Sandra‘s Closet

As announced in yesterday’s post, today is World Oceans Day, the United Nations day for celebrating the role of the oceans in our everyday life and inspiring action to protect the ocean and sustainably use marine resources. We can all do something for the environment. Even if you are not close to an ocean, you can make an effort to keep your local shores clean. This also works around Lake Zurich. Don’t forget, small acts can make a huge impact.

Today, in honor of this special day, I am wearing a look from Mary Katrantzou‘s beautiful Mary Mare collection. This shell print couldn’t be a better fit.

As the LA MER Blue Heart mission will donate $25 to the LA MER Blue Heart Oceans fund for each public post that will use #LaMerBlueHeart and #LaMerDonation together, I will surely post a picture to Instagram. The power of the sea lives within us all. Therefore I kindly invite you to also share your connection with the Earth’s ocean…

My look: Mary Mare Firenze shell-print linen midi dress by Mary Katrantzou, matching trainers in orange shells by Superga x Mary Katrantzou, Valensole raffia hat by Jacquemus, embellished woven straw tote by Rosie Assoulin, silver necklace with shells by Prada, and cat-eye marbled-acetate sunglasses by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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«After rain there’s a rainbow, after a storm there’s calm, after the night, there’s a morning, and after an end, there’s a new beginning.»

When I was with my beloved Mary Katrantzou in Athens for her S/S 2020 show, I was reminded of this beautiful quote. The day of the event, we had a crazy storm followed by a rainbow, and then a beautiful calm afternoon and night. We shot the photos at my hotel, the Four Seasons Athens. that I can absolutely recommend.

For S/S 2017, Mary had looked back to her childhood visit to the ancient palace of Knossos, on Crete. I thought it is the perfect time to finally sport this dress with Minoan goddesses, Cretan murals and the silhouetted paintings on Greek vases and plates.

My look: Chariot print dress by Mary Katrantzou, platform leather pumps by Gucci, Vicky quilted patent leather wallet on a chain by Saint Laurent, silver-plated, Swarovski crystal and faux pearl clip earrings by Miu Miu, and crystal aviator sunglasses by Chanel.

My last weeks were quite «stormy», but now I can feel the calm coming… so much to show you. Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week, I spent two amazing days in Venice with Atelier Swarovski and Marie Claire Italia for the Film Festival. Before telling you more about the event, I would like to show you my sparkling outfit. The dress is from Mary Katrantzou’s S/S 2013 collection and for me one of the best gowns every done with Swarovski crystals. It is like a piece of art. To finish off the look, I combined some real diamonds with some eye-catching items from Atelier Swarovski’s new Tigris collection.

My look: Alias dress with Swarovski crystals (S/S 2013) by Mary Katrantzou, Cassandre small suede shoulder bag by Saint Laurent, Cha Cha crystal-embellished suede pumps by Alexandre Vauthier, diamond ring and diamond bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery, Tigris statement necklace, Tigris drop earrings, Tigris bangle, Tigris stacking rings and Tigris cocktail ring, all by Atelier Swarovski.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Stefano Trovati for Atelier Swarovski – © Marie Claire Italia
© Sandra Bauknecht #AtelierSwarovski #MCCinema #MCFutureVisioni

Here is my outfit that I wore to the opening party of the newly refurbished BUCHERER Flagship Store in Zurich during which we could indulge in the most stunning jewels. Unfortunately, the weather was dreadful but nevertheless I enjoyed the stunning view from the rooftop terrace.

My look: Caged Beauty butterfly-print tulle midi dress by Mary Katrantzou, cropped short sleeve jacket by Saint Laurent, bow-embellished patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent, and satin evening bag with fake fur trim by Dior.

Collier and ear clips, both in platin with diamonds from the «Masterpieces» collection, bracelet «Classic Rivière» and diamond ring, all by Bucherer Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography

London Fashion Week has always been my favorite as it is the least pretentious one, with many of my preferred designers showing such as Mary Katrantzou and Natasha Zinko. Over time, we all became friends and it is wonderful to see how everyone attends each other’s runway presentations.

Love them both: With Natasha Zinko (left) at Mary’s show and with Mary Katrantzou (right) backstage after.

Here you see me in one of Mary’s last fur pieces (since S/S 2018 she is only using fake fur) that almost got me killed. There were protesters outside of the show who started attacking me. It got so violent that the police had to escort me inside. Backstage after the spectacle, I waited almost 30 minutes with my fox jacket wrapped in a garment bag to leave the premises.

Hiding from the protesters.

My look: Nausheen fox fur coat, and Faylinn dress, both by Mary Katrantzou, Knife suede over-the-knee boots by Balenciaga, large classic flap bag in caviar leather by Chanel, and butterfly crystal earrings by Miu Miu.

The photos were taken before leaving to the show in front of my hotel, COMO The Halkin, located perfectly in the city’s Belgravia district on Halkin Street.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

On my birthday, I love being surrounded by my close girlfriends who surprised me with a spontaneous birthday lunch. Honestly I should call it all-day-lunch as we went on until 6.30pm! I feel blessed to have such amazing women in my life. Thank you to everyone who made my day so special!

My look: Stokes geometric faux-fur coat by Mary Katrantzou, pleated jacquard-knit wool-blend skirt, long sleeve top, and eyelet-embellished leather waist belt, all by Alaïa, Cardinale stretch-suede knee boots by Dolce & Gabbana, bead and acetate clip earrings by Oscar de la Renta, «16» bag by Celine, necklace, brooch and bracelet, all by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today is MARY KATRANTZOU‘s birthday and with this post I want to congratulate my dear friend who also happens to be one of my favorite designers. From her first presentation, I have been collecting her outstanding designs and I am proud of my extensive collection. It’s hard to believe that it’s a decade since her designs made their catwalk debut as part of the annual Central Saint Martins MA graduate show. Her digital trompe-l’oeil prints of oversized jewellery placed on colour-block dresses were an instant hit and her label is one of London’s most loved. Since then, she has constantly evolved. The so-called «Queen of Prints» surprises me each season how she masters print and plays with proportions.

Princess Beatrice of York, Mary Katrantzou, my humble self and Federica Fanari

On top of her talent, Mary is an amazing woman, so warm-hearted – it is always so much fun spending time with her. Therefore, I hopped on the plane in the beginning of October to attend her 10 Year Anniversary Party at MATCHESFASHION‘s newly opened retail space at 5 Carlos Place in London.

To celebrate the occasion, a limited edition collection was exclusively launched on MATCHESFASHION.COM. The capsule features 10 iconic looks from past collections, all reissued for this exclusive collaboration. And needless to say, I have most of the featured pieces in my closet. Here are a few examples:

Left: Caramolengo jewel-print silk dress (click here for the post from September 2011)
Right: Serendipity print crepe and chiffon mini dress (click here for the post from June 2011)

Left: Harp Hazzard printed silk-satin gown (click here for the previous post from May 2012)
Right: Powdy printed silk mini dress (click here for the previous post from December 2012)

Part of the exhibition: my beloved Jewel Tree dress from Mary’s F/W 2011 collection that I wore to her launch event with Longchamp at Collette in January 2012.

So divine: Mary Katrantzou S/S 2019

Also Mary’s S/S 2019 collection is celebrating 10 years of her eponymous label. It explores the urge to collect, catalogue and organise, infused with themes and motifs from Mary’s decade of designing. A collection of collections! Among the highlights is a dress inspired by her perfume-bottle dress from her first London fashion week collection.

Below you can enjoy some of my impressions from this amazing event. Amazing people gathered together from the world of art and fashion to celebrate our beloved Mary.

Favorite editor: Sarah Mower

With my lovely Federica Fanari

With another great designer Mira Mikati

Mary Katrantzou framed by Jasmine Hemsley and Candice Lake

With Mary Katranzou and jewellery designer Eugenie Niarchos (Venyx)

Girls in Mary: Magdalena Gabriel and me

Sandra Choi of Jimmy Choo

With Juliet Angus

The beautiful night ended at Annabel’s which is my favorite club in London… here with my gorgeous Brazilian friend Polyana Santos.

A little thank you note with lots of memories I made for Mary!

«The next decade,» Mary said, «is about taking the brand DNA and allowing men and women to buy into it in different ways, whether it’s homeware, jewellery or accessories.» No matter the medium, I am looking forward to having more Mary in my life!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MATCHESFASHION and © Sandra Bauknecht

From spiral staircases to curving chairs, the creative yet practical designs of Bauhaus are one of a kind. This year, the Bauhaus celebrates 100 years since its founding in Germany by Berlin architect Walter Gropius in Weimar in 1919. Until today, the Bauhaus Art School continues to shape art, architecture and design all over the world.

My beloved Mary Katrantzou dedicated her F/W 2018 collection to this fantastic movement – a testimony how art, culture, architecture and fashion are all linked together.

My look: Lazlo jacket and Alta intarsia stretch-knit turtleneck midi dress, both by Mary Katrantzou, Paris suede ankle boots by Saint Laurent, «16» bag by Celine, and caramel and raspberry handmade Shibori dip-dyed fur stole by Miu Miu. and vintage CC heart motif earrings by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and via Bauhaus Art School

Wishing you a great, prosperous, blissful, healthy, bright, delightful, energetic and extremely sparkling Happy New Year 2019 with this outfit post from Gstaad.

My look: Magpie sequined jersey sweater by Mary Katrantzou, classic plonge leather shorts by Saint Laurent, ice cube clutch bag and earrings, both by Chanel, sequined mesh knee boots by Dolce & Gabbana and Horsebit blue topaz diamond white gold ring by Gucci Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is my mandatory outfit post from the LA MER event at Jelmoli last week. I went through my closet to find something that would perfectly match the occasion and I am convinced there couldn’t have been a better choice than my Fishtank Dress from Mary Katrantzou’s S/S 2012 season. Funnily enough, some thought this is the new LA MER uniform. Would be pretty cool, don’t you think?

My look: Fishtank silk-blend jacquard mini dress by Mary Katrantzou, ribbed wool turtleneck sweater by T by Alexander Wang, GG Marmont leather belt bag and Angel platform boots in turquoise, both by Gucci, and Impatiens clip-on earrings by Oscar de la Renta.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography