Sandra‘s Closet

This was my look that I wore to the Valentino S/S 2013 show:

Silk shirt and cadillac sunglasses, both by Prada, floral-print stretch-crepe skirt by Dolce & Gabbana, PS11 Mini Classic textured-leather shoulder bag by Proenza Schouler, earrings by Chanel and Red on Red Rockstud kitten heels by Valentino.

Outside I ran into Holli Rogers, Net-à-Porter’s Buying Director, who looked absolutely stunning in her leather and brocade dress by Christopher Kane along with the patent-leather pumps by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday before the Valentino S/S 2013 show, I spotted Anna dello Russo in this opulent look which I have liked a lot. This black mesh dress was undoubtedly Dolce & Gabbana’s F/W 2012 collection’s hero piece, with hand-embellished gold discs, freshwater-inspired faux pearls and breathtakingly intricate beads paying tribute to homespun Italian artistry. Crafted with a shape-cinching built-in body and a skirt that flares as soon as it hits the hips, this structured style will sculpt the label’s beloved hourglass silhouette. To shop her outfit, please click on the highlighted product descriptions below.

Embellished mesh dress, mini shoulder bag and embroidered Mary Jane pumps, all by Dolce & Gabbana.

And if you were asking yourself, why Anna didn’t close her dress properly. It is a showroom piece and therefore it didn’t fit her perfectly. But nevertheless, she looked awesome in it.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Romantic gowns, clear accessories, Rockstud revisited and a feminine allure, Valentino‘s Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli rediscover their Roman heritage for S/S 2013. The beautiful collection looks to neo-realist Rome for inspiration.

The slip dress is the new silhouette, sensual yet elegant. Summer cotton is treated as a couture fabric and a new print on silk chiffon dresses skim the body. The 1940’s inspired shape suggests seduction with a modern twist on couture details.

“The final interpretation is left open, however: each woman’s personality is the defining trait.”

Below are my personal must-haves of the collection. To die for!

The transparent Rockstud bag and the matching raincoat along with a pair of crystal Rockstud heels will definitely make their way into my closet. The red leather coat is also on my wish list for the next summer. Stunningly beautiful.

An absolute bestseller will be those embellished plexiglass wedge heels.

My seat at Valentino was amazing. In the middle second row behind Carine Roitfeld and across from Anna Wintour. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Thank you so much!

Of course, I was wearing my gorgeous limited edition Red on Red Rockstud heels. There are only a few left, don’t forget to order yours by clicking here! And stay tuned for a detailed outfit post and many many more…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino, Style and © Sandra Bauknecht

“90 looks, exceptionally once, for the 90th anniversary in a Roberto Burle Marx inspired garden. The Brazilian landscape architect, plantsman and painter invented a new language for modern landscape design. He abandoned the tradition of the straight line and cultivated a passion for curved and sensual lines. His work is, in the detail and as a whole, always one and the same. Inimitable!”

AKRIS is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. A wonderful reason for Albert and Peter Kriemler to throw a party after the presentation of the S/S 2013 collection during Paris Fashion Week. 90 looks were shown on the runway of which many were noticeably transparent. Sexy without being vulgar – Albert Kriemler is one of the rare designers who can make this work in an elegant and sophisticated way. The collection was inspired by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx and the prints as well as the setting of the show resembled a beautiful greenhouse. Tailoring is the soul of Akris and played a huge role as usual. The colour palette developed from black to basic shades such as white and beige to vibrant hues of green, yellow and fluo coral pink. The only look that was a little too extravagant for me was the shift dress with a gigantic organza leaf appliqué (see collage above). Personally speaking, I like Albert Kriemler’s modern jungle chic, a worthy jubilee collection!

Have a look at the collection below and see which celebrity attended the show:

TRANSPARENCY

PRINTS and LEATHER

COLOUR

“Style is all about the woman; it’s about her personality. You should notice the woman first, and what she is wearing follows.” – Albert Kriemler

Albert Kriemler, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Valerie Steele and Peter Kriemler

Princess Charlene of Monaco, who is a huge fan of  the Akris brand, attended the show and listened to the very emotional speech given by Peter Kriemler, Global President of Akris, in honour of the house’s 90th anniversary. Later, she joined the after party.

At the party: Nora Baldenweg, Kim Dang (NZZ) and Sara Allerstorfer (Bolero Magazine) with me.

« AKRIS » by Valerie Steele 11 x 14 in – 28 x 35 cm |192 pages | 150 illustrations | Hardcover
available in English and German $125 – €100 – £80

Limited Edition of 90 11 x 14 in – 28 x 35 cm |192 pages | 150 illustrations | Hardcover with Horsehair bag
Available in English and German $1922 – €1922
Fall 2012, Assouline

A great book that maps the rich heritage of Akris and its dynamic evolution in the recent years.

Akris is available in Zurich at Gassmann.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Akris and @ Sandra Bauknecht

Carine Roitfeld elevated the smoky eye to an art form. For her M·A·C collaboration, Carine edits her look into a collection of chic colours and tools for recreating her aesthetic. Full Face Kit contains four Eye Shadows and Cremeblend Blush, Eye Brows in Brunette, Kohl Power Eye Pencil, Fluidline, 49 Lashes and two Mascaras. Tropical Mist Lipstick, Face and Body Foundation, Mineralize Concealer, Nail Lacquer and Brushes create the perfect backdrop for dramatic eyes.

In Switzerland available exclusively at Jelmoli in October 2012.

LoL, Sandra

L I P S T I C K
Tropical Mist Sheer translucent nude
CHF 28.00

K O H L P O W E R E Y E P E N C I L
Feline
CHF 24.00

E Y E B R O W S
Brunette Grey brown
CHF 24.00

F L U I D L I N E
Blacktrack
CHF 26.00

B R O W S E T
Clear
CHF 22.00

M A S C A R A
Studio Fix Boldblack Lash
Zoomfast Black Lash
CHF 27.00

F U L L F A C E K I T
Jungle Camouflage
DEW Soft creamy beige (veluxe pearl)
“CAMO” Muted greyish taupe (satin)
BAD LIEUTENANT Blackened deep brown (matte)
CARBON Intense black (matte)
BOOTCAMP BRONZE Soft sheer chestnut
Desert Camouflage
SAHARA DUST Light neutral beige (satin)
CACTUS THORN Mid-tone brown bronze (frost)
DESERT Shimmering warm taupe (satin)
CARBON Intense black (matte)
SAND STORM Soft sheer warm caramel
CHF 72.00

S T U D I O F I X F L U I D S P F 1 5
NC30 CHF 43.00

M I N E R A L I Z E C O N C E A L E R
NC33 CHF 29.00

F A C E A N D B O D Y F O U N D A T I O N
C4 CHF 51.00

A C C E S S O R I E S
Good Luck Star (for body)
CHF 22.00

49 Lash
CHF 19.00

Tweezer/Slant
CHF 54.00

Full Lash Curler
CHF 30.00

N A I L L A C Q U E R
Undercover Nude Sheer clear nude (cream)
Underfire Red Deep blood red (cream)
CHF 20.00

B R U S H E S
266 Small Angle
CHF 34.00
275 Medium Angled Shading
CHF 40.00
191 Square Foundation
CHF 54.00

Photos: Courtesy of MAC and © Sandra Bauknecht

Wolfgang Joop is back on the Paris Fashion Week calendar with his label Wunderkind. Yesterday, the German designer presented his beautiful S/S 2013 collection to the fashionable guests.

After the show, he was talking about how the world will change in the next years and that we should be prepared for it. He said that “at times of change, we look for new directions – earthly heaven and paradise. Grace and gravity is the theme of the collection: effortless but understated and circumspect.”

Wolfgang Joop with me

Personally speaking, I have liked the collection a lot, especially the second part of it. The prints and soft feminine colours were so pretty. Paradiso and Heaven are the centerpiece prints and iconic drawings by Wolfgang Joop, along with Butterfly and Tipsy dots in light coloures shades.

The soft fluid tailored coats, jackets and dresses in crêpe du chine, silk gabardine, silk georgette, cotton batiste and coarse-meshed linen in taupe and chalk, azure, peppermint, lotus, watermelon and yellow interplayed between multiple combinations and layering. Cartridge folds, facings and organza ribbons tuck the light falling fabrics.

Below are some of my favourite looks. Hope you like them, too!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I have been following Pascal Millet from his very first collection in his own name. When I met him in 2010 to discover his creations for S/S 2011 in the showroom, I was overwhelmed by his love for detail, his couture-like cuts and the very Parisian chic.

Yesterday, he turned over a new leaf with his first show during Paris Fashion Week. This season, he drew his inspiration in the narrow alleys of Tangier, its colours and textures. The fabrics were beautiful from stretch leather to fishnet cotton, from sequined Chantilly lace to linen whipcord. The colour palette showed all hues that you can find in Morocco, sand, spice, white, deep black and Tadelakt green.

Rock the Casbah!

Me front row

Above you can see my two favourite looks, perfect for all fashionable city nomads. Modern, sleek and sexy.

His eveningwear was just so beautiful:

Pascal Millet

After the show, I went backstage to congratulate Pascal on his collection.

Spotted at the show: French actress Ana Girardot.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

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