Sandra‘s Closet

«An animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.»

Personally speaking, I had lots of fun with Ultraviolet in 2018, but for 2019 I am ready to move on from the mysteries of the cosmos and dive deep into the ocean.

For 20 years, Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home furnishings, and industrial design, as well as product, packaging, and graphic design. This year’s search, which was unveiled last night at Art Basel Miami, named «Living Coral,» a peachy shade of orange with a golden undertone, as the 2019 Pantone Color of the Year.

«Vibrant, yet mellow PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment. In reaction to the onslaught of digital technology and social media increasingly embedding into daily life, we are seeking authentic and immersive experiences that enable connection and intimacy. Sociable and spirited, the engaging nature this color welcomes and encourages lighthearted activity. Symbolizing our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits, it embodies our desire for playful expression.
Representing the fusion of modern life, PANTONE Living Coral is a nurturing color that appears in our natural surroundings and at the same time, displays a lively presence within social media.»

I am a big fan of this color found in nature. Displayed beneath the sea, this vivifying and effervescent hue mesmerizes the eye and mind and is evocative of how coral reefs provide shelter to a diverse kaleidoscope of color. With everything that is going on in today’s world, I am happy that Pantone chose such an uplifting shade and not a grey…

To shop LIVING CORAL, have a look at those fantastic pieces and get ahead of the fashion trend:

Saba satin-trimmed silk-crepe blouse by Roksanda

Jonatina 100 PVC-trimmed patent-leather sandals by Christian Louboutin

Camille reversible silk-crepe maxi dress by Karlita

Alana coated mid-rise skinny jeans by J Brand

Happy weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Pantone and Courtesy of the Brands

Guess who didn’t bring flats or socks, but managed to pack the peep-toes? This has probably lost you a few friends in past days. But those times are over.

For fall, we’re going up — to the mountain that is. Hiking boots are one of the biggest footwear trends of the season and they’re giving traditional western, motorcycle and knee-high boots some competition.

Flashtrek leather high-top trainers by Gucci

The boots have certainly gained traction in the past few months. There’s Gucci’s Flashtreck sneaker  which is flying off the shelves and there’s Off-White’s collaboration with Timberland, which spawns a pair of gorgeously stompy velvet boots, a unique take on the classic footwear staple.

Velvet Timberland boots by Off-White

How to style them: Fashionistas all over the globe don’t save them for days with severe weather warnings only. They wear them year-round with everything from jeans and corduroys to silk dresses.

Here are some more of my favorite «Duke of Edinburgh–worthy hiking boots» available at the moment:

Black heart desert platform boots by Louis Vuitton

Two-tone textured-leather and suede ankle boots by Proenza Schouler

Mad 70 spiked quilted leather ankle boots by Christian Louboutin

Edna shearling-lined leather and suede ankle boots by Ganni

Leather-trimmed suede ankle boots by See by Chloé

Rockstud leather hiking boots by Valentino

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and Getty

Celebrate the arrival of summer time with these new limited edition bracelets by DIOR that will stand out beautifully against sun-kissed skin. Personally speaking, my temptation to stack these pieces in vibrant hues is even stronger in summer: a mish-mash of whisper-thin pieces jangling against each other on a tanned wrist evokes a holiday mood, whatever the temperature outside.

DIOR’s Rose des Vents collection is a prime example: first launched in 2015 (for a previous post, click here please), the house has cleverly come up with a constant supply of new colors and designs – first were the pretty little bracelets with lapis, pink opal, mother-of-pearl and turquoise; later the medallion-like charm was studded entirely with diamonds, rendered in various colours on long sautoir necklaces and covered with onyx.

This summer the eight-pronged star, inspired by an old maritime navigational tool, appears in three limited edition colors, pink, orange and green. I love to flip the bracelets between the plain and embellished surfaces.

On my arm are these Rose des Vents bracelets from top to bottom:
– 18k white gold, diamond and pink ceramic lacquer (limited summer edition)
– 18k yellow gold, diamond and green ceramic lacquer (limited summer edition)
–  18k pink gold, diamond and orange ceramic lacquer (limited summer edition)
– 18k yellow gold, diamond and turquoise (permanent collection)

The perfect way to elevate the fresh summer accessories one step up, is to paint your nails in a vibrant hue that looks particularly flattering against bronzed skin. Part of Christian Louboutin Beauty‘s limited edition «Loubiflash» collection, these mini lacquers come in the matching colors to complement Dior’s summer bracelets.
Turquoise «Dragonflash» – Orange «Crosta Meteor» – Pink «Neoprene»

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht

Ultra violet may be the Pantone Color of the Year 2018, but this S/S 2018 season is all about lilac. The fresh pastel shade was all over the runways shows, starting at Victoria Beckham to Tibi to Roland Mouret. Needless to say that other purple shades were also featured, but the light version is the hue that won everyone over.

It looks so beautiful on dresses and I like wearing it head-to-toe.

Diana ruched satin maxi dress by Alice + Olivia

Felcourt one-shoulder silk-crepe dress by Roland Mouret

Ruffled plissé-satin midi dress by Tibi

Aria ruffled chiffon maxi dress by Preen Line

Gathered silk midi dress by Pushbutton

Top from left to right: Solar patent-leather ankle boots by Petar Petrov and jacquard clutch by Dries Van Noten.

Buttom from left to right: Pigalle Follies 100 patent-leather pumps by Christian Louboutin and Mini Half Moon Box shoulder bag by Victoria Beckham.

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via design-seeds

Nowadays, there is a new style that utilizes angel wings as a fashion statement most likely thanks to the Victoria’s Secret Angels who are sporting their wings on the famous lingerie runway.
Personally speaking when it comes to an angel-wing piece, I feel a terrible obsession to go for it… it is somehow innocent and seductive at once.

1 Evangeline wing leather sandals by Sophia Webster
2 Wings heart leather shoulder bag by Niels Peerarer
3 Wing ring by Garrard
4 Winged ballerina bustier dress by Moschino
5 Wing 18-karat gold, agate and diamond earrings by Noor Fares
6 Wings ring by Elise Dray
7 Samotresse 100 metallic leather sandals by Christian Louboutin

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

A pair of loafers can elevate the simplest of looks. Live the loafer life.

Monana leather loafers by Christian Louboutin

Casati pearl-heeled calf-hair loafers by Nicholas Kirkwood

Rockoko sock-lined leather loafers by Fendi

Crystal and fur-embellished leather loafers by Prada

Feather-trimmed leather loafers by Rochas

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

With just enough room for your phone, keys and cards, mini bags are a fuss-free day-to-night option. Perfect for traveling light, these compact bags are just as stylish as their regular and oversized versions. From shoulder bags to cross-body, clutch and tote styles, mini bags come in a range of colorways and designs.

Look out for Givenchy‘s Antigona, Dolce & Gabbana‘s Sicily, Fendi‘s Peekaboo, Stella McCartney‘s Falabella and many more, for scaled-down versions of iconic bags.

Trend alert! Wear two or three at a time! Below are some of the best options to choose from.

LoL, Sandra

The Falabella tiny faux brushed-leather shoulder bag by Stella McCartney

Galleria Baby textured-leather tote by Prada

Peekaboo mini whipstitched leather shoulder bag by Fendi

Lock small leather shoulder bag by Valentino

Sac De Jour Nano textured-leather tote by Saint Laurent

Antigona Mini leather shoulder bag by Givenchy

Sylvie mini chain-embellished leather shoulder bag by Gucci

The Marcie mini textured-leather shoulder bag by Chloé

Sicily small embellished textured-leather tote by Dolce & Gabbana

Paloma nano spiked matte and patent-leather tote by Christian Louboutin

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via Pinterest, Fashionjunkiie, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar

«Working with the most wonderful artisans from all over the world is completely natural for me,» commented Christian Louboutin ahead of the launch of his new Mexicaba totes that are exclusive to MATCHESFASHION.COM.

Handcrafted by local Mexican artisans from the Yucatán Peninsula and in collaboration with the Taller Maya Foundation, an organisation that supports the talents of local Mexican women, those absolutely beautiful totes are traditionally woven in riotous rainbow stripes and topped with vibrant, Mayan-style embroidered motifs alongside the designer’s crest-style logo.

Tap into the season’s wanderlust mood and carry it alongside a patterned maxi dress or to the beach. Infuse yourself with the vibrant spirit of Mexico.

TO SHOP THE EXCLUSIVE MEXICABA TOTES BY CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Christian Louboutin

Recently, I watched the new Mother’s Day movie. It is star-studded ensemble film (Kate Hudson, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts just to name a few…) that follows three generations in the week leading up to this special celebration with all of them facing the ups and downs of motherhood. It is really an entertaining film that I can recommend.

One scene caught my eye specifically and that means in terms of fashion of course. Without giving away too much, it’s pretty much in the end when Julia Roberts, who plays also a grandma (Can you imagine? Time flies!) shows up in a stunning pink dress. With capes being so fashionable this season, this built-in version is absolutely divine.

Get the look: Cape-back crepe mini dress by Alexander McQueen, Dolce leather-trimmed painted wood clutch by Dolce & Gabbana, So Kate 120 leather pumps by Christian Louboutin and Lady Stardust 18-karat rose gold multi-stone ring by Stephen Webster.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Fashionistas love fashionable and oh-so practical tote bags. Whether classic or reinvented, this handbag shape should be atop your must-have accessory wish list. A keeper forever!

1 Monogramme Cabas medium leather tote by Saint Laurent
2 Bamboo Shopper medium textured-leather tote by Gucci
3 Liberty leather tote by Victoria Beckham
4 Paloma small spiked leather tote by Christian Louboutin
5 Le Dix Cabas textured-leather tote by Balenciaga
6 Intrecciato leather tote by Bottega Veneta
7 Joy medium textured-leather tote by Tod’s
8 The Rockstud medium leather tote by Valentino

My avid readers have seen me a gazillion times with my Bamboo Shopper large textured-leather tote by Gucci. I adore this bag, so practical, stylish and easy to carry. Perfect for travelling!

More than 30 years after it was introduced, it is still one of the most exclusive tote bags in the world: the Hermès Birkin Bag, a true classic.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands