Sandra‘s Closet

Word was out since quite a while but here are now the official photos of the first collection designed by a fashion blogger for H&M! The Swedish brand is always very forward and after my days in Florence with all the other bloggers, I am actually not wondering that they are the first ones to make this kind of collaboration. I think it is the way to go for the future. Unfortunately, the items will only launch in Sweden on the 3rd of February in 10 selected stores and 10% of the sales will be donated to UNICEF.

Elin Kling, the blogger who designed nine fashion pieces and two accessories for her minimalistic collection with bohemian influences for H&M has since 2007 been running Scandinavia’s largest fashion blog, called Style by Kling. She has won several awards, both for the blog and for the web-TV-show, inspired by the blog. Today, Elin Kling is working as a fashion director at her own fashion magazine Styleby, founded by Sweden’s largest media-house Bonnier. From blogging to print media, interesting!

And to drop a little hint: Sandra’s Closet for H&M Switzerland would be lovely…

LoL, Sandra

Today, it was a more relaxing day, recovering from last night. I went on a little shopping tour around the city in my galaxy-print dress by Christopher Kane combined with my fur vest by Miu Miu, grey gauntlets by Stella McCartney and studded biker boots by Miu Miu. Scarf by Gucci, bag by Balmain. Below you will find just a few impressions from my walk…

Now I am at the hotel getting some rest for the big party tonight.
Will keep you posted on that.

LoL, Sandra

Last night, we all went to dinner at Roberto Cavalli’s club after having drinks at Luisaviaroma before.  I wore my sequined dress by Balmain (the one from New Year’s Eve) with a marabou cape and clutch by Balmain. The suede punk YSL pumps finished off my look.

Enjoy the photos and see who was there!!!! It was a wonderful evening…

LoL, Sandra

Me with David (Highsnobiety), Zarko(DesignScene) and Nathalie(LesMads) starting the night at Luisaviaroma

Arriving at the Cavalli Club (Piazza del Carmine)

Inside the club

Lots of leopard prints...

Drinks were chilled...

Cavalli wine was served during dinner.

Eva Cavalli with me

Famous shoe designer Guiseppe Zanotti with me

Designer Neil Barrett with me

Fausto Puglisi with me (His designs, that are loved by Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, are available at Dolce & Gabbana's new Spiga 2 store)

Eva having a conversation with Neil

Fashion power: Fausto Puglisi, Guiseppe Zanotti, Andrea Panconesi (Owner of Luisaviaroma), Eva Cavalli and Neil Barrett

Guiseppe Zanotti, Eva Cavalli and Neil Barrett

Even while I am very busy in Florence, I don’t want you to miss anything. Breaking fashion news arrived today: Less than a month after Carine Roitfeld announced that she would leave the editor-in-chief’s position at French Vogue, the magazine named Emmanuelle Alt to succeed her, starting Feb. 1, 2011.

Emmanuelle had been French Vogue’s fashion director since 2000 (same year Carine Roitfeld became editor-in-chief).  The decision to elevate Ms. Alt  makes me assume that Condé Nast International does not want to change course. Ms. Alt knows the job and is very well connected.

Her rock style of skinny pants and Balmain jackets is not bad, isn’t it…?! Let’s see what she will be coming up with.

LoL, Sandra

Today, I did the photo shoot in the TOTAL LOOK STYLING LAB. So please stay tuned for some amazing pictures and trends for S/S 2011.
I wore during the day my gorgeous fake fur-leather shorts and bomber jacket by Chanel combined with a body suit by Prada. My Miu Miu necklace added some glamour along with the suede overknee boots by Roberto Cavalli and the patchwork bag by Chanel.
The ‘50s style sunglasses are by Louis Vuitton.

I hope that you like it.

LoL, Sandra

Me with Wendy (Nitrolicious)

Caroline (Fashionsquad), me, Jessica (LesMads)

I arrived in my beautiful embellished silk blouse and the little camel coloured mini skirt, both by Chloé F/W 2010, combined with a shearling waistcoat by Ralph Lauren Black Label and a fur jacket by Prada, both from previous seasons. During the flight, I had perfered staying comfy in my flat suede Louis Vuitton boots from the Cruise 2011 collection. To protect my hair (it is raining in Florence), I put on one of my favourite hats by Balenciaga. Carine Roitfeld loves this one, too as you can see below (Photos: The Sartorialist).

In the evening, I just changed from my honey-coloured „Twenties“ micro-fishnet tights into my new „Rebecca“ tulle-look net tights with small dots, both by Wolford, and finished off my look with my green punk platform pumps by Yves Saint Laurent and my killer clutch by Balmain. Jewelry by Chanel.

Here in Florence, I am staying in a wonderful Junior Suite at the J.K.Place hotel which has a very spacious closet. You see it is quite filled…

I packed 30kg for the weekend. For fashionable days like that, you better be prepared!

LoL, Sandra

A wonderful hello from Florence where I have arrived this afternoon. I am totally excited because I am one of the 40 selected fashion bloggers worldwide (as LUISAVIAROMA names it the 40 most influential fashion bloggers worldwide, how can I not love that?!) that were chosen to participate in FIRENZE4EVER 2nd Edition.
The first FIRENZE4EVER event was held last year to celebrate the 10th anniversary of LUISAVIAROMA.COM’s online activity.
For three exhilarating days, we have the opportunity to interact, connect plus to photograph and create multibrand looks in the TOTAL LOOK STYLING LAB. Moreover, there is each evening a dinner and party with special guests and VIPs from the fashion world, so stay tuned for lots of fun photos and inspirations.

LoL, Sandra

Below there is today’s post from the LUISAVIAROMA blog:

Photos from the welcome cocktail reception tonight that took place in the beautiful store:

On the terrace of the Luisa Via Roma store

Sabrina Meijer (After Drk)

Caroline de Surany (Caroline Daily) and Chiara Biasi (The Golden Mode)

Beijing-based Nels Frye (Stylites) talks to Jessie from Tampa, FL (Denimology)

Andy Torres (Style Scrapbook) and Chiara Ferragni (The Blonde Salad)

Caroline from Sweden (Carolinesmode) with me (Sandra's Closet)

Diane De L'OrPaz from Israel (Perfectism)

Saba Tedla (Luisaviaroma)

Goodie bag from Luisaviaroma with a limited edition T-shirt designed by Toxic Toy.

Don't Want No Short Blog Man (Photo via Luisaviaroma)

Already my new favourite sleepwear, probably not intented to be...

One of the reasons I love Italy is the food: my night snack while working...

One of my favourite dresses at the moment is my leopard-print silk dress by Matthew Williamson. The bright colours and the bead-embellished pockets make it a spectacular cocktail choice.
I wore it recently with a navy clutch and yellow platform pumps from Miu Miu’s S/S 2010 collection. In addition, I added a statement necklace by Matthew Williamson from a previous season.

In case that you do not want to spend so much money on an eye-catching dress that you might not wear too often, I saw the perfect alternative at H&M. The cut is very similiar. It promises a good fit with corset panels and a concealed silicone trim in the bustier.
I truly love the heart print on the 100% organic cotton. What a wonderful way to dress up for Valentine’s Day, don’t you think?!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

Grey is the colour of the time – Tyen

Dior’s Spring 2011 make-up collection created by Tyen that will officially launch on January 14, 2011 has some fun new products and inventions.
In a very Parisian spirit, the new spring look is called Gris Montaigne and it features the iconic greys of the House of Dior paired with fresh, feminine shades of pink.

One of the top products is the nail polish 707 Gris Montaigne (CHF 37) that was part of the Gris City collection last November. For further information, read my previous post by clicking here.
The grey shade incorporates all the tones of Avenue Montaigne N°30 and is an indispensable addition to the newest model of the Lady Dior handbag line: The Lady Dior Grey. Matching your nails identically to your handbag sounds pretty elegant, don’t you think?

The star product of Dior Spring 2011 make-up line is the limited eye-shadow set Dior Cannage that opens up to reveal four flattering shades perfect for the season. Paying tribute to the iconic Dior bag, the palette features such couture-like details as the quilted leather exterior and Dior letter charms. Available in 001 Gris Petit Jour & 002 Gris Soupir, each CHF 95.

001 Gris Petit Jour

002 Gris Soupir

My personal favourite is the new Mascara Diorshow 360° in 090 Noir (CHF 59) that mimics a professional make-up artist’s hand. Inside there is a revolving brush that offers a dual rotation, meaning faster and slower motion depending if you want to use it on your lower or upper lashes.
You have to assemble it but that works very easy, see my demonstration below.
Thumbs up for super volume and length without being caky!

LoL, Sandra

CAPTURE TOTALE – a complete skincare ritual to lastingly triumph over time

Let me get you started on the Dior Capture Totale line with some astonishing facts:
1986 Launch of the first Capture serum
2011 25th anniversary 1 nobel price for the discovered technology
13 international patents for Capture Totale & One Essential
260 scientists have worked on the products

I have tried all of the revised and new products for almost a month now to give you an honest and detailed report of the results.
Moreover I will explain a little how the ingredients work. Once you understand the strategy, it all makes perfect sense. The official launch date will be January 14, 2011.

25 years of breakthroughs by Dior Science now make it possible for CAPTURE TOTALE to target the very „heart“ of the skin: the stem cells, the source of youth. At the origin of all other cells of the epidermis, they have the power to regenerate the skin’s beauty, day after day.
However, over time, the structures that protect this source of life break down. Cells with high regenerating power are „deactivated“. By targeting the stem cells directly, it allows the skin to recover perfectly.

Question is now: Is your anti-aging 100% effective?

Dior discovered that skin toxins significantly impair cell regeneration and the effectiveness of your skin treatment. Building up by billions every day in the skin, toxins exhaust and suffocate cells. The consequences are that aging celerates, firmess disappears and that anti-aging ingredients cannot deliver their full power to the heart of the cells.

ONE ESSENTIAL – the first universal anti-aging booster by CAPTURE TOTALE

More than a simple serum, ONE ESSENTIAL goes beyond skin repair. By eliminating skin toxins, it achieves to trigger exceptional cellular regeneration to heighten the youthfulness of the skin. All visible signs of aging (wrinkled, loss of firmness, uneven skin tone) are intensely corrected.

Applied before all other skincare products, it boosts its performance by amplifying the targeted effectiveness of major anti-aging active ingredients for exceptional youthful appearance.

At the heart of ONE ESSENTIAL is Dior’s most powerful anti-aging blend composed of Longoza-Cellular Complex and Dextoxinyle. Longoza is a plant from Madagascar of which blossoms, stems and seeds are used.

I have to say from the first application, my skin was instantly brightened. And even if you prefer other anti-aging products to follow, I recommend using ONE ESSENTIAL as a base because no serum or cream can be 100% effective without skin detoxification. Even that I am not a scientist, this makes perfect sense to me. It is really an amazing product.

Price: 30ml, CHF 128 / 50ml, CHF 179

MULTI-PERFECTION CONCENTRATED SERUM – ultra-concentrated with anti-aging active ingredients, it restores the fine qualtiy and velevty feel of youthful skin and deeply repairs even the most deep-set visible signs of aging.

Price: 30ml, CHF 216 / 50ml, CHF 280

MULTI-PERFECTION CREME (normal to combination skin)
NURTURING RICH CREME (normal to dry skin)

Two textures specially adapted for each skin type in order to fulfill all needs and lastingly correct all visible signs of aging with each application. Intensly nourished, moisturized and strengthened, the skin reveals new youthfulness.

Price: 50ml, CHF 216

CAPTURE TOTALE RADIANCE RESTORING SERUM FOUNDATION

The radiance of the complexion comes not only from the skin surface, but also from the very „heart“ of the skin.

Young skin has a structure and surface which give it optical properties of translucency. Light infuses all layers to inundate the complexion with vivid radiance that seems to come from within. However, as time passes, skin becomes less smooth, firm and even. Dior’s Light-Booster Pigments help to get that youthful appearance back. After just 5 minutes, the complexion gains more radiance. No kidding, it is true!

Price: 30ml, CHF 119.50

My opinion is that all products together really work well and give you an energy boost that you might need while it is cold outside and after all the partying during the last weeks.
Even if you are attached to the products you are using, it is truly worth changing sometimes your cosmetic line as it challenges your skin again in a good way.

LoL, Sandra