Sandra‘s Closet

Inspired by the language of evening dressing, a vocabulary of scintillation – sequin embroidery, crystal strass, the lusters of satin and velvet – for its campaign, the Miu Miu Nuit collection by Miuccia Prada is captured after dark. The images serve as both portraits of individual women – the actors Ever Anderson, Ciara Bravo and KiKi Layne – and as document of the vista of the collective Miu Miu world.

Ciara Bravo for MIU MIU

Photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, those campaign stars are poised in enclaves that speak of the night: a deserted bar, a draped antechamber, the illuminated entrance to a member’s club. Images seem loaded with the memory of celebrations just ended, or the promise of those about to commence – the clothes themselves reminders of parties too, embroidered and embellished, joyous and optimistic.

Ever Anderson for MIU MIU

Each star shines brightly – a new generation of female talent celebrated for their abilities to transform. Ever Anderson has gardened critical acclaim for her turn as the young Natasha Romanov in Marvel’s ‘Black Widow’: her latest role is the titular female lead of Disney’s ‘Peter Pan and Wendy’. Ciara Bravo debuted on the small screen but quickly transitioned to cinema: she delivered a revelatory performance in the Russo Brothers’ ‘Cherry’, and acclaim for her role in ‘Small Engine Repair’. KiKi Layne has been lauded since her screen debut as the female lead in Barry Jenkin’s 2018 Golden Globe-nominated feature If Beale Street Could Talk. Layne also starred in HBO’s ‘Native Son’, in 2019. Most recently, she starred in ‘The Old Guard’ for Netflix opposite Charlize Theron and featured in ‘Coming To America 2’ alongside Eddie Murphy.

KiKi Layne for MIU MIU

Here, these women both adopt other personas and, paradoxically, personify themselves – dressed in finery, caught in fleeting moments. They shift between realities, embody characters, make believe – to make us believe.

I am so obsessed with the denim pants… should I get them?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

One of the best press happenings of the year is always the famous Sephora Christmas event to discover the most exciting beauty novelties for this holiday season.

I discovered exclusive holiday collections, limited-edition beauty sets and the bestselling products of the year. In this post, you will find a lot of fun products to show you care or just indulge yourself. Get ready for the holidays with beauty advent calendars and some amazing gift ideas.

One of my favorites. The famous «Holiday Vibes» advent calendar is a must for every beauty lover. 24 surprises for only CHF 49.90.

The «All Beauty Stars» advent calendar in gold and pink contains 12 new beauty brands that Sephora specifically casted for the holiday event. 7 original sized products along with 2 surprises, once the box is empty, you can reuse it every year. Available for CHF 159.90 (worth around CHF 450 if you bought the products alone).

The «Holiday Vibes»  Sephora collection includes many amazing gift ideas, such as the set of 8 face and body masks to pamper your skin from head to toe.

The Too Faced Cinnamon Swirl Holiday 2021 collection offers so many amazing products in warm brown shades.

Prepare yourself for New Year’s Eve with the Too Face Hangover Collection. I love the Replenishing Face Primer that can repair a beauty hangover. The replenishing skin booster hydrates, smooths and brightens for a dewy, refreshed, and revitalized complexion.

In the mood to try a new mascara? I can recommend this mudge-proof, easy to apply and intensely black, award-winning Volume Disturbia Mascara by Givenchy.

Completely obsessed with the Naughty Nude Eyeshadow Palette by Huda Beauty. A versatile palette with 18 shades in five ultra-wearable textures to create dramatic smoky eyes, as well as a variety of natural and sultry looks.

3 Little Wonders® by OLEHENRIKSEN promises to transform your skin in 7 days: The signature professional-strength age-defying regimen brightens, firms, evens skin tone, smoothes skin texture and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

The cutest Christmas decoration… get a mini ornament for maximum effect under the tree.

All these products are available now at Sephora. Hurry up, as they will be selling out fast.

LoL, Sandra

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

It is a HACK! The Hacker Project, first presented within Gucci Aria in April 2021, merges the iconic silhouettes and codes of Balenciaga and Gucci in unique creations as an exploration on ideas of authenticity and appropriation within the fashion industry. Among the hybrid universe of ready-to-wear and accessories, combining the aesthetics of Creative Directors Alessandro Michele and Demna Gvasalia, emblematic styles come together to create something new — from the Jackie 1961 enriched with a diagonal Balenciaga print to the City bag in GG canvas and the Triple S sneaker reimagined with Gucci’s Flora print.

The range includes styles featuring the new jumbo GG motif, a maximalist version of the historic monogram.

The non-collaboration even includes a co-branded Triple S.

Available for two weeks only, the Balenciaga and Gucci’s Hacker Project will drop worldwide on November 15.

LoL, Sandra

Creative Director: Alessandro Michele – Art Director: Christopher Simmonds – Photographer and Director: Harley Weir – Make up: Thomas De Kluyver – Hair: Paul Hanlon

That was a very quick move! Bottega Veneta has named Matthieu Blazy as its creative director with immediate effect after the unexpected departure of Daniel Lee, owner Kering said in a statement.

Set to present his first collection in February 2022, Blazy joined Bottega Veneta as its design director last year under Daniel Lee and was now promoted to the top position.

Matthieu Blazy

Blazy, who leaves between Antwerp and Milan, previously worked under Raf Simons at his namesake brand and at Calvin Klein, as well as doing stints under Phoebe Philo at Celine. He also served as the designer of Maison Margiela’s «Artisanal» couture line.

Bartolomeo Rongone

Bartolomeo Rongone, CEO of Bottega Veneta, said: «Matthieu Blazy is an extraordinarily talented individual, whom I am proud and excited to entrust with the creative helm of our luxury House. Bottega Veneta has always been equated with signature craftsmanship and distinctive creativity. Matthieu’s appointment will further enhance the modern relevance of our brand and accelerate our growth, while preserving the values that are at the core of Bottega Veneta.»

Good Luck!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta

I am enjoying a few days at the beautiful Baur au Lac, where I can chill and work at the same time. This maritime look is cozy, yet stylish and the perfect transitional outfit for fall.With the jacket closed, it is very conservative. Once you show the bralette, it gets a sexy twist.

My look: Knitted double-breasted bar jacket with stripes, sailor pants, bralette in navy blue and ecru Dior Oblique technical cotton, and Oblique saddle bag, all by Dior, Rose Céleste necklace, Rose des Vents and Rose Céleste necklace, Astro Dior aquarius necklace, Rose Céleste medaillon necklace, all by Dior Fine Jewelry, and Kurillos chain-embellished leather pumps by Manolo Blahnik.

LoL, Sandra

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

My first internship in the world of fashion was at Sonia Rykiel in Paris in her design office. It was a very intense time, where I learnt a lot at the side of the famous French designer who was known for her knit pieces, earning her the nickname «the Queen of Knits.» I especially loved all her marabou jackets and coats. The way she always put an extra touch of feathers to elevate a look to new heights of chic has inspired me a lot. Rykiel passed away in August 2016, leaving behind an empire of homeware, childrenswear, and more.

Sonia and Lola Rykiel

I remember meeting her daughter Nathalie Rykiel with her daughter Lola, who must have been around 12 at that time, during my internship. Today, Lola Rykiel is creating her own line of clothes, and is shaking up the status quo with a bold new athleisure collection, called Pompom, inspired by her famed designer grandmother, the late Sonia Rykiel, and her past as a ballerina under the instruction of the inimitable Martha Graham.

«Naked… with rhinestones.»

«The collection incorporates the velours that my grandmother loved as well as stretch Lycra materials and playful detailing,» Lola Rykiel explains, referring in part to a basketball jersey complete with mermaid-esque paillettes.

Lola Rykiel introduces «Sonia» bodysuit and «Wonder Woman» T-Shirt.

«I wanted to invent some workout clothes that would be luxe and chic, to do pilates, yoga , dance without being afraid to bump into your ex or your boss. These outfits are perfect to get a drink, go party or chill at home too. I used my grandmother’s Sonia famous velours and the best lycra materials there is today.»

This year Lola Rykiel opened the first boutique for her Pompom label in a space in Paris at Rue Grenelle that used to belong to her grandmother, Sonia Rykiel — and she is putting her stamp on it by bedazzling everything from the curtains to the cash register.

To see the whole PomPom collection visit : www.pompom-paris.com.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Pompom

My house is still a big construction site, therefore I moved a few days to Baur au Lac to enjoy some dust-free time. However, it is coming along and I cannot wait to see the final result.

My look: Single-breasted jacket with floral pin by Louis Vuitton, zebra-print chiffon wrap mini dress, matching Alma zebra-print satin clutch, and black sandals, all by The Attico, heart shaped earrings, and crystal-embellished snake necklace, both by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

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

Cinema is a fantasy: acting a craft, like fashion, that brings dreams to life. For the Prada Holiday 2021 campaign, ‘A Midwinter’s Night Dream’, a cinematic dreamscape is created using ground-breaking technology, transporting both stars and audience.

Cinema has always inspired Prada – evocative of complex storytelling, further narrative and deeper meanings. In an evolution of Prada’s heritage of campaigns featuring leading Hollywood actors, four new talents debut for Holiday 2021: Julia Garner (Ozark, The Assistant, Inventing Anna), Shira Haas (Unorthodox, Asia), Louis Partridge (Pistol, Enola Holmes) and Taylor Russell (Waves, Bones & All). They are captured in a winter’s scene as they quest across a frozen terrain – revealed as Los Angeles, fantastically engulfed in snow. Dressed in a collection designed for celebration, they move towards a joyous gathering – a definition of the holiday season.

Fusing together film and fashion, this short movie is based on an original story and script by cult screenwriter and director Mary Harron (American Psycho, The Notorious Bettie Page, Daliland), and is directed by Glen Luchford – a talent who has worked with Prada from the 1990s through to today. In a further crossover between creative realms, the campaign’s imagery is drawn from film stills – presented as bold cinematic panoramas, each captures an enigmatic moment.

Stories of voyages are constantly told through cinema’s rich history: here, they are brought to life with cutting-edge 21st-century technology. ‘A Midwinter’s Night Dream’ utilises the Volume, a virtual effects tool originally engineered for The Mandalorian – an immersive experience composed of a curved cocoon of glowing LED screens. The Volume is – like the story – transportive, recreating environments, inventing new realities.

Fashion and moviemaking unite in their wish to convey a story, one that brings people together in shared experiences. The Prada Holiday 2021 campaign is a celebration: of cinema, of fashion, of community, and of dreaming. You can watch the movie here.
And the new Prada winter collection is definitely a midwinter’s night dream.

LoL, Sandra

Credits: Photography and film: Glen Luchford Creative Direction: Ferdinando Verderi Talents: Julia Garner, Shira Haas, Louis Partridge, Taylor Russell

OMG! The latest breaking news in the world of fashion… according to BOF, designer Daniel Lee is set to leave Bottega Veneta. A surprise move the group described as a «joint decision», especially as according to Bain, sales rose 2.2 % to nearly €1.2 billion in 2019 under Lee who managed to keep the company growing slightly even during the pandemic in 2020.

Bottega Veneta has set a new standard for luxury since its birth in Vicenza in 1966. Inspired by Italian culture with a global outlook, the House is defined by a distinctly refined attitude. Bottega Veneta uses noble materials to create considered pieces that become part of their owner’s lives. The House embraces a core philosophy of style, innovation and luxury, applied to a full offer for women, men and home.

Daniel Lee was appointed Creative Director in 2018. Born in Bradford in the North of England, Daniel studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and graduated in 2011. Having worked for fashion Houses in London, New York and Paris throughout his career (for example in the studio of Phoebe Philo’s Celine and at Donna Karan), Lee bought a distinct understanding of modern luxury to Bottega Veneta.

He is the brainchild behind the new must-have color green. During his three-year tenure, he played with the texture and proportion of the house’s key intrecciato leather to create must-have bags, such as The Pouch or The Point, and shoes that fashionistas around the world drooled over. His designs have been copied not only by the high street labels but also from other luxury houses.

The must-have Lagoon bubble-insole leather sandals in green.

«My time at Bottega Veneta has been an incredible experience,» Lee said in a statement. «I am grateful to have worked with an exceptional and talented team and I am forever thankful to everyone who was part of creating our vision.»

One of Lee’s best designs for Bottega: The Pouch large gathered intrecciato leather clutch.

Kering chairman François-Henri Pinault thanked Lee for a «singular vision» that «made the House’s heritage relevant for today and put it back to the center of the fashion scene.»

Bottega Veneta Salon 01 S/S 2021

A new creative organisation for the brand will be announced soon, Kering said. Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Bottega Veneta and by Streetstyleshooters / Getty Images
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Tiffany & Co. has released its new Advent Calendar – the second-ever – celebrating Jean Michel Basquiat’s Equals Pi which was most recently seen in the House’s About Love campaign.

Transforming the traditional holiday countdown into a canvas spotlighting the same masterpiece featured in About Love, Basquiat’s 1892 painting, Equals Pi (1982) is the centerpiece of Tiffany’s latest Advent Calendar which includes 24 blue boxes filled with the most extraordinary Tiffany jewelry and objects and will be available worldwide now. Each Tiffany Blue Box® in the Advent Calendar features a custom-numbered hangtag.

As part of its ongoing efforts to bring art to more communities in its founding city, Tiffany & Co. is proud to announce a new partnership with Free Arts NYC. The House will donate $250,000 from purchases of the 2021 Advent Calendar to the organization and the funds will support a series of programs that will give children from underserved communities in New York City greater exposure to the creative arts.

Limited edition. Priced at $150.000.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Tiffany & Co.