Splurge vs. Steal: Party Dresses

Holiday season is over but we all want the party never to stop. Depending on your budget, here are really amazing pieces to include some iconic classics as well as some new trends into your wardrobe. Decide for yourself if you want to go splurge or steal.

LoL, Sandra

Inject your wardrobe with this season’s must-have hue and shop one these cocktail dresses, both with a deep V-neck, front closure and in a deep emerald hue.

Splurge (left): Iconic Karolina crystal velvet mini dress by The Attico (my favorite! – the cut and the embellishments are divine, good news is that it is marked 40% off)
Steal (right): Isabella floral-jacquard mini dress by Rat & Boa

The perfect artsy dress for your next art gallery opening or museum reception, sophisticated and stylish in one.

Splurge (left): Lovers-print silk-georgette dress by Valentino (marked off 40%)
iconSteal (right): Statue-print dress by Zara (marked off 65%)
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Polka-dot prints were making waves on the S/S 2020 runways. Get ahead of the style game and order your gown for your next black tie gala.

Splurge (left): Tiered polka-dot organza gown by Carolina Herrera
iconSteal (right): Antonia polka-dot off-the-shoulder dress by Rat & Boa

Animal prints have become a fix wardrobe staple with leopard leading the way. Go for the iconic Dolce print if your budget allows it.

Splurge (left): Leopard-print silk-blend midi dress by Dolce & Gabbana (the original one is now marked down 40%)
iconSteal (right): Ruched leopard-print stretch-mesh mini dress by Ganni

The LBD is always a great alternative for party dressing. Trending now are cuts that play off the traditional elements of a tailored blazer such as pockets and embellished buttons.

Splurge (left): Double-breasted wool blazer dress by Balmain
iconSteal (right): Dress with jewel buttons by Zara (marked off 40%)
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Stills: Courtesy of the Brands, Collages: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

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Vogue Italia Swaps Photos for Illustrations

Breaking news for the print media. No photoshoot was required in the making of the newest issue of VOGUE Italia that has swapped photos for illustrations to help reduce its carbon footprint.

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@David_Salle featuring @LiliSumner in @Gucci styled by @TonneGood

«All of the covers, as well as the features of our January issue, have been drawn by artists, ranging from well-known art icons and emerging talents to comic book legends, who have created without travelling, shipping entire wardrobes of clothes or polluting in any way. The challenge was to prove it is possible to show clothes without photographing them. This is a first, Vogue Italia has never had an illustrated cover: and as far as I know no issue of Vogue Italia in which photography is not the primary visual medium has ever been printed.
Thanks to this idea, and to these artists’ process, the money saved in the production of this issue will go towards financing a project that really deserves it: the restoration of Fondazione Querini Stampalia in Venice, severely damaged by the recent floods», says Emanuele Farneti, Editor-in-Chief Vogue Italia.

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Female figure wearing @Gucci by Vanessa Beecroft @VBuntitled

Vogue is looking to make a change. In December, Vogue’s editors penned a mission statement vowing to celebrate diversity and community, and to preserve the planet that will be shared by all 26 editions of the magazine.

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@DelphineDesane@DelphineDesaneStudio featuring @AssaBaradjiofficial in @Gucci

In Farneti’s editorial he states (translated from Italian) about the recent September issue: «One hundred and fifty people involved. About twenty flights and a dozen or so train journeys. Forty cars on standby. Sixty international deliveries. Lights switched on for at least 10 hours non-stop, partly powered by gasoline-fueled generators. Food waste from the catering services. Plastic to wrap the garments. Electricity to recharge phones, cameras… .»

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@Cas_Amandaa @Cas_Namodafeaturing @Ambar_Cristalz in @Gucci

Last year, the McKinsey & Company consultancy projected that the global garment industry would expand by two-thirds by 2030 and be responsible for one-quarter of the global carbon footprint by 2050 compared with 2% in 2015. Great news is that the trend of sustainability is industrywide. Experts say luxury consumers in particular are willing to pay more for sustainable garments and items that don’t exploit workers.

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@Yoshitaka_Amano featuring @LindseyWixson in @Gucci

The January issue includes eight different illustrated covers as well as articles about clothes made from scrap fabric and second-hand pieces. It will be at the newsstand on January 7, 2020.

Great initiative from Vogue Italia but one question I am asking myself is: «Is this the future of the end of print media?»

LoL, Sandra

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@MiloManara_official featuring @OliviaVinten in @Gucci

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@Paolo.Ventura featuring @FeliceNovain @Gucci

Photos: © VOGUE Italia

My Look: Gstaad


2020 has started so well … enjoying the beautiful sunny weather in Gstaad with family and friends. Here you see me at Wasserngrat restaurant, located at an altitude of 1,920 metres above sea level, with breath-taking views of the stunning mountain scenery.

My look: Oversized faux fur coaticon by Balenciaga, ski print bodysuit, logo headband and snow boots with spikes (Coco Neige F/W 2019), black and white cashmere scarfembellished leggings and tortoise shell sunglasses (Resort 2020), and Chanel 19 tweed bag, by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

It’s My Year

To celebrate the Chinese New Year in 2020, which falls on January 25th, Alberta Ferretti presents «It’s My Year», a small capsule collection dedicated to the Year of the Rat. The icon of this collection is the famous, fun mouse character, Topo Gigio®, that was created in the late 1950s in Italy by Maria Perego and that became a worldwide phenomenon, with the help of «The Ed Sullivan Show

Maria Perego with the mouse puppet Topo Gigio in 1961

TO SHOP THE ALBERTA FERRETTI CAPSULE COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.
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LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Alberta Ferretti and © Mondadori, via Getty Images
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

My Look: Happy New Year

Happy 2020 to everyone! I hope that the new year will be the best year of your life. May all your dreams come true and all your hopes be fulfilled! For me, 2020 has started fantastically as I got engaged at midnight at the Gstaad Palace. A new decade has begun … may it be as amazing as it started.

My look: Red sequined long dressicon, rhinestone-embellished faux-pearl necklaceicon, and white fox fur stoleicon, all by Dolce & Gabbana, champagne cross-body bagicon by Moschino, and laser-cut leather and suede platform sandalsicon by Alaïa.

LoL, Sandra


Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

My Favorite Outfits of 2019

It is not only the last day of the year, but also the last day of the decade and I would like to share with you my favourite outfits of 2019. A little retrospective recalling my most fashionable moments. 12 months, versatile looks, shot in many different places in the world.

To a fabulous 2020, to a fabulous new decade, wishing you only the best and I hope that you will keep following Sandra’s Closet for the next years to come!

LoL, Sandra

JANUARY 2019To a Sparkling 2019

French Cancan – CrucialWasserngrat Lunch

Winter WonderlandGstaad, Come Up and Slow Down – Women in Power

Happy Birthday – 100 Years of Bauhaus

FEBRUARY 2019: London Fashion Week Look

Times Square  La Pausa  New York City

She’s in Fashion  Hello Sunshine

MARCH 2019Vienna Opera Ball

International Women’s DayNever Rest – Find Me in Milan

Spring  The New StoryIt’s All in the Attitude

APRIL 2019: Swiss Girl

Travelling to São PauloBrazilBelgrave Square

TinaFormula V

Paris Fashion WeekCherry Blossom

 MAY 2019: Cyprus Nights

Summer Kick-OffGirl PowerBest Never Rest

Where the Wild Things AreAwesome Sequins

JUNE 2019: Red & Turquoise for Spring 

Save the OceanAn Evening with BalletJewels

Art BaselBeat the Heat

 JULY 2019: Like Ice in the Sunshine

Dream On VacationLet’s Play Ballet

Rose GardenFrench RivieraJust Keep Swimming

AUGUST 2019: Viva la Svizzera

Greetings from VeronaKiss a Frog – Street Parade 2019

The Weekend Read Comfy Chic

Orchid PrintLavender Extrême

SEPTEMBER 2019Pulp Fiction

Atelier SwarovskiArriving in Munich – Boss Outletcity Metzingen

Life is Better with a DogModern Princess

Sleeping BeautyBohemian

OCTOBER 2019: Borgo Santo Pietro

Chill & RelaxGolden FallVivamayr

La Vie BohèmeCamouflage

NOVEMBER 2019: Halloween

GreeceCHANELLa Mer

HomeMagic WeekendFemme on Trend

DECEMBER 2019: Merry Dolce Christmas

You Can Do ItCelebrateThis is My Love

 Unchained#IMACHRISTMASTREE

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Burberry Chinese New Year 2020 Campaign

Burberry has revealed its Chinese New Year 2020 campaign which stars brand ambassador Zhou Dongyu alongside models He Cong and Liang Jiyuan, and is captured by photographer Leslie Zhang.

The campaign highlights a collection in vivid red, featuring refined tailoring and sports-influenced pieces, as well as new iterations of Burberry’s iconic Union sneaker and Lola bag.

A limited-edition Thomas Burberry Monogram motif, inspired by the Chinese zodiac and animated with an original illustration in honour of the Year of the Rat, appears throughout.

The collection is available to purchase now in select stores globally.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Burberry / Leslie Zhang

Dress Up Your Desk

You might spend a significant portion of your day at your desk. So it’s probably a good idea to make it a place that looks as fashionable as you. Let me promise you one thing, having a nice desk is extremely powerful and it will make you feel more positive and creative about your work.

Pencil case and measuring tape set by FENDI
iconFendi’s pink stationery set will make a feminine and preppy addition to your day-to-day routine. Crafted in Italy from butter-soft leather, it consists a compact pencil case with a zipped top and black canvas lining and is hallmarked with a polished gold-toned F logo plaque that echoes the measuring tape – note the push button and soft retractable tape.

Cork and stainless steel globeicon by BRUNELLO CUCINELLO
Keep track of your world travels with this khaki-brown globe from Brunello Cucinelli’s classic homeware collection. It’s crafted by artisans in Italy from a combination of natural cork and stainless steel, then lasered to depict a map of the world, which can be marked with the provided pins. Perfect for your desk for textural appeal.

Cobra brass bookends by HOUSE OF HACKNEY
Depicting the label’s eclectic sensibilities, these brass cobra bookends reference the serpent as the guardian of sacred spaces. They’re hand-painted in gold, green and black tones to accentuate the sculptural shape and realistic texture of the engraved scales. 

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Intrecciato-leather letter holder by BOTTEGA VENETA
Look to Bottega Veneta’s brown letter holder for a refined homeware piece for your desk. It’s woven with the label’s signature Intrecciato technique, and crafted with two sections defined with sculptural separators that increase in height.


iconGekko gold-plated magnifying glass by L’OBJET
This 24kt gold-plated gekko magnifying glass is crafted with red Swarovski-crystal set into the eyes, and set with a rounded magnifying lens. Keep it on a desk next to other equally statement-making pieces.


iconDeco pen-shell paperweight by BLUE CARREON
iconThis black and gold paperweight features elongated stripes across the curved body that take inspiration from the simplicity of Art Deco interiors. It’s crafted by hand with inlays of natural cracked pen shell to offset the polished gold-tone metal hardware. Use it to bring a decorative, vintage accent to your desk.

Eye-print porcelain tray by GUCCI
iconGucci’s exquisitely crafted white tray takes the shape of a pair of hands held closely together to create a cupped silhouette. It’s made from Richard Ginori porcelain, adorned with pink tassels and decorated with an alluring eye print framed by red lightning bolts and yellow stars. Place it on your desk to hold trinkets.

Brass letter opener by CARL AUBÖCK
Handmade from polished brass, the sophisticated piece has a flat edge on one side and features a looping grip on the other to double up as a bookmark.
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Valentina large velvet photo frame by AERIN
Aerin’s green Valentina photo frame is from the label’s romantic velvet collection. It’s crafted with a wide border and gold-plated brass edges for an elegant mood. Choose it to display your most cherished memories.
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Popotin ceramic vase by ANISSA KERMICHE
iconThis grey speckled ceramic Popotin vase will bring a joyful note to minimalist or maximalist interiors alike. It takes the shape of a woman’s derrière with a tactile uneven surface and is finished with a printed logo on the base. Place it on your desk as an artistic flourish.

Milan cube box by BLUE CARREON
iconThis cube box is crafted using stone inlays by artisan craftsmen in the Philippines, showcasing the eponymous designer’s love for naturally occurring materials. Spruce up your desk by using it as an aesthetically pleasing organiser.

Intrecciato leather paper basketicon by BOTTEGA VENETA
Crafted from the house’s hallmark Intrecciato handwoven leather, this brown paper basket imparts Bottega Veneta’s discerning and contemporary aesthetic. Let it bring an artisanal riff to a simple desk setting.

Rossetti Flora-scented porcelain diffusing sphereicon by FORNASETTI
This diffusing sphere offers floral notes of ivy, lily of the valley iris and sandalwood and is housed in an elegant porcelain vase, printed with a Pop Art rendition of Lina Cavalieri’s lips – opera singer and the house’s enduring muse. Place it as focal point of your work space and let it fill your desk with the welcoming scent.

I hope that you have enjoyed my ideas for your desk …

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

The Look That Went Viral

The fashion world can be unpredictable – no one ever really knows if something will go viral or not. It has to be the right moment, the right look, and probably the right photo. Katie Holmes‘s Khaite cashmere cardigan and bra set went viral for a reason in 2019. It looked so cool bringing on shoulders and a lot of décolletage.

Scarlet Oversized Puff-Sleeve Cashmere Cardigan

Eda Cashmere Bralette
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Since launching in 2016, New York label Khaite has established itself as a favorite with industry insiders looking for polished staples that transcend trends. Now, you can pre-order this Insta-famous set from the label’s Pre-fall 2020 collection. Just click on the highlighted text above to be transferred directly.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Khaite / Getty

Makeup for Midnight


Makeup for midnight – Bring in the New Year beautifully! From epic parties to more low-key hangouts, New Year’s Eve is one time of year when going all-out with your beauty look is always appreciated. Here are some great products for you to consider:

The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF20 by La Mer
For the perfect complexion. My tip: Use it as body makeup – just add a few drops to your body lotion and massage onto your arms, legs and décolletage.


iconBlur Expert Powder by Sisley
My all time favorite: this powder gives you the same airbrushed finish as your favorite Instagram filter, but in real life.

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Eye-Conic Longwear Eyeshadow Palette – Glambition 720 by Marc Jacobs Beauty
iconAn amazing neutral eyeshadow palette for New Year’s Eve.

See-quins Glam Glitter Eyeshadow – Blitz Glitz 92 by Marc Jacobs Beauty
Inspired by the shimmery luster of sequins, this smooth, blendable formula washes lids in multi-dimensional shine.

SPF15 Baume De Rose Lip Care by By Terry
iconBursting with nourishing ingredients and glossy without being sticky – I love everything about this  cult-favorite. Simply dab it on to instantly soothe and plump your lips or mix it with your favorite lipstick color.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands