Best Collection of the Season: Valentino

Valentino FW2013 Cover Final

Let me show you my favourite collection for the new season: VALENTINO. Watching this runway show in Paris along with celebrities such as Jessica Alba and Nicole Richie, my heart was beating faster and I was thinking: those pieces have to find a way into my closet!

Valentino FW2013-Runway

Inspired by the paintings of Flemish Old Masters (Vermeer in particular), Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli‘s latest collection is absolutely exquisite.

Of course, punk is the trend of the season, but my heart beats for those little white collars and the amazing feminine dresses. The outstanding embellishments are blended with materials: carpet textures, embroidery inspired by Delft ceramics, and chiné and jacquard motifs that reproduce them on knitwear.

Valentino Noir

And to live my grunge moment, I will invest in the famed rockstud accessories to match.

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Valentino’s ad campaign for F/W 2013 was shot by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin and shows how fashion meets art in perfection: striking portraits set against ornate still life images of flowers, food and accessories.

sandra bauknecht, maria grazia chiuri and pier paolo piccioli

Framed by the lovely designer duo, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli.

I was so happy to visit the Valentino showroom the next day after the show to explore this amazing collection up close. The moment I saw and felt the details, the outstanding craftsmanship and beautiful designs, I have been even more in love with the collection, if that is anyway possible… Great news is that most of the pieces are hitting the stores now.

To shop, just click on the highlighted text below! Have fun!

LoL, Sandra

Valentino 1

Valentino Black Dress FW2013

Leather-trimmed wool-blend dress icon

Valentino 2

Valentino Tapestry Dress FW2013

Tapestry-lace mini dress icon

Valentino 3

Valentino Sweater FW2013

Beaded tulle-detailed wool and cashmere-blend sweater icon

Valentino 4

Valentino Dress FW2013

Intarsia stretch-knit dress icon

Valentino 6

Embroidered plastron bonded nappa leather dress icon

Valentino Coat FW2013

Scalloped wool and silk-blend coat icon

Valentino 8

Valentino Dress white FW2013

Beaded tulle and wool-blend crepe mini dress icon

Valentino 9

Valentino Runway Pumps FW2013

Patent-leather and velvet T-bar pumps icon

Valentino 10

Valentino FW2013 Shoes Runway

Patent-leather and velvet T-bar pumps icon

Valentino 11

Valentino 12

Valentino Rockstud Mink

Rockstud mink and leather clutch icon

Valentino Rockstud 3

Valentino Rockstud FW 2013

Valentino Rockstud Bag FW2013

The Rockstud leather trapeze bag icon

Valentino Rockstud Rouge

Rockstud Rouge Leather Pumps

Rockstud Rouge pumps

Rockstud Rouge
Runway and ad campaign photos: Courtesy of Valentino, all other photosicon: © Sandra Bauknecht

Versace for H&M Launch Party in NYC

Launch Party Versace for H&M

Talking in superlatives! OMG – what a night! Tuesday evening, I attended the fashion show and after party for the launch of Versace for H&M in New York City. The venue was decorated in true Versace style in a specially designed building on the Hudson River. I was entering the world of Versace from the moment I set foot on the red carpet and so were the famous guests such as Uma Thurman, Blake Lively, Chace Crawford, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Hudson and Selma Blair. Enjoy all my photos from this Versace for H&M extravaganza and see who performed live on stage! Stay also tuned for an interview with Donatella Versace to be posted soon.

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Mark ronson and me 2

Famous guitarist and music producer Mark Ronson in the hot pink Versace for H&M suit.

Jessica & me

Sweet Jessica Alba in a studded Versace for H&M dress with me.

Uma Thurman

Uma Thurman looked so stunning when she said: “I think it is so exciting for Versace to made available to everyone. The collection is cool, colourful, young and very hip. I can’t wait to see the show.”

Jade P with me

British model and TV presenter Jade Parfitt with me.

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The other way around: Renowned photographer Bruce Webber in front of the camera.

Bryan Boy with me

Blogger love: Bryanboy and me

Brian Atwood

As for me, the sexiest shoe designer on earth: Brian Atwood.

Emma Roberts and me

American actress and niece of Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts in Versace for H&M florals.

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Another well-known face: Photographer Terry Richardson

Jade & Christina

Girlfriends: Jade Parfitt having fun with German model Christina Kruse.

Show H&M 2

Let the show begin: The catwalk was paved with gold, the perfect environment in which to preview the Versace for H&M collection. The iconic looks, including some unique special pieces created for this exclusive event, were worn on the catwalk by top models such as Abbey Lee, Daphne G, Natasha Poly, Sean O’pry and Lindsay Wixson. The collection that will hit the shelves in 300 stores worldwide on November 17th, 2011.
For a closer view on the amazing pieces, I recommend this previous post.

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Show H&M 5

Show H&M 8

When the show was finished, Donatella Versace appeared on the runway and two gigantic gates opened. She invited the fashionable crowd to follow her to the next hall where the after party took place.

DonatellaDonatella Versace

Nicky 2

The first act was a live performance of rap and pop superstar Nicki Minaj, dressed head to toe in Versace for H&M.

Nicky 3

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Watching Prince

Later on, Nicki Minaj joined famous host Donatella to enjoy the show of Prince which was truly unbeatable. He is such an artist and musician. The way he sings, dances and moves captivates you from the first moment. When he started the chords of Purple Rain, the audience went crazy.

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Prince 6

Prince no glasses

Prince 4

Prince 9

Prince in action

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In case you think that Prince was the culmination of the night, you are mistaken. After he was finished, another gate opened, the one to shopping heaven. Behind those doors, a gigantic H&M pop-up store was located where the guests could buy the new Versace for H&M collection and all the celebrities joined in the fun. What a night!

This is probably my longest post ever, but this night is just unforgettable. Thank you H&M for letting me be part of it!

LoL, Sandra

Versace Shop 1

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Versace Shop

IMG_3216Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht