The Top 20 Runway Trends for S/S 2023

From New York to London, Milan and Paris, in this post I round up the biggest trends of the summer season. Color is very important, worn in a mostly monochrome way, from shades of beige, to magenta, red, lilac and baby blue. For the more daring, neon hues and cutouts are leading the way.

Cargo pants, biker jackets and fringes are absolute must-haves! Enjoy those beautiful collections.

LoL, Sandra

If you buy one thing for spring, make it a pair of multi-pocketed cargo pants. From their origins in the British army in the late 1930s to today, cargo pants have not aged a bit. This season they are elevated to fashion essentials.

Flannel shirts are an object of desire courtesy of Bottega Veneta and Dr Martens are still holding strong. Enjoy this ’90s grunge.

Denim takes up the Y2K mantle for spring, which means waistlines are down, bellies are exposed, and knee-high boots haven’t been spared either. Begin by reacquainting yourself with Alexander McQueen’s Bumsters, first debuted as part of his Taxi Driver collection for F/W 1993.

Fluorescent shades of blue, green and yellow boosted the summery allure of the silhouettes, which came with a futuristic aesthetic at Balenciaga or Miu Miu.

The baby blues, a soft chromatic mood tinted the second skin silhouettes, which were resolutely fluid and innocent.

For seasons on end, pops of purple have given way to sweeping, head-to-toe lilac looks. You better get used to it!

Magenta is the Pantone Color of the Year 2023, so no wonder shades of red are all over the runways. But it is nothing for the shy, the trend expects you to sport the vibrant shade head-to-toe. My favorite? Ferragamo’s all over sparkles.

The monochromatic silhouette came only in shades of beige. Miu Miu, Max Mara and Dior case fashion staples rather than statement pieces, daring to layer up classic basics in varying hues.

Blending craftsmanship and ’70s charm, crochet remains a failsafe option for summer.

The latest take on fringing is a far cry from its bohemian aesthetic, with the detail adorning even the most sophisticated pieces in your wardrobe.

Hints of fringing feathers and glitter details are bringing back the Roaring Twenties! However the ’20s glamour got a minimalist makeover, without compromising on elegance.

Let’s ride! From the street to the runway, the biker trend is showing no sign of slowing down.

Literal interpretations of the gothic style were replaced by a soft grunge talk on the aesthetic. Black dominates the goth girl look. Complete the vibe by playing on volume and transparency.

Transparency create a silhouette that is sexier than ever. The must-have black dresses of the season hinted at glimpses at several designers.

In what was an ingenious display of creativity, fashion played with optical illusions, unveiling troupe-l’oeil pieces that transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Whether with a new twist on a bouquet or with lifelike tropical flowers, designers transformed simple garments into blossoming works of art.

Living out our costume-drama dreams has never been so easy, thanks to the return of 16th-century farthingales, 17th-century panniers and 19th-century crinolines.

Hoods are the strangely sexy accessory taking over the summer runways. Totally reminiscent of the most renowned Alaïa muse, Grace Jones, who triumphed this look in the ’80s.

Cutouts have moved to a very daring spot. Nothing for the shy…

As the world gets more inclusive, fashion is a welcome way to express your current mood. That means you can dress up as much as you like to get all the attention. References from previous decades are a welcome source of inspiration. Even the poodle skirt is back!

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

My Look: Boston

Here is my first outfit post from Boston, where I am having the best time visiting my daughter who studies here. I am staying at The Newbury Hotel, a beautifully restored and reimagined luxury hotel at the intersection of Newbury and Arlington Streets, where the bustle of the Back Bay is your playground and the idyllic Boston Public Garden your front yard.

In this look, I wear all sorts of cutouts that have recently been revisited and redesigned through the lens of high fashion. I personally love this daring trend as the attention is always yours.

My look: Embellished cutout high-rise straight-leg jeansicon by Area, cutout wool sweater, cutout stretch-knit turtleneck topicon, and Alcove mini leather tote by Valentino, and Fira velvet-trimmed suede and flocked tulle pumps in black by Jimmy Choo.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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My Look: Cutout

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It’s not what designers put in but what they left out which matters this winter season. Graphic slits transform the simplest silhouette into something dramatic. Who would have thought a grey turtleneck dress could be so tempting?!

My look: Shoe lace coat by Balenciaga, cutout stretch-knit turtleneck dress with fishnet body by Proenza Schouler, So Black Kelly bag by Hermèspalladium-tone, crystal and Plexiglas® necklace and earrings, both by Miu Miuicon, Elizabeth high heel leather riding boots by Gucci and Double C diamond black lacquer white gold ring by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

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Kelly So Black by Hermes

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Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

At the Tibi S/S 2014 Show

Tibi S:S 2014

Right after I had arrived in NYC on Saturday, I went to Pier 59 to go backstage before the Tibi S/S 2014 show and to interview Amy Smilovic. The charming designer has brought her label in a very short amount of time to success and told me a little about her inspiration and how she manages daily life as a working mum of two sons.

Tibi Backstage SS2014-2

Sandra Bauknecht - Amy Smilovic-Tibi

What was your inspiration for S/S 2014?

It is travel-inspired, from Asia to Arizona. It is really about the grit and the work that goes into getting there and the beauty once you arrive. That was grounding the collection for me because I love beautiful things but you need to be able to wear them in daily life on the street. It is important for me that the collection is cool and clean but still feminine.

After your amazing very successful last collection, do you feel pressure to reinvent and top yourself?

Always. It is a good challenge. I would rather feel the pressure to reinvent myself than staying the same.

How do you manage in daily life being a business woman and mother of two?

Just do it! My sons are were important to me. Being a mum keeps me balanced, I don’t freak out about tiny details. The kids help me keep perspective.

Amy Smilovic being interviewed by Sandra Bauknecht

Your secret to success?

I surround myself with really good people.

Do you have an icon? Which women would you like to wear your designs?

No, I don’t have an icon. It is a mix of strong women, such as Charlotte Rampling, Patti Smith and Kate Bosworth. I want really confident woman to wear my clothes.

Get the look-Tibi

Speaking of which, as I am a huge fan of the brand, I was of course wearing a Tibi dress combined with my leather biker jacket, pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps, both by Saint Laurent and the Bamboo shopper leather tote iconby Gucci.

Tibi Backstage Nails and Makeup

I have truly loved the nail design created by Jin Soon Choi. Inspired by the collection’s travel theme, Jin came up with a manicure that expresses a virtual language developed by American travelers who lived a nomadic life in the 1920s.

Nails Jin soon Choi Close

These signs were used to help fellow travelers navigate; the vertical/ horizontal lines on the nails are an extraction  from the traveler symbol “all right”.

Sandra bauknecht - Jin Soon Choi-Tbi Backstage

Jin Soon Choi with me backstage

Jin Soon Choi Nails

Tibi SS2014 Looks

Models Backstage Tibi SS2014

Tibi Shoes Backstage

Tibi Show Ambiance

Sandra bauknecht Stylebop leila

Front row next to Stylebop iconFashion Director Leila Yavari

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What I have loved most about this beautiful collection were the details, like cutouts, unusual hemlines or fringes in the back. The jumpsuits, along with the palm print were amazing. My preferred look was the all orange combination pretty much at the end.

Enjoy all my favourites below and stay tuned for more!

LoL, Sandra

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Amy Smilovic Tibi

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

S/S 2011: The New Erogenous Zones

Versus S/S 2011

Versus S/S 2011

Designers explored a new erogenous zone for S/S 2011: The waistline. Other body parts weren’t safe from exposure either.

With the help of cutouts, they played with detailing and the sexy allure. From small ones on the collarbone, stomach and bust that were seen at Versus to big, strategic cutouts accentuating the waist found on Salvatore Ferragamo’s dresses.

 

Salvatore Ferragamo S/S 2011

Salvatore Ferragamo S/S 2011

 

 

As it seems to be a sticky trend, we better start to work out.
Cutouts work only well on toned girls…

LoL, Sandra