Happy first Sunday in Advent, my dear readers! While you are hopefully enjoying a cozy day at home or with friends, I am on my way to Salzburg with CHANEL to attend the French house’s extravagant Métiers d’Art show. I shared with you the first visuals a few days ago and you might imagine my excitement to be invited. Seeing Cara Delevingne and Pharrell Williams in those amazing outfits just got my imagination going how amazing the collection will be.

On December 1, the movie Reincarnation will be revealed during a dinner party and on December 2, the show will take place at 10.30 am at Schloss Leopoldskron, an 18th-century lakeside rococo palace. Follow me on instagram @sandrascloset for live updates. But Karl Lagerfeld isn’t the only one who looked to Austria for inspiration – Tyrolean references have shown up at previous collections from the likes of Givenchy, Emilio Pucci, Olympia Le-Tan, and more. See the trend’s full evolution below.

According to Karl Lagerfeld, Coco Chanel derived her original inspiration for the Little Black Jacket from the Tyrolean uniform she spotted on a bellhop at Schloss Mittersill, a castle-cum-hotel in Salzburg, Austria.

Rock ‘n’ Tyrol at the recent Givenchy S/S 2015 show during Paris Fashion Week.

For Emilio Pucci’s F/W 2011 offering, Peter Dundas channeled Tyrolean folklore and two Austrian beauties: Romy Schneider (specifically her turn in Sissi) and the nation’s opulent palaces.

My look: Pucci Goes Wies’n

My look: Tyrolean Love

The aforementioned Romy Schneider in Sissi, a 1955 film based on the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri‘s darling take on Hansel & Gretel for Red Valentino’s F/W 2013 offering.

Milliner extraordinaire Stephen Jones whipped up this Tyrolean topper for John Galliano‘s F/W 2003 spectacular.

My look: Dirndl Time

Delicate alpine flowers scattered across a frock at Valentino’s F/W 2012 show.

These are a few of our favorite things: a luxe take on lederhosen, as spotted in the lookbook for Olympia Le-Tan’s F/W 2013 Schnitzel With Noodles collection.

Hello, cowgirl in the sand. Or, in this case, the Alps. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana went north for inspiration for their F/W 2002 D&G secondary line and came back with a Tyrolean-themed collection—just the thing for a sexy, young Heidi with a great figure and a good sense of humor.

My look: Greetings from Kitzbuehel in Austria

Whether you’re taking the Givenchy route or going full-on alpine, this trend is surely on the rise.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Vogue and Style.com, Alessandro Garofalo / Indigitalimages.com, Michele Morosi / Gorunway.com, Monica Feudi / Feudiguaineri.com; Gianni Pucci / GoRunway.com, Mondadori Portfolio, Don Ashby, Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com, Courtesy of Red Valentino and © Sandra Bauknecht

How hard is it to find your perfect black clutch? Depending on your own taste, it has to meet different criteria: from sophisticated, fashionable to functional or timeless. Such a little black bag is essential to complete your closet! Here is my selection of the best ones available right now.

1 PURE LUXURY Patent-crocodile clutch by Bottega Veneta
2 FASHIONISTA’S MUST-HAVE Monogramme leather clutchby Saint Laurent
3 ROCK CHIC Rockstud leather clutch by Valentino
4 INTO THE WILD Embellished suede fold-over clutch by Roberto Cavalli
5  ALREADY A CLASSIC Falabella faux brushed-leather clutch by Stella McCartney
6 LADYLIKE Chandra chain-embellished shimmer-suede clutch by Jimmy Choo
7 FOR EVERYDAY USE Antigona envelope clutch in black grained leather by Givenchy
8 GREAT WITH JEANS Broadway fringed suede clutch by Gucci

UNDERSTATED AND TIMELESS Marche leather and suede clutch by Nina Ricci
My personal favorite is accented with gold hardware and has three internal compartments – perfect for keeping your belongings organized. Carry it cross-body by day, swapping to the hand strap after dark.

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

Walk this way, talk this way… wear and do what makes you feel good. Dress up, be happy and enjoy life! It doesn’t matter if it is in Chanel or Zara…

My look: Striped tiered feather jacket and leather and jersey leggings by Givenchy, twist-front silk-blend jacquard top by Chloé, Janis embellished suede ankle boots and jelewed nappa leather box bag, both by Saint Laurent, diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery and diamond earrings by Cartier, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

As always, I would like to keep you ahead of the game and put together the most important S/S 2015 runway trends! Scroll through my forecast to see what will stay and which styles will be on everyone’s shopping list next season.

S/S 2015 TREND 1
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER
Tom Ford – Saint Laurent – Louis Vuitton

Sequins and metallics are here to stay and will surely make you feel sexy under the disco ball next summer.

S/S 2015 TREND 2
PRIMA BALLERINA
Valentino – Giorgio Armani – Vionnet

Soft and pastel, the long tutu tulle skirts and dresses seen gracing the runways were inspired by ballerinas. A must for your next red carpet moment.

S/S 2015 TREND 3
LUXURIOUS HIPPY 
Chloé – Emilio Pucci – Etro

70s inspired looks seemed like a common theme throughout the fashion weeks. Long, light and flowing dresses or lace materials are the way to work the luxury bohemian trend. My favorite!

S/S 2015 TREND 4
JUMPSUITS 
Christian Dior – Céline – Sonia Rykiel

Fashion-forward utilitarian looks, the jumpsuit might not be the most comfortable piece of clothing but next summer definitely the the most up-to-date one.

S/S 2015 TREND 6
KIMONO GIRLS 
Gucci – Marni – Alexander McQueen

Ethnical prints and long silhouettes tied at the waist, the kimono was a huge source of inspiration for a number of fashion houses this season.

S/S 2015 TREND 7
KHAKI – THE HUE TO STAY 
Chanel – Marc Jacobs – Ralph Lauren

Call it haute safari gear for the wilds of the shopping streets. Khaki has become a fashion classic and is here to stay. It is up to you if you opt for for a safari-style or military-inspired look.

S/S 2015 TREND 8
DENIM – HEAD TO TOE 
Prada – Burberry Prorsum – Fendi

It is all about denim head to toe. Next season the beloved fabric is reinvented in in all sorts of blues and with eye-catching stitchings.

S/S 2015 TREND 9
POP ART
Peter Pilotto – Balmain – Junya Watanabe

Some of the world’s leading pop-artists, such as Roy Lichtenstein, Mondrian and Sonia Delaunay were the force behind a lot of collections. Circle motifs, bright colors and bold, intersecting stripes gave the runway an energetic vibe.

S/S 2015 TREND 10
POLKA DOTS
Marc by Marc Jacobs – Moschino – Dolce & Gabbana

A simple and extremely joyful print, the polka dot, hasn’t lost its impact over the last seasons.

S/S 2015 TREND 11
ANDROGYNOUS & ASYMMETRIC TAILORING
Anthony Vaccarello – Jean Paul Gaultier – Maison Martin Margiela

Conquering the male wardrobe, the designers used the codes of masculine suits, but added a touch of sexy. The trend reveals itself in the asymmetric cuts which are a must next summer.

S/S 2015 TREND 12
PATCHWORK BABYDOLLS
Rodarte – Stella McCartney – Mary Katrantzou

The babydoll makes its comeback in an array of fabrics and lace patterns. Patchwork is the key to success!

S/S 2015 TREND 13
BLACK MESH
Balenciaga – Akris – Proenza Schouler

Worn all-over or a as a single piece, mesh is next summer’s answer to sportswear. The sheer fabric works day and night and has been spotted all over the catwalks.

S/S 2015 TREND 13
BLACK AND WHITE
Narciso Rodriguez – Givenchy – Thakoon

Black and white – the probably most classic color combination. This season, designers set about experimenting with the codes of femininity through black and white suits and used this ultra-refined palette for maximum optical effects.

S/S 2015 TREND 14
MIX AND MATCH
Giambattista Valli – Fausto Puglisi – Prabal Gurung

Conceptual and experimental, the next season silhouettes take center stage with pieces in an array of different colors and all sorts of materials. The probably most modern trend of all.

S/S 2015 TREND 15
HEMLINES
Matthew Williamson – Versus Versace – Elie Saab

Business in the front, party in the back, the new hemlines play with length.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Style.com

Tribal and safari looks took over the runways with vibrant prints, warm tones and rich accessories. Don’t forget you can only be limited by your own imagination or fear of expressing your own individuality. Be courageous! Queen yourself the tribe leader of the fashion crowd!

My look: Draped tribal print top, tribal print pencil skirt and matching ‘Antigona’ clutch, all by Givenchy, crystal-embellished round-frame acetate sunglasses by Fendi, fringed suede sandals by Gucci, ‘Mise en Dior’ earrings by Dior, Pasha C watch by Cartier, rose diamond ring by Piaget and diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Finally, we had a sunny weekend in Switzerland and I got to wear some of my S/S 2014 pieces that had been left untouched in my closet due to the dreadful weather of the last weeks. Here you see me strolling through the city of Zurich on Saturday.

My look: Printed cotton-poplin bustier dress, floral print long cardigan and lace sandals, all by Givenchy, small ‘Sac de Jour’ tote by Saint Laurent, sunglasses by Céline, diamond ring and diamond bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

© Sandra Bauknecht

Friday one week ago, I went to the iconic Rive Gauche Summer Party at the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich. The theme of the beautiful event was “ARIGATAU LAC – A NIGHT OF ASIAN DELIGHT“. With many enchanting performances, yummy food and lots of champagne, it still keeps its crisp flavour of freshness as the first social event after the summer break when everybody in the city enjoys the “to see and to be seen” part a lot! The dress code was “Asian Cocktail, Tokyo-Chic, Dress to Impress the West.” I didn’t want to wear a traditional cheongsam (Mandarin gown) as I was sure most of the guest would show up in something similar so I went for this origami-inspired gown spiced with some Chinese ideographs on my bag.

My look: Draped jersey dress by Givenchy, Jane sandals with chunky silver-tone studding by Saint Laurent, “Take Away” bag by Chanel, diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget, necklace and earrings by Dior.

For the photos of last year’s Rive Gauche Summer Party, please click HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography and © Sandra Bauknecht

On Saturday evening, I attended the Zoofäscht 2014 one of the highlights of Zurich’s social calendar. The black tie event takes place every second year and collects money to support the Zurich Zoo. This time, CHF 850.000 were collected for the new Yak-enclosure.

My look: Striped tiered feather jacket by Givenchy, cutout crepe gown by Alexander McQueen, Jane leather sandals by Saint Laurent, satin clutch by Prada, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring, both by Piaget, earrings by Chanel and diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

With my dearest friend Dusa Bibus at the Zoofäscht 2014

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My dearest readers, first of all thanks so much for all your lovely messages telling me that my blog went offline. I am very happy that Sandra’s Closet is finally back online.

One week ago, while I was working on a post, all of a sudden my screen turned white and I had no access any longer. First I thought that I encountered a technical problem but unfortunately somebody hacked my blog.

Since almost five years, I had been blogging on a daily basis. You have no idea how helpless I felt but as I was leaving to Ibiza the next day, I saw it as a chance to relax, to really go on holidays. Here on this magical island, many things have happened and I have to say sometimes you need this little wake-up call to finally see things clear again.

Now, all the issues are solved and I am back on track to share with you my favorite trends, stories and special moments in my life.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Givenchy Fox Cape available at Trois Pommes The Store

After only two days in Paris for Haute Couture, I flew to Berlin to attend the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for my first time. I was pretty amazed how many celebrities and great collections I spotted in the German capital. During the next days, I will show you my favorites. In the meantime, enjoy this outfit post. It was really hard to dress as the weather changed hourly, from crisp blue skies to pouring rain. A nightmare if you are having curly hair like me!

My look: Smocked cotton-poplin dress by Givenchy (50% off), suede and wooden clogs by Miu Miu, sky-blue Marcie hobo bag by Chloé, large pearl necklace by Chanel, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis and Diorette ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht