Sandra‘s Closet

In dedication to the world-famous Belgian-American fashion designer, The Diane von Furstenberg Suite has been unveiled at Hotel Amigo, a Rocco Forte hotel located in the heart of Brussels.

Adorned with DVF’s signature touches, a bold zebra rug, two large silk scarves by Andy Warhol, and a collection of striking artwork that celebrates her legacy with her world famous style and influence.

The iconic wrap dress that made von Furstenberg famous, is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and in honour of this milestone, the Brussels Fashion & Lace Museum is dedicating its new exhibition: Diane von Furstenberg, Woman before Fashion.

In celebration of the exhibition, Hotel Amigo has created a special offer for guests to Step into the World of Diane von Furstenberg from now through January 7, 2024 by staying in the DVF suite. Starting rate from € 2,640.

On arrival, delight in a box of Laurent Gerbaud chocolates as you explore the stylish suite. Venture out to the exhibition, Woman before Fashion, and immerse yourself in the timelessness of her designs. After delving into her illustrious career at the museum, return to your suite for a night of relaxation amid the unique DVF ambience.

Begin the following day with a complimentary breakfast, then enjoy a private visit to the DVF boutique. Experience first-hand the intertwining worlds of art, philanthropy and fashion that have shaped Diane von Furstenberg’s remarkable legacy.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Rocco Forte Hotels
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For the first time in Europe, a fashion museum is dedicating an exhibition to Diane von Furstenberg. The exhibition at the Brussels Fashion & Lace Museum, through a selection of more than 50 models and a vast iconography, presents the career, creations and personality of this extraordinary woman until January 7, 2024. Learn about the diversity and timelessness of the prints that have contributed to her fame, the freedom that inspires her work and her daily life, and the role played by art in her creations with works by friends such as Andy Warhol, Konstantin Kakanias and François-Marie Banier.

For this occasion and for the first time, the designer has opened the doors of her archives. Nicolas Lor, the curator, tells us about the nuggets unearthed in these vast textile, graphic and photographic collections and about the conception of the project. He also tells us about the many interviews conducted with Diane von Furstenberg. These rich interviews provide an original insight into the work of the designer and her famous wrap dress, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Brussels Fashion & Lace Museum
Rue de la Violette 12, 1000 Brussels City
Phone Numbers: +32 2 213 44 50 and +32 2 279 43 67
Email: musea@​brucity.​be
www.fashionandlacemuseum.brussels

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of DVF and Brussels Fashion & Lace Museum
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My stay in Athens with THEMIS Z started already with a brilliant night at THE ISLAND, a landmark for more than thirty years when it comes to partying at the Athens Riviera. The dinner took place at the Gallery, one of the Island Art and Taste‘s private event spaces.

Friend of the designer, American actress Kelly Rutherford, who had flown in from L.A. for the event.

Offering the pleasures and privileges of a luxurious private estate on the coast, Themis hosted us in style with the most beautiful table setting.

Entering through exceptionally pretty bougainvillea-framed gates, the space with its extensive gardens is styled in the tradition of a classic Greek island house. The stone terrace, served by an open kitchen, leads to lawns framed by fragrant eucalyptus and chic box hedges planted with rosemary, lavender and aromatic flora.

The garden is cascading down to a picturesque chapel overlooking rocky coves so these landmark moments can be accompanied by the sound of waves on the shore below.

We indulges the the most amazing traditional Greek food, while being entertained by a local guitar player. I enjoyed spending time with old friends while making new ones.

With our lovely host Themis Zouganeli in one of her beautiful designs.

More to come… TO SHOP THEMIS Z, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Next level of style: Ester is matching her outfit to the tableware.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 
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Vault, Gucci’s experimental concept store, announces the arrival of its high summer collection. For the latest seasonal chapter in Vault’s tale, the warm sun, clear blue skies, and tranquil waters are subverted to become the canvas to picture eclectic summer stories through the depths of imagination.

Eight brands from around the globe have contributed to the selection that encompasses ready-to-wear, jewelry, shoes, and accessories for women and men curated for everything from carefree seaside getaways and outdoor adventures to the season’s most anticipated formal celebrations and rituals.

Vault Summer presents an array of styles and aesthetics by young brands as well as by fabled houses possessing decades of history.

Agua by Agua Bendita offers women’s beachwear and dresses hand-embroidered by Colombian artisans with native plants of Italy and the brand’s home country.

Emerging New York designer Connor McKnight puts forth a range of ready-to-wear for men inspired by vintage outdoor attire.

Parisian menswear brand Husbands delivers a complete selection of sartorial essentials marked by timeless formal tailoring.

A collection of minaudière clutch bags by Judith Leiber Couture includes playful reproductions of the brand’s highly collectible archival designs, showcased in museums such as London’s Victoria & Albert Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, among others.

Maison Michel proposes a selection of expertly crafted hats — both timeless and playful — for women and men.

Prounis Jewelry presents precious and semi-precious pieces crafted from 22-karat gold and responsibly sourced South Sea pearls, tourmaline, emeralds, and other gemstones.

Rowing Blazers introduces an array of signature rugby shirts alongside casual and elevated styles for men.

Joining the Vault line-up for the second consecutive season, Vans continues to surprise with its iconic silhouettes imagined in vibrant new colors and prints.

Transposing the hazy spirit of the collection, a campaign by Max Siedentopf blends references and clichés in a playful twist where Hollywood Glamour, slackers and tongue-in-cheek humor find common ground. With an emblematic blend of elegant formality and chic insouciance, an exuberant cast of characters embraces the laidback grandeur of a lakeside getaway in scenarios that ultimately showcase the dreamy reality of Summer.

Created exclusively for Vault, the limited-edition Vault Summer capsule collections will be available only online on gucci.com from May 22, 2023.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci
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Hello from Greece! I arrived in Athens for a very special celebration. My friend Themis Zouganeli is opening her new THEMIS Z flagship store in the Greek capital. Fond memories of her childhood in Athens and summers spent in Mykonos inspire her eponymous label.

Themis with me last January at The Gstaad Palace.

Each piece is conceived to reflect the relaxed yet sophisticated nature of Greek culture and handmade by artisans from the finest materials, which are sourced locally and under responsible conditions. Contemporary separates are showcased with clean lines and printed with geometric motifs and symmetrical patterns reminiscent of antique tile designs, translating the beauty of traditional Grecian dress into the everyday.

Don’t miss out on her tableware collection. Her unique creativity lies in the simple, clean lines she applies to her designs and patterns. It makes you feel like being on vacation at your own home.

At the Blue Palace, Resort and Spa at Elounda in Crete where I went last August, you can find a bespoke fine porcelain tableware adorned with individual hand-painted motifs reminiscent ent of the crystal hues of the Aegean Sea and inspired by the name of the hotel itself.

I am really looking forward to spending the next two days in Athens.

TO SHOP THEMIS Z, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / © Themis Z
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Last month, I took the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Vienna as guest of Louis Vuitton. Once I arrived in the Austrian capital, I visited the new Maison’s new store that has relocated to an expanded space on Graben in the heart of the city. Occupying four floors of a historic building, this new store presents the Louis Vuitton universe within a beautiful Viennese backdrop.

The store is the latest realisation of the design concept developed by Peter Marino for locations such as New Bond Street, Los Angeles and Ginza. Among the largest in Europe, it benefits from Vienna’s status as a dynamic cultural destination and a nexus for travel.

Designed by Max Kröpf, Oskar Laske and Viktor Fiala, the building dates to 1898-99. Its listed façade is ornamented with reliefs depicting long-distance trade and coats of arms from such cities as Hamburg, Trieste and London.

A spacious layout showcases the full Louis Vuitton offer and Peter Marino signatures, including striking art, objects and furniture that correspond with the design heritage of Vienna. Defined by curving walls and open sightlines, the store is organised around an exceptional staircase that unfurls with floating steps in four tonal varieties of stone. At once sculptural and a means of circulation, it is juxtaposed with a statement wall, panelled in commissioned works by well-known Austrian artist, Erwin Wurm. Bright and graphic, the eight paintings are composed of abstracted words: Form, Love, Body, Beauty and more.

As the history of Vienna is inextricably linked to its progressive movements in art and design, both figure significantly in the store’s expression. Notably, a pyramid of trunks has been hand-painted in the spirit of Gustav Klimt and other artists of the Vienna Secession. Vintage extends to contemporary – from an Alvar Aalto daybed and a Carl Malmsten modular sofa to Matt Gagnon’s Custom Light Stacks and Fernando Daza’s Four Intercepted Circles. With its flower-shaped bubbles, Atelier Biagetti’s Flower Tower lamp stands as a glass totem at once decorative and whimsical.

If you are in Vienna, this new store is a must-see, not only for the things to shop, but for its design!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / © Louis Vuitton 
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Sometimes I feel that I am living a life in timelapse. This morning, I had to wake up very early to catch the first flight out of Heathrow and I had to remind me where I am when I woke up. Last week I was in Paris, next week I am in Athens. I love traveling so much. However, I have a feeling time just flies when you are so busy.

These photos were taken in Paris before I went on the Orient- Express, where I wore this outfit for dinner. I love the little timelapse reference of the video cassette bag.

My look: Convertible embellished cashmere and cotton-blend cardigan by Area, dropped waist ruffle tulle logo graphic skirt (Look 1 F/W 2021), and VHS video tape reverse monogram clutch bag (Look 1 S/S 2020), both by Louis Vuitton, Double Bow crystal-embellished glittered leather point-toe pumps by Mach & Mach, embellished silver-tone belt, and silver-tone, crystal and faux pearl clip earrings by Alessandra Rich, and Neughman pilot sunglasses by Tom Ford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Nadia Krawiecka
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As promised here is the outfit that I wore to the first evening with ASMALLWORLD in Saint Tropez. I have always been in love with Pucci‘s mood-boosting vibrant  prints. This one for example is inspired by the label’s archival ‘Maddalena‘ motif that dates back to the ’60s. The same time the tiny village of Saint Tropez rose to fame thanks to Roger Vadim‘s movie «And God created woman», starring French actress Brigitte Bardot.

My look: Cropped open-back cotton-poplin halterneck top, printed silk-twill scarf, ruffled printed stretch-jersey flared pants, spiral cuff bracelet, and Pesci silver-tone, resin and faux pearl hoop earrings, all by Pucci, ruffled mesh shirt by Proenza Schouler, navy and cream platform heels with brass embellishments by Gucci, 23P mini top handle classic flap retangular in emerald green and navy blue lambskin leather by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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This week, the ASMALLWORLD Summer Weekend took place in Saint Tropez. For the first time, the famous Hôtel Byblos was the home for the weekend. Refined and exclusive, the magical venue located in the heart of Saint Tropez, was the perfect place to get the event started with sundowner cocktails around the pool at the Lounge-Bar «B».

Later, we went to «Le Quai» restaurant in the port to celebrate the good life. While we were indulging in exquisite champagne, and culinary delights, we enjoyed an exciting dinner show. Needless to say, we danced the night away.

All details of my look are coming up in my next post.

LoL, Sandra

Best hosts: CEO ASMALLWORLD Jan Lüscher and beautiful Emily May Nind

It was very cold in Saint Tropez that evening: So better tea than champagne… good times with Frank and Bettina Meissner and Emily May Nind.

Afrojack, Elettra Lamborghini, my humble self and Patrick Liotard-Vogt

Gorgeous Ljuba Manz and her husband Marco Conte

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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We live in times where micro trends play an important role thanks to a constantly changing algorithm-influenced universe. So it feels almost like a miracle when so many designers’ visions align to deliver us a wide-ranging group of trends for the season. Enjoy the act of accessorizing this S/S 2023 season!

LoL, Sandra

We all know that gloves are a cold weather wardrobe stable, which is a shame because they really work magic for immediately making any outfit just a little bit more wonderful. The black mesh or lace opera glove is still an eveningwear standard, but for spring, designers pushed it a bit further with ruffles, embellishments and net details.

Physically blooming from tops, skirts and dresses, florals show up as 3-D appliqués this season.

What comes up must come down, so it’s only logical that, after seeing belts get tinier and tinier, the pendulum would swing the other way.

Punk is not dead, the choker is back!

These frames with an ’80s vibe are edgy, cool, and perfect for unexpected styling combinations.

Big hats will protect you not only from the elements but also deliver stylish privacy.

Body jewelry is elevating the body to a walking canvas.

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
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