In collage: Printed satin-jacquard midi dress by Marni, velvet platform ankle boots by Prada and swimsuit by Eres.

«The Pantone Color of the Year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today.» – Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute.

Each year PANTONE, the global color authority, chooses one Color of the Year, like a snapshot of what we see taking place in our global culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude. For 2018, it is a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade: PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.

Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now. The vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own.

Purple Rain: Prince performing in 1985

Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets.

Ultra violet on the S/S 2018 runways: Gucci – Balenciaga – Moschino

Historically, there has been a mystical or spiritual quality attached to Ultra Violet. The color is often associated with mindfulness practices, which offer a higher ground to those seeking refuge from today’s over-stimulated world. The use of purple-toned lighting in meditation spaces and other gathering places energizes the communities that gather there and inspire connection.

To shop ULTRA VIOLET, have a look at those fantastic pieces and get ahead of the fashion trend:

Belted asymmetric silk-mousseline blouse by Balenciaga

Spandex pumps by Balenciaga

Nail Polish in Ultra Violet (Pantone Collection) by Butter London

Embellished-leaf satin pouch by Attico

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via Pantone

After this weekend’s summary about the 15 most important runway trends for S/S 2018, I thought you might enjoy a look also at the must-have accessories for next summer. The forecast: Get ready for your another sumptuous season! Many things are here to stay or will even take it up a notch. Sneakers are trendier than ever and have taken center stage. The ugly shoe phenomenom explores new heights as seen at Balenciaga‘s collaboration with Crocs. And we can deny it no longer: the fanny pack is here to stay. Earrings and straw hats are bigger than ever and bags are most beautiful in an array of patterns.

S/S 2018 TREND 1: FANNY BAG
Givenchy – Balenciaga – Marc Jacobs

S/S 2018 TREND 2: STATEMENT STRAW HAT
Missoni – Giorgio Armani – Jacquemus

S/S 2018 TREND 3: CLEAR VISION
Tibi – Chanel – Valentino

S/S 2018 TREND 4: SURREALISTIC SUNGLASSES
Dolce & Gabbana – Prada – Gucci

S/S 2018 TREND 5: SNEAKERS RELOADED
Loewe – Louis Vuitton – Céline

S/S 2018 TREND 6: THE UGLY SHOE
Balenciaga – Christopher Kane – Miu Miu

S/S 2018 TREND 7: GLOVES
Olivier Theyskens – Calvin Klein 205W39NYC – Erdem

S/S 2018 TREND 8: BIG EARRINGS
Saint Laurent – Stella McCartney – Isabel Marant

S/S 2018 TREND 9: PATTERNED BAGS
Dior – Chloé – Prada

S/S 2018 TREND 10: SUMMER OVERKNEE BOOTS
Fendi – Balenciaga – Versace

Photos: Via Vogue.com

S/S 2018 TREND 1: SILK ROAD
Céline – Hermès – Versace

S/S 2018 TREND 2: ART LOVERS
Akris – Prada – Missoni

S/S 2018 TREND 3: IN FULL BLOOM
Rochas – Erdem – Marni

S/S 2018 TREND 4: FRINGES
Balmain – Calvin Klein 205W39NYC– Dior

S/S 2018 TREND 5: MARABOU
Proenza Schouler – Saint Laurent – Nina Ricci

S/S 2018 TREND 6: LAVENDER
The Row – Michael Kors – Tom Ford

S/S 2018 TREND 7: LIFE IN PLASTIC
Chanel – Burberry – Valentino

S/S 2018 TREND 8: WORKOUT
Gucci – Louis Vuitton – Marc Jacobs

S/S 2018 TREND 9: PLAID PLEASE
Fendi – Prabal Gurung – Balenciaga

S/S 2018 TREND 10: 80’s DENIM
Max Mara – Stella McCartney – Oscar de la Renta

S/S 2018 TREND 11: THE TRENCH
Gabriela Hearst – Maison Margiela – Victoria Beckham

S/S 2018 TREND 12: SHOW YOUR UNDIES
Christopher Kane – Miu Miu – Alessandra Rich

S/S 2018 TREND 13: RAINBOW
Peter Pilotto – Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini – Vionnet

S/S 2018 TREND 14: WHITE AT NIGHT
Jil Sander – Alexander McQueen – Etro

S/S 2018 TREND 15: MISE-EN-SCÈNE
Moschino – Dolce & Gabbana – Comme des Garçons

Photos: via Vogue.com

The runways have made a strong return with the single statement earring, seen at houses like Dior, Rosie Assoulin, Tibi, and Louis Vuitton over the past seasons.

In order not to look like a pirate, choose a piece that veers on the glamorous, feminine side. At once edgy and easy to pull off, a lone earring has the ability to make anyone look – in a word – cool. Wear yours with attitude without looking like you are missing something…
Here are my favorites available at the moment:

1 Spiral-shaped earring by Maison Marginal
2 Feather-embellished swan single earring by Lanvin
3 Diamond & rose-gold Star earring by Diane Kordas
4 X earring by Balenciaga
5 Crystal-embellished pearl-effect earring by Gucci
6 BB clip-on earring by Balenciaga
7 Wooden-drop single earring by Roksanda
8 Flower gold-plated hoop earring by Simone Rocha

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Vogue US, Courtesy of the Brands

Trending now is the hoodie, but not just a hoodie… I am talking oversized, logo embellished, expensive and sold-out hoodies! The streets of New York, London, Milan and Paris have been filled with showgoers cocooned in those must-haves, and celebrities like Rihanna and Kim Kardashian are stepping out in hoodies that don’t call for any pants.

Suddenly, the hoodie becomes a luxurious wardrobe piece that you can dress up with a pencil or ruffled skirt and heels. But how much should you pay for a hoodie?

My favorite this F/W 2017: Cotton hoodie by Balenciaga –
it comes with a hefty price tag of approximately CHF 600.00.

If you are maxing out your credit card for one of these beauties below, don’t feel guilty! It is worth this season… and if you don’t want to, no worries. You can always buy a CHF 10.00 hoodie and maybe look just as cool.

Printed cotton hoodie by Gucci

Printed cotton-blend hoodie by Vetements

Mansel printed cotton hoodie by Isabel Marant Étoile

Leaf Crop cotton hoodie by Off-White

Embroidered cotton-blend hoodie by Dolce & Gabbana

Distressed chiffon-paneled cotton-jersey hoodie by Givenchy

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via Getty Images

This season’s bags are reminiscent of the Bauhaus movement. Forget slouchy hobos and complicated origami silhouettes; fall’s bag is decidedly geometric in form.

Printed leather pouch by Balenciaga

Small Nile leather bracelet bag by Chloé

Leather clutch by Calvin Klein 205W39NYC

Macy Ribbon acrylic clutch by Edie Parker

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

On the streets of Paris in one of my favorite outfits of the season. I am so in love with Dior’s must-have pieces combined with a silk robe. Such a cool trend!

My Look: Contrast piping silk robe by Balenciaga, slogan tee «We Should All Be Feminists» and J’adior patent leather pumps, both by Dior, heart-appliquéd jeans by Stella McCartney, pearl embellished sunglasses and classic bag in white with black piping, both by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Siren call: a fire-engine-red ankle boot is an instant fall upgrade. Step to it.

Robin buckled leather ankle boots by Gianvito Rossi

Stretch-jersey sock boots by Balenciaga

Downtown 85 suede boots by Aquazzura

Ellipse velvet ankle boots by Tom Ford

Loulou velvet ankle boots by Saint Laurent

I am such a big fan of red booties. If you would like to see my complete look, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

Dolce & Gabbana‘s new Ortensia Collection for Pre-fall 2017 evokes an English garden in Sicily, with hydrangea petals in varying colors that come to life on beautiful dresses and accessories. I have fallen in love with the print immediately.

Looking for the perfect background to photograph this look, I came across the Meggenhorn Castle near Lucerne. Built in 1868/70, it is surrounded by vine yards and has Switzerland’s largest hydrangea collection that is open to the public throughout the entire year. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance and absolutely worth the visit. Also a great spot to get married.

My look: Hydrangea-print sleeveless cotton-poplin dress and floral sunglasses, both by Dolce & Gabbana, emerald green satin mules and Shopper Bistrot Panier S straw tote, both by Balenciaga and choker with evil eye symbol by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A zipped clutch with a minimal and modern twist, this is the new T pouch by Loewe that makes the big difference as all eyes are on the fun slogan «See u later». Together with some of my other favorite things at the moment I had a lot of fun exploring the gadgets Villa Stéphanie in Baden-Baden offers to their guests.

My look: Knit coat with golden flip-lock closures by Altuzarra, bow-embellished cotton Oxford and poplin shirt by Jacquemus, Rockabilly cropped jeans by Balenciaga, T printed textured-leather pouch by Loewe, Amstel fur clogs and crystal-embellished sunglasses, both by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht