Sandra‘s Closet

This 50s inspired dress from Prada’s F/W 2010 collection is a key item for next season combining different trends perfectly. The emphasis on the bust is an ode to the womanhood, the length and the petticoat-style give it the perfect feminine allure. It is a very fashionable piece that will make heads turn. There is a reason that it has appeared in the Prada F/W 2010 campaign, in many editorials and on worldwide magazines covers.
Combine it with kitten heels, a top handle bag and a pair of sharp cat-eyes sunglasses for full-on glamour.

As for me, one of my must-haves this season!

LoL, Sandra

Sounds unreal, but it is true. On September 10th (also known as Fashion’s Night Out ), Chanel will be launching another limited-edition make-up collection in honour of their Soho shop reopening. Chanel`s highly-anticipated Peter Marino-redesigned shop on 139 Spring Street in New York ( +1 212 334 0055) will be the only place to get the so-called “Soho Story Collection” that includes the following gorgeous products:

Soho de Chanel Palette (with the four letters of Soho engraved in the powder)

Quadra Eyeshadow Palette Stupendous (beige, brown, prune and steel)

Rouge Coco Lip Colour Stunning (beige pink)

Glossimer Star (light shimmery pink)

Rouge Allure Stunt (soft mauve)

Nail Colours Strong (blackberry glitter) and Steel (grayish blue glitter)

The new shop has even got its own campaign featuring plus size model Crystal Renn and Lagerfeld’s muse Baptiste Giabiconi.

So, New Yorkeresses, get your hands on those pieces and ship them to your fellow fashionistas around the globe. Thanks!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

If you are a cat and lipstick lover, you will purr over Paul and Joe’s limited-edition F/W 2010 collection that features 3 new lipsticks in the shape of cat faces, available through Shopstyle. Those products are so hilarious that I had to share the news with you. Applying them might be quite challenging but after the cat-eyes hype, why shouldn`t there be a cat-lips trend?!

Meow to all pussycats!

LoL, Sandra

Meet fantastic L’Wren Scott, the brainchild behind the eponymous label. Born 1967 as Luann Bambrough in Utah, the former model is noted for her height of 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters) and a frequent companion of Mick Jagger.

L'Wren Scott and Mick Jagger, Photo: Kevin Mazur

As a tall teenager, she took her first steps in making clothes. Later, she worked as a stylist and a costume designer before starting her own line that has become quickly a favourite among red carpet celebrities.

Her F/W 2010 collection, Tuxedo Terrace, presents a modern take on tuxedo dressing with great pieces for cocktail and black tie attire. Available at NET-À-PORTER.

Another gorgeous collaboration will hit the counters in November. The leggy designer teamed up with Lancôme to create an exclusive make-up look for the upcoming holiday season.

The slate gray nail polish had already been on the models’s nails during L’Wren Scott’s F/W 2010 runway show. Must-haves will also be Hypnôse Drama Mascara in a limited-edition shimmery silver and the sultry red shade for lips.

A classic look that will work perfectly this upcoming season.

LoL, Sandra

So long, miniskirts! Say hello to longer hemlines as they swing their way back into our closets this fall.

Interesting to know is the hemline theory which says that when hemlines go up, it is a sign that stock prices rise. When the knees are seen, it is a bull market. When the skirts get longer, it is a bear market, and prices will fall. Is the longer hemline an indicator for a global recession? Can fashion explain today’s erratic swings in the stock market? Will see…
Probably the reason is that during bad economy, ladies do not want to spend their money on cellulite cream and hair removal. The longer hemline works then to their advantage and so the theory would be correct.

During F/W 2010 fashion weeks last spring, editors were almost tripping on their skirts, taking boho to the max and they were absolutey right.

Inside on the runways, the long skirts made their comeback to daily life, from floor-sweeping to still showing a bit of leg, but most importantly keeping it well below the knee.

Above, you will see my pre-selection of gorgeous long skirts that are all available at the moment.

Love this look: Skirt and scarf by LOUIS VUITTON, worn with a coat by CELINE, a belt by HERMES and boots by FENDI. Photo by Phil Poynter for German Vogue September 2010.

If you go for the trend, I will recommend pairing it with a cropped jacket, tucked in blouse or a belted-top for a nice silhouette. Especially if you are small-framed, you have to make sure that you are not swallowed by the floor grazing skirt. If you like you can also opt for the “Olsen Twins look” with a long knitted cardigan on top, but still try to get the proportions right.

I hope that you have enjoyed seeing the economy through the eyes of a fashionista!

LoL, Sandra

For all my male readers who have been asking for this frequently, here is my Menswear Trend Report for F/W 2010.
And Ladies, please stay tuned as you never know when this will come in handy. Your hubbies, daddies and boyfriends will love you even a little more for your fashion knowledge. Moreover the menswear trends are very similiar to the female ones. Have fun and get inspired! Even the classic pieces are definitely not boring this season…but see for yourself:

The end `50s and early `60s inspired many designers for their F/W 2010 collections. The well-tailored suit makes its return into the gentleman’s closet. Imagine Don Draper, the main character of Mad Men, shopping on Savile Row and there you go! Back to the basics, black, all shades of grey and camel welcome elegance as the new dress code.

Also back is the 3-piece suit. I like Costume National’s modern interpretation in grey worn with a turtleneck.

Anyway, turtlenecks were seen everywhere on the runways and seemed to have replaced the shirts. Those cozy pieces worn with a suit have this wonderful `70s vibe that is so up-to-date.

Camel is the new black! The camel coat has been a wardrobe staple of almost every fashionable era. This season, there are many different updated models in well-designed silhouettes, dynamic volumes and distinct cuts. A great investment for many years to come!

A vest or a jacket in velvet is a must this season. Beautiful shades make those It-pieces even more desirable.

Added to these revisited classics making them part of the modern times, were narrow tight leather or cropped pants.

The new hemline goes hand in hand with another rising trend for men. Pants were tucked into boots and it looked so hot! So guys, be brave and try it out!

If you like it more bright, you could add just a hint of colour, preferably in royal blue or a berry tone.  A little sweater like the Prada one will be a perfect eyecatcher.

Or you could opt for the total look. Tone on tone, from head to toe, dressed in the same colour family or matching fabrics give this creative concept a new take on the masculine dress code.

If it gets really cold, men will have a lot of stylish options this season. Fur was seen along with must-have shearling jackets. I adore the Burberry Prorsum ones very much.
Rustic sweaters evoking a winter sports atmosphere let us dream of after ski and evenings in the chalet.

So Gentlemen, I never want to hear again that you are indifferent to fashion! Enjoy your new look and the world will be your oyster!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Last year at the first Fashion’s Night Out, the launch of Chanel’s mint green nail polish “Jade” went done in nail polish history. Peter Philips, global creative director of Chanel make-up, started a hype that has not come to an end yet. Fashionistas all over the world have craved for the limited vernis colours since then.

This fall at the second Fashion’s Night Out hosted by Vogue , that will take place in 16 cities around the globe (like New York, Paris, London, Berlin and Tokyo) it won`t be any different.  
The world’s biggest shopping event stands for a fab night with late store opening hours, fashion shows, pop-ups and exclusive offers.

Chanel will launch the very limited Les Khakis de Chanel, a collection of 3 Le Vernis Nail Colours that can be worn alone or combined for a camouflage effect. With the ongoing military trend, the shades in so-called Khaki Rose, Khaki Brun and Khaki Vert are a must!

Get ready for Sept 9th (like Berlin) or Sept 10th (like New York )! Book your flights, call your girlfriends in one of those 16 metropoles and  pray for the grace of the Beauty Gods!
Nothing else will help…

I will be on the field in London that night!

LoL, Sandra

This year, Wolford celebrates its 60th anniversary. To honour the event, the Austrian hosiery and lingerie brand is launching a gorgeous special edition set that is limited to only 350 worldwide with each individually numbered.
The collectable item, comprising of an all-in-one panty body combined with matching stockings (which can be worn separately), is made out of fine flower lace with embroidered blossoms and glittering Swarovski crystals. The exclusive anniversary pack has a great  `60s vibe to it, and remember lace is a must for F/W 2010.

Beyoncé is wearing it already in her video for her new dance track „Why Don`t You Love Me?“ that shows the rising vintage trend par excellence.

Available for CHF 1590.- (£ 825.-) in Wolford boutiques in the beginning of October.

LoL, Sandra