Sandra‘s Closet

Stefano Pilati, creative director of Yves Saint Laurent, is responsible for the “Edition 24” collection, designed to meet the needs of a woman going on overnight trips.
It is a new attempt at travel fashion. The 24 looks are meant to be layered, mixed and put to versatile use from the airplane to boardroom, from day to evening. The leightweight, functional, stylish and timeless pieces that do not wrinkle easily are low-key, less expensive versions of the French house’s high-fashion designs. I think this is a very modern vision, a new concept of luxury, making packing –which I always hate- less work.
Below are some ideas that I put together for you.

Get your style passport!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of YSL

Being too coordinated with your outfit and make-up has not been on the so-hot-list for a long time. But with all those beautiful berry shades everywhere, it seems all natural to match your lips to your dress. Stick with timeless reds or rich, deep tones for your new style statement.
This winter, the lipstick makes its return and takes over the glossy look.

If you are a lipgloss person, I will recommend Yves Saint Laurent’s fall collection of 6 new Rouge Volupté Perle Lipsticks. This super-creamy texture with a little shimmer will be the perfect transition for you.

In case you are looking for the perfect lipstick, the best is to come this upcoming Friday, September 3rd: Christian Dior’s new collection Rouge Dior Haute Couleur created by Dior’s Creative Director for Make-up Tyen will hit the counters in Switzerland (in some countries already avalaible since last week).

There are 32 amazing shades that each has been inspired  and named after vintage Dior Haute Couture dresses and grouped conveniently into 3 colour families from Red to Coral, Pink to Lilac and finally Beige to Brown.

I was lucky to try them out before the official launch and the new formula is just divine. Two different sizes of Hyaluronic spheres plump and smooth the lips while leaving them perfectly hydrated.

Please enjoy those beautiful photos of the Christian Dior Haute Couture gowns and their matching lipsticks that left me absolutely speechless. To die for!

LoL, Sandra

786 Mauve Mystère / Mysterious Mauve

999 Rouge Ara / Ara Red

644 Rouge Blossom / Rouge Blossom

874 Prune Fantastique / Fantastic Plum

565 Rose Trafalgar / Trafalgar Pink

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

For all my male readers who have been asking for this frequently, here is my Menswear Trend Report for F/W 2010.
And Ladies, please stay tuned as you never know when this will come in handy. Your hubbies, daddies and boyfriends will love you even a little more for your fashion knowledge. Moreover the menswear trends are very similiar to the female ones. Have fun and get inspired! Even the classic pieces are definitely not boring this season…but see for yourself:

The end `50s and early `60s inspired many designers for their F/W 2010 collections. The well-tailored suit makes its return into the gentleman’s closet. Imagine Don Draper, the main character of Mad Men, shopping on Savile Row and there you go! Back to the basics, black, all shades of grey and camel welcome elegance as the new dress code.

Also back is the 3-piece suit. I like Costume National’s modern interpretation in grey worn with a turtleneck.

Anyway, turtlenecks were seen everywhere on the runways and seemed to have replaced the shirts. Those cozy pieces worn with a suit have this wonderful `70s vibe that is so up-to-date.

Camel is the new black! The camel coat has been a wardrobe staple of almost every fashionable era. This season, there are many different updated models in well-designed silhouettes, dynamic volumes and distinct cuts. A great investment for many years to come!

A vest or a jacket in velvet is a must this season. Beautiful shades make those It-pieces even more desirable.

Added to these revisited classics making them part of the modern times, were narrow tight leather or cropped pants.

The new hemline goes hand in hand with another rising trend for men. Pants were tucked into boots and it looked so hot! So guys, be brave and try it out!

If you like it more bright, you could add just a hint of colour, preferably in royal blue or a berry tone.  A little sweater like the Prada one will be a perfect eyecatcher.

Or you could opt for the total look. Tone on tone, from head to toe, dressed in the same colour family or matching fabrics give this creative concept a new take on the masculine dress code.

If it gets really cold, men will have a lot of stylish options this season. Fur was seen along with must-have shearling jackets. I adore the Burberry Prorsum ones very much.
Rustic sweaters evoking a winter sports atmosphere let us dream of after ski and evenings in the chalet.

So Gentlemen, I never want to hear again that you are indifferent to fashion! Enjoy your new look and the world will be your oyster!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

This fall, designers might have to ask for forgiveness after their fashion blasphemy on the F/W 2010 runways. So many collections evoked religion. It was hard not to think episcopally when looking at all those nun-, priest- and church-inspired looks.
Wimplelike head coverings, white collars, shoulder-covering capes, black and white combined colour combinations, and modest long skirts gave a strong impression of a Catholic convent. The long single chain necklaces brought up the image of a rosary and the drawstring belts reminded of a monk`s habit. Most designers added a goth spice to it. But see for yourself:

Take the religious symbolism with humour and not too seriously. Fashion is sometimes playing dress-up and that can be a lot of fun. So who wants to be the next sister Luke?
Audrey Hepburn looked so beautifully in The Nun`s Story 1959 and so can you. Have faith in yourself and come up with your own fashion bible! Even if it is just a cross pendant…

Your heavenly followers will gather around you.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Battle fall`s chill in the must-have fabric of the season: shearling. The natural sheepskin has been highly popular on the F/W 2010 runways and designers have come up with some pretty amazing warm and stylish fashion items from trapper hats to cozy coats. And even Hermès’s famous Kelly bag won`t be freezing this season…. love that fur version!

The It-piece of the season is definitely the cropped shearling jacket. Burberry Prorsum did best with the combination of leather and shearling for their aviator versions. These pieces with oversized collars make fashionistas drool all over the continents for their Top Gun moment.
And ladies, you will get a workout in those. They are very cozy and warm, but also sooo heavy which is actually kind of great, lifting weights and being fashionable in one! Believe me, I tried them on!

There are many models to select from this season, but not all are spectacular. The colour, the trim and the style make a world of a difference so take a peek at my pre-selection above. Those cropped shearling jackets work great with this season`s maxi skirts.

If you are petite shaped, you could get swallowed up, so toughen up the look with some tight pants and stiletto boots.

Especially luxe is shearling when fused with shoes. Ohmygod, finally I will have warm feet during winter and high heels on! Yippie!
I am so longing for those Marni clogs….

Give shearling a warm welcome!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Fall patterns took a traditional turn with highland tartans and madras checks. Plaid has continued its raison d`être as one of fashion`s favourite fabrics for F/W 2010. But this season is not about the lumberjack shirt, the designers went a little further with plaid dresses and pants, plus the absolute must-have: The kilt-inspired skirt!

If you want to work a touch of heritage-chic into your cold-weather wardrobe, I recommend starting now with those super-cool skirts below. From mini to pencil, from draped to pleated, those versions are catering for all tastes. Update your capsule wardrobe with a piece like that and you are all on for new-season cool. Prices can vary depending on the country you live in.

In case you are worried to look too preppy-back-to-school, juxtapose this classic fabric against something with a bit more edge. I put an outfit together to show you what I mean:
The classic skirt by Chloé works perfectly with a corset top and asymmetrical sweater, both by Alexander Wang. Team with a must-have cape by Stella McCartney and stocking-attached ankle boots by Givenchy and finish off your modern, sexy look with a floppy hat by YSL. This is anything but conservative!

Like I always say, keep your stuff, there will be a time that you can wear it again! My outfit is completely from previous seasons and looks very up-to-date this fall.

Plaid skirt by Gucci, leather biker jacket by Ralph Lauren Collection, red boots by Prada, bag by Chanel and hat by H&M.

There is always a time for a kilt! And you can spare the underwear…

LoL, Sandra

During the Paris Fashion week last March, they were already dangling from the editor`s shoulders: The small frame bags. This is quality in a square! Those simple and cute accessories have mostly a long strap with a 70s feel to them. Called box bags, the elegant and chic models are on the rise to become true classics if they are not already like the Constance by Hermès. Here are my favourites for F/W 2010:

A small frame bag is very comfortable and stylish to wear. If you do not want to spend too much or try it out first (believe me after years of gigantic models you have to get used to it…), H&M offers a pretty nice one.

Your back will love the new It-pieces…!

LoL, Sandra