Sandra‘s Closet

Following the recent Instagram trend, I decided to dive back into 2016, when fashion went full volume. Before quiet luxury, before restraint became aspirational, 2016 was about impact.

This was the era of Vetements energy, Balenciaga proportions, and Gucci maximalism. Oversized silhouettes pushed to excess, hoodies and bombers worn like armor, chokers framing the neck with intention, distressed denim taken to extremes, thigh-high boots paired without hesitation. Logos weren’t whispered, they were declared.

Streetwear and high fashion didn’t just meet. They collided.

The current return to 2016 isn’t accidental. It follows a widely discussed ten-year cultural cycle, a moment when fashion and internet culture begin to reject hyper-curation and visual restraint. As the polished, controlled aesthetics of the early 2020s lose momentum, there is a renewed appetite for excess, imperfection, and emotional immediacy. What resurfaces isn’t a replica of the past, but the attitude of it: fashion that allows scale, provocation, and unapologetic presence.

For me, 2016 wasn’t a reinvention. It was a moment of alignment, when the dominant fashion language finally mirrored an intensity I had always embraced. Gucci’s eclectic maximalism, Vetements’ provocation, Balenciaga’s scale: the visual vocabulary of that year allowed fashion to be excessive, expressive, and unapologetically styled.

What followed didn’t soften. It intensified.

My style didn’t pivot after 2016, it escalated. Proportions became sharper, contrasts more extreme, statements more deliberate. Not in response to trends, but through a long-standing instinct to push silhouettes further rather than edit them down.

This post is a curated edit of my favorite looks from 2016, a year defined by volume, attitude, and fashion without restraint. If you like to see all the details of the respective looks, I invite you to visit the previous post MY FAVORITE OUTFITS OF 2016.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Massachusetts Avenue was photographed at a train stop in a Bostonian neighborhood that isn’t known for being safe or beautiful in a conventional way. It’s rough, tense, and unsettling, and exactly that contrast is what drew me in. I combined different vintage pieces with more recent ones, letting time layers collide. The mix of black and pink reflects this tension: darkness and vulnerability, danger and softness existing side by side. This post isn’t about romanticizing the place, but about capturing the uneasy beauty that can appear where you least expect it.

My look: Reversible hot pink fake fur vest, wool hat in black and pink with ties, and long sleeve logo shirt, (all from Coco Neige 2023/24 collection) and shearling bag (from F/W 2014 supermarket collection), all by CHANEL, checked mini skirt (S/S 1998) by D&G, and platform fake fur boots by Prada Sport.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Hublot and legendary brand Yohji Yamamoto unite once again to redefine the art of black. For the fourth time since their first collaboration in 2020, they elevate black from a color to the Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo. A limited edition of 300 pieces where every texture and contrast are intentional. Matte black ceramic sculpts the 42mm case into light and depth, a monochrome camouflage pattern adds rhythm and motion while fabric and rubber fuse seamlessly on the strap.

This collaboration is more than fashion or watchmaking. It’s about vision. About how far you can strip something down to its essence. Both Hublot and Yohji Yamamoto have built their legacies on the same foundation: questioning the meaning of luxury. Both create through deconstruction. Hublot first broke Swiss tradition in 1980 with its Art of Fusion, blending gold with rubber, innovation with heritage. Since its debut at the Paris Fashion Week in 1981, Yohji Yamamoto redefined the conventions of fashion, using black as a response against excess and fashion’s norms.

For both creators, black is not absence, it is essence. Hublot pioneered the All Black concept in 2006, where light is defined by volume and texture, beyond its color. When Yohji Yamamoto first presented the collection in Paris in 1981, the black silhouettes were seen as revolutionary, an anti-fashion statement that freed creation from decoration. At Hublot, black is sculpted through material: matte ceramics, smoked sapphire, surfaces that play with shadow. For Yohji Yamamoto, black is woven through fabric: wool, silk, cotton layered to breathe and shift. Both treat black as visible and invisible.

Camouflage, reimagined in Yohji Yamamoto’s language, becomes a study in movement and material. On the Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo, the pattern appears as monochrome relief, black on black, dynamic under changing light.

« Black is modest and arrogant at the same time » affirmed Yohji Yamamoto.

The 42mm matte black ceramic case absorbs light and sculpts shadow. The black-on-black camouflage dial shifts subtly with movement, alive with contrast. The smoked sapphire caseback unveils the MHUB1110 Hublot automatic calibre and its skeletonized rotor while preserving a monochrome mystery. The strap, crafted from fabric and rubber, echoes the Japanese designer’s tactile couture and Hublot’s technical precision. The signature of Yohji Yamamoto is incorporated into the design of each of the 300 custom All Black boxes.

The new Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo is available at a selection of Hublot points of sale and online at hublot.com.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hublot 
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On my way to La Padrona, inside the new Raffles Boston.
Boston feels crisp, elegant, quietly confident, exactly my kind of energy.

Setting the mood before the first course: my guitar-shaped bag by Balmain. Sculptural, playful, and just the right amount of attitude. Some evenings start long before dinner.

My look: Two-tone silk-satin blouse, and asymmetric ruffled silk-chiffon wide-leg pants, both by Valentino, Torchon gold-tone crystal clip earrings by Alessandra Rich, Anthem leather belt, and guitar shoulder bag, both by Balmain, and Jeanne embellished glossed-leather slingback pumps by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 
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Created in 1896 by Georges Vuitton as a tribute to his father, Louis – visionary founder of the House – the Monogram canvas has become one of the most enduring and revered emblems. More than a motif, it is a universal mark of distinction: a living symbol of heritage, culture and innovation. Today, Louis Vuitton is proud to celebrate 130 years of the creation of the emblematic canvas with collections and dedicated windows. Starting January 2026 with the honouring of its Monogram iconic bags as true heritage masterpieces of the House, and the unveiling of new, special-edition Monogram bag collections.

The campaign, launched on January 1st, celebrates the iconic Keepall, Alma, Speedy, Noé and Neverfull in Monogram – timeless bags designed to last and be cherished across generations. Additionally, the taglines reintroduce each icon and pass down the campaign’s core values of transmission and durability, reflecting the careful savoir-faire and longevity embedded in each bag.

From its inception, the Monogram was conceived as a pioneering idea – a fusion of artistry and identity. Georges Vuitton personally designed the pattern, registering a patent for an intricate composition of interlaced LV initials and floral motif. Inspired by Neo-Gothic ornamentation and the influence of Japonism, the Monogram was created to safeguard the authenticity of the House’s creations, following the striped canvas of 1872 and the Damier of 1888. The design soon became something greater: a defining signature and enduring hallmark of Louis Vuitton’s spirit. Georges envisioned an emblem not merely to adorn objects but to embody a philosophy of excellence, modernity, and transmission.

Throughout its history, the Monogram has united generations of creators, collectors, and cultural icons. It has guided the hands of the House’s master artisans, shaped the vision of its creative directors – Nicolas Ghesquière, Artistic Director of Women’s collections since 2013 – Pharrell Williams, Men’s Creative Director since 2022 – Marc Jacobs, Artistic Director of Women’s and Men’s collections from 1997 until 2013 and Virgil Abloh, Artistic Director of Men’s Collections from 2018 until 2021 – and inspired exceptional collaborations with leading artists such as Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama and Richard Prince.

In January 2026, Louis Vuitton opens its Monogram anniversary year by celebrating its most iconic Monogram bags: the Speedy (1930), which constantly redefines the concept of personal mobility; the Keepall (1930), a longstanding symbol of freedom and effortless travel; the Noé (1932), originally designed to carry five bottles of champagne, forever celebrating creativity and joy; the Alma (1992), a tribute to Parisian architecture, expressing refined elegance; and the Neverfull (2007), the essential modern companion.

Louis Vuitton also unveils its new Monogram Anniversary Collection: taking the codes of the trunk savoir-faire, three special-edition bags reinterpret the Monogram through modern design, diverse materials, and both cutting-edge and traditional craft techniques.

The Monogram Origine Collection revisits the first 1896 pattern through a brand-new Monogram canvas, that revisits the traditional jacquard weave, this time crafted from a linen and cotton blend in a palette of soft pastel hues. The collection draws inspiration from the cover of an archival client register of the House.

The VVN Collection, is an ode to Louis Vuitton leather goods legacy. Crafted from the finest natural cowhide, the collection underlines the purity, authenticity, and the tactile poetry of hand-finished leather, each piece developing a unique patina over time.

The Time Trunk Collection bridges past and present through bold trompe-l’oeil printing that reproduces the textures and metallic details of Louis Vuitton’s historic trunks, transforming heritage into artful illusion.

As Louis Vuitton embarks on this landmark year, the House invites the world to rediscover the Monogram not simply as a design, but as a legend – a living emblem, a universal code of elegance and distinction whose legacy continues to grow.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton #LVMonogram130
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Back in London for a brief moment before heading to the US. A city I once called home and one that still knows exactly how to welcome me back. Effortlessly cool, endlessly inspiring, familiar in the best possible way.

As a bonus, London is warmer than Switzerland this time. Unexpected, but very much appreciated. Sunshine, lighter layers, and that unmistakable London rhythm in the air.

Some places never stop feeling like yours. London is one of them.

My look: Arcella teddy bomber jacket by Max Mara, Anagram vest ecru and camel, high-rise chain-detail flared jeans, and screen square-frame acetate sunglasses, all by Loewe, cropped horse print silk shirt by Gucci, red and yellow ombre quilted patent leather classic rectangular mini flap bag by CHANEL and Aevitas leather platform ankle boots by Versace.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Felicia Sewerinsson @feliciasewerinsson
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The House unveils Gucci: La Famiglia, a new campaign revealing wardrobes that mark the genesis of a new Gucci era by Demna: unapologetically sexy, extravagant, and daring. First unveiled in September, the La Famiglia collection reflects Demna’s ongoing research into the House’s archival and visual codes across multiple eras, in anticipation of and building up to his personal vision for Gucci, which will be revealed in February.

Captured by Catherine Opie, each character appears as a distinct facet of the House’s personas, shaped by attitude, aesthetic language, and the shared mindset that defines the ‘Gucciness’ of Gucci.

Across the campaign, gesture, styling, and presence highlight the different personalities within this extended Gucci family, revealing how their wardrobes form a collective identity built on ease, character, and iconic codes.

The collection unfolds through a spectrum of characters whose wardrobes reinterpret these codes with new sensuality, spontaneity, and Italian attitude. Incazzata appears in her vivid ’60s-style «little red coat» that reflects her fiery demeanor. Gallerista moves through the world in a refined black look complemented by the re-proportioned Bamboo 1947 bag.

The Italian art of effortless elegance, sprezzatura, informs gestures of ease with soft leather mules worn stepped-in. Dressing for pleasure is carried over into menswear, seen in Direttore’s tailored suit and Principino’s look, defined by his natural pull toward the centre of attention. Each character and their wardrobe reveal one of the many personas of La Famiglia and the distinctive aesthetic attitudes that define the collection.

The La Famiglia collection will be available in Gucci stores worldwide and on gucci.com starting January 8.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci
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Some collections feel beautiful.
Others feel meaningful.
And then there are rare moments in fashion when beauty, symbolism, heritage, and emotion come together.

With his debut for Dior, Jonathan Anderson opens a new chapter that feels both deeply personal and magically timeless. Born in Northern Ireland, Anderson brings his own cultural roots and sensibility into the house of Dior, subtle, thoughtful, and rich in meaning. At the heart of the collection lies a powerful symbol: the four-leaf clover.

🍀 A Symbol of Luck, Heritage, and Belief

The four-leaf clover is universally known as a sign of good fortune, but here, it carries layered meaning. It is a symbol closely tied to Ireland, a place renowned not only for its landscapes but for its people: authentic, loyal, warm, and deeply human. Ireland has a soul, and that soul quietly runs through this collection.

What makes the clover even more special is its intimate connection to Christian Dior himself. A botanical enthusiast and forever superstitious, Christian Dior always kept a clover in his suit pocket, believing deeply in destiny, superstition, and signs. Jonathan Anderson doesn’t just reference this history, he honors it with sincerity.

 Handbags, Accessories & Dresses That Feel Like Talismans

The craftsmanship across the collection is breathtaking. Handbags become modern talismans, adorned with clover motifs that feel elegant rather than literal. Accessories whisper luck rather than shout it.

For S/S 2026, Jonathan Anderson celebrates this cherished symbol, adding a joyfully decorative touch to the Lady Dior.

Flourishing with four-leaf clovers and adorned with a Ladybird charm, the Lady Dior Clover reflects Christian Dior’s superstitious spirit, crafted with the House’s enduring savoir-faire.

Lady Dior Clover – CHF 9400

Hot-stamped and then hand-embroidered, each clover reflects the House’s exceptional craftsmanship. The piece is completed with the signature «D, I, O, R» charms, an enduring hallmark of the Lady Dior.

I am also completely obsessed with the new small Bow Bag CHF 4200 and the clover charm CHF 510.

The Dior Men Clover Saddle Bag CHF 3500 is already sold out.

I thought I had enough of the Dior Book totes, but not anymore seeing the new Dior Toile de Jouy Clover Book Tote CHF 3200.

Dior Cruise 2026 Look 15

Skirts, shirts flow with a quiet confidence, refined, poetic, and wearable while still unmistakably Dior. This is fashion that doesn’t just dress the body; it speaks to emotion and intention.

Why This Collection Feels So Personal

I love Ireland, not as an abstract idea, but as a lived experience. Every time I’m there, I feel grounded, welcomed, and genuinely happy. There’s always laughter, honesty, and a sense that life doesn’t need to be complicated to be meaningful.

Obsessed! Dior Clover S3I sunglasses CHF 570

Seeing those values translated into a Dior collection feels incredibly special. It makes me want to own a piece of it, not just to wear, but to carry as a reminder of joy, luck, and new beginnings.

A Collection for a New Year, Full of Hope

This feels like a collection that brings luck for the year ahead. A reminder that fashion can still believe in magic. That beauty can be symbolic. And that sometimes, the right piece, a bag, a dress, a small clover detail, can feel like a promise.

Jonathan Anderson’s first Dior collection isn’t just a debut.
It’s a blessing. 🍀

LoL, Sandra

How cute are these Dior Bloom Heeled Slide for CHF 1300?!

Also part of the clover inspired collection is jewelry and homeware.

Photos: © Dior
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There are moments when fashion, history, and place align in the most effortless way, and my time in Santo Domingo was exactly that.

Invited to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Oscar de la Renta in the Dominican Republic, I found myself exploring the heart of the city in a beautiful Oscar look, wandering through the Colonial Zone with fresh eyes and a full heart. The streets felt alive with color, pastel façades, sun-warmed stone, and centuries-old buildings restored with such care that history doesn’t feel distant, but present.

Santo Domingo holds a special place in the story of the Americas. Often considered the oldest European-founded city in the New World, it stands as a living reminder of the moment when worlds first met in the Caribbean. Walking these streets, you feel that weight of history, softened by tropical light, music in the air, and the quiet elegance of tradition preserved.

To experience this city through the lens of fashion, heritage, and celebration made the journey unforgettable, a reminder that beauty lives not only in what we wear, but in the stories woven into the places we walk.

My look: Snake-effect cotton-blend poplin gown, letter gold-plated crystal necklace, and gold-tone, faux raffia and bead earrings, all by Oscar de la Renta, Dellena 100 raffia wedge sandals by Jimmy Choo, camera bag in white by CHANEL, bracelet Click H Hermès Factory in gold and lumière, and bracelet Click H in rose gold and marron glacé, both by Hermès, and white butterfly tinted sunglasses by Valentino.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 
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 CHANEL announces the addition of GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter and House Ambassador Gracie Abrams as a new muse of the COCO CRUSH collection. 

Since her debut in 2019, Gracie Abrams has emerged as one of the most compelling singer-songwriters of her generation. Her first EP Minor (2020), followed by This Is What It Feels Like (2021), established her on the pop scene in an intimate and authentic style. In 2023, she released her debut album, Good Riddance and received the highly coveted nomination for Best New Artist at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. The following year came the launch of her sophomore album, The Secret of Us and the deluxe version which included her highest charting song to date, «That’s So True.» 

A preview for you of my new obsession: COCO CRUSH supple choker, quilted motif, in 18K BEIGE GOLD by CHANEL Fine Jewelry

Gracie’s distinctive attitude and natural assurance perfectly embodies the spirit of COCO CRUSH, with the new campaign to be revealed on January 13th, 2026. 

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
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#CocoCrush #CHANELFineJewelry #SomeEncountersYouWearForever