Sandra‘s Closet

Isabella Blow was a fashion editor and  an international style icon. Her unique, free spirit was admired and she inspired many artists and designers. High-profile names in the fashion industry owe their start to her, Philip Treacy, Alexander McQueen, Sophie Dahl and Hussein Chalayan among them.
In 2007, Isabella Blow committed suicide after having severly suffered from depression and ovarian cancer.

Martina Rink with Christiane Arp (Vogue Germany) and Josef Voelk (The Corner), Photo:©Harald Fuhr

Today is the official launch of an amazing book dedicated to her: “Isabella Blow” by Martina Rink with an introduction by Philip Treacy. First presented in Berlin last Thursday at Fashion’s Night Out at The Corner, it is an hommage to her original, outrageous personality. This lavishly illustrated volume includes reminiscences and stories along with personal letters written exclusively for this book by Mario Testino, Manolo Blahnik, Dita van Tesse and Anna Piaggi, just to name a few.

The author Martina Rink is a Parisian-German born Fashion Director who began her career working with Isabella Blow as her personal assistant. Her insight knowledge makes this oeuvre so special. £29.95, Thames & Hudson, ISBN 978 0 500 515358.

LoL, Sandra

Yesterday, I flew to London to celebrate the city’s biggest shopping spectacle: Fashion’s Night Out. Being a fashion addict, I felt like having arrived in heaven. The streets were filled with stylish people for whom fashion still has a thrill, an inspiring mood was in the air. The events were numerous, from Giorgio Armani’s cocktail party, Manolo Blahnik unveiling the World of Manolo pop-up store at Liberty to Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s DJ performance at the Juicy Couture store. Everywhere was something exciting to see or even to win.

The evening served also a good cause. Vogue launched a limited edition T-shirt for the night designed by Sanna Annukka of which all profits go to charity Kids Company.

There was so much to do it had been hard to decide where to start. Superstar appearances were guaranteed at the parties that required an invitation like the ones at Stella McCartney or Matthew Williamson. I was lucky to be there and had the best time ever. The photos I took speak for themselves. Enjoy my very own exciting moments of last night.

LoL, Sandra

Fashion Night Out's kick-off: People lining up in front of the Louis Vuitton store

Louis Vuitton's amazing window display

Fashionable people at Matthew Williamson

Real models in the windows of Daks

Paparazzis taking photos of Petra Ecclestone arriving at Stella McCartney

Sweet treats at Stella McCartney: I was in love with the Falabella bag cookies.

Yummy Stella cupcakes

What do you think? Me being the new F/W 2010 campaign model for Stella McCartney.

Best party moments: Stella hugging Gwyneth Paltrow. To the left: Alexandra Shulman, editor-in-chief of Vogue UK.

Claudia Schiffer welcoming Gwyneth Paltrow. To the left: Natalia Vodianova.

Gwyneth listening passionately. I loved that her lavender lace bra showed a little.

Girlfriends: Claudia Schiffer, Stella McCartney pregnant with her fourth child looking gorgeous in her own designs, Natalia Vodianova and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Claudia in Christopher Kane Cruise 2011, Gwyneth in Stella McCartney and Natalia in David Koma.

Me with Stella McCartney

Me with Claudia Schiffer

Me with Matthew Williamson

Me sooo happy in my hotel room ready for bedtime in my FNO T-shirt, PHOTOS: Sandra Bauknecht

While beeing in Los Angeles, I met with the Queen of the Eyebrows, Anastasia Soare, herself.  Being widely referred to as the Beauty Innovator and The Definitive Brow and Eye Expert, the charming lady of Romanian origin developed over the years her own Golden Ratio technique to shape eyebrows and to enhance the overall eye area. Today, she is the CEO of a beauty empire, including two full service beauty salons and exclusive brow, skincare and colour products that are sold at select Nordstrom, Sephora and International locations.

Her success has no end. While I was with Anastasia, Kim Kardashian texted her and David Beckham was scheduled later. Celebrities like Oprah, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and Sharon Stone, line up to get their eyebrows done by her.
So you can imagine how happy I was when she did mine. She told me that I was tweezing too much and that my shape is the so-called high-arch. After explaining her technique to me and giving me the gorgeous brow kit, I can perfectly do it by myself now. I have been receiving so many compliments since then. The right shape of the eyebrow makes such a big difference to the whole face. It can even make you look so much younger.
Above you will find the most important steps.

I truly recommend her products to you. The brow kit makes the shaping so much easier.

The stencils are included in the kit to find the best eyebrow shape for you.

In case that you are in the L.A. area, here are some insider tips. Try to book a long time in advance. Her technicians are also doing a great job. You will lay flat during the treatment, it is very relaxing, not painful at all.

If you are dreaming of seeing Anastasia herself, she takes walk-ins from 9-10am. On Tuesday, she is in her Brentwood store (11933 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025) and from Wednesday to Saturdays, she works in her famous Beverly Hills location on 438 North Bedford Drive. But please call the store first, as she is travelling a lot.
The beauty salons offer full service from eyebrows to hair styling to make-up and waxing. See the price list for the complete services.

The walls of her store are plastered with thank you notes of celebrities.

Anastasia with me.

Thank you, Anastasia, for giving my brows the perfect arch! I am loving them!

LoL, Sandra

I am a total yogini. I just love every bit of yoga. And while practising, I still like to look and feel good. Nike and Juicy Couture offer a great selection of yoga clothing along with some gorgeous accessories. Juicy Couture has some fun slogan tops that I truly adore and that work all day long.

In case you have not tried yoga yet, be brave and give it a chance. But be careful, it will depend very much on the teacher if you like it or not. So give several studios a chance. Believe me, it is worth it. Yoga can be a great workout and for all sportmaniacs, you can sweat a lot, too.
It will make your muscles nice, tight and long and will give your body a lot of flexibility while integrating the mind and your emotions.

In Los Angeles, I was very lucky to train with Steve Ross, the so-called Yogi to the Stars by Instyle, with his own show “Inhale” on the Oxygen network and retreat leader at Maha Yoga.

Steve with me after a training with no make-up and due to all the sweating with curly hair.

Conveying his message perfectly, he gave me a signed copy of his fabulous book “Happy Yoga”.

„Here’s the yogi truth: There’s nothing to worry about. You are whole, complete, perfect, beautiful, loving, and blissful, and you know everything there is to know.“ – Steve Ross

With this in mind, you will look fabulous each day!

In Zurich, I am also very happy to practice yoga on a regular basis with Vasili Vlachos, an amazing teacher of Greek origin that has received his essence of yoga while living and studying several years at the famous Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, India, the home to the living legend Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar (Guruji) himself.
Iyengar yoga uses props, such as wooden gadgets, belts, ropes, to achieve perfection in your asanas more easily. It has become my favourite way to practise.
If you are living in Zurich and are interested, please feel free to contact the Iyengar Yoga Center of  Maya & Vasili Vlachos.

Namaste!

LoL, Sandra

Since a few season, we have been seeing slim, slouchy, harem-style gray sweatpants on the catwalks and designers have not yet become tired of them. One of the reasons might be that we love the comfy luxe loungewear look during the day so much that everybody is holding on to it. Combined with a pair of sharp high heels, the former gym attire transforms into a real statement fashion must-have.

Rihanna shows how fierce the sporty look can be in her studded Stella McCartney sweater and sweatpants that she wears with ultra-sexy shoes by Nicholas Kirkwood.

If you are looking for a fab pair of gray sweatpants, above are some of the most exceptional pieces available at the moment.

Love my Stella suit!

I am combining the stud-embellished sweater and matching sweatpants by Stella McCartney with a pair of Miu Miu sandals and my Elsie bag by Chloé.

Steal the show in a totally relaxed way. How cool is that?

LoL, Sandra

Yesterday, at the 62nd Emmy Awards 2010 in Los Angeles, celebrities went on a berry hunt. The most beautiful dresses were the ones in the must-have berry shades of the season.
Those tones will remain for Resort 2011. Enjoy the sneak preview as most of the gowns have already been from the upcoming collections.

The US-series Mad Men won again in the category top drama. I would give the award fashionwise in the category “top drama gown” to their supporting actress Christina Hendricks in her lilac Zac Posen Resort 2011 dress that flaunted her curves perfectly and looked so stunning in combination with her flame-red hair.

On the F/W 2010 runways, berry tones were seen everywhere as if the designers have had all mixed berries for desert while creating their collections. The bright shades were combined in all ways.

I put some outfits together to show you how those hues combined together can make a strong statement and instantly update your wardrobe.

Red with violet, fuchsia with ruby, vermillion with plum- everything is possible, just let your imagination run free.

This winter, the LBD (Little Black Dress) is taken hostage by the LRD (Little Red Dress). So chances are very high that you might get scarlet fever soon. The bright vibrant tone is very contagious especially when worn tone on tone. Accessorize it with matching pumps and a bag in the same colour family for head-to-toe chic.

I am totally in love with Bottega Veneta‘s tone on tone looks. How about you?
Have I whet your appetite for mixed berries?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

They are loved and worn by Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Kate Perry: The crazy sunglasses by Kerin Rose. From lace-covered to paint-spattered, those sunnies might probably fail to fulfill their original purpose but they are definite eyecatchers. Being one-of-a-kind statement pieces with a rockstar allure, they are the perfect accessories for your next 80s revival party.
So go big, go hard, and go far! And do not take it too seriously…
Available at A-morir and Browns.

LoL, Sandra

This year, Wolford celebrates its 60th anniversary. To honour the event, the Austrian hosiery and lingerie brand is launching a gorgeous special edition set that is limited to only 350 worldwide with each individually numbered.
The collectable item, comprising of an all-in-one panty body combined with matching stockings (which can be worn separately), is made out of fine flower lace with embroidered blossoms and glittering Swarovski crystals. The exclusive anniversary pack has a great  `60s vibe to it, and remember lace is a must for F/W 2010.

Beyoncé is wearing it already in her video for her new dance track „Why Don`t You Love Me?“ that shows the rising vintage trend par excellence.

Available for CHF 1590.- (£ 825.-) in Wolford boutiques in the beginning of October.

LoL, Sandra

Get the look of sweet Kristen Bell. Last Sunday at the Teen Choice Awards the blonde 30-year-old actress looked so pretty on the red carpet in her breathtaking organza dress by Stella McCartney. This scintillating bright dress cannot fail to impress with its captivating sheer and embroidered detailing.

Kristen kept her outfit simple and just added a pair of nude heels by Brian Atwood and a cocktail ring. This is elegant sophisticated style par excellence!

Kristen and me last week in Los Angeles

Her newest movie “Burlesque” will be out in November in which she stars along with Cher and Christina Aguilera. Can’t wait for that!

LoL, Sandra

American actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen launched their hip ready-to-wear and accessories label in 2007.
The brand’s name The Row derives from London’s historic Savile Row which has inspired their line: Traditional tailoring with a strong focus on clean lines, ultra-refined silhouettes and figure-flattering fit. I am completely in love with the leather mini skirt and long cashmere cardigan.

So good news is that the famous twins started their e-commerce business today. With worldwide shipping, the cult label is available to fashionistas everywhere.

The F/W 2010 collection is an understated and classic take on everyday’s wear with an edgy twist to it. The luxurious fabrics underline the effortless chic. This is minimalism at its best.

LoL, Sandra