Sandra‘s Closet

French fashion house BALMAIN has partnered with digital artist JEFF COLE to create THREE EXCLUSIVE NFTs inspired by the Balmain Unicorn sneakers.

Balmain S/S 2022

Only on MINTNFT can you make bids of these exclusive NFTs that include both physical and digital utility:

– One pair of Balmain Unicorn sneakers, signed by Creative Director Olivier Rousteing
– One original sketch of the Balmain Unicorn sneaker, signed by Balmain’s Head of Sneaker Design, Safa Sahin
– Two VIP access passes to the Balmain Festival V03 during Paris Fashion Week 2022, in September
– Balmain’s own NFT, the «Non-Fungible Thread», which creates additional utility (drops later during 2022)

Make your bids. Get your Unicorn.
Auction closing: Friday, June 24, 2022, at 12PM EST

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © MINTNFT
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Christopher John Rogers is one of fashion’s most exciting new names, and it’s easy to see why. Since launching his eponymous brand only a few seasons ago, the designer’s unabashed use of color has already earned him a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award and a legion of fans, including Zendaya, Tracee Ellis Ross and Michelle Obama. I wore his rainbow knit dress on a sunny day in New York and went for a walk through Central Park.

My look: Pleated striped ribbed wool maxi dress by Christopher John Rogers, lilac peak-lapels double-breasted blazer by Balmain, La Medusa leather plateau sandals, and small La Medusa top handle bag, both by Versace, square-frame glitter sunglasses by Gucci, and black monogram croc-embossed leather belt by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Lacuna Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Last month, I posted already a spoiler about this amazing collaboration between Barbie® and Balmain. For the previous post, click here please.

However this is not the first time, Barbie has collaborated with a fashion house, as she launched a collection with Jeremy Scott for Moschino in 2015. Olivier Rousteing and Barbie are also obvious admirers of one another, as the designer sat Barbie and Ken front row at Balmain’s digital fashion show last year.

Olivier Rousteing wrote on his Instagram account, showing him as a child next to a Barbie doll: «So this collaboration is more than just a collaboration. There is a message stronger than just a color card. When I was a little boy, I remembered hearing comments saying: a girl plays with Barbie, a boy with a car. This is such a cliché. As much as blue is for boys, pink is for girls. That’s why I love so much this collaboration, because Balmain and Barbie are stopping clichés and bringing a new ear where FREEDOM is the right word. I feel so proud of this collaboration because we are building a world where you are not defined by neither a gender, neither colors, neither codes that are not relevant today anymore. I am proud of this picture because it shows that the beauty of letting dreams about freedom since a young age happen will make you a free adult with passion.»

«Barbie® and Balmain are embarking upon a distinctly multicultural, inclusive and always joy-filled adventure,» said Olivier Rousteing, Balmain’s creative director.

With a lot of pink which is synonymous with the brand and perfectly aligns with the modern Balmain Army’s bold spirit, and the familiar Balmain’s signatures like the House’s iconic marinière and its mesmerizing labyrinth pattern, this limited-edition Balmain x Barbie capsule collection is the perfect match of fashion and toy industry heritages. Launching on January 13, the collection also includes unisex styles as Ken can be seen wearing a rosy robe in a photo.

TO SHOP BARBIE® AND BALMAIN, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Bridging the physical and digital worlds, there is also a NFT auction, hosted by @mintnftofficial, that features three Barbie avatars created by @forgetmenot_bln wearing an exclusive look from the high-fashion Balmain x Barbie collection. The highest bidder of each auction will win both the avatar and a physical, one-of-a-kind Barbie-scaled version of the outfit their avatar is wearing.

The auction is live on NFT.MattelCreations.com, so get ready to bid!

 If you’ve ever wanted to be a Barbie girl in a Balmain world, this is your collection!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Balmain #BALMAINxBARBIE
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Earlier this year, Balmain‘s creative director Olivier Rousteing revamped Mattel‘s Barbie for the Maison’s Paris Fashion Week presentation in house pastel tones, donning peaked pagoda-shoulder suits – posing in front of the same jetliners that were used as props for Rousteing’s aviation-inspired  F/W 2021 collection.

Two Balmain barbies, and one Balmain Ken, all three dolls embrace Olivier’s vision on inclusivity. «I’m happy to see that these new-generations Barbies truly reflect the diversity of our Balmain Army,» he said.

The original sets for Théâtre de la Mode were destroyed, but new ones were created to display the figurines, which can be seen at Maryhill Museum of Art.

This collaboration between Mattel and the French house is a tribute to Pierre Balmain, who in 1945, after WWII, contributed along other designers such as Balenciaga, Carven and Lulien Lelong, to the «Theatre of Fashion» to present their latest creations. It was a traveling spectacle made of dolls, started by the School Of Chambre Syndicale De La Couture Parisienne. Pierre Balmain dressed over 200 dolls with outfits specifically created for the occasion.

Now, the first must-have piece of this collaboration has hit the shelves. Ski season styling is given a cute update with the After Ski Tundra boots from Balmain x Barbie®. They’re designed with the label’s monogram in pink and are accented with bows.

To shop the After Ski Tundra boots, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Balmain
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Do you enjoy skiing in the most luxurious and sought-after resorts in Switzerland? The dilemma of whether to go to Gstaad, or St. Moritz comes down to personal preference. I used to spend my winters in St. Moritz for many years but today I prefer Gstaad.

The beautiful Gstaad Palace is my home away from home and those photos were taken inside the La Fromagerie restaurant that offers delicious cheese treats and other Swiss specialities. The Alpine resort’s blend of glamour, lifestyle, sport and pristine nature outshines everything. However you are far more certain of getting snow in December in St Moritz than Gstaad. Both have a high profile social scene. St. Moritz, touted as the ski resort «on top of the world,» and Gstaad advertises with «come up and slow down». The choice is yours and the look would work for both.

My look: Argyle-pattern rollneck jumper and matching argyle jacquard midi skirt, both by Balmain, St. Moritz Voyage appliquéd embroidered canvas clutch by Olympia Le Tan, Alminette red suede pumps by Christian Louboutin, and classic large Impatiens earrings by Oscar de la Renta.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Contrary to popular belief, rubber boots can be fashionable and are ultra trending this F/W 2021 season. Waterproof and stylish, these pairs of boots below are the ultimate investments to stay chic in the rain. Forget the traditional Wellington boots (named in honor of Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington), and update your wardrobe with one or two of those stylish options.

LoL, Sandra

Chain metallic-rubber boots by JW Anderson

Puddle glittered rubber ankle boots by Bottega Veneta (my choice)

Julian matelassé and rubber boots by Cecilie Bahnsen x Diemme

Betty knitted-cuff rubber ankle boots by Chloé

Atelier Shoes 03 Rose Edition 3D rubber knee boots by Valentino (my choice)

Horsebit rubber boots by Gucci

Tess rubber boots by Balmain

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

During Paris Fashion Week, I had the chance to visit the L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped – a temporary artwork for Paris, that was on view for 16 days from September 18 – October 3, 2021. As I was extremely busy those days, I only went on the last Sunday.

In between shows, I put on this comfy look (my kind of tourist look) and explored this incredible installation. That evening, the light was absolutely magical, showing the Arc de Triomphe wrapped in 25,000 square meters of recyclable polypropylene fabric in silvery blue, and with 3,000 meters of red rope, in all sort of shades.

With my friend, Berlin artist Johanna Keimeyer, who invited me to this beautiful terrace overlooking the Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped.

In 1961, three years after they met in Paris, Christo and Jeanne-Claude began creating works of art in public spaces. In 1962, he made a photomontage of the Arc de Triomphe wrapped, seen from the Avenue Foch and, in 1988, a collage. 60 years later, the project was finally concretized, an homage to the late artists and to the city of Paris.

My look: Two-tone intarsia wool-blend cardigan by Balmain, Relax mesh-trimmed tech-jersey leggings, and Relax cropped mesh-trimmed tech-jersey top, both by Alaïa, leather exaggerated-sole sneakers by Alexander McQueen, Lou mini quilted textured-leather shoulder bag by Saint Laurent, and grey pearl necklace with gold and green metal glass charm by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Nadia Krawiecka
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Looking good is all about having the right energy. If you feel good about yourself, it’ll be much easier to project that inner contentment into the world. You can wear the most stunning outfit but without the right attitude, you won’t have the same charisma. The best way to get started is taking some time off as I did at the Clinique La Prairie this spring to rewind for an instant energy boost. After my stay, I was ready to kick some … cannot wait to go back soon.

Speaking about fashion, I am in love with this outfit and hope you will be too. This is one of the most comfortable, yet sexy looking jumpsuits in my closet.

My look: Two-tone tulle-trimmed ponte halterneck jumpsuit by Balmain, embellished silver-tone belt and silver-tone, crystal and faux pearl clip earrings, both by Alessandra Rich, Playboy Lips appliqué canvas book clutch by Olympia Le-Tan, Angel leather platform sandals by Gucci, and Tank Française 25.05mm medium 18-karat gold and stainless steel watch by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Today I am on my way to Ischia and Capri for the weekend and I am so much looking forward to being back. Last time I was there was for the opening of the Aquazzura store one year ago. The brand’s founder & creative director, Edgardo Osorio, invited us to the island for a weekend of pure fun that I have only shared in my IG stories so far. Here is my outfit that I wore for the first night. We enjoyed sunset cocktails at the beautiful JK Place Capri. A magical place for Edgardo and his partner Ricardo. Here the name Aquazzura was created during a sunset dinner overlooking the bay. It comes from the words ‘acqua’ and ‘azzurra’, which means blue water in Italian. Edgardo has always been in love with the sea and the sun, and wanted the name of his brand to both evoke his love for Italy and to remind him of Capri.

My look: Cropped button-embellished jacquard-knit blazer (also available in beige), cropped button-embellished pointelle-knit top (also available in peach), and button-embellished ribbed stretch-knit midi skirt (also available in peach), all by Balmain, Jodie mini knotted leather tote by Bottega Veneta, Whisper metallic leather wedge sandals by Aquazzura, earrings by CHANEL, Clash de Cartier ring in 18K rose gold with amazonite by Cartier, and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Ladies, step away from the sweatpants, we are falling back in love with denim this summer. From the bootcut to the rebirth of ’90s baggy jeans, the choices are versatile. One thing is for sure… say good-bye for now to the typical skinny jeans. Opt for versions with special details such as the Mugler ones.

I put together a selection of styles to simplify your search for summer jeans that all made it into my closet. Enjoy those patchwork styles, revived vintage models, and those new cuts and unexpected seams.

Levi’s Re-Edition 517 high-rise bootcut jeans by Valentino
Jeans don’t really get any cooler than Levi’s®, especially when they’re made in collaboration with Valentino.

High-rise slim jeans, paneled low-rise straight-leg jeans, high-rise skinny jeans, all by Mugler
Personally speaking, the best jeans of the season. Different and new, and so sexy.

High-rise skinny jeans by Burberry
Those jeans are traced with contrast topstitching that depicts hearts at the front and back.


Denim shorts by Balmain
These shorts are meant to look like they’re being worn backwards. How cool is that?!

Frayed denim shorts by Saint Laurent
Those cargo-like pockets are a flattering detail with a distinctly vintage feel.

Belted high-rise boyfriend jeans by Balmain
Boyfriend jeans are the cut of the season and a cool alternative to all those skinny jeans we wore in recent years.

High-rise flared jeans by Alexander McQueen
Reminiscent of popular styles from the ’70s, they make your legs look 2 meters long.

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

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