To all my American readers, Happy Fourth of July from Maui! I will show off my American allegiance with this stars and stripe bikini from Ralph Lauren Blue Label at the beach.
Ricky American-flag bikini top and matching self-tie bottom.
LoL, Sandra
Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht
Summer is on its way and it’s set to be the most sensational yet. Today, I would like to spotlight the definitive trends, hot new designers and must-have pieces for your new season wardrobe.
Kick-start with a high-voltage dress by Diane von Furstenberg. Maxi lengths are a laid-back way to work shimmering sequins for day – finish with Musa‘s decorative sandals. After dark, look to master craftsman Vineet Bahl, the upcoming Indian designer. His beautifully embellished gowns are perfect for sultry nights.
Diane von Furstenberg
Next up, Diane von Furstenberg‘s graphic summer collection ticks two trends in one – power prints and ladylike cuts. Whether you go for a demure knee-length dress or pair up your prints in a contrasting top and skirt, channel the runway girls and keep hair and makeup fuss free.
Christian Louboutin
When it comes to accessories, have fun and experiment. Do the bold shoulder with Christian Louboutin’s Artemis bag – the editors’ favorite and this year’s must-have.
Victoria Beckham
And don’t forget to update your sunglasses. Victoria Beckham‘s oversized frames will lend a fashion-forward edge to any outfit.
This season’s style rule for jewelry? More is more. Hervé van der Straeten is the new need-to-know name. The Parisian jeweler’s sculptural gold cuffs are the perfect partner to neutral tailoring. Semi-precious stones also take a starring role: Rosantica’s lapis lazuli collar necklace
or Erickson Beamon’s colour-pop pieces
will instantly dress up a simple tee and blazer.
Dive into swimwear in the latest ready-to-wear one-piece – it’s not just for the beach! Be inspired by the Peter Pilotto runway and choose a sporty style for day, finished with a dramatic full skirt and
heels.
Zimmermann
Or perfect your poolside pose in bloom-adorned swimsuit by Australian label Zimmermann.
Tara Matthews
As the sun sets, switch effortlessly from pool to bar in Tara Matthews’ stylish cover-up, exclusive to NET-A-PORTER.
Paloma Barcelò
Complete the look with candy-striped wedges by Spanish shoe label Paloma Barcelò.
Happy Shopping!
LoL, Sandra
With those freezing temperatures outside, I love to dream of warm weather, the sun, the sea and my new bikini outfit!
Metallic triangle bikini by Gucci, crystal-embellished leather sandals
by Giuseppe Zanotti, canvas bag with Hawaiian print by Stella McCartney, round-frame acetate sunglasses
by Yves Saint Laurent, gold-plated plexiglass cuff and multi-stone brass ring, both by Emilio Pucci.
It is the time of the year when it is best to get organized for your next trip to a tropical destination. As the lights of fitting rooms are in general not so pleasant for pale skin, I prefer ordering swimwear online.
For the perfect sunkissed make-up look, I recommend those products below:
For radiant skin:
1 – PURE RADIANT TINTED MOISTURIZER SPF30/PA+++ by Nars
Infused with naturally derived ingredients from French Polynesia where François Nars loves to spend a lot of time, this new tinted moisturizer instantly hydrates and evens out the skin tone. It has also been shown that it can reduce the appearance of discoloration and dark spots with regular use. The luxurious, oil-free formula obscures the appearance of lines, wrinkles, pores and other imperfections while providing a translucent veil of broadspectrum sun protection.
Available in 9 shades with beautiful names: 1 Finland, 2 Alaska, 3 St. Moritz, 4 Annapurna, 5 Cuba, 6 Malaga, 7 Seychelles, 8 Martinique and 9 Polynesia.
In Switzerland in stores Mid March, CHF 72.-.
For sun-kissed cheeks and a glowing face:
2 – PURE COLOR ILLUMINATING POWDER GELEE TOPAZ CHAMELEON by Estée Lauder
High polish for your skin:
This innovative tri-blend liquid, powder, gel formula goes beyond face powder to give you a sexy, sophisticated glow.
It comes with a perfect mix of pigment and pearls for a multi-reflective finish.
Smooth it on as an all-over soft sheen or sweep it on the cheeks for a luminous pearl highlighting effect. The perfect companion for the beach.
Available now for CHF 58.-.
For beautiful eyes in the shades of the ocean:
3 – OMBRE MINERALE 4 COLEURS in 08 Blue Sky by Clarins
This eye quartet palette has four long-lasting shades in the hues of the ocean. They can be applied dry or damp for a natural or sophisticated look.
Available now for CHF 62.-.
4 – PURE COLOR INTENSE KAJAL EYE CRAYON in Dramatic Black by Estée Lauder
Reminiscent of Indian kajal eye crayons, those must-have pencils provide you with intense, smouldering colour in one single stroke.
It glides on velvety smooth and blends easily.
Use as a liner along lashline and softly smudge over lids to intensify the smoky look.
Available now for CHF 30.-.
5 – DIORSHOW NEW LOOK in Noir New Look by Christian Dior
A new amazing mascara that delivers infinite volume and an unparalleled lash-multiplying effect.
Diorshow New Look features an exclusive breakthrough nana-brush to catch and coat every last lash with the precision of a couturier’s hand. The extraordinary formula with a Lash Amplifier™ ingredient provides an instant lash-multiplying action.
Available in Switzerland starting February 8, 2012 for CHF 48.-.
On the lips:
6 – LARGER THAN LIFE® LIP GLOSS in Gold Digger by Nars
The new Larger Than Life® Lip Gloss provides lustrous shine that stays in place for hours, while lips feel protected and moisturized. Natural lip enhancers provide volume while a new, shorter bristle brush delivers a precise application to define and shape lips.
Available for CHF 35.-.
For eyecatching nails:
7 – PURE COLOR NAIL LACQUER in Topaz Teal by Estée Lauder
Colourful nails are a must and this turquoise shade is the perfect hue for the beach.
Available now for CHF 34.-.
To make sure that your body looks great in the sun, have a look at those upcoming new products that I can highly recommend:
For a healthy-looking tanned body:
DIOR BRONZE AUTO-BRONZANT Self Tanning Oil Natural Glow by Christian Dior
AMAZING MOOD-LIFTING PRODUCT!
Dior Bronze is the perfect replica of all pleasures of the sun to enhance the skin and lift the mood! On the application, the skin is satiny, luminious, perfectly moisturized and progressively recreates a radiant tan.
On the mood, you will feel the perceived pleasure of a unique uplifting action. A plant-based active ingredient helps stimulate the natural production of ß-endorphins, the so-called “pleasure molecules”, for an immediate mood-lifting sensation, as if you just spent time sunbathing!
Available in Switzerland beginning of March for CHF 58.- (100ml).
For a well-toned body:
DIOR SVELTE BODY DESIRE Integral Perfection Care by Christian Dior
Anybody among you who is not wishing for the perfect well-toned body?! Here is a product that will help you to achieve it in one single step (But you still need to work on your daily sports routine and calories intake, sorry!).
This body care product acts on all of the key characteristics of a desirable body: slimming, firming, moisturrizing, toning and smoothing. How is that possible?
At the “heart” of the skin, adiponectin – a protein with a sensational spectrum of action discovered by Dior science – affects all those features. Stress and the excesses of modern life tend to inhibit the influence of this unique protein. Dior Svelte reactivates the natural synthesis of adiponectin for a visibly enhanced body in 4 weeks.
Available in Switzerland beginning of March for CHF 96.- (200ml).
You have still lots of time left to get in shape for summer! But better get started early… this is all you need!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Eres will dip into the nail polish market for the first time this March. The trendy lingerie and swimwear brand will launch worldwide in its own stores and franchises a limited-edition line of three nail varnishes — in colours that are inspired by its S/S 2012 swimwear collection, yellow, pink and brown. Each polish will be around € 16.
Matching your outfit to your nail polish or vice versa is quite the thing at the moment and honestly it is a clever strategy of Eres. I like it!
LoL, Sandra
The pink of “Bengale” is as deep as a Byzantine gladiolus.
The brown of “Damas” is gloriously reminiscent of melted chocolate.
You can almost taste cardamom in the yellow of “Soufi”.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Eres
With this summery outfit I am wishing you all a lovely weekend that you hopefully can spend enjoying the sea, air and sun!
If you go on vacation, I always recommend to pack many different sunglasses. You will make a big entrance at the pool when changing almost each day your eyewear. Another tip is to mix your bikini bottoms and tops among each other. Like this, you will look every day completely different.
I am off to the South!
LoL, Sandra
Yesterday, I flew to London to attend two amazing parties. The first event was a tropical summer night hosted by Matthew Williamson and Chantal Kerzner.
Chantal Kerzner, Matthew Williamson and me
Matthew with me
My outfit: Sequined peacock feather skirt, clutch and necklace by Matthew Williamson, blouse by Alexander McQueen, shoes by Gucci, bracelet by Louis Vuitton.
Matthew’s Mayfair store was the perfect location with all its rainforest-like decoration and beautiful wall coverings to celebrate his Escape collection which is also available at One&Only high-end resort shops.
Chantal’s dad, Sol Kerzner, a hotel magnate, launched One&Only in 2002 with seven properties in The Bahamas, Mexico, Mauritius, The Maledives, South Africa and Dubai. Chantal, head fashion buyer for the boutiques, brings an eclectic mix of high fashion and cutting-edge labels to the holiday destinations.
Enjoy Matthew’s beautiful vacation must-haves, available also through matthewwilliamson.com.
Stay tuned for the next amazing party…
Bon Voyage!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Summer is right in front of us and it is time to think about your beach apparel. Sand, sun and salty water are not bikini’s best friends. Therefore I am not so keen on spending too much on something that won’t last long.
H&M is always the best solution and for S/S 2011 their beachwear collection is truly divine. There are lots of different styles and colours to choose from with matching pareos, kaftans, tunics and bags available. You better go shopping now as those pieces will sell out fast.
I tried my new tiger print bikini this weekend with the see-through jumpsuit and lots of H&M jewelry (looks cool and you don’t need to worry about it!). The straw hat is from the little shop at Club 55 in St.Tropez. Unfortunately, I am still very pale especially compared to H&M’s campaign models but hope that this will change soon…
Jumpsuit CHF 29.90, Bikini top CHF 19.90, Bikini briefs CHF 14.90
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
The recent H&M swimwear advertisements starring Edita Vilkeviciute, Frida Gustavsson and Filippa Hamilton were shot by Patrick Demarchelier and capture the colourful bikinis on those gorgeous bodies perfectly. Ready for a sun-drenched summer?
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Courtesy of H&M
Probably you are a little like me. I am always very fast in buying fashion for the next season. So I do not mind starting to get my summer clothes in December. But there is one thing that is always fairly traumatic for me: Trying on a bikini in January when I am all pale in the fluorescent lights of a small dressing room. Somehow those mirrors do not seem to flatter anyone and have the magical power to eliminate the highest self-esteem. They should serve a mandatory glass of champagne to anyone swimsuit shopping when the temperature outside is freezing cold.
Therefore I always wait until the last minute when I am already a little tanned to get my bathing apparel. Probably online shopping is anyway the best way to go.
This year, my object of desire is a monokini, a bikini with fabric linking the bottom and top. The absolute must-have this summer! You could also name it a cutout swimsuit. Reminding me of the 80s, it looks so stylish and surprisingly modern. My favourite is the printed one by Emilio Pucci. The only disadvantage is the pattern that the crisscrossing panel is going to leave on your skin…
LoL, Sandra
Matthew Williamson has just got in some new gorgeous kaftans and jumpsuits for your holiday season. They are stylish cover-ups for your swimwear, moreover very comfortable and work also very well in the evening. The colours are amazing and blend in perfectly. If you are interested, please contact the London store by phone +44 20 7629 6200.
LoL, Sandra
Beaded Kaftan £695.-
Jumpsuit £ 995.-
Beaded kaftan £695.-, belt £160.-
Short kaftan with brooch £ 650.-
Long kaftan with brooch £895.-
Long kaftan with brooch £895.-