Sandra‘s Closet

A sketch by Jeanne Lanvin from 1929.

Great news for this November, Lanvin will be launching a children’s line for the Summer 2012 season. In the past year, both Gucci and Stella McCartney have joined the likes of Fendi,Dior, Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Prada, and more by introducing childrenswear. Now Lanvin is getting in on the action and will channel „super-luxurious“ styles for ultra-luxe little girls, aged 4-10. So please do only expect the designs to be scaled down and don’t expect the pricetags to follow.

“It’s a way to translate the universe of Lanvin ready-to-wear to the world of kids,” Alber Elbaz said in an interview, noting the collection would include dresses, tops, coats, sweaters and accessories, all in the finest materials.
The announcement couldn’t be more fitting as Jeanne Lanvin, who founded Lanvin in 1909, gained her reputation by designing clothes for mothers and daughters early in her career. She sketched designs for tots until the mid-1930s!

The collection will officially be unveiled in New York, mid-June, selling later in Milan and Paris showrooms. Deliveries are to start in late November for the spring 2012 season.

To the little Miss Lanvin! Like mother, like daughter…

LoL, Sandra

Starting from today, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, is on view until July 31, 2011 at the Metropolitan Museum’s second-floor Cantor Galleries.

So if you just can’t get enough after having seen Kate Middleton’s bridal dress, that was made by Sarah Burton for the house of McQueen, you might consider a trip to NYC. The designer’s costume institute retrospective features approximately 100 ensembles and 70 accessories from the late designer’s prolific 19-year carreer with some outstanding pieces from the Givenchy Archive in Paris, custom-made items from the closet of Isabella Blow and even his graduate collection at Central St.Martins among others.

To celebrate the opening of the exhibition, the Museum’s Costume Institute Benefit took place Monday night with high-profile guests in high-profile fashion. The Met gala has anyway become over the years the fashion community’s biggest red carpet night. It was no wonder to spot some McQueen tributes to the mix.

My favourite two looks by Alexander McQueen were Gisèle Bündchen who looked so radiant in her red gown next to her husband Tom Brady…

… and Anna Dello Russo, known for her eclectic style, showed up in a pant suit from the S/S 2011 collection, divine!

As for me, the ultimate highlights were the „Stella Girls“ with Stella McCartney herself making an appearance in a black and white tuxedo gown of her own design. It was a modern, probably experimental but uncoventional look. The British designer is also a Co-Chair for the fundraising event.

The Stella McCartney parade was led by Madonna in a silky blue gown with a beautiful embroidered train. With her 50’s hair and make-up, she looked very Hollywood. Wow!

Very pregnant Kate Hudson glowed in her champagne-coloured Stella gown and long tousled hair.

This is my favourite. Gwyneth Paltrow chose to go with long sleeves which was a popular trend at the gala. So simple and absolutely stunning. The actress is good friends with the British designer.

Rihanna in a one-shoulder black lace gown, an iconic Stella look!

Adding some colour drama, Eva Mendes enhanced her complexion by wearing a cobalt blue plissé dress by Stella McCartney. So beautiful!

What a night!

LoL, Sandra

I desire, therefore I am.

Sisley’s art project continues. This time, the fashion brand has joined forces with Italian illustrator and comic book artist Milo Manara for a limited edition S/S 2011 capsule collection, including T-shirts, tops, skirts, shorts, handbags, shoppers and sneakers for both genders.

Portraits, illustrations and whole comic strips starring his provocative heroines come to life on Sisley’s clothes and around the wearer’s body. Black-and-white prints, sometimes with sparkling elements, and colour prints faithfully reproduce different drawing techniques, from chalk to acrylics, to recount the adventures of numerous female characters.
The collection will be available in a wide number of Sisley shops and sold in dedicated shopping bags.

Good news for my Milan based readers, Milo Manara, will be the guest of the brand’s store in Piazza San Babila on Thursday, May 5, from 5 to 7 PM and sign the limited edition T-shirts.

LoL, Sandra

Great news: In celebration of the launch of their new Color Design Palettes, Lancôme gives away a trip to NYC to shop with a Lancôme ambassadress!

This is your chance to win this trip or one of those fantastic palettes. Create a set with some of the stylish items that coordinate with each of the 10 high-potency Lancôme Color Design Palettes. You must style a complete look. New colours will be released every three days, so be sure to come back for more creations.
The contest ends on May 17, 2011 at 11:59pm EST.

Good luck!

LoL, Sandra

THE CONTEST HAS ENDED!

Something is happening in the world of ties. Wide, narrow, long, short, – there is no other men’s accessory as manifold as the tie. In the business world, it is the gentleman’s embellishment, so you better choose wisely as it may reveal more of your personality than you would presume.
With an Hermès tie, you cannot go wrong, it is an implicit statement of taste.

The French fashion house has some good news for the discerning men.
Its emblematic Façonné H silk tie is offered now in over one thousand colours to be chosen from. The „Ma Couleur“ service is finished off with an embossed leather label featuring the wearer’s initials. You can also decide on the length and width of your bespoke tie that will be made in the ateliers in Lyon. CHF 420.

The „Mon Message“ goes even a little further and offers five different patterns in a large variety of colours. In the lining of the tie, you can include a private message that only its wearer knows about. It takes about 3 months to order it. CHF 620.

So ladies, why not asking your beloved one to tie the knot with a note in the tie?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Ralph Lauren’s Collection runway S/S 2011 line is all about the Wild West! Fringes, bull’s heads, suede leather, everything you need to have to become lumberjack’s best friend or the fashionista of the prairie.

There is especially one look that I love. This plaid shirt combined with the ultra luxurious skirt. The unusual combination makes so special. It has this certain twist I am always recommending.The accessories work the same way. A casual crossbody bag worn with delicate silver sandals.

As the original embellished Ralph Lauren Collection Theresa skirt from the runway is a gem and has its price (Its beading is done in Lyon.), I suggest this gorgeous fringed Matthew Williamson skirt.

Anyway, this is an inspiration that you will certainly find in your own closet. Have fun exploring!
Just skip the spores!

LoL, Sandra

Finally, I can tell you my exciting news why I am Berlin at the moment. I arrived yesterday for the shoot of the X’ campaign for Closed.

‘The X’ ,also associated with Closed’s innovative pocket design, is an ongoing campaign – first launched one year ago – that celebrates individualism and variety, creativity and location. Ten innovators in ten cities around the world comprise the talent pool for this debut campaign. Now you can understand my excitement, I am one of them.

Today, the fittings took place. Here you can get a sneak preview of what is coming for F/W 2011. The looks are ultracool, having a certain edge, perfect for everyday life. Stay tuned for more to be posted soon and in the meantime enjoy those photos.

LoL, Sandra

The mood board

Let the fittting start...

The chinos -

...Closed's bestsellers.

What looks best? Nina Zywietz (Closed) with stylist Emilie Johansson

Italian actor Michele Venitucci

L.A. based Eileen Peters in a stunning denim overall.

Closed owner Gordon and Closed menswear designer Vito

A true prep? Yale Breslin from N.Y.

Claude Serieux from Paris

Which colour should the pants for Mark Wiesmayr have?

This baseball jacket looks so good on Carla Fuentes Fuertes.

My first look: A chunky striped cardigan worn with a lace top and red pants.

My second look: A dress with a sweater top and a leather skirt, awesome combo.

Me in action

... taking all those photos.

What are these guys watching?

...the royal wedding livestreamed.

Bon appétit!

Finally we definitely know who is the designer behind Kate Middleton’s wedding gown. It’s Sarah Burton, the McQueen designer. I was right with my speculation a few weeks ago.

Kate, who is now Princess Catherine, or Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, stunned the crowd in an English and French Chantilly lace gown worn with a 2.70m long train and a silk tulle veil. The ivory duchesse satin shoes were also handmade by the McQueen team.

The look reminded of Princess Grace’s wedding dress in 1956. Sarah Burton captured Kate’s style in the right way, very classy and kind of simple for the house of McQueen. Only the draping at the back side of the dress seemed like a reference to the late designer. The Cartier tiara was lent to the bride by the queen.

Kate carried a secret love message by including „sweet william“ flowers in her bridal bouquet.

Here are some quotes of famous designers concerning the bridal look:

“She is very elegant,” Karl Lagerfeld said. “The dress is classic and goes very well in the Westminster decor. I love the modest veil with the Queen Mother’s Thirties scroll tiara and balanced volume of the whole gown. She’s radiant; She never was so beautiful.”

“Kate’s dress was beautiful,” Donatella Versace said. “She looked very regal.”

Designer Elie Saab added: “It was a very elegant dress, subtly refined and discreet, in keeping with her style. I would have liked it even more with a little extra volume and a longer train.”

Oh what a royal wedding – congrats to the newly wed couple!

LoL, Sandra

Tom Ford’s first collection under his own name for S/S 2011 is truly outstanding. His very secretive show was the most exclusive and buzzed about one last Fashion Week with famous models like Julianne Moore, Lauren Hutton, Karlie Kloss, Lou Doillon and many more. And now we can see what all the hype was about.

Like something that will be in a museum one day, it is every fashionista’s dream to have one piece of Tom’s first collection in her closet. Glamourous with a `70s feel to it, the cuts are immaculate, the fabrics just beautiful, those must-haves are already true classics.

The “King of Sex” managed to create a ladylike collection with a certain kind of seduction. Not so obvious like a Gucci girl, more subtle with an intelligent sex appeal, it is all about high-voltage glamour.

Especially the accessories are super: the bags with the exaggerated zippers and the ultra-sharp spike heels are among my favourites. But those dream pieces have their price.

I couldn’t resist. As you know, I love overalls. So that jumpsuit with the deep cleavage was immediatly my must-have. The fishnet bustier complemented the look for me perfectly. The little hat made me look like just having graduated from fashion college or probably being a flight attendant for Vamp Air.

The flap-over bag and the huge sunglasses are my daily companions. The boots are vintage, from Gucci’s F/W 2004 collection that was still designed by Tom Ford at that time. “Old” Tom meets “new” Tom and they get along well…

Enjoy the photos:

Needless to say, it requires heavy shopping but those pieces are very limited and retailers very rare. So here in Zurich we are among those lucky birds having a beautiful Tom Ford store for both genders in the middle of the city at Münsterhof 17. Please enjoy the photos I took of the shop and fall in love with the collection.
For further enquiries, you can contact the store under +41 44 221 02 50.

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

For my Swiss and German based readers: The second 2011 Weltwoche Style Edition is available now featuring 4 pages of my must-haves, from the best white pieces to the most desirable denim looks and floral print dresses. Get your issue now.

LoL, Sandra