Sandra‘s Closet

“Be yourself, everyone else is taken!”

Banjo & Matilda is the label of the moment that specializes in super soft cashmere with a playful twist (a kiss is hand-stitched on the inside of each garment). Designer Belynda Macpherson is inspired by her Bondi Beach surroundings to create clothing focused on comfort and longevity. Counting the founder’s supermodel sister-in-law, Elle, amongst its fans, the brand now boasts a luxurious selection of cashmere sweaters, coverups and pants.

“I design for real life and a love of absolute comfort and longevity. Simplicity with a generous serve of discreet luxury makes me happy, and I am guessing/hoping/knowing you’ll love it too”. – Belynda Macpherson

Find out how to style the new line and how Belynda’s sister-in-law and unofficial muse, Elle Macpherson inspired the label’s name below:

Peace-intarsia cashmere sweater

Where does the name Banjo & Matilda come from?

“I was pregnant with my son when I started the label and my sister-in-law, Elle, was adamant I call him Banjo but I compromised and used it for the label. I wanted an Aussie mate for Banjo, so I took the rest of the name from our unofficial national anthem, Waltzing Matilda.”

Star-intarsia cashmere sweater

Why a knitwear label?

“My mother used to hand knit cashmere legwarmers for ballet because I had sensitive skin, so I have an emotional attachment to it. I also noticed on the beach that everyone was wearing bikinis during the day and then putting their cashmere on at night.”

Ultimate Vee cashmere sweater

Describe the brand philosophy in 3 words?

“Sand, surf and sky – it’s very Australian, very free.”

Croquet long cashmere cardigan

How to wear your pieces?

“Either with a pair of jeans, ballet flats and a tee underneath or a nice crisp white shirt, pencil skirt and skinny belt for work.”

Oversized cashmere sweater

Who would you love to see wearing your designs?

“Elle is our unofficial muse but I also love Kate Moss and the way she puts hi-lo looks together.”

Cashmere track pants

I am in love with Belynda’s super-comfy and stylish creations and you?
To shop, click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Banjo & Matilda and net-à-porter.com

Last month, we got to know that the uber-gorgeous Blake Lively is the face for Gucci’s new scent GUCCI PREMIÈRE (for the previous post, please click here).

Highly anticipated, the secret has been lifted on her facebook fan page – here is the glamorous and fabulous ad campaign shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott. I know, the photographer duo seems to have closed the deal on every campaign this season.

In a stunning sequined backless gown, Blake Lively transforms the Hollywood glamour of the ’30s perfectly for Gucci’s new fragrance Première. A short film will be released in September during the Venice Film Festival.

LoL, Sandra

Anne Hathaway grabbed attention yesterday at the European Premiere of The Dark Knight Rises in London in a stunning  shimmering gown from Gucci’s Resort 2013 collection. The long-awaited conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy is released worldwide tomorrow.

Speaking of Gucci Resort 2013, Frida Giannini seeked inspiration from a glorious 60s and 70s inspired getaway in Capri. Filled with sophisticated and elegant silhouettes, the designer plays with the iconic Flora print. The colours are divine, from vintage-like sorbet shades to earthy tones of beige, brown and black. Embroideries and embellishments on the neckline resemble a summer bouquet. I would love to have every single look!

It is so Bon Chic. Bon Genre!

LoL. Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci and © Getty Images

Kristen Stewart has officially made the transition from teenage dream to high-fashion icon.

The ad campaign for Balenciaga’s new Florabotanica fragrance features the 22 year-old “Twilight” actress in a floral dress, looking fierce at the camera. I am convinced that the new scent will get a lot of attention with its modern, attractive flacon and unusual ingredients, such as mint, rose, carnation, caladium leaf, vetiver and amber.

Balenciaga Florabotanica will be available in 30, 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum.
In Switzerland from October 2012, exclusively at Marionnaud.

And I have finally a scent matching my floral Balenciaga dress.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balenciaga and © Sandra Bauknecht

Who would have thought that cheetah print and red lace could look so lovely together?!

Olivia Palermo knows her style well and combines her animal-print shorts by Tibi with a red lace top by Zara for a punchy contrast. She keeps the rest simple with a pair of ballet flats by Repetto and a gold cuff.

If you are planning already your fall wardrobe, have a look at those pieces:

Printed cotton-blend sateen blazer (40% on sale) and skinny pants (50% off on sale), both by Tibi and Cecilia lace shirt (new season) by Erdem.

You could work the look from head to toe with the pants and the jacket together or just wear one at a time with this beautiful lace shirt for a fashion-forward combination.

LoL, Sandra

Treat yourself! It’s the patriotic thing to do and this was my motto for the day of the Fourth of July. After a lovely yoga session at the beach early in the morning, I wore my new stars and stripes bikini for a lazy day at the pool followed by a little shopping tour in the afternoon at The Shops at Wailea, a sweet little mall close to my hotel.

My look, of course Hawaiian-inspired:

Orchid printed T-shirt by Givenchy (also a favourite of Rihanna and Liv Tyler), denim mini skirt by Dolce & Gabbana, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline, white and silver wedges by Prada Sport and Falabella shoulder bag by Stella McCartney.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and ©style.mtv.com

Blake Lively is the face of Gucci’s new upcoming fragrance Gucci Première, named after the Italian house’s haute couture line. This is the “Gossip Girl” regular’s first scent campaign, though she posed for Chanel last year.

The scent is meant to evoke Old Hollywood and so does the short movie for the campaign shot by director Nicolas Winding Refn. “She is a girl of extraordinary beauty and she’s a girl who loves fashion. She has great taste in clothes. Although she’s young, she’s also very determined, and I liked this spirit. She knows how to be a diva in the right sense, with an aspirational glamour,” said Gucci’s Creative Director Frida Giannini.

Lively was the perfect choice to transport that glam retro-Hollywood look, don’t you think? The perfume will be launched worldwide Mid July.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Gucci

Serpenti is one of the Bvlgari’s most famous icons. The figure of the reptile, a symbol of eternally youth and immortality in the mythological bestiary, is an integral and long-established part of the aesthetic universe of the Italian jeweler, and consistently appears in the most striking Bulgari creations. In religion, mythology, and literature, serpents and snakes represent fertility or a creative life force. An object of desire for women all around the world since its first introduction.

The initial three coil gold snake wristwatch and bracelet, such as the ones in the collage above, were extremely successful in the 1950s and 1960s. Bulgari has expanded upon the theme by introducing other versions until today.

Recently, I was lucky to see this Bulgari museum piece from around 1965 which is not for sale:

Snake bracelet in gold and polychrome enamel (B616). The flexible bracelet designed as a coiled snake, the scales decorated with white and black enamel, the head with pear-shaped diamonds eyes.

It has already adorned the wrists of many celebrities, as you can see below:

Probably you can imagine how honoured I felt to wear this piece of contemporary history.

Eve was the first woman tempted by a serpent in paradise… and thanks to Bulgari many women have followed. In case you are ready to be tempted by the newest Serpenti 2012 collection, I invite you to click here for a previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bulgari, © Getty Images, © Guindani, © Irving Penn for Vogue and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Monday in New York’s Marble Cemetry, Stella McCartney presented her Cruise 2013 collection in a very fun way with all the pleasures of a fair. Anne Hathaway with a fresh pixie crop and Jim Carrey were among the guests who could see the stunning new pieces first. Leopard print, lace and fresh florals in beautiful spring colours dominated Stella’s iconic cuts. What a beautiful collection!

On the menu for the stylish crowd were ice-cream sandwiches, mini tacos and old-school sodas.
I am in love with every single detail!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Stella McCartney

I am part of a very interesting and extraordinary project for the launch of the new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid with different events taking place during the next days.

Starting today until this upcoming Monday, June 11th 2012, Volvo Switzerland is turning Zurich Main Station into an open street art studio. Seven Chinese artists will constantly repaint, respray and restyle the new car, expressing their interpretation of the sustainable mobility of tomorrow. Stop by if you get a chance to get an exciting insight into China’s contemporary art scene.

Tonight’s opening night presented an amazing live art and dancing performance. Volvo’s brand ambassador, Melanie Winiger, former Miss Switzerland winner and model, was dressed and painted all in black, followed by strokes of gold. Famous guest of the night was Andres Andrekson aka Stress, (see last photo below).

Richard Monturo, Volvo Vice President of Global Marketing, and Swiss chef Pascal Schmutz with me in the middle.

Stay tuned for more to come – especially if you are curious how the “three-dimensional canvas”, the new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, looks like. The two of us went on a little adventure trip today. The whole event is also streamed live via webcam at volvoartsession.com.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht