Trending: Fair Isle Sweaters

Fair Isle sweaters (or cardigans), renowned for their intricate, multicolored patterns, have become a quintessential element of winter fashion. Originating from Fair Isle in Scotland, these sweaters have evolved from traditional knitwear to contemporary fashion staples, blending heritage with modern style.

In the 2024 winter season, Fair Isle sweaters are experiencing a significant resurgence. Fashion houses like Chloé, Thom Browne, and Polo Ralph Lauren, have incorporated them into their collections, showcasing the pattern’s versatility and timeless appeal.

Fair Isle is here to stay: Altuzarra S/S 2025

Styling Tips
• Casual Wear: Pair a Fair Isle sweater with jeans and boots for a cozy, everyday look.
• Layering: Combine with a collared shirt underneath to add a touch of sophistication.
• Festive Ensemble: Opt for sweaters featuring traditional Christmas colors or motifs to enhance the holiday spirit.

Embracing Fair Isle sweaters this Christmas not only aligns with current fashion trends but also adds a touch of traditional charm to your holiday wardrobe. Their versatility and timeless appeal make them a joyful addition to any festive ensemble.

LoL, Sandra

Fair Isle wool-blend cardiganicon by Thom Browne

 Fair Isle alpaca, merino wool and cashmere-blend sweatericon by Chloé


Fair Isle cashmere and wool-blend jacquard-knit sweatericon by Ralph Lauren Collection

Marc intarsia cashmere-blend cardiganicon by Khaite


Marty Fair Isle cotton sweatericon by Altuzarra

Fair Isle embroidered mohair-blend sweatericon by LOEWE + Suna Fujita


Fair Isle alpaca-blend sweatericon by Frame

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

My Look: Joy

Oh what a joy … sunshine on Christmas Day in Zurich and I am embracing the Fair Isle sweater trend which adds a touch of traditional charm to my holiday wardrobe.

My look: Fair Isle wool-blend cardiganicon by Thom Browne, cream white A-line wool skirticon by ValentinoIxia 95 tinsel pumpsicon, and Bon Bon Mini tinsel-embellished bucket bag, both by Jimmy Choo, shirt collaricon by Carvenred and black hair bow by Alessandra Rich, Blaze oversized cat-eye acetate sunglassesicon and gold-tone, enamel and faux pearl clip earrings, both by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

     

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Met Gala 2023

This year’s Met Gala, which celebrated the exhibition «Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,» featured plenty of full-on tributes to designer Karl Lagerfeld. From vintage designs by Karl himself to perfect tributes from rival fashion houses and paws-itively incredible Choupette interpretations, there was much to enjoy at this year’s fashion Oscars.

Always taking place on the first Monday in May, the red carpet was filled with A-listers in mostly monochrome black and white looks, with lots of references to the Camellia, plenty of pearls, a touch of tweed and thousands upon thousands of crystal embellishments. Below, I round up my favourite looks from the 2023 Met Gala with a little description why I liked them.

REFERENCES TO THE CAMELLIA

Rihanna in Valentino Haute Couture

My winner! Rihanna is always one of the best dressed Met Gala guests and she did not disappoint for 2023. A nod to the iconic CHANEL flower, Rihanna, who is pregnant and was joined by partner A$AP Rocky, chose a camellia-appliquéd cape and matching gown, both by Valentino Haute Couture.

Bad Bunny in Jacquemus

Personally speaking the strongest menswear look of the night was worn by the «Tití Me Preguntó» rapper, whose all-white Jacquemus ensemble included an ultra long floral train. Inside the jacket was a custom printed picture of Casa Malaparte taken by Lagerfeld in 1997, a nod to the designer’s photography work.

VINTAGE CHANEL

Nicole Kidman in vintage CHANEL

Telling a story with your ensemble can be beautiful, and Nicole Kidman did it by wearing the CHANEL couture gown that she had first worn in 2004 when she starred in the iconic CHANEL No. 5 fragrance advert directed by Baz Luhrmann.

Naomi Campbell in vintage CHANEL

Another Nineties supermodel Naomi Campbell nodded to Karl Lagerfeld by looking stunningly in one of his own creations, a pink satin gown with bejewelled details from CHANEL’s S/S 2010 couture collection.

Dua Lipa in CHANEL Haute Couture

The gala co-chair turned heads in a tweed CHANEL Haute Couture ballgown from 1992, that she combined with a breathtaking Tiffany & Co. set, comprised of a necklace in platinum with a diamond of over 200 carats and diamonds and a ring in platinum with diamonds of over 9 total carats. The primary diamond of this necklace was cut in the proportions of the famed Tiffany Diamond.

CREATIONS INSPIRED BY KARL LAGERFELD’S AESTHETIC FROM OTHER FASHION HOUSES

Kim Kardashian in Schiaparelli

I love this look! Kim Kardashian wore a heavily beaded custom Schiaparelli dress with thousands of pearls draped over her.

Anne Hathaway in Versace

The actress showed up in a floor-length, monochrome, tweed (a nod to CHANEL) gown, complete with Versace safety pins holding it all together. Call it CHASACE – the perfect mishmash of Versace and CHANEL.

Eddie Redmayne in Alexander McQueen

To honour the late Lagerfeld, the British actor opted for classic tailoring, but with a twist and might have set the start for a multi-brooch trend.

THE DESIGNERS WITH THE MOST KILLER LOOKS

Janelle Monáe in Thom Browne

Leave it to Them Browne for the most theatrical fashion moment at the Met Gala 2023. «Glass Onion» star Janelle Monáe wore a supersized version of CHANEL’s classic tweed jacket. Later it was followed by a high-fashion striptease, that revealed a sheer conical wireframe gown atop a black sequined, pearl-studded bikini.

Jenna Ortega in Thom Browne

With its corseted bodice, ruffled skirt and draped chains, inspired by those iconic CHANEL details, the «Wednesday» actress was half goth, and half glam, and definitely an eye-catcher.

Cardi B in Thom Browne

Another camellia reference, Cardi B nailed this trend in this billowing gown that was also inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s personal uniform.

CHOUPETTE LOVERS

Doja Cat in Oscar de la Renta

The great tribute to Lagerfeld’s cat Choupette came from Doja Cat, who wore a custom made embellished gown by Oscar de la Renta, that she topped off with cat ears on the hood, a prosthetic cat nose and claw-like nails.

Jared Leto

Telling the best tale (tail) of the night, Leto decided to pay tribute to Karl Lagerfeld’s famous Birman cat, Choupette, in a full cat costume, worth a Disney movie appearance.  However, after unmasking, he transformed into an all-black ensemble and a matching cape featuring an ornate detailing around the neckline and shoulders.

I am curious to hear which one was your favorite!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, Getty Images #ALineOfBeauty
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Met Gala 2021

The Met Gala is typically held on the first Monday in May, but this year, the event was postponed due to COVID-19 and falls right in the middle of fashion month. As Iris Apfel once said: «When we were small children, we all played dress-up and everybody had a good time, so why stop?». This is how Met Gala is for me, a huge party for everyone who loves to dress up and has never stop to indulge in fashion.

Ensemble, Christopher John Rogers (American, born 1993), F/W 2020; Courtesy Christopher John Rogers. Photo: HAPPYMONDAY / Courtesy of the Costume Institute

Also referred to as «fashion’s biggest night out,» the Met Gala is a fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This year, the Costume Institute will host its first two-part exhibition, on the theme of American fashion, during 2021 and 2022. Part one, «In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,» will open in the Anna Wintour Costume Center on September 18, 2021, and will remain on display when «In America: An Anthology of Fashion,» opens on May 5, 2022 in the period rooms of the American Wing. Both shows will run through September 5, 2022.

Below, you will find my personal selection of outfits, that I loved or didn’t like and hope you will enjoy it.

LoL, Sandra

Fashion that makes us dream – my favorite look of the gala: Iman in Harris Reed

Cracking the codes: Kim Kardashian in Balenciaga

Rihanna in Balenciaga Couture and Maria Tash jewelry and A$AP Rocky in ERL

Wild West: Jennifer Lopez in Ralph Lauren

Fitting the American theme of the upcoming exhibitions perfectly: Helen Lasichanh and Pharrell Williams in CHANEL

Sporting the American flag: Debbie Harry in and with Zac Posen

Trio infernal with an American «Statue of Liberty» touch: Sienna Miller in Gucci, Hamish Bowles in Thom Browne, and Emily Blunt in Miu Miu

Feathers were also a trending theme: Serena Williams in Gucci

One of my favorites last night: Zoë Kravitz in Saint Laurent

And another one of my favorite looks: Kendall Jenner in Givenchy

Julia Garner in Stella McCartney

Hailee Steinfeld in Iris Van Herpen

Donatella Versace in Versace

Whoopi Goldberg, Pierpaolo Piccioli and Carey Mulligan in Valentino

Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello in Michael Kors Collection

Literally eye-catching: Hunter Schafer in Prada

Gigi Hadid in Prada

A great look, but somehow not for her: Diane Kruger in Prabal Gurung and Jimmy Choo shoes

Beautiful: Emily Ratajkowski in Vera Wang

Mmh… definitely not my favorite look: Vera Wang in Vera Wang

Playing dress-up: Erykah Badu in Thom Browne

Making a statement: Cara Delevingne in Christian Dior

Flowers were a huge theme: Lili Reinhart in Christian Siriano

LOVE: Irina Shayk in Moschino

YouTuber Nikkie Tutorials (Nikkie de Jager), who came out as transgender last year, paid homage to activist and drag queen Marsha P. Johnson with this «pay it no mind» sash.

Anna Wintour wore a floral Oscar de la Renta gown.

Stunning in Oscar de la RentaKarlie Kloss and designer Wes Gordon

Billie Eilish in Oscar de la Renta. Her bombshell gown symbolizes her activism for animal rights. According to The New York Times, she agreed to work with Oscar de la Renta on the condition that the designers would no longer use fur in their pieces.

Dan Levy in Loewe

Designer Virgil Abloh in Off-White

And here comes the golden king in his amazing outfit that revealed different layers: Lil Nas X in Versace

Photos: via Vogue.com

My Look: Muse

Happy Monday to all of you! Being in quarantine made me realize once more to be grateful for every day when you wake up healthy, for every moment you can spend with someone you love. In challenging times it’s more than important to focus on positive things, work on your goals and dreams. Take time for yourself to think! Become your own muse, your own motivation, and your source of inspiration. You don’t need anyone else, just yourself. This will also help you to gain confidence and most importantly self-love which will make you shine from the inside.

My look: Monogram long sleeve fitted shirt, and Onthego MM tote, both by Louis Vuitton, pleated grosgrain-trimmed striped cotton-seersucker midi skirticon by Thom Browne, leather exaggerated-sole sneakers by Alexander McQueen, pink hair clip by Gucci, Loulou heart-shaped sunglasses by Saint Laurent, 4810 hoop earrings in pink gold with diamonds by Montblanc, Panthère de Cartier Manchette 22mm 18-karat rose gold and diamond watchicon and love bracelets, all by Cartier.

LoL, Sandraicon

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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My Look: Sylt

Greetings from Sylt! I enjoyed a wonderful long weekend with great friends. Germany’s most famous island can be best explored by bike which you can rent everywhere. Here you see me on my way to the famous beach bar Buhne 16 that is only a short ride away from Kampen. My outfit was the perfect combination for all those different activities during the day. Stay tuned for more!

My look: Jacquard-trimmed printed stretch-jersey sports braicon and matching cropped jacquard-trimmed printed stretch leggingsicon, both by Versace, cotton-poplin shirticon, all by Thom Browne, leather exaggerated-sole sneakers by Alexander McQueen, Multi Pochette Accessories in monogram canvas by Louis Vuitton and banana leaf print sunglasses by Dolce & Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

My Look: Let’s Stay Home

Let’s stay home – staying home is an act of care for our neighbours, friends, family and all the public health workers who work so tirelessly to keep us safe. However, I am of the opinion that dreams and inspiration must keep a place in our daily life, especially in such difficult times. Over the past few days, I have received some disturbing and aggressive messages from people who think I should abstain from posting «normally». Respecting other opinions is a virtue I hold dear to my heart. I would appreciate the right tone, «c’est le ton qui fait la musique».

Personally, I have a different view on it. Firstly, posting is my passion and makes me truly happy. Over the last ten years it has become my profession and pursuing it during quarantine gives me comfort, a sense of normality. My mission is to share a daily dose of fashion and lifestyle with my readers and I shall continue as long as I can. Online shopping is becoming a welcome alternative to strolling down Avenue Montaigne and frankly is a way to support our economy. If you like my outfit, just click on the highlighted descriptions to be transferred directly for more information.

Being at home gives me finally the time to write about many things I never had time for. Furthermore, I have a lot of pre-shot footage like today’s post that I am so happy to be able to post now. Why spread bad vibes if we have the chance to send each other good energy… and personally speaking, I still like to dress up as it makes me feel good. And that is the most important!

My look: Striped cotton-jersey cardigan, and matching striped cotton-jersey track pantsicon, cotton-poplin shirticon, all by Thom Browne, The Pouch small gathered leather clutchicon by Bottega Veneta, embroidered Ace sneakersicon by Gucci, and stole 140 «Cosmographia Universalis» in blue/rose/vivid yellow by Hermès (design by Jan Bajtlik).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
Location: Park Hyatt Zurich
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Met Gala 2019

Last night, my all-time favorite red carpet event took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York: the Met Gala 2019. Personally speaking, this year’s exhibition theme: «Camp: Notes on Fashion», based on an essay from 1964 by the late Susan Sonntag, delivered a bout of wild, over-the-top fashion moments. It was like a playground to dress up for all fashion aficionados.

Even the hostess went gaga: Anna Wintour in an embroidered Chanel gown with feathery cape.

If you seem confused… in this case, camp is not to be mistaken as in sleeping bags and tents, but camp as in exaggerated fashion. Sonntag’s essay, that provides the framework for the exhibition, defines camp as «love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration» and examines how the elements of irony, humor, parody, pastiche, artifice, theatricality, and exaggeration are expressed in fashion. The exhibition will be open to the public from May 9 – September 8, 2019.

This was her theme! Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell changed her outfit four times!

Co-hosted by two fashion-loving celebrities: Lady Gaga and Harry Styles and sponsored by Gucci. What do you want more?

The exhibition itself is featuring both men’s and womenswear, over 200 pieces of fashion, along with sculptures, paintings, and drawings from the 17th century through today. The works of versatile designers from Alexander McQueen to John Galliano, Rei Kawakubo to Mugler, Mary Katrantzou to Jeremy Scott, and more are featured. What I have seen so far, among the exhibited items are many pieces that also hang in my closet. I couldn’t be more proud of my collection…

Before the Hollywood royalty and fashionistas presented themselves on the red carpet in front of the Metropolitan Museum, they met in the nearby «The Mark». The hotel is the venue for Anna Wintour‘s «pre-party» of the glamorous event every year. Definitely the place to stay!

Below are my favorite looks of the night… enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

My favorite outfit! My favorite reveal! Thierry Mugler himself is back, now called Manfred, and envisioned Kim Kardashian as a California girl stepping out of the ocean, wet, dripping. This latex dress took 8 months to make and is for me a true innovation on the runway!

Reminiscent of the Gucci runway: Jared Leto with his beheaded doppelganger

OMG! To die for! Cardi B in Thom Browne

Looking sensational: Saoirse Ronan in Gucci

She looked like a young Linda Evangelista in the ’90s: Bella Hadid in Moschino.

Harry Styles in Gucci

In keeping with the evening’s theme of camp, Ezra Miller turned up with the most outstanding optical illusion. His attire? Custom Burberry by Riccardo Tisci.

All about hats: Janelle Monáe in Christian Siriano.

I love pink, I love Barbie and I love this: Multi Grammy Award-winner Kacey Musgraves channeled a true fashion icon, Barbie, in Moschino.

Colorful: Lupita Nyong’o in custom Versace and Bulgari jewelry.

Stunning Gemma Chan in and with Tom Ford. Best accessory: having the designer at your side.

Katy Perry in a chandelier dress by Moschino.

Céline Dion in Oscar de la Renta


What an entrance! Billy Porter wore a custom-made sun god outfit by New York City-based designer duo The Blonds.

Blue hair, don’t care: Lucy Boynton in Prada.

I loved this. What a Cinderella moment for Zendaya. Sporting a glowing, Disney-esque gown designed by Tommy Hilfiger, and accompanied by her stylist Law Roach who transformed with the wave of a wand Zendaya’s dress into a glowing ensemble. She even left a glass slipper.

Lily Collins opted for an ivory ruffled gown which featured a flowing train by Salvatore Ferragamo. Very ’60s – very sweetheart.

Fresh off the Couture Week runways, Hailee Steinfeld sparked in Viktor & Rolf slogan couture gown. It was a perfect match as Anna Wintour had forbidden cameras, iPhones inside the event…

This was by far my favorite Met Gala of all and I cannot wait to see the exhibition!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Vogue, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Getty Images

Halloween Pieces for the Lazy Girl in Us

Don’t want to go the whole Halloween costume hog? To be honest, I hate real costumes, it is a waste of money for me. I am not in the mood of applying fake blood and spending five hours getting all costume-ready. I always try to create something out of my closet. Pieces that are fun, honor the ocassion and can be worn all year around. So if you are like me, don’t panic about Halloween, these pieces are all you need… perfect for the lazy girl in all of us!

To shop, just click on the highlighted text. And don’t forget to scroll until the end of this post. The probably most expensive designer look inspired by Halloween is waiting for you…

Halloween-print silk scarf by Vetements

iconCaterina embellished wool-felt hat by Eugenia Kim
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Cashmere skeleton gloves by Saint Laurent


Jacquard knit skeleton sweater by Saint Laurent
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GucciGhost G-Timeless watch by Gucci
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Montana Pony clutch by Mara & Mine

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Lou crystal-embellished velvet mask by Maison Michel

Kitty leather-trimmed velvet slippers by Charlotte Olympia
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iconNight Fairy embroidered wool-blend scarf by Alexander McQueen

Queen and King skeleton earrings by Alexander McQueen
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Fringed printed silk-blend jacquard scarf by Alexander McQueen
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Reverse opening cardigan jacket in crystal skeleton embroidery by Thom Browneicon

Trouser length cardigan skirt in crystal skeleton embroidery by Thom Browne
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Perspex and crystal clip earrings by Miu Miu

Happy Halloween 2018!

LoL, Sandra

Photos/Stills: Courtesy of the Brands
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Moncler Ends Its Gamme Collections

This took me by surprise. Moncler announced that the house will discontinue its GAMME BLEU and GAMME ROUGE runway collections after the S/S 2018 season, announcing a new strategy in the coming weeks. Because of this development, they also part ways with Thom Browne and Giambattista Valli, who designed the fashionable sub-labels of the outerwear brand that has more than a $1 billion revenue per year. Browne was in charge for GAMME BLEUicon, the line for men, since 2009. Valli partnered first with Moncler in 2008 for GAMME ROUGE, the womenswear collection.

TO SHOP MONCLER GAMME BLEU FOR MEN, CLICK HERE PLEASE.
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TO SHOP MONCLER GAMME ROUGE FOR WOMEN, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Moncler is highly successful at the moment with high growth rates. This, of course, brings competitors in the game, trying to get on the gravy train as well. So, Moncler might prepare itself for a new consumer behavior, faster and more volatile.

While I was in Milan a few weeks ago, the Italian outerwear brand opened its new 800-square-metre flagship on Via Montenapoleone with a fantastic party. They even transformed the famous shopping mile into a winter wonderland and fake snow was falling from above the windows. Inside, products from their different lines, still including the Gamme collections, are presented next to each other and not divided into different departments.

I am curious to hear more about the brand’s new strategy. The wheels in fashion are turning, and obviously faster and faster…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Moncler, © Sandra Bauknecht