Sporting this Dolce & Gabbana top on a  snowy day in the mountains, I felt like Little Red Riding Hood in a Gstaad Fairytale. Called “Once upon a time… in Sicily” designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana created a whimsical F/W 2014 collection with a very fashionable flair. Who doesn’t like to feel like a fairy once in a while?

My look: Black mink coat by Prada, appliquéd tweed top by Dolce & Gabbana (mine is the runway version with the red fur hood), ribbed cashmere turtleneck by Gucci, leather and jersey leggings by Givenchy, Tribale small fringed python shoulder bag by Lanvin (40% off), fur boots by Prada Sport, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A statement in khaki with strong military influences, the parka is back this winter. Lined with fur and extremely practical, it is truly fun to battle the elements in style this season.

My look: Cotton parka with fur trimmed hood by Saint Laurent, loose knit cardigan and striped velour tunic camisole, both by Rodarte, leather leggings by Gucci, fringed python bag by Chanel (Paris-Dallas collection), Janis embellished suede ankle boots by Saint Laurent, leopard-print scarf by Balmain, rose diamond necklace by Piaget, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Fall into the holidays with the 2014 Gucci Gift Guide, inspired by a whimsical story about finding the perfect gift, even in the most unexpected moment. From contemporary trends and iconic accessories in their Wish List Section (with picks for him and for her) to elegant looks for the season’s chicest invitations to the ultimate in no-holds-barred holiday opulence, as seen in Handle with Care, the curated selection has something for everyone on your list. With pint-sized picks from Gucci Kids, chic designs for sunny escapes, and small luxuries designed to delight, a sensational season is guaranteed. Explore all this and more on GUCCI.COM.

A piece of art: Gucci‘s Floral Knight Bamboo Shopper is definitely on my wish list. As I am already a huge fan of this line (check out this previous post here), I couldn’t have been more excited about this new printed version. Perfect for the next season.

Overly cute: these Mini Bamboo Shoppers are made from supple textured-leather and finished with a detachable strap. It’s the perfect size for your cell, makeup essentials and wallet. 
Did you know that Gucci’s iconic bamboo handles were originally created in 1947 using a patented method to heat and bend them into shape. (If you are interested, I would like to invite you to have a look at a previous post about my visit to the Gucci manufacture in Casellina, Italy).

Love at first sight: sophisticated style with a retro edge, the Bamboo Sac Backpack
makes a defiant comeback. Available in many different colors, its spacious drawstring style has plenty of room for your essentials. Really one is spoilt for choice, which color is your favorite?

Ultimate luxury: a wallet in crocodile leather. The perfect gift for the distinguished connoisseur.

Those studded heels make every fashion lover’s heart leap with joy. Play with colors to elevate your outfit to the next level.

Dear Santa, please be good to me, all I want for Christmas is Gucci…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci

Here you see an outfit post combining different F/W 2014 trends. Feathers have been everywhere this winter season, they are the perfect way to give your dressing a voluminous effect. Maybe every season polka dots are considered a trend, but they are definitely one of the must-haves for the upcoming S/S 2015 season. So Valentino’s overly cute and stylish version is a great investment to be carried into the next summer. Wear it well!

My look: Striped tiered feather jacket by Givenchy, ribbed black turtleneck sweater by Gucci, patterned wool and silk-blend midi skirt, Carmen appliquéd leather pumps and Carmen appliquéd leather shoulder bag, all by Valentino, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget, earrings by Dior, diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © 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

What I probably like most about my job as the editor in chief of L’Officiel Switzerland and as a blogger is that I get to travel a lot and to meet extremely interesting people around the world. Here you see me in Milan recently where I had a lot of inspiring meetings.

My look: Snap front leather trimmed varsity jacket, studded cotton-jersey sweatshirt, studded leather skirt and ‘Babies’ mid-calf boots in silver, all by Saint Laurent, makeup face-printed saffiano tote illustrated by Jeanne Deallante by Prada, diamond stud earrings by Cartier and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

Great architecture in Milan (from left to right clockwise): entrance of the Gucci office in Via Broletto, slide installation by German artist Carsten Höller at Prada‘s headquarter in Milan, Zegna headquarter designed by Antonio Citterio and a beautiful starcaise at the L’Officiel Italia office.

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

Sometimes it just needs one statement piece to draw all the attention to your outfit. But wait, a statement piece….? What is the statement? Here, it is the sequined Playboy bunny on the back of the hoodie that I wore last weekend on my flight to London for Fashion Week. Looking all innocent and casual at first sight, it unveils this fun message when you turn around. The only question left is what is the statement that the wearer is trying to make…? This you have to figure out yourself… mine will stay a statement secret.

My look: Cropped hoodie with zipper and sequined Playboy bunny by Marc Jacobs, snake-print cotton tank by Stella McCartney, skinny mid-rise distressed jeans by Dolce & Gabbana, Bamboo leather tote by Gucci, white and black leopard calf hair bootie by Rodarte, diamond ring and bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Sometimes it is time for a fresh perspective on the contents of our closets. The summer 2014 had lots of trends to choose from, like crop tops, cutouts, and transparent pieces among other highlights. If you’re anything like me, you may already be more than happy to kiss some of those looks goodbye, but there are plenty, too, that you might be excited to wear during the upcoming season.

My look: Denim vest and wide belt, both by Saint Laurent, leather and wool top by Gucci, Altea crepe and silk-organza skirt by Stella McCartney, embellished textured-leather sandals by Valentino, fringed tote by Lanvin, gold-plated multi-strand necklace by Etro, ladder gold-tone chain bracelet by Proenza Schouler, sunglasses by Céline, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht