Sandra‘s Closet

It’s not what designers put in but what they left out which matters this winter season. Graphic slits transform the simplest silhouette into something dramatic. Who would have thought a grey turtleneck dress could be so tempting?!

My look: Shoe lace coat by Balenciaga, cutout stretch-knit turtleneck dress with fishnet body by Proenza Schouler, So Black Kelly bag by Hermès, palladium-tone, crystal and Plexiglas® necklace and earrings, both by Miu Miu, Elizabeth high heel leather riding boots by Gucci and Double C diamond black lacquer white gold ring by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

One week ago, David Bowie died at age 69, just two days after his birthday. As tributes flood the media, the fashion world mourns the star who had the power to express himself through versatile ways of dressing, hairstyles, makeup, and performance. His shape-shifting styles inspired generations of teenagers and adults, especially in the ’70s and ’80s. He was the one who first empowered gender-bending androgyny and was a huge inspiration for the world of music and fashion. In 2013, the V&A Museum opened the “David Bowie Is” exhibition with great success, which toured the world.

Enjoy this little tribute and see some looks inspired from his quirky and amazing style:

Aladdin Sane, 1973

US Vogue reports: «The Ziggy red mullet that launched a million imitators was inspired by a fashion shoot on the cover of Honey magazine of a model wearing Kansai Yamamoto. Bowie went around to his mother’s hairdresser, Suzy Fussey, who worked in a salon on Beckenham High Street, to do the cut and color. He was wearing it the day he walked into Brian Duffy’s studio to shoot the cover of the Aladdin Sane album in 1973. Celia Philo (Phoebe Philo’s mother), who was art directing, remembers the spontaneous moment when Bowie conspired with his favorite makeup artist, Pierre La Roche, to paint on the lightning flash.»

David Bowie dressed by Kansai Yamamoto, 1973

Bowie on tour in 1973, from The Rise of David Bowie 1972-1973.

And here is how the fashion world got inspired by the musical genius in many ways:

Kate Moss‘ covers for Vogue U.K. in 2003 (right) and Vogue Paris in 2011 (left).

Jean-Paul Gaultier S/S 2013

Hedi Slimane said once to AnOther magazine: «I was literally born with a David Bowie album in my hand.» Here some looks inspired by David Bowie from his men’s S/S 2014 collection.

To the right, you can see one of the geometrically striped black and white outfits from Givenchy‘s S/S 2010 collection. It looked like a rendition of the one Bowie wore in 1973 during his Aladdin Sane phase.

Candice Swanepoel on the Victoria’s Secret catwalk in 2009 in an asymmetrical jumpsuit reminiscent of the infamous Ziggy suits designed by Kansai Yamamoto for David Bowie who was one of the first ones to collaborate with fashion designers to create his costumes.

Miuccia Prada‘s F/W 2012 collection for Miu Miu was basically a remake of the 1971 music video “Life On Mars?”.

The same could be said for Gucci‘s S/S 2016 collection. I am convinced that the new Dionysus bag would have been loved by the legendary David Bowie.

Here is a funny one: there’s a website of cult fans that believe Tilda Swinton and Bowie are the same person. Check out Tilda Stardust, it is hilarious.

David Bowie print T-shirt by R13

Jeremy Deller God Bless David Bowie tote by House of Voltaire

His legend lives on in both industries, music and fashion, as David Bowie himself does today, in immortality. Rest in peace and thank you for all your inspirations!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Vogue Paris, Vogue UK, Mick Rock/Taschen, Brian Duffy / David Bowie Archive, Getty Images

This spring, CHANEL pays tribute to my favorite city in the world, Los Angeles, with their upcoming make-up collection L.A. SUNRISE. Discover the most beautiful colours that reveal the vibrant mood of an endless summer in the City of Angels. Flashes of purple, teal and green capture the city’s carefree spirit, while a dreamy spectrum of pink, coral and raspberry shades evoke the California morning skies.

SUNKISS RIBBON BLUSH | CHF 70.00 | LIMITED EDITION

In an interlaced-ribbon design, this exclusive creation brightens cheeks with a radiant palette of pink, beige and coral, and leaves a smooth, satin finish.

ILLUSION D’OMBRE | CHF 47.00

Ocean Light (122)
Griffith Green (126)
Moonlight Pink (118)

LES 4 OMBRES | CHF 77.00

Tissé Beverly Hills (262)

STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF | CHF 35.00

Fervent Blue (924)
Pacific Green (925)
Purple Choc (926)

ROUGE COCO SHINE | CHF 46.00

Shipshape (114)

Mighty (116)
Energy (118)

LE VERNIS | CHF 33.00

Sunset Strip (683)

The collection is in stores in Switzerland Mid January 2016.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Since the moment the Dior So Real Sunglasses hit the shelves, they have become an immediate success. Spotted on fashionistas and celebrities all over the world, this eye candy can now be customized online and you can create your very own pair.

To get started to personalize your own My Dior So Real, you need to choose from three lenses which comes in a variety of colors: Mirrored, Semi Mirrored or Double Mirrored.

Next is to choose the colors for the eyebrow, metal frame, temples and nosepad. Finally, you can add up to 18 characters for a tone-on-tone engraving on the temple.
All lenses ensure 100% UV protection.

My very own personalized My Dior So Real sunglasses with my name engraved on the temple.

A pair of My Dior So Real Sunglasses will take up to seven weeks to be delivered. Owing to the personalised and made-to-order nature of these items, they cannot be refunded, exchanged or cancelled. The price for a pair of custom shades is about €580.00/£465.00.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED WITH YOUR PERSONALIZED MY DIOR SO REAL SUNGLASSES.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior, Getty and © Sandra Bauknecht

One of my New Year’s resolutions has been to do everything with good vibes only, which means also things that I hate such as grocery shopping. Never forget… good vibes attract good lives! With this in mind have a wonderful day!

My look: Brown leopard print duffle coat by Saint Laurent, black dress by Prada, black cardigan and crystal embellished biker boots, both by Miu Miu, Dionysus Blooms print shoulder bag by Gucci, green wool hat by Stella McCartney and necklace by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Give your wardrobe a new season update with a denim bag. An array of different choices is waiting for you. I am in love with those classics that are re-interpreted with embroidered butterflies or flowers. For a night out, denim clutches are perfect when you only want to carry your essentials.

1 Natalia medium leather-trimmed denim shoulder bag by Tom Ford
2 Monogramme medium denim shoulder bag by Saint Laurent
3 The Falabella mini embroidered denim shoulder bag by Stella McCartney
4 My Rockstud embroidered denim and textured-leather tote by Valentino (my favourite!)
5 The Pashli mini denim and textured-leather trapeze bag by 3.1 Phillip Lim
6 Milla denim clutch by Jimmy Choo

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Here is the outfit that I wore to La Prairie‘s exquisite Golden Hour dinner. The dress code said a touch of gold and this is what I came up with.

My look: Gold leather jacket «Votez Coco», black sweater with gold details and clutch bag «Je ne suis pas en solde», all by Chanel, pleated magenta silk-blend lamé skirt by Christopher Kane, Heloise leather lace-Up boots by Gucci, Diorette ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last month, I was invited to a very special seated dinner by LA PRAIRIE to celebrate the launch of the brand’s newest product CELLULAR RADIANCE PERFECTING FLUIDE PURE GOLD from the Cellular Radiance Collection at a private home in Zurich.

The exquisite 3-course menu prepared by Frank Widmer, Park Hyatt Zurich’s renowned chef,  let us indulge in the essence of golden opulence.

With Frank Widmer at the dinner. The dress code was a touch of gold.

Gold-infused main course.

Werner Dirks, General Manager La Prairie Switzerland.

CELLULAR RADIANCE PERFECTING FLUIDE PURE GOLD

The Swiss beauty brand’s latest advancement in radiance is a gold-infused serum that fills wrinkles within one hour using potent age-defying technology to revitalize and perfect the skin. Bathed in golden light, your skin is visibly perfected in an instant. Over time, this liquid gold deeply revitalizes and enhances your complexion. You will look sublime, irresistible, as if lit from within.

The scientists at La Prairie have harnessed the power of pure gold and combined it with an exclusive Golden Lotus Blend made with Lotus Japonicas, an extraordinary flower long-revered for its luminous and brightening abilities.

Apply the new fluide in the morning and evening after cleansing, toning and the serum application. Allow it to absorb completely. If you need additional moisture, it can also be applied over your favourite moisturizer.

2016 starts with probably the most luxurious skincare release of the year. CELLULAR RADIANCE PERFECTING FLUIDE PURE GOLD will be available for CHF 620.- (40ml) from January 25, 2016.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Prairie and © Sandra Bauknecht 

«Where do his tennis dresses, his sailor dresses come from? Where did he find them? On the steps of Delphi. In the wardrobe of Electra. They are modern and they are antique.»
Violette Leduc ‘Is Courrèges Wearable?’ Vogue, 1965.

Courrèges S/S 2016

September marked Courrèges‘ first runway show in 13 years, and the House’s new designers Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant offered a fresh take on the iconic «Space Age» classics. The LVMH Prize finalists got down to the basics, a great start to revive André Courrèges’ famous label of the ’60s. Unfortunately, Monsieur Courrèges, who retired from his vocation in the mid-1990s, won’t experience this relaunch to the fullest. Last week, he lost his 30 year battle with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 92.

André Courrèges

Born in 1923 in France, Courrèges was a major force in ’60s fashion and helped define a generation. After graduating in engineering, he studied fashion and textile design which got him a job at . He Balenciaga for ten years, where he developped his great skills in cutting garments. In 1961 he launched his own eponymous fashion house.

Space Age coat by Courrèges, 1964

His breakthrough came with his 1964 «Space Age» collection. Stars such as Brigitte Bardot and Catherine Deneuve loved the designer’s ground-breaking geometry, plastic miniskirts and futuristic textiles.

Moschino’s S/S 2013 show was a copy of Courrèges’s 1965 collection (here seen at Audrey Hepburn).

Courrèges left, Moschino S/S 2013 right

His favorite silhouette was known as «Moon Girl» look, that he embellished with oddities such as googles and astronaut helmets.

His famous miniskirts

Courrèges was also known for his extremely short angular mini skirts and trouser suits in black-and-white. Over many years, there was a dispute with Mary Quant, who claimed to have first popularized the miniskirt. Regardless of who came first, his skirts were definitely the shortest and his creations came to symbolize the Swinging Sixties.

1968: Models pose in red and white looks

Andre Courreges at his S/S 1973 fashion show.

New owners: Frédéric Torloting and Jacques Bungert

In 1967, Courrèges married his assistant, Coqueline Barriere who took over artistic direction of the company upon his retirement. In 2011, the couple sold a majority stake of their company to two Frédéric Torloting and Jacques Bungert, the two former co-presidents of the Paris branch of Young & Rubicam.

Courrèges x Estée Lauder make-up collection

Last Spring, Estée Lauder and Courrèges collaborated and launched a 12-piece make-up, including the first false lashes for the beauty giant, and added Kendall Jenner as their face. To shop, please click here.

French President Francois Hollande paid tribute in a statement that described Courrèges as a “revolutionary designer” who “made his mark on French haute couture.”

Another fashion icon has left our planet. Rest in peace, Monsieur Courrèges and thank you!

TO SHOP THE NEWEST DESIGNS BY COURRÈGES ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Courrèges, Estée Lauder, via Vogue, AGIP/RDA/EVERETT COLLECTION, Getty Images 

A hijabista is the Muslim equivalent of a fashionista, a trend-loving Muslim woman or girl who dresses stylishly while conforming to the Islamic modesty code. This market is still untapped but for sure very lucrative. Muslim shoppers spent $266 billion on clothing and footwear in 2013 according to a report by Thomson Reuters. That’s more than the total fashion spending of Japan and Italy combined and the number is expected to almost double to $484 billion by 2019.

Dolce & Gabbana has realized the potential and is launching a collection of hijabs and abayas for their Middle East customers. The modest garments have all the flair and iconic details such as lace or prints of any other Dolce & Gabbana collection. They are styled alongside the label’s fantastic accessories like fashion jewelry, oversized sunglasses, and statement bags. I am absolutely convinced that Muslim customers with a taste for luxury fashion will adore this new line.

It will be interesting to see if the collection will only sell in the Middle East or if online platforms such as NET-A-PORTER, MATCHESFASHION and LUISAVIAROMA will take this opportunity as well.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana