This winter, camel coats come never alone… Embrace the season’s must-have hue in head-to-toe looks that exude effortless ease. Sophisticated, stylish, just beautiful.

Get the look: Madame 101801 coat by Max Mara, raw-edge wool-blend skirt by Tomas Maier, Pussy-bow silk-georgette blouse by Balenciaga, Rockstud fur-felt trilby hat by Valentino, BB suede over-the-knee boots by Saint Laurent and Cahier large leather tote by Prada.

LoL, Sandra

Hermès F/W 2016

Cover: © Harper’s Bazaar, Stills: Courtesy of the Brands; Runway via Vogue.com

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” – George Bernard Shaw

Life is too short, don’t stress everyday. Leave your worries behind, go out and play!

My look: Printed ballerina blouse and wide animal print drawstring pants, both by Zara, embellished textured-leather sandals by Valentino, turquoise leather bag with fringes by Mina Vatter, Roadster watch in yellow gold with burgundy leather bracelet by Cartier, ring Mitza by Dior Haute Joaillerie, earrings by Miu Miu and beaded bracelet by Saint Laurent. Printed iPhone 6 case by Moschino.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

During the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, I had the honor to visit the Omega House in Ipanema. It’s just beautiful with different corners to explore the identity of the brand. Located in front of the famous Ipanema beach, I paid a visit to this iconic Brazilian spot. As it’s still quite dangerous, I didn’ t wear any jewelry. Don’t you think that my new dress designed by my friend from Dubai, Nadine Arton, brainchild of Glamonyou, is just perfect for Rio?

My look: Selma short dress by Nadine Arton, Blooms GG Supreme leather-trimmed printed coated-canvas shoulder bag by Gucci, Rockstud kitten heel leather pumps by Valentino and Aviator gold-tone sunglasses by Ray-Ban.

With my host Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of Omega. 

Stay tuned for more coming up from my amazing trip to Rio de Janeiro last week!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Omega and © Sandra Bauknecht
Thank you, Adriana Bavuso, for taking the pictures!

More is more, this is what the F/W 2016 season is all about! With fashion in a maximalist mood, accessories have taken center stage. On the runways, heels were high, the bijoux was stacked and layered, and the bags were furrier or came with accessories of their own. The forecast: Get ready for your most sumptuous season yet.

LoL, Sandra

F/W 2016 TREND 1: GUITAR STRAPS
Valentino – Fendi – Burberry

F/W 2016 TREND 2: DAVID BOWIE BOOTS
Maison Margiela – Marc Jacobs – Balenciaga

F/W 2016 TREND 3: STATEMENT GLOVES
Delpozo – Loewe – Rodarte

F/W 2016 TREND 4: CHOKERS
Balmain – Alexander Wang – Lanvin

F/W 2016 TREND 5: STACKED JEWELS
Gucci – Etro – Bottega Veneta

F/W 2016 TREND 6: FUR BAGS
Michael Kors Collection – Salvatore Ferragamo – Versace

F/W 2016 TREND 7: HIKING BOOTS
Rag & Bone – Louis Vuitton – Prada

F/W 2016 TREND 8: BAG ACCESSORIES
Dolce & Gabbana – Dior – Chanel

F/W 2016 TREND 9: VELVET CRUSH
Stella McCartney – Erdem – Dries Van Noten

F/W 2016 TREND 10: EMBELLISHED HEELS
Oscar de la Renta – Miu Miu – Saint Laurent

Here they are: the most important trends for the F/W 2016 season. Scroll through my forecast to see which styles will be on everyone’s shopping list next season. From statement furs to velvet everything, from extra long sleeves to oversized down jackets, the choice is yours – enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

F/W 2016 TREND 1: VELVET
Akris – Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini – Giorgio Armani

F/W 2016 TREND 2: CHECKMATE
Chanel – Vivienne Westwood Red Label- Marni

F/W 2016 TREND 3: ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Alexander McQueen – Moschino – Dolce & Gabbana

F/W 2016 TREND 4: BIKER GIRLS
Courrèges – Chloé – Louis Vuitton

F/W 2016 TREND 5: BEIGEMANIA
Céline – Hermès – Max Mara

F/W 2016 TREND 6: ON DUTY
Prada – Maison Martin Margiela – Miu Miu

F/W 2016 TREND 7: SHINY TRENCH COATS
Proenza Schouler – Tod’s – Burberry

F/W 2016 TREND 8: PUFF DADDY
Sacai – Balenciaga – Stella McCartney

F/W 2016 TREND 9: ’80s POWER ONE-SHOULDER
Lanvin – Saint Laurent – Isabel Marant

F/W 2016 TREND 10: CAPES
Elie Saab – Temperley London – Gucci

F/W 2016 TREND 11: BUBBLEGUM
Kenzo – Simone Rocha – Carven

F/W 2016 TREND 12: EXTRA LONG SLEEVES
Marc Jacobs – Michael Kors Collection – Vetements

F/W 2016 TREND 13: TURTLENECKS WITH ZIPPERS
Versace – Dior – Emilio Pucci

F/W 2016 TREND 14: BONDAGE
Gareth Pugh – Loewe – Alexander Wang

F/W 2016 TREND 15: LONG SCARFS
Etro – Missoni – Roberto Cavalli

F/W 2016 TREND 16: PINSTRIPE SUITING
Calvin Klein Collection – Tibi – Trussardi

F/W 2016 TREND 17: TINSEL
Marco di Vicenzo – Jeremy Scott – Emporio Armani

F/W 2016 TREND 18: FUR STOLES
Dries Van Noten – Vionnet – Givenchy

F/W 2016 TREND 19: STATEMENT FURS
Fendi – Salvatore Ferragamo – Mary Katrantzou

F/W 2016 TREND 20: MODERN NYMPHS
Alberta Ferretti – Valentino – Rodarte

Today, is August 1st, Swiss National Day. It has been an official national holiday since 1994, although the day had been suggested for the celebration of the foundation of the Swiss Confederacy as early as 1889. This day was chosen because August 1st 1291 was the date on which three Alpine cantons swore the oath of confederation, an act which later came to be regarded as the foundation of Switzerland.

I have been living in Switzerland now for over eleven years and I feel absolutely at home. I love the mountains, the lake of Zurich, the people, the food and of course the Swiss textiles which are famous around the world. Therefore I thought that I dedicate today to the «Swiss Dots».

«Dotted Swiss», also known as «Swiss Dot», is a sheer cotton fabric that is embellished with small dots. The dots can be applied in a number of different ways and colors. The design is said to have originated around 1750 in St. Gallen, Switzerland, which emerged as a textile center in the 15th century.

I love this fabric especially in white on long maxi dresses. In combination with red accessories, it  can take you everywhere from weekend brunch to evening events.

First collage:
1 Holzer lace-paneled fil coupé silk-voile maxi dress by Temperley London (30% off)
2 Belle Web Swiss-dot and lace silk top by Zimmermann
3 The Rockstud leather pouch by Valentino

Second collage:
4 The Garden Swiss-dot cotton maxi dress by The Great (50% off)
5 Belle Swiss-dot and lace silk midi dress by Zimmermann
6 Swiss dot tulle-paneled cable-knit sweater by REDValentino
7 Ren cutout suede sandals by Jimmy Choo

My absolute favorite of all:
Good Times lace-paneled Swiss-dot silk-georgette maxi dress by Zimmermann

To all my Swiss readers: Happy National Day!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via ZSG

Guitar straps for handbags are the new It-charm according to Fendi and Valentino. Personally speaking, I find it a great way to customize and to add a rock ‘n’ roll edge to any bag for a personalized look.

Left: ‘Enchanted Wonderland’ embroidered guitar strap and right: ‘Animalia’ embroidered guitar strap, both by Valentino

‘Strap You’ shearling stripe shoulder strap by Fendi

There are many different patterns to choose from, but they are selling out fast. So hurry and secure yours!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via Bagbliss

Timeless and elegant, V-cut pumps sit high on your foot for a glove-like silhouette that subtly gives the illusion of longer legs. This winter they are a must. Highlight their beautiful silhouette with cropped pants or pleated midi skirts.

Leather-trimmed guipure lace pumps by Valentino

Aja suede pumps by Acne Studios

Velvet pumps by Chloé

Low-cut suede pumps by Lanvin

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

In the end of last week, it was announced that Maria Grazia Chiuri had left Valentino, where she was co-creative director with partner Pierpaolo Piccioli. One day later, we knew where she would head to. It is quite breaking news: she will be the new artistic director at Dior, which marks the first woman in the fashion label’s 59 year history to take this position. Chiuri takes the place of Raf Simons who departed in October (for the previous post, click here please).

Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri take a bow after the Valentino couture show on Wednesday.

Somehow, it feels quite sad. Chiuri worked with Piccioli for 25 years, first at Fendi then behind the scenes at Valentino. In 2008, they were named creative directors in 2008 and brought the label into a new era.

Rockstud embellished leather sandals

Think of all the famous «Rockstuds» that gained a huge following… romance with a twist of coolness, that is what there collections have been made of. The Valentino sales rose constantly, in the first quarter of 2016, already by 9%.

TO SHOP VALENTINO PRE-FALL 2016, CLICK HERE PLEASE.


It is sure that LVMH, Christian Dior’s parent company, is hoping for Chiuri bringing the same success there. She beat other contenders for the highly prized job, including Alexander McQueen designer Sarah Burton and ex-Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz.
Her first ready to wear collection will take place on September 30 in Paris.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino, © Sandra Bauknecht and SIPA/REX/Shutterstock

Here’s a trend that has been taking flight for some time now: butterflies! Embroidered onto outerwear at  Valentino and stitched on a Gucci sweater, the butterfly is about everywhere this fall.

1 Butterfly embellished wool sweater by Gucci for Net-à-Porter
2 Butterfly-embroidered canvas guitar strap for handbag by Valentino
3 Fil coupé silk-blend scarf by Alexander McQueen
4 Butterfly crocodile small clutch bag by Nancy Gonzalez
5 Appliquéd stretch-suede over-the-knee boots by Valentino
6 3D Glitter Butterfly Sunglasses by Anna-Karin Karlsson
7 Chiara metallic patent-leather platform sandals by Sophia Webster

A piece of art: the embroidered cotton coat by Valentino.

I am literally dying for those appliquéd stretch-suede over-the-knee boots by Valentino, aren’t they to die for?

Many designers have seeked inspiration from the beautiful world of the butterflies for pre-fall 2016, from left to right: Gucci, Giamba, Valentino and Philipp Plein.

Are you having butterflies in your tummy now like me?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands