My Look: Leopard Snake

Here is proof that leopards and snakes can get a long very well. I adore mixing animal prints and hope that you will, too. In my opinion, rain gear couldn’t look any prettier.

My look: Hooded animal-print shell coaticon, and snake-print high-rise slim-leg jeans, both by Burberryicon, roll-neck jersey sweater by Dolce & Gabbana, embroidered Ace sneakers by Gucci, vintage Evelyne black canvas and leather crossbody bag by HermèsLouise long necklace by Louis Vuitton, and Mitza ring by Dior Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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The Top 15 Runway Trends for F/W 2019


Personally speaking, fashion month always seems to be never-ending, but the actual work starts after when I have to sift through the best of the best. Below, you will find my summary of the F/W 2019 trends that reigned supreme – the ones that are the most important to know right now.

Memorize some of them to impress your friends when they ask you what you’re looking forward to wearing this fall, and not so humbly reply, «Definitely a hint of lilac, everything punk from a transparent lace dress with combat boots to a tartan skirt with a chain choker, not to forget a cape and everything layered. You know, the essentials.»

In full transparency, there were tons of F/W 2019 trends that won my heart that you won’t see in this roundup as the edit would have been far too long, such as `70s inspired vintage shearling jackets or pleated skirts. As preached for the past few years, everything is possible. The runways this season were loud and clear on the fact that you can pick and choose what trend you would like to try. But very importantly, the fashion world is turning away from the casualness of athleisure and trading it in for the opportunity to get dressed up.

Enjoy this post and stay tuned as I will continue to cover forthcoming fall styles all season long.

LoL, Sandra

F/W 2019 is a season of great outerwear, including the hero of it all, the cape. From military-inspired to classic lady-like or dramatic evening styles, you have a gazillion options to choose from.

I am definitely not a morning person, especially not during the cold season. Therefore I love this trend of outerwear reminiscent of my bedding, quilted and cozy.

Imagine classic pieces that somehow look too cool to be a basic wardrobe staple. They come with a twist, deconstructed, layered and so interesting to look at.

This season was filled with an air of punk-rock grunge in all ways. Fishnets, lace, leather, combat boots, chains and chokers, you know what I mean.

Tartan fabrics have always been a part of the punk movement, so it was obvious that the designers jumped on this trend for F/W 2019.

Layering has been around for a while now but this season it is undoubtedly about the art of layering all of your knits on top of each other. The more knitwear you staple, the better.

The legs of the models on the F/W 2019 runways looked literally like a crayon box. Bold hosiery in different colors came down the runway, paired with everything from frilly dresses to skirt suits.

Leather is a great cold-weather staple, especially with the right dose of color to cheer up grey winter days.

Animal prints have been around for many seasons, but finally, zebra stripes are having their well-deserved moment.

Lilac, interestingly enough, is making a resurgence now. Wearing pastel head-to-toe in winter is the ultimate sophistication.

Unleash your inner Jane Fonda and get ready to wear your ’80s aerobic gear for a fun night out.

Ready to go back in time? This season, the clothing proved to be taking inspiration from a period long, long ago, from boning on dresses and bustiers, to pretty puffy sleeves and Victorian neck ruffles.

One of the most festive fall trends is lamé and shiny metallic hues. This blast-from-the-past fabric gets you party ready in a second.

Inspired by everything you find in a museum, this stunning trend is truly one for the books. Imagine the portrait-gallery wing of your favorite exhibition brought to dresses and capes.

This trend truly seems to stay and gets elevated to new heights this F/W 2019 as every major collection had a small touch of black lace. Some of the prettiest lace dresses I have ever seen come with a rock or grunge allure. Transparent is a must!

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

My Look: Red Leopard

Animal prints were trending on the F/W 2018 catwalks and so it is time to take a walk on the wild side. But this season, it means vibrant colours, preferably red, and definitely not for the shy… as the bold prints are worn head to toe as seen at Tom Ford. I wore this outfit last week for a X-mas cocktail among dear friends and got lots of compliments for it.

My look: Tiered leopard-print silk-crepon mini dressicon, red leopard print tightsicon, leopard print pumpsicon, and Natalia mini leopard-print velvet shoulder bagicon, all by Tom Ford, earrings by Prada and rose diamond ring by Piaget.

For the winter season, Tom Ford Beauty introduces Tom Ford Boys & Girls, a decadent collection of 15 clutch-sized mini lipsticks, named after the friends, intimates and collaborators Mr. Ford admires. My favorite shade: Hudson, a perfect rosy beige.

Scent: Lost Cherry Eau de Parfum is a new scent, that is part of Tom Ford’s Private Blend collection. It includes the following notes: black cherry accord, bitter almond, griotte sirup Scenttek™, rose absolute Orpur®, Peru balsam, and roasted tonka Orpur.
I feel in love with it from my first spritz and not only because of the name. If you like gourmand fragrances like me, you will adore this blended mix of warmth and sweetness of cherries and vanilla with a hint of rose coming through combined with almond.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

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

Novelty Sweatshirts

Novelty Sweatshirts 2

Here is your guide to master the huge sweatshirt trend for F/W 2013 with no sweat. The style set can’t get enough of this season’s cool comfy tops. Tap fashion’s slogan sweatshirt craze or go for a floral or embellished version. Highlight a print by wearing skinny pants and sneakers. The great thing about those novelty sweatshirts is that you can also upgrade them with a sexy skirt and a pair of heels. And don’t forget, grey is the colour to think about first!

Novelty Sweatshirts FW2013

Personally speaking, I am crazy for this amazing cloud-print cotton-jersey sweatshirt iconby Kenzo and the black cotton sweatshirt with colourful ‘brain’ print iconby Christopher Kane.

FLORAL
1 Beta oversized cotton-blend fleece sweatshirt by ACNE
Silk sateen-paneled jersey sweatshirt iconby Markus Lupfer
3 Embroidered cotton sweatshirt iconby Matthew Williamson

ANIMAL PRINTS
Bird-flocked cotton sweatshirt iconby McQ Alexander McQueen
Quilted jersey sweatshirt with eagle motif by Stella McCartneyicon
Horsing Around cotton sweatshirt iconby J.Crew

SLOGAN
Riot cotton-blend terry sweatshirt by Zoe Karssenicon
Jonker cotton-jersey sweatshirticon by Karl Lagerfeld
Féline cotton-blend jersey sweatshirt by Brian Lichtenberg

EMBELLISHMENTS
10 Embellished cotton-jersey sweatshirt iconby Markus Lupfer
11 Embellished olive green cotton-jersey sweatshirt by Lanvin icon
12 Sopo crystal-embellished cotton-jersey sweatshirt iconby TNTees

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the brands, Style, © Splash, © Sandra Bauknecht

The Very Best of Versace for H&M

Versace for H&M Cover

Here is your heads-up on the upcoming Versace for H&M collection (in stores November 17, 2011). I thought that you might like a closer view on the very vibrant and colourful pieces.
The creations are definitely not for the faint-hearted and minimalists among you. For all others, enjoy this crazy mix! And gentlemen, get your pink suits for the next “Pink Party”, no more excuses please!

LoL, Sandra

Versace for H&M-3a

Versace for H&m -7

Versace for H&M - 4a

Versace for H&M - 6

Versace for H&M - 7

Versace for H&m -9

Versace for H&M - 10

Versace for H&M-5a

Versace for H&M-2aStills: Courtesy of H&M

Meet the King of Bling: Roberto Cavalli

The King of Bling

Roberto Cavalli, the “King of Bling” and the “Godfather of the Animal Prints” (as he quoted himself), will be soon coming to Switzerland for the Fashion Days Zurich. He will attend not only to present his latest relaunched Just Cavalli S/S 2012 collection, but also as a guest judge for the 8th annabelle award which will take place on November 10th, 2011. The lucky winner will receive a one year internship with the Florence based house.

Wild animal prints, floral embellishments and leather patches? It is surely no other than Roberto Cavalli.
His flamboyant iconic mix is seen everywhere on the red carpet and not only on celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Madonna and Lenny Kravitz. Last year, he celebrated his fashion house’s 40th anniversary. During Milan Fashion Week, I was able to meet with the Italian designer (who gives his nationality a lot of credit, believe me!). Please enjoy the interview where he explains his secret of success and why the Swiss women love Italian men.

Roberto and I 4

You will be coming soon to Switzerland for the Fashion Days Zurich. Have you ever been to Zurich? Or will it be your first time in November?

Oh I have of course been to Zurich, many times! What a fantastic city, with a great energy. I love Switzerland, my wife Eva and I have a beautiful boutique in Saint Moritz, the nature is really stunning, it offers up a lot of inspiration.

What do you expect from the Fashion Days Zürich?

I’m really looking forward to taking part in Fashion Days Zürich, it’s a wonderful project. I expect to see new ideas from young, passionate people. I’m always curious about young talent and emerging designers, they are the people who will enter the industry with a fresh mind and new ideas, it’s essential to keep fashion alive!

One contestant will receive an internship with you in Florence. What are the main qualifications you are looking for?

The person will have to be positive, to come with a smile on their face and be driven by a strong desire to learn. I’m looking for raw talent that can be drawn out, and the curiosity of a young person. It’s so important that they are curious to learn!

Do you have an idea how your Swiss customers look like?

It’s not about how my customers look, the Cavalli world is not about looking a certain way! It’s about an attitude, it’s about personality, emotions! I think that my Swiss fans share in these beliefs the same way as my fans in Italy, China or Brazil do!

And oh yes, I had many Swiss girlfriends. The Swiss women are wonderful. They like the Italian men because we appreciate them. The Swiss men are sometimes too dry.

RC1

You have many different labels, from the main Roberto Cavalli line to Just Cavalli and Class by Roberto Cavalli, all three in different price levels. Dolce & Gabbana will be stopping their D&G brand and integrate it in the main line because they experienced that consumers didn’t understand the difference.
What about you? Is there a risk of confusion that costumers don’t understand why they should pay more for the Roberto Cavalli runway collection.

No, there is no risk of confusion. Obviously there are a lot of similarities, aesthetically speaking, between Just Cavalli and my main line Roberto Cavalli, because they are both part of the same Cavalli world and vision. But there are very basic and obvious differences too—Just Cavalli has a very young mindset— youthful, free-spirited, carefree! It’s an experimental line, and it obviously has a lower price point, so it’s more accessible than Roberto Cavalli mainline, whereas Roberto Cavalli is more formal and is taking the direction of demi-couture, the artisanship, the attention to detail—this is the fundamental difference.

What is your main target group for Just Cavalli? What is for you the big difference compared to the runway label?

Firstly, Just Cavalli is also a ’runway’ brand! We always have a fashion show, equally as beautiful as for the first line Roberto Cavalli. It may be the second line, but it is my baby! I love designing for Just Cavalli, because for me it’s a world of experimentation, researching and discovering new shapes, styles, materials! Just Cavalli has a ‘younger’ target, I don’t mean ‘younger’ as defined by an age bracket, but a younger philosophy—it’s very free-spirited and carefree and is highly competitive in the market segment known as “designer contemporary”. Roberto Cavalli is obviously accessible to a narrower target, it’s more exclusive of course, but I put the same amount of love and thought into each line.

The Just Cavalli line will not lose its distinct style codes, which have led to its success over the years, but will however evolve.

Is Just Cavalli your favourite son? Speaking in a metaphor.

I have three sons and two daughters. So yes, probably Just Cavalli is my fourth son. He is a little son but he grows very fast. But for a few seasons he was making me a little nervous, he was not good in school. But now, we have changed school and it is fantastic. And I enjoy teaching my son Just Cavalli. The DNA Cavalli is definitely there. He is a good son. He made so much progress.

Which do you think was the most important advice you have given your children? Did you expect them to work for you? Or did it happen naturally?

I got to where I am by believing in myself and following my heart, so I encourage my children to do the same! I’m proud to say that despite leading a very hectic life, I’ve always been very present in my children’s lives and I love having them around me in the work-place…but! If one day they decided “Papà, I want to leave the company to follow a different dream“, they would be leaving 100% with my blessing!

What was the most important thing you have learned from your father?

Sadly, I lost my father when I was very young, four years old. Luckily for me I had my outstanding mother! What a fantastic, marvellous person, a very brave woman … she was also present, by my side, in every phase of my life. She encouraged me to always carry on in the face of difficulties.

RC2

Please describe yourself in three words.

Passionate, curious, optimistic!

The secret of your success.

Self-belief and passion.

What makes a woman irresistible and sexy?

It’s not just how a woman looks but how she feels. I design my clothing so that the woman wearing my dress feels confident and believes in her beauty … it empowers her and this makes her fascinating. And last but not least the eyes. They are the soul of a woman!

Who is the most beautiful woman in the world? The sexiest woman alive?

Oh! What a question, there are too many beautiful women to name! Honestly I think that the sexiest woman alive is someone with great personality and strong character, a woman who knows who she is and what she wants! And, of course, she is even more beautiful if she is wearing a Roberto Cavalli dress, no?

Please tell us something about your iconic printed photographs on your materials!

Absolutely. That is my style. This makes the difference. Therefore they all like to copy me. I am the designer of the animal prints. Why? I remember one night in Kenia. I took a photo of a leopard. When you look at my prints, you can see the hair on it. Today, all the other designers copy me and do it my way. Two days ago, they opened a new store on Via della Spiga. So I thought: Ohmygod a new Cavalli store? It was no Cavalli, it was another designer but it looked completely Cavalli. My style is my style! This makes me nervous.

You have so many different projects and licenses, like the Just Cavalli restaurant in Milan, the Caffè Giacosa In Firenze, your own chocolats, vodka, wine, eyewear, clothes for dogs, childrenswear.
You have created a Cavalli universe? Where does the inspiration come from? Where are the limits?

Limits? This word is not in my vocabulary! The inspiration comes from everywhere, when you are a curious person you find everything you look for and more. I travel a lot, I’m a lover of the outdoors, of nature—my creations always have a connection to nature! What a beautiful world we live in!

Thank you Mr. Cavalli!

Roberto and I 2

My dear readers, I hope that you have liked the interview!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

S/S 2011: Wild Kingdom

The ubiquitous zoo trend continues. From monkeys at Prada to tigers at Louis Vuitton to full-on leopard prints at Blumarine, Giambattista Valli and Dolce & Gabbana, this season’s runways resembled an episode of Wild Kingdom.


My absolute favourites are Louis Vuitton’s giraffe heels. Those sandals are pieces of art and will definitely find their way through the fashion jungle into my closet. So stay tuned for the sequel.

LoL, Sandra

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