On My Way to Cuba

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While you are reading this post, I am on my way to Cuba as guest of CHANEL. I am totally excited about this trip as the Maison’s highly-anticipated Cruise 2017 collection will be presented in Havana on El Paseo del Prado upcoming Tuesday,  May 3rd, 2016.

As part of the month of the French culture in Cuba, the House of CHANEL is also presenting the exhibition “Obra en Proceso / Work in Progress” by Karl Lagerfeld at the Factoría Habana in Cuba, from April 28th to May 12th 2016. The opening reception will take place this Sunday.

This exhibition, divided into three sections representing the designer’s main interests – fashion, architecture and landscapes – brings together more than 200 of Karl Lagerfeld’s photographs. It explores the great diversity of subjects, approaches and techniques that define the very personal and subtle interpretation that makes his photography. For him, a photo is not just an image but also a unique visual object.

It’s no secret that the travel media and fashion houses are thrilled about the loosening of restrictions between Cuba and the United States. Dubbed a “trend” for Resort and S/S 2016, Cuba was the theme of other collections as well: Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler and Temperley London among others.

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Stella McCartney for example transformed her Resort 2016 presentation in NYC into a Havana-inspired scene, complete with chocolate cigars, cocktails, street performers, a live band and caricatures of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.

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Cassie tiered silk gown by Stella McCartney
(inspired by the Bata Cubana or traditional rumba dress)

The clothes were of course also inspired by the Cuban theme: models donned citrus-hued gowns, wildflower prints, ruffled hemlines, and even an updated version of the Bata Cubana or traditional rumba dress.

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Proenza Schouler’s Resort 2016 collection also referenced the culture of the Caribbean nation, an homage that came from a recent trip to the country that designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez did. The latter is of Cuban-American origin and saw his relatives for the first time.

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Drop-waist printed silk-crepe mini dress by Proenza Schouler
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The collection was subtle with its references to Cuba. Ruffles and floral prints were reminiscent of the native costumes.

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The vivacious spirit of Havana, Cuba underpinned also Temperley London‘s S/S16 runway collection which is filled with an exuberant sense of colour, pattern and rhythm. The mood reflects Cuba and the forbidden yet tempting fantasy of island life – its decadent cultural heritage and the nonchalant and mysterious attitude of its capital city Havana.

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Arabelle wrap-effect embroidered cotton dress by Temperley London
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This is a collection that encompasses day to evening in a vivacious and animated manner whilst being confident, joyful, and ultra feminine.

As internet is said to be very slow in Cuba, I hope that I will be able to post live on here on my blog and on instagram (@sandrascloset) but it is not sure. Those are the two hashtags to follow: #ChanelCruiseCuba, #FactoriaHabana.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: J Grassi/PatrickMcMullan via AP Images, Courtesy of the Brands, © Chanel

We Can Be Valentino Heros

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Iconic superhero characters from the world’s most popular comic books have inspired many designers, this season it is – very unexpectedly – the house of VALENTINO.

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Wonder Woman Sweater by Valentino

In December 2015, the French Maison had already launched a Wonder Woman inspired small capsule collection in collaboration with Gwyneth Paltrow that was sold over her website Goop. However these 25 pieces were only the preview of a much larger selection that has been released this month.

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Last Friday, you could see Italian street artist, Solo, in action, painting a mural at the brand’s Fifth Avenue New York flagship store. Great news is, that you can shop the superhero iconic pieces from now through the summer. The amazing collection – Wonder Woman Valentino — “pays tribute to all women” and features a whimsical explosion of patterns, colors and silhouettes.

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And if you are not so into Wonder Woman, you can look for the Spiderman inspired pieces which are also pretty cool. I am totally sold on those fun pieces and you?

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Spiderman Sweater by Valentino

It is time to be the super heroine of your own style!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino

Shop!

SHOP

This collection is for all shopping addicts! Show your true colors with credit card prints or carry mini shopping bags around your neck.

Get the best pieces here:
1 Shopping print T-shirt, 2 Piqué shoe shift dress, 3 Shopping bag clip on earrings, 4 3D shopping bag pocket skirt, 5 Bear card iPhone 6 cover, 6 Shopping bag charm necklace and 7 Shop print clutch.
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Credit_Card_Moschino_Bear iconTeddy credit card intarsia sweater

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Shop till you drop maxi dress
iconMoschino_Skirt_ShopReceipt print pleated skirt
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Shop shoulder bag
iconShopping_Bag_Jacket_Moschino3D shopping bag pocket jacket
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Just too cute!

LoL, Sandra

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Photos / Stills: Courtesy of Moschino

The Babouche Is the It-Shoe of 2016

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A new trend, yet so old. The traditional Moroccan slippers has taken the runways. So it’s without a doubt that the pointed-toe babouche is the new It-shoe of 2016. Shown in Céline’s Resort 2016 and already in many other Pre-fall 2016 collections, the style comes with an elongated toe and easily slips on.

Worn by the French nobility in the 16th century, as well as by bedouins, this traditional footwear can still be found today in many North African markets in bright colors with ornaments and embellishments. So it might be worth investing in a quick trip to Morocco.

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The must-have version is Céline‘s babouche slipper with a single buckled strap across the neck of the foot. In stores now for CHF 660.00.

Or choose from this amazing selection below:

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1 Jacno leather slippers by Pierre Hardy
2 Sabine suede and leather slippersicon by Rag & Bone
3 Lynda embellished slippers by Oscar de la Renta
4 Embellished raffia-trimmed leather slippers iconby Toga
Louie leather slippersicon by 3.1 Phillip Lim
6 Horsebit-detailed goat hair slippersicon by Gucci
7 Tian Princetown horsebit-detailed printed coated canvas slippers by Gucci
icon8 Embellished velvet slippers by Dolce & Gabbana
9 Chips embellished satin slippers by Roger Vivier

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands