Last week, I was in Paris for an exciting special project that will be revealed in March. Here you see me at one of my favorite places in the city: at Place Vendôme, the most beautiful square in the 1st arrondissement and home to the biggest names in high-end jewelry.

My look: Black coat with lace detail by Prada, leather and cotton-jersey sweater, chain-trimmed leather mini skirt, and Betty chain red leather shoulder bag, all by Saint Laurent, fine-knit wool turtleneck sweater by Lanvin, boots by Chanel, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline and rose diamond ring by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is your ultimate S/S 2014 runway trend guide. This season, there is fashion for every personality. It’s about tribal details, the power of pleats and the beauty of flowers, whether they’re luxurious embroideries or bold statement prints. Take cues from your favorite gallery and wear something artful. Don’t forget to add something shiny and to work on your waistline to sport the new must-have cropped tops. Sportswear has made its way into our daily wardrobe and bermudas should be worn layered with a skirt or dress.

I hope that this little summary will inspire you to look for the right new season pieces that will instantly update a look. Enjoy your new task!

LoL, Sandra

S/S 2014 TREND 1: TRIBAL
Akris –  Givenchy – Donna Karan

S/S 2014 TREND 2: WEARABLE ART
Prada –  Chanel – Céline

S/S 2014 TREND 3: BERMUDAS
Chloé –  Alexander McQueen – DKNY

S/S 2014 TREND 4: CROPPED TOPS
Balenciaga –  Louis Vuitton – Salvatore Ferragamo

S/S 2014 TREND 5: SPORTSWEAR
DKNY –  Gucci – Marc by Marc Jacobs

S/S 2014 TREND 6: LACE
Valentino –  Stella McCartney – Nina Ricci

S/S 2014 TREND 7: SHIMMER & SHINE
Lanvin –  Versace – Etro

S/S 2014 TREND 8: PLEATS PLEASE
Dries Van Noten –  Proenza Schouler – Victoria Beckham

S/S 2014 TREND 9: PASTEL
Miu Miu –  Burberry Prorsum – Christian Dior

S/S 2014 TREND 10: SUMMER BLACK
Bottega Veneta –  Saint Laurent – Dolce & Gabbana

S/S 2014 TREND 11: FLOWER POWER
Giambattista Valli –  Mary Katrantzou – Christopher Kane

S/S 2014 TREND 12: BOLD NIGHT
Emilio Pucci –  Alberta Ferretti – Ralph Lauren Collection

Photos: Via style.com

I love this time of the year when the new makeup collections will soon hit the shelves. The main beauty trend for Spring 2014 is cute and sweet, soft pastel shades mixed up with some vibrant hues. All very feminine and romantic. Here is your sneak preview of CHANEL‘s Notes De Printemps, one of the most beautiful ones for the new season.

NAILS
Chanel Le Vernis (CHF 35.00 each)
• Charivari – a deep aubergine
• Tapage – a vibrant coral red

LE TEINT
Chanel Poudre Universelle Compacte (CHF 62.00)
• Préface – translucent light peach

Le Blush Crème de Chanel (CHF 54.00 each)
• Intonation – intense coral pink
• Chamade – tangy rosy red

LE REGARD – EYES
Chanel Illusion d’Ombré (CHF 47.00 each)
• Impulsion – silver-shimmer pastel pink
• Diapason – violet-plum brown

Chanel Lumière Facettes Eyeshadow Quad (CHF 77.00) Création Exclusive (Edition Ephémère)
• Quadrille – Grey lavender, Shimmery gold-ivory, Satin apricot pink, Matte deep brown

LIPS
Chanel Rouge Allure (CHF 48.00 each)
• Mélodieuse – candy orange-red
• Fougueuse – fuchsia

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet (CHF 48.00 each)
• L’Adorée – matte plum
• La Diva – matte electric pink

Chanel Le Crayon Lèveres Lip Liner (CHF 34.00)
• Sonic Pink – soft pink

Chanel Glossimer – Lèvres Scintillantes (CHF 41.00 each)
• Murmure – coral
• Plaisir – sheer soft pink
• Sonate – red

Chanel Rouge Coco (CHF 46.00 each)
• Dédicace – sweet blue-based pink
• Triomphe – sweet peach pink

The collection will be available in Switzerland in the end of January 2014. In some other countries, like the United States, already around the 10th.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chanel 2013

Merry X-mas to all of you. Christmas Eve was absolutely fantastic being surrounded by my loved ones in the comfort of my own home. In the morning after my last minute shopping tour, my daughter and I decorated our Christmas tree that turned out to be very girly in pink, white and silver with a touch of black. A few years ago, I decided to get an artificial tree. I always felt bad to cut one for only those few days and hated the cleaning up after the season was over. With the fake snow, I really love its look and to achieve this iconic pine smell, I use a little trick (Please click here for last year’s post). Each season, I also opt for another color scheme.

In the evening, we ate great food and dressed up just enough to feel special, but still be comfy. We always end up playing fun games and talk until late. After dinner, we exchanged gifts – the little extra magic and sparkle of a Christmas Eve. Being a mum, I felt like Sandra Claus seeing my daughter’s eyes filled with joy and happiness. It is one of those magical moments you treasure forever. My hubby really surprised me in a fun way. He had “bribed” my personal shopper at net-à-porter and got me some of my favorite items from my wish list. My personal shopper told me she had to take them out of my basket as they were defect and I had been so disappointed… great idea, I have to say! I cannot wait to show you my new pieces.

My look for Christmas Eve matching my tree: Pink cowl-back silk-sateen dress (from the new Resort 2014 collection, also available in black) and pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps, both by Saint Laurent, art deco earrings by Prada, cuff by Chanel, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring, both by Piaget, Twenties stay-up by Wolford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Are you still looking for a last minute gift for a dear girlfriend or a little something to achieve the perfect holiday glow or the right sparkle for New Year’s Eve? Set an enchanting tone for Holiday, with the new makeup collections that express the magic and mystery of an endlessly festive night. Here are my favorites, enjoy and get inspired!

PETITE ROBE NOIRE SO CRAZY POWDER by Guerlain

The star product of Guerlain’s Christmas collection is this luxurious, limited edition atomiser designed to provide a generous puff of powder, scent and iridescent shimmer for the hair and body. Nobody can resist La Petite Robe Noire with its beautiful ingredients of black cherry, almond and Bulgarian rose.

HIGHLIGHTER ROSE ÉTINCELLE – VEIL OF LIGHT by Lancôme

As though the Lancôme rose were captured in crystalline frost this winter… Subtly pink in hue, this iridescent powder instantly illuminates every complexion. Simply apply with a brush to beautify your face and décolleté.
CHF 65.00

DIORIFIC JEWEL MANICURE DUO GOLD NAIL LACQUER BASE & CRYSTAL PEARLS by Dior

Dior reinvents its jewel nail lacquer with a duo that teams a gold base with crystal micro-pearls to sprinkle over nails. A bold manicure for precious, 3-dimensional nails.
CHF 60.00

ILLUSION D’OMBRE by Chanel

Enlivened with metallic reflections, this product can be used to create an extreme, stylised look or simply to caress the eyes with a veil of mother-of-pearl. I have never been a big fan of cream eyeshadows but totally changed my mind because this amazing powder-cream texture makes the application a pure delight.

My favorite shade is 837 Fatal, a silver purple, which is part of the House’s “Nuit Infinie de Chanel” holiday collection.

THE ONE LIMITED EDITION 2014 by Dolce & Gabbana

I am in love with special editions and this impeccably polished gold version conjures the luxurious spirit of its content for the festive season like no other. Holding one of the most beautiful rich oriental floral perfumes, it opens with a sparkling and modern interpretation of fresh top notes of zesty bergamot and mandarin combined with juicy lycée and peach. The journey to the heart follows into the scent of Madonna lily and ends in a sensual base of vanilla, musky and amber notes.

HYPNOTIC POISON by Dior

After showing you all the limited edition highlights for the holiday season, I would like to introduce you to one of my favorite scents for winter: Hypnotic Poison, one of the best gourmand orientals on the market that was launched in 1998. Almonds and sambac jasmine mix with vanilla and musk to create a dark, bitter aroma. Pure seduction in a bottle and already a classic! Sometimes I only wear the body products mixed with another scent to achieve a new unusual combination.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of the Brands

Dear Santa, please have a look! My lovely friend Soraya put together a blogger wish list and asked me to be part of it. Here are the items I truly wish for.

1 Appliquéd cotton-jersey and silk sweatshirt by Emma Cook
No designer approaches print and color quite like her.

2 Classic Plonge leather shorts by Saint Laurent
A must for the new season.

3 Stripe leather, suede and canvas sandals by Sophia Webster
Those fabulous heels are perfect for my upcoming trip to a warm weather destination.

4 Cassandre leather shoulder bag by Saint Laurent
No doubt, this summer I will need something yellow in my closet.

5 Multi-coloured backpack by Chanel
The must-have piece of the new season. A wait list voucher is enough for Christmas.

6 Set of two gold-tone arm cuffs by Maison Martin Margiela
Those jewelry pieces vamp up every outfit.

7 Miss Lanvin snow globe by Lanvin
The perfect decoration for my new desk at L’Officiel Switzerland.

8 Story Teller hardcover book by Tim Walker
Coming from my favorite photographer, I couldn’t wish for another coffee table book.

Santa, hurry up, I have just pushed the “add to basket” button… as I cannot wait for those pieces to arrive at my doorstep. I hope that I could inspire you a little.

LoL, Sandra

The invitation sketched by Karl Lagerfeld read, “Coco Chanel back in Dallas” and he took it literally. His fashion show for the Pre-fall 2014 Métiers d’Art collection titled “Paris-Dallas” took place last Tuesday at Dallas Fair Park, a historical venue with art-deco architecture that is located in the heart of the Texan city.

Chanel Paris – Dallas show decor

This event was the occasion to celebrate the strong bond that linked the French designer to the US. “I admire and love America. It’s where I made my fortune. For many Americans (…), I am France” stated Gabrielle Chanel, cited by Paul Morand in his book, The Allure of Chanel.

Stanley Marcus pictured on September 6th 1957 greeting Coco Chanel as she arrived in Dallas

The climax of this mutual passion dates back to 1957, when Coco Chanel – accompanied by a delegation of 125 people from France – landed on October 14th at the Dallas airport. Stanley Marcus, co-founder of the Neiman Marcus store, awarded her with the Neiman Marcus Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Fashion, the “Oscar of Fashion”. That year, the designer of rue Cambon is the only winner among the 300 fashion designers invited, an indication of the importance she holds in the hearts of Americans.

Gabrielle Chanel and Stanley Marcus during her visit in Texas

During her twelve-day Texan journey, Gabrielle Chanel dazzles the crowd to the point that Time Magazine reports the event by titling it “Dallas in Wonderland”. Fifty-six years later, Karl Lagerfeld returned to Dallas and retraced this journey that sealed the French-American love story of the designer with the people seduced by the modernity of her creations.

To celebrate the occasion, Karl Lagerfeld directed a short movie titled ‘The Return’ in which he shows Coco Chanel’s incredible return to center stage in December 1953 when the designer reopened her Haute Couture house after fifteen years of absence. The collection was welcomed by the French press with an icy silence as Dior’s 1947 New Look, cinched at the waist, had taken over the fashion hype. Only the American media supported the looks that defined the rebirth of Chanel’s style. ‘The Return’ retraces this determining period, that shaped the legend of the designer of rue Cambon forever.

The film features Geraldine Chaplin in the role of Gabrielle Chanel, Rupert Everett, Anna Mouglalis, Lady Amanda Harlech, Arielle Dombasle, the model Kati Nescher, as well as Vincent Darré and Sam McKnight.

The drive-in for ‘The Return’ screening before the show

Chanel’s Métiers d’Art collections are designed to showcase the amazing and outstanding craftsmanship of the ateliers that the House of Chanel has acquired to preserve over all those years. Personally speaking, I admire Karl Lagerfeld for his creativity that never uses an element the way it is meant to be. He transforms cowboy boots into wider versions, plays with texture so that laminated jersey looks like shiny leather and brings Native American details into the modern world.

Enjoy the photos of this absolutely fabulous collection! My favorite is this dark star-spangled gown, an ode to the ’30s with the right edge of a Texan cowboy girl! So, ladies, that’s what y’all are wearin’ next fall!

Karl Lagerfeld has chosen Kristen Stewart, who attended the show last Tuesday, to be the face of the upcoming campaign of the Pre-fall 2014 Métiers d’Art “Paris-Dallas” collection. I have to say that the American actress is not my favorite choice… but I am sure that Karl Lagerfeld will surprise us with something different once more.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel, © Oliver Saillant, © AP

It’s a plaid, plaid world out there this winter. The pattern that somehow manages to handle the difficult line between preppy and punk has suddenly proven itself as this season’s iconic and must-have print and I just cannot get enough of it.

My look: Duffle coat, embellished plaid wool dress and studded boots, all by Saint Laurent, Boy bag with chains by Chanel and Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

We all know that Karl Lagerfeld is a genius and he has proved it once more with his S/S 2014 runway show for Chanel for which he had transformed the Grand Palais into a gigantic white-walled hangar of paintings and sculptures, very Art Basel-like. All seventy-five artworks that served as the backdrop for this artsy collection were made by Lagerfeld himself.

On the runway, he showed amazing backpacks, toughened with a spray-painted version of the iconic logo and colorful chains that will surely fly off the shelves.

Ladies, get yourselves on the wait lists now (I am already on). Those backpacks are the next season’s must-have and in the meantime check out the ones by MCM.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Last week, I wore this bold red dress to the launch party of Isabel Marant for H&M in Paris. It has become one of my favourite looks of the season.

My look: Stretch-cady and lace gown by Alessandra Rich, camouflage fold over clutch by Valentino, Janis pumps in black and gold by Saint Laurent, ‘Mitza’ ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and earrings by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht