Sandra‘s Closet

Me in the Haight area wearing black leggings by BLUMARINE, military shirt by BALMAIN, top and pink-khaki scarf by LOUIS VUITTON and suede clogs by MIU MIU

Last week, I spent a few days in San Francisco. Haight Ashbury is the famous intersection in the area that gets its notoriety from the “psychedelic” culture and the 1968 “Summer of Love”. Today, you can still feel the hippie vibe with its fragments of flower-power.

When I was walking around the district, I got so inspired by the gorgeous bright coloured houses, so-called Painted Ladies. The term refers to Victorian and Edwardian buildings painted in three or more colours that embellish their architectural features.

Adopting that idea and transferring it to fashion, I styled some beautiful outfits in different colour combinations. You will see how stunning some shades can look together. Most people tend to wear a more neutral palette along with black. There is nothing against this. But today, I want to challenge you a bit and demonstrate how wonderful a little mix with some bolder tones can appear without looking like a clown.

It is again all about that special twist. Carrie in Sex and the City might be the perfect example: Patricia Field, the show`s stylist, opts very often for something that looks kind of strange in the beginning, but then so surprising and interesting that you cannot take your eyes of it.

Experiment with your own style! That is the thing that is so hard to copy and will earn you lots of admiring glances.

Spare for a little hug?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Not only celebrity children are dressed in designer clothes, the lust for expensive “mini-me“ outfits is definitely boosting the economy. It might be called the “Suri Cruise effect”. So not surprisingly, after Gucci, there is going to be Fendi for kids!

Silvia Venturini Fendi unveiled her first complete collection created for children from 0-12 years in partnership with Italian manufacturer Simonetta. The colour palette was mostly soft with bolder accents and the prints featured flowers and small checks. To all fashionista mums: If your little ones drool, they should drool on something designer… so a Fendi bib would be appropriate.

The Joneses are gone, better “keep it up with the Cruises”!

LoL, Sandra

One of my favourite online stores Net-à-Porter has started to receive the new pre-fall 2010 collections and I do not want you to miss this. The beginning of the season offers always so many stunning pieces. Here are some of them, already put together in complete outfits. The Burberry Prorsum jackets are divine just as the python prints by Stella McCartney. A belted cardigan is a must-have for next season, why not go for this Fendi one and think leather, leather, leather! The Burberry Prorsum pencil skirt below would be the perfect opportunity. Do you feel the same urge to push the “add to shopping bag” button like I do?!

Natalie Massenet

As it has been a week of announcements, I have another one, this time for my male readers who probably feel a little left behind. Ten years to the day Net-à-Porter was founded and right after its acquisition by Richemont earlier this spring, the online shop`s founder Natalie Massenet and the Net-à-Porter family announced that they are adding a stand-alone menswear luxury retail site to the company, called Mr Porter. It will launch in January 2011 for next spring and will offer the most exclusive service along with style advice.  Brands like Balmain, Burberry, Lanvin, YSL and John Lobb, just to name a few, will make the stressed business man happy shopping from his desk. Or we could order for our men a little pre-selection to enjoy at home. I like it!

LoL, Sandra

It might be on short notice, but definitely not too late to get your hands on a gorgeous pair of leather shorts. An absolute must this summer that will stay trendy next winter.

My favourites are the lace-up ones by Alexander Wang with zippers on the side, available in brown or black. Combine them with a boyfriend blazer, an embellished top and stunning wedges (see above). Add a feodora hat for that certain twist or just wear them with cowboy boots and a little cardigan for your urban days off-duty like I did this week.

Here are some gorgeous versions from the S/S 2010 collections available at Net-à-porter or Browns. Do not forget, sale will be starting soon…. in the US it is already on!

3.1 Phillip Lim, £465.-

Fendi, €1060.-

Helmut Lang, €586.-

Get ready to wow!

LoL, Sandra

Some of the most memorable looks on the runways for F/W 2010 impressed with the comeback of the season: Fur in all variations. From Karl Lagerfeld`s take on the full faux fur polar bear look to Versace`s colourful interpretations to shearling lamb footwear.

The emphasis was one the most luxurious finishing details you can imagine. The designers were using more fur than ever. I am wondering why PETA was so absent during the fashion weeks. They could have totally made an example.

Herewith you will find a gallery of the most desirable shoes and bags for the upcoming season. I am crazy for Chanel `s Nanook of the North fake fur boots with the icicle heels and the matching chain strap bag. Totally stylish are also the fur-trimmed boots like the ones by Hermès or YSL.

Another must-have for winter is a thick fur-covered tote, for example by Dolce & Gabbana or Christian Dior to name a few.

Love it or hate it, fur is one of the biggest trends.

LoL, Sandra

Summer is here, but fashionwise winter is knocking at the door. During the next weeks I will tell you all about the rising F/W 2010 trends. You will be up-to-date before the looks will be present in the fashion magazines. So enjoy the first one:
Spotted a lot on the runways once more were animal prints with leopard and ocelot up front! Add just one item to your wardrobe and your seasonal definition will be ensured. My absolute favourite is the stunning coat by Gucci, my must-have!

There has been a talk about the Fendi Peek-A-Boo bag since a few seasons, but all of a sudden it comes out of hiding and has reached the It-bag status. Created by Karl Lagerfeld and shown for the first time at the Fendi S/S 2009 runway, it has appeared in every Fendi show since then in different materials and colours. For the opening of their prestigious new shop in Las Vegas at the MGM Hotel, Fendi launched a limited Peek-A-Boo edition in 24 carats gold leaves (see picture above) for approximately $36.000. Spotted on many celebrities in various sizes, the shape of the bag is very Birkin-esque but with only one handle like the famous Kelly bag. It has a “kangaroo pouch” that can be draped open. The tote is very sophisticated but not looking to bourgeois like his Hermès forerunners plus the prices are far more attractive.

I am totally in love with them. Especially the unclasped look gives the bag a kind of sloughy cool appearance. My only problem is to decide which one I prefer as there are sooooo many beautiful versions out there. This summer my favourite model is the tapestry one but probably it is worth waiting with a view to the stunning yellow leopard version from the upcoming winter collection, see below.

For my Swiss based readers, Bongénie Grieder carries those bags.
Have you decided yet?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Fendi

Go bold at cocktail hour with a red statement dress. Everything floral, like prints or applications, is essential this summer. My winner is this bright-red strapless silk mini dress with pleats and oversized flowery ruffles by Stella McCartney. This show-stopping runway style deserves center stage; slip on some gorgeous sandals (mine are the Fendi ones from the show) and keep the accessories simple.