Sandra‘s Closet

Breaking news! Today, GUCCI announced that Alessandro Michele is exiting the House after nearly eight years with the brand. The Roman designer was hired by Tom Ford and worked than after Frida Giannini before taking over the helmet himself. With his maximalist vision, he changed the look of fashion and brought colorful looks to the runway. Unexpected color combinations, animals such as tigers, lions and bees were his favorites.

The Hacker Project, 2021

Michele had a flair for rule-breaking hookups. There was the F/W 2021 Hacker Project with Demna of Balenciaga, a Kering «colleague» and then a year later he collaborated with adidas collab. However, the brand was hit during corona and numbers haven’t been on the rise recently. GUCCI seems to suffer from brand fatigue.

Gucci x adidas, 2022

In a statement GUCCI CEO Marco Bizzarri said, «I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet Alessandro at the end of 2014, since then we have had the pleasure to work closely together as Gucci has charted its successful path over these last eight years. I would like to thank him for his 20 years of commitment to Gucci and for his vision, devotion, and unconditional love for this unique House during his tenure as Creative Director.»

S/S 2023 Welcome to Twinsburg show.

Alessandro Michele said: «There are times when paths part ways because of the different perspectives each one of us may have. Today an extraordinary journey ends for me, lasting more than twenty years, within a company to which I have tirelessly dedicated all my love and creative passion. During this long period Gucci has been my home, my adopted family. To this extended family, to all the individuals who have looked after and supported it, I send my most sincere thanks, my biggest and most heartfelt embrace. Together with them I have wished, dreamed, imagined. Without them, none of what I have built would have been possible. To them goes my most sincerest wish: may you continue to cultivate your dreams, the subtle and intangible matter that makes life worth living. May you continue to nourish yourselves with poetic and inclusive imagery, remaining faithful to your values. May you always live by your passions, propelled by the wind of freedom.»

Personally speaking, I felt that GUCCI has become kind of arrogant lately. Its loyalty towards people who have been supporting the brand since a very long time has kind of disappeared. Let’s hope that the there will be a new prosperity in all ways, also on a human level as I love the brand a lot!

Thank you, Alessandro, for all the magic!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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Maldives memories… the clear turquoise waters, the white beaches of the Indian Ocean paradise are a magnet for anyone with an interest in marine life. There is a lot to do and on the other hand, there is nothing to do. The Maldives is a haven of peace, quietness, solitude, and relaxation. Something I absolutely needed.

However, as the scenery was so stunning, I booked a photographer to shoot some amazing outfits. While staying at the Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands resort, we had moved one day to a water villa where I shot this vibrant look overlooking the ocean. Personally speaking, the composition of these photos might be one of my favorites of all time.

My look: Manosque tiered taffeta maxi dress by Jacquemus (S/S 2020 «Le Coup de Soleil» Collection), pink high-heel platform mules by Versace, Baguette leather wallet on chain in pink by Fendi, toy choker necklace, and gummy bear hoop earrings, both by Balenciaga, and DiorSignature B1U cat-eye acetate and gold-tone sunglasses by Dior.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht taken by Munko at Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands
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Pink and burgundy – an unexpected color combination I absolutely adore. It feels sophisticated and different. The play between the lighter pink and darker burgundy provides quite the grounding contrast and when worn together it ensures you’ll turn heads everywhere you go.

My look: Concert leather-trimmed wool-blend coat, and Concert printed silk twill shirt dress, both by Zimmermann, VLOGO leather shoulder bag in pink, and Tan-Go patent leather platform pumps, both by Valentino, Dynasty oversized geometric-frame sunglasses by Balenciaga, and clip earrings by CHANEL (Métiers d’Art 2012 Paris – Bombay).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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With an unduly cheerful, optimistic, or favorable view of things: now you can literally see everything through rose-colored glasses. Being a huge trend this season, designers offer a large selection of sunglasses in all shades of pink to choose from. The choice is yours!

As I love pink, I couldn’t resist myself…

LoL, Sandra

Cat-eye acetate sunglasses by Givenchy

Twist cat-eye acetate sunglasses by Balenciaga

DiorSignature B1U cat-eye acetate and gold-tone sunglasses by Dior

Venessa cat-eye sunglasses by The Attico x Linda Farrow

Medusa Biggie sunglasses in pink by Versace

Pink heart-shaped frame sunglasses by Moschino

Loulou heart-shaped acetate sunglasses by Saint Laurent

Oversized sunglasses in pale pink by Gucci

Dynasty oversized geometric-frame sunglasses by Balenciaga

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht
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Fashionistas watch out! Balenciaga’s futuristic range of sunglasses is hot as hell and probably Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Chiara Ferragni‘s favorite styles this season. Creative director Demna Gvasalia‘s collections continue to uphold the vision, influence and radical style of the House and even the eyewear makes a serious statement.

Elevate you summer look with the BB0157S sunglasses preferably in silver (they are also available in black). Featuring an oversized acetate frame with a tinted finish to the lenses and the classic Balenciaga logo at the side, they might not be suitable for all face shapes, but who cares?!

Balenciaga makes some dope sunglasses, and if Kim Kardashian knows it, we can rock it too!
TO SHOP BALENCIAGA’S CULT SUNGLASSES, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and via Instagram @kimkardashian, @chiaraferragni, @balenciaga
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Are you ready for an unstoppable weekend? Then I recommend a visit to The Penthouse at the newly opened Five Zurich to party until the early hours. What to wear? Cutouts and some sparkles will make heads turn. Enjoy being the queen of the night.

My look: Padded-shoulder single-breasted wool jacket, and cutout wool high-rise straight pants, both by Mugler, silver-tone crystal body chain by Area, Cameo embellished earrings by Simone Rocha, leather platform pumps by Gucci, and Hourglass crystal-embellished bag by Balenciaga.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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Balenciaga presented his off-schedule Resort 2023 show on Sunday in the Big Apple. It took place at The New York Stock Exchange – a place the fashion crowd normally doesn’t have access to – and began with the ringing of the opening bell.

The French brand embarked on the unusual timing for a company first, under Demna’s direction, to hold a show in NYC. The invitation was a fat stack of fake 100s. And one thing is for sure, you need a good income to get those new pieces that will surely become a hit as Balenciaga revealed his collaboration with adidas in the last part off the show. Latex bodysuits fully covered models’ faces and send all focus on Balenci-adidas. Classic adidas pieces like Three Stripes tracksuits, hoodies, jerseys, and tees get the Balenciaga treatment, boasting updated oversized silhouettes.

The Balenciaga Triple S sneaker comes with the famous adidas stripes, either in white/black and blue/white colorways for CHF 975. However, for me the best pieces of the collection and something that will make its way into Sandra’s Closet.

The tight classic mini dress costs CHF 55 the adidas way (left) and CHF 1390 with the Balenciaga treatment (right). Sorry guys, but this is ridiculous. There I am out!

Balenciaga x adidas is now available only for one week until May 29 on Balenciaga’s webstore. So, act fast, but save some money as Gucci x adidas will officially drop in June. Gucci and Balenciaga both belong to Kering and they obviously like the German manufacturer of athletic shoes and apparel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Balenciaga
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«I’m so thrilled to tour again and see my angels in person! How amazing that we all get to dance and celebrate together once again. When I was writing Future Nostalgia, I imagined the songs being played in clubs on nights out with your mates. I’m so excited that this fantasy is finally coming true. I can’t wait to experience these songs with you together live!» — Dua Lipa on her excitement for the tour.

Finally after having been postponed several times due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, English singer Dua Lipa is touring around the world with her «Future Nostalgia» show. It began on February 9, 2022 in Miami and will conclude on November 16, 2022 of that year in Perth, with several shows throughout North America, Europe, Latin America and Oceania.

I loved Dua Lipa’s show in Zurich, especially because Dua Lipa’s «Future Nostalgia Tour» is filled with designer catsuits. You know how much I adore these kind of clothes. I showed up in one by Saint Laurent myself for the concert (outfit post coming up soon).

The mood masterminded by her stylist, Lorenzo Posocco, for the tour is definitely body-con. The singer first captivated fans in Zurich’s Hallenstadion in a daringbright custom neon pink Balenciaga catsuit, which featured a lingerie-inspired corseted bodice, built-in heels (part of the famous pantaleggings look), a textured floral pattern and matching opera gloves.

Of course, one catsuit is never enough, and for her another major look of the show, Dua Lipa and her stylist collaborated with Casey Cadwallader of Mugler on a couture paneled catsuit. The bodysuit features the sheer and opaque body-defining panels Cadwallader has become known for, though this time the entire piece was rhinestoned, meaning even those in the back of the stadium could see Lipa glisten.

Those were my two favorite looks of the show. If you would love to experience Dua Lipa on stage yourself, check out the remaining European tour dates.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and @dualipa
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Requiring meticulous work and delicate craftsmanship, those logo necklaces and pendants enhance the neckline and show your love for the respective designer. They complete your outfit on a refined final note.

LoL, Sandra

Logo necklace with pearl by Miu Miu

Embellished-logo necklace by Lanvin

Color Signs cord and gold-tone necklace by Valentino

Typo Valentine logo necklace by Balenciaga

Triangle logo necklace by Prada

Gold-tone crystal necklace by Gucci

Logo-plaque necklace by Versace

Long logo necklace by Louis Vuitton

Logo lettering necklace by Moschino

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
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Now that you know all about the S/S 2022 bag trends, I put together for you a list to shop each trend immediately off the runway. Just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly to the respective online shop. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

BOWLING BAG
Logo-print bowling bag by Diesel

BOXY
Small leather shoulder bag by Jil Sander

FANTASY
Bottle-shaped crossbody bag by Moschino

HEART
Heart biker leather crossbody bag by Moschino

MINIATURE
Hourglass mini crocodile-effect leather bag by Balenciaga

MULTIPLE
Esme small suede and leather pouch and Esme small suede and leather shoulder bag, both by Ulla Johnson

SLOUCHY
Luna Anagram-strap leather shoulder bag by Loewe

SQUARE
Medium Carolyn tote bag by Prada

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.