It’s a Headwrap

Don’t shampoo this summer, because headwraps will salvage dirty hair days more than just any other trending accessory. On top, they are the perfect tool to absorb sweat during these hot temperatures. While being in Saint Tropez, they are my on-the-go item when I don’t have time to fix my hair after the beach. Put it on and it’s literally a wrap.

A-listers like Beyoncé, Chrissy Teigen, and Sarah Jessica Parker love them and even that they have never truly left, they’re now on-trend. While you may think headwraps are a daring accessory, wearing one is easier than you might think – and in the end, how you wear it will depend on your own personal style. Headwraps are a versatile garment, pairing well everything from your favourite jeans or leather jacket, to skirts and sneakers. Below is my selection of the best ones available at the moment.

LoL, Sandra

Silk satin headband by Saint Laurent

Marin leopard stretch-silk headband by Jennifer Behr

Printed headband by Pucci

Floral cotton headband by Erdem

Floral jersey headband by Dolce & Gabbana

Printed silk twill headband by Gucci

Knit headband by Missoni

Photos: Michael HJ Lopez Photographie and Rian Davidson / Courtesy of the Brands
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Love Monkey

Doting love is when you are extremely and uncritically fond of someone, something a mother feels for her child. In German, we call this behavior «Affenliebe» which translates into monkey love. According to some scientists, these intense, special exchanges that human mothers share with their offspring might have deep roots all the way back in monkeys. Both species use the same gestures and affectionate behaviors towards their children. When I was a little girl, I learnt a lot about primates as my mother, who is the biggest animal rights activist you can imagine, is totally fond of those animals.

As Mother’s Day is coming up and the tropical trend is huge this summer, I would like to dedicate today’s post to all those amazing fashionable pieces featuring those cute little monkeys. I am sure that not only my mum will go bananas seeing them.

And in case you are wondering why I didn’t call the post «monkey love», here is the answer. In the urban dictionary this expression stands for crazy animalistic sex requiring acrobatic poise. It can also be termed «monkey lovin‘». Isn’t it funny how you can go wrong just translating a word correctly?

LoL, Sandra

Monkey-print halterneck silk top by Bottega Veneta

iconMonkey crystal-embellished brooch by Erdem


iconSequinned monkey-appliqué wool-blend dressicon by Valentino

Monkey diamond, opal, silver & 18kt gold earringsicon by Bibi van der Velden

Jungle-appliqué embroidered knit sweater by Valentino

Monkeys Forest print poplin dress by Valentino
Monkey-appliquéd T-shirticon by Valentino

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Monkey print twill cape by Burberry

Scarf tie point-toe mules by Burberryicon

Monkey print chain-strap cardholder by Burberry
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Killer monkey print swimsuit by Dsquared2


iconMedium monkey jacquard TB shoulder bagicon by Burberry

Drawstring monkey print jacket by Burberry

iconSoleia printed cotton-voile pajama seticon by Desmond & Dempsey

Scimmie Thyme, Lavender and Cedarwood scented candle by Fornasetti

Avantgardening satin bedding by Christian Fischbacher

Equateur wallpaper by Hermès

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
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Wall & Wardrobe – De Gournay x Erdem

With so many of us at home right now, there’s no better time to make your space beautiful. Here is your welcome dose of whimsy as I would like to show you an amazing collaboration between de Gournay and British fashion house Erdem. The exclusive collection features limited edition Chinoise wallpapers alongside whimsical floral tiered dresses and other dreamy pieces, so that you can match your look to your interior design. This is what I call elevating your level of style!

Erdem Moralioglu – a designer feted for a signature expression of halcyon romance – whose creation of a new hand painted design for wallpaper and as a fabric for a line of his elegant silhouettes deftly pairs the realms of fashion and interiors.

A riotous depiction of nature in full bloom, the new design is a springtime vision of flora and birds: presenting the medium in a kaleidoscopic rendition of saturated tones.

Hydrangea, hollyhock, irises, chrysanthemum and morning glory jostle amidst a verdant lattice of branches, with sparrows, warblers, pheasant and egrets interspersed throughout. Honouring specific instruction from Erdem that the birds appear especially full of life, they appear darting through foliage, taking flight and energetically craning their necks.

With de Gournay’s provision of hand painted design work, the Erdem team plotted elements into a motif for clothing: altered in scale as a florid pattern garlanded across grounds of navy, white and black. The resulting collection for S/S 2020 combines the exquisite character of both brands, with de Gournay’s first executions of wallpaper in ‘Adam Grey’, ‘Kelly Gren’, and a ‘Golden Yellow’ painted to join their iconic Chinoiserie collection and seen for the first time within exclusive photography of the project. Each panel (91.5cm x 150cm-350cm) takes around 120 hours to produce and is handpainted in watercolour at De Gournay’s studio in Wuxi, outside Shanghai.

Exclusive to Net-à-Porter: Oleanna floral-print cotton-poplin midi dress
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Erdem’s three separate capsules of stunning dresses and separates come with a white background for Net-à-Porter, navy for Bergdorf Goodman and black for Erdem’s own South Audley Street store and e-site. All three are available now.

I am in love with the Giudita tie-neck belted floral-print silk-voile dress.
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A mutual dedication to beauty informs the endeavour, the results of which compliment the illustrious merits shared by Erdem and de Gournay both.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Erdem / de Gournay
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My Look: Cyprus Nights

Last night, I attended the gala dinner of the Creative Women Conference, held at the newly opened Parklane Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Limassol. My last days were filled with amazing conversations and encounters for which I am truly thankful. Before I will tell you more about this international conference for entrepreneurial women, I wanted to share my first outfit post from Cyprus. Lilac head-to-toe is a big trends for F/W 2019.

My look: Garcelle ruffled cotton-blend lace gown by ErdemiconAmore bow belt
icon by Dolce & Gabbana, vintage lilac sandals and matching bag with butterfly clasp, both by Valentinocrystal embellished butterfly earrings by Miu Miu, and cuff by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Most Important S/S 2018 Accessories Trends

After this weekend’s summary about the 15 most important runway trends for S/S 2018, I thought you might enjoy a look also at the must-have accessories for next summer. The forecast: Get ready for your another sumptuous season! Many things are here to stay or will even take it up a notch. Sneakers are trendier than ever and have taken center stage. The ugly shoe phenomenom explores new heights as seen at Balenciaga‘s collaboration with Crocs. And we can deny it no longer: the fanny pack is here to stay. Earrings and straw hats are bigger than ever and bags are most beautiful in an array of patterns.

LoL, Sandra

S/S 2018 TREND 1: FANNY BAG
Givenchy – Balenciaga – Marc Jacobs

S/S 2018 TREND 2: STATEMENT STRAW HAT
Missoni – Giorgio Armani – Jacquemus

S/S 2018 TREND 3: CLEAR VISION
Tibi – Chanel – Valentino

S/S 2018 TREND 4: SURREALISTIC SUNGLASSES
Dolce & Gabbana – Prada – Gucci

S/S 2018 TREND 5: SNEAKERS RELOADED
Loewe – Louis Vuitton – Céline

S/S 2018 TREND 6: THE UGLY SHOE
Balenciaga – Christopher Kane – Miu Miu

S/S 2018 TREND 7: GLOVES
Olivier Theyskens – Calvin Klein 205W39NYC – Erdem

S/S 2018 TREND 8: BIG EARRINGS
Saint Laurent – Stella McCartney – Isabel Marant

S/S 2018 TREND 9: PATTERNED BAGS
Dior – Chloé – Prada

S/S 2018 TREND 10: SUMMER OVERKNEE BOOTS
Fendi – Balenciaga – Versace

Photos: Via Vogue.com

The Top 15 Runway Trends for S/S 2018

S/S 2018 in three words? Feel good fashion. The trends for the next season are a fab mix of florals, pastels, and all ways of dressing up. This winter’s love for red will be replaced by head to toe soft lavender and fringe made its way in all forms this season, so there’s a look for every level of commitment. Most importantly go clear this season with all your favorite designers as plastic gets fantastic and underwear is meant to be seen.

Below is a summary of the most important trends for S/S 2018. Enjoy! The pieces will hit the shelves starting beginning of next year…

LoL, Sandra

S/S 2018 TREND 1: SILK ROAD
Céline – Hermès – Versace

S/S 2018 TREND 2: ART LOVERS
Akris – Prada – Missoni

S/S 2018 TREND 3: IN FULL BLOOM
Rochas – Erdem – Marni

S/S 2018 TREND 4: FRINGES
Balmain – Calvin Klein 205W39NYC– Dior

S/S 2018 TREND 5: MARABOU
Proenza Schouler – Saint Laurent – Nina Ricci

S/S 2018 TREND 6: LAVENDER
The Row – Michael Kors – Tom Ford

S/S 2018 TREND 7: LIFE IN PLASTIC
Chanel – Burberry – Valentino

S/S 2018 TREND 8: WORKOUT
Gucci – Louis Vuitton – Marc Jacobs

S/S 2018 TREND 9: PLAID PLEASE
Fendi – Prabal Gurung – Balenciaga

S/S 2018 TREND 10: 80’s DENIM
Max Mara – Stella McCartney – Oscar de la Renta

S/S 2018 TREND 11: THE TRENCH
Gabriela Hearst – Maison Margiela – Victoria Beckham

S/S 2018 TREND 12: SHOW YOUR UNDIES
Christopher Kane – Miu Miu – Alessandra Rich

S/S 2018 TREND 13: RAINBOW
Peter Pilotto – Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini – Vionnet

S/S 2018 TREND 14: WHITE AT NIGHT
Jil Sander – Alexander McQueen – Etro

S/S 2018 TREND 15: MISE-EN-SCÈNE
Moschino – Dolce & Gabbana – Comme des Garçons

Photos: via Vogue.com

H&M x Erdem Lookbook

Finally we know what to expect on November 2, 2017, when Erdem‘s collaboration with Swedish fast-fashion retailer H&M will hit the stores. It’s full of tweeds, animal prints and of course so many florals, everything the London-based designer is known for.

The lookbook, that you can enjoy below, was photographed by Michal Pudelka, who is known for his dreamy fashion campaigns. I am sure that you will agree now that we’re finally getting a glimpse at what, exactly, the Erdem collection will include, it’s safe to say that it doesn’t disappoint at all.

For the first time, the retailer’s designer collaborations will include men’s wardrobe offerings, which is also marking Erdem’s menswear debut at the same time!

I love this collaboration and it is truly hard to decide what to get as everything is beautiful. My personal favorites are those ones shown in the collage above… and yours?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M

UBS Unique – Economy of Fashion

During the vibrant atmosphere of London Fashion Week, I had the pleasure to participate in a very interesting new project combining the world of finance and fashion: UBS Unique – Economy of Fashion.

Just as the world around us is changing, the face of wealth is evolving. The global income of women will grow from USD 13 trillion to USD 18 trillion by 2021* – more than China and India’s combined GDP growth and since 2015, women have held 30%** of global private wealth.

As women are looking for a response to their needs, UBS Unique has been created. The aim? To catalyze a long-term change in the financial industry to better serve women and to enable them to make the most of their wealth.

My lovely host, Kathrin Genovese Head Vice Chairmen Office, Global Ultra High Net Worth

Therefore a lovely group of female ultra high net worth individuals from all over the world was invited by UBS to London for two inspiring days. The event had it all: shows, talks and insights on how fashion can change the world for the better.

As I thought you might be interested in what I have taken home from UBS Unique, here’s a quick roundup of insights from the event’s speakers.

«The future of fashion will see creativity re-emerge as a key driver to take us from our current crisis state and into a new model for fashion. If we don’t push creativity at every step of the fashion supply chain to find new ways to design, produce, sell, wear and dispose of clothes, then we face a bleak future for fashion.”»Christina Dean

From left to right: Christina Dean, my humble self, Giorgia Caovilla and Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis.

The look of love – how will the fashion industry change?

Women should “fall in love with the fact that fashion is a force for good,” says Christina Dean, founder of Redressan organisation working to reduce waste in the fashion industry. Christina believes fashion’s ethical future is in the hands of young designers and consumers. Or as Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis describes it vividly, “it’s down to designers to rebel. There’s a lot of pressure on designers to become commercial so it stops creativity. I am anyway bored of all the fashion shows. There are too many.”

Online shopping is definitely an opportunity as emerging designers cannot always afford a retail space. They have a different pricing model. But in terms of sustainability it can cause also problems as people end up buying multiple sizes knowing they’re going to return it.

Dress with Sense – the practical guide to a conscious closet by Redress

How can you play your part in making fashion more ethical?

As I am always promoting, you can easily play your part in making fashion more ethical by buying the things you love and wear them for longer. When shopping, think about the value, not the price. And consider ways you can make sure your investments match your ethics.

You can also donate your quality, branded items with high value to charity Redress for resale.

Designer Mary Katrantzou and me framed by UBS key speakers, James Gifford, Senior Impact Investing Strategist, Chief Investment Office, UBS Wealth Management, to the left and Helen Brand, Head of Equity Research, European Luxury Goods, UBS Investment Bank

A short industry outlook

The top 3 words executives used to describe the fashion industry in 2016*** were: «Uncertain, Changing, Challenging.» But despite the wider economic slowdown last year, fashion has been a key value-creating industry for the world economy. In 2017, a slight recovery is expected to a point where the industry may see some growth next year.

Let’s take China for example. Chinese growth hit a soft patch: a stock market dip and real estate concerns have decelerated chinese growth, and shifted attention to India, Turkey, and other high-growth markets. China’s fundamentals, including growth of the middle and upper classes, remain strong and the government’s new fiscal policies are expected to improve conditions in 2017, but uncertainty remains.

A woman shops in a Louis Vuitton store in Shanghai. © SCMP Photos

London-based Helen BrandHead of Equity Research, European Luxury Goods, UBS Investment Bank, trusts in the mid market and expects “growth going forward to come from the Chines middle class consumer and therefore more at the entry level price points, with more chances for the handbag category compared to watches as many brands still have to strengthen the CHF 2000-5000 offer.

 When you think about China, factors such as pollution, a deteriorating environment, inhumane work conditions in factories, mass production come immediately to your mind. China and sustainability, connecting the dots between economy and ecology seems to be a complex problem. Therefore a valid question was raised during one of the panel discussions: how can we as consumers/potential investors contribute to overcome these issues?

Tailor-made investments – how can you invest ethically in fashion?

What’s impact investing? Put simply, it’s investing in ways that help make the world a better place. And it can make a big difference to the fashion industry, “especially when dealing with problems in supply chains,” says James Gifford, Senior Impact Investing Strategist at UBS. It’s good news for investors, too.

Impact investing is one of the tools that we can use to improve terrible situations such as exposure to slavery and trafficking – lots of brands don’t have full transparency throughout their entire supply chain.  Shareholders can take part in helping brands address that. Most critical is the intent – the willingness to change for the good. This impact must be measured with defined performance indexes to make it tangible to all stakeholders of the corporation.

Many investors assume that impact investment is a form of charity. In reality, quiet the opposite is the case. Gifford delivers the facts: two thirds of impact investment funds deliver comparable results to more traditional funds. Generating a financial return is indispensable and sustainable in itself; generated profits are more likely to be re-invested in impact projects and new investors may follow.

How to invest

  • Invest in best in class – some great companies that are trying really hard to improve.
  • Underweight / overweight the good guys and the bad guys.
  • You can engage your fund managers and advisors on this topic as most of them might not have thought about these issues. So having that dialogue can have an impact already.
  • Shareholder engagement is where shareholders use their voice to encourage companies to improve their behaviour. This can be done through fund managers or family offices.
  • Shareholder engagement can be very effective and you don’t even have to own that many shares to have a voice.

Great show: Mary Katrantzou’s F/W 2017 presentation took place at Tate Modern.

During those two amazing days, we had also the chance to talk to two outstanding designers who both have build up their brand in a breakneck pace. Cherry on the cake was the possibility to experience the excitement of fashion week as guests of Mary Katrantzou and Erdem at their shows.

With Erdem in his Mayfair store for a private shopping event during the «Economy of Fashion».

I don’t believe in fast fashion – I get a kick out of seeing real women wear my clothes on the street,” says Erdem Moralioglu, founder of the designer label ERDEM.

Shaping up – how Erdem Moralioglu built his brand

Since launching in 2005, the brand has become synonymous with versatile and powerful femininity. After studying at London’s Royal College of Art, Erdem started his own company and fashion line at the age of 27. The business took off when Barneys bought his first collection. In 2014, he put his collection online and opened his flagship store in Mayfair in 2015.

Today, ERDEM is sold in over 170 of the world’s most exclusive retailers, including Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Joyce, Colette, Dover Street Market, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.
In the beginning of November 2017 his collection for H&M will hit the stores as he is the next designer to collaborate with the Swedish clothing giant (for more info, click here please).

With Mary Katrantzou in the private shopping suite at the at the Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, wearing an amazing coat from her F/W 2017 collection.

Print can be as definitive as a cut or a drape and allows a woman to filter beauty found in design, in a subversive way. All my prints are constructed through digital technology. Digital print allows me to experiment with print in a way that fine art and other methods could not. It opens up a huge spectrum for possibility; I can create possibility out of impossibility, surrealism out of realism and both vice versa,” says Mary Katrantzou.

Pioneering digital prints – how Mary Katrantzou became the fashion world’s darling

Greek-born Mary Katrantzou had an appreciation of applied design from an early age. Having begun training as an architect at Rhode Island’s School of Design, she transferred to Central Saint Martin’s in London to study textiles and finished also with a fashion MA in 2005. Katrantzou shifted her direction from textile design to womenswear with a focus on print as she loved the way printed textiles can change the shape of a woman’s body.

Success from the first moment: Mary Katrantzou’s graduate collection in 2008.

Her graduate collection in 2008 of digital trompe l’oeil prints of oversized jewellery on simple shift dresses served as a counterpoint to the minimalist movement that was dominating the runways at the time. From there, Katrantzou picked up 15 prestigious stockists including Browns, Joyce and Colette. Today she boasts over 250 stockists worldwide. Among the many prestigious awards, she received in her career, she also won the Swiss Textiles Award in 201, which helped her grow her business further. And would she rule out ever taking on an investor? “In the future, who knows,” says Katrantzou. “But true global scale is our ambition.”

Best of both worlds… fashion and finance.

I hope that you enjoyed this little insight into the new interactive event Economy of Fashion under the roof of the UBS Unique platform that was a great success. For two days, we received an exclusive insight into the business of fashion of emerging and established designers, disruptive technologies and brands that are making their mark on the industry.

I met amazing ladies from all over the world and it was a pleasure exchanging knowledge while enjoying some fun shopping and great food.

I would love to conclude with a quote from shoe designer Giorgia Caovilla: “The future of fashion will shorten the distance to be able to convey more clearly its message: LET’S HAVE SOME FUN!’”

LoL, Sandra

*Harnessing the power of women investors in wealth management, Ernst & Young LLP, 2016
** Global Wealth 2016: Navigating the client landscape, Boston Consulting Group, 2016
*** Source BoF-McKinsey Global Fashion Survey, September 2016

Photos: © Sam Bowen for UBS, © Sandra Bauknecht, © Redress, © Mary Katrantzou

Erdem x H&M

Today H&M announced its big secret: the next exclusive designer collaboration will be with ERDEM, the London based must-have designer loved by celebrities and fashion insiders alike.

H&M is also pleased to reveal that the visionary film maker Baz Luhrmann will bring the collection to life through his unique storytelling. ERDEM x H&M will be available in selected stores as well as on hm.com, November 2.

For H&M, Erdem has designed a brand-new collection for women and, for the first time ever, a collection for men. Erdem believes in the power of beauty, exploring historical references and personal narratives in every piece he makes. For ERDEM x H&M he’ll reflect and reinterpret the design themes from some of his most celebrated collections, playing with the prints, textiles and delicate craftsmanship that have made his name.

Erdem with me

I am so happy to collaborate with H&M, and to explore my work on a whole new scale including a menswear collection which I have never done before. It’s also such a thrill to work with Baz Luhrmann, one of the most important storytellers of our time,” says Erdem.

Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s Creative Advisor, to the left, Erdem in the center, and Baz Luhrmann.

For me fashion is always about more than just clothing, it is a form of expression – a stand alone art form. I am excited to be collaborating with ERDEM and H&M to reveal the story of this unique collection,” says Baz Luhrmann.

From the moment we started talking with Erdem about the collaboration, I was captured by his vision. For ERDEM x H&M he has created an enchanting world full of beauty, delicacy and rich details. These are special pieces you will want to wear forever,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s Creative Advisor.

Have fun watching the video below and start dreaming!
LoL, Sandra

Photos/Video: © H&M and © Sandra Bauknecht

My Look: Paris I Love You

Today I am on my way to Paris with Sisley and I couldn’t be happier to be back in one of my favorite cities in the world. Here everything feels much more chic than anywhere else.

My look: Gaby belted fil coupé dress by Erdem (40% off on sale – iconhere even 50% off), Falabella faux brushed-leather shoulder bag by Stella McCartney, Dioressence pumps by Dior, cuff by Chanelrose diamond necklace iconby Piaget and Horsebit blue topaz diamond white gold ringicon by Gucci Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht