Yesterday was “Sechseläuten” (in Swiss German: Sächsilüüte), a traditional holiday in the city of Zurich. Since the early 20th century, it is celebrated on the 3rd Monday of April of every year.

I watched the parade of the “Zünfte” (guilds) with my girlfriends wearing an embroidered top with lace sleeves, matching skirt and choker by Dolce & Gabbana, Dirty ’50s stretch-denim jacket by Saint Laurent, boots by Prada, bag by Chanel and sunglasses by Balenciaga.

Now, that I have been living in Switzerland for over twelve years, Sechseläuten is so much fun because you know many of the people who are walking the parade. You present the participants with flowers and you are gifted with the specialties of the guilds in return. This can be a glass of wine, a bread roll or even a radish.

The culmination of this popular tradition though is the burning of winter in effigy, in the form of the “Böögg” (cognate to bogey), a figure of a snowman prepared with explosives (see collage above).
It is said that the time between the lighting of the pyre and the explosion of the Böögg’s head is indicative of the coming summer: a quick explosion promises a warm, sunny one, a drawn-out burning a cold and rainy one. This year, its head was falling off very fast, after 9 minutes und 56 seconds which predicts a great summer.

Cheers to that!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The 12th of April marks the International Day of Pink this year, it is always held on the second Wednesday of April. Take a stand against discrimination and bullying with the season’s hottest shade. Seen all the runways (in a myriad of shades) for both, spring and fall you’ve no good reason not to get on board.

Get the look (in the collage): Off-the-shoulder Chantilly lace gown by Giambattista Valli, Word Image appliquéd cotton-faille clutch by Olympia Le-Tan and bow-embellished satin wedge sandals by Prada.

SHOP ALSO A GREAT SELECTION OF PINK ITEMS AT MODA OPERANDI HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

Those first warm and sunny days that announce spring is around the corner are my favorites. After this beautiful weekend, I feel so energized and ready to rock this week! I hope that you do, too!

My look: Leopard print coat by Dolce & Gabbana, stretch silk-georgette bodysuit, black leather shorts and leather wristlet bag, all by Chloé, suede over-the-knee boots
by Prada, Love gold-tone necklace by Lanvin and sunglasses by Tom Ford. Clip on cuff earrings by Dior, Tortue Privee Collection watch in 18 karat yellow gold by Cartier and Mitza ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

Happy Monday!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Fashion can be quite challenging as it likes to back and forth between faux-pas and the ultimate trends. What was an absolute no-go is now the must-have of the season. This summer it is the combination of heels and socks that shows the trendsetter. Grab a pair of heels, a pair of great socks and off you go. Here are the best ones available:

From left to right: Bow-embellished stretch-lace socks by Gucci, striped cotton-blend knee socks by Marc Jacobs, lace-up ribbed cotton knee socks by Prada and intarsia knitted socks by Vetements + Reebok.

From left to right: Striped sequined stretch-mesh socks by Gucci, Little William embellished ribbed cotton-blend socks by Gucci, ruffled wool-blend socks by Alexander McQueen and star-intarsia knitted socks by Givenchy.

I am embracing the trend with those lace socks by Dolce & Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: via Pinterest and © Sandra Bauknecht

The ugly shoe phenomenon has been around for a while but this season it is getting truly serious, even Crocs have hit the catwalk. Reactions were mixed when the models appeared in those resin-moulded clogs on the runway at Christopher Kane, who told Vogue about this partnership the following: “I always work with unexpected items and combinations, transforming the everyday into desirable luxury. I wanted to bring my own stamp and DNA to Crocs’ classic clog shoe and achieve something really special. The marble print feels very earthy and I often think of Crocs in a very grounded way, worn with either an evening dress or with jeans, and adding the rock crystals brings a bit of luxury to this everyday style. Crocs are arguably the most comfortable shoe, I love that they are slightly awkward and might be perceived by some as ‘ugly’. They have a very naïve and childlike shape which I especially like when they look extra clunky on the foot.”

Embellished printed crocs by Christopher Kane

Also Alexander McQueen is jumping on the orthotic shoe trend along with no other than Balmain, who would have ever thought that?! What do you think of that trend? Yay or nay?

Floral-print leather sandals by Alexander McQueen

1 Canvas, leather and rubber sandals by Prada
2 Glittered leather platform sandals by Miu Miu
3 Faux leather platform sandals by Stella McCartney
4 Strappy suede sandals by Balenciaga
5 Laser-cut textured-leather slides by Simone Rocha
6 Phoebe printed leather slides by Sophia Webster
7 Laser-cut metallic leather sandals by Marni
8 Lace-up metallic-trimmed leather slides by Balmain

Blame it on the Birkenstock, but the must-have of the season is bringing ugly shoes out into the light of day. Complete with orthopedic-style soles, pool slide straps and ultra-utilitarian fastenings like Velcro, they may not be for everyone, at least they are comfy and make your orthopedist happy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

This year, I am bombarding you with sunny looks as I cannot wait for summer to arrive. Here you see me on my favorite island St. Barths just recently. I had lunch at one of my beloved spots, Le Toiny. Feet in the sand, great food, super service and you can chill at the beach later. My love for this Caribbean island won’t stop as I will be revealing a very special collaboration soon…

My look: Tiered lace maxi dress by Stella McCartney, embellished textured-leather sandals by Valentino, patchwork clutch by Prada, Eva aviator-style rose gold-tone sunglasses by Tom Ford, pendant necklace by Roberto Cavalli and pearl bracelet by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

One of my favorite quotes says «a smile is the prettiest thing you can wear». I think it is so true. You can wear the most amazing clothes but with no positive attitude, they will look only half as beautiful. Here you see me having a lot of fun shooting the social media campaign for Montblanc‘s «Urban Spirit» line.

My look: Dark blue lace dress, studded bag, velvet mohawk pumps, thin black and gold belt, matching choker (all from previous collections) and new lace-up denim bustier belt, all by Prada, diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

And smile, it is Valentine’s Day – time to get spoiled!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Andrea Monica Hug (Chic in Zurich) –
Thank you, Andrea, for always putting a smile on my face when I am in front of your camera!

Nothing has changed since last winter… more is more is still the motto, this is what the S/S 2017 season is all about! With fashion in a maximalist mood, accessories have kept their center stage. On the runways, kitten heels are back, earrings were bigger than ever, and one bag is definitely not enough. New? The marriage of socks and boots. The forecast: Get ready for your another sumptuous season!

LoL, Sandra

S/S 2017 TREND 1: EXTRAVAGANT SUNGLASSES
Céline – Dolce & Gabbana – Gucci

S/S 2017 TREND 2: SOCK BOOTS
Fendi – Balenciaga – Emilio Pucci

S/S 2017 TREND 3: WRAP BELTS
Balmain – Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini – Isabel Marant

S/S 2017 TREND 4: STATEMENT EARRINGS
Delpozo – Alexander McQueen – Altuzarra

S/S 2017 TREND 5: KITTEN HEELS
Chloé – Prada – Dior

S/S 2017 TREND 6: ONE BAG IS NOT ENOUGH
Stella McCartney – Valentino – Marni

S/S 2017 TREND 7: THE BIGGER THE BETTER
Givenchy – Chanel – Loewe

S/S 2017 TREND 8: FLATFORMS
Salvatore Ferragamo – Versace – Miu Miu

S/S 2017 TREND 9: SUPERSIZED BAGS
Sonia Rykiel – Mulberry – Ports 1961

S/S 2017 TREND 10: ARM CUFFS
Roberto Cavalli – Louis Vuitton – Rodarte

Photos: via Vogue.com

Here they are: the most important trends for the S/S 2017 season. Scroll through my forecast to see which styles will be on everyone’s shopping list next season. From dresses in brilliant shades of fuchsia, strawberry, rose, and bubble gum to buzzy words on slogan tees. Don’t expect the high-volume sleeve to disappear anytime soon, the choice is yours – enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

S/S 2017 TREND 1: THINK PINK
Hermès – Valentino – Céline

S/S 2017 TREND 2: HIGH-VOLUME SLEEVES
Dolce & Gabbana – Marc Jacobs – Kenzo

S/S 2017 TREND 3: 80’s LAMÉ
Saint Laurent – Isabel Marant – Gucci

S/S 2017 TREND 4: OP ART
Akris – Mary Katrantzou – Louis Vuitton

S/S 2017 TREND 6: 70’s FLOWER POWER
Prada – Chloé – Christopher Kane

S/S 2017 TREND 7: SQUARE-SHOULDERED
Jil Sander – Balenciaga – Jacquemus

S/S 2017 TREND 8: SWIM ADDICT
Max Mara – Fendi – Miu Miu

S/S 2017 TREND 9: SLOGAN TOPS
Dior – Paco Rabanne – Stella McCartney

S/S 2017 TREND 10: BRALETTES
Victoria Beckham – Alexander McQueen – Alexander Wang

S/S 2017 TREND 11: SPORT SPIRIT
Moschino – Courrèges – DKNY

S/S 2017 TREND 12: DEEP SEA METALLICS
Maison Margiela – Chanel – Balmain

S/S 2017 TREND 13: GRAPHIC STRIPES
Mulberry – Lanvin – Tory Burch

S/S 2017 TREND 14: MODERN RUFFLES
Givenchy – Erdem – Loewe

S/S 2017 TREND 15: TRANSPARENT
Alberta Ferretti – Giambattista Valli – Emilio Pucci

 Photos: via Vogue.com

In collage: Ruffle trimmed single breasted wool coat by Gucci and nail lacquer in Greenery by Butter London.

Each year PANTONE, the global color authority, chooses one Color of the Year, like a snapshot of what we see taking place in our global culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude. For 2017, it is GREENERY, a refreshing and revitalizing shade, symbolic of new beginnings. This fresh and zesty yellow-green shade evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew.

Illustrative of flourishing foliage and the lushness of the great outdoors, the fortifying attributes of Greenery signals consumers to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate. Greenery is nature’s neutral. The more submerged people are in modern life, the greater their innate craving to immerse themselves in the physical beauty and inherent unity of the natural world.

Michael Kors – Loewe – Emilio Pucci

Designers’ love of geekiness dictated an unexpected new power color on the S/S 2017 runways, making that vibrant shade a real showstopper. A life-affirming hue, Greenery is also emblematic of the pursuit of personal passions and vitality. See below in my post some of the best pieces to utilise greenery from now.

And while you are shopping, prepare yourself a trendy Matcha tea to get you in the ultimate Greenery mood!

LoL, Sandra

Darley textured-leather shoulder bag by Mulberry

Watermelon printed bag by Prada

Gold-tone, resin and Swarovski crystal earrings by Oscar De La Renta

Faux pearl-embellished wool-crepe mini skirt by Gucci

Classic Metallic Edge City mini suede shoulder bag by Balenciaga

Photos: Courtesy of Pantone and the Brands