This has been my object of desire for some time and it is so hard to get it: the ‘On A Summer Day’ Constance III – a rare multicolour swift leather bag with palladium hardware by Nigel Peake for Hermès S/S 2017. The vibrant and luminous hues are so perfect for the summer season, it’s definitely a real collectors item! I adore its geometrical and architectural details. If you look closely, you will spot buildings and trees.

Crazy as it sounds, this bag just hit the shelves this spring and has already been auctioned off for around £20000 two weeks ago at Christie’s first sale of designer totes.

 I love the Constance which is in my opinion one of the iconic beauties of the famous French Maison, along with its sisters Birkin, Kelly and Lindy. Here’s some bag trivia for those still not in the know. Created in 1959 by designer Catherine Chaillet, who named it Constance after her daughter who was born in the same year, this bag comes with a H-shaped fastener and a clever adjustable strap so that it can be worn over the shoulder or held by the side.

If you missed the beautiful Constance bag, hope is here. For F/W 2017, Hermès has collaborated with Nigle Peake again.

Look at this beauty: the Birkin bag in printed Swift calfskin leather ‘One Two Three and Away We Go’ – a playful and colorful exploration of the famous bag. I love.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès and via 1stdibs.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

While you are reading this, I am on my way to the Cannes Film Festival. I always have a great time there and have so many wonderful memories such as the dinner I attended with the lovely film crew of «High Strung» and Swarovski. As I am a ballerina myself, I absolutely adore this movie.

Dancing with the main actors: Jane Seymour, Nicholas Galitzine and Keenan Kampa.

The plot is about a hip hop violinist is busking in the New York subway. When he encounters a classical dancer on scholarship at the Manhattan Conservatory of the Arts, sparks fly. With the help of a hip hop dance crew they must find a common ground while preparing for a competition that could change their lives forever.

My look that night: Black embellished cocktail dress and cutout leather platform pumps, both by Saint Laurent, embellished clutch by Balmain, Limelight Gala watch
 by Piaget, leather bracelet by Hermès, diamond ring and bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Around 18months ago, the first Apple Watch Hermès hit the shelves. Now for Spring 2017, it presents itself with a new collection of bands in 3 different colours:

• 38 mm Double Tour in Bleu Zéphyr Epsom calfskin

 • 42 mm Single Tour in Lime Epsom calfskin

• 42 mm Single Tour in Colvert Swift calfskin

The collection now features a new model that pairs Apple Watch with the 38 mm Double Buckle Cuff in Fauve Barénia calfskin and includes an exclusive Hermès Sport Band in signature orange.

Availability
• New Apple Watch Hermès and Apple Watch Hermès bands are available to order on apple.com and hermes.com beginning today in Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, UAE, UK and USA, a well as in select Apple and Hermès stores, select specialty stores and department stores.
• New Apple Watch Hermès models and bands will be available at Apple Galaxy Macau and at Hermès in Taipei Bellavita in late March.

Pricing
Single Tour is $339 (US) – €349
Double Tour is $489 (US) – €499
Double Buckle Cuff is $689 (US) – €749

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès, © Jonas Lindstroem/Hermès

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

Love is in the air at Hermès as one of the French House’s most iconic scarf prints «Brides de Gala» has just received a little «affaire de coeur». Designed by the brand’s famous artist Hugo Grygkar, this limited edition is printed with the signature equestrian motif combined with blue and orange hearts. The best is yet to come as the special packaging for Valentine’s Day is an exclusive heart-shaped orange box.

I am truly in love with this…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hermès

Last April, I wrote a post about the amazing project that LOUIS XIII did in collaboration with HERMÈS, SAINT-LOUIS, and PUIFORCAT.

Four French luxury houses joined forces to create something very special.

Personally speaking, I still find it very impressive that each decanter of LOUIS XIII takes four generations of cellar masters over 100 years to craft. It is a unique blend of up to 1,200 eaux-de-vie, the youngest of which is at least 40 years old.

A veritable journey through time, it has been present at every milestone in the history of luxury travel. In tribute to this odyssey, the four French luxury houses joined forces to create three unique masterpieces. To crown their rarity, the LOUIS XIII cognac they house is a tailor-made coupe enriched with a selection of one of the oldest Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie, set aside over the decades by the Cellar Masters.

Touring the world.

Inspired by the iconic LOUIS XIII journeys, these objets-d’art have toured the globe, exhibiting their history and savoir-faire at Hermès boutiques, prestige museums and select venues in cultural capitals: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, New York, Singapore, Paris and London… For one year, LOUIS XIII shared its ode to adventure with the world.

To close this exciting tour, each decanter has been auctioned by Sotheby’s. In New York, the Americas edition topped the record for sale of a LOUIS XIII decanter; in Hong Kong in October, the Asia decanter surpassed that total; and at the final sale in London on November 16, the Europe decanter fetched US$ 235,000, bringing the full total to US$ 558,000.

“LOUIS XIII and The Film Foundation are both committed to preserving a cultural legacy, honoring the past while ensuring that films survive into the future. The work of the foundation has helped to restore over 700 films, from the 1880s onward, encompassing well over 100 years of this extraordinary art form. We are grateful for our partnership with LOUIS XIII, and its generous and continuous support for the foundation’s mission,” said Martin Scorsese.

The proceeds will benefit The Film Foundation, created by Martin Scorsese in 1990 to restore and preserve cinematic heritage. A great project with a lot of success – bravo!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of LOUIS XIII

This winter, camel coats come never alone… Embrace the season’s must-have hue in head-to-toe looks that exude effortless ease. Sophisticated, stylish, just beautiful.

Get the look: Madame 101801 coat by Max Mara, raw-edge wool-blend skirt by Tomas Maier, Pussy-bow silk-georgette blouse by Balenciaga, Rockstud fur-felt trilby hat by Valentino, BB suede over-the-knee boots by Saint Laurent and Cahier large leather tote by Prada.

LoL, Sandra

Hermès F/W 2016

Cover: © Harper’s Bazaar, Stills: Courtesy of the Brands; Runway via Vogue.com

“Nature is so beautiful that adding to it serves no purpose.” – Robert Dallet (1923 – 2006)

Every year, Hermès picks a theme for the respective year, which is highlighted through their collections and store windows. In 2016, the French Maison is honoring its love for nature with «Nature at Full Gallop».

Last week, I was invited to an intimate dinner by the House at the Museum Rietberg in Zurich to celebrate this beautiful inspiration. The location was amazing, decorated like a jungle. The dinner was served on the «Carnets d’Equateur» porcelain which I showed you in a previous post and that pictures wild creatures such as the jaguar, lion, tiger, elephant and toucan alongside the rare, the manama, capuchin and wooly monkeys.

The design was created by late animal artist Robert Dallet and is a voyage to the core of creation. I find it extremely beautiful.

My look that night: Margot bonded stretch-crepe dress by Roksanda, So Black Kelly bag and silk scarf, both by Hermès, Songe pumps in cracked leather by Dior, Horsebit blue topaz diamond white gold ring by Gucci Fine Jewellery, Tonda 1950 Set Clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier and crystal-embellished clip-on earrings by Miu Miu.

My avid reader might recognize the dress as I wore it already 4 years ago (for the previous post, click here please). It got relaunched this season because of the hype Melania Trump caused wearing it in white for her speech to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July.

Absolutely trending this F/W 2016 season: wrapping a silk scarf around the handle.

Taking photos in the Hermès selfie box. Have fun with more pictures below!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès, © Sandra Bauknecht

Absolutely trending this F/W 2016 season is wrapping a silk scarf around the handle as seen on the Louis Vuitton runway or to tie a ribbon around it as Alessandro Michele did at Gucci.

I decorated my So Black Kelly bag recently with a 90 x 90cm silk scarf by Hermès. Stay tuned, the complete look will be coming up tomorrow.

Before starting to wrap it around the handle, it is important to fold the base very precisely:

The easier way is to use a Twilly, another a silk design by Hermès that is specifically used for that purpose (although it’s also used for other things like your wrist). It is thin and an easy way to customize your bag.

The ribbon effect: Sylvie mini buckle leather shoulder bag by Gucci.

Have fun decorating your bag!

LoL, Sandra

Louis Vuitton F/W 2017

Courtesy of the Brands, via Luxury 24/7 and © Sandra Bauknecht