tomorrow I will be on a trip with Dior ​so let’s see if I can get some insights.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chloé Le Drezen, © Yannis Vlamos / Indigitalimages.com, © Sandra Bauknecht

If you have enough space to store your clothes, I always recommend keeping as much as you can. Most of the pieces can be worn again. Sometimes it can take many years but those vintage pieces will add that certain twist to your look. On the other hand, one of the biggest trends of today is that designers keep their iconic looks for many seasons, as Hedi Slimane for Saint Laurent for example or Dolce & Gabbana. Their recent S/S 2016 collection shown Mid September in Milan seemed like a potpourri of their famous styles.

So personally speaking one of the biggest trends is that there is no trend. It is about investing in great pieces that will last and not be out of fashion after one season. I thought it would be fun for you to see how well I can wear those vintage Dolce & Gabbana pieces that I had been collecting during the last seasons next summer.

 For those of you, you would love to be ahead of the game, I recommend DOLCE & GABBANA’S PORTOFINO CAPSULE COLLECTION that is available now at NET-À-PORTER exclusively.

LoL, Sandra

TREND 1: THE PRINTED SHIFT DRESS

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2016 Look 67

My Look: MCM Store Opening in Zurich (May 2013)

TREND 2: THE LEMON PRINT

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2016 Look 83

My Look: NYFW (September 2013)

TREND 3: THE STRIPED TOP AND A-LINE SKIRT

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2016 Look 24

My Look: City Girl (August 2013)

TREND 4: THE ICONIC PRINT

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2016 Look 73

My Look: Bohemian Rhapsody (June 2014)

TREND 5: SHORTS MATCHING YOUR TOP

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2016 Look 74

My Look: Tropical Vacation (December 2014)

TREND 6: THE FLORAL PRINT

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2016 Look 42

My Look: Enchanted Forest (April 2015)

TREND 7: THE TRANSPARENT BLACK DRESS

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2016 Look 31

My Look: Transparent (July 2015)

TREND 8: THE ITALIAN POSTCARD PRINT

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2016 Look 87

My Look: One Day in Siena (October 2015)

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana
© Sandra Bauknecht, © Andrea Monica Hug (Chic in Zurich)

A love letter to Italy, Dolce & Gabbana’s S/S 2016 runway show was styled by Tabitha Simmons. The collection evokes the glories of Italy through the eyes of tourists, highlighting the country’s most famous landmarks—Venice’s gondolas, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and Michelangelo’s David—came decadently embroidered and beaded atop trademark fluted shifts and lace separates.

The collection’s colorful brushstroke dresses were inspired by the work of Italian artist Lucio Fontana, seen on everything from curve hugging sheaths to generously flared ’50s dresses.

In step with the sightseeing theme, this season’s new Dolce Box was an actual camera (bag). Additionally, the Adelina bag makes its debut. The top handle silhouette that references the1950s is offered in raffia, tweed, and luxurious crocodile. The country’s most iconic landmarks trickled down to the accessories.

There were slippers shaped like gondolas from Venice, handpainted heels that nodded to the ceramics found in Naples, and shopper totes emblazoned with postcard prints in the same tune as the finale dresses. Back again are the most extravagant headphones in four styles…now that’s amore!

“To work on this Dolce and Gabbana show was so much funI loved how Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana celebrated the idea of stars such as Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn on holiday in Italy. The energy around the show was infectious, the models were so excited to take selfies backstage and on the catwalk (like any respectable tourist would do!) and then project them around the world. It goes without saying, but the clothes and accessories were brilliant, I have my eye on the long chiffon dress with a humming bird and flower print.” Tabitha Simmons, stylist.

Please find the collection highlights below, to preorder just click on the product description:

Italia Is Love Embellished Shift Dress

Pom Pom Headphones

Dolce Box Bag Camera Case

Caretto Printed Poplin Dress

Orange Mule

Wool Crepe Embellished Skirt

Red Leather IPhone Case

Embellished Net Long Sleeve Dress

Adelina In Crocodile Top Handle Bag

Maiolica Tile Print Short

Be the first to preorder the Italian house’s next summer collection straight from the runway. The DOLCE & GABBANA S/S 2016 TRUNKSHOW is live until October 13, 2015. So hurry up and get the new looks for your best selfies.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana, Moda Operandi, © Kevin Tachman, Venturelli/WireImage

Finally, I have made it to Paris for Fashion Week. Today, two blockbuster shows will take place, Chanel this morning and Valentino this afternoon. For those, who are at home, here is your chance to follow everything real time via app or livestream here on Sandra’s Closet.

So excited for Chanel Airlines, sounds very promising as a theme. The only bummer today is the weather here in Paris. It is raining cats and dogs…

You can discover the Chanel S/S 2016 Ready-to-Wear show on the House’s new fashion mobile application. Fully implicated in the digital world, the Chanel has revised its app, already adopted by two million users. Developed in thirteen different languages, the Chanel Fashion application is free to download and available for iOS and Android mobile phones.

Below, you can watch the Valentino live this afternoon. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

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