Sandra‘s Closet

La Vacanza, Versace’s capsule collection in collaboration with singer Duo Lipa, is what your summer dreams are made of. Beautiful colors, uplifting prints, everything you need for your next trip to the beach. Here I am wearing some pieces on board of Christina O.

My look: Printed chiffon coverup, printed metallic triangle halterneck bikini top, and printed bikini briefs, all by Versace, Impatiens acrylic and bead clip earrings by Oscar de la Renta, logo-embellished acetate sunglasses by CHANEL, gold-tone, tassel and stone necklace by Etro, and Tropical Tan logo-print shoulder bag by Moschino.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Rian Davidson 
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Florals trending in spring will never be novel. However with blossoms in full bloom, you can be camouflaging in this beautiful floral ensemble this season.

My look: Tie-detailed floral-print ramie-voile blouse, and belted floral-print ramie-voile wide-leg pants, both by Zimmermann, croc-effect leather slingback pumps by Fendi, classic large Impatiens earrings by Oscar de la Renta, Chanel 19 bag in raspberry leather by CHANEL, Diorette ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie, and floral sunglasses by Dolce & Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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This year’s Met Gala, which celebrated the exhibition «Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,» featured plenty of full-on tributes to designer Karl Lagerfeld. From vintage designs by Karl himself to perfect tributes from rival fashion houses and paws-itively incredible Choupette interpretations, there was much to enjoy at this year’s fashion Oscars.

Always taking place on the first Monday in May, the red carpet was filled with A-listers in mostly monochrome black and white looks, with lots of references to the Camellia, plenty of pearls, a touch of tweed and thousands upon thousands of crystal embellishments. Below, I round up my favourite looks from the 2023 Met Gala with a little description why I liked them.

REFERENCES TO THE CAMELLIA

Rihanna in Valentino Haute Couture

My winner! Rihanna is always one of the best dressed Met Gala guests and she did not disappoint for 2023. A nod to the iconic CHANEL flower, Rihanna, who is pregnant and was joined by partner A$AP Rocky, chose a camellia-appliquéd cape and matching gown, both by Valentino Haute Couture.

Bad Bunny in Jacquemus

Personally speaking the strongest menswear look of the night was worn by the «Tití Me Preguntó» rapper, whose all-white Jacquemus ensemble included an ultra long floral train. Inside the jacket was a custom printed picture of Casa Malaparte taken by Lagerfeld in 1997, a nod to the designer’s photography work.

VINTAGE CHANEL

Nicole Kidman in vintage CHANEL

Telling a story with your ensemble can be beautiful, and Nicole Kidman did it by wearing the CHANEL couture gown that she had first worn in 2004 when she starred in the iconic CHANEL No. 5 fragrance advert directed by Baz Luhrmann.

Naomi Campbell in vintage CHANEL

Another Nineties supermodel Naomi Campbell nodded to Karl Lagerfeld by looking stunningly in one of his own creations, a pink satin gown with bejewelled details from CHANEL’s S/S 2010 couture collection.

Dua Lipa in CHANEL Haute Couture

The gala co-chair turned heads in a tweed CHANEL Haute Couture ballgown from 1992, that she combined with a breathtaking Tiffany & Co. set, comprised of a necklace in platinum with a diamond of over 200 carats and diamonds and a ring in platinum with diamonds of over 9 total carats. The primary diamond of this necklace was cut in the proportions of the famed Tiffany Diamond.

CREATIONS INSPIRED BY KARL LAGERFELD’S AESTHETIC FROM OTHER FASHION HOUSES

Kim Kardashian in Schiaparelli

I love this look! Kim Kardashian wore a heavily beaded custom Schiaparelli dress with thousands of pearls draped over her.

Anne Hathaway in Versace

The actress showed up in a floor-length, monochrome, tweed (a nod to CHANEL) gown, complete with Versace safety pins holding it all together. Call it CHASACE – the perfect mishmash of Versace and CHANEL.

Eddie Redmayne in Alexander McQueen

To honour the late Lagerfeld, the British actor opted for classic tailoring, but with a twist and might have set the start for a multi-brooch trend.

THE DESIGNERS WITH THE MOST KILLER LOOKS

Janelle Monáe in Thom Browne

Leave it to Them Browne for the most theatrical fashion moment at the Met Gala 2023. «Glass Onion» star Janelle Monáe wore a supersized version of CHANEL’s classic tweed jacket. Later it was followed by a high-fashion striptease, that revealed a sheer conical wireframe gown atop a black sequined, pearl-studded bikini.

Jenna Ortega in Thom Browne

With its corseted bodice, ruffled skirt and draped chains, inspired by those iconic CHANEL details, the «Wednesday» actress was half goth, and half glam, and definitely an eye-catcher.

Cardi B in Thom Browne

Another camellia reference, Cardi B nailed this trend in this billowing gown that was also inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s personal uniform.

CHOUPETTE LOVERS

Doja Cat in Oscar de la Renta

The great tribute to Lagerfeld’s cat Choupette came from Doja Cat, who wore a custom made embellished gown by Oscar de la Renta, that she topped off with cat ears on the hood, a prosthetic cat nose and claw-like nails.

Jared Leto

Telling the best tale (tail) of the night, Leto decided to pay tribute to Karl Lagerfeld’s famous Birman cat, Choupette, in a full cat costume, worth a Disney movie appearance.  However, after unmasking, he transformed into an all-black ensemble and a matching cape featuring an ornate detailing around the neckline and shoulders.

I am curious to hear which one was your favorite!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, Getty Images #ALineOfBeauty
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This feed was in terrible need of some Vitamin Sea. Who else is excited for those carefree days at the beach?! I love wearing vibrant colors that complement sun-kissed skin the best. A great way to protect your hair from the wind, while looking super stylish, is a silk scarf tied around your head. I sported this styling trick a lot at the Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands resort.

My look: Jeannie terry midi dress by Zimmermann, Almost Bare metallic leather sandals by Aquazzura, Colorama flap bag in quilted watercolor (S/S 2014) by CHANEL, cutout acetate butterfly sunglasses in shiny black smoke by Fendi, long beaded tassel earrings in forest green by Oscar de la Renta, shell and beaded bracelet by Isabel Marant, Oyster Perpetual 36 with a turquoise blue dial by Rolex, and «Le Géographe» vintage silk scarf 90 designed by Sandra Laroche (1992) by Hermès.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht taken by Munko at Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands
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The Dolder Grand makes Christmas extra magical with a very fun Advent Calendar created by Finnish artist Jani Leinonen , who had already designed the impressive floral Easter Egg past Spring. Highlighting the center of the Canvas Bar & Lounge, this pop art work will make every art lover’s heart beat faster with its secret messages hidden behind the 24 doors. I attended the cocktail reception in presence of the artist in this vibrant Valentino Pink PP outfit.

My look: Embroidered cardigan (Look 46 Pre-collection S/S 2021) by CHANEL, bow-detailed wool and silk-blend crepe bralette, wool and silk-blend crepe skirt, One Stud 100 embellished patent-leather pumps, pink VLogo signature gloves, VLogo signature earrings, and One Stud mini leather shoulder bag, all by Valentino, and feather, crystal and bead earrings by Oscar de la Renta.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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Finally after three years, the Kispiball (Kispi is an abbreviation for Kinderspital which means children’s hospital in German) took place again at the wonderful Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich. It is one of my favorite charity events of the Swiss social calendar that raises money for the city’s children’s hospital. I danced all night long in my Dolce & Gabbana gown and enjoyed being among my dear friends.

My look: Strapless polka-dot silk-organza gown, and «’L’Amore È Bellezza» ribbon belt, both by Dolce & Gabbana, pink double bow satin pumps by Mach & Mach, Tro crystal-embellished leather shoulder bag by Oscar de la Renta, and crystal-embellished snake necklace by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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Here it is … my favorite look of the F/W 2022 season! I am completely obsessed with the Valentino Pink PP collection. When I spotted this dress and the accessories on the runway, I knew they need a place in Sandra’s Closet.

The photos were taken in front of the store at 27 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, that was wrapped all in pink during Paris Fashion Week., before I went to the party with Kilian.

My look: Cutout bow-embellished wool and silk-bend mini dress, stretch-knit tights, One Stud mini leather shoulder bag, Tan-Go patent leather platform pump 165mm, all by Valentino, feather, crystal and bead earrings by Oscar de la Renta, and pink marabou jacket by Emilio Pucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Nadia Krawiecka
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I am already missing summer so much that I want to show you one of my favorite looks shot at the beach of the Blue Palace Elounda hotel in Crete. In the background you can see the small island Spinalonga. It is actually a pretty creepy place, also known as the Leper Island, as that is where Greek lepers were quarantined until 1957.

My look is very colorful. The sunglasses are from the recent Loewe F/W 2022 collection. I adore the inflated style, it feels new. The Maison’s broken egg sandals are definitely a piece for the museum – I am completely obsessed. My bucket bag is from The Collector, a Geneva based brand, that is specialized in high end bags, preferably in exotic leathers.

My look: Lola cropped tie-front paneled linen top, matching Lola belted paneled linen midi skirt, and fringed faux raffia sunhat, all by Zimmermann, Broken egg sandals, and inflated oversized square-frame acetate sunglasses, both by Loewe, coral earrings by Oscar de la Renta, and bucket bag by The Collector.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Anouk Bauknecht
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Arriving perfectly dressed for the new season, the S/S 2022 Prêt-à-Portea collection at The Berkeley London showcases couture cakes inspired by designers from Lanvin to Gucci. A contemporary twist on afternoon tea, this playful and stylish edit is set to become another favourite for sweet-toothed fashionistas.

This season’s collection opens with Oscar de la Renta – a striking orange gown crafted with apricot bavarois, salted Manuka honey and apricot ganache, topped with a meringue frill. A hero handbag from Michael Kors – whose bags were seen filled with flowers on the catwalk – has been created as a Victoria sponge with fresh strawberry jam, wrapped in an Opalys chocolate cylinder with flowers intricately piped with lime butter cream.

Gucci’s pink silk tuxedo has been reimagined in bourbon vanilla mousse and Emmanuel sponge, layered with peach compote and glazed with shimmering pink icing. This is finished with a thin chocolate jacket and bow tie. Meanwhile, Lanvin’s towering floral platform heels will stomp down the cakewalk made from chocolate biscuit, painstakingly piped with royal icing.

Schiaparelli’s couture golden mini dress combines caramel sponge, dark Valrhona chocolate and hazelnut praline, all topped with a shimmering, chocolate oversized collar. Richard Quinn’s buttercup yellow gown is immortalised in ice cream – chocolate wafer cones are filled with fresh fruit compote and pineapple and star anise sorbet, topped with bright yellow chocolate waves.

Finally, the Prêt-à-Portea pastry team have created a showstopper of a cake – designed to share – paying homage to Saint Laurent’s floral jumpsuit. An oversized red rose made of lychee mousse with fresh raspberry is set on a glossy white coconut cake, and finished with a green chocolate leaf.

As always, the tea also includes elegant canapés and sandwiches, with a selection of loose-leaf teas from the extensive collection.
Afternoon Tea is served Monday – Sunday: 1pm – 5.30pm.

Cannot wait to be back in London!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © The Berkeley and Courtesy of the Brands
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As promised here is the outfit post featuring the very daring Mugler dress with the Fendi wallet on chain, shot in Mykonos where I spent a great time in August. The fusion of the rocky landscape and the dark blue sea creates a special atmosphere. The sunsets are divine and every spot seems to be extra picturesque.

My look: Cutout paneled tulle midi dress by Mugler, limited edition FF Vertigo Continental leather chain wallet by Fendi, Whisper metallic leather wedge sandals by Aquazzura,  gold-tone crystal earrings by Oscar de la Renta, and sunglasses by Fendi.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: @mykonos_alexandr / © Sandra Bauknecht
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