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

October is breast cancer awareness month and this year marks Estée Lauder‘s 25th anniversary of the iconic Pink Ribbon collection, a special range of beauty products with 20 per cent of the profits donated to research. A movement that started with one woman, Evelyn H. Lauder in 1992, The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign was born when the visionary became troubled by the lack of awareness, funding and resources necessary to overcome the disease.

Evelyn H. Lauder co-created the pink ribbon 25 years ago.

In the beginning, the brand started the campaign by handing out pink ribbons at its beauty counters around the world, and one year later, Lauder went on to establish the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), a non-profit organisation, to generate funding that would be solely dedicated to the study of the disease. A quarter of a century later, The Estée Lauder Companies’ beauty brands – among them La Mer, DKNY, Jo Malone London, Tom Ford Beauty just to name a few – continue to create a breast cancer-free world by raising funds.

Interesting to know is that a touch of blue in the design represents the less than 1% of men who are diagnosed with breast cancer. For more information on The Breast Cancer Campaign, visit bcacampaign.com.

For more information on the Pink Ribbon products, click here please.

By shopping one of the specially created products, you can support the campaign. Moreover for every post on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtags #PinkRibbon25 and #ELCdonates @bcacampaign until October 31, 2017, The Estée Lauder Companies will donate $25 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) to fund a half-hour of breast cancer research. The goal is to finance 500 hours worth $25.000.

Time to end breast cancer!

LoL, Sandra

My Instagram post with my beloved Advanced Night Repair in pink by Estée Lauder.

Photos: Courtesy of The Estée Lauder Companies and © Sandra Bauknecht

Here they are: the most important trends for the S/S 2017 season. Scroll through my forecast to see which styles will be on everyone’s shopping list next season. From dresses in brilliant shades of fuchsia, strawberry, rose, and bubble gum to buzzy words on slogan tees. Don’t expect the high-volume sleeve to disappear anytime soon, the choice is yours – enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

S/S 2017 TREND 1: THINK PINK
Hermès – Valentino – Céline

S/S 2017 TREND 2: HIGH-VOLUME SLEEVES
Dolce & Gabbana – Marc Jacobs – Kenzo

S/S 2017 TREND 3: 80’s LAMÉ
Saint Laurent – Isabel Marant – Gucci

S/S 2017 TREND 4: OP ART
Akris – Mary Katrantzou – Louis Vuitton

S/S 2017 TREND 6: 70’s FLOWER POWER
Prada – Chloé – Christopher Kane

S/S 2017 TREND 7: SQUARE-SHOULDERED
Jil Sander – Balenciaga – Jacquemus

S/S 2017 TREND 8: SWIM ADDICT
Max Mara – Fendi – Miu Miu

S/S 2017 TREND 9: SLOGAN TOPS
Dior – Paco Rabanne – Stella McCartney

S/S 2017 TREND 10: BRALETTES
Victoria Beckham – Alexander McQueen – Alexander Wang

S/S 2017 TREND 11: SPORT SPIRIT
Moschino – Courrèges – DKNY

S/S 2017 TREND 12: DEEP SEA METALLICS
Maison Margiela – Chanel – Balmain

S/S 2017 TREND 13: GRAPHIC STRIPES
Mulberry – Lanvin – Tory Burch

S/S 2017 TREND 14: MODERN RUFFLES
Givenchy – Erdem – Loewe

S/S 2017 TREND 15: TRANSPARENT
Alberta Ferretti – Giambattista Valli – Emilio Pucci

 Photos: via Vogue.com

One of the most important designers in the history of American fashion, Donna Karan, has made a personal decision to step down from her day-to-day responsibilities as Chief Designer for Donna Karan International. She will remain with the company in an advisory role though and will dedicate her focus on her Urban Zen Company (available at Trois Pommes in Switzerland) and foundation, which she founded in 2007.

LVMH, the French conglomerate that bought the house in 2001, said there were no immediate plans to replace her as a designer, and the main Donna Karan collection would be suspended. It will not hold a show at New York Fashion Week in September.

DKNY (Donna Karan New York) cites New York City as a point of inspiration.

Donna Karan with models wearing looks from her DKNY Spring 1989 collection in Times Square.

Instead, according to an announcement, the company will reorganize its teams and structure to in order to substantially increase its focus on the DKNY brand, which is the more accessible line and currently responsible for 80 percent of Donna Karan International revenue.

Donna Karan with her beloved family

Over the past three decades, Donna Karan has inspired women around the world to embrace their power and sensuality. When she started her collection in 1985 she set out to simply make clothes for her and her friends. A little collection of simple black pieces that was all about need and desire. She quickly found out that she wasn’t alone- she had a lot of friends out there.

The debut of the Seven Easy Pieces collection in 1985, centering on a leotard-like bodysuit, with layers to transition easily from day to night.

Her philosophy of a sophisticated system of dressing, “her seven easy pieces“, a handful of interchangeable items that work together to create an entire closet for day and night, revolutionized the working woman’s wardrobe.

Donna Karan Pre-Fall 2015 collection

Donna Karan is an icon, visionary designer and a passionate philanthropist. She believes in dressing and addressing women. Her impact on American fashion has been extraordinary and she will continue to influence and inspire for years to come. If you are interested in reading her full bio, please click here.

Let’s honor Donna today and always. We look forward to celebrating her past, present and future in her memoir, which is due out in October 2015.

TO SHOP THE LASTEST COLLECTION BY DONNA KARAN, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Donna Karan, Condé Nast Archive/Corbis, AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis

Here is your ultimate S/S 2014 runway trend guide. This season, there is fashion for every personality. It’s about tribal details, the power of pleats and the beauty of flowers, whether they’re luxurious embroideries or bold statement prints. Take cues from your favorite gallery and wear something artful. Don’t forget to add something shiny and to work on your waistline to sport the new must-have cropped tops. Sportswear has made its way into our daily wardrobe and bermudas should be worn layered with a skirt or dress.

I hope that this little summary will inspire you to look for the right new season pieces that will instantly update a look. Enjoy your new task!

LoL, Sandra

S/S 2014 TREND 1: TRIBAL
Akris –  Givenchy – Donna Karan

S/S 2014 TREND 2: WEARABLE ART
Prada –  Chanel – Céline

S/S 2014 TREND 3: BERMUDAS
Chloé –  Alexander McQueen – DKNY

S/S 2014 TREND 4: CROPPED TOPS
Balenciaga –  Louis Vuitton – Salvatore Ferragamo

S/S 2014 TREND 5: SPORTSWEAR
DKNY –  Gucci – Marc by Marc Jacobs

S/S 2014 TREND 6: LACE
Valentino –  Stella McCartney – Nina Ricci

S/S 2014 TREND 7: SHIMMER & SHINE
Lanvin –  Versace – Etro

S/S 2014 TREND 8: PLEATS PLEASE
Dries Van Noten –  Proenza Schouler – Victoria Beckham

S/S 2014 TREND 9: PASTEL
Miu Miu –  Burberry Prorsum – Christian Dior

S/S 2014 TREND 10: SUMMER BLACK
Bottega Veneta –  Saint Laurent – Dolce & Gabbana

S/S 2014 TREND 11: FLOWER POWER
Giambattista Valli –  Mary Katrantzou – Christopher Kane

S/S 2014 TREND 12: BOLD NIGHT
Emilio Pucci –  Alberta Ferretti – Ralph Lauren Collection

Photos: Via style.com

Last week, when the temperatures were so high and I was literally melting away, I wore this outfit. Bare midriff – the ’90s trend has been back this summer and I have been loving it (Click here for another look that I wore sporting a cropped top by Dolce & Gabbana).

But be careful! Time has changed, it is just the new craze of fashion. As you still want to create an elegant ensemble, you shouldn’t show too much of your body. This matching pencil skirt has the perfect length, Mrs Prada knows her business. I also took a colourful shirt with me in order to be prepared for a chilly evening.

My look: Floral embellished top and skirt by Prada (from the S/S 2012 runway), statement necklace by Dior, colourful shirt by DKNY, Charlie Dark Tortoise sunglasses (Z0472W) by Louis Vuitton (Those sunglasses are amazing. They can be folded and transformed into a necklace.). Rose embellished sandals and clutch by Prada (from a previous season).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Help support the United Nations World Food Program with DKNY‘s and FEED‘s fashionable collaboration.

FEED began in 2006 when model activist Lauren Bush designed a bag to benefit the United Nations World Food Program. To date, FEED has raised enough money through the sale of products to provide over 60 million school meals to children around the world. All FEED products are made with sustainable materials designed as an alternative to disposable paper and plastic bags, and manufactured under fair labor standards.

With each item sold from this capsule collection, DKNY will make a guaranteed donation to support the work of FEED. Check out more details on this collection for a cause:

With the purchase of a city survival canvas and shell tote you will supply 100 emergency meals to children.

With the purchase of a canvas and shell diaper bag you will provide micronutrient powder for a mother and her baby for a full year.

With the purchase of matte-rubber Wellington boots you will supply 25 emergency meals to children in need.

Shopping has never felt so good!

LoL, Sandra

Spotted on the streets of Zurich: Isabelle, bringing the print pants trend to perfection. Colourful, stylish with a vibrant mix of patterns.

Isabelle’s look: Blue sweater and silk print pants, both by DKNY, dark blue classic single breasted blazer by By Malene Birger, Rollergirl tartan canvas loafers by Christian Louboutin, lace socks by Fogal, bangles by Hermès and watch “Rolex Explorer II” by Rolex (officially known as “McQueen Rolex”). She bought the amazing neon-green wayfarer sunglasses at a beach shop in Cannes and the green python bag is a souvenir from her last trip to Asia.

You might assume that this stylish woman works in fashion but think again. Isabelle is a professor working in the division of thoracic surgery. Pretty cool, isn’t it?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, after having arrived in New York City, I went straight to the IFB conference and later on to the 3rd annual Fashion 2.0 Awards that took place at the SVA Theatre. It was an amazing night where I ran into many familiar faces.

The Fashion 2.0 Awards, launched in 2010 by Style Coalition, are designed to recognize and honor the most innovative fashion brands in the online community. (The Europeans can learn a lot here!)

DKNY took the top honours at the Fashion 2.0 Awards.
Please see below the list of last night’s winners:

Best Twitter: @DKNY

Best Facebook: Bergdorf Goodman

Best Blog by a Fashion Brand: DKNY PR Girl

Best Website: Marc Jacobs

Best Mobile App: Tiffany & Co. Engagement Ring Finder

Best Online Video: Prada S/S 2011 Video Campaign

Next Big Thing in Tech: Instagram

Top Innovator: Kate Spade

Online media expert and entrepreneur Yuli Ziv who founded Style Coalition in 2008 with me.

The lovely Oscar de la Renta PR-Girls, Erika (@OscarPRGIRL) and Martha, with me.

My look last night: Fuchsia wool coat by Balenciaga (50% off now), lurex-weave silk crepe vest by Balmain (70% off now), cropped crepe pants by Vanessa Bruno, Laurent studded bag by Yves Saint Laurent, resin bead necklace by Marni, silk crepe de chine blouse and studded leather ankle boots, both by Chloé.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Sian Oflaherty, © Sandra Bauknecht

I spent the last two days in Monaco where I was invited to an amazing event by Roger Dubuis.
Here you see my travel look:

Bag, scarf and graffiti sneakers (all three from the Stephen Sprouse Tribute Collection) and top with lace border by Louis Vuitton, cardigan by DKNY, jacket by Stella McCartney, jeans by Chloé, sunglasses by Chanel and watch by Roger Dubuis.

I stayed at the beautiful Hotel de Paris which is one of my favourites. Please enjoy my impressions below and stay tuned for the photos of the gala event.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht