Kick-start with a high-voltage dress by Diane von Furstenberg. Maxi lengths are a laid-back way to work shimmering sequins for day – finish with Musa’s decorative sandals. After dark, look to master craftsman Vineet Bahl, the upcoming Indian designer. His beautifully embellished gowns are perfect for sultry nights.

Diane von Furstenberg

Next up, Diane von Furstenberg’s graphic summer collection ticks two trends in one – power prints and ladylike cuts. Whether you go for a demure knee-length dress or pair up your prints in a contrasting top and skirt, channel the runway girls and keep hair and makeup fuss free.

Christian Louboutin

When it comes to accessories, have fun and experiment. Do the bold shoulder with Christian Louboutin’s Artemis bag – the editors’ favorite and this year’s must-have.

Victoria Beckham

And don’t forget to update your sunglasses. Victoria Beckham’s oversized frames will lend a fashion-forward edge to any outfit.

This season’s style rule for jewelry? More is more. Hervé van der Straeten is the new need-to-know name. The Parisian jeweler’s sculptural gold cuffs are the perfect partner to neutral tailoring. Semi-precious stones also take a starring role: Rosantica’s lapis lazuli collar necklace or Erickson Beamon’s colour-pop pieces will instantly dress up a simple tee and blazer.

Dive into swimwear in the latest ready-to-wear one-piece – it’s not just for the beach! Be inspired by the Peter Pilotto runway and choose a sporty style for day, finished with a dramatic full skirt and heels.

Zimmermann

Or perfect your poolside pose in bloom-adorned swimsuit by Australian label Zimmermann.

Tara Matthews

As the sun sets, switch effortlessly from pool to bar in Tara Matthews’ stylish cover-up, exclusive to NET-A-PORTER.

Paloma Barcelò

Complete the look with candy-striped wedges by Spanish shoe label Paloma Barcelò.

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Prada presents, for the occasion of the exhibition at the New York Metropolitan Museum, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, a special re-edition collection of some of the bags that marked the brand’s history.

Timeless pieces and collectors’ items, the bags are reproduced in their original versions and will go on sale exclusively in New York. 
This stylish timeline incorporates the years 1991-2005.

The design exhibition layout starts with the silk satin bag from 1991 and goes through the Savoy logo branded on brushed leather from 2005 via the Holliday and Brown prints from 2003.

Re-edition silk bag, 1991

Re-edition bag with Holliday and Brown print, 2003

Re-edition brushed leather bag, 2005

Thank you, Prada, for this idea! No need for me to fly to New York to get my hands on those re-editions, I just had to look through my closet and explore my own archive from 1991-2005. Thank God, I have kept all these bags. Now, my closet is filled with many “new” pieces.
What a lovely surprise!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada and © Sandra Bauknecht

Tomorrow, May 14, “Kaiser Karl” will reign over the world of fashion once more. Lagerfeld will show his Resort 2013 collection for Chanel at Versailles. Of course, it will be a big production, but all details are still under wraps. Past Chanel Resort shows have been presented at the Lido in Venice (Resort 2010), and one of my favourites, in St. Tropez (Resort 2011). Their locations usually bewray the inspiration for the collection.

Versailles was the famous place where the French royal family ruled in extravagance for 100 years before the French Revolution. What does come to your mind? As for me, I could only think of excess, rich fabrics, opulence.

 I am truly curious what Karl Lagerfeld has been thinking of.  If anyone is up to the task to pay tribute to Marie Antoinette or to revive those decadent moments in time, it is definitely him. I am sure that he will surprise us as the setting has to be different from his S/S 2011 Chanel show that was based on Versailles’s extensive gardens (see above).

If you look in fashion history, this won’t be the first time Versailles has been used for a show.

In 2007, John Galliano rented out the palace for a huge spectacle - Dior’s 60th anniversary couture show.

In 1973, five upcoming US-designers, Anne Klein, Stephen Burrows, Halston, Bill Blass, and Oscar de la Renta faced off against French couturiers Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, and Emanuel Ungaro in a runway spectacle that became known as the Battle of Versailles.

The French designers were certain of victory, due to their long tradition and know-how. But the Americans had a secret weapon; a vibrant group of eight African-American models plus the wish to conquer the European world of fashion. And the celebrity-packed audience of 800, including a tiara-wearing Princess Grace cheered to their performance. It was that chilly night changed the face and colour of fashion forever.

There have also been numerous fashion editorials photographed at Versailles over the years.

Above:
1 Shalom Harlow by Steven Meisel for Vogue October 1994
2 Diane Krüger by Gilles Marie Zimmerman for Paris Match March 2012
3 Trish Goff by Steven Meisel for Vogue October 1994

Please enjoy this little summary of some of the most beautiful ones, along with other palace-set shoots by Karl Lagerfeld himself.

Jessica Stam and Snejana Onopka by Karl Lagerfeld for Harper’s Bazaar Romania November 2007

Gisele Bündchen by Karl Lagerfeld for Harper’s Bazaar June 2007

Vanessa Paradis by Karl Lagerfeld for Tatler Russia July 2012

Stay tuned for the photos of the Chanel Resort 2013 show.

LoL, Sandra

This summer is all about print, preferably from head to toe. Print silk pants are among the season’s must-haves and I recently combined those two trends in one very comfy look:

Blue leo print top, matching pyjama silk pants, scarf, slippers and bag, all by Louis Vuitton, ring “Diorette” by Dior Haute Joaillerie and watch “Lady Excalibur” by Roger Dubuis.

Do you remember the bag? It was a gift from my girlfriends for my birthday. I think the coral is the perfect addition to the blue – a wonderful colour combination.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

After you have seen the H&M Fall 2012 lookbooks for women and men, you might be interested in exploring what is coming up for the little ones.

For kids, it is, of course, all about colour and comfy materials. For girls, my favourite is the Dalmatian knit dress and for boys, those blue high-top sneakers. A very cute collection!
But everything small looks sweet, doesn’t it?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht