Dear readers, great news, here is an early Christmas gift. NET-A-PORTER.COM‘s international sale starts today and I pre-selected some fab pieces that are marked off 50%!

Get the look: Embellished belted wool-crepe coat by Carven, jacquard-knit mini dress by Alexander McQueen, Daisie leather shoulder bag by See by Chloé, suede and ostrich thigh boots by Emilio Pucci and rose gold-plated cuff by Arme de L’Amour.

Have fun shopping!

LoL, Sandra

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

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

This was my outfit I wore to the launch event of L’OFFICIEL VOYAGE. Before the party started, I attended the Bvlgari cocktail to celebrate the brand’s newest watch collection LVCEA.

My look: Suzani peasant top and Suzani drawstring trousers, both by Emilio Pucci, padlock mini studded leather shoulder bag by Alexander McQueen and Alice T-strap studded sandals (on sale for almost 60% off) by Saint Laurent, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography and © Sandra Bauknecht

The press conference for the Alexander Wang x H&M launch event took place on one of the probably rainiest of New York City mornings at the St. Patrick’s Youth Center, located close to Bleecker Street station. My hair was a mess due to the humidity but I was brave to take those pictures of my outfit before we went inside. As Alexander Wang is also at the helmet of Balenciaga, I chose an ensemble from his recent F/W 2014 collection.

Alexander Wang with me at the press conference last Thursday

My look: Tonal blue silk-blend oversized jacket and matching mini skirt with black jacquard pattern, both by Balenciaga, peplum-detail top and padlock mini studded leather shoulder bag, both by Alexander McQueen and crystal embellished biker boots by Miu Miu. Diamond bracelet and ring, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery, rose diamond necklace by Piaget.

The best scent to wear: Bleecker Street by Bond No. 9, a woodsy oriental gourmand that captures the spirit of the West Village with a blend of seductive, indulgently sweet notes.

Stay tuned for the photos from the party in the evening…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Paris Fashion Week was awesome, filled with many magical moments that I will share with you constantly during the next weeks. Here you see me running from one show to another at the corner of Rue de Castiglione and Rue du Faubourg Saint- Honoré wearing the season’s optical trend. Aren’t graphic stripes so much fun?!

My look: Mixed-stitch V-neck cardigan and matching drop waist skirt, both by Prabal Gurung, bow collar blouse by Saint Laurent, silk scarf by Alexander McQueen, crystal embellished biker boots by Miu Miu and tweed multicolored beaded fringe bag by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

On Saturday evening, I attended the Zoofäscht 2014 one of the highlights of Zurich’s social calendar. The black tie event takes place every second year and collects money to support the Zurich Zoo. This time, CHF 850.000 were collected for the new Yak-enclosure.

My look: Striped tiered feather jacket by Givenchy, cutout crepe gown by Alexander McQueen, Jane leather sandals by Saint Laurent, satin clutch by Prada, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring, both by Piaget, earrings by Chanel and diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

With my dearest friend Dusa Bibus at the Zoofäscht 2014

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today’s photos were taken at the East Side Gallery in Berlin, Germany. The probably largest and longest-lasting open air gallery in the world is actually an international memorial for freedom. With 1.3 km, it is the longest remaining part of the Berlin Wall, located near the city centre on Muehlenstraße in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, next to the river Spree.

The East Side Gallery consists of 105 paintings by artists from all over the world, painted in 1990 on the east side of the Berlin Wall.

Inspired by yesterday’s post about Rihanna who’s sporting the military trend for our September 2014 cover of L’OFFICIEL Schweiz/Suisse, here is a gun salute to the revival of military chic fashion this fall. Therefore I went through my closet to look for my S/S 2010 Balmain pieces – the season when it had been up-to-date the last time.

My look: Military shirt and khaki tank top, both by Balmain (from the S/S 2010 collection, for the new F/W 2014 pieces, please click HERE), pants by Alexander McQueen (similar ones HERE), sneakers by Prada Sport, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring by Piaget, sunglasses by Valentino and Boy Bag with chains by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Hitchhiking with Chanel

One of the most impressive paintings at the East Side Gallery: Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker kissing by Dmitri Vrubel.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I had a lovely day surrounded by great friends to celebrate the baptism of little Ben. After the ceremony in the church, we went to the restaurant Seerose at the lake of Zurich for lunch and stayed until dinner. The big thunderstorm that was supposed to hit in the afternoon luckily waited to arrive in the evening.

My look: Cropped leather jacket by Prada, bonded laser-cut cotton-poplin bra top and matching bonded laser-cut cotton-poplin skirt, both by Alexander McQueen, Rockstud leopard-print calf hair trapeze bag by Valentino, Janis leather pumps by Saint Laurent, Mitza ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie, interlaced loop necklace by Dior, green calf hair cuff by Céline and Tank Américaine watch in yellow gold by Cartier.

McQueen’s Sarah Burton got heavily influenced by Mondrian‘s art this season. I am in love with her ability to mix different materials and turn them into one. This structured pleated skirt and top are both crafted from black cotton-poplin with a bonded laser-cut white overlay that gives them a three-dimensional effect that is unfortunately hard to see in the pictures.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

One week ago in Marrakesh, my friend Mel’s big birthday celebration took place on Saturday evening accompanied by the renewal of her wedding vows with her husband Dan. It was a very romantic evening and she look stunning in her Zuhair Murad dress. It truly felt like One Thousand and One Nights and I am so grateful for all these different highlights that we experienced, among them a live performance by Paul Potts, the British tenor, who had won the first series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2007. With all my heart, thank you, Mel and Dan, for your friendship and this magical trip!

My look: Leather-trimmed jersey gown with cutouts by Givenchy, set of 5 gold-tone cuffs by Alexander McQueen, earrings by Chanel, ring by Etro, animal print clutch, tribal sandals and necklace, both by Louis Vuitton, small Amulette necklace by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Paul Potts with me

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht