Sandra‘s Closet

New Alaïa, new denim! I am such a huge fan of Pieter Mulier‘s first collection for Alaïa. Four years after Alaïa’s passing, the Belgian designer, who was Raf Simons right hand before, created a collection with so many amazing pieces that pay homage to Azzedine Alaïa‘s greatest hits, including body-sculpting knitwear, multi-strap corset belts, and hooded silhouettes evocative of Alaïa’s North African roots. As Pieter said, he wanted his first collection for the French house to be «a return to foundations.» I bought many pieces, among them this beautiful denim look that I photographed on the streets of Paris and that you will hopefully like as much as I do.

My look Hooded denim and stretch-knit thong bodysuit, and high-rise straight-leg jeans, both by Alaïa, Yigit silk-satin platform pumps by Amina Muaddi, Milena embellished metallic embroidered tulle and satin bra, and Milena black lace thong, both by Agent Provocateur, video tape clutch by Louis Vuitton, and cat-eye tortoiseshell-acetate sunglasses by Bottega Veneta.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Nadia Krawiecka
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What happened when Donatella Versace and Kim Jones switched roles?
Versace by Fendi and Fendi by Versace, two iconic collections that celebrate their friendship and the cultural impact of Versace and Fendi. For Pre-fall 2022, the two houses joined forces and created FENDACE, for women and men.

The show took place in the courtyard of the Versace family palazzo on Via Gesu in September last year. What went down is that Kim Jones and Silvia Venturini Fendi of Fendi (first part of the show) and Donatella Versace of Versace (second part of the show) swapped houses  for one night only to design 25 looks for their erstwhile rivals. Relive the surprise unveiling from Milan and shop the designs from May 12, 2022.

Fendi by Versace on the Versace website and Versace by Fendi on the Fendi website.

Below you can explore my favorite looks. I personally find Donatella’s take stronger than the one by Kim and Silvia.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Versace / Fendi
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Tiffany & Co. presents its latest high jewelry campaign starring actress
Gal Gadot, who stuns in sparkling new designs from BOTANICA: Blue Book 2022, the pinnacle of the House’s jewelry portfolio. Shot in a pared-down environment, the photography features Gadot in key pieces from the spring Blue Book collection, including a dandelion-inspired diamond necklace
that can transform into five unique designs, as well as an orchid brooch, also transformable, and a
diamond and sapphire necklace that evokes thistles.

«I am incredibly honored to be a part of the new Blue Book high jewelry campaign and feel very fortunate to be able to represent the brand’s most esteemed jewelry collection during this exciting and transformative time,» said Gal Gadot.

Designs from Tiffany & Co.’s BOTANICA collection, Blue Book 2022, celebrating the timeless beauty of flora with these high jewelry pieces.

Gadot’s campaign represents the House’s first advertising venture with the actress. In addition to the new Blue Book designs, Gadot also wears several of Jean Schlumberger’s masterworks featured in BOTANICA, including his iconic Bird on a Rock brooch and the Fleurage bracelet. An exquisite creation that Tiffany & Co. artisans brought to life for the first time, the Fleurage bracelet is based on a sketch for a design that Jean Schlumberger once considered for the legendary Tiffany Diamond.

«Gal Gadot is more than a House ambassador. She epitomizes the effortless glamour, sheer sophistication and sense of modernity that Blue Book represents,» said Alexandre Arnault, Executive Vice President, Product and Communication, Tiffany & Co. «We are thrilled that she is the face of the new BOTANICA campaign.»

The campaign launches on Friday, April 22 on Tiffany.com, @tiffanyandco social channels, as well as in print and digital media globally.

If you are interested in reading an interview I did with Gal Gadot, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Tiffany & Co.
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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
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Happy Mother’s Day! Today, 10 readers have the chance to win a LA MER «The Lip Volumizer».  Just like the brand’s premium concentrates and creams, it is enriched with the label’s legendary patented Miracle Broth™ elixir made from a blend of minerals, vitamins and Sea Kelp. Formulated to hydrate and nourish, this serum-inspired treatment coats your pout in an iridescent sheen and is designed to soften lines and plump at the same time. Great news is that it is free from parabens, phthalates and sulfates.

To participate, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header «LA MER» to . All entries must be received until May 12, 2022. 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.

Good luck and Happy Mother’s Day!

LoL, Sandra

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

This post might be a little bit more daring than others but those Louboutin pieces deserve attention and with my blog being down, I had time to come up with some unusual ideas. It was raining cats and dogs outside, when I took the photos by myself with a tripod and the timer in my beautiful suite at the Ritz-Carlton New York located at Central Park. If you would like to know more about this collaboration with artist Doctor Bored, click here please.

My look: Macramé lace-trimmed silk-satin chemise and macramé silk robe in fire red, both by La Perla, Dr Bored Paloma clutch mini and Pinupina 130 limited edition pumps, both by Christian Louboutin, and Satin Touch 20 denier stay-up stockings by Wolford.

LoL, Sandra

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

The past weeks my world was upside down…. my dear readers, please accept my sincere apologies for not posting during the past weeks. Instead of publishing daily, you haven’t received a newsletter since Easter Sunday. This has never happened in 12.5 years I am doing this job.

The reason for it was that my web host got hacked. The attack was not specifically concerning my blog, it was the host itself. Unfortunately, during the recovery process, we realized that posts had disappeared and it took quite some time to recover the work I have established since 2009. Now, everything is back, I apologize if you received some newsletters double due to the recovery process.

Those who are following me on Instagram, have seen that I have been traveling a lot the past days. I had an amazing time in New York City and Puerto Rico that I am so eager to show you. Sometimes, it also feels nice to take some time off.

I would like to take this opportunity and thank you for the wonderful messages I have received during the past days. Some of you were so sweet to wonder what was going on with Sandra’s Closet. It made me realize how much I have missed blogging.

Back on track from now… you will see a lot of posts, already published and coming up, stay tuned! Don’t get confused with the dates of the posts, I dated them back as I don’t want to loose my streak of daily posting and they had been planned for those days …

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, First Photo: Daydream Studio @daydream_communication
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Last fall, Dolce & Gabbana presented their first line for furniture and needless to say, it was an immediate success. The Italian fashion house that is well known for its vivid colors and vibrant prints, presented over 300 pieces, from tables to sofas, with colorful Sicilian cart motifs and animalier lovebeds.

You can now discover the exquisite Carretto, Blu Mediterraneo, Leo and Zebra collections at the new Dolce & Gabbana Casa boutique dedicated to furniture in via Durini 23, Milan.

I am totally in love with this new line. As I am dedicating every room in our new house to a fashion designer, I have just realized that I will also need a Dolce & Gabbana room.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dolce & Gabbana
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Created by Virgil Abloh and part of his Pre-Fall 2022 collection silhouette, this male wardrobe essential has been refreshed for Louis Vuitton. Available in two versions, the aptly-named LV Driver is the most contemporary driving moccasin yet.

Two material combinations are offered. The first model boasts Monogram grained calfskin, creating a play on contrasts between the Maison’s traditional motif and the bright colour of the sole, which matches the LV branded lace tips (white, orange, green, Ébène or Éclipse). A second design is available in suede embossed with the Monogram, in either navy blue or mocha. On the rubber sole, traditional nubs have been transformed by pads. While based on the Monogram flowers, their design was also inspired by the unique harmony found in French gardens.

As the very first driving moccasin by Virgil Abloh, the LV Driver is the perfect embodiment of Louis Vuitton’s savoir-faire. On each pair, no less than one hour is required for the stitching of the vamps, done entirely by hand. The shoe’s tubular design, ultra-flexible rubber outsole and lack of insole guarantee unparalleled comfort. With a hint of Italian elegance, the LV Driver is above all the epitome of urban modern fashion.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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Meet LA MER‘s new The Lip Polish, a sensorial buffing balm that gently smooths and retextures the lips.

Formulated with Miracle Broth™ and a blend of sugar crystals, marine minerals and sea-sourced exfoliants, The Lip Polish deeply refines the lips – exfoliating, comforting and conditioning the surface for a perfectly plush pout. The Lip Detailing Wand boosts microcirculation and lips have a natural-looking rosy radiance.

You know that I am a huge fan of the brand and can absolutely recommend this new addition to the line that is available now for CHF 85.00. I use The Lip Polish continuously now to help prevent roughness.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © LA MER
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.