This F/W 2017 season is all about having fun and exploring new territories! With fashion in a maximalist mood, accessories have kept their center stage. On the runways, fishnets are back, boots sparkle, and this winter you definitely need three bags at once. Red is the color to buy and don’t store your overknee boots, they are hipper than ever.

The forecast: Get ready for your another sumptuous season!

LoL, Sandra

F/W 2017 TREND 1: FISHNET STOCKINGS
Lanvin – Jason Wu – Cinq à Sept

F/W 2017 TREND 2: GLITTER BOOTS
Oscar de la Renta – Chanel – Saint Laurent

F/W 2017 TREND 3: FURRY HATS
Marni – Prada – Miu Miu

F/W 2017 TREND 4: CRAZY HATS
Emilio Pucci – Moschino – Maison Margiela

F/W 2017 TREND 5: STUFFED ANIMALS
Dolce & Gabbana – Loewe – Jeremy Scott

F/W 2017 TREND 6: WIDE BELTS
Tod’s – Bottega Veneta – Michael Kors

F/W 2017 TREND 7: LOGOMANIA
Proenza Schouler – Christian Dior – Balenciaga

F/W 2017 TREND 8: COMBAT BOOTS
Altuzarra – Rodarte – Hermès

F/W 2017 TREND 9: HEEL ART
Mary Katrantzou – Salvatore Ferragamo – Dries Van Noten

F/W 2017 TREND 10: TRIPLE THREAT
Coach – Gucci – Fendi

F/W 2017 TREND 11: OVERKNEES
Balmain – Nina Ricci – Ellery

F/W 2017 TREND 12: WHITE OUT
Victoria Beckham – Marc Jacobs – Narciso Rodriguez

F/W 2017 TREND 13: FOCUS ON THE JEWELRY
Isabel Marant – Alexander Wang – Céline

Photos: Via Vogue.com

Here they are: the most important trends for the F/W 2017 season. Americana vibes, a powerful way to wear red, and vintage-inspired everything. Enjoy this comprehensive look at the pieces you’ll be wearing shortly. Deconstructed clothing is here to stay as well as florals and leisure suits. If you are looking at the new skirts, mid-length is the way to go.

I cannot wait for this beautiful season to arrive in stores.

LoL, Sandra

F/W 2017 TREND 1: POWER RED
Givenchy – Fendi – Max Mara

F/W 2017 TREND 2: FUTURISTIC SILVER
Saint Laurent – Chanel – Comme des Garçons

F/W 2017 TREND 3: NEW TRANSPARENCY
Calvin Klein – Miu Miu – Emilio Pucci

F/W 2017 TREND 4: WILD WEST
House of Holland – Balmain – Alexander Wang

F/W 2017 TREND 5: FOLKLORE
Gucci – Etro – Maison Margiela

F/W 2017 TREND 6: EVENING VELVET
Jason Wu – Alberta Ferretti – Erdem

F/W 2017 TREND 7: RETRO FUR
Louis Vuitton – Michael Kors – Loewe

F/W 2017 TREND 8: ’70s PLAID
Tory Burch – Marni – Hermès

F/W 2017 TREND 9: FEATHERS
Prada – Mary Katrantzou – Elie Saab

F/W 2017 TREND 10: LEISURE SUITS
Chloé – Marc Jacobs – Ashish

F/W 2017 TREND 11: BROAD SHOULDERS
Dries Van Noten – Jacquemus – Isabel Marant

F/W 2017 TREND 12: RECYCLING
Dolce & Gabbana – Moschino – Junya Watanabe

F/W 2017 TREND 13: LACE OVERLAY
Stella McCartney – Burberry – Alessandra Rich

F/W 2017 TREND 14: WALLPAPER FLORALS
Mulberry – Emilia Wickstead – Balenciaga

F/W 2017 TREND 15: DENIM SUITS
Sacai – Christian Dior – Esteban Cortazar

Photos: Via Vogue.com

Looking for a stylish summer cover-up? Silk robe coats are the way to go, like a fashionable dream come true. Being both, extremely stylish and comfortable, they are perfect for this seemingly effortless genuine look. My favorite combination? Wearing it with a simple tank and my favorite jeans. This street-style approved trick often comes with billowing toppers that are inspired by traditional Japanese kimonos as seen on Attico designer, Giorgia Tordini, who proves that a silk bathrobe is best worn out of bed.

Get the look: Liza Var embroidered printed silk-satin wrap robe and Rosa high-rise flared jeans, both by Attico, Biggins matte-satin camisole by The Row, Cabana studded leather tote by Valentino and Portofino suede sandals by Gianvito Rossi.

To keep it from skewing too boudoir, simply opt for a version with a bit more heft and wear it open, loosely cinched at the waist or with a leather belt. So before you reach for that bomber, biker or cargo jacket, consider the silk robe coats below.

1 Raquel parrot-embellished wrap dress by Attico (40% off on sale)
2 Floral-printed silk coat by Dolce & Gabbana (40% off on sale)
3 Satin robe by Balenciaga (30% off on sale)
4 Floral kimono-style robe by Zara
5 Mulberry silk robe by Burberry (30% off on sale)
6 Capability silk robe by Olivia von Halle (30% off on sale)
7 One of a kind silk kimono by Rianna + Nina

The whole wearing pajamas as real-life, out-of-bed-clothes thing has been having an intense moment over the last couple of months, maybe for obvious reasons: when a trend prioritizes comfort and ease, it’s easy to get behind. And gentlemen you are in it, too! Jared Leto proves how gorgeous he looks in this embroidered patchwork reversible coat by Gucci.

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via Vogue.com

“I never followed what people said was in fashion. I think that women should wear what suits them. So I created a style that fitted my type and my artistic genre.”
– Carmen Miranda

The Portuguese-Brazilian actor and samba singer – and one of the first celebrity fashion designers – died over 60 years ago today. But her legacy remains …

Carmen Miranda’s name has become synonymous with frilly blouses, plastic fruit accessories and extravagant headpieces, items that were always essential to her larger-than-life look. Her influence on fashion had broader consequences too: the colourful aesthetic that made her a hit in Hollywood was controversial back home in Brazil.

Known for her tutti-frutti turban, A Pequena Notável, as she was known in her home country Brazil, or The Brazilian Bombshell, as they called her in the USA, did not just sing and dance. She also created the costumes for her Broadway shows and Hollywood musicals in the 40s and 50s, a period when she was the highest paid studio actress.

Born in Portugal, she moved to Brazil with her family when she was still a child. In 1925, as a sixteen year old in Rio de Janeiro, she discovered she had a talent for making hats and dresses while working in a clothing shop. She began to design and sew her own costumes when in 1930 she started singing professionally. As she was just five foot tall, she was also known for wearing platforms and making them very popular.

Many designers have been inspired by her tropical image over the last years but I truly adore what Dolce & Gabbana has come up with for the S/S 2017 collection:

Appliquéd polka-dot stretch-silk turban by Dolce & Gabbana

This playful turban combines the label’s ‘Mambo‘ and polka-dot inspirations. Modeled after dancer Carmen Miranda’s iconic headpiece, this structured style is made from patterned stretch-silk and topped with flowers and colorful fruit appliqués. The internal brim is lined with a grosgrain ribbon to keep it comfortably in place.

By the way, Carmen Miranda’s original costumes were brought together by her sister in the Museu Carmen Miranda in Rio de Janeiro. A museum that is worth the visit if you love fashion as much as I do. Therefore I adore how Dolce & Gabbana also reinterpreted beautifully the singer’s iconic bow turbans:

Floral-print silk-satin headband by Dolce & Gabbana

This headband is twisted at the front and patterned with pretty pink roses, blue butterflies and the label’s signature. Isn’t it so pretty?

To a tropical weekend…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana, Bettmann/CORBIS and via Vogue Brazil

Breeze through check-in with this line-up of chic travel wallets, luxe luggage and more.
First priority is to stay organized with the help of those items:

Panama Marshall textured-leather travel wallet by Smythson

Printed textured-leather passport cover by Dolce & Gabbana

In-flight travel bag by Anya Hindmarch

Get your favorite beauty products in travel sizes and only take hand luggage (so no worries about lost baggage):

Beauty travel kit by Net-à-Porter Beauty

On board, get comfy, remove your make-up, relax and finally get some sleep:

In Transit No Traces – 60 pads by This Works

Ribbed-cotton travel set by Skin

Lace-trimmed printed silk eye mask by Dolce & Gabbana

All doesn’t work if you don’t have the right luggage (and don’t forget the luggage tag!). I always recommend a great bag that is easy to carry and that you can put on top of a trolley:
Falabella GO travel bag by Stella McCartney

Panama leather luggage tag by Smythson

Grained-leather suitcase by Mark Cross

Safe travels!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

These Dolce & Gabbana heels are a testament to innovative design. They are playful, thought-provoking, and are one-of-a-kind pieces of art – high octane I would call them.

1 Carretto Siciliano Print Pumps
2 Kiera Polka-Dot Print Sandals
3 Under the Sea Embellished Sandals
4 Pineapple Print Platform Sandals

A flower boquet I would love to wear.
Embellished Satin Sandals

And the next season doesn’t stop! Then the heels come with the vase. Aren’t those sandals to die for? Now available for pre-order from Dolce & Gabbana‘s Pre-fall 2017 collection.

Embellished Patent-Leather Sandals 

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

Yesterday was “Sechseläuten” (in Swiss German: Sächsilüüte), a traditional holiday in the city of Zurich. Since the early 20th century, it is celebrated on the 3rd Monday of April of every year.

I watched the parade of the “Zünfte” (guilds) with my girlfriends wearing an embroidered top with lace sleeves, matching skirt and choker by Dolce & Gabbana, Dirty ’50s stretch-denim jacket by Saint Laurent, boots by Prada, bag by Chanel and sunglasses by Balenciaga.

Now, that I have been living in Switzerland for over twelve years, Sechseläuten is so much fun because you know many of the people who are walking the parade. You present the participants with flowers and you are gifted with the specialties of the guilds in return. This can be a glass of wine, a bread roll or even a radish.

The culmination of this popular tradition though is the burning of winter in effigy, in the form of the “Böögg” (cognate to bogey), a figure of a snowman prepared with explosives (see collage above).
It is said that the time between the lighting of the pyre and the explosion of the Böögg’s head is indicative of the coming summer: a quick explosion promises a warm, sunny one, a drawn-out burning a cold and rainy one. This year, its head was falling off very fast, after 9 minutes und 56 seconds which predicts a great summer.

Cheers to that!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

DOLCE & GABBANA and SMEG join creative forces to create Sicily is my Love, a truly Made in Italy project where experts from the worlds of high fashion and design meet and merge to create unique domestic appliances that uncover an Italian story.

Last year’s limited edition hand painted refrigerators.

Following from last year’s success when SMEG and Dolce&Gabbana teamed up to realise 100 unique hand painted refrigerators, this year the collaboration focused on smaller products such as toasters, citrus juicers, coffee machines, kettles, blenders, stand mixers and slow juicers.

All these products are decorated with reflective interpretations of Sicilian folklore. Lemons, prickly pears, and bright red cherries are just a selection of Sicilian decorations that are framed in triangular motifs known as crocchi, that decorate these small appliances.

Together with crocchi, the appliances are covered in delicate floral motifs and images of the enthralling Mount Etna, surrounded by ornamental friezes, and decorative acanthus leaves. All these themes and decorative symbols are intrinsically tied to Sicily and the important aspects of the aesthetic of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.

Food, the typical products of Southern Italy and their recipes of traditional dishes are the pulling force to which heart and soul will always return. So ultimately… can you buy kitchen appliances instead of art? Absolutely, and so did everyone else at the #DGSicilyismyLove 2017 edition of the Salone del Mobile di Milano.

For the first time in my life, I have this urge to be in the kitchen using those beautifully decorated tools. Bravo!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana / Smeg

Yesterday, Dolce & Gabbana showed their S/S 2017 haute couture «Alta Moda and Alta Sartoria» show at the Tokyo National Museum in Japan. It is cherry blossom, so-called sakura season at the moment and who has ever been during that time to Tokyo knows how beautiful it is to see this national icon of the Asian country. I have been there many years ago and love to indulge in those memories of pink petals plastering the streets.

Of course, there was an in-bloom cherry tree on the runway when the designer duo presented their almost 100 looks for both, men and women, to an audience of mostly local clients and other guests from all over the world.

Contrary to other shows that Dolce & Gabbana hosted, the models came mostly from Japan, a way of showing respect, which is the backbone of this Asian culture. After the show, the designers shook hands with their guests, another important gesture as for the Japanese, every person has a role to play towards the collective. It is always about «we», never about «me».

The collection was of course very much inspired by Japan, beautifully embellished and embroidered, something Dolce & Gabbana stands for. There were headpieces designed as branches of a cherry blossom tree or hand-painted floral motifs on lace. Just beautiful – have a look at the video below where you can get a great impression of this Italian artwork in Japan!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana, © Luke Leitch / Vogue

You don’t need to be Superwoman to have figured out that patches are trending at the moment along with slogan tees. All super powers are reunited when you also match your scent to your look. Embrace your alter ego with the limited edition Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Eau Fraîche Wonder Woman Eau de Toilette, a floriental fragrance with sugar cane facets.

My look: Superwoman cotton-jersey T-Shirt by Chloé, patch-appliquéd skinny jeans by 3.1 Phillip Lim, Rockstud embellished leather sandals by Valentino, Sac de Jour in green, by Saint Laurent, embellished leather bag strap by Fendi, double wrap ring with tiger heads, Tiger head ring with black enamel, wide band in metal, all by Gucci and Ruota Carretto gold-plated tasseled clip earrings, all by Dolce & Gabbana.

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Eau Fraîche Wonder Woman Eau de Toilette
(from April 1, 2017 for CHF 128.00 / 100ml)

Top Notes: Sugar Cane Juice, Lemon Sorbet
Middle Notes: Orange Blossom, Labdanum Neo
Base Notes: Vanilla, Musk

Bring out your inner hero, ignite your passion for all things daring.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht