Sandra‘s Closet

PRADA opens new spaces in the via della Spiga boutique in Milan, which have been expanded and feature the rolling out of a fresh image, with a new layout and interior architecture. The boutique is entirely dedicated to the women’s collections.

On the corner between Via Sant’Andrea and Via della Spiga, the façade is characterised by entrances on both streets and large windows, inserted in the stone frame of the building. Inside, the new layout of the spaces is on two levels for a total area of 400 square metres.

The space on the ground floor – dedicated to leather goods, accessories and footwear collections – is an original and sophisticated interpretation of the historic Prada display niche. New and elegant design elements stand out, among which the green marble tables sketched by the Milanese design firm BBPR and exclusively reproduced for Prada in a limited series.

The upper floor – reached by a marble staircase – houses the clothing collections and is characterised by the modern design of the ceiling beams and the pearl-grey carpeted floor, combined with the wooden details of the large windows and 1950s furnishings. The walls are decorated with bas-reliefs in shades of pastel green, inspired by the iconic prints of the brand.

On both levels, the display elements – made with details of polished wood – are flanked by furniture designed by Osvaldo Borsani and Giò Ponti, made exclusively for Prada and some special design pieces that pay homage to the masters of Milanese design of the 1950s.

From 10 September 2018, the Prada Sidonie bag, protagonist of the Prada Resort 2019 collection, will be available solely at the Via della Spiga store in two styles made of city calf leather in a different range of colors. The precious skin versions  – crocodile and ostrich – will be available in pre-order only.

Ladies, be prepared, the small shoulder bags are back!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada

«It started with our love for animals, it’s where Nicolas and I really connect beyond fashion.» – Grace Coddington

At LOUIS VUITTON’s Cruise 2019 catwalk show amidst the Mirós and Giacomettis of Saint-Paul-de-Vence’s Fondation Maeght, Nicolas Ghesquière, artistic director of women’s collections, presented a too-die-for collaboration with Vogue contributing editor Grace Coddington.

Nicolas Ghesquière and Grace Coddington in a silk pyjama set from the collaboration at the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2019 show last May. 

The line sees the famous redhead putting her spin on the brand’s iconic monogram pattern, embellishing it with illustrations of her two cats, Pumpkin and Blanket. Moreover her designer friend’s dog Léon finishes off the animalistic collection that also includes patent leather bags in the cartoony shapes. I love every single piece!

The full range of items, including handbags, leather goods, and ready-to-wear, will arrive in Louis Vuitton stores in October.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton, via Martien Mulder for WSJ. Magazine

Sometimes people are surprised when I tell them that I only wash my hair once a week. If you are having a long mane like me, washing the hair less often will help preserve the natural oils in the scalp and keep your strands well moisturized. Moreover, I have curly hair and I am just too lazy to blow dry it too often. Don’t be scared, try to switch to an every-other-day or every-third day shampoo routine. It might feel hard in the beginning but you can train your hair, believe me.

For in-between touch-ups and fresh smell, I recommend those amazing scented dry shampoos by Björn Axén, Sweden’s strongest hair care brand founded by the eponymous hair dresser in 1963, who even worked for the Swedish queen. Those scented dry shampoos come in three different scents reminiscent of spring, Green Apple, Sweet Blossom and Sunny Grapefruit, and effectively freshen up the hair without leaving a rough feeling. They all give light volume and are recommended for all hair types.

Application: Shake the bottle. Part your hair and spray towards the scalp from 15 cm; allow to work 1 min. If necessary, spray the area around your face. Massage into the scalp with your fingers and shake off any white residue.

Björn Axén Dry Shampoo in Green Apple, Sweet Blossom and Sunny Grapefruit
CHF 17.90 (150ml) – in Switzerland available at Jelmoli among others.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Björn Axén

This was my outfit that I wore to the BREITLING store opening last week. Definitely not for the faint-hearted that suffer from arachnophobia as this mint-green cotton shirtdress from the Prada S/S 2018 runway is decorated with an eye-catching cartoon of six black, yellow and pink tarantulas above a swishy leopard-print skirt.

My look: Multi-print shirt dress, frame comic-print leather bag, comic print choker with spider charm and cadillac sunglasses, all by Prada, Adriana leopard-print calf hair and snake-effect leather platform sandals, all by Marc Jacobs.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Thursday, KARL LAGERFELD & REVOLVE celebrated the launch of  the «KARL LAGERFELD X KAIA» collection with an exclusive event hosted by Cindy Crawford’s supermodel daughter Kaia Gerber at the REVOLVE Social Club in Los Angeles with over 200 international influencers and special guests. The highlight of the night was a performance by Kaia’s best friend and singer Charlotte Lawrence and the opening of the «KARL LAGERFELD X KAIA» pop-up shop which is still open today from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.at the REVOLVE Social Club.

Kaia at the launch event dressed in pieces from the «KARL LAGERFELD X KAIA» collection.

An embodiment of the Los Angeles-chic, style-savvy consumer, REVOLVE Clothing is the premier online multi-brand retailer of premium millennial fashion with a collection of more than 500 of the world’s most coveted established and emerging brands in women’s and men’s designer apparel, shoes and accessories.

Late night performance by Kaia’s best friend singer Charlotte Lawrence

Guests included Kaia Gerber, singer Charlotte Lawrence, Presley Gerber, Larsen Thompson, Will Peltz, Larsa Pippen, Amanda Steele, Draya Michele, Jen Atkin, Brittany Sky, Madison Pettis, Raissa Gerona and Michael Mente. Fashion influencers included Desi Perkins, Lottie Tomlinson, Sophia Smith, Rachel Lindsay, Mary Lawless Lee, and more.

The «KARL LAGERFELD X KAIA» collection is exclusively available now at Karl.com und Revolve.com. Starting September 14, 2018, the limited-edition pieces will also hit the stores.

LoL, Sandra

Beautiful siblings: Kaia and Presley Gerber at the event.

Photos: Courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of its iconic aluminum suitcase, RIMOWA unveiled an exclusive collaboration with FENDI in the end of last year.

Together, the two brands created transformed the iconic carry-on case with the help of sophisticated FENDI styling details, including the emblematic FENDI double F logo in brushed aluminum that changes perspective in different lighting, as well as a web belt that runs across the case, into something every fashionista is dying to travel with. The case is finished with stickers and a nametag that can be personalised by its owner.

In the second phase of a collaboration this year, the collection adds three new colours; red, blue and yellow – an addition to the black and brown version that was originally introduced in November 2017.

For all models, FENDI’s artisanal savoir-faire is featured in Cuoio Romano leather handles and the black neoprene interior lining, also embossed with the double F logo. The case is a concentrate of RIMOWA innovations too, fitted with the silent Multiwheel® system for optimum maneuverability and the Flex-Divider system for the most efficient possible packing, as well as TSA approved locks for security.

Available in FENDI and RIMOWA stores and online HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Rimowa and Fendi

How do fashion dreams come true in our days? Forget ad campaigns, press releases, fashion magazines, samples and announcements. You just take an It-bag and let it “unexpectedly” dangle from the arm of a celebrity. That is modern advertising and just happened when Lady Gaga sported Hedi Slimane’s first piece for Céline.

A preview for all fashionistas that will surely hit the runway as part of the designer’s inaugural collection for the brand during Paris Fashion Week next month. Slimane was announced as the new artistic, creative, and image director of the French fashion house back in February, succeeding Phoebe Philo.

While visiting Paris, the singer wore the structured bag that is personalized with Lady Gaga’s initials and features gold clasp.

Probably your next Birkin or Kelly bag will be the «Gaga» instead… I am already loving it and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Instagram/@sarahtannomakeup (Lady Gaga’s makeup artist Sarah Tanno)
Instagram/ @ladygaga

Alberta Ferretti presents an unprecedented capsule collection that celebrates the collaboration with ALITALIA, the airline that flies the Italian flag: a seasonless jumper, a sweatshirt and a T-shirt. Cool and fun – and not only for Alitalia fans.

Alitalia patch sweatshirt by Alberta Ferretti

Alitalia patch T-shirt by Alberta Ferretti

Alitalia intarsia jumper by Alberta Ferretti

My friend Erica Pelosini, Art Director and Contributor at VOGUE, sported the new must-have sweater already on a flight to Aspen this week (via her Instagram @ericapelosini).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Alberta Ferretti

Last night, I attended the opening celebration of BREITLING‘s newly designed boutique, situated in a prime location on Augustinergasse in Zurich. During this dazzling, high-profile red-carpet event, VIP guests and customers were treated to a cocktail party and dinner, followed by a concert performance by Swiss pop star Baschi. A full-scale mock-up of a Breitling Jet Team aircraft in front of the boutique caught the eyes of passersby, who took the opportunity to be photographed with the impressive flying machine.

#SquadOnAMission – Me surrounded by the Swiss Air Force’s Patrouille Suisse elite aerobatic squadron at the Breitling opening.

BREITLING CEO Georges Kern was joined at the opening event by an impressive roster of special guests, including former World Cup Alpine ski racer, Winter Olympic gold medalist, and pilot, Dominique Gisin, multiple Ironman champion and duathlon specialist Ronnie Schildknecht, celebrated Swiss chef René Schudel, Breitling Jet Team leader Jacques Bothelin, and members of the Swiss Air Force’s Patrouille Suisse elite aerobatic squadron.

With Breitling CEO Georges Kern at last night’s opening.

Georges Kern was excited about introducing Breitling’s new industrial-loft point-of-sale concept in Zurich, one of the brand’s home towns: «Our redesigned boutiques respect Breitling’s long heritage, but they do so in a stylish, contemporary environment. It is essential, as a global brand, to have a significant presence in key cities around the world. We have already launched flagship boutiques in Beijing and London, and today we are opening our doors to a new generation of Breitling enthusiasts in the country where the company was founded in 1884.»

Breitling’s newest brand ambassador, internationally renowned model Ronja Furrer, was also in attendance along with her boyfriend singer Stress.

Redefining industrial-chic luxury, the boutique’s interior space is divided over two floors. On the ground floor, Breitling’s watches are presented in vitrines and display cases whose design reflects the urban-loft ambience.

Upstairs is a bar and lounge area where visitors can escape from the hustle and bustle of the city just outside the boutique’s doors and enjoy a drink while exploring some of Breitling’s iconic collections.

Ronnie Schildknecht, Breitling CMO Tim Sayler, Jacques Bothelin and Dominique Gisin at the boutique opening.

Along with Adrian Bindella, CEO of Zett-Meyer, Steven Biedert, Breitling’s Brand Manager in Switzerland, and the brand’s celebrity guests, Georges Kern cut the ribbon, officially opening the Breitling Boutique Zurich.

Following the boutique opening, guests enjoyed cocktails an «unplugged» concert performance by Baschi, one of Switzerland’s most popular musicians. The singer arrived in style on a motorcycle created by iconic British brand Norton, one of Breitling’s partner companies.

The mock-up of the Breitling Jet Team aircraft – with its imposing dimensions (a height of 12.3 meters and a wingspan of 9.46 meters) – attracted attention throughout the event. It served as a stage for Baschi’s concert, and also provided a perfect photo opportunity.

A great night with a lot of fun, thank you, BREITLING, for having me!
Stay tuned for the outfit post coming up soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images for Breitling
© Getty Images

Nobody does floral femininity better than Dolce & Gabbana. My closet has been blooming with wildflowers since many seasons thanks to the Italian designer duo. Beautiful prints which evoke the sights and smells of the countryside in spring on elongated silhouettes keep up with the needs of us modern women. You are immediately in a good mood.

My look: Printed floral maxi dress and gold-plated Swarovski crystal clip earrings, both by Dolce & Gabbana, Sac Du Jour leather tote by Saint Laurent, Rockstud leather sandals by Valentino, Lady Excalibur rose gold watch by Roger Dubuis and «Mitza» ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht