Sandra‘s Closet

One year ago, 3.1 Phillip Lim launched the PASHLI bag which has become one of the most desirable objects for fashionistas around the globe. This sleek leather satchel is big enough to fit all of your everyday essentials, much like the Céline Boston or Trapeze bag that has become a staple in editors’ wardrobes—but with a slightly more feasible price tag.

I love the functional zip pockets and the under the radar branding – just the perfect balance between classic and contemporary.

For this fall, rich spice tones make up the prevailing colour palette for fall, so upgrade your current carryall to 3.1 Phillip Lim’s burgundy ‘Pashli’ tote. Slide the top handles into the crook of your arm and let this piece complement hushed prints and muted shades. Or opt for a vibrant colour such as pink or fuchsia. The black version will keep your look fashion-forward no matter how busy the day is. 3.1 Phillip Lim bags are available at Net-à-porter, Monnier Frères, Matches and Farfetch among others.

At Saks Fifth Avenue, you can pre-order the upcoming Resort 2013 Pashli totes now.

“The Pashli is cool, easy and chic,” Phillip Lim told Vogue. “The perfect bag for the Phillip Lim girl.” Why is it that as soon as something sells out it becomes even more desirable?

LoL, Sandra

I would love to be a New York City Girl. Living in this vibrant city that has so much energy and that offers so many things to do, sounds too good to be true. Whenever I am there, I am truly enjoying my time. But I have to admit that I also like to come back to my very picturesque and calm Switzerland where I can always recharge my batteries before leaving for new adventures.

Those photos were taking on the terrace of Mondrian Soho‘s penthouse suite.
My look: Printed silk crepe de chine shirt by Miu Miu, Jessica flared crepe mini skirt by Stella McCartney, Rockstud ankle boots by Valentino, black leather bag by Prada, earrings by Dolce & Gabbana and cocktail ring by Roberto Cavalli.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Pick a spooky treat for your fashionable monsters this Halloween. Stella McCartney offers some stylish and scary sleepwear for your little ones that they will surely adore.

Louie Pyjamas by Stella McCartney –
Organic cotton glow-in-the-dark monster print sleepwear, € 60.-
Available from 2 to 14 years

Giggle all in one by Stella McCartney –
Baby glow-in-the dark print organic cotton jersey all in one with feet, € 55.-
Available from 3 to 24 months

Happy Stellaween!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Stella McCartney

To fight your upcoming winter blues, I recommend COLOUR! It is a great way to lighten up foggy days and grey skies. Here is a perfect outfit for you:

Vintage Whisper cotton slub-jersey top by Splendid, flared faille mini skirt by Miu Miu, leather and watersnake platform pumps by Nicholas Kirkwood, Saya printed silk-twill square scarf and Cayla embellished patent-leather clutch, both by Jimmy Choo in collaboration with Rob Pruitt.

Jimmy Choo has joined forces with contemporary artist Rob Pruitt for a fabulous, limited-edition range of handbags and shoes. Pruitt gained art-world attention in the late Eighties for his colourful, pop art-influenced work. Think panda-print flats, rainbow-hued pumps and crystal-adorned clutches. If you like the clutch and the scarf above, you might be also interested in those goodies below:

Angel Swarovski crystal panda minaudière and Devil Swarovski crystal panda minaudière

Anouk lace-covered leather pumps

Nixon printed patent-leather luggage tag

Wheel Loe angel and devil embroidered leopard-print calf hair loafers

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jimmy Choo

Another blockbuster fashion event took place this week in NYC. One evening after the Maison Martin Margiela with H&M launch party, Donatella Versace hosted a cocktail party to celebrate the opening of her new Versace boutique in Soho on 160, Mercer Street followed by a dinner at the Waldorf Towers.

A huge variety of celebrities chose to attend both events, with everyone from Gerard Butler and Kanye West to supermodel Linda Evangelista and close friend of the House Lady Gaga.

Carrying both menswear and womenswear ready-to-wear collections in addition to accessories, the store will also house special collaborations.

Kicking off the shop’s opening, Donatella Versace tapped Christopher Kane, who also creates the Versus line, to design a capsule collection of tees and other items with iconic Versace images pulled from the archives, which will be sold exclusively at the Soho store. With printed T-shirts being so à la mode, be sure that those tops will activate another fashion hype!

Below, find a complete list of celebrities who chose to wear Versace:

Donatella Versace entered the cocktail party at the boutique in a Fall 2012 black corset top with a Swarovski encrusted jewelled cross emblem on the front with a velvet pencil skirt (see photo below with Princess Charlene of Monaco).  She changed later for the dinner into another look from Fall 2012 (as you can see above with Lady Gaga) – she was perfect in a black Versace leather top with crescent-shaped neckline with Swarovski crystal details and Versace leather pants, completely embedded with Swarovski crystal details from the knee down.

Princess Charlene of Monaco wore a chic black Versace cocktail dress paired with thigh-high leather Versace runway boots with a gold capped-toe. She finished her look with a black Versace cashmere waistcoat with leather inserts.

Linda Evangelista wore a black velvet Versace coat from the Fall 2012 runway enriched by Swarovski crystal crosses.

Doutzen Kroes wore a Versace Fall 2012 black coat with flared skirt covered entirely in Swarovski crystals.

Bar Refaeli looked amazing in a fitted black leather cocktail dress with Swarovski crystals detailing with a matching leather jacket and black Versace booties.

Coco Rocha wore a black dress with metallic detailing from Versace Fall 2012 paired with black Versace Fall pointed toe pumps.

Alexa Chung here with Christopher Kane wore a look from the Versus Fall 2012 runway: a burgundy knit turtleneck top paired with a matching leather miniskirt.

Karolina Kurkova wore a black leather bomber jacket with intricate floral detailing with a pencil skirt with a matching pattern, paired with black Versace pumps and a black Versace clutch.

Leigh Lezark sporting a yellow cocktail dress with leather cutouts at the hem and on the side with a modern crescent shaped neckline. She completed her look with black Versace shoes.

Tali Lennox, daughter of Annie Lennox, wore a full look from Versus Fall 2012 – she looked fabulous in a fuchsia top, miniskirt, and huge fur coat. She completed her outfit with blue booties with fuchsia inserts.

Hunger Games star Alexander Ludwig chose a Fall 2012 look – he wore a blue floral printed suit with matching tie. He completed his look with Versace Fall boots with gold buckles and a black Versace belt with a medusa buckle.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versace

This was my look that I wore to the amazing Maison Martin Margiela with H&M launch party this week in NYC: Millie tweed and wool-crepe dress by Stella McCartney, bow-embellished suede and snake-effect leather ankle boots by Miu Miu, Swarovski crystal necklace by Lanvin, cocktail rings by Roberto Cavalli and vintage ’70s style bag by Fendi.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday night, the Maison Martin Margiela with H&M collection was celebrated in New York. Mena Suvari, Chace Crawford, Alan Cumming, Helena Christensen, Julianne Moore, Sarah Jessica Parker, Selma Blair, Doutzen Kroes, Alexander Wang, and my humble self were some of the over 1 000 guests at the spectacular party on 5, Beekman Street.

The derelict and raw nine-story historical building in the city’s financial distric, housed around a glass-roofed atrium, was the perfect setting for the celebration of Maison Martin Margiela with H&M, decorated in the label’s signature white-painted style. As you can see, people were slack-jawed looking at the gorgeous location.

All celebrities wore already the new Maison Martin Margiela with H&M collection.
Enjoy my photos!

Chace Crawford with me

Me with the beautiful and overly sweet Julianne Moore who said: “It’s an amazing collaboration! Margiela is a beautiful brand – arty, iconoclastic and always edgy. And the quality is always amazing with H&M. Fashion is great because it’s an expression of who you are.”

Sarah Jessica Parker stated: “It’s incredible, so exciting to celebrate one of my favourite designers. They are mysterious and compelling and I’ve been a great fan of Margiela for many years. H&M, well, look at the lines of men and women lined up! It’s a great opportunity for people to have access to great designers. It makes luxury available to everyone. It’s very democratic and I’m all for it.”

Mena Suvari impressed with her lion tattoo.

Gorgeous Selma Blair talked a little about her beautiful newborn baby boy Arthur with me. Mums united!

Selma’s amazing shoes from the Maison Martin Margiela with H&M collection.

Me with Alan Cumming who said: “I’m here to see the lovely Margiela collection. I love the way H&M is doing collaborations with other designers. It’s a great thing, to make clothes stylish and affordable. The collaborations are a great idea, they are really amazing!”

Fashion designer Olivier Theyskens with me

Kayne West

Elena Perminova with me

“I’m a huge fan of Margiela and I love H&M – it’s a great collaboration. I never get surprised by H&M’s choices, every designer they pick I’m interested in. I’m always standing in the queue with my mother in the early mornings. I’ve been a fan of Margiela since the start”, said Helena Christensen.

Topmodel Doutzen Kroes

The collection was shown in an art and dance performace by choreographer Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker in squares of sand and further revealed in special art installations on various floors: artists Daniel Arsham, Frederique Chauveaux and Noemie Goudal, created sculptures, projections and photographs exclusively for the event. After that, DJ’s kept the party going into the early hours.

On the 9th floor of the buliding, a special pop-store was located where guests could shop the Maison Martin Margiela with H&M collection before its official launch on November 15th in around 230 H&M stores worldwide. Unfortunately, when I had finally arrived on the top floor, the best pieces were gone.

What an amazing night and a gorgeous collection – it was all about superlatives! Thank you, H&M, for having me! You guys rock!

LoL, Sandra

Photos of the first collage: Courtesy of H&M – All other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Girls have more fun – finally young ladies can also wear the gorgeous colourful, hand-painted bangles by Sal y Limon.

The first Miss SYL collection for girls is now available in six colours, seven designs and two sizes: Miss SYL small for CHF 24.90; Miss SYL medium for CHF 31.90 each. In Switzerland at Globus and Loeb.

My daughter wears them with great pleasure at her arm…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Sal y Limon and © Sandra Bauknecht

Here we go: Your exclusive preview of Maison Martin Margiela with H&M really up close! Today, I was able to browse through and try on the amazing collection at Mondrian Soho‘s penthouse suite. Personally speaking, I was truly impressed.

Before talking you through the collaboration, let me tell you a little more about the house of Margiela: The influential Belgian designer Martin Margiela founded his brand Maison Martin Margiela in 1988. He is the fashion scene’s ghost, compared to other eccentric designers, he has never granted an interview or even considered to being photographed. His employees are wearing lab coats and have also never been seen in pictures. I met some of them today. You will see their white uniform in the photos but I am not allowed to show you their faces. Margiela’s main focus is on the product and not on the individual behind it.

The label on his clothes is equally anonymous, a blank white rectangle and a circled number from 0 to 23 that corresponds to one of various lines in the Margiela range. Of course, the white stitches used to affix his label—often visible at the back of the garment—have become funilly enough an internationally recognized icon. Margiela has pushed fashion boundaries with clothes made of trash bags or vintage home furnishings  such as car seats or seat belts. In 2002, he sold a majority stake to Renzo Rosso, owner of Diesel.

The collaboration between Maison Martin Margiela and H&M presents a re-edition of iconic Margiela garnets and accessories for men and women. It consists of around 100 pieces. Each of them is specifically labelled with a unique tag indicating the season from which it originated, spanning 23 years. The most representative pieces of Margiela’s archive are reproduced in updated shapes and materials and offered to the broad public as an exclusive synopsis of their history. I think that is a very interesting approach of H&M. They are bringing fashion history to the masses which I adore.

The entire collection is divided into five groups:

Shape & Volume: Masculine shapes are adjusted to frame the female body.

Oversized: Pieces of the masculine and feminine wardrobe are presented in oversized versions of themselves.

Ambiguity: Conveyed through the use of trompe l’oeil.

Transformation: This occurs in different ways. Offering a new use and shape to otherwise typical objects and materials.

My favourites: The adjusted biker jacket and the amazing candy clutch in pink.

The adjusted biker jacket for women also looks great on men as René sports it in perfection. If you like his style, follow him on instagram @renewho.

Gray of Bootiesonmyfeet looks stunning in the belted Maison Martin Margiela with H&M leather jacket.

The candy clutches SS2010. A candy bar packaging is enlarged and transformed into an evening clutch bag.

Process of Tailoring: Traditional finishings and tailoring procedures are visible. Similarly, more specific sartorial concepts, particular to the world of couture are exposed.

Margareta van den Bosch, H&M’s Creative Advisor, with me

The accessories are absolutely divine. Now, I am getting ready for tonight’s party where we can also shop the new collection before it will officially hit the stores on November 15, 2012 worldwide.

Stay tuned for more.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Good morning from NYC! The sun is shining and I am awake early due to the time difference. This is the view of my beautiful hotel, the MONDRIAN SOHO.

I am typing this while I am enjoying my healthy breakfast in bed, some fresh pineapple with a soy cappuccino (actually three). This feels like heaven on earth.

The reason for my trip to NYC is an amazing invitation from H&M for their upcoming collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela. Tonight, on Tuesday October 23 at 8.30pm EST (Wednesday October 24 at 2.30am CET/1.30am GMT) the big launch party will take place here in New York. There will be an exclusive live footage from the red carpet on Facebook!

And of course, lots of photos from the event, the celebrities and my look here on Sandra’s Closet during the next days! Can you believe that it was one year ago, that I was here for the Versace for H&M launch party…?!

In the meantime, I have some beautiful photos of the hotel and my room for you:

To embellish the lobby walls, Mondrian SoHo has collaborated with NYC-based painter and photographer Marilyn Minter in presenting a wallpaper installation of her famous Kicksilver photograph, that captures a pair of Jimmy Choo stilettos in a splash of metallic vodka.

Here you see my room that offers some very sweet details. I love the colour combination of creamy blue and white.

A little surprise was waiting for me on the desk…

So excited for tonight…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht