As I told you before in my travel insider about São Paulo, I was warned that tourists can become the target of scams and robberies while visiting the largest city in South America. Therefore I wanted to to blend in as much as possible in this urban metropole, and took note of how not to look like a tourist while being in town. In order not to flash my valuables, I didn’t wear any jewellery, watch, handbag or logo. I went for a pair of cargo pants that has several pockets that I filled with credit cards, money and my iPhone. I prepared some cash in one of them to be fast in case of a robbery.

In the end, I felt very safe, probably also because I was well prepared… if you get the chance, please visit São Paulo, it is such an amazing city!

My look: Printed denim shirt by Saint Laurent, ribbed jersey tank by Derek Lam, cargo pants by DKNY, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Celine, black leather belt by Prada, and sneakers by Prada Linea Rossa.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
All photos at the pool were taken at my beautiful hotel: PALÁCIO TANGARÁ

After this week’s post about the must-have glitter boots, see today what else is trending in footwear for F/W 2017. As seen on the runways (from left to right in collage: Victoria Beckham – Marc Jacobs – Narciso Rodriguez), white ankle boots and booties are the preferred choice to due their versatile nature and nonchalant aesthetic.

This season, we are spoiled for choice — more so than ever before — when it comes to interesting white styles that will give your cold weather wardrobe that extra element of cool. Please find herewith the tip of the iceberg.

1 Buckled ankle boots by Derek Lam
2 Levy leather ankle boots by Gianvito Rossi
3 Eri embellished leather ankle boots by Alexander Wang
4 Faux leather ankle boots by Stella McCartney
5 Leather ankle boots by MM6 Maison Margiela
6 Leather ankle boots by Balenciaga
7 Plume patent-leather ankle boots by Laurence Dacade
8 For Walking printed leather over-the-knee boots by Off-White

My favorite pair are those versatile Laura 85 leather boots by Gianvito Rossi.

Happy Shopping!

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

Attention, ladies! This new limited edition minaudière filled with amazing beauty essentials by NY Fashion Designer, Derek Lam, and Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director for Estée Lauder, who was in charge for the runway show’s makeup look, will be flying off the shelves.

Previewed during New York Fashion Week, the look inspired by the runway for lips and eyes includes: The Mascara in Black Black, The EyeShadow in Smoked Gold, The Kajal Crayon in Near Night (a navy pencil liner), The LipColor in Smoked Blush and The Gloss in Barely Gold.

All tucked inside this beautiful Derek Lam navy satin clutch that features the designer’s signature dumbbell clasp.

In Switzerland the gift set is available at Jelmoli for CHF 98.00.

LoL, Sandra

Liu Wen at Derek Lam’s S/S 2014 runway show
Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder

Meet Tom Pecheux, the Creative Makeup Director for Estée Lauder. The internationally acclaimed make-up artist was in charge for the Derek Lam S/S 2012 runway beauty looks.

I was invited to go backstage before the show to interview Tom which was just wonderful. His thoughts on makeup
 are so modern, he has an amazing aura.

Tom Pecheux with me

The best compliment for the Parisian beauty guru that is loved by celebrities and top photographers all over the world?
To hear someone say “I feel great” and not “this make up is great”.

Enjoy the photos I took backstage and the interview! You will be up-to-date how your makeup should look like for next summer.

What was the inspiration behind your makeup look for the Derek Lam S/S 2012 show?

The inspiration was sort of that modern relaxed archtitecture on the West Coast, California, sunshine, earth – this kind of juxtaposition between both. The juxtaposition between masculine and feminine. If you look at the make-up, you have a very bright yellow which is generally a very feminine colour, but it is in a masculine finish. It is almost matte, a light satin finish, instead of being shimmery. The cheeks are very softly sculpted. Sunkissed, bronzey. I took the pink out of the lips by using a yellow tone which neutralized the pink, so that you get a „not-so-girly“ finish.

When Derek showed me his collection and he told me about his inspiration, I felt immediatly the warmth of the West Coast. When you go to L.A., you see colours that you don’t see anywhere else, the sand is special. So I wanted the yellow to present the warmness that you find in California.

How do you apply it?

It is super easy to apply. First the concealer with the finger. Some loose powder. After we start with the colour to apply. A powerful eyebrow mixed with a little bit of black and brown depending on the skin tone. A brown shimmery shadow just under the brow bones to create a even darker and stronger look. I really want the girl to feel powerful.

The yellow shadow I am using on the eyelid for a nice contrast. It is a colour that many people are afraid off so I took that challenge to make it look good. For the transparent, high-shine pout I just put a sheer, shimmery yellow gloss without a lip liner.

What is your beauty must-have for the next season?

This is hard to say. If you are a makeup artist, you don’t stick to just one thing. But the focus for the S/S 2012 is definitely on the eyebows, you should concentrate on getting them beautifully shaped and defined.

I do love the yellow. I love to find a way to use colour a little bit frightening, to make it work. To make a girl look gorgeous, to show that it is not weird. It is basically challenging myself not to get bored.

Estée Lauder’s spokewoman Hilary Rhoda with me

Do you have a favourite face?

No, not really. I mean I love beautiful women. But what I truly find interesting is to work on women that are not models and to realize how much you can give like for example during Fashion’s Night Out.

Estée Lauder’s slogan is „Every Woman can be beautiful“. Not every woman will look like Constance or Hilary. But every woman in her own world will look gorgeous. It is also not about trying to look like somebody else. It is more about feeling good, happiness and confidence.

In your opinion, should a woman always wear makeup when she leaves the house?

If you feel good, you can leave the house without. I don’t like the rules, I like to break them. Try different things, like an unusual colour. You may like it or you may not but the most important thing is to not get stuck. Enjoy exploring new things and you will feel beautiful and confident.

I couldn’t agree more with Tom! So I am ready for the yellow eyeshadow and you? Unfortunately we will just have to wait until January 2012 to get our hands on Estée Lauder’s limited edition Pure Colour Gloss in Citron Kiss and Pure Colour Eyeshadow Palette.

But isn’t anticipation the greatest joy?

LoL, Sandra

Photos:  © Sandra Bauknecht

„When I am doing a little California dreamin’, I am in a beautifully appointed Mid-century home, like the Kaufmann house in Palm Springs, by Richard Neutra. The clean minimal interior, the wide open desert landscape, the informality of living in nature yet also sheltered in rational and soul warming architecture; that is my mind wandering to a place of salubrious comfort. But it’s not all strict lines and raw space. Somewhere, there is Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack crooning by the piano and Angie Dickenson is lounging by a crystal blue pool. Mid-century louche and luxury, in my dreams.“

– Derek Lam

Last Sunday in New York was a very touching day marking the 10-year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center. While the city was filled with ceremonies commemorating this tragic event, the fashion world was looking ahead.

Derek Lam showed his S/S 2012 collection that day and went from East Coast to West Coast for inspiration. The designer, who had grown up in California, came up with a crisp, sharp tailored look. Very American, very preppy with a slight retro touch. The prints added a resort feeling. One of my favourites was the white linen trench coat with the shiny black leather trim. I am sure that this collection will be loved especially by business women all around the world. Anna Wintour seemed to like it a lot, but see for yourselves…

I was invited to go backstage before the show and enjoyed exploring the clothes in advance. Please stay tuned as I interviewed Tom Pecheux, Estée Lauder’s Creative Director for Makeup, who had created the makeup look for Derek Lam’s S/S 2012 show. I have got some beautiful behind the scenes shots of which some are already included here. Hope that will like it.

By the way, I spotted some German celebrities front row. Don’t miss the end of this post to see who was there!

LoL, Sandra

Derek Lam

Stephanie zu Guttenberg in a red Prada dress

Lilly & Boris Becker

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

It is that time again, when fashionistas from all over the globe mingle to spot the newest trends for the upcoming season. And it starts with New York Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

To start you off, I have a real eye candy for you from yesterday’s presentations. Derek Lam showed his F/W 2011 collection with a modern and dramatic makeup look designed by Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux. Enjoy the first-hand details on the look by following Tom Pecheux and his team backstage.

Derek Lam’s collection focused on new combinations of fabric to make the clothes look fresh, fluid and weightless, the bulk is eliminated and the pieces fit effortlessly together.
Walking in the show were Estée Lauder Global Spokesmodels Liu Wen, Constance Jablonski and Joan Smalls dressed in bold textures and patterns mixed with seamlessly flowing and sharp accents.

Tom Pecheux framed by Constance Jablonski, Liu Wen and Joan Smalls

Working with Derek and Estée Lauder for a third consecutive season, Tom created the sleek leaden eye and muted lip and skin with new products from his upcoming Pure Color collection launching in Fall 2011.

Eyes: Silver (metallic finish) and black (shimmer finish) shades
Two NEW Estée Lauder eye shadows tested backstage – both launching Fall 2011
Highlight Shade: NEW Estée Lauder Illuminating Powder tested backstage – launching Fall 2011
Eyebrows: Automatic Brow Pencil

Tom started with shimmering black eyeshadow and dramatically winged out towards the temples and then used an intensely pigmented metallic grey eyeshadow to produce a silver foil finish in the center of the lid.  Finishing the eye with a swipe of a new highlighting powder on the brow bone created the focus on the bold eye that perfectly complemented the soft richness of the clothing.

Lips: NEW Estée Lauder Nude Matted Lipstick tested backstage – launching Fall 2011

The skin and lips evoked an almost blurred effect, using a new matte nude lipstick and soft contouring under the cheekbone.

Cheeks: Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer – below cheek

Face: Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10
Lucidity Translucent Loose Powder

Skin: NEW Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator – launching Summer 2011
DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Crème SPF 15

Nails: NEW Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Porcelain –launching Fall 2010

Famed manicurist Jin Soon Choi was also on-hand to polish the toes and fingers of the models in the new limited pale shade.

“This look is very versatile, it almost changes with your movement. The silver metal on the eye reminds me of modern architecture, hard and strong and plays delicately against Derek’s minimal but sophisticated collection. These clothes, you want to keep forever.” described Pecheux, “This look is very confident and lovely, it evokes the fantasy of the Derek Lam woman.”

I am always a big fan of smokey eyes and pale lips and love Tom’s look for F/W 2011. We just have to wait a little longer for those amazing metallic and shimmering shades…
But isn’t anticipation the greatest joy?

LoL, Sandra

Zara has this months some amazing pieces giving you the opportunity to include some of the new season’s must-haves as well as some solid classics into your wardrobe. Decide for yourself if you want to go steal or splurge. Those styles are both ways great.

I always recommend to understand and recognize quality materials and craftmanship, not only a designer label. With this in mind, you will invest with confidence and mix with less expensive pieces to create your own individual, so hard-to-copy look. But be careful! Your shoes and bag should always be of good quality.

For all Zara pieces click here for the webshop (not available in all countries) or visit the nearest Zara store.
For all designer pieces you just have to click on the label in the text to be transfered directly.

One of the It-pieces for Resort 2011 is Stella McCartney’s ivory wool-twill tuxedo jacket with black and white lapels above.

Animal prints like cheetah (Azzedine Alaia) or leopard (Chloé) are very trendy at the moment. Spotted on an A-line swinging skirt combined with a leather top (Derek Lam) shows the real fashionista. Suede pumps (Jimmy Choo) are always a good investment.

The basics are your wardrobe’s building blocks. A bow-tie blouse (Balmain) combined with a pair of wide-leg pants (YSL) is a truly classic look. The colour combination of black and white always in style. Those items will last for years. Shoes by Gucci.

Of course, no list of basics is complete without the ubiquitous LBD (Little Black Dress) This season has been all about leather and this is going to stay. So why not indulging yourself in the trend material and adding a striking, sizzling touch to the classic piece (Bottega Veneta; Maje). Suede wedges (Bottega Veneta) give another modern, edgy touch.

Happy Smart Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

This fall, designers might have to ask for forgiveness after their fashion blasphemy on the F/W 2010 runways. So many collections evoked religion. It was hard not to think episcopally when looking at all those nun-, priest- and church-inspired looks.
Wimplelike head coverings, white collars, shoulder-covering capes, black and white combined colour combinations, and modest long skirts gave a strong impression of a Catholic convent. The long single chain necklaces brought up the image of a rosary and the drawstring belts reminded of a monk`s habit. Most designers added a goth spice to it. But see for yourself:

Take the religious symbolism with humour and not too seriously. Fashion is sometimes playing dress-up and that can be a lot of fun. So who wants to be the next sister Luke?
Audrey Hepburn looked so beautifully in The Nun`s Story 1959 and so can you. Have faith in yourself and come up with your own fashion bible! Even if it is just a cross pendant…

Your heavenly followers will gather around you.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Battle fall`s chill in the must-have fabric of the season: shearling. The natural sheepskin has been highly popular on the F/W 2010 runways and designers have come up with some pretty amazing warm and stylish fashion items from trapper hats to cozy coats. And even Hermès’s famous Kelly bag won`t be freezing this season…. love that fur version!

The It-piece of the season is definitely the cropped shearling jacket. Burberry Prorsum did best with the combination of leather and shearling for their aviator versions. These pieces with oversized collars make fashionistas drool all over the continents for their Top Gun moment.
And ladies, you will get a workout in those. They are very cozy and warm, but also sooo heavy which is actually kind of great, lifting weights and being fashionable in one! Believe me, I tried them on!

There are many models to select from this season, but not all are spectacular. The colour, the trim and the style make a world of a difference so take a peek at my pre-selection above. Those cropped shearling jackets work great with this season`s maxi skirts.

If you are petite shaped, you could get swallowed up, so toughen up the look with some tight pants and stiletto boots.

Especially luxe is shearling when fused with shoes. Ohmygod, finally I will have warm feet during winter and high heels on! Yippie!
I am so longing for those Marni clogs….

Give shearling a warm welcome!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands