Christmas can be magic and I wish that this holiday has brought only the best for you. I hope you have experienced the same pleasure like me feeling like a child again, cuddling with your new fashionable toys.
My look: Lace tiger shawl dress and leopard shaped backpack, both by Dolce & Gabbana
, bow-embellished patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent, and
Horsebit blue topaz diamond white gold ring
by Gucci Fine Jewellery.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
«Christmas trees are the strongest ‘souvenir’ of my happy childhood.» – Karl Lagerfeld
I love Christmas trees and my favorite one (besides my own) can be found at London’s Claridge’s Hotel where in the eighth consecutive year a creative visionary has been invited to reinterpret the tree in their own distinctive style. This December, it is Karl Lagerfeld, one of the fashion world’s most influential creative forces, who created the stunning festive installation, a sixteen foot high inverted tree with silver gilded roots topped with a multi-faceted mirrored star which reflects rays of magical light across the art deco lobby. Reminiscent of a silver stalactite, the tree is hung with traditional silver lametta decorations, silver butter leather feathers and snowflakes handmade by craftsmen in Germany with tree candles giving a warm, inviting glow. Under the centerpiece sit hand sewn white Icelandic sheepskin rugs to reflect a recent snowfall.The famous designer was inspired by his own childhood memories of Christmas.
The Claridge’s Christmas Tree has long been a festive Mayfair landmark, drawing visitors and Londoners alike to marvel at its magnificent and ever-changing design. Scroll down to explore Claridge’s Christmas Tree designs through the years.
2016: SIR JONY IVE AND MARC NEWSON
2015: CHRISTOPHER BAILEY FOR BURBERRY
2014: DOLCE & GABBANA
2013: DOLCE & GABBANA
2012: KALLY ELLIS OF MCQUEENS
2011: ALBER ELBAZ FOR LANVIN
2010: JOHN GALLIANO FOR DIOR
2009: JOHN GALLIANO FOR DIOR
Merry Christmas to all of you – may you all sparkle as these beautiful trees with joy, love and laughter.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Claridge’s
Last Friday, I attended the opening of the eighth edition of the famous ASMALLWORLD Winter Weekend in Gstaad. As I already mentioned in a previous post, the first night’s gala dinner «La Vie en Or» asked for something «glamorous with a touch of gold».
My look: Golden leather jacket with the slogan «Votez Coco» by Chanel, embellished stretch-jersey mini dress by Balmain, Dolce Box embellished croc-effect and textured-leather clutch by Dolce & Gabbana, metallic and matte-leather pumps by Saint Laurent, gunmetal lurex Caro bracelet and personalized black lurex Caro bracelet, both by Carolina Bucci, earrings by Prada, diamond bracelet and ring, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery.
Let’s get that party gstaaded – more coming up soon from this fab weekend!
LoL, Sandra
Dancing to the sounds of the Phly Boyz.
So in love with my personalized Caro bracelets.
With my friend Maja El Assali
Wycleaf Jean performing spontaneously during the dinner
Gianni and Helen Tronza with me
With ASW Chairman Patrick Liotard-Vogt
Photos: © David Biedert Photography
Making childhood dreams come true. In February next year, I will be attending the Vienna Opera Ball and I couldn’t be any happier about it especially because one of my favorite designer duos, DOLCE & GABBANA, has collaborated with SWAROVSKI to create a richly detailed and precious tiara to be worn by the debutantes at this prestigious event.
Dolce & Gabbana
It took 702 Swarovski crystals to create this richly detailed headpiece that is inspired from Mozart’s opera «Le nozze di Figaro», in particular, the words sung in the eighth scene of the first act: «Giovani lieti – fiori spargete!» («Happy maids, scatter flowers!»).
This image has been poetically reflected in the floral design of the tiara, where delicate blossoms meet organic curved leaves.
Each year, Swarovski works with a different international designer to impart the debutantes’ tiaras with extraordinary brilliance. In 2017, it was for example Karl Lagerfeld who created a dream-like piece (for the previous post click here please).
Swarovski’s collaboration has existed since the 1950s. Organized by the Vienna State Opera, the event is the cultural highlight of the Viennese ball season and I cannot wait to experience it myself.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Swarovski / Dolce Gabbana
If there’s one night to go all out and turn on the flash, it’s undoubtedly New Year’s Eve. But some of us are challenged throughout the whole festive season with specific dress code for special parties. Personally speaking, I will attend the 8th annual ASW Winter Weekend Mid December at the fabulous Gstaad Palace in Switzerland and for Friday night’s dinner «La Vie en Or» the dress code says asks for «glamorous, with a touch of gold». This is great! I love any reason to wear sparkle, but such an occasion is the perfect time to shine. And gentlemen, you are in this, too!
«Golden Girl» or just a little golden accessory – you decide how much you would like to shine.
From full-on sequin dresses to just the right gold accessory, there isn’t one right way to fulfill the dress code. The golden rule is you have to feel comfortable, in every tailored sense of men’s style, is purchase clothing that fits you properly. Nothing destroys an outfit – whatever the dress code and no matter how expensive the clothes are – like an ill-fitting jacket, shirt or trousers.
In general, gold is the perfect color to lift an all-black or an all-white outfit to something glamorous and fun. Perfect for all festive occasions!
To make your life a little easier, I put together a fun guide for all budgets so that you don’t need to worry about anything and can focus entirely on celebrating the start of the winter season in style!
HIGH END BUGDET – Full Looks
Get his look: Metallic jacquard dinner jacket by Dolce & Gabbana, shirt gold detail shirt by Comme des Garçons, turn-up hem wool-blend tailored trousers by Prada, ruler cufflinks by Paul Smith
, skull and polka dot tie
by Alexander McQueen and leather embroidered loafers
by Gucci.
Get her look: Racko open-back sequined cady mini dress by Rachel Zoe or wondering lace-paneled fil coupé georgette blouse by Temperley London and sequined wool mini skirt by Marc Jacobs, Anya d’Orsay metallic patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent, Celeste sequined canvas clutch by Jimmy Choo and Roma gold-tone earrings by Annie Costello Brown.
HIGH END BUDGET – Great Accessories
Stand out with a statement headpiece with a touch of gold and be the queen of the night: embellished satin headband by Dolce & Gabbana.
Lifting every basic look to new heights: Candy box by Jimmy Choo.
LOW BUDGET – A touch of Gold
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on your outfit, I recommend getting some fabric with golden sequins. Those accessories will have a great effect on your outfit and can be combined with all sorts of colors. Moreover they are less expected than some golden shoes or a handbag. I still love the mixture between gold and black the best.
You don’t need to be an expert in tailoring to do some cuffs or a belt. If you get a stretchy material, you can even glue it together instead of sewing it. In case you are to lazy for some DIY, you can order them directly here:
The perfect touch of gold for a man: the right colored pocket square.
LOW BUDGET – Taking the Dress Code Literally up a Notch
Zara has some cool pieces in gold. Minimal investment for a maximum effect.
Be the star of the night: golden bomber jacket for men by Zara.
The perfect touch of gold for women and great for dancing: shorts in gold combined with a black top by Zara.
And don’t forget… you want to start the New Year with something new for good luck, it’s a great excuse to add a new piece to your wardrobe.
Happy Shopping! And I am looking forward to seeing some of you in Gstaad…
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, Gstaad Palace and © Sandra Bauknecht
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.
Photos: Via Vogue.com
S/S 2018 in three words? Feel good fashion. The trends for the next season are a fab mix of florals, pastels, and all ways of dressing up. This winter’s love for red will be replaced by head to toe soft lavender and fringe made its way in all forms this season, so there’s a look for every level of commitment. Most importantly go clear this season with all your favorite designers as plastic gets fantastic and underwear is meant to be seen.
Below is a summary of the most important trends for S/S 2018. Enjoy! The pieces will hit the shelves starting beginning of next year…
LoL, Sandra
Photos: via Vogue.com
On Tuesday evening, I went to the Swiss premiere of «Fack Ju Goethe 3», the last part of the famous trilogy. If you have the chance, please watch it. And Ladies, not only because of super handsome Elyas M’Barek, who plays one of the main characters, it is great German entertainment and now in the cinemas.
My look: Cropped snakeskin jacket, star print blouse dress, pink leather belt
, pink silk crepe lavaliere and
Paris ankle boots
, all by Saint Laurent (S/S 2015), printed metallic leather box clutch by Dolce & Gabbana. Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring, both by Piaget.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
This week, after my post about the amazing experience with Hublot at the Oktoberfest, I got many compliments about my Dirndl look. You might be surprised but this outfit doesn’t include one single traditional Bavarian piece, every item comes from a runway collection. Over the years, I have collected so many fashion must-haves, that I love to style in different and unexpected ways. As I always say, keep everything if you have space, there will always be a time to wear those pieces again…, I am sure that you will be surprised to see the years in which I bought them.
My look: Bavarian janker jacket (F/W 2002) and corset-style dress (F/W 2010), both by D&G Dolce Gabbana, embellished leather choker (F/W 2002) and brooch (F/W 2010), all by Dolce & Gabbana, feather apron (S/S 2005) and lace-up leather boots, both by Prada (F/W 2001), plissé leather cuffs (F/W 2016) by Gucci, small classic black handbag with gold-tone metal chain by Chanel (F/W 1995), Venezia lace stay-ups (F/W 2003) by Wolford.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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