LOUIS VUITTON and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the leading humanitarian and development organization, have signed a global partnership to support the most vulnerable children around the world. The aim is to raise funds for UNICEF and help support children that are exposed to conflict, diseases, natural disasters and other situations that threaten their safety and well-being.

Children are too often at risk during emergencies and humanitarian crises and are especially vulnerable to disease, malnutrition and violence. For those living in conflict zones, the situation is worse. They are more likely to be denied an education or access to clean water, and more likely to die before their fifth birthday. UNICEF is present before, during and after a crisis, providing children with essential protection, health care, safe water, nutrition and education.

Through the partnership with LOUIS VUITTON, funds raised will support UNICEF’s efforts to provide the essential interventions required to protect, save lives and ensure the rights of all children, everywhere. During 2016, a specially designed product, the Silver Lockit, will be available in Louis Vuitton stores worldwide and online.

For each sale of the Silver Lockit pendant or bracelet, $200 will be donated to UNICEF. The Silver Lockit, inspired by the unpickable tumbler lock invented by Georges Vuitton in 1890 to protect clients’ most precious belongings, is a symbol of protection. It also seals one’s promise to help children in urgent need.

Shopping for a good cause. Share your commitment by making a pinky promise with the hashtag #MAKEAPROMISE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton

Merry Christmas to all my readers! I hope that you are enjoying it as much as I do!

My look: Long coat with gold piping and leopard collar by Louis Vuitton, striped pleated metallic knitted dress and metallic leather boots, both by Gucci, Bayswater shoulder bag by Mulberry, earrings by Miu Miu, diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My winter season started last weekend in Gstaad where I enjoyed a fun party at the Palace Hotel.

My look: Paneled lace and silk-georgette mini dress by Elie Saab, Monogram Motard clutch by Louis Vuitton, patent pumps with bows by Saint Laurent, Diorette ring and earrings by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography (A huge thank you!) 
and © Sandra Bauknecht

Here they are: the most important trends for the S/S 2016 season. Scroll through my forecast to see which styles will be on everyone’s shopping list next season. Let’s be honest, there is nothing really new, but that is the beauty of our century. Everything is possible!

LoL, Sandra

S/S 2016 TREND 1: SWEET GIRLS
Miu Miu – Gucci – Dries Van Noten

S/S 2016 TREND 2: SLEEPWEAR
Balenciaga – Loewe – Alexander Wang

S/S 2016 TREND 3: ARM CANDY
Dior – Fendi – Céline

S/S 2016 TREND 4: OFF THE SHOULDER
Sonia Rykiel – Proenza Schouler – Edun

S/S 2016 TREND 5: ROMANTICISM
Alexander McQueen – Saint Laurent – Etro

S/S 2016 TREND 6: TRIBAL
Balmain – Prada – Valentino

S/S 2016 TREND 7: JUNGLE
Roberto Cavalli – Versace – Bottega Veneta

S/S 2016 TREND 8: TIE-DYE
Narciso Rodriguez – Altuzarra – Paco Rabanne

S/S 2016 TREND 9: FINE LINES
Salvatore Ferragamo – Stella McCartney – Tommy Hilfiger

S/S 2016 TREND 10: STARS & STRIPES
Lacoste – Marc Jacobs – Max Mara

S/S 2016 TREND 11: BOYISH OVERALLS
Louis Vuitton – Isabel Marant – Ralph Lauren Collection

S/S 2016 TREND 12: NEW DENIM
Derek Lam – Chloé – Chanel

S/S 2016 TREND 13: DISCO SPARKLE
Lanvin – Vetements – Nina Ricci

S/S 2016 TREND 14: SILVER
Victoria Beckham – Tom Ford – Courrèges

S/S 2016 TREND 15: TRANSPARENT EMOTIONS
Dolce & Gabbana – Emilio Pucci – Burberry Prorsum

Photos: Via Vogue.com

LOUIS VUITTON‘S CITY GUIDES COLLECTION IS EXPANDING WITH 4 NEW CITIES TO DISCOVER AND THE LAUNCH OF A MOBILE APP

Since 1998, Louis Vuitton has been sharing its unique take on the world through its City Guides, offering a careful selection of addresses chosen with originality and just a touch of bias. November 2015 sees four completely new cities added to the collection: Bangkok, Chicago, Prague and Rome. Fully updated, the Paris volume is packed with new addresses, as are London, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Beijing, Saö Paulo, Sydney, Tokyo and Venice.

This year, for the first time, a mobile App will be available (as of November 2015) to complement the collection of City Guides. Easy to use, in one click you’ll be as well- informed as any local! Special guest contributors, secret addresses, city walks, cultural events: it’s the full City Guide perspective. Fluent, intuitive… Your route to the best possible travel experience.

25 cities available for iPhone and iPad, selected contents free to download, €9.99 (US$9.99) per city from the App Store.

Great news: the Paris City Guide will be downloadable for free on the App Store from November 5th until December 31st, 2015.

A NEW ACCESSORY FOR THE ELEGANT TRAVELLER

To complement the new Louis Vuitton City Guide App, the French Maison has produced a small leather case with the Monogram pattern, designed to protect your iPad and iPhone.
Available for “iPhone 6” and “iPhone 6 Plus“, the new cases come in four extra colors inspired by the city collection: blue for Paris, yellow for Rome, red for Beijing and pink for Tokyo.
An essential fashion accessory, not only elegant but also the perfect way to personalize your iPhone when you are travelling.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton Malletier

«Volez! Voguez! Voyagez!» literally translates as «Fly! Sail! Travel!». Those three words written across a vintage Louis Vuitton advertisement poster summarize the spirit of the brand and are the title of an upcoming exhibition that will take place at the Grand Palais from 4th December 2015 till 21st February 2016.

Curated by Olivier Saillard, this exhibition retraces Louis Vuitton’s great journey from 1854 till today, through depictions of the Maison’s founding members and those who create the Louis Vuitton of tomorrow.

Monsieur Louis Vuitton

The Grand Palais was constructed in 1900 during one of the most spectacular Universal Exhibitions in Paris which welcomed 48 milllion visitors. At this turning point of the century, George Vuitton was in charge of organizing the entire section dedicated to “Travel & Leather goods“.

The Louis Vuitton booth, surprisingly in the shape of a merry-go-round, presented the Maison’s most innovative luggage and elegant bags and was the center of attention.

“Louis Vuitton has always been at the avant-garde of creation. More than a century after,
if Louis Vuitton remains at the helm of fashion, it’s because we continously inspire ourselves from
the past while anticipating trends of our times. For this exhibition, Olivier Saillard has immersed
himself in the archives of our Maison to decode its secrets. He delivers a fresh vision of our past, present and future“, says Michael Burke, CEO of Louis Vuitton.

The thematic journey conceived and designed by Robert Carsen navigates through 9 chapters, opening with the absolute symbol of Louis Vuitton: an antique malle. An innately modern design, it foresaw what were to become the Maison’s emblematic codes and epitomised Louis Vuitton’s audacious spirit. The exhibition presents objects and documents from Louis Vuitton’s Patrimony
as well as a selection of pieces lent by Palais Galliera, Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
A section dedicated to Craftsmanship closes the exhibition.

SUMMARY OF THE 9 SECTIONS OF THE EXHIBITION

I. THE TRUNK OF 1906, an innovative design
II. WOOD, a gateway to freedom.
The roots of the Louis Vuitton house
III. THE CLASSIC TRUNKS, a catalogue
of refined canvases, shapes and locks

IV. THE INVENTION OF TRAVEL:
– The rise of yachts, a taste for cruises.
The inauguration of the Steamer bag
– The motor cars, speed at one’s fingertips
– The train, outbound travel

V. THE ABSENT HOUR,
fine writing in line with Louis Vuitton

Artist Cindy Sherman with the colorful trunk embellished with hotel labels she designed for Louis Vuitton.

VI. THE PORTAIN TRUNK,
a conversation with art
VII. ECCENTRIC/CURIOUS TRUNKS.
Gaston-Louis Vuitton’s antique personal collection

VIII. FASHION AND BEAUTY
– Beauty essentials, fine fragrances,
delicate jewellery boxes
– Celebrity luggage. Superstar trunks
– Elegant dandies, the men of today.
Examples of masculine luggage
– Fashion and design, a mirrored present day
IX. THE MUSIC ROOM.
Special orders, dreams are made of these

EXHIBITION DETAILS

GRAND PALAIS 4th December 2015 till 21st February 2016
Salon d’Honneur, Entrée Square Jean Perrin, Champs-Elysées, Avenue du Général Eisenhower,
Paris 8th
Monday, Thursday and Sunday, from 10am – 8pm
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from 10am – 10pm
Closed on Tuesdays except during school holidays
Free admission
AUDIO GUIDE
A mobile phone application allows visitors to enrich their tour.

As a big fan of the House of Louis Vuitton, I am truly looking forward to this exhibition.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: ©Archives Louis Vuitton Malletier

In the beginning of July, rumor had it that Kering, the parent company of BALENCIAGA, will not confirm Alexander Wang’s position as the House’s Creative Director. The designer took over the Balenciaga design department in December 2012 to replace Nicolas Ghesquière that had been hired by Louis Vuitton. Today, it has become official. Alexander Wang will step down after less than three years in the role.

The reason for the split can just be guessed, as it might be hard to grow two labels, Balenciaga and Wang’s successful namesake New York based brand at the same time. It is said that the S/S 2016 collection which will be presented this October during Paris Fashion Week will already be Wang’s last one for Balenciaga.

Rumor has it that Kering is looking for a lesser known designer to replace Wang, having seen the success of Alessandro Michele at Gucci.

TO SHOP BALENCIAGA (see products above), PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of Balenciaga

The new Louis Vuitton sunglasses for S/S 2015 are true must-haves, versatile and modern with interesting details. No other than Juergen Teller was recruited to shoot the selection that you can enjoy below. Which one is your favorite? I know, it is hard to decide…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Juergen Teller for Louis Vuitton

While filming for Spotlight in Cannes, I wore this new outfit by Louis Vuitton. Since Nicolas Ghesquière took the helm at the French Maison, there have been some amazing new looks and accessories. I fell in love with those sticker-print pieces, inspired by adhesive labels on vintage Vuitton luggage, the minute I spotted them on the runway.

My look: Sticker-print top, matching skirt, silk bandeau scarf and Petite Malle Monogram bag, all by Louis Vuitton, cutout leather platform pumps by Saint Laurent, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès, diamond ring and bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

Fashion lovers around the globe were drooling over the house’s new It-bag, the Petite Malle, a playful miniature take on the classic Vuitton trunk. How cute is it that the bag matches the print on my tee?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Last week started off terribly. My mail system and my iPhone both broke at the same time. Great news for an editor-in-chief and a blogger, especially when it happens while travelling and you cannot access anything or do something about it. So I thought “whatever” and tried to make the best out of it… time to sport the sequined gun bag!

My look: Denim vest and sequined gun shoulder bag, both by Saint Laurent, lace and gingham sweater dress by Carven, Monogram scarf by Louis Vuitton, suede and ostrich thigh boots by Emilio Pucci, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht