More is more, this is what the F/W 2016 season is all about! With fashion in a maximalist mood, accessories have taken center stage. On the runways, heels were high, the bijoux was stacked and layered, and the bags were furrier or came with accessories of their own. The forecast: Get ready for your most sumptuous season yet.

LoL, Sandra

F/W 2016 TREND 1: GUITAR STRAPS
Valentino – Fendi – Burberry

F/W 2016 TREND 2: DAVID BOWIE BOOTS
Maison Margiela – Marc Jacobs – Balenciaga

F/W 2016 TREND 3: STATEMENT GLOVES
Delpozo – Loewe – Rodarte

F/W 2016 TREND 4: CHOKERS
Balmain – Alexander Wang – Lanvin

F/W 2016 TREND 5: STACKED JEWELS
Gucci – Etro – Bottega Veneta

F/W 2016 TREND 6: FUR BAGS
Michael Kors Collection – Salvatore Ferragamo – Versace

F/W 2016 TREND 7: HIKING BOOTS
Rag & Bone – Louis Vuitton – Prada

F/W 2016 TREND 8: BAG ACCESSORIES
Dolce & Gabbana – Dior – Chanel

F/W 2016 TREND 9: VELVET CRUSH
Stella McCartney – Erdem – Dries Van Noten

F/W 2016 TREND 10: EMBELLISHED HEELS
Oscar de la Renta – Miu Miu – Saint Laurent

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

My favorite season is spring, I love when nature is awakening, the air is smelling sweet and you can finally be outside enjoying the sunshine. It is also the time when I love to wear white. Isn’t this dress I got at FASHIONVESTIS just beautiful? It is airy, light and has this certain bohemian vibe that I adore so much…

My look: Broderie anglaise dress with corset belt by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, Anita fringed suede shoulder bag and ankle suede boots, both by Saint Laurent, cocktail ring by Chanel, suede hat by Balenciaga and Carlina round-frame gold-tone sunglasses by Chloé.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This summer, nobody can say they couldn’t find a cool «Fourth of July» outfit to show their patriotism. All the facets of American stars-and-stripes flags and their iconic colors were seen on the S/S 2016 runways. Finally we can show our love for the US with style in cashmere and not in a cheap polyester costume. I am totally hooked.

From left to right: Red and white star intarsia cotton-blend tank by Max Mara, grey and blue fringed cotton top by Stella McCartney, leather-trimmed appliquéd mesh top by Ronald Van Der Kemp, embellished denim mini skirt and snapshot color-block textured-leather camera bag, both by Marc Jacobs and Race Runner suede and fabric sneakers by Balenciaga.

Marc Jacobs S/S 2016

Intarsia cashmere and silk-blend sweater by Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs S/S 2016

J.M Guys patchwork low-rise boyfriend jeans by Ronald Van Der Kemp

Lacoste S/S 2016

P.Y.T. embellished leather backpack by Marc Jacobs

Max Mara S/S 2016

Which ones are your favorite stars and stripes?

LoL, Sandra

Photos and Stills: Courtesy of the Brands and via Vogue.com

Fashionistas love fashionable and oh-so practical tote bags. Whether classic or reinvented, this handbag shape should be atop your must-have accessory wish list. A keeper forever!

1 Monogramme Cabas medium leather tote by Saint Laurent
2 Bamboo Shopper medium textured-leather tote by Gucci
3 Liberty leather tote by Victoria Beckham
4 Paloma small spiked leather tote by Christian Louboutin
5 Le Dix Cabas textured-leather tote by Balenciaga
6 Intrecciato leather tote by Bottega Veneta
7 Joy medium textured-leather tote by Tod’s
8 The Rockstud medium leather tote by Valentino

My avid readers have seen me a gazillion times with my Bamboo Shopper large textured-leather tote by Gucci. I adore this bag, so practical, stylish and easy to carry. Perfect for travelling!

More than 30 years after it was introduced, it is still one of the most exclusive tote bags in the world: the Hermès Birkin Bag, a true classic.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

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

Eclectic describes a combination of many different individual elements of styles. Speaking in fashion terms, it means that you can put together several pieces that seem odd together, but worn in one look make you stand out. Never forget to pay attention to the proportions. One of the most important things when you want to look incredibly stylish. Great news is that you can do it with the clothes in your own closet. Get going, ladies and have fun!

My look: Cropped blazer by Saint Laurent, cady top by Miu Miu, foil-paneled pleated cloqué maxi skirt by Proenza Schouler, studded sandals by Alaïa, bar cuff in rose gold by Balenciaga, Kelly So Black bag by Hermès, sunglasses «Reflected» by Dior, necklace by Chanel, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

In the beginning of July, rumor had it that Kering, the parent company of BALENCIAGA, will not confirm Alexander Wang’s position as the House’s Creative Director. The designer took over the Balenciaga design department in December 2012 to replace Nicolas Ghesquière that had been hired by Louis Vuitton. Today, it has become official. Alexander Wang will step down after less than three years in the role.

The reason for the split can just be guessed, as it might be hard to grow two labels, Balenciaga and Wang’s successful namesake New York based brand at the same time. It is said that the S/S 2016 collection which will be presented this October during Paris Fashion Week will already be Wang’s last one for Balenciaga.

Rumor has it that Kering is looking for a lesser known designer to replace Wang, having seen the success of Alessandro Michele at Gucci.

TO SHOP BALENCIAGA (see products above), PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of Balenciaga

Normcore… perfect boring, special normal – whatever you want to name it, there’s no getting away from fashion’s fascination with the mundane lately. Trend leader CHANEL kicked off the style last winter with its supermarket inspired collection and created the perfect pedestrian look –throw on leggings, trainers and a big easy coat. It’s all in the luxe twist. Minimal effort required.

My look: College coat by Saint Laurent, flared crepe skirt by Balenciaga, crystal embellished biker boots by Miu Miu, pink cut-out sweater, shearling bag, candy necklace and chain and padlock necklace, all by Chanel. Diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

Let’s just hope that we will get some sunshine soon to finally wear our new summer pieces. It’s time to store coats and boots!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The Met Gala is an annual fundraising event for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art‘s Costume Institute in New York City and marks the grand opening of its annual fashion exhibit. Celebrating this year’s theme “China, Through The Looking Glass”, it seems to be one of the most challenging yet. See below who honored China’s heritage and its present culture on the red carpet best.

This year’s award to best dressed of the night goes to:

Rihanna wearing Chinese designer Guo Pei

The butt girls:

Jay Z and Beyoncé in Givenchy

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West in Roberto Cavalli

Donatella Versace and Jennifer Lopez, both in Atelier Versace.

Best Chinese inspirations:

Zendaya Coleman in Fausto Puglisi

Karolina Kurkova in Tommy Hilfiger

I am always looking forward to seeing Sarah Jessica Parker‘s outfit because she has never let us down in pulling off the best looks. And let’s just say the headpiece combined with her H&M dress is divine.

Georgia May Jagger in Gucci and Alessandro Michele

Chloë Sevigny in J.W. Anderson

Very sophisticated: Tom Ford and Rita Ora in his design.

Alexa Chung in Erdem

George Clooney and Amal Clooney in Maison Margiela

Not so inspired by the Chinese theme… but great to watch:

Jeremy Scott kissing Kate Perry‘s hand who is wearing Moschino.

Also Madonna wore Moschino.

Stella McCartney framed by Cara Delevingne, Sofia Richie, and Zhu Zhu, all dressed in her designs.

Alexander Wang kissed by Lady Gaga in Balenciaga

Miley Cyrus and Zoë Kravitz dressed in Alexander Wang.

Kendall Jenner in Calvin Klein Collection

Robert Pattinson and FKA twigs in Christopher Kane (definitely not my favorite gown of the night).

Supermodel Joan Smalls arrived at the Met Gala in a black tulle and purple silk one-sleeved Roberto Cavalli gown with cutouts and sheer paneling. Her date was the newly appointed designer of the Italian fashion house Peter Dundas. Isn’t this gown to die for?!

Anna Wintour in Chanel

LoL, Sandra

Photos via: Alessandro Garofalo / Indigitalimages.com, Moschino, Vogue and Style.com