A total ’90s must-have, white boots are officially again a wardrobe fixture – now’s the time to shop the new-season favorites.

There are few shoes more versatile than a white boot, a style which can truly be worn all year round, whatever is happening with the weather. In spring, they can be teamed with your floaty floral dresses, while they add a soft touch to denim ensembles in the fall – and look great paired with workwear and even black leggings.

To shop, click on the highlighted product description to be transferred to the respective store.

LoL, Sandra

SHAPE Sculpted Motion boots in white by ECCO
(I am wearing this model in the photo.)

Nappa-leather knee-high boots by Jil Sander

Zipped suede over-the-knee boots by Marni

Madame knee-high leather platform boots by Gucci

Loens slouchy knee-high leather boots by Isabel Marant

Tina knee-high patchwork-leather boots by Ssōne

Photo of me: © David Biedert Photography – Stills: Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

PANTONE has declared its Color of the Year for 2020 to be Classic Blue, or Pantone 19-4052. So it’s time to blue something as we’re all about to be incredibly blue. The high court of color has chosen a shade which is probably the truest of blue. The closest description might be cobalt or royal blue, but it’s a little calmer than that, not as bold. Yves Klein Blue or Yves Saint Laurent would have surely loved this anti-anxiety hue.

Dry pigment and synthetic resin on paper mounted on canvas 62 x 111 1/2 inch
Centre Georges Pompidou – Musée national d’art moderne, Paris, France
© The Estate of Yves Klein c/o ADAGP, Paris

«Blue has no dimensions, it is beyond dimensions, whereas the other colors are not. They are psychological spaces; red, for example, presupposing a hearth releasing heat. All colors bring forth specific associative ideas, tangible or psychological, while blue suggests, at most, the sea and sky, and they, after all, are in actual nature what is most abstract.» – Yves Klein, Lecture at la Sorbonne, June 3rd 1959, Paris

This artwork is showcasing the «true blue» pigment in perfection: the 17th-century painting The Virgin in Prayer by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato.

Another great example in the art world is by Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. His famous work from 1665, Girl with a Pearl Earring,  shows classic blue as the only bold burst of colour – in the form of a headscarf – among beiges, browns and a dark background.

You might be asking yourself, how did PANTONE land on this color? The color authority looks at trend forecasts, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, political views, media, street art, travel destinations, new technologies, and new textures — to name just a few of the categories they consider. Then it’s time to narrow it down to a color family, in this case it was a blue mood, «a reassuring presence instilling calm, confidence and connection».

This enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.

Imprinted in our psyches as a restful color, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the human spirit, offering refuge. Aiding concentration and bringing laser like clarity, it re-centers our thoughts. A reflective blue tone, Classic Blue fosters resilience.

As technology continues to race ahead of the human ability to process it all, it is easy to understand why we gravitate to colors that are honest and offer the promise of protection. Non-aggressive and easily relatable, the trusted PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue lends itself to relaxed interaction. Associated with the return of another day, this universal favorite is comfortably embraced.

On the S/S 2020 runways, Classic Blue was omnipresent in all sorts of variations. As we all know, there is not «one» blue. In the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada, Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly, gives a detailed speech about the varying shades of the colour blue, after Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs laughably questions how they could be distinguishable.

«… what you don’t know is that that sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis, it’s actually cerulean.»

This year marks the first time Pantone has introduced a multisensory approach to its Colour of the Year, partnering with several brands to showcase the taste, texture, scent and sound of Classic Blue.

Below you can shop some beautiful pieces in the Color of the Year 2020 –  time to get ahead of the fashion game. Just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly.

LoL, Sandra

The Rockstud Spike medium quilted leather shoulder bag in Classic Blue by Valentino

Two-tone patent-leather sandals in Classic Blue by Miu Miu

Viola cropped embellished chiffon jacket by Jenny Packham

Quilted shell down jacket by Moncler

Intarsia wool cardigan by Gucci

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, Artists, and via NY Post

Marni renews its commitment to support philanthropic activities by promoting a charity initiative in collaboration with the OTB Foundation.

Throughout the holiday season, Marni will present a special blown glassware collection consisting of glasses, vases and bottles, which will be on sale in selected mono-brand boutiques across the globe starting from tomorrow, November 28th.

The initiative aims to support the «Future Brain» project – www.progettoheal.com – promoted by the Heal Onlus Association and dedicated to children hospitalized at the pediatric oncology department of the Bambino Gesù Hospital in Rome.

Each product is entirely handmade in Colombia through a meticulous artisanal process that requires time and care for every detail.

Through this initiative, Marni intends to promote permanent psychological assistance to young patients and their parents, through educational and recreational activities at the department.

Shopping for a good cause is a great reason to shop.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Marni

The colourful world of Pop Folk Market arrives on marni.com, with a series of fun furnishings, design and lifestyle objects available online from 8 October, for a limited time only.

Interpreting the spirit of the brand through a design that finds inspiration in the multifaceted identity of the collections, unconventional materials and unexpected colours, the Marni Pop Folk Market products are unique and eclectic, and creatively adapt to any space.

Marni’s new online Market features a line of bags in exclusive colour combinations, like the retro Crochet Bag in cotton and wool, the Hammock Bag, and the iconic Striped Bag. This edition of Marni Market also sees the introduction of a Fish Bag in a fluorescent-shade knit, and an original reworking of the Basket Bag in PVC, characterised by the POP FOLK inlay.

The marketplace also hosts metal sculptural pieces in the shape of giraffes, as well as mushrooms, robots, magazine holders, miniatures and coffee tables in woven PVC.

Every Market creation is unique, handmade by Columbian artisans, who have collaborated with the brand for many years. With respect for local traditions, each product is made according to meticulous artisanal processes that require close attention to detail.

Marni explores the main products of Pop Folk Market through a series of images and video clips narrating a road trip, during which the southern sun highlights ironic snapshots of daily life.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Marni
#MarniPopFolkMarket #MarniMarket

Chinese New Year officially begins today on February 5th, 2019, and ends on February 19th. Also known as the «Spring Festival» in modern Mainland China, it is the country’s most important traditional festival and beginning of a new Chinese animal zodiac cycle: the year of the Pig.

Those born during the Chinese zodiac year of the pig are pleasant, polite and have good taste. They are perfectionists that appreciate the most beautiful things, they help others and are great companions as long as you don’t cross them, so be careful! They are smart, always on the search for knowledge and exclusivity. Unfortunately, pig years are also believed to be the most unlucky for people born in previous years of the Pig.

Prada presents Prada Wonderland, a new and exclusive pop-up installation at the prestigious Galaxy Macau, open until 10 March 2019 on the occasion of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

 Luxury brands are all on board for Lunar New Year. The festivities rank high in China – a market where consumers still pay full price for expensive wares. According to a report by Bain & Company, China represents «32% of the global luxury consumption.»

Here are the best limited edition collections by the big names of the luxury industry to celebrate Chinese New Year:

DODO
This new limited edition piglet charm is just too cute. For a limited time only, you can shop the pig-shaped pendant in 18kt yellow gold and red enamel with black cord included.

DIESEL
To celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, Diesel introduces a 9-piece premium limited edition capsule collection that is sold globally.

MOSCHINO
Porky Pig and Petunia Pig are the stars of a fun and glamorous limited edition, created especially for one of the most important traditional Chinese festivities.

LANVIN
For the S/S 2019 Pre-Collection, Lanvin is paying tribute to the Lunar New Year with an exclusive capsule collection. Lanvin is celebrating the year of the pig, a cute and curvaceous mascot, with a selection of lucky charm accessories adorned with «pig» embroidery studded with dazzling jewels, perfect for gifting and collecting alike.

GUCCI
The Italian fashion house celebrates the Year of the Pig with a special collection of ready-to-wear and accessories featuring three playful designs including a print of Walt Disney’s cartoon characters, the ‘Three Little Pigs’. Shot by Frank Lebon, a special editorial shoot features tiny piglets with their human friends captured inside richly decorated apartments and walking the streets of New York City.

LOUIS VUITTON
Inspired by the Chinese zodiac, the Superstition square features these twelve symbols playfully illustrated with iconic House motifs. The center is decorated with a large LV Circle, layered over Monogram Flowers and surrounded by the creatures.

MARNI
The small piglet, symbol of the new Marni Capsule Collection, comes from an imaginary universe dedicated to the Chinese New Year: a range of accessories for her and a new original version of Big Foot sneakers pay homage to the twelfth protagonist of the Chinese horoscope, as well as the sign’s cheerful and dreamy character.

PANERAI
For the Chinese Year of the Pig, Panerai presents an 88-piece limited edition Luminor Sealand. The cover is hand-decorated by master engravers using the sparsello technique.

VACHERON CONSTANTIN
For its Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Pig Watch in 18K Pink Gold, the Swiss watchmaker uses enameling, gems-setting and other artistic aspects of watchmaking.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Here is my look that I wore to the 10 years Atelier Swarovski dinner last Tuesday. As Viktor & Rolf were present, I decided that it would be nice to wear something from their previous collections. When I last met them in 2015 (click here for the previous interview), they stopped doing ready-to-wear to focus only on couture.

My look: Cropped leather-trimmed wool-gabardine blazer by Saint Laurent, silk crepe de chine blouse and strappy heels in nude, neon yellow and black, both by Miu Miu, yellow and nude printed A-line skirt and mini Bombette bag, both by Viktor & Rolf, and resin bead necklace by Marni. Rose des Vents bracelets in turquoise, orange, green and pink by Dior Joaillerie, diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Christian Dancker – saltyimages.ch and © Sandra Bauknecht

The journey of Marni Market arrives in Paris, bringing the imaginative world of MARNI to 231 Rue Saint Honoré. For five months the space will be continually transformed, giving visitors the chance to discover the various facets of the MARNI universe and to buy a selection of special, exclusive products, immersing themselves in the lively environment of bright colours and graphic prints in three specific periods.

January 2018: MARNI VISITORS MARKET

The protagonists are the MARNI Visitors, fun, colourfully painted wood and resin marionettes, characters that are half toy and half sculpture, that seem to have arrived from another planet. Keeping to the traditional annual Christmas charitable donation, the proceeds of the MARNI
Visitors’ sales will go to the Piccolo Principe association, which, through the Orso Baloo community, helps children in difficulty aged 0 to 5 within the Province of Milan.

1 February – 12 April: MARNI PLAYFUL MARKET

The key word is play. The MARNI Playful Market is an invitation to forget rules and predefined structures interacting with the surrounding area and the elements it contains: toys to be showcased or to play with, extraordinary objects and furnishing sculptures that have cast practicality aside to embrace a more freely interpreted, playful side.

13 April – 18 May: MARNI HOUSE MARKET

The wood, metal and coloured PVC furnishing items hand-made in Colombia, which have garnered fame at various editions of the Milan Salone del Mobile, populate the space in celebration of the design month. They create a unique environment where hand-crafted workmanship and creativity find the peak of their expression.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Marni

In collage: Printed satin-jacquard midi dress by Marni, velvet platform ankle boots by Prada and swimsuit by Eres.

«The Pantone Color of the Year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today.» – Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute.

Each year PANTONE, the global color authority, chooses one Color of the Year, like a snapshot of what we see taking place in our global culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude. For 2018, it is a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade: PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.

Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now. The vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own.

Purple Rain: Prince performing in 1985

Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets.

Ultra violet on the S/S 2018 runways: Gucci – Balenciaga – Moschino

Historically, there has been a mystical or spiritual quality attached to Ultra Violet. The color is often associated with mindfulness practices, which offer a higher ground to those seeking refuge from today’s over-stimulated world. The use of purple-toned lighting in meditation spaces and other gathering places energizes the communities that gather there and inspire connection.

To shop ULTRA VIOLET, have a look at those fantastic pieces and get ahead of the fashion trend:

Belted asymmetric silk-mousseline blouse by Balenciaga

Spandex pumps by Balenciaga

Nail Polish in Ultra Violet (Pantone Collection) by Butter London

Embellished-leaf satin pouch by Attico

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via Pantone

S/S 2018 TREND 1: SILK ROAD
Céline – Hermès – Versace

S/S 2018 TREND 2: ART LOVERS
Akris – Prada – Missoni

S/S 2018 TREND 3: IN FULL BLOOM
Rochas – Erdem – Marni

S/S 2018 TREND 4: FRINGES
Balmain – Calvin Klein 205W39NYC– Dior

S/S 2018 TREND 5: MARABOU
Proenza Schouler – Saint Laurent – Nina Ricci

S/S 2018 TREND 6: LAVENDER
The Row – Michael Kors – Tom Ford

S/S 2018 TREND 7: LIFE IN PLASTIC
Chanel – Burberry – Valentino

S/S 2018 TREND 8: WORKOUT
Gucci – Louis Vuitton – Marc Jacobs

S/S 2018 TREND 9: PLAID PLEASE
Fendi – Prabal Gurung – Balenciaga

S/S 2018 TREND 10: 80’s DENIM
Max Mara – Stella McCartney – Oscar de la Renta

S/S 2018 TREND 11: THE TRENCH
Gabriela Hearst – Maison Margiela – Victoria Beckham

S/S 2018 TREND 12: SHOW YOUR UNDIES
Christopher Kane – Miu Miu – Alessandra Rich

S/S 2018 TREND 13: RAINBOW
Peter Pilotto – Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini – Vionnet

S/S 2018 TREND 14: WHITE AT NIGHT
Jil Sander – Alexander McQueen – Etro

S/S 2018 TREND 15: MISE-EN-SCÈNE
Moschino – Dolce & Gabbana – Comme des Garçons

Photos: via Vogue.com

Those who think that cropped tops are only for the warm-weather months are sadly mistaken. This fall, they are shorter and trendier than ever, giving your favorite shirts a whole new look!
Get your crop top fix during the colder months with those super-short sweaters.

1 Cropped wool sweater by Stella McCartney
2 Cropped cable-knit wool turtleneck sweater by Valentino
3 Cropped ribbed wool-blend turtleneck sweater by Marni
4 Cropped cashmere sweater by Valentino
5 Cropped open-knit wool sweater by Isa Arfen

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands