Sandra‘s Closet

This month, I have got some really nice Swiss press that I am very happy about and which I would like to share with you.

For my German speaking readers:
Top left: The October issue of SI Style magazine is available now featuring my column in which I tell you a little more about my recent trip through Iceland.

For my French speaking readers:
Top right: Bilan magazine (N°14) featured me along fellow colleagues such as lovely Jorge S.B. Guerreiro in an article about a blogger’s secret of success.

Bottom left: The last edition of Le Matin Dimanche (N°258) included a picture of me in their article about the Dom Pérignon x Jeff Koons launch event in New York (post coming up shortly).

Bottom right: This week, amazing Florence Jacquinot mentioned me in her recent TV appearance on La Télé about New York Fashion Week. A huge thank you, Flo!
You can watch it here (around 2:52).

LoL, Sandra

The famous Gucci bamboo collection has been an icon for decades, first introduced by the brand’s artisans in the ’40s. I still remember how impressed I have been when I visited the Gucci manufacture last year and actually experienced the amazing craftsmanship and work process behind such a bag and its bamboo handles that have become synonymous for the Italian fashion house. This striking model in the pictures is called Lady Lock and is the newest addition for F/W 2013. Its contemporary silhouette works perfect for everday use.

My look: Floral-print smocked silk-chiffon top, stretch-leather skinny pants, grey hat, suede pumps, earrings and Lady Lock ostrich leather top handle bamboo bag, all by Gucci. Rose ring by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Gucci

Spotted on Valentino’s F/W 2013 runway, this new calf leather clutch is the ultimate statement accessory. It features a front strap detail that is as functional as it is fashionable. You might imagine my excitement when this beauty arrived personalized with my initials and a handwritten note from the house’s designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, at my doorstep. Thank you, Valentino, for one of the best gifts ever!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week, I attended the Diesel Black Gold S/S 2014 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, such an amazing location to host a runway presentation.

For Andreas Melbostad‘s second season, he describes his inspiration like this: “A new ease of attitude by combining opposing icons to express strength and fearlessness”. The collection evolves its iconic staples to include a new, courageous fragility: metal eyelets, discs, zippers, buckles and hardware accents introduce luxe industrial elements, for a range of pieces, from leather to georgette. Lighter, softer materials – silk crepe de chine, silk georgette, cotton poplin, cotton voile – are juxtaposed against the collection’s utilitarian core of leather and denim.

I love the jeans that come with a more slouchy fit at the hips and deep rolled cuffs at the ankle. A pastel leather moto jacket will definitely be on my wish list. The only question is white, icy blue or baby pink?

LoL, Sandra

Designer Andreas Melbostad whom I met the first time this spring in Zurich (For the previous post, please click here please).

Front row: Renzo Rosso framed by Coco Rocha to the left and Kanye West to the right

Photos: Courtesy of Diesel Black Gold and © Sandra Bauknecht

AMY SMILOVIC is the mastermind behind the must-have fashion label Tibi. The charming designer shared during New York Fashion Week her travel tips for STOCKHOLM with me. After a recent trip to Sweden, she has become a huge fan of the Scandinavian city.

Your favourite city?
I visited STOCKHOLM this Spring and fell in love. My grandfather’s family came over from Sweden in the early 1900s so it was interesting to discover my roots.

Your favourite hotel?
GRAND HOTEL for stunning views of the harbor and Gamla Stan “the old town”.
Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8 – 103 27 Stockholm, +46 8 679 35 00

Your favourite restaurant?
TEATERGRILLEN for the crayfish—it reminds me of the south where I grew up.
Nybrogatan 3 – 114 34 Stockholm, +46 8 545 035 65

I also love ÖSTERMALMS SALUHALL, a sensational food hall full of fine foods, different stalls of fresh seafood, cheeses, meat and fruit stands, bakeries, wine bars and intimate restaurants. Delicacies served to you on the spot, I always come home with some great local products.
Östermalmstorg – 114 39 Stockholm

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
RICHE (order some late night meatballs) and RESTAURANG 1900, modeled after a 1920s-era speakeasy; I love the old school cocktails crafted by the master mixologists.
Riche: Birger Jarlsgatan 4 – 114 34 Stockholm, +46 8 545 035 60
Restaurang 1900: Regeringsgatan 66 – 111 39 Stockholm, +46 8 20 60 10

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
The MODERNA MUSEET, they have great exhibitions of international artists. Walking through Gamla Stam is like going back in time with it’s medieval buildings. And FOTOGRAFISKA, one of the largest photographic galleries in the world.
Moderna Museet: Exercisplan 4 – 111 49 Stockholm, +46 8 519 552 00
Fotografiska: Stadsgården 22 116 45 Stockholm, +46 8 509 005 00

Your favourite park?
The BERGIANSKA TRÄDGARDEN, a beautiful botanical garden and park on the waterfront. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon exploring exotic plants and ornate greenhouses.
Gustafsborgsvägen 4 – 114 18 Stockholm, +46 8 545 917 00

Your favourite tour?
It’s great to get out by boat (weather permitting) and tour some of the ARCHIPELAGO ISLANDS.

Your favourite shop?
The Bibliotekstan area for stores like NATHALIE SCHUTERMAN, FILIPPA K and ACNE.

Your must-have accessory?
My iPad, iPod, and iPhone!

The best soundtrack for this destination?
Django Django soundtrack.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
PARIS by Edward Rutherfurd

Thank you, Amy, for sharing your insider scoop on Stockholm with us!

LoL, Sandra

“The easy glamour of the French Riviera in the late 1960s — inspired by Romy Schneider’s character in La Piscine — mixed with garden elements. Blueprint, botanical, lattice, Queen Anne’s lace and folly prints are paired with cleaner silhouettes and proportions in a fresh palette of green, white and coral.” — Tory Burch

Tory Burch referenced Romy Schneider in La Piscine and came up with a beautiful vintage vibe for S/S 2014. Inspired by the late 1960s, the pretty looks that came down the blue pool-like runway at New York Fashion Week last Tuesday, offered luxurious lace and florals, outstanding embroideries, botanical prints and needless to say, Tory’s iconic statement accessories.

Personally speaking, being so ultra-feminine, elegant and wearable, it is one of her best collections to date.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tory Burch and © Sandra Bauknecht

Be part of London Fashion Week and watch the Burberry Prorsum S/S 2014 fashion show live on Sandra’s Closet tomorrow afternoon. Here is your front row invite, enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

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Last Tuesday morning during New York Fashion Week, I started the day off with a head to toe look from Tory Burch to see her S/S 2014 show (post coming up soon). This amazing print along with the neutral bag is an iconic Tory look, something so beautiful that could easily work for a business meeting, to run around after the kids or to go out at night.

My look:Jade silk tunic with matching skirt, frame bag, all by Tory Burch and suede shoes by Gucci, Hapi leather barcelet by Hermès, Atlas sterling silver bangles by Tiffany & Co. and rose ring by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

In Frankfurt am Main in Germany, the 65th International Motor Show IAA has opened its doors and a fashionable collaboration on wheels between two companies that are linked by history, tradition and exclusiveness has been unveiled:
The Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna.

Featuring an unique new look in colour scheme, materials and finish, the car, presented as a limited edition concept, is intended for development into a production version in 2014 and will maintain the same personality and quality of the current Quattroporte range.

The exterior comes with a special effect paint finish that simulates the fluidity and purity of metal, by using ultra-fine aluminium pigments. A gloss black primer amplifies the brilliance of the aluminium pigments and creates a sensation of depth. The platinum metal colour effect finish is warmly nuanced to express the car’s classic and sophisticated yet technically advanced character. The material and chromatic research behind the Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition is based on a play between the classical and the contemporary.

A leading role is played by its interior. Classical warm hues like mocha and greige are re-interpreted in a modern key to emulate Zegna’s latest men’s S/S 2014 fashion collection, conveying a formal, sophisticated character.

Interior components such as seats, door panels and roof lining are finished in genuine soft leather, in addition to a velvet-smooth, bright fabric that, due to Zegna’s vast experience and know-how, guarantees the level of performance needed for automotive applications.

I am loving it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Ermenegildo Zegna and Maserati

Going backstage before the Michael Kors S/S 2014 show was a truly great experience as I was able to explore the newly launched collection of amazing makeup products, body and sun care, and three new fragrances, set to launch in Switzerland in October 2013.

The look was all about the American designer’s beloved healthy glow and the new bronzer compacts were bringing the colour to the models’ cheekbones. Makeup artist Dick Page explained his inspiration for the runway make-up look and told me more about the new range, which is divided into three different “moods”, so-called SPORTY, SEXY, and GLAM, one to represent each of the Michael Kors woman’s changing moods.

“Very cool and downplayed, probably the cleanest look I’ve done in a while,” Dick Page told me. “The look is clean and warm. The collection has sort of 40s elements to it, so we didn’t want to get too ‘costumey’.”

He goes on: “I am mixing the two bronzers, using the SPORTY one ‘Glow’ for the general warmth on the face and the SEXY one ‘Flush’ on the cheeks almost like a blush accent. For the lips, I took the berry shade ‘Dame’ from the GLAM collection which is first painted on with a lip brush, then blotted and powdered over with a light tan eye shadow to diffuse the colour to the edge of the mouth, just for a hint of the shade. I also used the same eye shadow like a sort of concealer around the eye.

When I created that look, I was kind of thinking black and white, tone and structure of the face, something healthy, relaxed animated. Very confident, very Kors. Michael likes a lot of energy.”

Manicurist Jin Soon Choi, that I have had just met at Tibi backstage at few days ago, was applying the perfect nude nail polish ‘Hint’ from the SPORTY collection onto the models’ hands and feet, a sophisticated nail tone perfect for all skin tones.

The three new fragrances are:

SPORTY CITRUS – For the confident woman.
A crisp scent with orange and mandarin at the forefront, while warm woods and white florals linger in the background.

SEXY AMBER – For the seductress.
It puts the spotlight on sumptuous amber wrapped in sandalwood and musk, against a bright backdrop of dazzling orange, mandarin and white florals.

GLAM JASMINE – For the lady who likes to turn heads.
Giving center stage to Kors’ beloved floral note, jasmine, while warm woodsy notes and sparkling citrus are less prominent, the fragrance is overtly feminine.

Michael Kors with American television personality Joan Rivers backstage before the show.

After all those backstage photos, you might be interested in how the collection looked like on the runway. Here we go with my favourite looks. Are you sexy, sporty, or glam? With Michael Kors’ new fashion must-haves, your entire closet can match your personality according to your mood. The designer has created one of his best collections ever, with colours to match whichever occasion you choose. Two things not included? Michael Kors replied: “No flip-flops and leggings.But the collection is glamourous and practical at the same time.” And I am sure it will sell out fast… front row A-listers Kate Mara and Katie Holmes looked like they wanted to have every single piece. Get in line, ladies, we all want Michael!

LoL, Sandra

Runway Photos: Courtesy of Michael Kors, All Backstage Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht