Sandra‘s Closet

Miuccia Prada used Japanese elements, draped Duchesse satin and came up with a contemporary kimono style, while paying homage to Courrèges with ‘60 silhouettes and red daisies. All mixed together, the Prada S/S 2013 collection has a very nostalgic feel while of course looking absolutely new and modern. That is something only Mrs Prada can come up with.

Photos taken in my favourite coat in my favourite Prada store in the world, ZURICH!

My beloved Prada accessories for S/S 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada, © Sandra Bauknecht

Let’s have a look at Miu Miu’s S/S 2013 ad campaign that is formed of a series of mise-en-scenes and still lives, in a mysterious domestic setting. The muted tones and painterly light of the theatrical setting highlight the vibrant vitality of the cast.

Photographed by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin in New York, the campaign follows Miu Miu’s tradition of subverting traditional advertising imagery, this season offering a fresh view of contemporary femininity, rich with nuance and authenticity. High and low materials meet in rooms that have no sense of time or place, bleached wooden paneling and ruby red satin mirroring the duality of materials in the collection.

The cast itself embodies the many facets of a woman’s personality, femme fatales and innocent ingénues, playful belles and nostalgic beauties. This diverse constellation of women share their own private language, in an intimate series of poetic interactions. Nonchalant groupings and abstract close ups reflect both a harmonious closeness and their distinct individuality. Looking in through doors and windows that seem to lead to another world, we encounter a new kind of elegance in this seductive celebration of contemporary femininity.

Rich chocolate Shibori dip-dye mink jacket

One thing all these women have in common? Their desire to own one of Miu Miu’s unbelievable fur pieces! For the post of the S/S 2013 show, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Travertine Shibori dip-dye mink jacket

Caramel and raspberry handmade Shibori dip-dyed fur stole

Soft grey and black handmade Shibori dip-dyed fur stole

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

Last Tuesday, Karl Lagerfeld presented his latest Metiers d’Art collection for CHANEL, Paris-Edimbourg, at Linlithgow Palace – the ancient family seat of the Stuart family, where Mary Queen of Scots, was born.

An incredible presentation of know-how and craftsmanship, this collection honours and showcases the exceptional talent of the jeweler Desrues, the feather maker Lemarie, the milliner Maison Michel, the boot maker Massaro, the lace embroiderer Maison Lesage, the embroiderer Montex, the glove maker Causse and the Scottish cashmere company Barrie knitwear – a recent acquisition of the House of CHANEL.

Scotland, a country that Gabrielle Chanel discovered with the Duke of Westminster, became the source of her inspiration for tweed creations and knitted cardigans. In choosing Scotland as the scene of this Metiers d’Art collection, Karl Lagerfeld once again reinvented the history and codes of the House with renewed creativity.

The collection included many classic Scottish design elements, such as tartan, tweed, fur and layers of wool. Fashion’s greatest storyteller Karl Lagerfeld modernized the idea and came up with some very cool oversized and boyish highland looks, which were juxtaposed by very feminine details, like bows and embroideries adding a very Shakespearean appeal.

After the show, guests walked through the torch-lit grounds of the Palace, to the dramatic sound of Scottish bagpipes, arriving at a dinner and party held in Karl Lagerfeld’s honour which was followed by a performance by the British singer and songwriter Jake Bugg.

Just beautiful…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

“It’s about elegance, not elegance. Couture, not couture. Tailoring, not tailoring,” Miuccia Prada told WWD.

Her S/S 2013 Miu Miu collection was all about contrasts, the Italian designer let herself be inspired by the silhouettes of the ’50s and ’60s, to which she offered her own iconic twist.

Flats worn to glamourous embellished outfits, rich luxurious fabrics downgraded through tie-dye and crushing and fur all over for summer walked down the runway to the sounds of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” which almost seemed macabre in a good way. Think Mad Men meets Hitchcock in a contemporary way.

Splendid yet effortless, and with ease, she changes her style without never loosing her signature. The ideas and inspirations may be complicated, but this is her intelligent approach to fashion. And amazingly as it seems, she always makes it look easy.

Miuccia Prada had converted the Palais d’Iéna into a wooden maze designed by Rem Koolhaas’ OMA, with thick velvet curtains changing the ambiance  of the venue, that is usually bathed in natural light, into something mysterious right before the show .

Miucca Prada always packs the best front row. This season it was Emma Stone, Amanda Seyfried, Chloë Sevigny, Dianna Agron and Bérénice Bejo among others, all dressed head to toe in Miu Miu.

Amanda Seyfried with me after the show

Emma Stone giving an interview

Stay tuned for a detailed post about my outfit and of course, my runway reviews of Chanel, Louis Vuitton and so on.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu and © Sandra Bauknecht

My Gucci adventure started on Wednesday with the F/W 2012 show in Milan. Just one word. Amazing! Frida Giannini created a dark glamour, opulent looks that were sensual and sophisticated at once, recalling the Victorian era mixed with a certain vampire allure. She even used masculine accents such as oversized shoulders and military-style coats and capes. Her very dark vision might be a welcome change after all the vibrant colour-blocking of the last seasons.

„This is modern-day romanticism. A dramatic sensuality, a dark glamour. With subtle tones of provocative intellect.“

– Frida Giannini

The materials were rich. Opulent brocade, devoré velvet and floral prints on jacquard fabrics plus beautiful 3-D embroideries on the long flowing evening gowns. Exotic animal prints on silk looked great on the runway. My favourite were the pieces that were made completely out of beautiful shimmering dark green feathers.

Colours are dark, black paired with green in different shades, plum tones and burgundy.

The accessories had a lot of equestrian references. The new Stirrup bag, roomy as well as classy, has a revisited metallic spur closure (mark it on your F/W 2012 wish list, a season’s must).

Footwear is either flat (those crocodile boots, OMG!) and masculine or slipper-like with a sharp high heel.

I am a big Gucci fan and this collection has just made me love it even a little bit more…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci

I am a huge fan of the Alexander McQueen F/W 2011 collection. As for me, Sarah Burton has outdone herself once more. The fetish elements, the beautiful fur edges, the frayed organza, just amazing. Needless to say, those dramatic pieces are not for everyday use but for making a showstopping entrance, they are perfect. And just one item at a time works lovely, see here.

When I stumbled upon the advertising campaign photos, I was blown away. Such a beauty and drama: Raquel Zimmermann photographed by David Sims.

LoL, Sandra

Some of the most memorable looks on the runways for F/W 2010 impressed with the comeback of the season: Fur in all variations. From Karl Lagerfeld`s take on the full faux fur polar bear look to Versace`s colourful interpretations to shearling lamb footwear.

The emphasis was one the most luxurious finishing details you can imagine. The designers were using more fur than ever. I am wondering why PETA was so absent during the fashion weeks. They could have totally made an example.

Herewith you will find a gallery of the most desirable shoes and bags for the upcoming season. I am crazy for Chanel `s Nanook of the North fake fur boots with the icicle heels and the matching chain strap bag. Totally stylish are also the fur-trimmed boots like the ones by Hermès or YSL.

Another must-have for winter is a thick fur-covered tote, for example by Dolce & Gabbana or Christian Dior to name a few.

Love it or hate it, fur is one of the biggest trends.

LoL, Sandra

My Swiss based readers will know what I am talking about: The White Turf St. Moritz is quite a spectacle. The setting against the magnificent alpine backdrop of the Upper Engadine is amazing. Established in 1907 the International Horse Races of St. Moritz on the frozen lake are a unique experience and believe me fashionwise, too!

Me today at the White Turf in a black overall with fur details and fur boots, both PRADA SPORT, hat DOLCE & GABBANA, scarf GUCCI, studded bag MIU MIU and sunglasses BALENCIAGA.

St. Moritz has anyway its own style. You see so much fur in all different ways like nowhere else in the world. CAFT (Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade) would not know where to start. Dressed in mink, sable or chinchilla head to toe, the looks have a very Russian approch to it. True to the motto more is more.

Come up here one day and see for yourself!
St. Moritz is always worth a journey!

LoL, Sandra