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
Iconic superhero characters from the world’s most popular comic books have inspired many designers, this season it is – very unexpectedly – the house of VALENTINO.
Wonder Woman Sweater by Valentino
In December 2015, the French Maison had already launched a Wonder Woman inspired small capsule collection in collaboration with Gwyneth Paltrow that was sold over her website Goop. However these 25 pieces were only the preview of a much larger selection that has been released this month.
Last Friday, you could see Italian street artist, Solo, in action, painting a mural at the brand’s Fifth Avenue New York flagship store. Great news is, that you can shop the superhero iconic pieces from now through the summer. The amazing collection – Wonder Woman Valentino — “pays tribute to all women” and features a whimsical explosion of patterns, colors and silhouettes.
And if you are not so into Wonder Woman, you can look for the Spiderman inspired pieces which are also pretty cool. I am totally sold on those fun pieces and you?
Spiderman Sweater by Valentino
It is time to be the super heroine of your own style!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Valentino
Fashionistas head to the tropics this summer with the latest Hawaiian trend. Inspired by the island’s lush landscape, the must-have pieces are decorated with palm trees and floral prints perfect for the S/S 2016 season.
1 Silk bomber jacket by Valentino
2 Monogramme fringed leather and jacquard clutch by Saint Laurent
3 Printed cotton-jersey T-shirt by Mikoh
4 Printed satin bomber jacket by Saint Laurent
5 Printed backpack by Valentino
6 Pineapple box clutch by Valentino
7 Lock Small embellished shoulder bag by Valentino
8 Palm tree earrings by Saint Laurent
At Mytheresa.com, Valentino‘s amazing Hawaiian capsule collection is exclusively available online.
It is time to get an Hawaiian shirt in style!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Mytheresa.com, Valentino, Saint Laurent and Mikoh
«Believe you can and you are halfway there.»
– Theodore Roosevelt
I wore those Chloé pieces to the PKZ party last Thursday in Zurich. You can call them already vintage as they are from 2007. Wine improves with age and some clothes do as well. I remember buying them on a trip with a girlfriend to Paris before I started my blog. I believed I could and I did. Never give up, be kind and always believe in yourself, that’s the recipe! And of course don’t be stuck, always add something new… in this case the bag and the boots.
My look: Curry colored short jacket, ruffled white blouse and jumpsuit, all by Chloé, Rockstud leather-trimmed knee boots by Valentino and Soho mini textured-leather shoulder bag by Gucci and earrings by Miu Miu.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Last picture at the PKZ event: © David Biedert Photography
Get the look: Ruffled off-the-shoulder dress by Alexander McQueen, Colorado suede sandals by Aquazzura and Rockstud leather pouch by Valentino.
A softer take on color for 2016: For the first time, the blending of two shades – Rose Quartz and Serenity are chosen as the PANTONE Color of the Year.
As consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent. Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.
Nail Polish – Bloomsbury Way Blossom by Nails Inc
The prevalent combination of Rose Quartz and Serenity also challenges traditional perceptions of color association. In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design. This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumer’s increased comfort with using color as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage.
LoL, Sandra
Ermanno Scervino S/S 2016
Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and via Pantone
Fashionistas love fashionable and oh-so practical tote bags. Whether classic or reinvented, this handbag shape should be atop your must-have accessory wish list. A keeper forever!
1 Monogramme Cabas medium leather tote by Saint Laurent
2 Bamboo Shopper medium textured-leather tote by Gucci
3 Liberty leather tote by Victoria Beckham
4 Paloma small spiked leather tote by Christian Louboutin
5 Le Dix Cabas textured-leather tote by Balenciaga
6 Intrecciato leather tote by Bottega Veneta
7 Joy medium textured-leather tote by Tod’s
8 The Rockstud medium leather tote by Valentino
My avid readers have seen me a gazillion times with my Bamboo Shopper large textured-leather tote by Gucci. I adore this bag, so practical, stylish and easy to carry. Perfect for travelling!
More than 30 years after it was introduced, it is still one of the most exclusive tote bags in the world: the Hermès Birkin Bag, a true classic.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
