«Vegan as a fashion statement» – Stella McCartney has been the pioneer to blend fashion with sustainability by creating shoes and bags without using animal products. The only drop of bitterness? Her designs are high-priced and not easy to afford. Inspired by the idea to offer fashion with added value at a consumer-friendly price point, my lovely friend Swiss model Bianca Gubser partnered up with Nicole Frank to launch The No Animal Brand collection.

Their designs of shoes and bags that are manufactured without using any animal products look great as you can see and are now available in Switzerland at Jelmoli Zurich. Other point of sales in Europe are going to follow soon. Below you see some impressions of the launch event in the beginning of December.

LoL, Sandra

Clifford Lilley, Raquel Marquard and Franco Savastano with me

Thank you David Biedert Photography for the lovely pictures!

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

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

Prove them wrong and follow my advice! If you have space, keep your clothes, there will always be a time for them again.

Knitwear dressing made a big comeback on the runways for the F/W 14 season and I am so happy that I have kept these S/S 2008 Prada pieces. They are so perfect for this fall.

F/W 2014: Stella McCartney – Céline – Marc Jacobs

My look: Cardigan, long knitted top and flared pants, all by Prada, wooden clogs by Miu Miu, pound printed modal and cashmere-blend scarf by Mary Katrantzou, orange colored Birkin bag and Hapi leather bracelet, both by Hermès, rose diamond necklace by Piaget and Double C diamond black lacquer white gold ring by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The new sexy look is sophisticated and ultra-feminine. Hints of lace, curve-hugging dresses and even cutouts define this season’s mature seductive mood – for the Femme Fatale in you.

My look: Caroline cutout lace dress by Stella McCartney, ‘Jane’ sandals by Saint Laurent, satin clutch and earrings, both by Prada, diamond ring and bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

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

Of all the special joys in life, the big ones and the small,
a mother’s love and tenderness is the greatest of them all.

Happy Mother’s Day 2014 to all the caring and courageous mums out there! While appreciation for any parent should be every day of the year, I still love to extra appreciate my mom on this special occasion. Dear Mama, I feel blessed to have you in my life, a true inspiration, my best friend, you’re my mother, I would have no other! I love you!

Touch your mum’s heart with a sentimental poem or gift her with a little surprise (If you have forgotten about Mother’s Day, get her a little gift online and hand her a voucher). Your mother will surely appreciate the heartfelt emotions and treasure them forever.

From left to right:
Heart-intarsia cashmere sweater by Chinti and Parker
Heart-print cotton-voile shirt by Chinti and Parker
Heart-print cutout-back bandeau swimsuit by Stella McCartney
Rose, geranium and jasmine pebble soap set by Bamford

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: net-à-porter

Last Thursday, I was invited for a beautiful evening, dedicated to fashion, aesthetics and beauty, in short FAEBAU at the Alta Aesthetica private clinic, located in Rheinfelden, east of Basel. The house, which is specialized in esthetic surgery, opened its doors in March 2012 in the former Grand Hôtel des Salines. A truly breathtaking building overlooking the Rhine. During a panel show, I was able to give an insight into my world as editor-in-chief of L’Officiel Switzerland and to share my own beauty secrets that you also find here on Sandra’s Closet.

My look: Aubine embellished satin-twill dress and Falabella crystal-embellished faux leather clutch, both by Stella McCartney, red leather boots by Prada, art deco earrings by Chanel and rose diamond ring by Piaget.

A huge thank you to Katrin Roth for the lovely panel discussion!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Uta Gruetter and © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is another outfit post from my recent trip to the US, taken on Abbot Kinnley Boulevard in Venice Beach. The weather was very weird and I didn’t see much of the Californian sun during my stay. A great place for lunch is Gjelina, a place worth its hype. Even that I am not a vegetarian, I do love my veggies and their kale salad is to die for.

My look: Wool-blend jacquard coat (fabric inspired by children’s wallpaper) by Miu Miu, two-tone stretch-jersey contour dress by Stella McCartney, Bamboo leather tote by Gucci, suede booties by Saint Laurent, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline, rose diamond ring and Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht