Sandra‘s Closet

I dedicate this post to my family and wonderful friends! Yesterday was my birthday and as I am crazily busy at the moment, I had sadly no time to organize anything. What a bummer because I love being the birthday girl.

One of my best friends spoiled me with a surprise luncheon after our yoga class. You should have seen my face when my friends were waiting for me. I had truly no idea. They treated me with so many beautiful and fun gifts, among them a red wig. What do you think of me being a redhead?

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened the most stylish present ever! This amazing coral-coloured Louis Vuitton Croisière 2012 bag that I was so keen on having.
Thank you girlfriends! You rock!

When I came home, some more surprises were waiting for me. One PR lady sent me this “Blogger Oscar” with the following engraving: “The best blogger in the world”. I love it!

And as the best gift of all comes from the heart, I would like to show you my daughter’s breakfast table decoration for me. Isn’t it so sweet?

Thank you all for making my day so special for me!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The most exciting part of my trip to Paris was the launch event for the “Mary Katrantzou for Longchamp” collection at the famous concept store Colette. As you know, I am a huge fan of Mary and her designs. Her talent is truly outstanding and I was so happy to see her again. (For a previous post, please click here.)

Below you see the text from the official press release. Can you imagine how honoured I felt to be mentioned in the same breath with Emmanuelle Alt,  Suzy Menkes or Glenda Bailey.

Please enjoy the photos of the evening and have a look at those beautifully printed bags:

For this occasion, the facade of the famous colette concept store was spectacularly covered with one of the exclusive prints from the “Mary Katrantzou for Longchamp” collection. It will stay like this one week.

Sweet Mary Katrantzou with me wearing (of course!) Mary Katrantzou

A unique “Mary Katrantzou for Longchamp” Le Pliage bag, 1 meter high and 2,5 meter large, was exposed in the interior courtyard.

The bags on display.

Love this tote bag with the poetic digital “Lanterne” print, €320.

The “Aquarium” print on the tote bag , €350, is awesome. The little pouch, € 55, to the right is already in my closet as each guest got it as a gift. Thank you so much!

The bottles of champagne served were all printed with the colours of Mary’s inspirational theme “When East meets West” for this new collection.

Some pieces of Mary’s must-have S/S 2012 collection were already on display. I am crazy for those dresses! Flower prints and underwater world inspired themes are huge fashion trends for the season.

Mary’s ultimate accolade: Fashion’s most powerful ladies all came to see her designs.

Suzy Menkes, Mary Katrantzou and Sophie Delafontaine, Artistic Director of the Longchamp House

Jean Cassegrain, Owner of Longchamp with Glenda Bailey, editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar US and Mary Katrantzou.

Mary, you can be so proud of yourself!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Longchamp and © Sandra Bauknecht

With alluring, natural elegance and the lightness of a camellia flower, the CHANEL Summer 2012 tote bag is a true embodiment of CHANEL’s founding principles.

The interlocking double C motif and the legendary address of 31 rue Cambon in woven jacquard on a cotton canvas, finely trimmed with leather, gives this bag a truly refined style.

Blue cotton canvas small tote bag with leather details

With its simple and sophisticated design, the CHANEL Summer 2012 collection tote bag is the perfect day-to-day accessory. Leather handles and a chain intertwined with ribbon, allow the bag to be carried in the hand or on the shoulder. This new and essential summer accessory is available in five sizes and in soft, faded shades of four different colours: red, grey, blue and ecru.

Available in CHANEL boutiques from February 2012

LoL, Sandra

Red cotton canvas large tote bag with leather details

Ecru cotton canvas large tote bag with leather details

Grey cotton canvas large tote bag with leather details
Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Here they are the best sunnies available at the moment, the Audrey sunglasses…

…and my newest Spring crush, the floral shopping tote, both by Céline and in stores now.

Céline used this amazing floral print also for their Resort 2012 ready-to-wear collection. The leather biker jacket is so divine that I am dying to get my hands on it!

LoL, Sandra

The new Roberto Cavalli advertising campaign for S/S 2012 revolves around the iconic beauty of 4 excellent top models: Naomi Campbell, Karen Elson, Kristen McMenamy and Daphne Groeneveld are the Florentine designer’s muses, as he chose to represent the collection through women who embody the standards of a modern appeal.

Steven Meisel shot the photos that are reminiscent of the Versace campaigns in the ’90s. The Cavalli S/S 2012 collection is very glamourous and opulent. Those beaded embellished dresses in daring gold will surely be seen on the red carpets of the season.

In this image, you see Naomi Campbell with the Florence bag, which is considered to be the new ‘It’ bag of the Maison.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roberto Cavalli

Today, I finished the LuisaViaRoma Firenze4Ever Total Styling Lab. I have some amazing outfits to show you. Now, I am in my hotel relaxing a bit before dressing up for the Pink Carpet party tonight.

Here is already a little pink teaser for you: My Céline medium Box bag in fluo pink matte python leather. Isn’t my new baby to die for?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Have a look at the most discreet must-have It-bag of the season: The Carine bag by Tom Ford.

Fashion icon Carine Roitfeld has once again collaborated with the famous fashion designer Tom Ford. They launched for F/W 2011 the “Carine” bag. It’s signature hardware is the fetish-style “shackle” closure, reminiscent of a pair of cufflinks. This shoulder bag comes with an internal zip pocket and is offered in a variety of materials, all of them specially developed for Tom Ford, such as shiny alligator, python, goat skin, nappa leather, patent, or suede. The “Carine” is a style that will be continued within the Tom Ford accessories collection and will be reinterpreted and adapted according to the mood of the season.
A new classic – I couldn’t resist!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

New Year’s Eve is coming and the perfect accessory to vamp up your look is a sequined clutch bag. Good news is that the sparkling F/W 2011 trend will stay for S/S 2012. Glitter is most wanted, shimmer and shine through the party season!

Here is a selection of the best pieces available at the moment:

1 ON SALE! Sequined clutch (garnet-silver) by Miu Miu

2 Sequined (purple-silver) black leather shoulder bag by Dolce & Gabbana

3 Two-tone sequined clutch (blush-silver) by Miu Miu

And as Lady Gaga says: “And now I am just trying to change the world one sequin at a time…”. Better get started with your closet!

LoL, Sandra

“I loved working on the Lady Dior handbag. Most of my work builds on objects that already exist, which I then transform. I applied the same philosophy.”

- Anselm Reyes

When Fashion meets Art… Dior is collaborating with Berlin artist Anselm Reyle for S/S 2012. The original and vibrant collection of leathergoods, accessories and makeup, currently presented exclusively in a Miami pop-up Dior store during the Art Basel show is a dream and will be available worldwide in January 2012.

Dior has given to the artist total freedom on the creation of this collection and the outcome is vibrant and colourful. I definitely would like to own one of those bags!

ANSELM REYLE’S MAKEUP COLLECTION FOR DIOR

A „Camouflage“ Eyeshadow Palette
Adorned with the „Camouflage“ motif created for Dior, an eyeshadow palette offers a mixed harmony of violet, grey and black. Shiny and matt effects recall the artist’s leitmotifs and compose sophisticated eyes.

High-Impact Nail Lacquers
The nail lacquers are playful complements that set the tone in explosive colours. Bold violet of ultra-violet, deep black of untitled black, vivid pink of pink graffiti, vibrant blue of electric blue and a subtle silver of metallic silver compose an electrifying quintet that brings to mind Anselm Reyle’s passion for neon shades.

Here are some photos of the Dior pop-up store,
Miami Design District, 191 NE 40th Street, Miami, FL

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior

“Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.” – Marilyn Monroe

In Milan, I met Burak Uyan, the designer behind the eponymous shoe label that leaves fashionistas around the world drool. He has worked for Givenchy, Giambattista Valli and Aperlai before launching his own label in 2010. Since then, he is on the rise, his creations are sold in high-end stores around the world. The reason? He creates high heels that you can wear without discomfort or pain.

Recently, Cameron Diaz wore his multi-coloured architectural sandals to the 2011 Teen Choice Awards and proved that the right pair of shoes can change your look completely. Her basic dress combined with those amazing heels took her outfit to a whole new level.

Burak Uyan with me

Enjoy the photos that I took in the showroom of the upcoming S/S 2012 collection and of his collaboration with the Mulleavy sisters.
Burak Uyan created the heels for their S/S 2012 Rodarte show.

Below you can see Burak Uyan’s S/S 2012 MOODBOARD:
His inspiration: Geometric shapes, the sea and butterfly colours.

My must-have for the summer is one of those multi-coloured bags, to-die-for!

Ladies, there is only one thing to say: Redefine your wardrobe from your feet up!
To shop Burak Uyan shoes, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht