Sandra‘s Closet

I am so thrilled to announce my Instagram Live Talk on April 20, 2021 at 6.45 pm CET @sandrascloset with the one any only Mary Phillips @maryphillips, celebrity make-up artist and like me LA MER ambassador, who will join me from my favorite city in the world, Los Angeles.

Working regularly on makeup looks for Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Bella Hadid, and many more, Mary Phillips doesn’t need a big introduction. With 1.3 million followers on Instagram, she has established herself as one of the most talented celebrity makeup artists in the world.

«I never considered being anything else, this is what I truly love to do.» – That innate passion cultivated a career Mary Phillips has been training for her entire life. Whether rummaging through her mother’s products as a little girl, or acting as the resident cosmetics «guru» during neighborhood dress up sessions, Mary’s role was clear.

She grew up in California telling everyone she was going to become a makeup artist, and now Mary Phillips is one of the most sought after in the industry. Attending cosmetology classes while still in high school, (and makeup courses after graduating), Mary later worked in a dermatologist’s office- garnering more knowledge about one of her signature passions, skin. After being mentored by makeup veteran Eugenia Weston, Mary’s natural born talents eventually grew into working with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Her innovative and evolving looks that Mary’s known for have graced the covers of all the famous fashion magazines around the globe, including Marie Claire, Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, and ELLE.

Mary’s refined execution and attention to detail leave a memorable mark of high amped sophistication all her own. She is obsessed with skincare as for her, «the right skincare  is the best canvas for makeup».

Today in our live talk, she will reveal her favorite LA MER products and beauty tips. I promise, you will be amazed how Mary uses the LA MER cream. She is super innovative and you will surely love it. We will talk about the LA MER moisture wardrobe and most importantly, Mary will explain how you can achieve a glowy spring makeup look. You can also ask questions at the end of the talk.

Tune in, see you at 6.45 pm CET on April 20, 2021! I hope that you are excited like me!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Mary Phillips © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: This is a paid collaboration with LA MER. 

Last night, my all-time favorite red carpet event took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York: the Met Gala 2019. Personally speaking, this year’s exhibition theme: «Camp: Notes on Fashion», based on an essay from 1964 by the late Susan Sonntag, delivered a bout of wild, over-the-top fashion moments. It was like a playground to dress up for all fashion aficionados.

Even the hostess went gaga: Anna Wintour in an embroidered Chanel gown with feathery cape.

If you seem confused… in this case, camp is not to be mistaken as in sleeping bags and tents, but camp as in exaggerated fashion. Sonntag’s essay, that provides the framework for the exhibition, defines camp as «love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration» and examines how the elements of irony, humor, parody, pastiche, artifice, theatricality, and exaggeration are expressed in fashion. The exhibition will be open to the public from May 9 – September 8, 2019.

This was her theme! Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell changed her outfit four times!

Co-hosted by two fashion-loving celebrities: Lady Gaga and Harry Styles and sponsored by Gucci. What do you want more?

The exhibition itself is featuring both men’s and womenswear, over 200 pieces of fashion, along with sculptures, paintings, and drawings from the 17th century through today. The works of versatile designers from Alexander McQueen to John Galliano, Rei Kawakubo to Mugler, Mary Katrantzou to Jeremy Scott, and more are featured. What I have seen so far, among the exhibited items are many pieces that also hang in my closet. I couldn’t be more proud of my collection…

Before the Hollywood royalty and fashionistas presented themselves on the red carpet in front of the Metropolitan Museum, they met in the nearby «The Mark». The hotel is the venue for Anna Wintour‘s «pre-party» of the glamorous event every year. Definitely the place to stay!

Below are my favorite looks of the night… enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

My favorite outfit! My favorite reveal! Thierry Mugler himself is back, now called Manfred, and envisioned Kim Kardashian as a California girl stepping out of the ocean, wet, dripping. This latex dress took 8 months to make and is for me a true innovation on the runway!

Reminiscent of the Gucci runway: Jared Leto with his beheaded doppelganger

OMG! To die for! Cardi B in Thom Browne

Looking sensational: Saoirse Ronan in Gucci

She looked like a young Linda Evangelista in the ’90s: Bella Hadid in Moschino.

Harry Styles in Gucci

In keeping with the evening’s theme of camp, Ezra Miller turned up with the most outstanding optical illusion. His attire? Custom Burberry by Riccardo Tisci.

All about hats: Janelle Monáe in Christian Siriano.

I love pink, I love Barbie and I love this: Multi Grammy Award-winner Kacey Musgraves channeled a true fashion icon, Barbie, in Moschino.

Colorful: Lupita Nyong’o in custom Versace and Bulgari jewelry.

Stunning Gemma Chan in and with Tom Ford. Best accessory: having the designer at your side.

Katy Perry in a chandelier dress by Moschino.

Céline Dion in Oscar de la Renta

What an entrance! Billy Porter wore a custom-made sun god outfit by New York City-based designer duo The Blonds.

Blue hair, don’t care: Lucy Boynton in Prada.

I loved this. What a Cinderella moment for Zendaya. Sporting a glowing, Disney-esque gown designed by Tommy Hilfiger, and accompanied by her stylist Law Roach who transformed with the wave of a wand Zendaya’s dress into a glowing ensemble. She even left a glass slipper.

Lily Collins opted for an ivory ruffled gown which featured a flowing train by Salvatore Ferragamo. Very ’60s – very sweetheart.

Fresh off the Couture Week runways, Hailee Steinfeld sparked in Viktor & Rolf slogan couture gown. It was a perfect match as Anna Wintour had forbidden cameras, iPhones inside the event…

This was by far my favorite Met Gala of all and I cannot wait to see the exhibition!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Vogue, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Getty Images

Yesterday, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show returned to its New York City home after three years. I was really eager to see it, especially because I was curious to see my beloved Mary Katrantzou‘s creations on the runway of angels. This year was a true glittery catwalk extravaganza that dazzled with over 850,000 crystals from Swarovski as Victoria’s Secret and Swarovski proudly introduced new facets of their iconic 16-year partnership.

Gigi Hadid in one of the Mary Katrantzou’s designs for the show.

It’s the most-watched fashion event of the year with around 800 million tuning in annually. And for a good reason! Atelier Swarovski created this year’s spectacular Dream Angels Fantasy Bra embellished with over 2,100 Swarovski Created Diamonds and Topaz. On another exciting note, fans will be able to purchase a replica version of the Fantasy Bra made with Swarovski crystals. 

Halsey performed on the runway in this blockbuster show…

… as well as Rita Ora and Shawn Mendes.

«In this year’s show we had 90 looks, and more than half of them have Swarovski crystals,» said Monica Mitro, EVP Brand Communications and Events for Victoria’s «It’s a really special show for both of our brands because it represents a true partnership. This year we had the greatest number of Swarovski crystals ever used in a show: these included the fully crystallized Swarovski look, plus over half of the other looks. And for the first time ever, we created the Fantasy Bra with Atelier Swarovski using sustainable, Swarovski lab-created diamonds, as well as producing a replica of the Fantasy Bra made with crystals from Swarovski, which we’ll be selling in our stores and online.»

Wearing the coveted Dream Angels Fantasy Bra is the ultimate honor for the Angels, and this year’s lucky recipient was Elsa Hosk, who described the delicate Atelier Swarovski designed bralette style as «very cool, very simple, modern, and so sparkly. If I had designed it myself, it would have looked just like this.»

Swarovski Created Diamonds are responsibly grown in a state-of-the-art lab according to the highest environmental, safety and labor standards, and yet they have the same optical, chemical and physical attributes as mined diamonds: both are 100% carbon, with the same hardness and brilliance. The Swarovski Genuine Topaz comes from traceable sources in Brazil and Sri Lanka. 

The replica bralette will retail at $250 and its matching panty at $98, with the total set featuring over 1,000 Swarovski crystals. Customers will be able to purchase their replica version on November 29 at select Victoria’s Secret stores and online at victoriassecret.com, before the show airs. 

«Swarovski’s partnership with Victoria’s Secret has brought major sparkle to the runways for over 15 years. We’re especially proud of our 2018 collaboration, because we’ve been able to add sparkle to women’s everyday lives by creating a commercial version of the Dream Angels Fantasy Bra,» said Alexander Wellhoefer, SVP for Swarovski Professional North America. 

The show closed with the sumptuous «Celestial Angel» section of the show, where Angel Romee Strijd’s official Swarovski Look transformed her into a shooting star. Made with over 125,000 crystals from Swarovski, the full outfit consisted of a sheer bodysuit hand-beaded with over 70,000 Swarovski crystals and framed by a seven-pointed star wing that took a team of experts over 250 hours to create.

More than 55,000 Swarovski crystals were placed on the celestial star wing.

«Victoria’s Secret and Swarovski have always been such a brilliant collaboration. Once the looks have Swarovski on them they’re elevated to another level. That’s what we look for in every show we do and in every piece we present. When we conceive the looks it’s always with Swarovski in mind because for us, the crystals bring a sense of luxury to the outfits—without them we just wouldn’t have that opulence. It’s essential to have Swarovski crystals in the collection,» said Sophia Neophitou, the show’s Creative Director.

Enjoy more looks and impressions below…
Happy Weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Adriana Lima

Aiden Curtiss

Alexina Graham

Barbara Palvin

Bella Hadid

Candice Swanepoel

Cindy Bruna

Devon Windsor

Duckie Thot

Estelle Chen

Jasmine Tookes

Josephine Skriver

Jourdana Phillips

Kendall Jenner

Lais Riberio

Leomie Anderson

Liu Wen

Martha Hunt

Mayowa Nicholas

Nadine Leopold

Sara Sampaio

Sui He

Toni Garrn

Winnie Harlow

Zuri Tibby

Photos Courtesy of Swarovski/Victoria’s Secret
Thomas Concordia/Getty Images for Swarovski

Always on the first Monday in May, the Met Gala takes place and its 150-foot-long red carpet is probably one of the most-watched fashion events of the year with a gazillion of celebrities walking it in the most exquisite gowns. This year, it celebrated the opening of the Costume Institute’s exhibition, “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between,” that will go on until September 4, 2017.

Today I would like to share my personal list of best-dressed (and worst-dressed) celebrities that made their way last night into the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Temple of Dendur for the party of the year. The dress code called for avant-garde black tie, either you go big or go home, enjoy!

My favorite look on the red carpet: Lily-Rose Depp‘s pink Chanel look detailed with oversized silver camellias and a creeping vine.

Who did meet the dress code the best? The answer is clearly Rihanna. She showed up once again in a full-on fashion fantasy from the Comme des Garçons F/W 2016 runway that was also an architectural miracle, paired with Rihanna Loves Chopard jewelry.

As 2017 Met Gala cochair of the “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between” exhibition, Pharell Williams wore ripped denim by Comme des Garçons Jeans with a black biker jacket, and plaid shirt. His wife, Helen Lasichanh, paired her straight-off-the-F/W-2017-runway red onesie with a blonde topknot. Not showing any arms, it looked like a fashionable straightjacket.

Cara Delevingne appeared as a sci-fi fashion fantasy wearing an embellished pantsuit from Chanel‘s Spring 2017 Couture collection. I love how she always surprises.

One of my favorites! Even that Zendaya rejected the theme of the night, she ensured all eyes were on her wearing a Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda ball gown covered in a tropical parrot print.

Two thumbs up for bringing glamour to the red carpet. Jennifer Lopez looked gorgeous in a Valentino dress and Harry Winston jewelry.

Lily Collins showed up with a graphic dark bob and black lipstick, juxtaposing her sweet Giambattista Valli gown and her fierce Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

Plus-size model Ashley Graham channeled her inner flamenco dancer in a fabulous custom H&M dress. So pretty!

I am in love with Blake Lively’s Atelier Versace gown that featured a draped gold beading at the bodice, giving way to a plumed train in shades of blue. She had the best accessory of the night with her … her husband:-)! Couple goals I would say!

Another one arrived with her handsome husband who might have thought looking at his wife Gisele Bündchen in Stella McCartney, of Ed Sheeran singing «I’m in love with the shape of you» …

If you don’t have a husband to bring, bring the designer of your dress! That was Dakota Johnson‘s motto of the night, as she appeared in a stunning ruffled black Gucci gown with Alessandro Michele at her side.

Radiant like a sun goddess, actress Jessica Chastain in a yellow fluid Prada gown paired with some stunning Piaget jewelry.

Lupita Nyong’o also dazzled in Prada, pulling off the vibrant orange shade with Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

Gigi Hadid looked amazing in a nude, asymmetrical Cinderella-esque Tommy Hilfiger dress. I am just not so sure about the stay-up.

Showstopper! Leave it to Bella Hadid to steal the show in a glittering catsuit by none other than Alexander Wang. She looked so fabulous!

Priyanka Chopra did not disappoint in a bold Ralph Lauren trench coat gown with an unbelievably long train. Very different, something I like. I am just not a big fan of her booties in combination.

Like it or not, the award for most nude goes to none other than Kendall Jenner, whose slinky La Perla Haute Couture dress will absolutely go down in Met Gala history.

When it comes to Gwyneth Paltrow‘s understated Calvin Klein dress, I love the cut and the color, but I am not fond of the ankle length.

Katy Perry was unfortunately not among my favorites last night. The custom red tulle gown by Maison Margiela, designed by John Galliano himself, was topped with a heavy-looking wool coat covered in adornments like tulle flowers and plenty of beads. On the veil, a cryptic message across her eyes spelling “Witness” was embroidered, nevertheless it was truly one of the night’s most creative looks.

My favourite picture of the night! Have a look at Sarah Paulson dressed in a beautiful classy Prada gown. Her facial expression says everything! The American Horror Story actress seemed to have a heart attack after bumping into Madonna with the designer of her camouflage Moschino dress by her side, Jeremy Scott. Declaring war on fashion in camouflage, the famous singer was definitely not going incognito. I am not a fan of her look.

Swiss power at the Met Gala… Roger Federer in Gucci. I adore this snake embellishment on his back!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Vogue.com, © Getty Images, © Rob Latour/REX/Shutterstock, © Theo Wargo/Getty Images