Sandra‘s Closet

I am obsessed with the Jimmy Choo x Jean Paul Gaultier collaboration featuring global pop star Kylie Minogue in the campaign. Fusing two creative identities and being born from a shared vision of femininity, empowerment and confidence, the capsule collection is co-designed by Jimmy Choo’s creative director Sandra Choi and JPG’s creative director, Florence Tétier. It revisits archive pieces from the Parisian fashion house, adapting them to contemporary tastes.

«Fashion for me has always been about collaboration with like-minded creatives, and pure personal self-expression. Jean Paul Gaultier and Jimmy Choo have both been part of my fashion journey, and I’m thrilled to work with both of them to celebrate this exceptional collection,» says Kylie Minogue of the partnership. «It’s our collective histories fusing, to create something fresh and new,» she adds.

Acting as an evolution of the longstanding relationship between Kylie and both brands, the campaign follows a long line of made-to-measure Gaultier looks and custom Jimmy Choo shoes. The campaign sees Kylie showcasing the new footwear collection and transforming into a modern-day pin-up.

My favorite pair of the collection: The black leather wedge pumps show both the icons of the cities that are home to the brands, the Eiffeltower and Big Ben, in their plexiglass heels.

For Jimmy Choo, the collaboration follows its recent team-up with Sailor Moon creator Naoko Takeuchi and for JPG, the collection follows its recent release with the corset-loving London ready-to-wear label KNWLS, alongside news of its next guest designer: Simone Rocha.

TO SHOP JIMMY CHOO x JEAN PAUL GAULTIER ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Jimmy Choo / JPG
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Let your body talk with a fun trompe l’oeil silhouette. Spice it up with some vibrant accessories and you will surely turn heads.

My look: Ribbed metallic merino wool-blend midi dress by Jean Paul Gaultier, Hangisi 105 embellished satin pumps by Manolo Blahnik, Rainbow classic flap bag by CHANEL, «Rendez-Vous Galant» scarf 70 in Bleu / Jaune / Rose Vif, and Gina headband in silk twill with «Wild Singapore» print and interior Rocabar ribbon in Lagon, both by Hermès.

LoL, Sandra

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

Maiden Shanghai is a new exploration of authentic Chinese cooking in a spectacular setting at the new FIVE Zurich hotel that will open its doors next week. With dramatic views over the Swiss city, it contains a bold dining area and outdoor terrace, aas well as a private dining room. The decor playfully fuses the traditional with the boldly modern, creating spaces that feel open yet connected.

The interior design served as the perfect background to wear for the first time this fun look from the collaboration between French Haute Couture label Jean Paul Gaultier (JPG) and stylist of the moment Lotta Volkova.

My look: Two-piece wool blazer, lace-up crepe and satin leggings, and lace-up satin bralette, all by Jean Paul Gaultier + Lotta Volkova, silver-tone crystal clip earrings by Alessandra Rich, Dr Bored Paloma clutch mini, and Pinupina 130 limited edition pumps, both by Christian Louboutin.

LoL, Sandra

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

Renowned French Haute Couture label Jean Paul Gaultier (JPG) and stylist of the moment Lotta Volkova have collaborated on a ready-to-wear capsule consisting of bra dresses, corset tops and soft tailoring. As the in-house stylist for Vetements and Balenciaga, Volkova has been integral to the creative vision of both houses. In this capsule you will see her style fuse beautifully with the signature aesthetic JPG is known for.

There is a very limited distribution with this capsule collection, so please be fast… my favorites are the following from left to right:

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER + Lotta Volkova lace-up crepe and satin leggings
 JEAN PAUL GAULTIER + Lotta Volkova lace-up satin bralette
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER + Lotta Volkova lace-up ruched velvet bralette

Jean Paul Gaultier’s conical bra is iconic – when Madonna wore one on stage during her 1990 ‘Blonde Ambition‘ tour, it went down as one of the most iconic moments in music and fashion history. From the brand’s latest collaboration with Lotta Volkova, there are several remakes, one made from plush velvet that’s ruched and corseted and has those iconic spiral cups and another one made from topstitched satin with matching leggings.

TO SHOP THE COLLABORATION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Lotta Volkova

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

In celebration of London Fashion Week, I was invited by La Perla to a wonderful breakfast and panel discussion hosted by Top Stylist Sophie Goodwin and Chief Design Officer at La Perla Nicole Rendone at luxury member’s club Annabel’s in London. Exploring the brand’s rich heritage and craftsmanship, while highlighting key iconic brand moments, the two ladies indulged in a wonderful conversation how La Perla had followed the evolution of the female body through different fashions and trends becoming the lingerie and beachwear brand synonymous with «Made in Italy». On display we could admire many different and stunning archive pieces.

With Sophie Goodwin to the left and Nicole Redone to the right.

It all started in 1954 when Ada Masotti, an Italian woman full of talent and courage, began the journey towards her dream: creating an atelier of corsetry in the name of the best Italian tradition. Beginning in a small laboratory in Bologna, the Italian town renowned for its solid tradition of silk factories and textile manufacturers, Ada used her talent as a skilled corset maker to create works of art enhancing feminine beauty.

La Perla ’90s, Outwear Corset

We all agreed that lingerie has the ability to make women feeling empowered. For Sophie «putting on her underwear is like the foundation of the house.» It all starts there. For Nicole «lingerie is like autocorrect, it can accentuate, fix or leave it as you want it.»

With lovely Biliana Rangelova, Global Client Engagement Director La Perla Global Management

La Perla 2013: Jean Paul Gaultier Rubans Body Suit

In the ’60s women burnt their bras, in the ’80s they wore cone bras, today it is sexy on another level. Lingerie is like jewelry, you can show it. It is sensuality on another level. The trend of blurring boundaries between public and private has emphasized the gradual ascent of lingerie to the world of fashion. We wear pajamas to go to the nightclub and show our bra lace under a pant suit. Times have changed and so has the Italian lingerie brand.

Left: La Perla 2007, Golden Cage Bustier – Right: La Perla 2014, Paisley Body Suit

La Perla’s ability to transmit the spirit of its creations across each decade is certainly the secret to the brand’s success, proving that what would be considered as a historic brand, can adapt, innovate and transform in the face of competition and the obstacles that affect the societies we live in.

LoL, Sandra

La Perla 2007, Black Label Bodysuit

La Perla 2008, Black Label Collection

La Perla 2012: Jean Paul Gaultier Frou Frou Lingerie Set

Photos: Courtesy of La Perla / Shaun James Cox and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

In the 1930s, Robert Dumas, son-in-law of Émile Hermès, whom he succeeded at the head of Hermès (1951-1978), created the women’s bag with straps. He designed a trapezoid shape with two triangular gussets, a cutout flap, a handle and two side straps, and with it he brought the house into the era of boldness and modernism.

In the late 1950s, legend has it that Grace Kelly, a Hollywood star turned princess of Monaco, was photographed holding the bag over her stomach to conceal the early signs of her pregnancy.
The bag shot to international fame and was renamed the Kelly.

The Kelly bag comes in different sizes and styles (like the Kelly Pochette or Kelly Ado for example), offering different aesthetics. There is no «right» size or shape. Although right now smaller bags are the rage, the size for you is the size you choose.

Recently, I have added a Kelly Danse to my Hermès collection. Originally released in 2007 by Jean-Paul Gaultier, who was at the helmet of Hermès at that time, Kelly Danse is a more casual and multi-functional version of the iconic Hermès Kelly. Without the top handle, and with a long strap, you can wear it seven different ways: around the waist, as a crossbody bag, a shoulder bag at two different lengths, as a wristlet, a clutch and even as a backpack!

Danse means dance in French. The idea behind its creation was to attract a younger audience: young ladies who like to dance while having their hands free. Kelly Danse was a revolutionary design for the brand. However, it was discontinued in 2013 because the shape was too «advanced» and fashion-forward. Comfortable cross-body bags were not so trendy at that time.

However, as it often happens, after the bag has been discontinued, the bag has quickly turned into a rare collector’s item and was re-introduced in 2019. Known today as the Kelly Danse II, the bag is around 22 cm in length and 17 cm in height. In terms of dimensions, the Kelly Danse II is very similar to its predecessor.

I chose my Kelly Danse II in Verso Blush/Rose Jaipur Evercolor leather (a leather that is very resilient to wear and tear) with silver hardware and love it, as it is without a doubt, the most versatile of all Hermès bags.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: AP, Courtesy of Hermès, © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: This post is not sponsored. I own and love this bag!

For this photoshoot, «Fragrances under confinement» Jean Paul Gaultier tasked photographer Gorka Postigo, a regular collaborator with the brand, to make «at-home» content, without any outside elements in order to respect the actual confinement situation that we were currently facing.
This consisted of staging the Gaultier fragrances; Classique and Le Mâle, La Belle and Le Beau as well as Scandal in a portrayal of what makes daily life for millions of people during confinement. Hygiene, at – home work outs, home cleaning, cooking, reading in afternoon, one-on-one dinners, movie nights and social distancing security during the «essentials» going out.

I am very thankful that our lives are coming back slowly to normal… Those photos are so cute I had to share them as a wonderful memory of lockdown.

LoL, Sandra

Pictures by ©Gorka Postigo @jpgaultierofficial
#AtHomeWithGaultier #LeMale #Classique #LaBelle #LeBeau #GaultierGarden #BeScandal #JeanPaulGaultier 

Today, I would like to introduce you to the new Jean Paul Gaultier fragrances that just have launched with a cute little story written in paradise…

IN GAULTIER’S GARDEN

One morning, Jean Paul Gaultier walked into his Factory. It was large and lively and happy. He looked at the women, and he looked at the men. And his mind wandered to leisurely pastimes. And he thought, «Women and men should spend time together, it is good.»

On the first day, he created a garden. The garden was magical and enchanting, and in the spirit of easy virtues everywhere!

On the second day, he created La Belle and Le Beau. Born from JPG Classic and Le Mâle, but as butt naked as their first day in this world. And they’re not even cold, those two! On the third day, he created the most delightful, divine and delectable sins … On the fourth day he rested. In his garden, the party was in full swing. Everyone was in the mood for discovery, adventure; of themselves and each other. And it smelled (al)most divine!

THE BOTTLES

Jean Paul Gaultier created the bottle of La Belle – and the bottle appeared. In the shape of a woman’s bust. It was red dipped in pink, and spoke of modesty as well as the most lascivious licentiousness. Around the neck, gold roses formed a necklace, a modest covering that serve only as an invitation to a final and temptation-filled unveiling …

Then, Jean Paul Gaultier created the bottle of Le Beau, and the bottle appeared. In the shape of a naked chest. It was green, and it shimmered. A leaf of vine, in gold, carefully placed where the eyes might linger.

Jean Paul Gaultier looked at the exquisite busts and exclaimed: «These two were made to lead us into temptation!» And they were.

THE PACKAGING

Jean Paul Gaultier created the casing of La Belle, and the case appeared in the garden. It was the softest green, almost almond, and amongst the foliage of this very modern Eden, matched with everything. Its gold letters gleamed, and it was oh-so-tempting to touch the fruit, – and it wasn’t even forbidden!

Jean Paul Gaultier created the casing for Le Beau, and the case appeared at the foot of a bush. It was emerald green, so dark, reminding us of all that is lush in this world. Its golden letters glimmering like the honey of original desire.

Jean Paul Gaultier looked at the two provocative, sexy cases, and said: «Presentation is everything – and nothing!» And it was.

THE FRAGRANCES

Jean Paul Gaultier opened the case of La Belle, took the bottle, and inhaled deeply the essence of the perfume. It smelled of oriental vanilla, but a vanilla so fresh, it quenched the soul. He could also identify vetiver; where the miraculous smell of fruit, a pear, was clearly pointing.

Jean Paul Gaultier opened Beau‘s case and, closing his eyes, inhaled (no denials here). The smell of coconut wood inspired a profound desire to relax, while the bergamot and the tonka bean whispered to him that lounging was the most refreshing of sins.

Jean Paul Gaultier inhaled both perfumes together, and declared: «They go well together. Forever and ever.» And thus a world was created.

PERFUMERS

Quentin Bisch and Sonia Constant teleported themselves to Gaultier’s garden.
As is their way, they emerged themselves into this strange and soothing exotic world. These two, who love to explore the world and who know it so well, came back mesmerised by The New Land, with a special place in their heart for La Belle and Le Beau. And as we know, the heart is never far from the nose.

Jean Paul Gaultier La Belle und Le Beau are available from now in the following sizes:

La Belle Eau de Parfum 100 ml / CHF 161.00
La Belle Eau de Parfum 50ml / CHF 118.00

Le Beau Eau de Parfum 125ml / CHF 120.00
Le Beau Eau de Parfum 75ml / CHF 89.00

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier

Last night, fashion’s most anticipated yearly event (yes, hotter than the Oscar’s), the MET GALA, offered a breathtaking red carpet that I will tell you all about today. It always takes place on the first Monday in May. But if you’re not an industry expert, you might be wondering why on earth there should be so much hype about it. First of all, Anna Wintour is hosting the night along some well-known co-hosts, which are all much-worshiped by the paparazzi: Amal Clooney, Rihanna, and Donatella Versace. But there is more… many stars, models and fashion designers attend the night in showstopping outfits worthy of unforgettable photos.

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, right, designer Donatella Versace, left, and Vogue US Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour  in Rome last February.

It is a huge night for fashion fundraising as it is dedicated to New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute – formally named The Anna Wintour Costume Center, in homage to the American Vogue’s editor-in-chief, who has been a chair member of the museum’s gala since 1995. It also celebrates the opening of the newest exhibition of which its theme sets the tone for the event and invitees have to dress accordingly. Personally speaking, I find this year’s motto extremely interesting, instead of being dedicated to the work of one designer, it is inspired by the dialogue between fashion and the masterworks of religious art: «Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination».

In Anna’s recent «Letter of the Editor» in the May 2018 edition of US Vogue, she writes: «The exhibition itself has been years in the making, and it will be not only the largest Costume Institue show to date but the biggest show ever at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It’s hard to not sound hyperbolic about it, but it is going to be an absolutely magnificent experience – spanning some 26 galleries and including work from the likes of Valentino, Gaultier, and Dolce & Gabbana along with more than 40 extraordinarily opulent liturgical garments and accessories on loan from the Vatican.

For curator Andrew Bolton, it required endless hours of patience dealing with the Vatican, given the labyrinthine way that it operates.»

Central to the conversation will be the papal garb on loan from the Sistine Chapel sacristy, many of which have never been seen outside the Vatican, even in the 1983 Met blockbuster, «The Vatican Collections: The Papacy and Art».

An enduring influence of religion on fashion: for F/W 2010, church elements played a huge role on the catwalks. Have a look at this previous post: The Nun’s Story.

The display of these extraordinary ecclesiastical pieces will highlight the enduring influence of religion and liturgical vestments on fashion. Among the 150 or so ensembles that will be on display are pieces by Cristóbal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, who was educated by nuns, and John Galliano, whose transgressive F/W 2000 Couture collection for Christian Dior opened with a mitred, incense-swinging pope-like figure who proceeded down the runway to a voice intoning: «Understand the concept of love.»

First look of Christian Dior Couture F/W 2000

Fashion is a way to express yourself and by placing clothes within the context of religion, you realize how much power the looks of Christianity have and that fashion has supported the way we feel the Catholic imagination.

Part of the exhibition
Left: Fragment of a floor mosaic with a personification of Ktisis, Byzantine, 500–550, with modern restoration, marble, and glass; right: Ensemble, Dolce & Gabbana, F/W 2013

Me in a Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2013 look: A Byzantine Moment

«Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination» is on view May 10–October 8, 2018. A catalog with photographs by Katerina Jebb will accompany the exhibition.

Below you can enjoy some of my favorite looks of last night.

My personal winner: Blake Lively in Atelier Versace
She needed to arrive in a party bus to have enough space for her amazing gown!

Love this look as well: Jennifer Lopez in Balmain, Jimmy Choo shoes and clutch.

Rare moment: The host of the night, Anna Wintour, caught smiling in Chanel.

Angel of the night: Katy Perry in Versace.

Madonna in Jean Paul Gaultier

Co-host perfection: Rihanna in custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano, Christian Louboutin shoes, Maria Tash jewelry, Cartier jewelry, and a custom Judith Leiber Couture clutch.

Always an eye-catcher: Sarah Jessica Parker in Dolce & Gabbana and Jennifer Fisher.

Heavenly: Anne Hathaway in a stunning red Valentino gown.

Icon: Lily Collins in Givenchy

Cara Delevingne in Dior Haute Couture

Simple and elegant, matching the theme:
Andreea Diaconu in Michael Kors Collection and Chopard jewelry

Beautiful print: Ariana Grande in Vera Wang.

Lana Del Rey and Jared Leto, both in Gucci

Curvy and beautiful: Kate Upton in Zac Posen

Rita Ora in Prada

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in custom Ralph Lauren Collection

So cute: Cardi B shows off her baby bump in Moschino next to designer Jeremy Scott.

Kate Bosworth recreated her bridal look in Oscar de la Renta and Tacori jewelry.

Beautiful in velvet: Priyanka Chopra in Ralph Lauren.

Definitely not the most sexy look, but matching the theme well: Greta Gerwig in The Row.

Stella Maxwell in Moschino and David Yurman

Sexy interpretation: Taylor Hill in Diane von Furstenberg

Best dressed man of the night: Chadwick Boseman in Versace.

I personally didn’t like this look at all, not matching the theme (as a co-host you would expect better) and the cut is not pleasing her beautiful shape: Amal Clooney in Richard Quinn.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Vogue.com, © Sandra Bauknecht, © Melanie Galea, (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
Photos: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harris Brisbane DickFund and Fletcher Fund, 1998; Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, Dodge Fund, and Rogers Fund, 1999 (1998.69; 1999.99) / © Metropolitan Museum of Art; Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana / Image courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Digital Composite Scan by Katerina Jebb, Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Variety/REX/Shutterstock

During Haute Couture S/S 2016 fashion week in Paris, Jean Paul Gaultier hosted a show that took the audience to the the wild clubbing days of the 80s, when Le Palace in Montmartre, was the center Parisian night life such as Studio 54 in New York. It was an homage to the creatures of the night, models with big hair were smoking cigarettes and drinking champagne while strutting down the runway in signature looks such as tuxedos, pajama suits, lingerie dresses and bomber jackets.

Gaultier’s style is unique and so are his catwalks. Nobody else is able to transform a fashion show into a party. I am always leaving in a good mood, ready to dance and party myself.

In the evening, to celebrate the occasion, Jean Paul Gaultier invited a few lucky ones for a spectacular dinner at the Grand Colbert. A night to remember, and not only by the surprises. A contortionist painted in gold welcomed the attendance while they had a cocktail.

Talking heads out of food cloches got lost in a surreal very funny conversation. The surprise showcase of Beth Ditto and Allanah Star, a Parisian night figure, popping out of a cake to wish the House of Gaultier a happy 40th anniversary, were some of the highlights of the dinner. Complete craziness abounded at the Paris brasserie, which gathered longstanding close friends including Farida Khelfa, Victoria Abril and Blanca Li, who at one point began chanting in unison “Jean Paul, Jean Paul.”

Among the fashionable guests was also Daphne Groeneveld who stars in Jean Paul Gaultier Classique‘s new fragrance campaign captured by fashion photographer Miles Aldridge.

Later the evening evolved into a dance fest, after each guest was given a cardboard mask with an image of Gaultier’s face to sport. A night to remember. Have fun exploring all the fun moments.

The scene at the Jean Paul Gaultier party

Alexina Graham, Daphne Groeneveld and Soo Joo Park

Jean Paul Gaultier with Blanca Li, Victoria Abril and Farida Khelfa

Manuel Puig and Marc Puig

Allanah Starr

Jose Manuel Albesa and model Hugo Marquez

Talking to Farida Khelfa

Marc Zaffuto and Emmanuel d’Orazio

Here you can spot me to the left taking great shots of Beth Ditto’s performance.

Beth Ditto

She is such a love! Beth Ditto, you literally rock!

A great honor to be invited by Monsieur Gaultier to such a spectacular dinner.

DJ Kiddy Smile

Reunited with Catherine Baba after our trip to Columbia last December.

Swiss girls: Erica Martinez and me

Alongside four decades in fashion, 2016 marks the first year the Gaultier fragrance label is being developed by Puig. The television ad is for both perfume blockbusters — Le Male for men and Classique for women. Its backdrop is a factory but, of course, with a twist à la Gaultier. While all of his iconography is evident — think women in corsets and men sporting striped shirts — the setting is industrial. Gaultier himself also appears in the clip, appearing at the very end of the advert.

LoL, Sandra

The new advertising for Jean Paul Gaultier Classique

The new advertising for Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male

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Photos: Courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier, Images by Saskia Lawaks – Vogue, Images by Thomas Kelly – Say Who,  Access Fashion Media and © Sandra Bauknecht