To conclude my Gucci adventure in Italy, I would like to share those fun pics of the other bloggers who were also part of Gucci’s 16 handpicked style bloggers participating. Most of us knew each other before, so it felt like going on a trip with old friends.
Betty (Le Blog de Betty) from Paris with me at the Sheraton Diana Majestic hotel in Milan where the Gucci show took place.
Her nails were from the Lady Gaga workshop at Barneys in NYC.
Those feather cuffs are from Topshop and she put them over her leather jacket, love it!
This is American-born Misha from Tokyo (Tokyo Fashion Diaries) who loves wigs. I adore her crazy and eclectic style.
On her colourful nails were little pumpkins painted that actually looked like the Vivienne Westwood logo.
Outside the Gucci show with Tina (Bagsnob) from Dallas and famous Bryan Boy.
You know that already, I love him!
Tina with Ingrid (The Bag Hag Diaries) who carried the amazing Céline python box bag in neon yellow (remember my fluo pink version?) and me before the show.
Outside the Gucci manufacture: Lovely Emily (Fashion Foie Gras) from London with Tina (Bagsnob) and me.
Tina got all excited seeing how her new 1970 Gucci bag is made.
Sexy back!
My vintage Gucci bag.
At the Gucci Museo: Misha looked like being part of the installation at the museum’s contemporary art space.
I truly enjoyed the whole trip! And I hope that you did, too…
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Looking outside, it is truly sweater weather! And this season, it is official, the cheesy holiday jumper got a style upgrade. Suddenly, all that we want are reindeers, snowflakes and jacquards. My favourite are Moschino’s penguins.
1 Penguin intarsia wool sweater 
by Moschino
2 Cropped wool-blend jacquard sweater by Alexander Wang
3 Fair Isle neon wool-blend sweater by Juicy Couture
4 Fair Isle knitted cotton sweater by Jonathan Saunders
5 Snowman intarsia wool sweater by Moschino
6 Snowflake sequined merino wool sweater by Markus Lupfer
7 Firgrove intarsia wool and alpaca-blend sweater by Aubin & Wills
8 Chunky-knit Fair Isle sweater by J.Crew
9 Polar bear intarsia wool and alpaca-blend sweater by Stella McCartney
Stylist Carolin Sieber rocks this trend by combining her Topshop sweater with a leather mini and Chanel booties. Get cozy for Christmas!
LoL, Sandra
Photo: © Mr Newton for Harper’s Bazaar
Since May 2007, Kate Moss had designed thirteen times in a row for Topshop. But all good things come to an end and so her fourteenth collection for the fast-fashion chain will be her last and probably her best. The amazing pieces with Kate’s so famous bohemian chic plus a vintage-inspired jewelry range will go on sale November 2nd.
In honour of the big success, there will be also the “Kate Iconic“, a capsule collection of the ten most popular designs of the last years, like the must-have one-shoulder dress above.
I am in love with the supermodel’s style and you?
LoL, Sandra
Feathers are a trend that seems to be always there. For F/W 2010 designers showed that fine feathers make fine birds. From beautiful marabou plumes to ostrich feathers, the creations were versatile. Being dressed in full feathers stands for a certain glamourous allure.
So Ladies, start looking for your feathers of prey:
A marabou jacket or cape is a piece for eternity. It adds the right amount of sophistication to every evening outfit or ball gown. I especially adore the ones from Balmain this season and would opt for a colourful piece.
The Gucci dress from the F/W 2010 runway collection is a smart choice as it comes with a removable feather-trimmed bolero.
In case you do not like to ruffle your feathers, I recommend a feather print or just a little detail like the ostrich-trimmed satin bag by Lanvin.
For F/W 2010, the possibilities are numerous. If you turn up your glam factor, you will surely not be shedding feathers.
And good news is, the feather trend is going to stay for S/S 2011. So those pieces are definitely great investments.
Ladies, it is time to adorn yourselves with borrowed plumes!
LoL, Sandra
So long, miniskirts! Say hello to longer hemlines as they swing their way back into our closets this fall.
Interesting to know is the hemline theory which says that when hemlines go up, it is a sign that stock prices rise. When the knees are seen, it is a bull market. When the skirts get longer, it is a bear market, and prices will fall. Is the longer hemline an indicator for a global recession? Can fashion explain today’s erratic swings in the stock market? Will see…
Probably the reason is that during bad economy, ladies do not want to spend their money on cellulite cream and hair removal. The longer hemline works then to their advantage and so the theory would be correct.
During F/W 2010 fashion weeks last spring, editors were almost tripping on their skirts, taking boho to the max and they were absolutey right.
Inside on the runways, the long skirts made their comeback to daily life, from floor-sweeping to still showing a bit of leg, but most importantly keeping it well below the knee.
Above, you will see my pre-selection of gorgeous long skirts that are all available at the moment.
Love this look: Skirt and scarf by LOUIS VUITTON, worn with a coat by CELINE, a belt by HERMES and boots by FENDI. Photo by Phil Poynter for German Vogue September 2010.
If you go for the trend, I will recommend pairing it with a cropped jacket, tucked in blouse or a belted-top for a nice silhouette. Especially if you are small-framed, you have to make sure that you are not swallowed by the floor grazing skirt. If you like you can also opt for the “Olsen Twins look” with a long knitted cardigan on top, but still try to get the proportions right.
I hope that you have enjoyed seeing the economy through the eyes of a fashionista!
LoL, Sandra
A dear subscriber of Sandra`s Closet asked for help. She is going to a wedding which will take place in a beautiful garden of a winery in Napa, California and wants to look stunning. Her request was that the outfit should be around $1000.- max.
I put some gorgeous styles together in different colour combinations. Let’s start with something classy in beige and gold for approximately $800.-. Contrast the polished look with a pair of cut-out booties and a hat for an über-stylish statement. (Dress by Karen Millen).
Soft pink is an exquisite colour to wear for a wedding party. The shift dress by D&G Dolce & Gabbana is a fabulously feminine choice. Complement the delicate pastel tone with suede pumps and a golden clutch.
The pochette by Anya Hindmarch is a little pricey at 525.- but an investment piece for many occassions to come.
I totally adore the hat clip for only $10.-. This modern and stylish take on the traditional wedding accessory will make you stand out of the crowd.
A contemporary choice for day and night is this purple halterneck dress for $355.- by Halston Heritage. The brand carries a lot of gorgeous dresses for less money.
Cinch this sculpted style at the waist with the self-tie belt and wear it with understated jewelry and strappy sandals for first class cocktail chic. A feather hair clip for only $27.- could give you that Blair Waldorf attitude. The whole outfit is $745.-. You can add a stylish leopard cardigan for $350.- if it gets chilly.
I love this vibrant asymmetric dress by Halston Heritage. The bright hue will look awesome on brunettes and dark haired ladies. Sharpen the playful rose detail with stunning lace booties and a beaded clutch. Bangles are always a fabulous finish. The complete look is without the jewelry around $850.-.
But careful, it is hard not to steal the show in those gorgeous outfits.
To a great wedding party!
LoL, Sandra
Thanks to the remaining lingerie trend, lace is the connecting thread from boudoir to the office to the dance floor. The most oustanding lace designs were seen on the F/W 2010 runways with black being the dominant colour. The return of womanhood is one of the biggest themes this season and the delicate, sensual fabric is the perfect addition. It makes women feel and look very ladylike and sexy.
No worries, it does not mean that you need to go half-naked. Inject new season`s attitude into your wardrobe with just one ultra-feminine piece. A lace blazer like the D&G one for example makes a fabulous addition to your basics collection. Combine it with a pair of jeans for instant cool chic.
Those lace dresses are cut to create a defined silhouette and will make heads turn after you. These elegant cocktail and black tie pieces are an investment in timeless style. Wear one thing lace and accessorize minimally.
Accessories are always a great way to make a fashion statement. But just one or two at a time, do not overdo the lace addition. Too much is too much!
Stockings, leggings or gloves in the trend material are super hot. I am crazy for the handmade cuffs by Aurélie Biderman. They are made of vintage lace dipped in blackened silver or gold. So beautiful!
LoL, Sandra
Me in the Haight area wearing black leggings by BLUMARINE, military shirt by BALMAIN, top and pink-khaki scarf by LOUIS VUITTON and suede clogs by MIU MIU
Last week, I spent a few days in San Francisco. Haight Ashbury is the famous intersection in the area that gets its notoriety from the “psychedelic” culture and the 1968 “Summer of Love”. Today, you can still feel the hippie vibe with its fragments of flower-power.
When I was walking around the district, I got so inspired by the gorgeous bright coloured houses, so-called Painted Ladies. The term refers to Victorian and Edwardian buildings painted in three or more colours that embellish their architectural features.
Adopting that idea and transferring it to fashion, I styled some beautiful outfits in different colour combinations. You will see how stunning some shades can look together. Most people tend to wear a more neutral palette along with black. There is nothing against this. But today, I want to challenge you a bit and demonstrate how wonderful a little mix with some bolder tones can appear without looking like a clown.
It is again all about that special twist. Carrie in Sex and the City might be the perfect example: Patricia Field, the show`s stylist, opts very often for something that looks kind of strange in the beginning, but then so surprising and interesting that you cannot take your eyes of it.
Experiment with your own style! That is the thing that is so hard to copy and will earn you lots of admiring glances.
Spare for a little hug?
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Probably you are a little like me. I am always very fast in buying fashion for the next season. So I do not mind starting to get my summer clothes in December. But there is one thing that is always fairly traumatic for me: Trying on a bikini in January when I am all pale in the fluorescent lights of a small dressing room. Somehow those mirrors do not seem to flatter anyone and have the magical power to eliminate the highest self-esteem. They should serve a mandatory glass of champagne to anyone swimsuit shopping when the temperature outside is freezing cold.
Therefore I always wait until the last minute when I am already a little tanned to get my bathing apparel. Probably online shopping is anyway the best way to go.
This year, my object of desire is a monokini, a bikini with fabric linking the bottom and top. The absolute must-have this summer! You could also name it a cutout swimsuit. Reminding me of the 80s, it looks so stylish and surprisingly modern. My favourite is the printed one by Emilio Pucci. The only disadvantage is the pattern that the crisscrossing panel is going to leave on your skin…
LoL, Sandra
It is the meterological beginning of summer today. Let`s leave it like that. Probably we can convince the sun to come out with this stunning look for less money. It is an exciting mix of plaid and print having that certain something.
The modern bustier dress emphasises the feminine figure and is marked down already at $35.50. You can keep the picture sweet with a heart printed boyfriend jacket, available at Topshop for £55.-. Another shot of colour like the red hot bag for approximately $65.- adds lightness and joie de vivre. The mint green shoes by Charlotte Olympia are a real splurge but so worth it, my advice wait for the sale that will start very soon.
OPI`s glitter nail polish with little hearts would match the look perfectly “Heart to Resist”
Do not forget it is all about that special twist. Sometimes the oddest ideas boast the best combinations.
Be brave and punch the air!
LoL, Sandra
