Viva Coco Cuba Libre for Christmas

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Last May, I attended the amazing CHANEL Cuba Cruise 2017 show in Havana, and the one piece I predicted to be the absolute bestseller was the colourful printed T-shirt «Viva Coco Cuba Libre». Of course, I wanted to get my hands on it as well as I knew this one will fly off the shelves. Well, dreams do come true, and sometimes even double!

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When I unwrapped my Christmas present from CHANEL wearing the tee, I couldn’t believe my eyes, I got another one in a more pastel color combination. Thank you, CHANEL, this was the perfect gift for me! Merry Christmas to all of you… enjoy your holiday season!

LoL, Sandra

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Photos: Courtesy of Chanel and © Sandra Bauknecht

My Look: Cuban Ruffles

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While being in Cuba with Chanel I attended a dinner party at Atelier restaurant. This is an iconic restaurant in Vedado with great food and decorated by original art.
Calle 5ta., No. 511 altos, entre Paseo y 2 | Vedado, Havana 10400, Cuba, + 537 836 2025

My look: Floral print dress with lace ruffles by D&G Dolce & Gabbanablack cardigan by Miu Miu, cutout leather platform pumps by Saint LaurentSoho mini textured-leather shoulder bagicon, gold-tone crystal bracelet, double wrap ring with tiger headsTiger head ring with black enamelwide band in metal, all by Gucci and pearl earrings by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

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Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Obra en Proceso Exhibition in Cuba

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As part of the month of the French culture in Cuba, the House of CHANEL presents the exhibition “Obra en Proceso / Work in Progress” by Karl Lagerfeld at the Factoría Habana art gallery. To celebrate its inauguration two days before the Cruise 2017 show, guests were able to discover more than 200 photographs by the famous designer.

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The exhibition is divided into three sections representing Karl Lagerfeld’s main interests – fashion, architecture and landscapes. 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 is open until tomorrow and the admission is free.

Obra en Proceso / Work in Progress
Factoría Habana
Calle O’Reilly No.°308, e/ Habana y Aguiar
La Habana Vieja
La Habana, Cuba

Enjoy my personal moments of the opening celebration:

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On our way to the exhibition through the streets of the old town of Havana…

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… we were guided by beautiful Cuban models.

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Karl Lagerfeld arriving at the opening celebration.

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With lovely Stella Tennant in front of Karl Lagerfeld’s photos of her.

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I fell in love with Lagerfeld’s photos of his muse Baptiste Giabiconi

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… that show the model in a different way.

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More to come from Cuba! Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

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Photos: © Chanel / © Olivier Saillant / © Anne Combaz and © Sandra Bauknecht

My Look: Cuban Colors

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One week offline… internet in Cuba is characterized by a low connections, limited bandwidth, censorship, and high cost. But now I am back from Havana and filled with amazing memories that I cannot wait to share with you. The city is full of beautiful colors and the vibrant walls were the perfect background to shoot this beautiful Temperley London dress that was inspired by Cuba.

My look: Arabelle wrap-effect embroidered cotton dress by Temperley London, fringed tweed bag, candy necklace and bracelet, all by Chanel, cutout leather platform pumps by Saint Laurent, Portofino Midsize Automatic watch with diamonds and grey alligator bracelet by IWC SchaffhausenDouble C diamond black lacquer white gold ring by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

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Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Straw Hats, Hemingway and Cuba

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Last night, I arrived in Cuba and was greeted by CHANEL in my hotel room with a lovely surprise: a very cute straw hat created in collaboration with Maison Michel, the famous hat-maker and milliner that was acquired by the House of CHANEL as one of its specialty ateliers.

The first thing popping up in my mind was, how is this shape called? Is it a Panama or a Havana hat, a feodora or a trilby…? Here is a little guide for you so that you will become a real insider.

The easiest thing to remember is that the rim of a fedora curls up while the rim of a panama hat is straight. A trilby is a narrow-brimmed type of hat which in shape resembles the Tyrolean hat.

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Straight rim: straw Panama hat by Rag & Bone.

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The rim curls up: icongrosgrain-trimmed woven paper fedora by Melissa Odabash.

Diesel_Trilby_hatNarrow-brimmed: icongradient trilby hat by Diesel.
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Trendy, the floppy brim: sunny sequined straw sunhat by Eugenia Kim.

Straw hats in all shapes have already become a must-have accessory for fashionistas everywhere as they are the perfect addition to a summery look. So ladies, hold on to your hats, many exciting things are waiting for you during the next days!

Ernest Hemingway wears the look of the successful novelist in Paris, in 1927, just after his book, “The Sun Also Rises,” hit the bestseller list. (AP Photo/Charles Scribner Sons)

I am leaving now an a Hemingway tour which will take me on a journey, following the footsteps of one of the worlds greatest writers here in Cuba. In 1940 Hemingway, with his new wife Martha, purchased a home outside Havana where he would live for the next twenty years. Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

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

Chanel Cruise 2017 Show in Cuba

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Great news! Karl Lagerfeld will present the Chanel Cruise 2017 collection on May 3rd 2016 in Cuba. So next Spring the fashion pack will go on a trip to Havana, the country’s capital.

I expect a vibrant and colorful collection. The early ’90s Chanel shows came immediately to my mind… how exciting!

LoL, Sandra

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Photos: Via Vogue.com