Sandra‘s Closet

Here is the detailed post regarding my outfit that I wore on Thursday night for the Fashion’s Night Out in Zurich.

My look: Fur vest and my new beloved Noé BB bag in yellow Epi leather by Louis Vuitton, stretch-leather skinny pants by Gucci, white silk shirt and suede ankle boots, both by Saint Laurent, waffle knit cardigan by Chloé and earrings by Dolce & Gabbana.

I am off to Vienna with Omega today and very excited for tonight’s gala dinner with Nicole Kidman. Stay tuned for more…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last night, Zurich’s first Fashion Night Out took place, so-called “Die lange Nacht der Mode”. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound so fashionable in German. But I had a lot of fun at three different events that I am showing you below:

First Stop: Jelmoli
Press conference with Ilaria Venturini Fendi

Founded in 2006 by Ilaria Venturini Fendi, who is part of the Fendi family empire, Carmina Campus is the brand that focuses on handbags, jewels and furniture out of reused materials. Each handcrafted item is a unique one of a kind piece. All of Illaria’s sustainable creations are made with care and consideration for the environment. The designer used her natural aversion to waste and her innate understanding of fashion to start an eco conscious label with a distinctive style. Therefore she is only working with already-existing materials either living their second life or unused but out of production.

Ilaria Venturini Fendi with me

With projects in Kenia addressing poverty, she helps women to start their own business, proclaiming: “It’s not charity, it’s work.” I was truly impressed by her spirit and creativity, she designs bags made out of trash bags, shower curtains, old school uniforms and so on. She even collaborated with Mini for a collection made out of color samples, material offcuts, and other castoffs from the production of the British-built convertible. Under Fendi’s direction, 50 one-of-a-kind bags were manufactured.

Carmina Campus is available at Jelmoli in Zurich. You can also shop the collection online here.

Second stop: H&M Showroom
Presentation of the new fall 2013 collection

The lovely H&M teamed welcomed me to their new showroom. On display was the beautiful runway collection that had been presented during Paris Fashion Week. Dubbed “Modern Drama,” the color palette was mainly about black and white with a few vibrant key pieces, like this bright red dress, very much reminiscent of the ’70s, edgy and feminine in one.

René Zibold, PR and Communication Manager H&M Switzerland, with me outside on the balcony…

…overlooking the fashion parade.

Third stop: Vestibule
Late night shopping

At Vestibule, fashionistas mingled to shop the new season must-haves to the sound of DJ Annina Frey. I fell in love with this amazing faded botanical printed canvas Polly small flap clutch by 3.1 Phillip Lim and the Donna hobo bag in vine green by Alexander Wang.

What a great night!

LoL, Sandra

Laurence Antiglio, owner of Vestibule, with me
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Tuesday, I flew to one of my favourite cities in the world: London. I was invited by Marionnaud to attend the Rodial Beautiful Awards. Here you see me on the arrival day. I stayed at the lovely St. Martins Lane hotel, where the event took place in the evening. Before going on a little shopping spree, I enjoyed a yummy lunch at the Asia de Cuba restaurant.

My look: Military coat by Miu Miu, shirt and knit waistcoat by Gucci, double-layered mesh skirt by Theyskens’ Theory, glass crystal eagle necklace by Lanvin, boots by Balmain and leather tote by Saint Laurent.

I know that you have seen me lately many times with this shopper by Saint Laurent. It is truly my favourite bag at the moment, especially when I am travelling. It is easy to carry and suits all sorts of styles. Stay tuned for the upcoming post of the event, I love my job!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I have a sweet love for this Olivia embellished leather waist belt by Moschino.
It started in Rome a long time ago … and has obviously never ended. It had just been hidden in my closet for a while …

My look: Black jacket by Gucci, pink neoprene dress by Tibi (also available in white), logo belt by Moschino, neon necklace, faux python leather bag and matching shoes, all three by Stella McCartney. Twenties stay-up thigh-highs by Wolford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

As you know, I was with Montblanc in Los Angeles recently. One spot that is fun to visit is Madame Tussauds Hollywood Wax Museum which is located right next to the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Walk of Fame.

I jumped in the middle of all the touristy action and went a little crazy. But I mean where on earth can you in one day…

…get a close-up with Steven Spielberg…

…sit next to Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump…

…dance with Madonna…

…chat with Jack Nicholson…

… make fun with Jim Carrey…

…get a photo with Angelina Jolie…

…see Michael Jackson again…

…hold hands with Robin Williams…

…swing your hips with Beyoncé Knowles…

…be so close to Hugh Jackman…

…hang from the ceiling next to Spiderman…

…and get to film with Alfred Hitchcock?

My look: Two-layered top by Gucci, distressed gray jeans by Dolce & Gabbana, embellished sandals by Prada, bangles by Chanel, necklace and sunglasses, both by Roberto Cavalli and Elsie bag by Chloé.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

During Paris Fashion Week, the lovely Mary Katrantzou welcomed me at her showroom to explore her newest F/W 2013 up close.

For fall 2013, Mary Katrantzou surprised. Her designs have developed, trading her focus on bold prints and vibrant colors for strong silhouettes and new shapes, without loosing her identity. Monochromatic hues, embroideries that look like print giving this outstanding collection an effect that has been even more striking on me. Referencing Edward Steichen’s iconic imagery, the turn of the century’s photography, Mary created dream-like pieces.

My favourites? The eerie landscapes and ghost-like dresses, as innovative as the legendary photographs they are reminiscent of.

Mary Katrantzou with me

I was so proud when I found myself in a folder at the entrance of the showroom with “celebrities” wearing Mary Katrantzou. Thank you!

To the left: MISTY MARIA dress, to the right: REFLECTO coat

New clutches for F/W 2013

Me in SANFRAN dress and FREELAGO clutch

Me in DIJON PINK blouse dress with matching leggings

Wearing VERSICOLOR coat

I love the FAUWI dress

Sporting two-layered ORLYON dress

Mary’s jacquards are among her bestsellers. Here you see me in the new KARDIA dress.

Amazing REFLECTOR dress.

Like a ghost: Me in TIA MARIA dress.

If you like the designs as much as I do, then I have a great surprise for you:
YOU CAN PRE-ORDER THE BEAUTIFUL MARY KATRANTZOU F/W 2013 COLLECTION NOW!
TRUNKSHOW ENDS ON MARCH 16 AT 11 PM EDT.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

On my last day in Los Angeles, I had a little time to walk down Rodeo Drive and to meet with my Beverly Hills girlfriends at the Beverly Wilshire for a drink before heading to the airport.

Bonnie Star (to the left) is a famous American jewelry designer, who made the wonderful cuff that I am wearing on the photo, modeled after nineteenth-century French lace.
(For a previous post on Bonnie, please click here).
Claudia Deutsch (to the right) is the owner of the Artspace Warehouse gallery in Los Angeles that offers high quality original artworks from established and emerging international artists at affordable prices for every budget. She brought this new concept also to Zurich, check out the Kunstwarenhaus.

My look: Striped glossed rayure-effect blazer and flat tote bag, both by Saint Laurent, classic white tee by Burberry London, stretch leggings by Stouls, long tank top by Rick Owens, skull silk scarf by Alexander McQueen, boots by Balmain, gold lace cuff by Bonnie Star and 4810 hoop earrings in pink gold with diamonds by Montblanc.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

While doing my tour around Los Angeles, I had to stop at one of my favourite shops in town: Opening Ceremony.

My look: Printed stretch-satin jersey top, striped low-rise skinny jeans, both by Balmain, crystal cat’s-eye sunglasses by Prada, flat tote bag by Saint Laurent, patent leather jeweled heel lace-up oxfords by Miu Miu and 4810 hoop earrings in pink gold with diamonds by Montblanc, dotted socks by Fogal.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

And of course, last but not least, here are all the details of my look that I wore to the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich International Closing Night:

Sequined mini dress with chain detail and marabou cape, both by Balmain, Kelly So Black by Hermès, cocktail ring by Roberto Cavalli, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis and Tribute Two textured-leather pumps by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My love for Los Angeles started a long time ago when I went to a summer college there. The sunshine, the easy lifestyle, the friendly people, have fascinated me from the early start. The prejudices concerning the Californian city are multifarious, of course you have many people working in “the industry” and the plastic surgeries are higher per capita there than anywhere else. Yes, and the traffic is horrendous and I am scared of earthquakes.

However, there’s so much more to this metropolis that people don’t understand unless they immerse themselves in it. In summer 2010, I rented a house in Beverly Hills and spent two months there, long-time readers of Sandras’ Closet might remember. When the day came to fly back to Europe, I didn’t want to leave. Los Angeles has a mix of people, trends, fashion, nationalities, and industries that you can’t find anywhere else.

Therefore I was so happy when Montblanc invited me to come to Los Angeles to live the Oscar experience and to attend their “Signature for Good” 2013 charity brunch. When I landed at LAX, my heart started already jumping for joy. But enough of my love letter. So, what follows is my list of a few of my favorite things to do and see in Los Angeles.

Me in front of the Montblanc boutique on the famous Rodeo Drive.

At Opening Ceremony, one of my favourite shops.

Fred Segal‘s perfume store is gigantic.

Shopping like the locals on Robertson Boulevard. (For a detailed Los Angeles shopping guide, please click here).

Also home to my favourite restaurant for lunch: The well-known Ivy, a hot spot to see many celebrities.

Have an Ivy Sunday, so yummy!

Great for dinner: Cecconi’s

Girls just wanna have fun: Tea time at American Girl Place.

A must-see: Disneyland

The famous star handprints in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre have to be on your sightseeing list…

… along with Hollywood’s iconic Walk of Fame.

At Venice Beach, you can enjoy the lively boardwalk with a crazy and colorful crowd. From rollerscaters, artists, palm readers and street dancers, to performers and vendors of any sort. It is also home to the iconic “Muscle Club” – an outdoor gym where bodybuilders shape their bodies under the sun. Arnold Schwarzenegger used to go there.

My list could go on and on… my favourite hotel is by the way the Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica.

If I had a wish granted from the fairy…? I would love to live in such a fabulous Beverly Hills mansion. It doesn’t hurt to dream.

Thank you, Montblanc, for having me brought back to this fab city!
Bye-bye L.A., I will surely be back soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht