More is more, this is what the F/W 2016 season is all about! With fashion in a maximalist mood, accessories have taken center stage. On the runways, heels were high, the bijoux was stacked and layered, and the bags were furrier or came with accessories of their own. The forecast: Get ready for your most sumptuous season yet.

LoL, Sandra

F/W 2016 TREND 1: GUITAR STRAPS
Valentino – Fendi – Burberry

F/W 2016 TREND 2: DAVID BOWIE BOOTS
Maison Margiela – Marc Jacobs – Balenciaga

F/W 2016 TREND 3: STATEMENT GLOVES
Delpozo – Loewe – Rodarte

F/W 2016 TREND 4: CHOKERS
Balmain – Alexander Wang – Lanvin

F/W 2016 TREND 5: STACKED JEWELS
Gucci – Etro – Bottega Veneta

F/W 2016 TREND 6: FUR BAGS
Michael Kors Collection – Salvatore Ferragamo – Versace

F/W 2016 TREND 7: HIKING BOOTS
Rag & Bone – Louis Vuitton – Prada

F/W 2016 TREND 8: BAG ACCESSORIES
Dolce & Gabbana – Dior – Chanel

F/W 2016 TREND 9: VELVET CRUSH
Stella McCartney – Erdem – Dries Van Noten

F/W 2016 TREND 10: EMBELLISHED HEELS
Oscar de la Renta – Miu Miu – Saint Laurent

Céline – Proenza Schouler – Prada

This season, you need to get creative when it comes to how to carry your bag. One thing is for sure, it needs to be any other way than you are actually supposed to: around your neck, under your armpit, wrapped around your waist, or attached to your belt.

LoL, Sandra

Céline

Chanel

Céline

Prada

Céline

Prada

Nina Ricci

Altuzarra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Here they are: the most important trends for the F/W 2016 season. Scroll through my forecast to see which styles will be on everyone’s shopping list next season. From statement furs to velvet everything, from extra long sleeves to oversized down jackets, the choice is yours – enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

F/W 2016 TREND 1: VELVET
Akris – Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini – Giorgio Armani

F/W 2016 TREND 2: CHECKMATE
Chanel – Vivienne Westwood Red Label- Marni

F/W 2016 TREND 3: ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Alexander McQueen – Moschino – Dolce & Gabbana

F/W 2016 TREND 4: BIKER GIRLS
Courrèges – Chloé – Louis Vuitton

F/W 2016 TREND 5: BEIGEMANIA
Céline – Hermès – Max Mara

F/W 2016 TREND 6: ON DUTY
Prada – Maison Martin Margiela – Miu Miu

F/W 2016 TREND 7: SHINY TRENCH COATS
Proenza Schouler – Tod’s – Burberry

F/W 2016 TREND 8: PUFF DADDY
Sacai – Balenciaga – Stella McCartney

F/W 2016 TREND 9: ’80s POWER ONE-SHOULDER
Lanvin – Saint Laurent – Isabel Marant

F/W 2016 TREND 10: CAPES
Elie Saab – Temperley London – Gucci

F/W 2016 TREND 11: BUBBLEGUM
Kenzo – Simone Rocha – Carven

F/W 2016 TREND 12: EXTRA LONG SLEEVES
Marc Jacobs – Michael Kors Collection – Vetements

F/W 2016 TREND 13: TURTLENECKS WITH ZIPPERS
Versace – Dior – Emilio Pucci

F/W 2016 TREND 14: BONDAGE
Gareth Pugh – Loewe – Alexander Wang

F/W 2016 TREND 15: LONG SCARFS
Etro – Missoni – Roberto Cavalli

F/W 2016 TREND 16: PINSTRIPE SUITING
Calvin Klein Collection – Tibi – Trussardi

F/W 2016 TREND 17: TINSEL
Marco di Vicenzo – Jeremy Scott – Emporio Armani

F/W 2016 TREND 18: FUR STOLES
Dries Van Noten – Vionnet – Givenchy

F/W 2016 TREND 19: STATEMENT FURS
Fendi – Salvatore Ferragamo – Mary Katrantzou

F/W 2016 TREND 20: MODERN NYMPHS
Alberta Ferretti – Valentino – Rodarte

While you are reading this post, I am on my way to Cuba as guest of CHANEL. I am totally excited about this trip as the Maison’s highly-anticipated Cruise 2017 collection will be presented in Havana on El Paseo del Prado upcoming Tuesday,  May 3rd, 2016.

As part of the month of the French culture in Cuba, the House of CHANEL is also presenting the exhibition “Obra en Proceso / Work in Progress” by Karl Lagerfeld at the Factoría Habana in Cuba, from April 28th to May 12th 2016. The opening reception will take place this Sunday.

This exhibition, divided into three sections representing the designer’s main interests – fashion, architecture and landscapes – brings together more than 200 of Karl Lagerfeld’s photographs. It explores the great diversity of subjects, approaches and techniques that define the very personal and subtle interpretation that makes his photography. For him, a photo is not just an image but also a unique visual object.

It’s no secret that the travel media and fashion houses are thrilled about the loosening of restrictions between Cuba and the United States. Dubbed a “trend” for Resort and S/S 2016, Cuba was the theme of other collections as well: Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler and Temperley London among others.

Stella McCartney for example transformed her Resort 2016 presentation in NYC into a Havana-inspired scene, complete with chocolate cigars, cocktails, street performers, a live band and caricatures of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.

Cassie tiered silk gown by Stella McCartney
(inspired by the Bata Cubana or traditional rumba dress)

The clothes were of course also inspired by the Cuban theme: models donned citrus-hued gowns, wildflower prints, ruffled hemlines, and even an updated version of the Bata Cubana or traditional rumba dress.

Proenza Schouler’s Resort 2016 collection also referenced the culture of the Caribbean nation, an homage that came from a recent trip to the country that designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez did. The latter is of Cuban-American origin and saw his relatives for the first time.

Drop-waist printed silk-crepe mini dress by Proenza Schouler

The collection was subtle with its references to Cuba. Ruffles and floral prints were reminiscent of the native costumes.

The vivacious spirit of Havana, Cuba underpinned also Temperley London‘s S/S16 runway collection which is filled with an exuberant sense of colour, pattern and rhythm. The mood reflects Cuba and the forbidden yet tempting fantasy of island life – its decadent cultural heritage and the nonchalant and mysterious attitude of its capital city Havana.

Arabelle wrap-effect embroidered cotton dress by Temperley London

This is a collection that encompasses day to evening in a vivacious and animated manner whilst being confident, joyful, and ultra feminine.

As internet is said to be very slow in Cuba, I hope that I will be able to post live on here on my blog and on instagram (@sandrascloset) but it is not sure. Those are the two hashtags to follow: #ChanelCruiseCuba, #FactoriaHabana.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: J Grassi/PatrickMcMullan via AP Images, Courtesy of the Brands, © Chanel

Sonia Rykiel – Proenza Schouler – Edun

Do you have OTS? No worries, it’s not a disease, OTS stands for off-the-shoulder. Those necklines are a must this S/S 2016 season and one of my favorite silhouettes. OTS tops with exaggerated sleeves amplify simple outfits while giving unique looks to them. This summer, they can be found everywhere, here are some of the best ones available now:

1 Maylin crinkled silk-georgette top by Elizabeth and James
2 Cutout silk-satin top by Tibi
3 Off-the-shoulder printed fil coupé top by See by Chloé
4 Off-the-shoulder striped cotton-poplin top by J.W.Anderson
5 Cropped velvet-trimmed crepe and basketweave top by Proenza Schouler

A great piece to create a different evening look: off-the-shoulder cropped silk-moire top by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

If you were to take a look inside your favorite fashionstia’s closet, I guarantee you would find a pair of designer espadrilles. Chanel started the comeback of the iconic classic a few seasons ago… and now they are on everyone’s shopping list. Those quintessential summer shoes look great with everything from a summer frock to cut-off shorts. Shop my picks for the chicest around below.

1 Tian leather-trimmed printed coated canvas espadrilles by Gucci
2 Python espadrilles by Proenza Schouler3 Embellished suede espadrilles by Giuseppe Zanotti
4 Printed brocade espadrilles by Dolce & Gabbana
5 Star-appliquéd leather espadrilles by Saint Laurent
6 Dreya snake-effect leather espadrilles by Jimmy Choo
7 Belgravia suede espadrilles by Aquazurra
8 Jean canvas espadrilles by Castañer
9 Woven canvas espadrilles by Manebi
10 Tweed espadrilles by Chanel

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

It’s not what designers put in but what they left out which matters this winter season. Graphic slits transform the simplest silhouette into something dramatic. Who would have thought a grey turtleneck dress could be so tempting?!

My look: Shoe lace coat by Balenciaga, cutout stretch-knit turtleneck dress with fishnet body by Proenza Schouler, So Black Kelly bag by Hermès, palladium-tone, crystal and Plexiglas® necklace and earrings, both by Miu Miu, Elizabeth high heel leather riding boots by Gucci and Double C diamond black lacquer white gold ring by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here they are: the most important trends for the S/S 2016 season. Scroll through my forecast to see which styles will be on everyone’s shopping list next season. Let’s be honest, there is nothing really new, but that is the beauty of our century. Everything is possible!

LoL, Sandra

S/S 2016 TREND 1: SWEET GIRLS
Miu Miu – Gucci – Dries Van Noten

S/S 2016 TREND 2: SLEEPWEAR
Balenciaga – Loewe – Alexander Wang

S/S 2016 TREND 3: ARM CANDY
Dior – Fendi – Céline

S/S 2016 TREND 4: OFF THE SHOULDER
Sonia Rykiel – Proenza Schouler – Edun

S/S 2016 TREND 5: ROMANTICISM
Alexander McQueen – Saint Laurent – Etro

S/S 2016 TREND 6: TRIBAL
Balmain – Prada – Valentino

S/S 2016 TREND 7: JUNGLE
Roberto Cavalli – Versace – Bottega Veneta

S/S 2016 TREND 8: TIE-DYE
Narciso Rodriguez – Altuzarra – Paco Rabanne

S/S 2016 TREND 9: FINE LINES
Salvatore Ferragamo – Stella McCartney – Tommy Hilfiger

S/S 2016 TREND 10: STARS & STRIPES
Lacoste – Marc Jacobs – Max Mara

S/S 2016 TREND 11: BOYISH OVERALLS
Louis Vuitton – Isabel Marant – Ralph Lauren Collection

S/S 2016 TREND 12: NEW DENIM
Derek Lam – Chloé – Chanel

S/S 2016 TREND 13: DISCO SPARKLE
Lanvin – Vetements – Nina Ricci

S/S 2016 TREND 14: SILVER
Victoria Beckham – Tom Ford – Courrèges

S/S 2016 TREND 15: TRANSPARENT EMOTIONS
Dolce & Gabbana – Emilio Pucci – Burberry Prorsum

Photos: Via Vogue.com

If you are going to say good-bye now to summer, then you are supposed to greet the fall in the prettiest way possible. Therefore I recommend to champion the new season’s essential over-the-knee boots – an instant look-changer whatever you are wearing. Take a high level approach to fall dressing in boots that offer extended coverage and style for days.

1 Sweet Revenge stretch-suede legging boots by Tamara Mellon
2 Embellished leather thigh boots by Saint Laurent
3 Kensington leather over-the-knee boots by Aquazzura
4 Suede and leather over-the-knee boots by Proenza Schouler
5 Doma elaphe-paneled suede over-the-knee boots by Jimmy Choo
6 Carnaby degradé-heel suede over-the-knee boots by Nicholas Kirkwood

My personal favorites are the following:

Suede thigh boots by Chloé

Suede over-the-knee boots by Saint Laurent

Stretch-lace thigh boots by Dolce & Gabbana

Which ones are your favorites?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Eclectic describes a combination of many different individual elements of styles. Speaking in fashion terms, it means that you can put together several pieces that seem odd together, but worn in one look make you stand out. Never forget to pay attention to the proportions. One of the most important things when you want to look incredibly stylish. Great news is that you can do it with the clothes in your own closet. Get going, ladies and have fun!

My look: Cropped blazer by Saint Laurent, cady top by Miu Miu, foil-paneled pleated cloqué maxi skirt by Proenza Schouler, studded sandals by Alaïa, bar cuff in rose gold by Balenciaga, Kelly So Black bag by Hermès, sunglasses «Reflected» by Dior, necklace by Chanel, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht