What are the trends for F/W 2020? The world has changed so much in the last months and we might not find all of the looks suitable for our current situation. I have waited such a long time with this report as I was quite nostalgic about it. Personally speaking, F/W 2020 might have been the last real fashion month as I used to know it. Due to the current pandemic, the S/S 2021 presentations were mostly virtual or with not many guests. I was in Milan and Paris but it felt very different from before.

Read on to see the most influential trends from the F/W 2020 runways and let’s dream of better times. Most of the looks are in stores now.

LoL, Sandra

The leitmotif of the season, strong shoulders are making their big comeback. Triangular shapes now reign supreme, for a truly on-point look.

With a season steeped in romantic influences, frills are enough to make any silhouette pretty.

The tasseled trim was given an elevated touch on the runway this season.

When it comes to equine-inspired fashion, we’re seeing less western, and more lady-like horse girls wearing sophisticated prints and equestrian caps.

Altogether, a vast and varied geometry of hypnotic checks makes a lasting impression and ticks all the boxes of a preppy season profile.

What the tailored shorts suit was for spring, the skirted version is for fall.

Collegiate sweaters, navy blazers, as well as stripes and checks, there’s a newfound appreciation for classic Americana style and the preppiness that comes with it.

Who says certain colors don’t go together? Certainly not the on-trend designers this season. The message is make it pop!

Dressing up like little girls that is what this trend is all about.

The ultra-sexy look, in every form possible, is holding up strong with exposed lingerie that simultaneously advocates luxurious seduction and a desire to reveal the unknown.

Black leather is making an unapologetic comeback. Think of of Keanu Reeves in The Matrix and go for your personal gothic, ’90s revival.

This fall, it is time to unleash your fetish side! Vinyl is the material that will keep you warm and others hot…

More than a trend… a recurrence. What’s new for winter? An all-over, utterly bourgeois allure.

Chic elegance with a folky twist, the bohemian attitude has been truly on the rise since many seasons.

Most fashion houses stopped using real fur, the only exception: shearling which was seen on many fall runways, preferably with a shaggy texture. Also available as fake fur.

Time to start practicing your victory rolls, because the ’40s are back.

Shine bright in silver. Opt for mesh, lamé, crystals or rhinestones.

Contemporary cutouts were revealed as the new way to wear the not-so-barely-there look at night.

Designers usher in a new twist on the bulbous silhouette, that we know from the ’80s.

The universally short-in-front, long-in-back is having a major moment in the form of dresses and gowns.

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

I told you already about my obsession with Ellery‘s playful to-die-for kick-flare trousers that billow out in a way that’s reminiscent of a mermaid tail. Now, you see me wearing them in combination with some more ruffles, a huge trend for S/S 2017.

My look: Ruffled silk chiffon cropped top by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, Alejandro ruffled-panel cropped jeans by Ellery, 2.55 quilted bag with attached hanger and shiny black and gold sunglasses, both by Chanel, logo detail heel pumps by Saint Laurent, Essential V sautoir necklace and Petite Malle iPhone 7 cover, both by Louis Vuitton, lace bra by Agent Provocateur and wide band in metal by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

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

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

My avid readers know how much I adore Alessandra Rich‘s designs. Her gowns are feminine and sophisticated with an edgy and ironic slant, for me my favorites on the red carpet.

After the Italian born designer had officially launched her eponymous label with her S/S 2010 collection, she has fast become a name synonymous with defined glamour loved by celebrities around the globe. She works from a showroom in London’s Mount Street, where I visited her to get her insider scoop on the British metropole, and an atelier close to Venice. In everyone of her collections, she shows her unique skill for making the elaborate fabrics of lace, ruffles and this S/S 2015 season fringes appear modern and extremely special.

Your favourite city?
LONDON. It’s where I spend my best time.

Your favourite hotel?
CLARIDGE’S, because it’s a classic.
49 Brook Street, London W1K 4HR, +44 20 7629 8860

Your favourite restaurant?
SCOTT’S, I love their oysters.
20 Mount Street, London W1K 2HE, +44 20 7495 7309

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
CONNAUGHT BAR. Perfect for a drink with friends.
The Connaught, Carlos Place, London, W1K 2AL, +44 20 7499 7070

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE. It‘s an intense experience.
Bow St, London WC2E 9DD, +44 20 7240 1200

Your favourite park?
HYDE PARK. It’s just around the corner from my office.
+44 300 061 2000

Your favourite shop?
VIRGINIA ANTIQUES on Portland Road. This vintage and second hand clothing shop is a Pandora’s vase.
98 Portland Road, Holland Park, London W11 4LQ, +44 20 7727 9908

Your must-have accessory?
RED NAILS. I always wear Lollipop by Essie.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
Anything from LED ZEPPELIN or PINK FLOYD.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
WALLPAPER CITY GUIDE LONDON To have smart tips about the city.

Thank you, Alessandra, for sharing your insider scoop on London with us!

TO SHOP ALESSANDRA RICH, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Olivia Palermo in a fringed lace gown from Alessandra Rich‘s S/S 2015 collection.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © AP Images

I admit, I love pink and I have never outgrown my love for Barbie. Sometimes, it happens and I take a crazy dose of pink as recently at the dinner with Harrison Ford at the Tommy Hilfiger store in Zurich.

My look: Fuchsia marabou jacket by Emilio Pucci, pink ruffled silk-mikado mini dress by Moschino by Moschino, De Manta brocade clutch by Alexander McQueen, lace pumps and Mitza ring, both by Christian Dior, Twenties stay-up by Wolford and Love gold-tone necklace by Lanvin.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Personally speaking, there hasn’t been one collection, Mary Katrantzou hasn’t amazed me with. This season has been no different. For the motif mistress, footwear prints walk a fine line between fashion and art. For S/S 2014, she was inspired by every woman’s love for shoes for her signature digital prints.

The collection’s evening looks were absolutely divine, and heavenly embroidered by the House of Lesage in Paris with which Mary had been working before already. Think ruffles, empire and baby doll cuts. Nothing for the shy! I am loving it!

Great news: YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO PRE-ORDER THE MARY KATRANTZOU S/S 2014 COLLECTION STRAIGHT OF THE RUNWAY FOR THE NEXT 6 DAYS BY CLICKING HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mary Katrantzou, Style.com, © Getty Images

This morning, I attended the Omega press conference in the presence of Nicole Kidman that I will show you very soon. It was freezing cold today in Vienna so that I didn’t feel like being outside for too long. In the afternoon, I took a “Fiaker”, a horse carriage, to the city’s iconic Sacher hotel to treat myself to the probably most famous chocolate cake in the world: Original Sacher-Torte.

Its story began in 1832, when it was created by a 16 year old apprentice in his second year, Franz Sacher, for Wenzel Clemens Prince Metternich, the chancellor of Austria. The head chef was ill and not able to fulfill the important order so that the teenaged Franz Sacher had to invent something on the spot. That was the day when the victorious career of the renowned Austrian dessert composition began…

The basis is a chocolate cake, thinly coated by hand with best-quality apricot jam. The chocolate icing on top of it is the crowning glory. You can order it online here.

My look: Python-print down jacket by Roberto Cavalli, red knit dress with chiffon ruffles and black scarf with gold threads, both by Gucci, boots by Balmain and my beloved leather tote by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Start the season on the right foot with an all-white outfit. The non-colour has been seen head-to-toe on many S/S 2013 runways. But don’t think that you can stay with your average white cotton shirt that has been hanging forever in your closet. This summer, it is all about ruffles, laser-cut holes, panels, and stripes.

Slice and dice! Chloé has some of the most beautiful looks for summer and the house’s designer Claire Waight Keller spared no expense to come up with some gorgeous details. What might normally be just another ordinary crisp white jacket was sliced at the sleeves to give it a major point of difference.

Inspired by the Mercedes-Benz fashion film in which Karlie Kloss looks stunning in an all-white look from Chloé, here are some of the best pieces available at the moment. Sure investments in a season of style!

1 Appliquéd cotton-blend lace skirt

2 Drape-detailed cotton-jersey top
3 Woven panama blazer
4 Open-knit cotton-blend sweater

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz and via style.com

After you have seen the H&M Fall 2012 lookbooks for women and men, you might be interested in exploring what is coming up for the little ones.

For kids, it is, of course, all about colour and comfy materials. For girls, my favourite is the Dalmatian knit dress and for boys, those blue high-top sneakers. A very cute collection!
But everything small looks sweet, doesn’t it?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht