Sandra‘s Closet

It was born on the catwalk of the 2015 Cruise show, the perfect accessory blending the Epi leather’s powerful heritage with the modernity of a graphic clasp which pivots the LV into a V, a reference to the trunk-maker’s initials and a twisting mechanism to which the bag owes its name. Since then, the Twist has become a timeless classic, following in the footsteps of the House’s iconic bags. And just like them, it is constantly being reinvented.

For Spring 2021, it sports intense, delicate or vibrant shades to match any personality. From rich black to tender pink, luminous turquoise to refined beige, the Twist raises the tone. It also returns with a variety of carry options. Featuring a fine chain or broad shoulder strap embroidered with Monogram flowers, or even a leather handle, it adds a swing to one’s style, whether worn crossbody, over the shoulder, under the arm or in one’s hand. Last but not least, it adopts subtle variations to become the Braided Twist, with its braiding adding an original edge.

This season, it expresses all its vitality in the company of actress Laura Harrier, who’s role in Spiderman: Homecoming in 2017 brought her attention. But it’s her Civil Rights activist’s role in Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman that gave her international recognition. The film won the Grand Prix in Cannes Film Festival in 2018 and as part of the ensemble, she was nominated for a Screen Guild Award in 2019.

She has recently starred in Ryan Murphy‘s mini-series Hollywood. Laura Harrier is a supporter of civil rights and advocates for issues such an intersectional feminism, transgender rights, gun control, gender equality and representation for both black people and people of colour in general.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Vuitton

The Lady D-Lite bag combines classic elegance with the modernity of the House of Dior and has immediately become one of my new season favorites. For the F/W 2020, Maria Grazia Chiuri revisits Lady Diana’s favorite bag. Textural and soft, it comes with a tone-on-tone motif in muted shades, embroidered in vibrant hues, in tie-die or in warm velvet. The result is a timeless and elegant collectible to love for years to come.

My new beloved medium Lady D-Lite bag in Lights embroidery.

It also features a «Christian Dior» signature on the front and thick pale gold-finish metal «D.I.O.R.» charms. Equipped with a wide, reversible and removable embroidered shoulder strap, the medium bag can be carried by hand, worn over the shoulder or crossbody, pairing easily with other matching Dior creations of the season.

Treat yourself to a moment of zen with this lovely little video of the making of Dior’s new «Lady D-Lite» bag, and see the level of detail and precision involved in its design and creation.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht

Fine art and high fashion collide very often at Loewe. This season, Jonathan Anderson turned the works of ceramicist Ken Price (1935 – 2012) into wearable art. Blue sky thinking: the American artist’s optimistic ceramics and vibrant, sunny landscapes are featured in this capsule collection of ready-to-wear and accessories by the Madrid-based label. Ken Price’s eclectic influences ranged from Mexican folk art to surf culture and defied categorization. He was committed to clay as a material, producing both abstract and biomorphic forms, as well as more functional objects.

Ken Price at work in his studio.

Explore the Loewe x Ken Price collection by motif. Choose between the artist’s La Palme, Easter Island and Happy Curios series.

Capturing L.A.’s quintessential ease, Price’s colourful drawings feature as prints on silk shirts, sweatshirts and cropped culottes, or as intarsia on cashmere cardigans and jumpers.

Loewe’s famous intarsia technique has been used to translate the brightly coloured motifs across signature shapes such as the Puzzle, Bamboo Bucket and Hammock bags.

Reflecting the spirit of Ken Price’s handcrafted aesthetic, the Fringes series of intensely crafted finely woven leather basket bags is launching alongside the capsule collection.

YOU CAN SHOP LOEWE x KEN PRICE HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Loewe
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

In 2009, Valentino caused a fashion frenzy when its creative directors at that time power duo, Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri, came up with what would be one of the maison’s most fortuitous accessories: the Rockstud sandals. With their dainty shape and small pyramidal studs, the shoes were immediately loved by fashionistas around the globe.

Me with some Rockstud details

Now in the creative directorship solo, Piccioli is celebrating the style’s 10th anniversary with a new program called Valentino Garavani Rockstud X. Categorized as an «open lab» the series will see Piccioli collaborate with a rotating cast of guest designers on the Rockstud. First up: the conceptual British designer Craig Green (see cover photo). Already known for his partnerships with Moncler and Adidas, this is the first time Green has reached the upper echelons of the fashion world, where arguably Valentino reigns. The Valentino x Craig Green collaboration product will be unveiled in early January 2021 while the product is set to launch in stores around late February 2021.

However, you don’t need to wait until February to get your hands on something very beautiful from Valentino. For S/S 2021, Piccioli is making the Valentino Rockstud bigger and better than ever, as the Rockstud take on gargantuan proportions, embellishing gladiator sandals and bags that will be a big hit. So-called Roman studs, Roman architecture inspired this iconic motif able to manifest the Maison’s bourgeois and punk essences.

TO SHOP THE NEW ROMAN STUDS, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Valentino and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

I just love this bag! Daniel Lee‘s blown-up take on Bottega Veneta‘s intrecciato weave creating perfectly shaped squares feels so modern and sophisticated. The structured, ’90-inspired silhouette is crafted from two layers of soft leather that’s thickly padded so it feels soft and puffy.

In my closet: Cassette small Intrecciato-leather cross-body bag in green

There are two options. First, wear the adjustable leather strap cross-body or tuck it inside to carry as a clutch as seen above or opt for the version with the chunky chain strap in gold (my favorite) or silver, which happens to be another new addition this fall, see below.

In my closet: Cassette chain-embellished padded intrecciato suede shoulder bag in dark brown

YOU CAN SHOP THE FULL VARIETY OF THE DIFFERENT PADDED CASSETTE BAGS HERE.

It is hard to decide, isn’t it?

LoL, Sandra

Photo brown bag: © Sandra Bauknecht. Photo green bag: © David Biedert Photography
Stills: © Bottega Veneta
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

Looking for a great birthday gift for a fashion-loving friend or are you thinking of treating yourself to something beautiful to remember the day you were born?

Olympia Le-Tan‘s exclusive very limited «Zodiac» clutches are a lovely way to celebrate someone special and the way the stars were aligned on their birthday. Crafted to resemble a book, each one is artfully embroidered, appliquéd with the sign’s corresponding constellation and marked with the individual number at the back.

TO SHOP THE ZODIAC CLUTCHES, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Olympia Le-Tan / Net-à-Porter
DISCLOSURE: This post is not sponsored. However, we may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Fashion is a game. Presented during Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2021 Collection by Artistic Director of Women’s Collections Nicolas Ghesquière, Game On sees creative freedom playing with canvas and lines mingling between the Monogram flowers and four suits of a card deck. French actor and Louis Vuitton ambassador Léa Seydoux embodies this new collection and jumps into a fantasy illusion where clubs bloom, spades pierce, diamonds sparkle, and the almighty heart reigns. Through a transversal collection, Game On plays its ace on the House’s most iconic pieces including leather goods, ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories.

Game On Canvas sees the Monogram reinterpreted on a black or white background with contrasting colours of bright blue and poppy red – a tiny heart replaces the House’s signature blossom. Here, the Petite Malle and Vanity PM in black and white make for an eye-catching statement. The geometric Square bag in white leather with a golden chain ups the ante.

The Dauphine, Speedy, Neverfull, and Keepall in Game On Monogram are adorned with enlarged suits of cards, giant hearts and blossoms in vivid red, blue, pink and purple, paired with golden hardware. A pair of Archlight trainers in white with leather trimmings sport a bright red heart, perfect to pair with the Paname bags duo. The queen of hearts, the Monogram Heart bag, stands true to its name as the first ever heart shaped bag. Raising the stakes, Capucines BB in white Taurillon leather and the Twist in white Epi leather complete this game of illusion.

My three favorites: Dauphine, Speedy and the Archlight trainers.

A royal flush, the collection expresses a particular art of living that keeps the trunk-making heritage alive. It’s the symbolism of a deck of cards, the traveller’s loyal companion, endless entertainment that cultivates togetherness. Game On is a lighthearted adventure in which all of the House’s spheres of expertise play a role, driven by passionate craftsmanship, their winning hand.

Already available in selected Louis Vuitton stores worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton

Anya Hindmarch is loved for the sense of whimsy she imbues into all her accessories. Handmade from recycled satin and covered in glittering paillettes, those mini totes are embellished with sparkling beads and crystals to mimic the different packagings. It’ll be sure to raise a few smiles wherever you go and the good thing is those treats are all calorie-free.

LoL, Sandra

Heinz Ketchup Tote Bag

Mars Tote Bag

Walkers Tote Bag

Rolo® Tote Bag

After Eight Tote Bag

Marmite Tote Bag

Wrigley’s tote bag

Fisherman’s Friend Tote Bag

Twix Tote Bag

Frosties Tote Bag

Dairy Milk Tote Bag

Stills: © Anya Hindmarch,  Collages: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

New for the F/W 2020 season, in its fabrication and appearance the Miu Belle bag brings together many of Miu Miu’s most iconic signatures.

The body of the bag is crafted in matelassé leather. By now synonymous with the Miu Miu name, the highly distinctive, rich texture of the skin combines sophisticated craftsmanship with innovation: panels of leather are paired with wadding and elastic cloth and then quilted. Although approximately 60 % more leather goes into the making of a matelassé bag it remains light: luxurious. In a similar vein, its unique artisanal finish is rivalled only by the malleability of the skin that stretches, adapting to any contents.

The Miu Miu Belle bag spotted on the F/W 2020 Runway 

The Miu Belle is further characterised by its polished metal frame and glossy black clasp which represent the perfect synthesis of glittering modernity and charmed nostalgia. Referencing jewellery, it is at once feminine and strong, purposeful and playful, its smooth, hard surface in direct contrast to the pleated skin.

The Miu Belle bag comes in a variety of seasonal and classic colours. The larger size has a tubular leather handle and detachable shoulder strap, a smaller pochette version may be hand held or worn on the shoulder via a tubular chain strap.

I love the pochette and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

With a new season arriving in stores, there’s no doubt we’re getting all excited about the newest must-haves of bags, shoes and accessories. Here is a summary what ruled on the runways and is guaranteed to be all over the feeds this winter season.

LoL, Sandra

Lengthy fringe finishes will ensure you receive lots of compliments for your new bag. Fringes are one of the biggest trends for the new season.

Considering the popularity of Bottega Veneta’s Pouch clutch, it was only a matter of time before other brands took on the trend for soft, handheld bags.

AirPod cases, mobile phone pouches or water bottle holders, those single-use mini bags are all the rage.

Why choose one fabric when you can have many? Patchwork featuring carefully spliced leathers and suedes were carried in a multitude of runway shows.

While chokers have been popular in seasons past, this fall sees chunky pieces with chains and mixed metals so you don’t have to choose between silver and gold anymore.

Harnesses are guaranteed to amplify any fall look, promise!

The tie is breaking down all current stereotypical gender norms.

This season, it’s finally time to invest in a pair of fab gloves you’ll keep for ages.

Get your snood ready. The head covering was everywhere for fall.

We will be staying warm this winter. Knee-high socks are a must this season.

A boot that lets you dominate in both the boardroom and bedroom.

The probably most instagrammable footwear trend: charming bows adorn the most beautiful heels.

From boots to heels, the popular chunky chain jewelry trend stays for another season.

Perfect for the next zoom meeting at home for work, this fluffy and furry footwear shows the current zeitgeist.

Chunky lug soles and nineties-style platforms and flatforms are here to stay.

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands