Sandra‘s Closet

Natalie Massenet, Stefano Gabbana, Queen Latifah, Naomi Campbell and Domenico Dolce.

Here we go: Party N°2!

I didn’t even have time to change after Matthew’s tropical night as I was running off to the next amazing event on Thursday night in London:
Net-à-Porter and Mr Porter celebrated the arrival of Dolce & Gabbana with a very intimate party “at home”.

It was literally a night of the stars (photo to the left: Queen Latifah with me), an A-list event with so many celebrities joining the fun and fashionistas wearing Dolce & Gabbana’s star-sprinkled F/W 2011 pieces.
Enjoy all the pics and comments from that memorable night!

Dolce & Gabbana collections are now available on Net-à-Porter and Mr Porter.

LoL, Sandra

My favourite fashion duo Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce with me.

Remember designer Henry Holland from LuisaViaRoma’s Animalier Party?!

Very sweet Mary Katrantzou remembered me and my Serendipity dress.

The good thing about Twitter (it was livestreamed on a wall) is that you can find people easily…

…like Disneyrollrgirl.

Emerging solo artist Sunday Girl Jade performed live in a star print jumpsuit by Dolce & Gabbana.

Natalie Massenet and Tim Blanks pose for their photo on the vintage Vespa mopeds.

My own picture postcard – such a lovely idea!

Kelly Osbourne

Famous Dolce & Gabbana model David Gandy

Mr & Mrs Porter: Jeremy Langmead & Natalie Massenet

Pixie Geldof

Pixie Lott

Stefano Gabbana, Natalie Massenet, Naomi Campbell and Domenico Dolce

Photos: © Net-à-Porter / Mr Porter, © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I flew to London to attend two amazing parties. The first event was a tropical summer night hosted by Matthew Williamson and Chantal Kerzner.

Chantal Kerzner, Matthew Williamson and me

Matthew with me

My outfit: Sequined peacock feather skirt, clutch and necklace by Matthew Williamson, blouse by Alexander McQueen, shoes by Gucci, bracelet by Louis Vuitton.

Matthew’s Mayfair store was the perfect location with all its rainforest-like decoration and beautiful wall coverings to celebrate his Escape collection which is also available at One&Only high-end resort shops.

Chantal’s dad, Sol Kerzner, a hotel magnate, launched One&Only in 2002 with seven properties in The Bahamas, Mexico, Mauritius, The Maledives, South Africa and Dubai. Chantal, head fashion buyer for the boutiques, brings an eclectic mix of high fashion and cutting-edge labels to the holiday destinations.

Enjoy Matthew’s beautiful vacation must-haves, available also through matthewwilliamson.com.

Stay tuned for the next amazing party…
Bon Voyage!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert of Monaco made it official with a religious ceremony at the main courtyard in the palace in front of 4000 invited guests.

The bride looked stunning in a breath-taking custom-made Armani Privé (the haute couture line of Giorgio Armani) silk duchesse off-the-shoulder ivory gown with subtle pearl and gold-tinted Swarovski crystal embellishments and an amazing train.

 

A long off-white silk tulle veil was placed on top of her chignon which had quite a very beautiful diamond encrusted floral accent.

Photos: © Getty Images

For the evening reception and gala, Charlene wore another fantastic Armani Privé gown. The newlyweds looked much more relaxed than during the religious ceremony and had definitely the world’s largest wedding cake ever.

LoL, Sandra

It is the weekend of weddings, Charlene Wittstock, now called Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene, has finally married long-time bachelor Prince Albert, son of late Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier, in Monaco and Kate Moss has tied the knot with indie rocker Jamie Hince in Cotswolds. We all have been speculating the last weeks what the famous brides will be wearing for their big day.

Charlene went for Chanel and wore a pale blue suit jacket with beautiful lace trims and a long, flowing skirt.

“It’s a collaboration between me and Karl Lagerfeld,” Charlene explained to Vogue. “We wanted something to match the color of my eyes. It is my creation and I’m proud of it. It’s feminine and keeps with tradition yet has a little twist that reflects my personal style. I thought it was a nice change to go for trousers instead of a skirt, especially since I’m an athlete and have always kept my clothes clean and simple.”

Let’s see what she will be wearing today for the religious ceremony. Rumours are that she decided to go for Armani…

Montblanc takes part in the crowning moments as they have created a one-of-a-kind writing instrument, a Création Privée from the Artisan Atelier Hamburg, that the couple used to seal their civil union.

The very unique fountain pen is embellished with precious stones (161 rubies and 128 diamonds) and the monogram of the Princely Couple.

Kate Moss looked absolutely stunning in her John Galliano vintage-style dress with sequins and rhinestone details. She teamed it with Manolo Blahnik shoes.

After the furore in Spring surrounding John Galliano (he was sacked as chief designer of Christian Dior for an anti-semitic tirade), she was said to be in turmoil but she stood by her friend John Galliano after all.

Wouldn’t you sign this?!

I am invited this weekend as well to two weddings and I am off now to Austria…
Congrats to all newlyweds!

LoL, Sandra

„To me, photography is an art of observation…
It is about finding something interesting in an ordinary place.“
-Elliott Erwitt

Recently I was invited by the Swiss private bank Clariden Leu to attend a very special soirée to celebrate the one year renovation of their headquarter on Bahnhofstrasse 32 in Zurich with the amazing exhibition „A World of Pictures“ by Elliott Erwitt. The photography legend had been flown in especially for the evening and it was a real honour to meet him.

Clariden Leu’s ‘Leuenhof’ was built in Neo-Gothic style between 1914 and 1915 and its impressive art gallery is the ideal venue for art exhibitions.

Olivier Jaquet, CEO Clariden Leu, gave an introductory speech and Birgit Filzmaier, owner of the gallery “19th & 20th Century Fine Art Photography” (the place to go if you are interested in Elliott Erwitts’s work) the laudation.

Elliott Erwitt with Mike Baur, Clariden Leu’s new Head Private Banking Switzerland

“Elliott Erwitt’s Best Picture? The Next One.”

Elliott Erwitt was born in France of Russian émigré parents in 1928. His formative years were spent in Italy. At the age of 10 he moved with his family to France afterward immigrating to the United States in 1939.

 

Grace Kelly, New York City 1955.

„It was pure luck. Luck is essential in photography.”

-Elliott Erwitt

Distinguished as both a documentary and commercial photographer, Erwitt has taken some of the most memorable photos of the 20th century, including portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy and Grace Kelly, as well as astonishing scenes of everyday life, filled with poetry, wit and a special sense of humor. Famous for capturing absurd split-second moments and subtle glances, Erwitt’s work is truly masterful. He likes children and dogs.

Jacqueline Kennedy, at the funeral of JFK, Arlington 1963

Dog Legs, New York City 1974

In 1953 freshly decommissioned from military service, Elliott Erwitt was invited to join Magnum Photos as a member by its founder Robert Capa. To date he continues to be an active member and one of the leading figures in the competitive field of photography.

Elliott Erwitt is said not to like talking about his photos as they talk for themselves. In the conversation between him and Ettore Gualtiero Robbiani, Clariden Leu’s art specialist and curator of the in-house private art collection, Elliott Erwitt’s evident sense of humour showed in his very witty answers and made him perennially quotable. Enjoy!

Elliott Erwitt, welcome to Zurich. How are you?

Most of the parts are working!

I have to confess I am really fascinated by you. What is this egg about?

Everybody has a tag here and I felt lonesome having no tag.

You are an eyewitness to history and a dreamer with a camera. You took some of the most memorable photos of the century. Where do you see your cultural roots?

Photographers don’t need to have roots.

Do you ask for permission taking somebody’s photos?

You never ask for permission. You shoot first and hope that they don’t realise. In Japan, it is very easy to be a photographer because everybody is. In Muslim countries it is hard as nobody likes their picture to be taken. In France, they have privacy laws, if people see themselves in the magazine, they can sue you if you don’t have a permission.

Couple Kissing, Santa Monica, California 1955

 

Have you been sued ?

I was sued by people who thought that they were in the picture but they weren’t.

How did your interest in photography raise?

Because of family circumstances, I was on my own since the age of 16 and I had to make a living. Taken photographs was a good way. You don’t have a boss. My only permanent job that I ever had was with the US military army. Everything else has been freelance.

Did you like the army?

I didn’t mind it.

Did you have your camera with you?

Always. I took some of my best pictures when I was in the army.

What is today your favourite camera?

I don’t have a favourite camera. I divide between my professional and personal work. For clients, you have to use the tools you need to achieve the results that your clients expect. For my own personal work, I walk around with a small camera, my Leica usually and that is quite seperate. One thing is for business, one thing is for hobby.

Miami Beach, 1962

 

And talking about influences? What were your early influences in photography?

My early influences were Italian films after the war, neo-realist films of Fellini, Rosselini, people like that. That was my main influence and apart from that the photography of Henri Cartier-Bresson which are the gold standards in my view of photography.

When it comes to being influenced you named Edward Steichen as a mentor. How did he influence you?

He didn’t influence me, he was just very helpful at that time. I was very young and I could use some help. He got me my first job by calling somebody up. He could do that, he was a very powerful man. My influences were as I mentioned before.

You once said that photography is a craft that everybody with normal intelligence could learn? But to take it beyond the craft is when the magic comes in? How do you actually approach your magic moments in a photo? Is it all staging, set-ups?

I don’t get up in the morning and expect to do magic. I think that magic is in the eye in the beholder. You don’t plan things. Good photography is not planned unless it is work which is planned. Photography which is interesting to me is simply an art of observation, organising elements, making fine prints.

Marilyn Monroe, New York City 1956

 

Coming to magic moments. In your career, you portraited Marilyn Monroe. I tend to say that you showed her in a different way than we know her. How was Marilyn as a person?

I was afraid that you asked that. I am always asked that question. She was very nice, very photogenic. She looked better in pictures than in real life. Also she looked pretty good in real life as well. She was a sensitive person, a little bit nuts. She was very kind to me.

Whom of the famous persons that you met was meaningful to you?

Famous people are ordinary people that became famous. President Kennedy, Fidel Castro, of course that is interesting. Those people are very historic figures. And the problem of taking a picture of those famous people is exactly the same than taking it of ordinary people.

When you mentor young photographers what are looking for in their work?

Visual sense, application, a kind of burning ambition because it is very difficult to succeed in photography. Digital photography makes it easy to become a photographer but hard to become a good one. So you look for energy, for perserverance, and as I said most importantly for visual sense.

Metropolitan Museum, New York City, 1988

 

What about ego? Do you need a strong ego?

A strong ego gets generally in the way of things. People don’t react very well to people with a strong ego. If you have it, keep it private.

Who is your favourite photographer living or dead?

The ones that are in my agency Magnum. Henri Cartier-Bresson is the champion of them. There are some that are very promising. Photographers who work for the passion, those are the interesting ones. The ones only on assignment are not the interesting ones, they are just earning a living.

Do you collect yourself?

I am not a collector. But I have exchanged with some of my friends.

57th Street Gallery, New York City, 1963

 

This year, you received the Infinity Award 2011 for Lifetime Achievement from the International Center of Photography. Can you please describe what it is like to receive that honour? It is the lifetime Oscar  of photography.

It is a little bit embarrasing. It seems like your life is over. You get a nice dinner, a little statue, people think that you are okay. But it really shouldn’t influence you that much.

You son Misha is a photographer as well. When he told you about his future plans, how did you react? What advice did you give him?

Get a dayjob! But here is an amusing anecdote: When my father retired, he decided to become a photographer because he wanted to follow in his son’s footsteps which I thought was very sweet.

Thank you Mr Erwitt for coming!

Thank you all for showing up! I couldn’t imagine that I am that interesting.

What an honour: Elliott Erwitt with me.

LoL, Sandra

On Saturday, you were able to watch the Burberry Prorsum Menswear S/S 2012 show live on Sandra’s Closet. Today, I would like to show you whom I saw at the show in Milan and give you a little more insight into the collection.

The lull before the storm.

Anna Dello Russo with Bryan Boy…

…and with me.

Front Row: Julian Morris, Cara Delevingne, Rob Pryor and Jake Cooper

Christopher Bailey celebrated craftsmanship and laid the emphasis on the artisan spirit:

“This collection started with our iconic heritage as the foundation, we really wanted to emphasise this feeling of handcrafted pieces, celebrating craftsmanship but always with this playful element. We have taken our icons and played with texture to personalise and give them a real character and charm using colour to highlight the intricate detail that goes into crafting them.”

Christopher Bailey, Burberry Chief Creative Officer BURBERRY PRORSUM

There were lots of ikat prints, beautiful raffia trims and wooden paillettes. Those embellishments will make those T-shirts the next summer’s must-haves.  The crocheted details and the bobble caps were reminscent of the `70s and the hippie era. I am pretty convinced that those ethnical influences, the maxi bags and the earthy colours will be liked a lot by the stronger sex. Don’t forget, you can order some of the pieces now online until June 27, 2011.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Burberry

While being in New York, one trend caught my eye: White nail polish.

Personally, I like the opaque version very much. It emphasizes the shape of the nails while looking cool and fresh. Moreover it suits every skin tone. The only downside is the maintenance as the white hue doesn’t last as long as other shades.

My favourite tone is Ecume by Nars, which is part of their recent summer collection.

 

 

 

 

Ecume is described as “An opaque white nail enamel that is at once vintage-inspired and avant-garde in sensibility.”

If you like to take it one step further, get inspired by stylesetter Alexa Chung. She painted little palm trees or tine hearts on her white fingertipps. I am loving it and you?

LoL, Sandra

Yesterday, during another Baume et Mercier workshop at the Montauk lighthouse, I met Kelly Killoren Bensimon, the ex-wife of French fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon. The beautiful brunette is a multitalent: A mother of two, an author, jewelry designer, former model, and former editor of Elle Accessories. She currently appears on Bravo The Real Housewives of New York City and is the editor at large for Hamptons Magazine, a free weekly with circulation of 40,000 to 50,000.

Kelly, who now resides in New York City and East Hampton, published the book „In the Spirit if The Hamptons“. As a connoisseur of Long Island’s East End, she gave us a wonderful insight of the lifestyle.

„The Hamptons are understated, a nice spoil to New York. Nouveau Riche is here definitely the wrong word. It is more of a relaxed and easy going beach community. It is a no hair and no make-up mentality. You can see many celebrities enjoying themselves, like Paul McCartney going sailing or Stella McCartney on the bike. Ralph Lauren drives his extensive vintage car collection around the area while Donna Karan raised her family here and brought a shop and a restaurant to Sag Harbour.

Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller even spent their honeymoon in the Hamptons. When it comes to partying, Puff Daddy’s legendary White Party is a must. A little revolution as Americans are not supposed to wear white before Memorial Day. The Hamptons are a magical place all through the year. In the winter months it is beautiful to bundle up and walk your dog on the beach. You can go horseback riding, enjoy indoor tennis and many more activities.

By the way, we call the Hamptons the Beach!“

– Kelly Killoren Bensimon

Kelly looked so pretty and sported the relaxed and casual Hampton style perfectly with her white cropped pants, the little tunic, the ballet flats and her beautiful new Baume et Mercier watch.
Like always, if you like the look, you can start shopping below.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

While Dior still hasn’t officially announced Galliano’s successor (and they won’t probably until September), the suspicion hardens that Ricardo Tisci, Givenchy’s Creative Director, will be the one. Since John Galliano’s unpleasant exit, Dior’s dresses have been stigmatised on the red carpet. In return, we have been spotting much more Givenchy lately. Might be a sign…

Liv Tyler, Mary-Kate Olsen and Alicia Keys wore Givenchy Haute Couture to the Met Gala in New York this month.

Naomi Campbell was a fringed beauty in an embroidered evening gown at the amfAR 2011 Fight Against Aids party in Cannes last Thursday. Photo: © PacificCoastNews

For the same gala, Courtney Love chose an absolutely spectacular Givenchy Couture gown with a plunging neckline and a sheer tulle-and-feather skirt.
Photo: © Francois Durand/Getty Images Europe

Beyoncé wore Givenchy for her video for her single Run The World (Girls)

As for me, Ricardo Tisci would be a great choice. I have been a big fan of his creations for a long time. He will surely infuse more gothic appeal to Dior but that doesn’t need to be bad, doesn’t it? And when Tisci leaves Givenchy, Haider Ackermann could succeed. I think I like that idea very much!

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