Sandra‘s Closet

My dear readers, I just wanted to give you a quick notice that NET-A-PORTER’S INTERNATIONAL SALE is launching this morning. There are some great products marked down up to 50% off. Have fun!

TO SHOP, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Below are some of my favourites that would be perfect for the new season.

LoL, Sandra

Crystal-studded suede pumps by Valentino (30% off)

Silk-georgette and cotton top by Giambattista Valli (30% off)

Wool mini skirt by Saint Laurent (50% off)

Two-tone silk sweater by Jil Sander (50% off)

Photos: Courtesy of net-à-porter.com

Last night was probably the best one I have ever had in Tuscany. I was absolutely determined to go to bed early but that didn’t happen. It was so much fun being re-united with my favourite blogger colleagues and of course the LUISAVIAROMA team. The first Firenze4Ever evening started off with cocktails at the store.

Our host, Andrea Panconesi, owner of LUISAVIAROMA, with my beloved Hilary from Lyst and my humble self.

Bryanboy and gorgeous Tina from Bagsnob.

In the car with Hilary on our way to the next stop: La Fattoria Delle Corti, a gorgeous location 20 minutes outside of Florence, in the Tuscany wine region.

Hilary and me with Tiani from Belmodo

My look: Printed jumpsuit with studs, matching chiffon poncho, both by Givenchy, pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps and Betty chain red leather shoulder bag, both by Saint Laurent.

Tiani, Tina and lovely Camilla with me.

Having fun at dinner with Bryan and Tina.

After we left the Fattoria, we went to the pool party at Roberto Cavalli’s mansion which was absolutely amazing. The ambiance, the house, the enormous gardens, every little detail was just beautiful. The music was outstanding and I danced until dawn. Before leaving, I even spoke to Roberto’s parrot as you can see in the last picture.

The decor reminded me a lot of the one that Roberto Cavalli created for the amfAR gala.

I am sure that you are curious how Roberto Cavalli’s palace looks like. It is amazing as you can imagine. I would like to respect his privacy but of course I have some photos for you. Enjoy!

I am off to more adventures today! Firenze4Ever is the best…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, I flew to Florence for the 7th edition of Firenze4Ever with LUISAVIAROMA. I love travelling in comfortable clothes that still look stylish. Here you can see me at the Zurich airport before heading off to Bella Italia.

My look: Black leather biker jacket by Saint Laurent, floral ptint top, oversized silk tapered pants and matching clutch bag, all by 3.1 Phillip Lim, flats with pale pink bow by Prada, ring by Roberto Cavalli and necklace with movable teddy bear by Dior.

If you are interested in live updates from Firenze4Ever, follow me on twitter or instagram (@sandrascloset).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The Mediterranean love story of Dolce & Gabbana’s LIGHT BLUE fragrances returns with a fascinating new chapter. This time, the two lovers chart a new course, with Italian model Bianca Balti cast as a classic Mediterranean beauty who takes the lead in a game of seduction. She is irresistible to the gorgeous David Gandy.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are extremely proud of Light Blue’s legacy, which includes several fragrance awards. Light Blue was also featured in an exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York as one of the century’s most groundbreaking scents.

Bianca Balti’s character portrays the Italian femme fatale in perfection.

Light Blue Pour Femme is available as EdT 50ml (€ 69), 100ml (€ 93), Shower Gel 200ml (€ 34), Body Cream 200ml (€ 36) and Deodorant Spray 150ml (€ 34).

David Gandy celebrates his third Light Blue advertising campaign with this episode.

Light Blue Pour Homme is available as EdT 40ml (€ 49), 75ml (€ 61), 125ml (€ 86), Shower Gel 200ml (€ 28), Deodorant Spray 150ml (€ 28) and Deodorant Stick 75g (€ 28).

The advertising campaign features the glittering sapphire blue waters of Capri and was shot by Mario Testino. This time the imagery has a retro Mediterranean look, with Bianca dressed in a 50s style bikini of high-waisted briefs and a balcony bra, like the seaside fashion of Capri when Elizabeth Taylor and Jacqueline Kennedy holidayed there. The island has always been one of Italy’s most beautiful summer playgrounds and the backdrop to many great love affairs.

Below you can enjoy some exclusive behind the scenes shots. David and Bianca look so stunning together… I love it.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

Love playful statement tops? Zoe Karssen is the brand for you. Founded in Amsterdam in 2010 by design duo Zoe and Quince Karssen, their quirky slogan tees are instantly recognizable, and this Good Girls Love Bad Boys cotton-blend sweatshirt is my latest must-have. Cut from a super soft cotton and modal-blend, its lightweight style is an effortless choice. I will team it with everything from skinny jeans to pencil skirts.

TO SHOP, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Zoe Karssen and via malemodelscene.net

The first Piaget Rose Day is tomorrow on June 13, 2013 – a special occasion for a special rose, the Yves Piaget rose. It will be celebrated around the world, becoming an annual event for the brand. An ode to the rose and a fitting tribute to springtime.

To mark the occasion, special events have been organised in Piaget boutiques all over the world. The day honoring this distinctive rose will also be an opportunity to discover the collections it has inspired. I am absolutely in love with those romantic and dramatic jewlery creations that you see me wearing here.

To celebrate this day to the fullest, Piaget hosts in Paris a private Melody Gardot concert in a secret venue near Place Vendôme. The ambassador of the Piaget Rose collection will sing her version of ‘La Vie en Rose’ that she has created in honor of the famous jewelry brand. Bar Rafaeli, the face of the campaign, will also be present.

And I have also a very big surprise and some exciting news to share. I am a new ambassador for Piaget and I couldn’t be more happy about it! During the next months, you will be discovering some interesting projects, so please stay tuned!

In the meantime, I invite you to enter the Piaget Rose Contest by clicking on the picture below. Write your message now and make June 13 an unforgettable day for your loved one. Only a few hours left…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Piaget and © Sandra Bauknecht

After the success of last year’s NACRE, Giorgio Armani will launch its new limited edition couture fragrance NUANCES this month.

Inspired by the beautiful Armani fabric designs, seen on the S/S 2013 runway, the packaging comes with an organza pouch to store the bottle.

The woody-iris fragrance was designed by famous French perfumer Nathalie Lorson and is made from noble raw materials, just like a couture dress for your skin. She explained the central idea: “The S/S 2013 collection is representative of a fashion which is halfway between masculine and feminine where different materials and textures are superimposed. This fragrance is a reflection of the new collection with its combination of the intensive, masculine, magnetic nature of the vetiver with the powdery, silky, feminine delicateness of the iris.”

WOODY FLORAL

Top notes: Floral vetiver and orris
Middle notes: Bergamot, cinnamon, heliotrope and iris
Base notes: Vetiver and sandalwood

Armani Privé NUANCES is available as 100 ml Eau de Parfum for CHF 690.00 with only 1000 bottles made worldwide. In Switzerland at Jelmoli Zurich, Globus Geneva plus at the Armani store in Zurich.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP ARMANI PRIVE NUANCES ONLINE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani

Today, I have more amazing news! I am so excited and cannot wait for the weekend to come. This Saturday, I will be off to Florence to attend LUISAVIAROMA‘s amazing FIRENZE4EVER ON STAGE event. Those of you who have been following me since quite a while know how much fun it will be as I am back for the fourth time. At the end of this post you can find the highlights of the previous editions.

What is FIRENZE4EVER all about?
The cultural heritage of Florence, the most important Italian fashion destination online, the world’s most influential fashion icons, trendsetters and bloggers, an exclusive location and a fantastic live event… these are the ingredients that will spice up the three-day event hosted by LUISAVIAROMA.

This time, it is inspired by the era of rock, punk, grunge… one of the biggest F/W 2013 trends. FIRENZE4EVER ON STAGE is a salute to the music that defined an attitude and the attitude that continues to inspire fashion.

Francesco Mele with his fiancé Bianca Balti for Vogue Brasil August 2012 – She Rocks! by Fernando Lombardi

But it is not only about celebrating fashion, above all, it is an hommage to Florence and investing in its most precious resource: its culture. In fact, this season, it will contribute to the restoration of the fountain in the Vasca dell’Isola (Island Basin) in the Boboli Gardens, where the private Dinner Party closing the event will take place. On the evening of 17th June, the most cutting edge names of the international underground rock scene will be “ON STAGE,” including Francis and the Cats (with the celebrated Francesco Mele) and Goose, the Belgian alternative-electro band described by The Guardian as the link that joins rock, electronic and DJ-set.

An extraordinary edition where art, music and fashion meet between the virtual and the physical, thanks to the support of LUISAVIAROMA.

Some of the highlights of previous FIRENZE4EVER editions that I attended (January 2011, June 2011, January 2012) were for the example the Mulberry tea party book launch, my interview with Laudomia Pucci, the amazing dinner at the church, Pug Dogs for Happy Kids auction and of course all those fun style labs.

Here are my favorites. If you click on the photo, you will be transfered to the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Luisaviaroma, style.com, Vogue Brasil, © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, I have some breaking fashion news for you: H&M‘s newest collaboration has been revealed. It is no other than ISABEL MARANT who will bring her French touch to the Swedish brand. With her effortless style, the French designer has created a widely influential and successful take on Paris chic. Mixing urban attitude, boho elegance and rock ‘n’ roll spirit, she delivers a genuine French allure. For H&M, Isabel Marant will create a wardrobe of must-have pieces inspired by her signature style. Available from November 14, 2013, in around 250 stores worldwide and online, the collection features clothing and accessories for women and teenagers. Isabel will also, for the first time, create a collection for men.

“I am flattered by this collaboration: H&M works with the best designers and this invitation is an exciting honour. I aim at creating something real, that women want to wear in their everyday lives, with a certain carelessness, which I think is very Parisian: you dress up, but do not pay too much attention and still look sexy. The collection is infused with this kind of easiness and attitude. Everything can be mixed following one’s own instincts: my take on fashion is all about personality” says Isabel Marant.

ABOUT ISABEL MARANT

Born and raised in Paris, she started customising her own clothes while still at high school. A graduate of the famed Studio Berçot, Marant worked her way up the fashion system starting with a jewelry line, then adding knitwear, finally launching her eponymous collection in 1994. Today she runs an internationally successful fashion powerhouse with a string of boutiques worldwide. Her Parisian chic style, a mix of bohemia and masculine tailoring, grows in popularity season after season.

I am truly excited for this collaboration!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M and Isabel Marant

Monday fashion shuffle: the carrousel is turning again. This morning, New York-based designer, and Michelle Obama favourite, Jason Wu has been named artistic director of HUGO BOSS womenswear. The 30-year old Taiwan born will oversee his team at the headquarters in Metzingen, Germany, and also open a design studio in New York. He will continue to grow his own namesake label that he founded in 2007. The first HUGO BOSS collection under Jason Wu’s artistic direction will debut in New York during Pre-Fall 2014 and he will stage the first runway show during the New York F/W 2015 Fashion Week in February 2014.

In the meantime, MULBERRY has announced that its creative director of six years, Emma Hill, will step down in the coming months. Rumours are that she is now in the running to succeed Reed Krakoff at Coach, when he is stepping down to focus on his eponymous label in June 2014.
Let’s see who will be replacing Hill at Mulberry… such a pity that the talented designer will be leaving the British brand.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the brands