Happy New Year to my Chinese readers!
According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2011 is the Year of the Golden Rabbit, which begins today on February 3,2011 and ends on January 22, 2012. The Rabbit is the fourth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animal signs.
According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves.
What a wonderful New Year’s Resolution! Here is my cozy rabbit-inspired outfit suggestion including pieces by some Asian-American designers!
LoL, Sandra
Calyx Perfume was launched already in 1986 by the house of Prescriptives. It is a very special fragrance that combines floral sweetness with fruity freshness in a very sophisticated way.
Sophia Chodosz Grojsman, the mastermind behind Calyx, worked some alchemical magic by reproducing the overripe sweetness of tropical fruits and combining it with the citrusy bitterness of a grapefruit accord. It smells so authentically that you can almost taste the rind. She added green and woody notes plus fresh florals for an interesting and luxurious experience.
Different from the fruity scents that often stink up the perfume aisles today, it is very elegant and feminine. If you are looking for a summery scent that is romantic and fresh in one, than you might have found it.
Top notes: Guava, passionfruit, mango and grapefruit
Heart notes: Rose, freesia, jasmine, marigold and lily of the valley
Base notes: Green leafs, sandalwood, vetiver and oakwood
For my Swiss based readers, Calyx will be available starting March 2011 at Globus and Jelmoli among others.
LoL, Sandra
Calyx Exhilarating Fragrance Spray 15 ml CHF 46.-
Calyx Exhilarating Fragrance Spray 50 ml CHF 86.-
Calyx Exhilarating Fragrance Spray 100 ml CHF 120.- (NEW)
Calyx Exhilarating Fragrance Shower Gel 200ml CHF 43.- (NEW)
Calyx Exhilarating Fragrance Body Lotion 200ml CHF 52.- (NEW)
Here is my fourth look from the LuisaViaRoma Total Styling Lab. This time, I worked on the cutout trend which I totally adore. An absolute highlight is the necklace with the amazing spider pendant by Stephen Webster.
Sometimes, you have to have something to dream of…
Dress: Versace – Suede Pumps: Yves Saint Laurent – Python Clutch: Philippe Roucou – Necklace: Stephen Webster
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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
As it seems to be a sticky trend, we better start to work out.
Cutouts work only well on toned girls…
LoL, Sandra
Last week, it was Haute Couture S/S 2011 Fashion Week in Paris. This is always a feast for the eyes and one designer definitely caught my eye: Dilek Hanif.
Dilek Hanif
Major player on the Turkish fashion scene, Dilek Hanif transmits a new sense of contemporary luxury in her designs. She lives and works in Istanbul where she started her own line in 1990 including Haute Couture and ready-to-wear collections. Since 2004, she became admitted on the official Paris Haute Couture calendar.
Gorgeous embroideries (all handstitched in her local atelier) on silk, lace, organza and chiffon are among her favourites. She also has a special love for drapings and for fluid, structured interplays.
What I like about her creations is the contemporary and modern approach to couture. For further enquiries, please contact the atelier at .
LoL, Sandra
Lush colour is S/S 2011’s biggest style story. An emerald green dress is so hot at the moment, especially combined with some bright accessories for the ultimate style factor.
Enhance your mood and put a spring into your wardrobe.
The reason why I am showing you this is that I am the birthday girl today and this was part of my outfit last night:
I wore the emerald green dress by Lanvin Cruise 2011, combined with red silk pumps by Prada and a purple statement necklace by Lanvin, both from previous seasons. The perfect play on electric brights with some colour blocking.
To a bright future!
LoL, Sandra
Emerald green dress by Lanvin
Statement necklace by Lanvin
Silk pumps by Prada
Thank you girls for such a fun night!
Two gifts were truly outstanding: The gorgeous Louis Vuitton Cruise 2011 floppy straw hat (Thank you, M-A-C girls, for the best gift ever!!!) and my new Canon EOS 500D camera that I can finally take some better shots.
Here are the first two photos I took with my new camera:
…of my new floppy straw hat (love it sooo much)…
…and some beautiful birthday flowers. Photos: ©Sandra Bauknecht
The catwalks were a riot of dazzling brights this season, worn in boldly clashing combinations. Colour blocking is ultrahip! It means combining two, three or more bold colours together to create a graphic look through the different shades.
The trend has started already a few seasons ago but has definetely reached its peak this summer. Raf Simons is among the forerunners with his beautiful S/S 2011 collection for Jil Sander.
Loud and proud colour combinations make for a dynamic, confident look. Start infusing your wardrobe with a colourful vibrancy for the ultimate warm weather feeling.
Some rules that might help you:
1. Three is the magic number. More colours together could make you look like a Rubic cube.
2. Don’t be afraid to combine colours you usually wouldn’t wear together like red and pink for example.
3. Opt for the bold bright colours, this trend works best with the most vivid shades.
4. Keep the rest simple. Never attempt to introduce prints or patterns.
Get your colour splash!
LoL, Sandra
Aside from the fringe that is coming back in full force (stay tuned for a complete trend report), crochet and macrame were big on the S/S 2011 runways. High-fashion designers were focusing on the delicate and intricate look with a certain `70s allure and even included the accessories.
Absolutely gorgeous is Stella McCartney’s “Falabella” crocheted tote from the Resort 2011 collection. This ultra-soft bag with its retro-inspired spin is the perfect summer carry-all, providing you with space and style!
I bought this treasured It-piece reminiscent of an Ibiza holiday gone glam at Salvatore Schito in Zurich who sell a large variety of Stella McCartney pieces. For further information please click here.
LoL, Sandra
Prada launched a few days ago at the CAFA Art Museum in Beijing, China the new Minimal–Baroque eyewear collection with some beautiful illustrations by Ivo Bisignano, Marcela Gutierrez and Andrea Tarella. The idea takes its inspiration from the S/S 2011 runway show and the capsule collection will be produced as a limited edition, being sold starting February in Prada boutiques, selected department stores and ILORI eyewear shops.
If you don’t manage to get your hands on one of these 500 unique pairs of shades, Prada will be releasing two more models from the Minimal-Baroque collection in April. I am loving them! And you?
LoL, Sandra
