A simple truth is that I like summer much better than winter and that I still remember those warm days I had in December when I I flew to Mauritius and stayed at the new beautiful LUX* Belle Mare resort. Even that it was raining most of the time, I could still wear something light.

My look: White lace embroidered slip dress by Thakoon, Rodizio clutch by Mary Katrantzou, Alice leather sandals with pearls by Saint Laurent, Amulette necklace by Cartier, candy necklace by Chanel, Tiffany T bracelet in rose gold by Tiffany & Co. and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

Speaking of which, while you are reading this post, I am on my way to sunny Los Angeles…
stay tuned for more.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

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

Sunday afternoon, Thakoon Panichgul showed his S/S 2014 collection, which was soft, delicate and very feminine. A lot of all in white looks, something that I have spotted quite often during the last days at New York Fashion Week.

I have especially adored the long pearl chains on Thakoon’s bags, created in collaboration with the Japanese jewelry company Tasaki, with whom Panichgul has a long-running partnership. Before the show started, I was able to explore the collection backstage. Funnily enough, I arrived with Anna Wintour at the same time.

It was great to see Thakoon again whom I had met for the first time in London at the Net-à-porter headquarters two years ago (For the previous post, please click here).

Lead Artist Diane Kendal for NARS Cosmetics created a look that was ”all about a beautiful fresh look for spring.” A little bit of spot concealing, she worked mainly with the new three matte multiples that will be newly launched for Spring 2014. So beauty addicts, it is time to get excited!

FACE: Sheer Glow Foundation
NEW Anguilla Matte Multiple (Launching Spring 2014)
NEW Cappadoce Matte Multiple (Launching Spring 2014)

EYES: Larger Than Life® Lengthening Mascara

BROWS: Bali Eyeshadow

LIPS: NEW Laos Matte Multiple (Launching Spring 2014)

Stay tuned for more from New York Fashion Week coming up soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Style.com

Get a taste of India with one of the season’s more vibrant collaborations, the designer Thakoon Panichgul of Thakoon has made a limited-edition series of six lacquers for Nars, who did the beauty look for his show, based on the brights from his S/S 2012 runway. “The prints in that collection were inspired by the rich color palette of India, the spices, the holy festivals,” Panichgul says. Please click here to shop Thakoon’s beautiful S/S 2012 collection and here for more  information on the designer.

Those new bold nail polishes shades are the perfect choice for your colourful statement in the new season.

From left to right: Anardana (azalee rosa), Ratin Jot (orchid lilac), Amchoor (yellow), Kutki (light blue), Koliary (cyan blue)

The gorgeous shades will be available this month for CHF 32.- each. But there is one exception:

Lal Mirchi (mandarin red) will only be available at NARS, 413 Bleecker Street in New York City.

On my nails: Kutki, my favourite shade of the collection. Light blue and turquoise are the must-have colours for your summer manicure!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Nars and Thakoon, © Sandra Bauknecht

Luisa Via Roma’s Firenze4Ever is just amazing. After having been invited for the third time, it feels like visiting old friends. Last night we had dinner at the church Chiesa di Santo Stefano al Ponte which is deconsecrated to make something like this possible. What an atmosphere! A gigantic festive table was waiting with thousands of candles lightening the inside of the church. Please enjoy my photos of last night and all those familiar faces!

Wonderful Laudomia Pucci with me. Remember my interview that I did with her at the last Firenze4Ever. If not, please click here.

From left to right: Andy from Style Scrapbook, shoe designer Diego Dolcini, Laudomia Pucci, Chiara from The Blonde Salad and me

From left to right: Famous Bryan Boy (love him), me, Rumy from Fashiontoast and Tina from Bagsnob…

…looking so stylish in her striped woven dress by Thakoon.

My look: Panther-print dress and clutch by Givenchy, studded suede platform sandals
by Yves Saint Laurent, watch by Roger Dubuis and bangle by Stella McCartney.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Sian Oflaherty, Sandra Bauknecht © Sandra Bauknecht

For the third year in a row, the world’s biggest after-hours shopping extravaganza will transform New York City and many other big cities into a shopper’s paradise. Last year, I went to London to celebrate Fashion’s Night Out, this year I will be in NYC. If you are there like me, I recommend getting the Fashion’s Night Out official app for iPhone and Android.

Whether you are headed uptown or down, Brooklyn or Queens, the new app will help you map out exactly where to go to find the hottest fashions, while mingling with your favourite designers, celebrities and industry insiders. You can shop the FNO collection on the go, and share your list of favourite events with your friends. Don’t miss out on being a part of the best fashion party ever and don’t forget to get your hands on the Chanel nail polishes.

Unfortunately, Zurich hasn’t participated in the fun yet, but this year Laurence Antiglio came up with an idea. Her shop Vestibule will celebrate its own Fashion’s Night Out with late shopping until 10.30pm, 10% discount that night and many more exciting things, like drinks and surprises by Aesop. A great way of exploring the new fall collections of designers like Thakoon, Tsumori Chisato, Rochas, Dolfie, Venessa Arizaga and Olympia Le Tan.

Cannot wait…

LoL, Sandra

Yesterday in New York City, influencers from the worlds of fashion, art, philanthrophy, business and entertainement came together like last year at Christie’s Bid to Save the Earth. After a live auction, the Runway to Green fashion show took place that must have accelerated every fashionista’s heart. The pieces on the catwalk from over 25 designers including Prada, Gucci, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Thakoon and many more were from the upcoming F/W 2011 collections.

Now, those must-haves are available on net-à-porter, but only on the US site. No worries, my dear European and Asian readers, they also ship to us. A minimum of 10% of net-proceeds from the sale of each item will benefit Alliance of Climate Protection, Natural Resource Defense Council and United Nations Environmental Programme’s Billion Tree Campaign. Shopping for a good cause and your chance to be the first to wear a stunning piece from the next season. Do I need to say more..?!
Ready, set, go!

LoL, Sandra

This week, I flew to London to meet very talented designer Thakoon Panichgul. He was in town for a very intimate trunk show and presented his amazing F/W 2011 collection in the Net-à-porter offices to his very loyal long-standing English customers.

The Thai-born, Omaha-raised designer who is based today in New York has been an early forerunner of mismatched prints. For him, it is all about the silhouette, about a certain nonchalance, a modern and sporty way to interpret couture. He has a talent for intricate detail and loves to play with construction.

I had a really nice conversation with him. Thakoon is such a lovely guy. He told me that his passion for fashion started at a very early age because his mom and grandma were both seamstresses. He started his career first in production, then merchandising for J.Crew. Later on, he spent four years as a writer and editor for Harper’s Bazaar and took courses at Parsons School of Design. He also earned a business degree at Boston University. I would call this a very profound foundation to start a successful company which he did in September 2004. He has quickly become a shooting star to emerge from the New York fashion scene.

His fan base is huge. Hollywood celebrities like Jessica Biel or Drew Barrymore and  fashion A-listers like Sienna Miller belong to it. His probably biggest supporter is Michelle Obama. America’s First Lady is often seen in Thakoon’s designs.

Thakoon thanked Natalie Massanet for giving him a voice. He explained: „First I did five pieces and thought it was a collection. Net-à-porter bought all of them and has been so supportive since then.“

Natalie Massanet answered: „We are all about great products!“
The founder of the well-known online platform Net-à-porter was like me crazy for the gorgeous sleeveless blazer in yellow and black.

Thakoon’s collection for F/W 2011 reminded me of Marie Antoinette as an African tribal warrior.
The designer kept the juxtapositions going in all ways. A long-in-back ball skirt worn with a checked puffy coat was among my favourite looks. See below some of the best looks. The pieces were a little big on me as they were the sample sizes.

Please click here to shop Thakoon’s beautiful collection.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Versus S/S 2011

Designers explored a new erogenous zone for S/S 2011: The waistline. Other body parts weren’t safe from exposure either.

With the help of cutouts, they played with detailing and the sexy allure. From small ones on the collarbone, stomach and bust that were seen at Versus to big, strategic cutouts accentuating the waist found on Salvatore Ferragamo’s dresses.

Salvatore Ferragamo S/S 2011

As it seems to be a sticky trend, we better start to work out.
Cutouts work only well on toned girls…

LoL, Sandra

Let`s travel further in time. A breeze from the `70s floated over the F/W 2010 runways when the designers brought the more sophisticated aspects of this decade`s fashion into the now. Indulging in reminiscences of young Jane Birkin, Bianca Jagger and Veruschka, nonchalance, luxe and subtlety are the catchwords fall embraces.

Camel is the colour of the season followed by a palette of browns, nudes, and greys.

The ever-stylish shade makes a great fashion statement in combination with the must-have outerwear this season, the cape.

I love the cape by H&M to the right.

Cut more generously than a coat, the dashing alternative allows more freedom of movement and works much better over shoulder embellishments and mutton sleeves.
It was a veritable explosion of fur on the runways so there is no need to shy away from those ueberluxe pieces. The soft cocoon embrace of a voluminous real or faux fur jacket (or vest) will be irresistible this winter.

As the mood is casual luxe for daywear, redefine power-dressing in buttery silk blouses with tie collars.

When it comes to trousers, opt for sleek or wide leg ones with a minimalist edge. Razor-sharp slimline Gucci pants or immaculately tailored like the ones by YSL are among my favourites. Naturally worn with a cashmere turtleneck, they are the most figure flattering throwback to `70s style.

Booties by H&M

To complement the look, you will have to tie the knot with a pair of lace up booties. They are must-haves for every shoeaholic.

Synonymous with luxe seventies style are the long-handled drawstring bucket bags. So no wonder they have made a much-welcome appearance.

Another bestseller will be the remake of Gucci`s 1973 line. Available in nappa, suede and exotic leathers like crocodile and ostrich, those bags are classic and beautiful enough to be safe investment pieces.

Hat by H&M, Stills: Courtesy of H&M

If you really want to get a head start on the boho wardrobe, look for a floppy hat or a knitted beanie.

You do not need to go overboard. Enjoy your fashion moments in traditional, timeless essentials and the overall effect will be more post seventies luxe than vintage hippie.

LoL, Sandra