Sandra‘s Closet

Greetings from New York City where I am at the moment for the launch event of Alexander Wang x H&M. The highly anticipated collection which had been announced back in April, will finally hit H&M stores around the world on November 6, 2014.

While I am writing this post, I am enjoying the view from my room at the Soho Grand hotel.

The invitation says it all. Tonight, the cocktail reception will start at 7.30pm, followed by the show, a pop-up store where we can buy the collection first hand and a live performance which I am absolutely convinced will be amazing.

Do you remember Nicki Minaj and Prince playing at the Versace x H&M launch in 2011 or the amazing party to celebrate Maison Martin Margiela x H&M two years ago in NYC? We always talk superlatives. Be sure to follow me tomorrow on instagram @sandrascloset for live updates.

By now you might have seen some sneak previews of the very sporty collection. The press release reveals that Alexander Wang X H&M captures the speed of the city, mixing sports and performance of everyday life. The pieces are meant to be worn on the street, in the gym, at the club – the way women and men live their lives today.

Rihanna led the way and was already spotted in a look from the collection: a stretchy crop top and leggings emblazoned with Wang’s blocky logo.

In addition to apparel for both women and men, the collection includes shoes and bags, as well as “objects,” a selection of everyday items that are infused with a sense of humor and irony, as for example mini sized boxing gloves as key-rings or a whistle on a two-finger ring and for the victor, a magnetized Alexander Wang trophy cup.

Below you can enjoy a sneak preview of the advertising campaign shot by Mikael Jansson for Wang’s one-off collaboration with H&M that features sports gear like a hockey stick and boxing gloves plus real athletes, soccer player Andy Carroll and kickboxer Rivaldino dos Santos.

The female models are Joan Smalls, Raquel Zimmermann and Isabeli Fontana.

“We wanted to take certain elements of each sport and portray the ultimate warrior,” Wang told WWD. “The girls had to feel big and heroic, and Mikael used sunlight glares to heighten that effect against a stark white backdrop.”

I am truly excited for tonight’s event! Stay tuned for more!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of H&M

Supermodel Cara Delevingne is undoubtedly taking over the world, just named one of the industry’s highest-paid models by Forbes. Her face can be seen in multiple ads, she has walked a gazillion of runway shows, Mulberry named a bag collection after her and the blonde beauty is one of the “Instagirls” on the cover of American Vogue’s famous September issue.

Her latest coup, as the face of Tom Ford Black Orchid fragrance, has landed her in a pool of orchids photographed by Mario Sorrenti. Aren’t her eyebrows just divine?!

LoL, Sandra

Vogue US Cover September 2014 shot by Mario Testino

Chanel F/W 2014 Ad Campaign photographed by Karl Lagerfeld

When I saw Wolford‘s new advertising campaign shot by no other than Mario Testino, I was really impressed. The Austrian hosiery brand lives clearly a new spirit. Testino, who is one of the world’s most influential photographers, creates images, that evoke the essence of an emotive, self-confident femininity that is sensual and aesthetic whilst being stylish and provocative.

TO SHOP WOLFORD ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Wolford

Here is your exclusive preview of Mulberry‘s F/W 2014 ad campaign that has been released this morning. The British fashion house returned to its roots in the countryside with a blast of fresh air to invigorate its new and very British winter collection through the lens of one of my favorite photographers Tim Walker. Cara Delevingne is once more the face of the campaign and presents the Mulberry Cara Delevingne Collection, which is infused with her own style.

Mulberry has designed a beautifully classic and very elegant collection for F/W 2014 with argyle and arran-inspired knitwear and iconic Houndstooth and check, all influenced by traditional British tailoring, textures and prints. Even the footwear references two key British styles – the all-purpose rain boot, beloved by country-dwellers and city-commuters alike, and the quintessential lace-up brogue.

The F/W 2014 bags were inspired by the brand’s interpretation of how to make everyday life feel more beautiful, and how to make beautiful things practical. The new Tessie embodies the mood of simple, unfussy elegance and is among my new season’s must-haves.

The team stayed in a Scottish lodge and woke up every day to early morning mists, huge breakfasts, homemade shortbread and wild Land Rover rides across rushing rivers and up off the beaten track, arriving to a place of serenity and calm at the location for the shoot, with no phone signal, miles from anywhere and with not a soul in sight apart from the local gamekeepers’ dogs and a flock of sheep. One little lamb quickly became Cara’s favourite!

So cute! Such a great campaign and lovely collection…
TO SHOP THE NEW MULBERRY COLLECTION, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mulberry

Alexa Chung stars in Longchamp’s F/W 2014 advertising campaign for a second successive season sporting the new Le Pliage Héritage bag, the epitome of the brand’s leather savoir-faire, whose striking trapezoidal shape was inspired by the iconic Le Pliage, which celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

In a nod to heritage and tradition, the campaign was shot by Max Vadukul in the privately owned Château des Ormes, a jewel of French 18th century architecture on the banks of the River Vienne near Tours. I am convinced that the new addition to the Longchamp family will surely be a bestseller…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Longchamp

“In the new campaigns, I wanted to express the power and freedom of Versace today. The women’s images are about strength and sensuality, with women in total control.
The men’s campaign stands for a man’s right to be whoever he wants to be.”

Donatella Versace

It is this time of the season when all the new ad campaigns are popping up. I have to admit that I love observing who shot which campaign and how each brand likes to present itself. Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott are definitely some of the most successful photographers when it come sot campaign shooting. For Versace, the duo showed, under the creative direction of Donatella Versace, supermodels Anna Ewers and Stella Tennant in a world of femininity and strength, dramatic and provocative.

The men’s campaign is about the individuality and self-expression of the Versace man. The images are shot on an entirely plain set, as the Versace man needs nowhere to hide. The models Filip Hrivnak and Daniel van der Deen wear pieces from the F/W 2014 collection inspired by the biker and the Wild West.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versace

Prada’s latest fragrance evolved from the concept of an imaginary flower created especially for Candy. Of course, Candy cannot simply have any flower. Her flower has to be wondrous and sophisticated, unlike any other. One that is simply unique.

Prada Candy Florale is the third fragrance from the Prada Candy collection. The original Candy was launched in 2011, followed by Candy L’Eau in 2013

PRADA CANDY FLORALE
FLORAL FRUITY GOURMAND
Top note: Sorbet of Limoncello
Middle note: Peonies
Base note: Musks, Benzoin and Caramel

Available in perfumeries and selected warehouses by the end of April 2014 as Eau de Toilette Spray 30ml (CHF 74.00), 50ml (CHF 99.00) and 80ml (CHF  127.00).

Steven Meisel captures Léa Seydoux as Candy at her most sensual and uplifting for the new ad campaign, with the fragrance transporting her into a dreamlike state. Just beautiful!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada and © Sandra Bauknecht

Salvatore Ferragamo has just launched a brand new fragrance SIGNORINA ELEGANZA that I know you are going to love. Elegance has always been a defining element for which the Florentine brand is famous worldwide. In tribute to this sophistication, the new luxurious fragrance celebrates feminine grace and seduction. At the end of this post, you have the chance to win a bottle… and to shop Salvatore Ferragamo online, please click HERE.

CHYPRE FLORIENTAL

Top notes: Pear and Grapefruit
Middle notes: Almond and Osmanthus
Base notes: White Leather and Patchouli

Available now as Eau de Parfum 30ml (CHF 75.00), 50ml (CHF 105.00) and 100ml (CHF 135.00), Shower Gel 200ml (CHF 43.00) and Body Lotion 200ml (CHF 51.00).

Anja Rubik is the face of the beautiful campaign shot by Mario Testino. The artistic and cinematographic behind the scenes images truly reflect the essence of Signorina Eleganza.

Great news is that three of my lovely Swiss readers get the chance to win a 50ml bottle of the new Salvatore Ferragamo Signorina Eleganza Eau de Parfum. To participate in the contest, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header “Signorina Eleganza” to . All entries must be received until March 3, 2014. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules. The winner has to have a Swiss address.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Salvatore Ferragamo

Rosabotanica is the latest addition to the Balenciaga botanical garden that was founded with Florabotanica perfume from 2012. Presenting a fresh version with a touch of sheerness and second skin feeling, this floral green fragrance is based on spicy rose.

Kristen Stewart who is once more the face of the campaign (see last photo of this post) goes topless and wears nothing else but the new scent.

FLORAL GREEN

Top notes: Petitgrain, fig leaf and hyacinth
Middle notes: Rose, pink pepper, grapefruit and cardamom
Base notes: White amber, cedar, vetiver, patchouli and woodsy notes

The fragrance is available as 30ml (CHF 91.00), 50ml (CHF 121.00), 100 ml (CHF 162.00) Eau de Parfum and as Body Lotion (CHF 72.00). In Switzerland exclusively from February 10, 2014 at Marionnaud. It is a truly beautiful scent and I am sure that most of you will love it.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balenciaga

Reminiscent of a soccer team group shot, the new Prada S/S 2014 ad campaign shot by  Steven Meisel reflects the fierce and independent spirit of the collection. Teams of models hold us in their collective gaze, looking forward in a united vision.

The only thing missing is the football… but I am sure that most of us will be ready for the fashionable battle in Prada’s sporty tube socks and striped details. Personally speaking, I am crazy for those giant mural prints of female faces on the dresses, fur coats and bags. Those will definitely score a goal in my closet!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada