Sandra‘s Closet

I am so busy here in NYC that I barely have time to post. During the last days, I saw many beautiful shows. So please stay tuned for many photos to follow.

Let me get you started with the Tommy Hilfiger Men F/W 2012 show that took place inside the Park Avenue Armory. An amazing set that was surely high-budget was waiting for the fashion crowd. In the little park complete with trees surrounded by a brick-style runway were little tables with chairs.

It wouldn’t be Tommy if there weren’t celebrities. (Remember the last season when I met Ed Westwick and James Marsden, for the previous post, please click here).

This time, it was sexy actor Bradley Cooper (I am not sure about his moustache) and New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz that were sitting front row. Please click here for a photo of Bradley and me together at the show, in case you haven’t seen it yet.

The main inspiration for the Tommy Hilfiger Men F/W 2012 collection „CADET ACADEMY“ was obviously the military. Its theme ran through nearly every piece, from four stripes at the wrist cuffs of coats to peacoats with chain embroidery. Reminiscent of West Point, the models walked the runway in lots of leather pieces, in rich tones of burgundy, midnight navy and forest green. Pants tucked into boots and suiting for every occassion gave an interesting twist to the collection. Below you can see some of my favourite looks:

„It is inspired by the lifestyle of a young cadet whose uniforms range from military prep to the sporting life, all infused with hints of rock influence. His academy look is sophisticated in its modernity, a touch rebellious but still buttoned up. The hybridization of his pursuits creates a youthful take on classic traditions, reinforcing that functionality and spirit coexist.“

– Tommy Hilfiger

I loved the collection and Tommy’s red socks… and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I just got back from the SIHH (the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) in Geneva which is a truly exclusive event. The world’s leading luxury watch brands are presenting their newest collection those days. Stay tuned for the upcoming posts on what has caught my eye. Let’s get started today with one of my favourites: IWC Schaffhausen!

IWC Schaffhausen gets off to a powerful start in 2012: the year of the Pilot’s Watch.

With five new models, the TOP GUN collection establishes itself as an independent formation within the IWC Pilot’s Watch family.

The year’s high-flyer is the TOP GUN Miramar: a tribute to the place in California where the myth of the elite pilots was born. In the 89365 calibre, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Miramar (Ref.3880) is equipped with one of the most advanced and robust chronograph movements available.

The high-quality Top Gun engraving on the titanium case back is a tribute to the world’s best pilots and an indication that this is the technological highlight of IWC’s Pilot’s Watch family.

And two Pilot’s Watches featuring many of fine watchmaking’s greatest achievements prepare for take off:

The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN (Ref. 5029) comes with a wealth of complex technological features, including a perpetual calendar with a four-digit year display, moon phase display and 7-day power reserve and…

…the Spitfire Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month (Ref. 3791) combines tasteful design with the art of watchmaking at its finest. It is the first IWC Pilot’s Watch to show the date and month digitally, in the form of four large numerals.

Enjoy those beautiful mood photos. For further information, I invite you to visit the IWC homepage, by clicking here.

The military-style design and IWC’s long tradition in the manufacture of so-called deck watches inspired IWC Schaffhausen during its creation of the TOP GUN Miramar line. The desired visual effect is achieved – among other things – by the shimmering metallic grey of the ceramic case, the beige of the hands and chapter ring and the green textile strap.

The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN‘s imposing ceramic case is a repository of some of watchmaking’s greatest-ever achievements.

Launched in 2002, the Big Pilot’s Watch (Ref. 5009) has maintained its high-flying trajectory ever since. Its IWC-manufactured 51111- calibre movement – the largest automatic movement from IWC – contains all the features that have proved their worth in the long history of mechanical watches from IWC Schaffhausen.

The city ring on the Pilot’s Watch Worldtimer (Ref. 3262) bears the names of 23 places around the globe, each of which represents one time zone.

The Pilot’s Watch Mark XVII (Ref. 3265) is available, among other things, with the newly developed stainlesssteel bracelet featuring a folding clasp with fine-adjustment clasp.

Since its initial launch in 2006, the Spitfire Chronograph has enjoyed increasing popularity. Now, with the slate-coloured dial, it has taken on a chic new face.

Gentlemen, discover your inner pilot and enjoy those beauties on your wrist. You will surely have the ladies’ attention.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: ©PHOTOPRESS/IWC

Yesterday in Milan, Paul Surridge, Creative Director of Z Zegna, did the final fitting with Anna Dello Russo for ‘The Eyes of Anna Dello Russo’ project. Here is your exclusive preview! Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Z Zegna

For me as a blogger, it is so interesting to observe the recent forays of many fashion houses into social media, such as this new extraordinary project: On January 16th 2012 at 3pm (CET), Zegna Facebook fans can experience the Z Zegna F/W 2012 men fashion show live through the eyes of fashion icon Anna Dello Russo.

The moodboard on Zegna’s facebook wall

Her arrival, her moments backstage with Z Zegna’s new Creative Director Paul Surridge, and her savvy commentary before, during and after the Z Zegna show will be live streamed by two assistants who will be armed with a special application developed for iPhone. Anna Dello Russo, who will be dressed in a Z Zegna suit specially designed for her, will have a dedicated tab on the Facebook page and fans can see the runway show live streamed “Beyond the Catwalk” experience through the eyes of fashion icon Anna Dello Russo. An exclusive video of the fittings will follow right after fashion week.

This is your chance to experience in real-time the excitement of the fashion show through the eyes of one of the most famous international stylist and fashion blogger, Anna dello Russo once described as ‘a fashion maniac’ by Helmut Newton.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via models.com and Zegna

Are you a dog lover? What is your favourite breed?
Are you more a Balenciaga German Sheperd or a Givenchy Rottweiler?
Let the dog fight begin!

Riccardo Tisci, Givenchy’s Creative Director, chose prints of rabid-looking Rottweilers for his F/W 2011 Givenchy men’s collection that has also attracted many women, among them famous Liv Tyler who showed up in the same sweater as Kanye West during Paris Fashion Week.

I love both, but I am completely thrilled for the Rottweiler. I like the 90’s gangster-style, hip hop attitude that comes with it. But probably it is because I grew up with those dogs even that I have to admit I am not their biggest fan. As for me, there are much more beautiful dogs in this world. But a Golden Retriever would never look as cool and stylish as a Rottweiler!

Riccardo Tisci got photographed by Steven Klein for Interview magazine dripping with blood in a kind of macabre setting.

If you are interested, here is your last chance to get a Rottweiler T-shirt by Givenchy that is even on sale. Just click on the highlighted text!

And if you have a real dog, check out this product:

Aesop Animal

A mild body and fur wash containing botanical extracts to cleanse even the most delicate animal skins and furs. Animal is formulated with the same research, development and care that we apply to our human product range. Enriched with Lemon Rind, Tea Tree and Spearmint Leaf extracts.

500ml, CHF 46 / £23

LoL, Sandra

Here is your sneak preview of the Dolce & Gabbana Men S/S 2012 ad campaign.

Imagine life in a Southern Italian village, imagine scenes of an Italian-style comedy.
And now, imagine a campaign as a film interpreted by real actors such as Francesco Scianna, Filippo Nigro, Giuseppe Fiorello, Chiara Francini (just to name a few).

The main theme of this campaign is actually the Italian cinema, a continuous source of inspiration for the famous Italian designer duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana throughout their career.

The photos shot by Mariano Vivanco highlight the values of Dolce & Gabbana: the Italian spirit, tradition, family, love but also the ability to render the past contemporary, to capure its modernity.

I like and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

Here is your sneak preview of the Versace for H&M resort line that will only be available online starting January 19th already. The fanfare that surrounded the launch of the first Versace for H&M line will surely continue.

Expect lots of phone calls from friends that are living for example in Switzerland or the United States where H&M’s online shopping has not been launched yet!

More exciting news at the end of this post…

And of course, some must-haves for the men won’t be missing either:

News are out this morning that Sofia Coppola, Academy Award and Golden Globe winner, will direct the campaign film to support the launch of Marni at H&M on March 8, 2012!
Love her!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M

Lindsay Lohan‘s highly classified Playboy photo shoot leaked to the internet, one week before the issue was set to hit newsstands. The famous magazine is said to have paid $1 million for this Marilyn Monroe-inspired spread.

Her feet instantly caught my eye because I spotted a fabulous pair of tan Tribtoo suede leather pumps by Yves Saint Laurent.

A great investment and a wonderful gift for yourself. And if you put them on and nothing else, you might have found the perfect X-mas surprise for your partner as well.
To the art of seduction! It is never too late to be nice, isn’t it?

LoL, Sandra

Just recovered from the Versace for H&M mania, no time to relax, there is more to come.
To get started, here is a sneak preview of the next designer collaboration with the Swedish fashion house: MARNI FOR H&M.

Famed for its original prints and inventive spirit, Marni is one of fashion’s most-loved labels, and its Founder and Creative Director Consuelo Castiglioni has created for H&M a spring collection for both women and men which capture its essence perfectly.

Available from March 8, 2012 in around 260 stores worldwide and online, the collection features both clothing and accessories all at H&M’s prices, meaning everyone will have the chance to enter Marni’s world.

Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director Marni and Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor H&M

“I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints. As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colours, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic adding sporty utilitarian elements”.

– Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director

“We all love the collection here at H&M and we believe that our customers will do the same. Marni has such a modern touch with everything they do, mixing prints and accessories in a playful but chic way. It’s fantastic to see how Consuelo Castiglioni coordinates her designs, matching new combinations of print and colour, with such incredible craftsmanship behind every piece. The collection will arrive in stores at just the perfect time, as a lovely statement for spring“.

– Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor H&M

Marni is a label that sticks to its own path, setting its own trends for print, cut and silhouette that are always playful and elegant. Marni has remained a family owned-business as it has grown to become an international luxury brand with stores around the world.

Marni’s collection for H&M has all the freedom and experimentation for which the label is renowned, with all-over prints in strong colours all intended to be worn together in layers that both match and clash.
For women, the colours are vivid and the prints are bold, be they African inspired or simpler colour blocks. The silhouettes are all Marni staples, with full pleated skirts, dresses, cropped trousers and jacquard knit, and fabrics range from silk to crisp cotton poplin. To finish the complete look the collection also includes jewellery, shoes, bags and scarves.

For men, the colours and fabrics are softened for a relaxed take on menswear staples that is truly Marni. The use of print is subtle, often as a lining or as a contrast detail for shirts, the silhouette a modern and relaxed take on masculine classics.

Photos: Courtesy of H&M, © Magnus Magnusson

Bored of queuing? Here is your fashionable surprise!

There will be also a Versace for H&M S/S 2012 collection, exclusively available in countries with H&M online sales from January 19, 2012. The colourful capsule line will feature fruit prints and lots of Versace glamour. Unfortunately, bad news for Switzerland and the United States. Where are our European friends when we need them?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Mirror UK

Yesterday, I attended a dinner party hosted by Navyboot and Andres Andrekson aka Stress to celebrate the launch of their first collaboration, so-called SBNB – STRESS by NAVYBOOT collection at the Swiss National Museum in Zurich which turned into an absolute hot spot last night.  Among the small gathering of 60 guests, were Baschi, Bligg, Mousse T. and Jubaira Bachmann.

The sneakers for men’s only (Adrian, we want them, too, especially the croc version!) are inspired by the historic battle at Sempach in 1386 – a theme that has been reinterpreted for modern times and has been recreated as a picture on some of the models’ soles. The advertising campaign shot by Stefan Heinrichs has been staged as a modern version of the battle with Stress in the role of Arnold von Winkelried (see above).

Just in time for the Christmas season starting in early December, they will be available at NAVYBOOT stores in Switzerland and Germany. Prices will range from about 129 CHF for the flip flops to about 498 CHF for the high top sneaker.

Lovely scenery at the entrance.

Inside the Swiss National Museum in Zurich

The yummy dinner was served on a rustic wooden table.

Momo, Stress,  Creative Director NAVYBOOT Adrian J. Margelist and DJ Mousse T with me.

This foot below belongs to Navyboot’s Creative Director Adrian J. Margelist. He and Stress are the only two having the croc-python version of the iconic sneakers.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, the Blick magazine wrote an article about last night and named me one of the most important fashion bloggers! I am honoured, thank you, Flavia!

LoL, Sandra