Louis Vuitton’s men’s ad campaign for F/W 2020 was shot by my favorite photographer on earth, Tim Walker. I adore his surrealistic approach to photography, transforming every photo in a piece of art. Below you can read about the inspiration behind the campaign and the collection imagined by the Maison’s Men’s Artistic Director Virgil Abloh.

Black Imagination: The transformative process of rethinking and overturning the inherited and often unconscious expectations tied to Black identities through history, and creating an encouraging Black consciousness for the present and the future.

The utopian idea of «Heaven on Earth» creates the framework for the Louis Vuitton F/W 2020 Men’s campaign. Photographed by Tim Walker, the images widen the collection’s surrealist lens through the metaphorical language of clouds. Applying his ongoing premise of Boyhood – seeing the world through the unspoiled eyes of a child, Virgil Abloh employs clouds as a symbol of freedom, unity and peace. Evading constraint, territory and possession, they are dreamlike bodies floating across a sky observed universally across borders and beliefs.

The title of the F/W 2020 collection, «Heaven on Earth» is an image of the core values embodied by Virgil Abloh at Louis Vuitton: a dream world that transcends prejudice as an objective to inspire inclusivity and unity-in-diversity through his work. It is underpinned by the overarching philosophy of Black Imagination and the continual imbuement of Black representation
within fashion, luxury and beyond. Shot in London, the campaign lends its platform to young creative talent from across the arts, featuring the likes of British actor Michael Ward and Ghanaian model Ottawa Kwami as part of its cast.

The collection studies the anthropology of the suit and the reprogramming of traditional dress codes. Virgil Abloh investigates the lifelong relationship formed by adolescent and young men with shirting and suiting in a material and figurative exercise in freedom, presented within the familiar constrictions of tailoring. The firm symbol of convention, trade and success, the tapered silhouette departs its corporate comfort zone. Twisted and turned, the dress codes of an old world are neutralised, re-appropriated and embraced for a progressive joie de vivre.

Isn’t it so impressive to explore how much work, inspiration and thought went into one picture.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
DISCLOSURE: This post is NOT sponsored. I just adore the photos.

As we all know, fashion trends can be difficult to keep up with. In an industry where one color, fabric or print can be crazily hot one season and totally out the next, there’s no doubt that following is no easy task. Not to worry, I am here to help you looking chic all year long! Scroll through my forecast for what styles will be on everyone’s shopping list this F/W 2014 season.

Capes, ponchos, fur, feathers and shearling, the collections are all about wrapping up against the cold. Get ready to ward off Winter’s grip in khaki hues, Sixties prints and flashes of shining gold. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

F/W 2014 TREND 1: SWEET SIXTIES
Miu Miu – Gucci – Dsquared²

F/W 2014 TREND 2: SUITS
Hermès – Christian Dior – Ralph Lauren Collection

F/W 2014 TREND 3: MILITARY KHAKI
Calvin Klein Collection – Isabel Marant – Balmain

F/W 2014 TREND 4: HEAD TO TOE KNITS
Stella McCartney – Céline – Marc Jacobs

F/W 2014 TREND 5: ARGYLE SWEATERS
Louis Vuitton – Maison Martin Margiela – Tommy Hilfiger

F/W 2014 TREND 6: FELINE
Carven – Givenchy – Sportmax

F/W 2014 TREND 7: OPTICAL ILLUSIONS
Matthew Williamson – Bottega Veneta – Dries Van Noten

F/W 2014 TREND 8: TEAM PLAYERS
Tom Ford – DKNY – Jeremy Scott

F/W 2014 TREND 9: SHEARLING
Anthony Vaccarello – Prada – Christopher Kane

F/W 2014 TREND 10: FANCY FURS
Versace – Emilio Pucci – Chloé

F/W 2014 TREND 11: PONCHOS
Roberto Cavalli – Burberry Prorsum – Etro

F/W 2014 TREND 12: CAPES
Dolce & Gabbana – Elie Saab – Valentino

F/W 2014 TREND 13: GOLDEN GIRLS
Just Cavalli – Saint Laurent – Moschino

F/W 2014 TREND 14: BIRDS
Emanuel Ungaro – Marni – Alberta Ferretti

F/W 2014 TREND 15: BLACK VELVET
Emporio Armani – Chanel – Nina Ricci

Photos: Via Style.com

Earlier you’ve seen the new H&M Fall 2012 women’s collection, now here’s a look at the men’s lookbook!

Andreas Löwenstam, H&M’s Head Menswear Designer sums it up, “The suit is the most important garment for men at H&M this fall, and it’s amazing to see how it can be worn in so many modern ways. Traditions mix with new ideas to build a new wardrobe that’s all about personal style.”

I love the suit look layered with a hoody, this adds just the right amount of coolness to the classy look! The mix of texture and colour is nicely contrasted with burgundy and bottle green, THE colours for F/W 2012. The silhouette is very ’60s. Which one is your favourite?

Key garments: The suit, turtleneck sweaters, tailored pants, chinos, cords, mid-thigh coats, the cardigan and blazers.

Key accessories: Leather brogues, leather gloves, leather weekend bags, tweed ties and bow ties, suspenders, coloured socks, 60′s glasses frames and gentlemen’s umbrella.

LoL, Sandra

Photos Lookbook: Courtesy of H&M – © Kacper Kasprzyk
Photos Showroom: © Sandra Bauknecht

This winter, there is only one way to wear your crisp white shirt: buttoned-up to the very top. The wheel of fashion is always turning. On the runways, there were lots of masculine references, the season is all about the suits. Designers are paying tribute to the working girls and to keep things demure, no more cleavage is shown. But no worries, combined with a cool pair of shorts, the look is more about sophisticated minimalism instead of looking all prude.
My favourites are the shirts with embellished collars (Miu Miu and Christopher Kane) that are now in stores.

Enjoy experimenting!

LoL, Sandra