S/S 2018 TREND 1: SILK ROAD
Céline – Hermès – Versace

S/S 2018 TREND 2: ART LOVERS
Akris – Prada – Missoni

S/S 2018 TREND 3: IN FULL BLOOM
Rochas – Erdem – Marni

S/S 2018 TREND 4: FRINGES
Balmain – Calvin Klein 205W39NYC– Dior

S/S 2018 TREND 5: MARABOU
Proenza Schouler – Saint Laurent – Nina Ricci

S/S 2018 TREND 6: LAVENDER
The Row – Michael Kors – Tom Ford

S/S 2018 TREND 7: LIFE IN PLASTIC
Chanel – Burberry – Valentino

S/S 2018 TREND 8: WORKOUT
Gucci – Louis Vuitton – Marc Jacobs

S/S 2018 TREND 9: PLAID PLEASE
Fendi – Prabal Gurung – Balenciaga

S/S 2018 TREND 10: 80’s DENIM
Max Mara – Stella McCartney – Oscar de la Renta

S/S 2018 TREND 11: THE TRENCH
Gabriela Hearst – Maison Margiela – Victoria Beckham

S/S 2018 TREND 12: SHOW YOUR UNDIES
Christopher Kane – Miu Miu – Alessandra Rich

S/S 2018 TREND 13: RAINBOW
Peter Pilotto – Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini – Vionnet

S/S 2018 TREND 14: WHITE AT NIGHT
Jil Sander – Alexander McQueen – Etro

S/S 2018 TREND 15: MISE-EN-SCÈNE
Moschino – Dolce & Gabbana – Comme des Garçons

Photos: via Vogue.com

Now, more than ever, gifting is considered an art. To celebrate the holiday season, the Art of Gifting collection that debuted in early 2017 has expanded with new offerings. Sharing emotions, that is something that is deeply rooted in the Maison Louis Vuitton’s attention to excellence.

Louis Vuitton’s first store in 1854.

In 1854, Louis Vuitton founded his namesake House as an emballeur, or trunk packer. The most elegant ladies of the day flocked to his store right by the legendary Place Vendôme to entrust him with their jewels, hats and sumptuous dresses.

A remake of the original Louis Vuitton Pateki brainteaser

Renowned for its innovative trunks, the Art of Packing specialist soon began creating delightful talismans, such as the Pateki brainteaser invented by Gaston Louis Vuitton, the grandson of the House’s founder.

Starting in the 1920s, the pleasure of offering gifts became an art de vivre in its own right, and was illustrated in works such as «Gift-giving, the proper guide to choosing and offering a present for New Year’s, the holidays, birthdays and all circumstances in which one wishes to be kind to those one loves.»

In 2017, the Gifting collection presents a trio of themes that extends the art of generosity with gift ideas for intimate and grand occasions alike. Ideal for year-end festivities, these presents enhance the joys of the season and highlight the unique excellence of Louis Vuitton’s workshops.

Plexiglass box «Scott»

Decorative objects distill the iconic codes of Louis Vuitton to all areas of the home. Like a smaller-scale, nested iteration of Louis Vuitton’s trunks, the «Scott» keepsake box lives up to its heritage and spiritedly blends the modernity of Plexiglas with the sensuality of natural cowhide leather.

Valet trays «Georges»

In the living room, assorted photo frames naturally find a place next to «Georges», a valet tray named after the creator of the Monogram canvas. To combine chic and practicality, three formats come in either Epi leather or natural cowhide leather.

Christmas tree baubles

There are even Christmas ornaments for decorating the tree with Monogram flowers in leather, where canvas and silk embellish the traditional fir with a luxurious iconic touch.

Notebooks

Celebrated by Louis Vuitton, writing, an essential part of the Art of Travel, fires the imagination more than ever. Personnal notebooks, the stalwart companions of traveling writers and the repository for ideas big and small, take on the sheen of precious metals, in gold or silver. Two diary formats in Epi leather join a lineup of colourful or printed notebooks, pencil cases, bookmarks, desk blotters and pencil holders in Monogram Canvas and House leathers.

Teddy bear «Louis» and truck «Tiki»

Gaston Louis Vuitton, the grandson of the House’s founder, was renowned for creating his own parlour games and for his collection of beautiful wooden toys. To this day, a playful spirit influences House creations, such as the «Louis», a patchwork teddy bear, or the build-it-yourself «Titi» truck in Monogram canvas and leather. Travel-friendly objects bring an air of playfulness wherever they alight, from playing cards and signed sets of dice to glasses cases in Monogram canvas and cowhide leather brightened with a touch of bright red or navy blue.

Jumping ropes and ping-pong set

Sports accessories likewise get into the spirit of the season: with a skipping rope in Monogram Eclipse canvas and a matching ping-pong set, the art of movement takes a cue from the Art of Travel.

Objects from the «Gifting» collection will be available starting in November 2017 in Louis Vuitton stores worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Last April, Jeff Koons and Louis Vuitton teamed up on a limited edition «Masters» capsule collection of bags and accessories. This month, the duo will launch a second collaboration inspired by iconic pieces of legendary artists such as Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin, Édouard Manet, Nicolas Poussin, J.M.W. Turner and François Boucher. This second chapter will debut on October 27, 2017.

«Boucher’s Reclining Girl is a painting I often visit in the old Pinakothek in Munich. It strikes me as one of the most sensual images ever painted.» – Jeff Koons

François Boucher
Reclining girl (1752)
Alte Pinakothek museum in Munich, Germany

Paul Gauguin
Delightful land (1892)
Ohara Museum of Art in Kurashiki, Japan
Presently at the Grand Palais exhibition “Gauguin l’Alchimiste“, Paris

Édouard Manet
Luncheon on the grass (1863)
Musée d’Orsay in Paris

Nicolas Poussin
The triumph of Pan (1636)
National Gallery in London

Claude Monet
Water lilies (1916)
Matsukata Collection
National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, Japan

J.m.W. Turner
Ancient Rome (1839)
Collection of Tate in London

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Louis Vuitton

With an established catalogue of 29 cities, in both print and digital versions, the LOUIS VUITTON City Guide has established itself as the indispensable companion to the discerning traveller.

Since 1998, Louis Vuitton has instilled its nomadic nature into its City Guides and proposed a selection that is as specialized as it is individual. Completely updated, Paris is enriched this year with new addresses, following in the wake of London, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing, Berlin, Milan and Sydney.

Each city is thus revealed by independent journalists and guests from all horizons. This year, architect Dominique Perrault invites us to discover his Paris, artist Camille Walala accompanies us throughout London, curator Nancy Spector shares her New York, and Takeshi Kitano pursues a personalized exploration of Tokyo.

Publication date: October 19, 2017 – the digital versions of the Paris and New York City Guides will be available for free on the App Store as of October 19, 2017.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Sometimes it feels good to take a hike, to take some time off and then go on a hike. Switzerland offers so many beautiful spots with its breathtaking beauty – just perfect to recharge your batteries.

My look: ‘Star Studded’ Wonder Woman T-shirt by Valentino, cropped dark blue leggings by Miu Miu, zebra print calf hair hiking boots by Prada, sunglasses by Chanel, bum bag from Louis Vuitton‘s S/S 2009 collection.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I love when the new ad campaigns are released for the upcoming season as I always like to see what the brands have come up with. Louis Vuitton took a cast of mostly young A-list house ambassadors to be featured in the new “Series 7” campaign for the F/W 2017 collection, which takes shape in an industrial world of raw elements and stark lines.

Against this ideal cinematic backdrop photographer Bruce Weber has set a romantic ballet of never-before-seen characters and powerful heroines. Whether massed in groups, paired off, or singled out for solos, these models generate surprise against a multiplicity of décors and visuals. Among the models faithful to Nicolas Ghesquière’s imagination—a feminine cohort that he delights in transforming every season—are some prestigious guests. Riley Keough, Jaden Smith, Sophie Turner, Catherine Deneuve, and Kevin Michel arise like serendipitous interlopers in the photographs’ composition, fitting right in to the modern tale.

I especially like the close-up shot of the fantastic new embellished clutch bag!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton 

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

Cabinet of Wonders
The Gaston-Louis Vuitton Collection

Edited by Patrick Mauriès With texts by John Banville, Stephen Bayley, Alberto Manguel, Delphine Saurat, Pierre Senges

Such a wonderful coffee table book – a perfect gift for somebody who likes traveling and vintage collector’s items. Over his lifetime, Gaston-Louis Vuitton, grandson of the founder of the House, collected trunks and every kind of article related to travel, invention, craftsmanship and bibliophilia. With more than one thousand objects and documents, this volume pays homage to an ‘unrepentant collector’, his wide interests and voracious curiosity.

In Louis Vuitton stores worldwide July 2017
In bookstores September 2017

Below you can enjoy some of the different sections of the new tome to get an idea of what the book is about. Enjoy and happy weekend! I am off to London…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton

I told you already about my obsession with Ellery‘s playful to-die-for kick-flare trousers that billow out in a way that’s reminiscent of a mermaid tail. Now, you see me wearing them in combination with some more ruffles, a huge trend for S/S 2017.

My look: Ruffled silk chiffon cropped top by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, Alejandro ruffled-panel cropped jeans by Ellery, 2.55 quilted bag with attached hanger and shiny black and gold sunglasses, both by Chanel, logo detail heel pumps by Saint Laurent, Essential V sautoir necklace and Petite Malle iPhone 7 cover, both by Louis Vuitton, lace bra by Agent Provocateur and wide band in metal by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This morning while I was working on another post, I got an e-mail from Louis Vuitton that made my heart leap with joy and that I wanted to share with you immediately. The French Maison is collaborating with Jeff Koons for a collection called «Masters» for which the famous American pop artist remixes the iconic artworks of the old masters and presents them in a way that encourages new interpretations.

Balloon Dog (Orange) © Jeff Koons
signed and dated ‘Jeff Koons 1994-2000’ (on the underside) , mirror-polished stainless steel with transparent color coating , 121 x 143 x 45 in. (307.3 x 363.2 x 114.3 cm)
Executed in 1994-2000. This work is one of five unique versions (Blue, Magenta, Orange, Red, Yellow).

With Jeff Koons in New York City in 2013 for the Balloon Venus launch event with Dom Pérignon.

Since Marc Jacobs enlisted Stephen Sprouse to create the now-iconic graffiti range in 2001, Louis Vuitton has led the way in the fashion/art collaboration stakes. Koons, whose Balloon Dog (Orange) holds the record for the most expensive art work by a living artist after it sold for $58.4 million at Christie’s New York in November 2013, follows in the footsteps of Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince, Daniel Buren and Damien Hirst by partnering with Louis Vuitton.

Gazing Ball (Ariadne), 2013, Plaster and Glass
112.6 x 238.4 x 93cm, Edition no. 3/3
Monsoon Art Collection, © Jeff Koons

For his collaboration with Louis Vuitton, Koons seeked inspiration from his Gazing Ball series that he started in 2013 as a series of plaster reproductions of famous ancient sculptures, each one set with a blue mirrored sphere. It’s these hand-painted Old Master reproductions that appear on the limited-edition Masters range of iconic Louis Vuitton handbags as well, from Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Titian’s Mars, Venus and Cupid, Fragonard’s Girl with a Dog, Van Gogh’s Wheat Fields and Cypresses to Rubens’ Tiger Hunt.

The beautiful interior of the Rubens Palm Springs backpack (more photos below…)

The name of each original artist is emblazoned across the front, and their biography and portrait are featured inside. Absolutely new for Louis Vuitton is that a collaborator features his own initials on the bags. A sign for the importance of his status.

Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters Collection
Fragonard Speedy 30

Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters Collection
Titian Neverfull MM

Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters Collection
Da Vinci Speedy 30 in Poppy

Fans of Koons’ Inflatables series get their money’s worth; each piece is finished with a leather tag in the shape of the inflatable rabbit that Koons famously cast in polished stainless steel in 1986.

My personal three favorites are:

Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters Collection
Rubens Palm Springs Backpack

Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters Collection
Rubens Keepall 50

Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters Collection
Van Gogh Montaigne MM

The Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters collection will be available from April 28 in stores and at louisvuitton.com. Below you can enjoy the beautiful teaser.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton, © Jeff Koons, © Sandra Bauknecht, Louis Vuitton Malletier/Melanie & Ramon