Sandra‘s Closet

“For the first time in my life I chose a man”, said Italian designer Roberto Cavalli when he proudly presented the winner of the 8th annabelle award last night in Zurich: 25-year-old Maxime Rappaz from Geneva. The young designer stood out with his innovative designs, the biggest eyecatcher: A bag that has its handels inside.

Each of the five young designers was asked to show two of their designs. Below you can see the creations of the other competitors who were all female. Maxime, the winner, has received a one-year internship with Roberto Cavalli in Florence.

Roberto Cavalli, who came directly from Japan, was completely jetlagged. I felt the same having just arrived from New York in the morning.
During the second night of the Fashion Days Zurich, he also presented his S/S 2012 Just Cavalli collection which I had seen already in Milan when I did the interview with him. The looks are powerful and if you like the style, you will be in love with these pieces. My favourite is the “Pocahontas” style dress with feathers worn by Leona Sigrist last night.

The evening was also dedicated to our national fashion designers. During the Swiss Fashion night, the well established labels Little Black Dress, Aziza Zina, Javier Reyes and Van Bery presented their collections. Please enjoy my photo coverage below. For more information on the designers, just click on the highlighted name.

Designers Joanna Skoczylas and Eliane Diethelm created a very colourful look for next summer even that the name of their label Little Black Dress suggests something else. But the classy and feminine approach paid a wonderful tribute to the iconic LBD.

Morena Gonzales and Moritz Stoll of AZIZA zina paid homage to the Roaring Twenties (as also seen on the Gucci S/S 2012 catwalk). Some of the looks were reminiscent of Giorgio Armani‘s beautiful forays into women’s suiting. Swiss model Anouk Manser convinced the audience in a pretty cool turquoise dress.

Javier Reyes presented a well-crafted, beautiful collection, very wearable and feminine. Absolute eyecatchers were the fabrics that the Mexican-born designer chose for his S/S 2012 designs.

Van Bery is the label created by Berivan Meyer in association with Marie Tournant. Their joyful looks for S/S 2012 were colourful and sweet but not as strong as the other collections presented last night.

Below you can see some more impressions! Have fun! I am on my way to the Mercedes Benz Fashion Show…

LoL, Sandra

Lisa Feldmann, editor-in-chief of annabelle magazine, in Just Cavalli and killer heels…

…by Barbara Bui.

Me front row…truly loving the attention…

My look: Dress by Antonio Berardi, boots by Givenchy, bag by Céline and earrings by Chanel.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Talking in superlatives! OMG – what a night! Tuesday evening, I attended the fashion show and after party for the launch of Versace for H&M in New York City. The venue was decorated in true Versace style in a specially designed building on the Hudson River. I was entering the world of Versace from the moment I set foot on the red carpet and so were the famous guests such as Uma Thurman, Blake Lively, Chace Crawford, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Hudson and Selma Blair. Enjoy all my photos from this Versace for H&M extravaganza and see who performed live on stage! Stay also tuned for an interview with Donatella Versace to be posted soon.

Famous guitarist and music producer Mark Ronson in the hot pink Versace for H&M suit.

Sweet Jessica Alba in a studded Versace for H&M dress with me.

Uma Thurman looked so stunning when she said: “I think it is so exciting for Versace to made available to everyone. The collection is cool, colourful, young and very hip. I can’t wait to see the show.”

British model and TV presenter Jade Parfitt with me.

The other way around: Renowned photographer Bruce Webber in front of the camera.

Blogger love: Bryanboy and me

As for me, the sexiest shoe designer on earth: Brian Atwood.

American actress and niece of Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts in Versace for H&M florals.

Another well-known face: Photographer Terry Richardson

Girlfriends: Jade Parfitt having fun with German model Christina Kruse.

Let the show begin: The catwalk was paved with gold, the perfect environment in which to preview the Versace for H&M collection. The iconic looks, including some unique special pieces created for this exclusive event, were worn on the catwalk by top models such as Abbey Lee, Daphne G, Natasha Poly, Sean O’pry and Lindsay Wixson. The collection that will hit the shelves in 300 stores worldwide on November 17th, 2011.
For a closer view on the amazing pieces, I recommend this previous post.

When the show was finished, Donatella Versace appeared on the runway and two gigantic gates opened. She invited the fashionable crowd to follow her to the next hall where the after party took place.

Donatella Versace

The first act was a live performance of rap and pop superstar Nicki Minaj, dressed head to toe in Versace for H&M.

Later on, Nicki Minaj joined famous host Donatella to enjoy the show of Prince which was truly unbeatable. He is such an artist and musician. The way he sings, dances and moves captivates you from the first moment. When he started the chords of Purple Rain, the audience went crazy.

In case you think that Prince was the culmination of the night, you are mistaken. After he was finished, another gate opened, the one to shopping heaven. Behind those doors, a gigantic H&M pop-up store was located where the guests could buy the new Versace for H&M collection and all the celebrities joined in the fun. What a night!

This is probably my longest post ever, but this night is just unforgettable. Thank you H&M for letting me be part of it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I am only in NYC for 48 hours which is not a lot of time especially with such a tight schedule. So I am trying to get the most out of it. Today, I met with jewelry designer Gabriele Frantzen at my favourite restaurant BG Bergdorf Goodman for lunch. It is always such a vibrant, eclectic place overlooking the Central Park on the seventh floor of the famous department store on Fifth Avenue.

Gabriele, who is dividing her time between Munich and NYC, creates amazing custom jewelry.
I invite you to have a look at her designs by clicking here.

Gabriele with me, we are both wearing Gabriele Frantzen necklaces

An amazing present and a wonderful addition to my closet!

At lunch, I run into one of my beloved actresses from Gossip Girl (her character is Lily van der Woodsen): Beautiful Kelly Rutherford. She told me that she just met with Albert Kriemler because she will be wearing an Akris gown to a gala tonight. Check out her new website by clicking here.

I am getting ready now for the big show tonight! So excited!

LoL, Sandra

Hello from New York! It is 6am in the morning and I just woke up from a lovely dream in the lovely Dream Downtown hotel where all the journalists and bloggers are staying.

Below you see some photos of my room and more goodies that waited for me with the press kit. Tonight, the Versace for H&M fashion show will take place and rumours are out that rap and pop superstars Nicki Menaj and Prince will be performing at the after party… so please stay tuned for more to come!

Have a lovely day!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I am so happy! Today I am heading to New York City to attend the Versace for H&M Fashion Show tomorrow evening as the only Swiss blogger. Can you imagine how excited I was when this beautiful box arrived with the invitation and a scarf?!

So please stay tuned for an exclusive preview, an amazing contest and so much more.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The muse of Yves Saint Laurent and inspiration for his iconic and famous tuxedo died yesterday at the age of 63 after a battle with a „long illness“.

Loulou de la Falaise was an elegant beauty, a true fashion icon of her time. She entered the house of Yves Saint Laurent as both muse and jewlery designer in 1972 where she stayed until Saint Laurent retired in 2002. After that, she launched her own signature label.

De la Falaise is survived by her husband, Thadée Klossowski de Rola, a French writer, and their daughter, Anna.

The Yves Saint Laurent Holiday Look 2011 has instantly become an hommage to this amazing lady.
RIP Loulou de la Falaise!

LoL, Sandra

Introducing the Yves Saint Laurent “Holiday Look 2011”. YSL international make-up artist Lloyd Simmonds pays tribute to the Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo, the absolute garment in a masculine-feminine wardrobe, enhanced by a satin sash, a velvet lapel, a bow-tie.
In doing so, he has recreated a new palette of seduction, placing the emphasis on expression, on the force of an attitude.
“The tuxedo? It’s the icon of the Yves Saint Laurent wardrobe. A reference to the pictures of Helmut Newton. The famous ‘smoky eye’. A signature eye.” – Lloyd Simmonds

Inspired by the tuxedo, the Palette Noir Terriblement and the Palette Blanc Terriblement both celebrate the emblematic spirit of evening clothes that move effortlessly throughout time. Nestling inside a beautiful gold case, adorned by a pleated belt and embroidered with the Yves Saint Laurent logo. It can be worn around the wrist like a bracelet, a nocturnal fetish.

Palette „Noir Terriblement“ – CHF 89,00 (Limited Edition)

The black tuxedo. Eye Shadow in 5 colors. 4 variations of black and a shimmering white in the middle. Black velvet, black silk, black moiré, black lamé, white satin, fabric turning into eye colors in the magic of an evening where black is unveiled in a play on shadow and light.

Expert’s secret by Lloyd Simmonds: “The best thing is to choose your black and use it as a base applied with the flat brush. And then to ‘smoke’ it with a round brush to blend the product so that the edges are invisible.”

Palette „Blanc Terriblement“ – CHF 89,00 (Limited Edition)

The white tuxedo. The complexion illuminator palette. Shimmering silver, shimmering pink, shimmering violet. Three white hues delicately lit up with precious pearls, catching the light like a magnet to give an absolute glow effect.

Ombres Duolumières – CHF 65,00

Contrasts and highlights for sparkling eyes in two different colour combinations: Silver moiré / Black Flannel, Gold lamé / Velvet black.

Manucure Couture n°6  – CHF 49,00

Make a show of style and colour right down to the fingertips. The hand becomes the most luxurious fashion accessory.  Yves Saint Laurent’s “Duo Terriblement Noir”: Two blacks. One matte and one glossy. An ultra–graphic feel for the season’s most radical, most ‘couture’ duo. A reprise of the contrasts of powder texture and satin lapels, they are complementary to give an ultra–sophisticated, infinitely black finish.

Golden Gloss – White shimmering gold collection – CHF 46,00

Transparence and light, wear it alone or added to a lipstick to give a white gold shimmer on the lips. Available in: White Gold Diamond, White Gold Opal, White Gold Quartz, White Gold Amethyst 48 (pictured left), White Gold Topaz 47 (pictured right).

My beauty must-have: The limited edition palette “noir terriblement” for the perfect smokey eyes.

LoL, Sandra

First of all, thank you for your lovely e-mails regarding my outfit for the Who is Who release party. So many were asking for more photos. Here we go!

As you already know, polka dots are a must-have trend for fall (click here please for a previous post), and I especially adored Stella McCartney‘s elegant and ladylike take on the look. My black twill all-in-one comes with tulle inserts and a feminine peplum at the waist. I added my Tribtoo pumps by Yves Saint Laurent and my Diorette cocktail ring. To shop the look, just click on the highlighted designer names.

Have a lovely weekend! I am packing for New York…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Editors of Vogue from around the world converge today in Tokyo for a very special Fashion’s Night Out event in a bid to boost spirits and sales following the earthquake and tsunami which devastated Japan earlier this year.

For the first time Vogue editors from all its magazines across the world joined forces for Fashion’s Night Out Japan. Led by American Vogue Editor Anna Wintour, who conceived of Fashion’s Night Out in the midst of the 2009 economic crisis, the editors represent the 18 countries where Vogue is published.

On the photo: Host editor, Mitsuko Watanabe, Editor of Japanese Vogue; Anna Wintour, Editor of American Vogue; Franca Sozzani, Editor of Italian Vogue; Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue; Emmanuelle Alt, Editor of French Vogue; Angelica Cheung, Editor of Vogue China; Christiane Arp, Editor of German Vogue; Yolanda Sacristan, Editor of Spanish Vogue; Viktoria Davydova, Editor of Vogue Russia; Kirstie Clements, Editor of Australian Vogue; Eva Hughes, Editor of Mexican and Latin American Vogue; Paula Mateus, Editor of Portuguese Vogue; Myung Hee Lee, Editor of Vogue Korea; Seda Domanic, Editor of Vogue Turkey; Rosalie Huang, Editor at Large of Vogue Taiwan: Anaita Adajania, Acting Editor of Indian Vogue, and Anna Harvey, Vice President and Editorial Director of Conde Nast New Markets, who will represent Vogue Brazil and Greek Vogue.

Jonathan Newhouse, Chairman of Condé Nast International, said, “The presence of all the Vogue editors in Tokyo underscores Condé Nast’s deep commitment to this market. Japan is a key market for the fashion industry, and we will give it the maximum support possible as the country recovers.”
Anna Wintour commented, “Japan is a major player in the global fashion community, both as supports and wonderful contributors to it. The country’s educated consumers and its designers – from supremely inventive established names such as Yohji Yamamoto and Junya Watanabe, to exciting new labels such as Sacai – invigorate our world. We are thrilled to support and celebrate Japan’s far-reaching influence and creativity with a very special Fashion’s Night Out in Tokyo.”

Asia is the future…

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Frederic Aranda for Vogue

Something for my Swiss based readers, the 2012 edition of the WW magazine is available from today. I was asked to be in the committee to nominate the 200 most renowned personalities in Zurich.
If you are interested, you can buy your issue at the news stand or order it here.

Zazou Mall, the best Swiss singer of the German music star DSDS contest with me last night at the release party.
My outfit: Overall by Stella McCartney and Elsie bag by Chloé.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht