Lanvin for H&M – Second Look

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Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lanvin for H&M Detail3I am keeping my promise and you posted about the upcoming Lanvin for H&M collaboration. So enjoy the second look at what will be in stores on November 23rd. The new photo of the ad campaign shows bright colours, amazing flower prints, leopard details plus shoes and bags (see the close-ups). Cannot wait!

LoL, Sandra

Lanvin for H&M_Detail2Lanvin for H&M Detail1

First Look at Lanvin for H&M

Lanvin H&M First Look

When I wrote in the beginning of September about the upcoming Lanvin for H&M collaboration, I promised to keep you posted once the first look has been revealed.
Et voilà, here it is!

The ad campaign, which stars from left to right, Hannelore Knuts, Jane Schmitt, Tati Cotliar and Natasha Poly, was shot by David Sims and styled by Camille Bidault Waddington .

The clothes will hit the stores on November 23rd. I am completely in love with the sleek, classy black looks and the beautiful details.
If the quality delivers what the photo promises, then this collection will be a huge success!

LoL, Sandra

Lola Paltinger – Bavarian Pop Couture

Lola Paltinger

I would like to dedicate this week to outstanding talented designers around the world who have impressed me with their work.
As the annual Munich Beer Festival, the famous Oktoberfest, is taking place at the moment, I would like to start with Lola Paltinger who creates the most beautiful dirndl couture– the embodiment of urbane German traditional costume, so-called “Tracht”.

Lola graduated like me from ESMOD. After her studies she trained with Vivienne Westwood before launching her own atelier.

Her style is eccentric and very feminine, inspired by the Hollywood glamour of the 1930s/40s. Her playful romanticism with that touch of drama is what makes her creations so special. As for me her dirndls are by far the most gorgeous ones on the market, elevating the traditional costume to a trendy must-have.

Lola Paltinger-Lollipop Alpenrock

Her label Lollipop & Alpenrock stands for her famous couture dirndls, classy two-pieces and separates. The beautiful range of Bavarian accessories complete the collection.
For enquiries concerning the bespoke pieces, please contact the Munich atelier directly.

Lola Paltinger-Happy Heidi

Under the name Happy Heidi, Lola Paltinger presents her prêt-à-porter range of very fashionable models in limited editions. Aprons, charivaris and matching blouses are also available from selective retailers both within Germany and abroad.

For my German, Swiss and Austrian readers: Himmelblau by Lola Paltinger is her casual line with Tracht elements that is sold exclusively to HSE24, the home shopping televison network.

Lola Paltinger Dirndl Coutiure

She even has some famous fans who were spotted wearing her Bavarian pop couture, among them Selma Hayek and Paris Hilton.

One thing is for sure: Women of all ages, figures and types look great in a dirndl!
And with that famous “dash of Lola”, that coquettish wink, you will be snowed under with gingerbread hearts saying I love you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lola Paltinger

The World of Tory Burch


Tory Burch is an American fashion designer who launched her namesake brand in 2004. The label was an immediate success, filling the gap in the market for clothes that offered good quality to an affordable, accessible price.
Today, her fans include celebrities and fashion lovers all over the world. Her collections are available at her own beautifully decorated, unique Tory Burch boutiques, online at net-à-porter and in more than 450 select department and specialty stores worlwide.


One of her bestsellers are the Reva ballerina flats that have become a wardrobe essential. And they definitely deserve their cult status combining casual chic with unsurpassed comfort.

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Recently at a birthday luncheon, I took a photo of two of my stylish girlfriends who wore by coincidence almost the same look.  They are like Tory herself mothers of three kids and like to be fashionable and comfy in one. Well done, girls!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tory Burch and © Sandra Bauknecht

The Art of Travel

Stefano Pilati, creative director of Yves Saint Laurent, is responsible for the “Edition 24” collection, designed to meet the needs of a woman going on overnight trips.
It is a new attempt at travel fashion. The 24 looks are meant to be layered, mixed and put to versatile use from the airplane to boardroom, from day to evening. The leightweight, functional, stylish and timeless pieces that do not wrinkle easily are low-key, less expensive versions of the French house’s high-fashion designs. I think this is a very modern vision, a new concept of luxury, making packing –which I always hate- less work.
Below are some ideas that I put together for you.

Get your style passport!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of YSL

Prêt-à-PorTea and Masstige

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Have you always dreamt of having a cup of tea with your favourite designer? Now your dream becomes true, you can have a tête-à-tète with Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier and Donatella Versace. The Prêt-à-PorTea set characters recline in your cup.
What a lovely way to enjoy your afternoon tea. To the Haute Brew!

Karl Lagerfeld will be more accessible from next year anyway. Groundbreaking news this week was also that the genius has cancelled his show, which was scheduled to take place in Paris on October 3rd, to focus more on his new vision: The launch of his “Masstige” line next year. The term is coming from the combination of “mass market” and “prestige”. The Kaiser seems to be a true visionary by exploring his notion of “mass elitism” using his own name.
The collection, which will be of good quality but more more affordable than designer clothes, will only be sold online. By saving the inherent costs of opening a boutique and investing more in the product itself, Karl Lagerfeld is anchoring himself in modernity and will make his company highly profitable again.

I like his vision of everybody in the streets well dressed! Go for it, Karl!

LoL, Sandra

Lanvin for H&M

Ladies, mark your calendars. On November 23rd fashionistas around the globe will line up in front of H&M shops to participate in one of the most anticipated fashion events of the year: Lanvin’s exclusive collection for H&M that will include womenswear as well as menswear.

It will definitely be a very interesting collabration given Lanvin’s artistic director Alber Elbaz’s quote: “H&M approached us to collaborate, and see if we could translate the dream we created at Lanvin to a wider audience, not just a dress for less. I have said in the past that I would never do a mass-market collection, but what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public.”

Alber Elbaz, Photo: Paolo Roversi

Alber Elbaz, Photo: Paolo Roversi

Above you can see some stunning pieces of Lanvin’s F/W 2010 collection as well as in my last post about the gorgeous leopard print pieces.

I totally love the French house and cannot wait for those covetable pieces for H&M to be revealed in the beginning of November. Stay tuned as I will keep you posted immediately.

LoL, Sandra

My Best Friend’s Wedding

Wedding 1

A dear subscriber of Sandra`s Closet asked for help. She is going to a wedding which will take place in a beautiful garden of a winery in Napa, California and wants to look stunning. Her request was that the outfit should be around $1000.- max.

I put some gorgeous styles together in different colour combinations. Let’s start with something classy in beige and gold for approximately $800.-. Contrast the polished look with a pair of cut-out booties and a hat for an über-stylish statement. (Dress by Karen Millen).

Wedding 4

Soft pink is an exquisite colour to wear for a wedding party. The shift dress by D&G Dolce & Gabbana is a fabulously feminine choice. Complement the delicate pastel tone with suede pumps and a golden clutch.
The pochette by Anya Hindmarch is a little pricey at 525.- but an investment piece for many occassions to come.
I totally adore the hat clip for only $10.-. This modern and stylish take on the traditional wedding accessory will make you stand out of the crowd.

Wedding 2

A contemporary choice for day and night is this purple halterneck dress for $355.- by Halston Heritage. The brand carries a lot of gorgeous dresses for less money.
Cinch this sculpted style at the waist with the self-tie belt and wear it with understated jewelry and strappy sandals for first class cocktail chic. A feather hair clip for only $27.- could give you that Blair Waldorf attitude. The whole outfit is $745.-. You can add a stylish leopard cardigan for $350.- if it gets chilly.

Wedding 3

I love this vibrant asymmetric dress by Halston Heritage. The bright hue will look awesome on brunettes and dark haired ladies. Sharpen the playful rose detail with stunning lace booties and a beaded clutch. Bangles are always a fabulous finish. The complete look is without the jewelry around $850.-.

But careful, it is hard not to steal the show in those gorgeous outfits.
To a great wedding party!

LoL, Sandra

Seventies Sensual

Let`s travel further in time. A breeze from the `70s floated over the F/W 2010 runways when the designers brought the more sophisticated aspects of this decade`s fashion into the now. Indulging in reminiscences of young Jane Birkin, Bianca Jagger and Veruschka, nonchalance, luxe and subtlety are the catchwords fall embraces.

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Camel is the colour of the season followed by a palette of browns, nudes, and greys.

 

The ever-stylish shade makes a great fashion statement in combination with the must-have outerwear this season, the cape.

I love the cape by H&M to the right.

 

Cut more generously than a coat, the dashing alternative allows more freedom of movement and works much better over shoulder embellishments and mutton sleeves.
It was a veritable explosion of fur on the runways so there is no need to shy away from those ueberluxe pieces. The soft cocoon embrace of a voluminous real or faux fur jacket (or vest) will be irresistible this winter.

As the mood is casual luxe for daywear, redefine power-dressing in buttery silk blouses with tie collars.

When it comes to trousers, opt for sleek or wide leg ones with a minimalist edge. Razor-sharp slimline Gucci pants or immaculately tailored like the ones by YSL are among my favourites. Naturally worn with a cashmere turtleneck, they are the most figure flattering throwback to `70s style.

Booties by H&M

Booties by H&M

To complement the look, you will have to tie the knot with a pair of lace up booties. They are must-haves for every shoeaholic.


Synonymous with luxe seventies style are the long-handled drawstring bucket bags. So no wonder they have made a much-welcome appearance.

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Another bestseller will be the remake of Gucci`s 1973 line. Available in nappa, suede and exotic leathers like crocodile and ostrich, those bags are classic and beautiful enough to be safe investment pieces.

Hat by H&M, Photos: Courtesy of H&M

Hat by H&M, Stills: Courtesy of H&M

If you really want to get a head start on the boho wardrobe, look for a floppy hat or a knitted beanie.

You do not need to go overboard. Enjoy your fashion moments in traditional, timeless essentials and the overall effect will be more post seventies luxe than vintage hippie.

LoL, Sandra

Small Frame

Bpx Bags

During the Paris Fashion week last March, they were already dangling from the editor`s shoulders: The small frame bags. This is quality in a square! Those simple and cute accessories have mostly a long strap with a 70s feel to them. Called box bags, the elegant and chic models are on the rise to become true classics if they are not already like the Constance by Hermès. Here are my favourites for F/W 2010:

Small Frame

A small frame bag is very comfortable and stylish to wear. If you do not want to spend too much or try it out first (believe me after years of gigantic models you have to get used to it…), H&M offers a pretty nice one.

Your back will love the new It-pieces…!

LoL, Sandra