Sandra‘s Closet

Jean Paul Gaultier‘s S/S 2013 show was the last one taking place Saturday night. In case you were tired, you would have been definitely awake and in an extremely good mood after. Why? Because the show was more entertaining than it was probably setting a fashion statement. The audience cheered and clapped to the French designer’s “homage to all the pop stars of the eighties who have influenced fashion and his fashion with their look”.

And who else could indulge in reminiscences better than the man who produced sculptured costumes for Madonna in her finest hour, starting with her famous cone bra for her 1990 Blond Ambition Tour. Personally speaking, I loved the show very much. It started with some beautiful Grace Jones-inspired looks followed by Hannelore Knuts as Annie Lennox in an iconic pinstriped Gaultier pantsuit to the sound of “Sweet Dreams”. Madonna, David Bowie, Boy George, Abba, Jane Birkin, Sade and others followed.

The last outfit was presented by ageless and famous disco legend Amanda Lear who brought this fun presentation to an uproarious close. “She’s got the look…alike”. With Gaultier’s mantra “be the star you wanna be”, your choice is manifold. Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust or Madonna’s Material Girl, the choices are manifold! I like!

LoL, Sandra

A fashionable drink before the show, Coke Light dressed by Jean Paul Gaultier.

Let the show get started and enjoy:

During the catwalk finale, one model fell down in these hard-to-walk-in heels.

Jean Paul Gaultier

Front row: Arielle Dombasle

After the show: Carine Roitfeld with me
All photos from the show: © Sandra Bauknecht

Thursday night, during Paris fashion week, an extravagant party launched the AdR at H&M collection with theatrical flair. Hosted by H&M together with fashion icon Anna Dello Russo, the Paradise Ball took place in Paris famed cabaret nightclub Paradis Latin.

The glitzy party married fashion, performance and a live showcase by music star Azealia Banks. Staying true to AdR’s belief that fashion is something that makes you dream, the eccentric party was all about fantasy and decoration.
“Excess for me means success”, said the fashion icon.

Caroline Piccinin (Le Matin), René Zibold (H&M) with me

Wigs and paper masks transformed the fashionable crowd all into Mini-Annas.

Cabaret-style “vogueing performances” as Anna described them, presented the collection in a very distinctive truly Parisian way.

My look: Powder gun dress by Mary Katrantzou, head piece by Christian Dior, pink bag by Lanvin and Tribtoo textured leather pumps by Yves Saint Laurent.

Friends and fashionistas, including Olivier Theyskens, Rachel Zoe, Poppy Delevingne, and super models Karlie Kloss, Constance Jablonski, and Liya Kebede among many others gathered to celebrate. There were so many famous people at the Paradis Latin as you can see below:

Renzo Rosso and Anna Dello Russo in a dress by Fausto Puglisi

Thomas Hayo (Germany’s Next Topmodel) and me

My beloved Mary Katrantzou

Fashion designer Jeremy Scott with me

Peter Dundas, Creative Director of Emilio Pucci, with me

It was a very fun night, the Paradise Ball was such a glamorous way to launch such an eye-catching collection. The playful line of jewelry, shoes and accessories that Anna Dello Russo designed for H&M, will be on sale from October 4, 2012, in 140 stores worldwide and online. Below are some of my favourite pieces.

LoL, Sandra

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

Last May, Chanel announced that Brad Pitt will be the new face of the house’s iconic scent Chanel N°5 (for the previous post, please click here). It is quite an unusual choice that a man represents a women’s fragrance. Now, this series of portraits shot by Mario Sorrenti have been released as a foretaste of what is to come. Which one is your favorite?

LoL, Sandra

Photos : Mario SORRENTI copyright CHANEL

I have loved Dior’s Nude makeup from its first introduction in 2009. Therefore, I was completely excited to explore this year’s “New Nude”, that is a brilliant step in makeup for a glowing and blushing complexion. Personally speaking, I couldn’t live without it!

The skin, like the dresses in the latest fashion collection, flushes with colour, brighter and more luminous than ever. Dior’s backstage expertise has given rise to the new range of Diorskin Nude foundation, which takes the skin’s natural glow to new heights.

Dior’s “New Nude”: a new signature foundation.

The star product in the Diorskin Nude range, this cult fluid is the essential item on every backstage makeup artist’s table, and is their secret for creating the enhanced nude look envied by all. In 2012, this light fluid acquires a new subtle velvet finish that blends into the skin, to deliver just the right amount of coverage without masking the skin’s texture. This creates a shine-free, natural glow with an idealised bare skin effect. Women who dream of perfect skin texture and a radiant complexion need look no further: this is the must-have product.

Diorskin NUDE Fluid Foundation
CHF 68.50

Nude Compact : the most natural compact powder.

Unique, new and surprising, this compact foundation tops them all. It is the first versatile compact powder to provide coverage that can be adjusted with utmost precision while maintaining the skin’s natural satin sheen, to guarantee a true nude result. Depending on the desired finish, it acts as a foundation or a powder.

The Nude Compact can be applied using either of the double-sided applicators, sponge or brush.

Diorskin NUDE Comapct Powder Makeup
CHF 80.50  
Diorskin NUDE Compact Powder Makeup Refill
CHF 59.-

Nude Shimmer

The quintessential backstage makeup for the spotlight! Nude Shimmer is a magical powder that features a subtle blend of fine micro-pearlisers in a transparent base. Dusted lightly onto the contours of the face, professional style, it captures maximum light, and provides the wet and ‘glowy’ nude effect every woman dreams of having. Nude Shimmer is the ultimate signature product of Nude skin-glow makeup 2012 vibrant, vivid and right on trend.

Diorskin NUDE Shimmer (One Shot)
CHF 75.50

With Diorskin Nude, Dior invites us to rediscover natural beauty. Therefore the French house adds new innovative lipstick colours: ROUGE DIOR NUDE.

Described as a highlighting blush for lips, its treatment formula creates an illuminating semi-sheer effect for instant radiance. Available in 10 shades, of which 4 are essential: Grège, Swan, Charnelle and Trench.

Rouge Dior NUDE
CHF 48.-

For a nude look right down to your fingertips, Dior has launched four new nail polish colours, of which 2 “warm” shades are for golden-beige skins, and 2 “cool” shades for pink-beige skins.
223 Trench, 715 Dune, 115 Charnelle and 413 Grège

ROUGE DIOR Vernis
CHF 37.-

The beautiful NUDE collection is in stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Christian Dior

Since I bought my first pair of Valentino Rockstud kitten heels two years ago, I’ve been addicted to the house’s metal embellishments. So you can imagine my excitement when Valentino gifted me with this highly limited pair of Red on Red Rockstud shoes. It is as extraordinary as it looks. Designed exclusively for today’s launch of Valentino’s new e-boutique, Shoe Room, there are only 100 pairs on earth, and one is in Sandra’s Closet.
How cool is that?

If you want to be the proud owner of one of them, start clicking fast, they are only available online and will sell out in seconds.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino

This week I wore this look, that would work for many occasions. I like the mix of basic colours such as white, beige and blue spiced up with red lips matching the handles of the bag.

Silk-georgette trapeze blouse by Chloé, pants with silk stripes by Closed, statement necklace by Gabriele Frantzen, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline, Pas platform sandals by De Siena, hoop earrings by H&M, ring by Cartier and limited edition tricoloured charity bag by Tommy Hilfiger.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

For the sixth consecutive year, US label Tommy Hilfiger will launch a limited edition handbag in support of Breast Health International, a leading non-profit foundation that advances breast cancer research and treatment. The American designer has great support from two famous ladies.

The 2012 BHI campaign features acclaimed Anglo-French actress and singer Charlotte Gainsbourg, photographed by celebrated Hollywood actress, screenwriter and producer Drew Barrymore.

“I am very proud to be partnering with Breast Health International for a sixth year,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “The annual limited-edition collaboration is a great way for us to engage consumers in raising awareness and funds for this important initiative. We are excited and honored to welcome Charlotte Gainsbourg and Drew Barrymore in support of this year’s campaign.”

This year’s limited-edition handbag is a navy leather tote with white accents and red handles, inspired by the Tommy Hilfiger brand‟s classic American cool heritage. Additional features include a central divider pocket, mobile phone pocket, and rose gold tone magnetic closures.

The handbag will debut exclusively on tommy.com today on September 27, 2012, and be available in select Tommy Hilfiger stores in Europe, the United States, Canada and the Asia-Pacific region starting October 1, 2012  for €299.
(€100 of each sale will go directly to the Fund for Living, a global BHI initiative that provides assistance to women with breast cancer and their families by covering costs or addressing unique problems associated with their care that may not be covered by traditional health insurance programs.)

Last year’s celebrity ambassador for the Tommy Hilfiger/BHI handbag was Oscar-winning actress Renée Zellweger. For the previous post, please click here.

Stay tuned for a post in which I am wearing this fab bag. Thumbs up for shopping for a good cause! Get yours online today!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger

If there is one thing I hate, it is packing. And for Fashion Week, it is even worse. But with my new diamanté-embellished silk top by Moschino Cheap and Chic the message is pretty clear “only front row” please!

Tomorrow, I will be leaving for Paris. In the evening, I am invited to a real fashion shower: Anna dello Russo’s paradise ball to celebrate her collaboration with H&M that will be launching on October 4, 2012. Totally excited!
Stay tuned for many photos to be posted!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

This month, House of Valentino launches its new fragrance Valentina ASSOLUTO created by the master perfumer Olivier Cresp.
The blend of noble ingredients creates a magical formula that comes to life on the skin and transforms it into an unmistakable and necessary final touch: a designer fragrance.

Valentina Assoluto is the first flanker on the theme of Valentina perfume from 2011. It deviates from the floral scent family of the original and offers instead an intense olfactory chypre character, “deeper and more sensual”.

Top notes: Bergamot, peach and white Alba truffle.
Middle notes: Tuberose, jasmine and vanilla.
Base notes: Cedar, oak moss and patchouli for the chypre effect.

Available as Eau de Parfum ASSOLUTO 80ml (CHF154.-) and 50ml (CHF 121.-)
Available in Switzerland end of September 2012.

Intriguing, magnetic, and unpredictable, Valentina plays with seduction as the protagonist of a story full of exciting, quintessential sensations. A mosaic of architectural views, stylistic touches, and period ornamentation. Sensual glimpses of skin and lace, body and couture.

Valentina has a favourite stage. It is Rome at night, full of secret passages for escape and the exclusive private world of brightly lit ancient aristocratic palazzos. This Eternal City full of artistic treasures has also given birth to her innate sophisticated elegance.

What would a modern Valentina wear for a night out during a weekend in Rome?

Lace and cable-knit wool and cashmere-blend sweater, cotton-blend lace skirt, jewel-clasp watersnake clutch, satin and lace pumps, all by Valentino and of course her signature fragrance Valentina ASSOLUTO.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino

Something for my Swiss and German based readers: 
The October issue of SI Style magazine featuring my monthly fashion column is available now. This time, I took a trip down memory lane to the era of the ’80s when big hair, neon colors and jelly bands were hot and the German television series “Anna” inspired a whole generation to storm the ballet schools.
For further information on the look, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht