Here they are: the most important trends for the F/W 2016 season. Scroll through my forecast to see which styles will be on everyone’s shopping list next season. From statement furs to velvet everything, from extra long sleeves to oversized down jackets, the choice is yours – enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

F/W 2016 TREND 1: VELVET
Akris – Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini – Giorgio Armani

F/W 2016 TREND 2: CHECKMATE
Chanel – Vivienne Westwood Red Label- Marni

F/W 2016 TREND 3: ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Alexander McQueen – Moschino – Dolce & Gabbana

F/W 2016 TREND 4: BIKER GIRLS
Courrèges – Chloé – Louis Vuitton

F/W 2016 TREND 5: BEIGEMANIA
Céline – Hermès – Max Mara

F/W 2016 TREND 6: ON DUTY
Prada – Maison Martin Margiela – Miu Miu

F/W 2016 TREND 7: SHINY TRENCH COATS
Proenza Schouler – Tod’s – Burberry

F/W 2016 TREND 8: PUFF DADDY
Sacai – Balenciaga – Stella McCartney

F/W 2016 TREND 9: ’80s POWER ONE-SHOULDER
Lanvin – Saint Laurent – Isabel Marant

F/W 2016 TREND 10: CAPES
Elie Saab – Temperley London – Gucci

F/W 2016 TREND 11: BUBBLEGUM
Kenzo – Simone Rocha – Carven

F/W 2016 TREND 12: EXTRA LONG SLEEVES
Marc Jacobs – Michael Kors Collection – Vetements

F/W 2016 TREND 13: TURTLENECKS WITH ZIPPERS
Versace – Dior – Emilio Pucci

F/W 2016 TREND 14: BONDAGE
Gareth Pugh – Loewe – Alexander Wang

F/W 2016 TREND 15: LONG SCARFS
Etro – Missoni – Roberto Cavalli

F/W 2016 TREND 16: PINSTRIPE SUITING
Calvin Klein Collection – Tibi – Trussardi

F/W 2016 TREND 17: TINSEL
Marco di Vicenzo – Jeremy Scott – Emporio Armani

F/W 2016 TREND 18: FUR STOLES
Dries Van Noten – Vionnet – Givenchy

F/W 2016 TREND 19: STATEMENT FURS
Fendi – Salvatore Ferragamo – Mary Katrantzou

F/W 2016 TREND 20: MODERN NYMPHS
Alberta Ferretti – Valentino – Rodarte

Forget about your own initials, if you want to be in style, you will carry the ones of your favorite designers. Punctuated with a gleaming logo plaque, those bags look best in black. But take note please that most of them are available in many different colors.

1 Textured-leather shoulder bag by J.W.Anderson
2 Insignia textured-leather satchel by Alexander McQueen
3 GG Marmont leather cross-body bag by Gucci
4 Dylan leather cross-body bag by Saint Laurent

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

Sometimes I receive a press release that truly makes me happy and excited. Today, I got one of those. Great news! The ALEXANDER MCQUEEN brand launches its first women’s fragrance under the creative direction of Sarah Burton after signing a deal with P&G Prestige.

Do note that there were already two scents on the market, Kingdom, in 2003, and My Queen, in 2005, that were developed by YSL Beauté. Both were disappearing very quickly from the shelves after being discontinued in 2008.

Although Alexander McQueen passed away six years ago, his legacy lives on in his label’s stunning designs by Sarah Burton, who was also in charge for the amazing juice that is the base for those two new scents, McQueen Parfum and McQueen Eau de Parfum.

Inspired by the craftsmanship of haute parfumerie, McQueen has created a unique scent made from the precious essence of three night-blooming flowers: Sambac jasmine, tuberose and ylang ylang. There are also topnotes of clove, pink and black pepper, as well as vetiver. Solid, sensual, with the artisan’s love of form, the parfum bottle is a small work of art. Gold feathers crown the perfume bottle, reflecting bespoke craftsmanship that is pure McQueen.

ORIENTAL FLORAL

Top notes: Clove, pink and black pepper
Middle notes: Sambac jasmine, tuberose and ylang ylang
Base note: Vetiver

The association with these nighttime flowers launched the social media hashtag #BloomAtNight, a tag that can easily be tied to more than a few of the pieces in the new F/W 2016 collection.

McQueen Parfum
50ml – CHF 450.00

McQueen Eau de Parfum
30ml – CHF 90.00, 50ml – CHF 119.00, 75ml – CHF 149.00

Available in Switzerland from September 5, 2016.

TO SHOP THE NEW ALEXANDER MCQUEEN FALL COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Alexander McQueen

Here’s a trend that has been taking flight for some time now: butterflies! Embroidered onto outerwear at  Valentino and stitched on a Gucci sweater, the butterfly is about everywhere this fall.

1 Butterfly embellished wool sweater by Gucci for Net-à-Porter
2 Butterfly-embroidered canvas guitar strap for handbag by Valentino
3 Fil coupé silk-blend scarf by Alexander McQueen
4 Butterfly crocodile small clutch bag by Nancy Gonzalez
5 Appliquéd stretch-suede over-the-knee boots by Valentino
6 3D Glitter Butterfly Sunglasses by Anna-Karin Karlsson
7 Chiara metallic patent-leather platform sandals by Sophia Webster

A piece of art: the embroidered cotton coat by Valentino.

I am literally dying for those appliquéd stretch-suede over-the-knee boots by Valentino, aren’t they to die for?

Many designers have seeked inspiration from the beautiful world of the butterflies for pre-fall 2016, from left to right: Gucci, Giamba, Valentino and Philipp Plein.

Are you having butterflies in your tummy now like me?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Many of my readers have been asking me about a business look with a certain twist. As one of the big summer trends is incorporating lingerie in your daily wardrobe, I exchanged the stereotype white shirt into a feminine lace top which looks sophisticated and elegant under a blazer. A great selection of such camisoles can be found at ZIMMERLI. The one I am wearing in this post has some small pieces of art hidden within the airy embellished ribs. The light and breathable fabric is soft as silk and pliant as cashmere.

My look: Tuxedo jacket by Stella McCartney, lace top by Zimmerli, cropped wool-crepe pants by Alexander McQueen, Croco Tail sunglasses by Fendi, Christy leather point-toe flats by Aquazzura, tote bag by Karl Lagerfeld, pearl earrings by Chanel, diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery and Tonda 1950 Clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Get the look: Ruffled off-the-shoulder dress by Alexander McQueen, Colorado suede sandals by Aquazzura and Rockstud leather pouch by Valentino.

A softer take on color for 2016: For the first time, the blending of two shades – Rose Quartz and Serenity are chosen as the PANTONE Color of the Year.
As consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent. Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.

Nail Polish – Bloomsbury Way Blossom by Nails Inc

The prevalent combination of Rose Quartz and Serenity also challenges traditional perceptions of color association. In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design. This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumer’s increased comfort with using color as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage.

LoL, Sandra

Ermanno Scervino S/S 2016

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and via Pantone

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

Dressing in winter when going out is always a hassle. If you wear heavy outerwear, you will be stuck at the coat check or if you try to go light, you will be freezing the whole evening. Therefore winter layers are the way to go. Here you see me past Wednesday in Paris when leaving for Jean Paul Gaultier’s private dinner during couture week. The trick is to layer without bulking up and to stay stylish even in cold temperatures. A cape is a great way to wear even the most voluptuous sleeves. And in the end, when I went on the dance floor, I just left the light black ensemble …

My look: Tweed military cape by Balmain, black ruffled tulle top and matching pants, by Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil, long blouse with black bows and padlock mini studded leather shoulder bag, both by Alexander McQueen, cutout leather platform pumps by Saint Laurent, pearl earrings by Chanel and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Princess for a day in tickled pink. What else could you wish for? Stay tuned for all the details from my recent trip to Schloss St. Emmeram in Regensburg, Germany, coming up soon.

My look: Marabou jacket by Emilio Pucci, Phoenicia embellished guipure lace mini dress by Peter Pilotto, pink Janis pumps with zebra-embellished toe by Saint Laurent, De Manta brocade clutch by Alexander McQueen, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget, diamond ring and bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gisela Schober/Getty Images for mytheresa.com and © Sandra Bauknecht

This week, I flew to Munich and spent an amazing time in my old hometown. It was Indian summer in the city – a phenomenon of sunny and clear weather conditions that I experienced a lot when living in Chicago. There was no coat needed and I just enjoyed the colors of fall here at Lenbachplatz.

My look: Tulip-jacquard mini dress by Alexander McQueen, Rockstud leather-trimmed knee boots by Valentino, 2Jours medium calf hair, mink and leather shopper and textured-leather and fox monster bag charm, both by Fendi, necklace by Chanel and Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht (Thank you Maria from Loews for taking them!)