Sandra‘s Closet

It is with deep gratitude that I share this exciting news. After the recent passing of my beloved father, I am only now finding the space to announce something truly meaningful to me, I will be joining the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia 2025 as one of its distinguished speakers.

I still hold the most beautiful memories of attending the Creative Women Forum back in 2019 in Cyprus, a time filled with inspiration, connection, and powerful conversations among women shaping the world. To return now, on an even greater stage in Saudi Arabia, feels both humbling and uplifting.

Taking place from 4–6 November 2025 under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Noura Bint Saud Bin Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Forum will be hosted at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, the largest women’s university in the world. This extraordinary venue stands as a true symbol of empowerment and progress.

The three-day event, created by the visionary Olga Balakleets, Founder and CEO of the Creative Women Platform, alongside Executive Director Rebeca Riofrio, brings together global thought leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and policymakers. Under the theme «EMPOWER | ENGAGE | SUSTAIN – Women Leading Initiatives,» it celebrates female innovation and leadership in perfect harmony with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

I am deeply honoured to participate in the panel «The Future is Creative – Path to a Sustainable Future», which will explore how creativity and sustainability intersect to shape tomorrow’s world. The discussion will be moderated by Maxim Jago, futurist and author, and I am privileged to share the stage with these inspiring women:
• Prathibha Prahlad – Founder & Chairperson, Prasiddha Foundation & Forum For Art Beyond Borders; Founder & Festival Director, Delhi International Arts Festival
• Yasmeen Gailani – Deputy Director, MENA, Sotheby’s Middle East Specialist and Representative
• Martha Fiennes – Award-winning Filmmaker, Screenwriter & Digital Artist
• Norah Alkhursany – Head of Strategic Partnership Department, Oil Sustainability Program (OSP)

The Forum will conclude with a prestigious Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on the evening of 6 November, celebrating leadership, sustainability, and creativity under royal patronage, an inspiring finale to three unforgettable days of empowerment, dialogue, and connection.

If you would like to be part of this remarkable gathering of women shaping the future, tickets are still available:
 creativewomen.co/creative-women-forum-saudi-arabia-2025

I look forward to reconnecting with inspiring minds from around the world and to celebrating the power of creativity, purpose, and female leadership in Riyadh.

With heartfelt gratitude, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Creative Women Platform / © Sandra Bauknecht 
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Rest in Peace Papa 🖤
December 6, 1942 – October 23, 2025

«My father’s love is the quiet light that will forever guide me home.»

Today is my mother’s birthday and though she is no longer with us, I believe she isn’t celebrating alone. My father has joined her on the way to celebrate together, just as they always did in life.

My father was the most loyal, honest, and authentic person I have ever known. A truly good soul, kind to everyone, never speaking an unkind word about anyone. He loved nature, he loved taking the train, he loved to travel and he loved horses and riding. He was sociable, funny, and always there for others. For me, he was simply the best dad anyone could ever wish for.

We shared wonderful journeys together, just the two of us, and later also with my daughter. We relived so many stories and memories on those trips.
Among the photos I’ll show today is one from Rome, our last trip together. The Eternal City will forever be tied to him in my heart. During that trip, I gave him a very special gift, a papal audience at the Vatican, an experience that filled him with joy.

Then there was Iceland, where we traveled all around the island with Anouk, and the US including Chicago, where he came to visit us while we lived there.

And there’s another very special photo from 1985, when I was ten years old. He took me with him on a business trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg because he knew how much I loved ballet. One evening, he took me to the Bolshoi Theatre, in the presence of Mikhail Gorbachev, to watch a ballet performance. That’s who he was, thoughtful, generous, and always finding joy in making others happy.

He passed away through a tragic accident. After breaking his thigh and undergoing surgery, his dementia made him forget that he had been operated on. When he tried to get up, he fell and suffered a severe head injury. The swelling and bleeding became too much for his body.
I was with him through his final days in palliative care, day and night. It was heartbreaking, but also a beautiful farewell, peaceful, full of love, just like when my mother passed away.

They were each other’s great love. I have never seen a couple with such a deep, genuine bond. So it does not surprise me that, only two months after my mother’s passing, my father followed her.

To both of you, I wish you joy and peace up there. Celebrate, laugh, and keep watching over us.
I am forever grateful and proud to have had such wonderful parents.

Dad, I love you. Always.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

«Some days you’re the pigeon, some days you’re the statue.»

Lately, I’ve been living in the space between those two, standing still while life leaves its marks, yet still refusing to lose my grace. Fashion has always been my quiet form of resilience, a language beyond words. Today I wear Tom Ford, a silhouette sculpted with the kind of strength I need right now. Haider Ackermann’s vision for the house speaks of poetry and precision, softness wrapped around steel and I love how he translates that into something as simple yet refined as a cashmere jogging pant: effortless, elegant, and impossibly comfortable. And in my hand, a pigeon clutch by JW Anderson, a symbol of both peace and fragility, and a reminder that even stillness can have wings.

My look: Wool-blend sweater, jersey tapered trackpants, gold-tone choker, and gold-tone cuff, all by Tom Ford, pigeon resin clutch by JW Anderson, Torchon gold-tone crystal clip earrings by Alessandra Rich, LV Link square sunglasses by Louis Vuitton, and Jeanne embellished glossed-leather slingback pumps by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Erika Kostialova
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There are colors that carry emotion within them and burgundy is one of them. Deep, romantic, quietly powerful. When I wore this look during Paris Fashion Week, I felt wrapped in its warmth, unaware that life was about to shift again.

These photographs were captured in a moment of light, laughter, beauty, and that fleeting Parisian magic. I look at them now, from the stillness of a hospital room, sitting beside my father on the palliative ward, and they whisper something different. They remind me that happiness is delicate, that life can change in the time it takes to exhale, and yet, beauty remains.

Since losing my mother, I’ve learned that love and loss often live side by side. In caring for my father, in the quiet hours between worry and tenderness, I return to these images to edit, to write, to remember. It’s my way of breathing through the heaviness. This post isn’t just about fashion. It’s about the contrast, between fragility and strength, between what fades and what endures. Burgundy became a reflection of my heart: graceful, bruised, but still beating.

My look: Cropped cashmere-blend turtleneck sweater, pleated knitted cashmere-blend midi skirt, and Le Teckel small leather-trimmed suede shoulder bag, all by Alaïa, vintage sunglasses in burgundy with stingray leather by Louis Vuitton, lace tights by Calzedonia, Rossy 160 patent leather platform sandals, and hoop-drop clip earrings, both by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Erika Kostialova
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During Paris Fashion Week, I had the pleasure of joining Lanvin and designer Peter Copping for an intimate dinner, a night filled with conversation, creativity, and the quiet glamour that only Paris can offer. For the occasion, I wore a dress and cardigan from Lanvin’s current F/W 25 collection, pieces that perfectly capture the season’s understated sophistication. I styled them with vintage pearl necklaces and glossy red pumps from my own archive, adding a personal twist to the look. To complete the outfit, I carried a vintage Balenciaga bag, a subtle nod to Peter’s past at the house, and, as he shared with me that evening, to his many visits to Zurich during Demna’s early days there.

My look: Cropped open-knit cardigan, and matching paneled knitted midi dress, platform heels in red patent leather, long necklace with pearls, feathers, ribbon and rhinestones, and long multi-strand pearl necklace, all by Lanvin, and suede opera clutch bag by Balenciaga.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Erika Kostialova
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Wednesday night I had the privilege of joining my dear friend Carmen Busquets in her beautiful Paris home to celebrate Lanvin and its creative director, Peter Copping. Just the day before, I attended the Lanvin S/S 2026 show, an unforgettable experience that once again reminded me why I have always admired this house so deeply.

Lanvin is not only the oldest continuously operating fashion house in France, but also one with a truly unique spirit. Founded in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin, a visionary couturière who began by designing dresses for her daughter, the house has always been rooted in elegance, intimacy, and a profound sense of artistry. That maternal tenderness and refined craftsmanship continue to resonate in Lanvin’s DNA today.

With Therese Westin, Founder of VINST, and Lupe Puerta, Founder of THE FLOORR, who co-hosted the evening (thank you for having me!)

Peter Copping’s S/S 2026 collection captured this heritage with such grace. His inspiration draws both from the timeless codes of the house and from his own refined sensibility. There was a lightness, a sense of fluidity and romance in the pieces, yet always anchored by Lanvin’s signature sophistication. What struck me most was how seamlessly he honored Jeanne Lanvin’s legacy while making it feel entirely relevant for the present.

Beyond his undeniable talent, Peter himself is one of the kindest and most humble people I have met in fashion, qualities that make his creations shine even brighter. His modesty and warmth are rare in this industry, and they infuse the collection with an additional layer of beauty.

Vintage Lanvin necklaces from my own archive #sandrascloset.

For the evening, I wore a look from Lanvin’s current F/W 2025 collection, styled with vintage Lanvin accessories and shoes. It felt like a personal way of connecting past and present, echoing the house’s long history while celebrating its modern vision.

With Peter Copping and Carmen Busquets, who co-founded NET-A-PORTER and is one of the most stylish ladies I know.

Lanvin is more than a brand; it is a story of artistry, heritage, and enduring elegance. And with Peter Copping at the helm, that story continues to evolve in the most beautiful way.

LoL, Sandra

It was such an inspiring evening with many amazing women.

Next to me was lovely Christine D’Ornano, who is Managing Director at SISLEY Paris, the beauty empire that belongs to her family.

With Brazilian influencer Camila Coutinho…

… and Martina Kojic Reiter, who just launched her own clothing label Maison Maxima.

The Queen of Eyebrows, Anastasia Soare, came from LA with her daughter Norvina.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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They say black never goes out of style, but this F/W 2025 season, brown is redefining elegance. In Boston, I embraced a head-to-toe brown look that feels effortlessly chic, warm, and sophisticated. To break the monotony and add a playful twist, I styled it with a vibrant Christian Louboutin bag, the perfect pop of color that turns the entire outfit into a true statement. Sometimes, it only takes one bold accessory to elevate a monochrome look from classic to unforgettable.

My look: Cable-knit wool and cashmere puffer jacket, and cotton midi dress, both by Polo Ralph Lauren, Torchon gold-tone crystal clip earrings by Alessandra Rich, Frankie 85 snake-effect leather ankle boots by Jimmy Choo, and Breizcaba embellished embroidered felt and leather-trimmed canvas tote by Christian Louboutin.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Anouk Bauknecht
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Last weekend Kunsthalle Zürich celebrated its 40th anniversary and what a celebration it was. The evening felt less like a retrospective and more like a time machine, sending us simultaneously back into the institution’s rich history and forward into its exciting future.

The festivities began with a spirited auction led by Sandra Nedvetskaia, whose energy and elegance turned bidding into a performance of its own. The room buzzed with collectors, artists, and friends of the Kunsthalle, each eager to support the next chapter of this storied institution.

Michael Ringier in front of Kerstin Brätsch, MƎTA, 2021

One of the most memorable moments came from Michael Ringier, who coined a playful new acronym: MILF – Museum I Like to Finance. It was cheeky, clever, and perfectly captured the spirit of the night, art should be taken seriously, but never too seriously. Personally, as someone who dreams of opening a museum one day, I found this both hilarious and inspiring.

Part of the auction: Kerim Seiler, Maintenant, 2010

The art itself was just as remarkable as the guests. Works from some of today’s most compelling artists graced the auction and the halls, reminding us that Kunsthalle Zürich has always been a place where ideas, experimentation, and vision come alive.

I was lucky to be hosted by my dear friend Martina Vondruska, who is part of the Kunsthalle’s gala committee. She did an incredible job orchestrating the evening, and I’m so grateful to her for inviting me to be part of this unforgettable night.

On our way to the event with jewelry designer Angelo De Luca., Co-Founder of Super Mountain in St. Moritz.

Wearing futuristic Cyber Dots by Jean Paul Gaultier and carrying a Moschino masterpiece, quite literally framed for the night.

The dress code playfully spanned the decades, from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s all the way into the future, a living timeline that mirrored the Kunsthalle’s past forty years and its vision ahead.

When fashion meets art: two friends, two Moschino bags, proof that style can be as much a masterpiece as the canvas.

Fittingly, the evening’s motto «Back to the Future» echoed not only the Kunsthalle’s 40th anniversary, but also the 40th birthday of the cult film itself, a double celebration of art, time, and imagination. And yes, the iconic DeLorean car from the movie was parked right in the hall, to everyone’s delight.

Just like the «Not A Celebrity Tequila,» which cares less about the name on the bottle and more about what’s inside, the night itself focused on what truly matters: the essence of art and the people who love it. (Thank you, Gerd Schepers, for the drinks!)

And then came the after-party. DJs «from the future (Zukunft, a former nightclub in Zurich)» transformed the Kunsthalle into a dance floor that stretched through time and space. The night’s theme wasn’t just symbolic, it was experienced, embodied, and danced into the early hours.

Forty years on, Kunsthalle Zürich remains a beacon of artistic energy and cultural curiosity. Here’s to the past, present, and – most importantly – the future.

LoL, Sandra

Part of the auction: Pippa Garner, I’D BE MORE BEAUTIFUL BUT I RAN OUT OF MONEY, 2022

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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There are fashion pieces that come and go and then there are icons that define a whole era. The Chloé Paddington bag was the moment of the early 2000s, and I still have my original. Now that it has been reissued, I couldn’t resist bringing it back into the spotlight. For this shoot, I paired it with a sharp denim look and set it against the Reflecting Pool in Boston, a place where the city’s energy slows down for just a moment. Boston isn’t the obvious fashion capital, but that’s what makes it interesting: a city built on history, reinventing itself in the present, just like this bag. It’s fashion meeting travel, nostalgia meeting now and I love standing right at that intersection.

My look: Cropped denim jacket, high-rise flared jeans, and stretch-corded lace bodysuit, all by Zimmermann, Frankie 85 snake-effect leather ankle boots by Jimmy Choo, Paddington leather shoulder bag, shearling and gold-tone charm, logo necklace, Chloé iconic belt, and Carlina round-frame gold-plated sunglasses, all by Chloé.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Anouk Bauknecht
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When the Chloé Paddington first launched in 2005 under Phoebe Philo, it instantly became one of the most recognizable «it-bags» of the decade. Its slouchy leather body, chunky hardware, and oversized padlock gave it a distinctive personality that set it apart from the sleek minimalism of other luxury handbags.

After quietly disappearing from Chloé’s collections for years, the Paddington is finally back under the creative vision of Chemena Kamali. Its return is more than just a reissue, it’s a revival of an icon. Personally speaking, it’s not about rediscovering it, it’s about celebrating the fact that I never let it go. Taking it out again feels like reconnecting with an old friend that somehow looks even better today.

I gave mine a little twist and added a bag charm from the new collection to give the icon a modern update: Paddington leather shoulder bag (from 2005) and shearling and gold-tone charm (from 2025).

«Sometimes the best way to stay ahead of the trend is simply to hold on to the right pieces.»

So for those who held onto their original, now is the perfect time to bring it out of the closet and enjoy the fact that it feels just as relevant today as it did two decades ago.

For younger fashion lovers, the comeback offers something different: the chance to buy into a piece of early-2000s nostalgia at exactly the moment when Y2K style is everywhere again. The era’s influence is dominating runways and the Paddington fits right into that wave.

What makes this revival so powerful is its authenticity. Chloé hasn’t tried to reinvent the wheel, the Paddington comes back true to its essence, reminding us that some designs never really go out of style. In a world where trends move at lightning speed, the Paddington’s return proves that true icons only step aside until the time is right to shine again. And for those of us who kept ours, that moment has arrived.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Chloé
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