Sandra‘s Closet

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

In collage: Ruffle trimmed single breasted wool coat by Gucci and nail lacquer in Greenery by Butter London.

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 2017, it is GREENERY, a refreshing and revitalizing shade, symbolic of new beginnings. This fresh and zesty yellow-green shade evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew.

Illustrative of flourishing foliage and the lushness of the great outdoors, the fortifying attributes of Greenery signals consumers to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate. Greenery is nature’s neutral. The more submerged people are in modern life, the greater their innate craving to immerse themselves in the physical beauty and inherent unity of the natural world.

Michael Kors – Loewe – Emilio Pucci

Designers’ love of geekiness dictated an unexpected new power color on the S/S 2017 runways, making that vibrant shade a real showstopper. A life-affirming hue, Greenery is also emblematic of the pursuit of personal passions and vitality. See below in my post some of the best pieces to utilise greenery from now.

And while you are shopping, prepare yourself a trendy Matcha tea to get you in the ultimate Greenery mood!

LoL, Sandra

Darley textured-leather shoulder bag by Mulberry

Watermelon printed bag by Prada

Gold-tone, resin and Swarovski crystal earrings by Oscar De La Renta

Faux pearl-embellished wool-crepe mini skirt by Gucci

Classic Metallic Edge City mini suede shoulder bag by Balenciaga

Photos: Courtesy of Pantone and the Brands

Global color authority Pantone announced its official shade for 2014: RADIANT ORCHID, a captivating and enigmatic purple! “While the 2013 color of the year Emerald, served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity, Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute®.

Feeling inspired? Shop the trending colour to your wardrobe with my picks:

1 Inner Strength Bath & Shower Oil by Aromatherapy Associates
2 Studded wool sweater by Versace
3 18-karat gold amethyst ring by Pippa Small
4 Queen Vic – Nail Polish by Butter London
5 Polished-leather and satin pumps by Lanvin

Radiant Orchid’s rosy undertones radiate on the skin, producing a healthy glow when worn by both men and women. A dazzling attention-getter!

My favourite accessory: Nouveau suede fringe shoulder bag by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Today is the start of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, United Kingdom, officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad. So time to show your Olympic spirit.

Bally’s men’s West H. sneaker collection makes it easy to show your national pride. Fly the flag for your own nation.

Twelve casual leather sneakers pay homage to twelve different countries. Each West H. sneaker features a national flag screen printed with a cool vintage effect that includes Great Britain, Switzerland, the USA, Germany, Italy, France, Japan and more.

And Bally’s charming Bally-rina is back, this time to captivate us with her sporty London 2012 Olympic spirit in a specially designed women’s sneaker and tote.

The red stitched Athena high-top sneaker features a back zip which cutely reveals the very sweet Bally-rina whimsically waving a gymnastics ribbon in blue, red, green and yellow colours. The same motif can be found on the Hanoe fabric tote.

Both, Bally’s West H. sneaker collection and the Bally-rina collection are available in store and online. Bally offers free shipping at the moment for the sportive collection. Just enter promo code SPORTBALLY at checkout.

For collectors and most loyal fans of the Olympic Games, the Coca-Cola collector’s box Special Olympics five glasses grouping is available exclusively at Colette now. The 5 glasses come with a collector bottle and a tote bag.

Celebrate the 2012 London Olympics with the commemorative Butter London‘s Olympic Heavy Medal Collection. The set includes three beautiful, metallic nail lacquers worthy of standing upon the winners’ podium, all limited editions. 
Colours: The Full Monty, Diamond Geezer and The Old Bill.

Solange Azagury-Partridge has designed the Britannia Hotlips ring to celebrate the games. The renowned iconic Hotlips design featuring the British flag is a fun and original lucky charm- one last good luck kiss for the athletes!

For all winners among you, take sartorial gold in Markus Lupfer‘s playful sequin medal-embellished merino wool sweater. Decorated with signature charm and wit, this piece is sure to turn heads.

Take a playful approach to the sporting season with these ‘2012 Olympics’-inspired briefs by Team Great Britain’s Creative Director Stella McCartney. Cut from a blend of white cotton and silk, this colorfully embroidered pair will make a whimsical addition to your lingerie drawer.

Just click on the highlighted text to shop those must-have pieces.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bally, Colette, Net-à-porter, Solange Azagury-Partridge and via Telegraph

Finally the amazing nail polishes from butter LONDON are available in Switzerland (For more information, please click here for a previous post). On the occasion of its second anniversary, The Nail Bar unveils its new must-haves of varnish.

By creating a colour palette inspired directly from latest fashion shows, butter LONDON has become the cult brand of nail polish among fashionistas with all productsformulated without the use of the harmful ingredients like Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP or Parabens.

You will find the complete collection (more than 60 colors) at The Nail Bar. One bottle of nail polish butter London is sold for CHF 26.90.-.

My favourites of the moment: Teddy Girl, Slapper (S/S 2012 collection) and Macbeth

Me wearing Teddy Girl, a soft pink opaque shade, perfect for summer.

The Nail Bar has three shops in West Switzerland. Let’s hope that there will be one in Zurich soon. Walk-in pedicures sounds like a dream…

LAUSANNE Only Manicure / Only without appointment
Rue de la Louve 1, +41 21/ 312 06 15

LAUSANNE Manicure & Pedicure / With or Without appointment
Av. du Tribunal Fédéral 5, +41 21/ 312 12 07

GENEVE Manicure & Pedicure / With or Without appointment
Rue du Temple 2, +41 22/ 731 28 27

Coming Soon – The Nail Bar at Bongénie Geneva
3rd Floor – G Point

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Nail Bar, Butter London and © Sandra Bauknecht

Butter London is a favorite among nail polish lovers around the globe. The high-quality texture is long-lasting, and first and foremost non-toxic (free of formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, and parabens). But mostly, the brand is standing out because of its huge range of offbeat hues.

Please let me introduce you the beautiful jewel-toned F/W 2011 collection (each $14):

From left to right:

Bluey – A slightly metallic dark peacock blue, perfect for fashionable birds.

Toff – A darker, dustier, brownish variation on a rose pink. Stop to smell them. The roses, not the toffs.

Knees Up – A smashing metallic red perfect for getting smashed in.

Wallis – A tarnished, metallic olive gold, as mysterious and regal as its namesake.

No More Waity, Katie – A soft, elegant greige shade with a splash of lilac glitter is the perfect marriage to combine fashion and fun.

No More Waity, Katie had been especially created for the Royal Wedding last April and was supposed to be limited edition. Due its huge success, the beautiful hue will stay and be part of the F/W 2011 collection.

Below you can see two of my favourite shades. For store locations, please click here (Unfortunately, Butter London is not yet available in Switzerland).

LoL, Sandra

Victoriana – a greyish green with silver sparkles, suede effect

Henley Regatta – a glittering emerald green with blue elements

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht