My Look: Never Seen Together

Today, I would like to introduce you to the unusual color combination of mint green, green and a touch of blue. As a child, the quote I’ve always heard was: «Grün und Blau schmückt die Sau,»which literally translates into green and blue is worn by a pig. After doing some research, I found out that it originates from a verse of the song «Delmenhorst» by Elements of Crime from the ’80s. However English people think the same and state, «blue and green should never be seen unless there‘s something in between.»

Personally speaking I think blue and green are gorgeous together. For this look, I added colour-pop accessories in blue hues to the mint and green combination to create an interesting mix.

My look: Wool and silk-blend crepe blazericon, and cropped pleated cotton-blend crepe wide-leg pants, both by Ralph & Russo, silk-georgette blouseicon by Alexander McQueen, Pillow smalll feather and crystal-embellished floral-jacquard toteicon by Dries Van NotenPurist 105 suede pumpsicon by Aquazzura, vintage blue crystal earrings by CHANELClash de Cartier ring large model in pink gold with amazonite, and LOVE bracelets, all by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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My Look: Dries Van Noten

After the Belgian fashion designer Dries Van Noten has decided to step down as creative director of the brand that bears his name at the end of June, leaving behind an admired and successful business, a body of work that remains inspiring and distinct, his designs have been on even higher demand.  I love this stylish, yet comfortable look from the S/S 2024 collection that I am wearing in this post on the Commonwealth Avenue in Boston.

Tomorrow, I will be on my way to the US again… any idea where I will be heading to?

My look: Checked crepe T-shirticon, and jacquard-knit straight-leg pantsicon, both by Dries Van Noten, Petite Malle H27 bag, all by Louis Vuitton, Kurillos chain-embellished leather pumpsicon by Manolo Blahnik, and oval-frame gold-tone and acetate sunglassesicon by Celine.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Anouk Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Summer Bucket Hats

The bucket hat has perhaps had one of the biggest fashion glow-ups in the accessories market. Personally speaking, I love this relaxed style that has become a summer must-have for me, easy to pack and very lightweight, much easier than a big straw hat that hardly fits in your suitcase.

High-fashion brands, like Celine, Etro and Kate Spade took the bucket hat to the S/S 2021 runway, showing how trendy it is.

There’s no one way to wear a bucket hat anymore, as the style is as brilliant paired with a mesh beach cover-up as it is with a luxurious tropical print dress. Below you can find my favorites.

Happy Monday! To shop, just click on the highlighted product description.

LoL, Sandra

Mesh small brin bucket hat by Dior

Printed linen-twill bucket hat by Zimmermannicon

Roman Stud faux straw bucket hat by Valentino
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Printed cotton-terry bucket haticon by Dries Van Noten

Haley embroidered cotton twill bucket hat by Isabel Marant


iconFaux straw bucket haticon by Fendi

Asymmetric printed canvas bucket haticon by JW Anderson

Leather-trimmed embroidered cotton-blend bucket hat by Loewe

Logo embroidered woven bucket hat by Prada

White bucket hat by CHANEL

Photos: Michael HJ Lopez Photographie, © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Designer Tights


What makes this season’s vibrant hosiery so interesting is that those bold stockings are being paired with relatively straightforward clothes. Update a simple sweater and miniskirt with blue tights or elevate your evening dress with sexy lace hosiery. Those Balenciaga logo tights might look extreme at first pass, but under a trench coat they read almost normal. If we’ve learned anything from the trends this season, it’s that being just left of center feels so right and designer tights seem so much more tempting…

1 Flocked tightsicon by Balenciaga
2 Metallic lace tightsicon by Gucci
3 Floral stretch-lace tightsicon by Dries Van Noten
4 Ribbed stretch-silk tightsicon by Prada


5 Jacquard-knit tightsicon by Gucci
6 Lamé-coated metallic tightsicon by Gucci
7 Swedish Stockings leopard-print 60 denier tightsicon by Ganni
8 Intarsia fishnet tightsicon by Gucci

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands, Photo: © Gucci
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Clearly the Most Stylish Shoes of the Season

It’s a PVC party!  If you feel like you’ve been spotting see-through everything lately, you’re not alone. But this season, designers step up their game by choosing vibrant colours, studs, laces or even lucite heels filled with surprises to attract the attention.

Clearly the most stylish shoes of the season!

LoL, Sandra

Logo-perforated PU and faux leather mules by Stella McCartney
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Metallic leather and PVC sandalsicon by Prada

Amber Ghost patent-leather and PVC sandals by Alexandre Vauthier


icon105 patent leather-trimmed leopard-print PVC slingback pumpsicon by Gianvito Rossi
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PVC and leather sandals by Dries Van Noten


iconFaridaravie 100 embellished PVC and mirrored-leather sandals by Christian Louboutin

Milos 105 leather and PVC sandals by Aquazzura


iconPeggy sandals by Nicholas Kirkwood
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iconParadise leopard-print wood & PVC clogs by Sophia Webster

iconPhotos: Courtesy of the Brands

Purple Power

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

iconRuffled plissé-satin midi dress by Tibi

iconAria ruffled chiffon maxi dress by Preen Line

Gathered silk midi dress by Pushbutton

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

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

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via design-seeds

Visit Flanders – Visit Antwerp

January blues? Forget those and plan a weekend trip to Antwerp. Last Monday, I was invited by Visitflanders to celebrate the launch of the first direct flight from Zurich to Antwerp. From now on, Flyvlm is heading on a daily basis to the Belgium hot spot. In 48 hours, I explored the city with a population just over 500,000 (of which I know surprisingly many:-)) and fell in love! Would you like to know why? Here you go!


Brussels is Belgium‘s capital, but the second biggest city, Antwerp, is without a doubt the country’s hot spot of cool. Best known for its gigantic seaport, diamond district, beer and being home to the baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, it has a dazzling variety of attractions. And personally speaking one of the most important ones, is fashion! Antwerp’s renowned fashion school, the «Royal Academy of Fine Arts», is the prolific birth place of world-famous designers, of which six became known as «The Antwerp Six».

The Antwerp Six

Under Linda Loppa, who now serves as the dean of Polimoda fashion school, Walter Van Beirendonck, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs and Marina Yee graduated between 1980–81. In times where everything was a «little too much», the fashion collective presented a distinct, radical avant-garde vision for fashion that established Antwerp as a notable location for fashion design. The breakthrough occurred in 1986 as the group rented a truck and set out for London Fashion Week with their collections that immediately became a huge success. Within just three days, they found themselves stocked at Barneys, Bergdorf and Liberty of London, and propelled into the media stratosphere, even without Instagram.

Martin Margiela, another Belgian contemporary, was not actually part of the group that showed in London, although he is often mistakenly described as one of the Antwerp Six; he had moved to Paris, initially working for Jean Paul Gaultier. Another Belgium fashion celebrity is Raf Simons, who originally graduated in Industrial Design and Furniture Design from a college in Genk in 1991, when  he got encouraged by Linda Loppa to become a self-trained menswear designer and launched his Raf Simons label in 1995.  He began working as a furniture designer for various galleries, having previously interned at the design studio of Walter Van Beirendonck between 1991-1993. The latter  took him to Paris Fashion Week and that was when Simons first saw a fashion show — Martin Margiela’s all-white show in 1991 — which inspired Simons to turn to fashion design. I love how all of them are related and that it brings it full circle.

With Raf Simons

Despite being a powerful magnet for everyone from fashion moguls to art lovers and diamond dealers, Antwerp also retains an intriguing medieval heart with plenty of café-filled cobbled lanes, a riverside fortress and a truly impressive cathedral. Antwerp in a nutshell? These are the must-sees during your visit.

Hotel Les Nuits
Located on the fourth floor, this little boutique hotel sits on the edge of Antwerp’s Fashion District and is perfectly located in the city. Every room has its own design. The service is extremely friendly and the food is healthy and amazing!
Lange Gasthuisstraat 12, 2000 Antwerp
Phone + 32 03 225 02 04

The Apartment
A home away from home. The luxury Apartment with hotel service at Graanmarkt 13 is designed by Vincent Van Duysen and is a warm and welcoming home in the heart of Antwerp. It is the place where Mario Testing or Tim Burton are staying when they are in town. The top floor used to be the home of the concept store’s (located beneath) founders Tim and Ilse, but is now open for all. The price per night for the full apartment is € 1.300 (it is absolutely worth the money!). You get a spacious loft for up to 6 adults with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, wifi/internet, and breakfast included.
Graanmarkt 13, 2000 Antwerp
Phone +32 3 337 79 91, E-mail 

Bourla
Café Restaurant Bourla is housed in a majestic building on Graanmarkt, next to the Apartment. Yet the atmosphere is casual, the prices are decent and the Belgium food is amazing. Try their fries and you die! Young and old, businessmen and tourists, shoppers and theatregoers… everyone feels at home here.
Graanmarkt 7, 2000 Antwerp
Phone +32 3 232 16 32, E-mail 

RAS
So chic! In an outstanding Antwerp setting in terms of architecture, interior decoration, art and design, lunch or dinner at RAS goes beyond food. It is an unforgettable total experience. The name drives from its location, RAS – Restaurant Aan de Stroom (the Restaurant by the River).
Ernest van Dijckkaai 37, 2000 Antwerp
Phone: +32 3 234 12 75

Billie’s Bier Kafétaria
This is your first stop when you are looking for a great pub in Antwerp (there are many). From the greatest and unknown Belgian beers to the most obscure beers from around the world, you’ll find everything here! I loved Oude Geuze, a blend of lambic from different years, served in champagne flutes.
Kammenstraat 12, 2000 Antwerp
Phone: +32 3 226 31 83

Würst Haute Dogs
This is a must when you are in Antwerp. At Würst, Belgian television chef Jeroen Meus serves “haute dogs“, hot dogs like you’ve never tasted them before. I shared a Caesar dog and a Sauerkraut dog which were both absolutely amazing.
Maalderijstraat 5, 2000 Antwerp
Phone: +32 3 296 18 86

You will go bananas with the magnitude of Belgium designers having their little affordable shops around town. Moreover you can find many high end designer brands in Antwerp and of course, renowned Belgium designers have their flagship stores in the city, too.

Dries van Noten
Personally speaking, a must when you are in town. It’s impossible to untangle the city of Antwerp from the life and work of Dries Van Noten. Unfortunately the shop was closed when I was there last week.
Nationalestraat 16, 2000 Antwerp
Phone: +32 3 470 25 10

Delvaux
Delvaux is the oldest fine leather luxury goods company in the world, founded in 1829 in Belgium. You can find a great selection of handbags, small leather goods and accessories for women and men.
Komedieplaats 17, 2000 Antwerp
Phone: +32 3 232 02 47

Verso
The moment you enter this multibrand concept store which is across from Hotel Les Nuits, your breath is taken away. Located in a beautifully restored 16th century mansion which served as a bank before, it is a fashion heaven on earth with a great selection of many high end designers. The Verso café is also worth going to.
Lange Gasthuisstraat 9, 2000 Antwerp
Phone: +32 3 226 92 92

Renaissance
A multi brand hig end fashion store merging directional fashion with fine dining in the heart of Antwerp. Realised by acclaimed Belgian architect Glenn Sestig, the 800 sqm boutique and restaurant delivers bold statements in light, colour and atmosphere.
Nationalestraat 32, 2000 Antwerp
Phone: +32 3 233 93 90

Essentiel Antwerp
The Belgium fashion brand delivers trendy fashion at affordable prices and has many locations in the city of Antwerp. In Switzerland available at Globus and at Limmatquai 70 in Zurich.
Schuttershofstraat 26, 2000 Antwerp
Phone: +32 3 213 15 10

Stadtfeestzaal
The beautifully renovated Shopping Stadsfeestzaal on the Meir is presently a shopping centre housing over fifty shops. Not my favorite for shopping, but worth seeing.
Meir 78, 2000 Antwerp
Phone: +32 3 202 31 00

Antwerp Central Station
First used in 1905, this station is absolutely impressive and is considered as one the most beautiful train station in the world! Trains arrive on top of each other on three different platforms with two additional underground levels.

Antwerp Zoo
One of the oldest and best-known zoos, it will take you at least half a day to see one of the most diversified animal collections in Europe.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Plantin-Moretus Museum

Antwerp Museums
Antwerp has numerous museums. Among the best known are the Rubens House, the MAS | Museum aan de Stroom, and the Red Star Line Museum, but there are plenty of others worth seeing: historical houses where you can savour the atmosphere of past times, a fashion museum and several art museums. There is something for everyone, whatever your taste. As I was on a Monday in Antwerp, museums were unfortunately closed. My favorite would have been the MOMU Fashion Museum.

Vlaeykensgang
The secret Vlaeykensgang alley dates from 1591 and connects Hoogstraat, Oude Koornmarkt Pelgrimstraat with one another. Walk through the gate at Oude Koornmarkt 16 and you feel as if you have journeyed back in time.

Grote Markt
Grote Markt originally was a forum or square just outside the medieval residential quarter. In 1220 Duke Henry I of Brabant (1165-1235) donated this community land to the city. The name Merckt was used for the first time in 1310.

Cathedral of Our Lady
After 169 years of construction the cathedral of Antwerp finally dominated Antwerp’s skyline in 1521 with a height of 123 metres. It’s the highest Gothic building in the Low Countries.It is an iconic treasury, with an impressive collection of major art works, including a series of paintings by Rubens.

Having the most exclusive sightseeing tour thanks to Tanguy Ottomer.

The Story of Nello & Patrasche
The story of the young boy Nello and his dog Patrasche is famous all over the world and it’s set… in Antwerp! Nello and Patrasche are the main characters in the 1872 novel «A Dog of Flanders» in which the Cathedral of Our Lady and various paintings by Rubens play an important role.
Nello, a poor orphan boy, becomes friends with Patrasche, an abandoned cart dog. They walk to town together every day. They often visit the cathedral, where Nello admires the paintings by Rubens. Due to a series of setbacks, the lives of Nello and Patrasche end in that same cathedral. They die together from hardship. This moving and atypical Christmas story holds a message of pride and unconditional friendship and is very famous in Japan. Artist Batist Vermeulen (‘Tist’) designed a statue of the boy and his dog which you can admire on the Handschoenmarkt, in front of the cathedral.

Den Deugniet
Brussel’s Manneken Pis‘ companion in Antwerp is called Den Deugniet and is a pretty naughty statue that can be found at the corner of the Oudaanand Korte Gasthuisstraat to show his bare bottom to people passing by. It was first placed there in the ’70s by local traders and has since been kidnapped several times! Now the bottom is not gold anymore but you can still rub it for good luck.

I had an amazing 48 hours in Antwerp and I am sure that you can imagine that time flies fast with all the spots you can visit in the Flemish city. I’ll be back, for sure…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Photo Antwerp Six via Dazzed Digital

Heel Art

Today’s post is spotlighting the latest trend in footwear, heel art. From logo details to animal-inspired embellishments, these shoes will definitely get a lot of attention.

Elephant heel ankle boots by Dorateymur

iconOpyum logo-heel patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent

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Fur-lined suede ankle boots by Loewe

Velvet ankle boots by Dries Van Noten

Baroque pumps by Ralph & Russo

Zaha suede pumps by Nicholas Kirkwood


Suede-trimmed leather pumps by J.W.Anderson


iconStretch-knit boots by Burberry

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
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Most Important F/W 2017 Accessories Trends

This F/W 2017 season is all about having fun and exploring new territories! With fashion in a maximalist mood, accessories have kept their center stage. On the runways, fishnets are back, boots sparkle, and this winter you definitely need three bags at once. Red is the color to buy and don’t store your overknee boots, they are hipper than ever.

The forecast: Get ready for your another sumptuous season!

LoL, Sandra

F/W 2017 TREND 1: FISHNET STOCKINGS
Lanvin – Jason Wu – Cinq à Sept

F/W 2017 TREND 2: GLITTER BOOTS
Oscar de la Renta – Chanel – Saint Laurent

F/W 2017 TREND 3: FURRY HATS
Marni – Prada – Miu Miu

F/W 2017 TREND 4: CRAZY HATS
Emilio Pucci – Moschino – Maison Margiela

F/W 2017 TREND 5: STUFFED ANIMALS
Dolce & Gabbana – Loewe – Jeremy Scott

F/W 2017 TREND 6: WIDE BELTS
Tod’s – Bottega Veneta – Michael Kors

F/W 2017 TREND 7: LOGOMANIA
Proenza Schouler – Christian Dior – Balenciaga

F/W 2017 TREND 8: COMBAT BOOTS
Altuzarra – Rodarte – Hermès

F/W 2017 TREND 9: HEEL ART
Mary Katrantzou – Salvatore Ferragamo – Dries Van Noten

F/W 2017 TREND 10: TRIPLE THREAT
Coach – Gucci – Fendi

F/W 2017 TREND 11: OVERKNEES
Balmain – Nina Ricci – Ellery

F/W 2017 TREND 12: WHITE OUT
Victoria Beckham – Marc Jacobs – Narciso Rodriguez

F/W 2017 TREND 13: FOCUS ON THE JEWELRY
Isabel Marant – Alexander Wang – Céline

Photos: Via Vogue.com

The Top 15 Runway Trends for F/W 2017

Here they are: the most important trends for the F/W 2017 season. Americana vibes, a powerful way to wear red, and vintage-inspired everything. Enjoy this comprehensive look at the pieces you’ll be wearing shortly. Deconstructed clothing is here to stay as well as florals and leisure suits. If you are looking at the new skirts, mid-length is the way to go.

I cannot wait for this beautiful season to arrive in stores.

LoL, Sandra

F/W 2017 TREND 1: POWER RED
Givenchy – Fendi – Max Mara

F/W 2017 TREND 2: FUTURISTIC SILVER
Saint Laurent – Chanel – Comme des Garçons

F/W 2017 TREND 3: NEW TRANSPARENCY
Calvin Klein – Miu Miu – Emilio Pucci

F/W 2017 TREND 4: WILD WEST
House of Holland – Balmain – Alexander Wang

F/W 2017 TREND 5: FOLKLORE
Gucci – Etro – Maison Margiela

F/W 2017 TREND 6: EVENING VELVET
Jason Wu – Alberta Ferretti – Erdem

F/W 2017 TREND 7: RETRO FUR
Louis Vuitton – Michael Kors – Loewe

F/W 2017 TREND 8: ’70s PLAID
Tory Burch – Marni – Hermès

F/W 2017 TREND 9: FEATHERS
Prada – Mary Katrantzou – Elie Saab

F/W 2017 TREND 10: LEISURE SUITS
Chloé – Marc Jacobs – Ashish

F/W 2017 TREND 11: BROAD SHOULDERS
Dries Van Noten – Jacquemus – Isabel Marant

F/W 2017 TREND 12: RECYCLING
Dolce & Gabbana – Moschino – Junya Watanabe

F/W 2017 TREND 13: LACE OVERLAY
Stella McCartney – Burberry – Alessandra Rich

F/W 2017 TREND 14: WALLPAPER FLORALS
Mulberry – Emilia Wickstead – Balenciaga

F/W 2017 TREND 15: DENIM SUITS
Sacai – Christian Dior – Esteban Cortazar

Photos: Via Vogue.com