Sandra‘s Closet

This week, a friend from Singapore was in town and I was invited to a ladies dinner in her honour.

My outfit for this occasion: Dorothy fern-print silk dress and fern-print cashmere, silk and wool-blend scarf, both by Stella McCartney, brown suede booties by Fendi and PS11 Mini Classic textured-leather shoulder bag by Proenza Schouler.

I am absolutely in love with the PS11 Mini Classic shoulder bag by Proenza Schouler. It has an amazing colour combination and is a stylish plus very versatile piece. To shop, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Spotted on many celebrities, the Balenciaga.Leather biker jacket can be named a true classic. Each season, the French fashion house is launching it in new tempting colours.  The jacket has long sleeves, zip up detail and is made of 100% lamb skin.

While the classic black version never goes out of style, your daydream calls probably for a slightly more whimsical iteration of the biker look.

I am having it in a bright orange and I am loving it! Below I am wearing it with leather pants by Balenciaga, a top by Miu Miu, shoes by YSL and a daisy necklace by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Donatella Versace called Givenchy’s F/W 2011 collection an homage to Versace and she is definitely not mistaken with her statement. I truly love the panther and floral prints reminiscent of Gianni’s early patterns.

My look: Flower print sheath dress by Givenchy, stretch-jersey thigh boots with hoop detail by Givenchy, “Nightingale” bag with black panther print by Givenchy and glitter sunglasses by Miu Miu.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last night, she won the Emerging Talent Award (ready to wear) at the British Fashion Awards in London, last week she took me out to lunch. I am talking about Mary Katrantzou, one of the hottest names in London’s fashion scene. As for me, she is the most innovative designer at the moment and as you know, I am a huge fan of her.

Her creations are different and new. Mary’s unbelievable talent to use bold, overall prints has been a huge influence on today’s fashion. For S/S 2012, many designers have seeked inspiration from her iconic arty florals, expressive colours and patchwork prints.

If you are wondering how can floral prints can be new, have a look at Mary’s flower power for S/S 2012. They are strong, unexpected, surreal and make fashionistas drool over it. The show in September was truly divine with a catwalk divided by a tennis court long field of carnations.

My favourite look by Mary Katrantzou for S/S 2012: “Battle Royal”
I adore that every dress gets its own name!

Last Wednesday, Mary took me to lunch to the Greenhouse restaurant in Mayfair that I can only recommend. Great interior design and awesome food.

We were sitting for hours, talked about her upcoming projects and about daily life. Mary’s birthday is only two days before mine and we loved that we are both aquarius. The 28-year-old was born and raised in Greece but loves living in London. She is a true fashion visionary, a print-cess charming and a wonderful refreshingly unpretentious young woman.

Mary Katrantzou is already hugely influential even though her label is just three years old. She won last year’s Swiss Textiles Award, her designs can be found in the most distinguished shops around the world and celebrities show up on the red carpet in them. If you think that the hype has overwhelmed her, you are absolutely mistaken.

She was so happy to see me in her Serendipity dress that by the way made a huge appearance this week on Gossip Girl. In the last episode, Serena wore this stunner to Blair’s bridal shower. Cocktail or lunch, the dress is a must around the clock!

Photo: Courtesy of The CW, © Getty Images

More testaments to Katrantzou’s reach and importance are her upcoming collaborations next year:

In January, Mary Katrantzou for Longchamp will be launched. The theme for this amazing S/S 2012 bag collection is “East meets West”. A must-have for all print lovers and for those who have been eagerly waiting for a Mary Katrantzou handbag!

Extremely exciting is the news of a second Mary Katrantzou for Topshop collection to be released in February next year. The first prototype was unveiled at the Topshop press day a few weeks ago, and even it was not supposed to go public, one photo has made its way around the globe. Doesn’t it look so promising?!

Please stay tuned, will keep you posted!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Style.com, Courtesy of Mary Katrantzou, Longchamp and Topshop

This month, I have had some really nice press coverage that I am truly thankful for. You have already read some of it like my style portrait in Bolero magazine for example or that Blick named me one of the most important bloggers.
Here is what you probably haven’t seen so far: 20 Minuten Friday magazine compared me to Anna dello Russo. Nothing to say against that!

Annabelle magazine took this front row picture during the second night of the Fashion Days Zurich.

20 Minuten called me a fashion hunter and did some wonderful advertising for my stories about the Fashion Days Zurich.

Faces showed this picture in their November issue…

…and Polyvore buzzed about me! Thank you sooo much!

LoL, Sandra

This was my look for the last evening of the Fashion Days Zurich. You see, I am keeping my word. In June, I told you that this ’60s colour block Mondrian-inspired shift dress and the oversized clutch bag will be on every fashionista’s shopping list ( see previous post), I couldn’t resist either.

20 Minuten Friday magazine liked the look, too!

Dress and shoes by Prada, pussybow blouse by Gucci, oversized clutch bag by Miu Miu, watch by Roger Dubuis and ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

In Venice, we stayed at the Palazzina Grassi. A design hotel, situated on the Grand Canal, with an atmosphere full of charm and vitality, steeped in history, where you can experience the melancholy grandeur of Venice like true Venetians. Privacy, flexibility, luxury and elegance are the fundamental elements of this exclusive property, designed by Philippe Starck.

The 21 rooms and six suite apartments are characterized by a marriage of contemporary and romantic design, highlighted by unique furnishings, glass works by the French artist Aristide Najean and sophisticated collector’s items, with some rooms offering glimpses of the lagoon landscape. 
Adorned with many mirrors, the rooms appear much bigger than they are.

My look for the first night in Venice: Dress with tropical print and matching clutch by Matthew Williamson, suede pumps by Yves Saint Laurent, ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and watch by Roger Dubuis.

Tropical and hawaiian prints are a huge trend for Cruise 2012 and can be found at Stella McCartney, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Givenchy among others.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today Sandra’s Closet celebrates its 2nd birthday! The last two years were filled with fashionable adventures and exciting moments. I truly enjoyed every single day! Thank you to all of you who are reading Sandra’s Closet on a daily basis. It means so much to me. Without you, my dear subscribers and avid readers in over 140 countries, the success wouldn’t have been possible.

This is my 775th post! And many more to come… stay tuned for some more giveaways to be posted soon!

Greetings from London!

LoL, Sandra

My look for the SBNB dinner last Thursday: Ruffled dress with zipper by Givenchy and stretch-jersey thigh boots with hoop detail by Givenchy, watch by Roger Dubuis and gold cuff by Stella McCartney.

If you like it, you can start shopping by clicking on the highlighted designer name.
Have a lovely week!

LoL, Sandra

Tata, we have a lucky winner for the amazing one-of-a-kind purple dress by Versace for H&M. As I told you there are only two in the world.

I wore mine to the Versace for H&M pre-sale last Wednesday with a black blazer by Stella McCartney, “Opaque” tights by Fogal, suede pumps by Yves Saint Laurent, “Nightingale” bag with panther print by Givenchy and my beloved “Diorette” ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

And the winner is… Courtney from Ancaster, Canada who will rock that dress with golden high heels and accessories to a holiday cocktail party. She will hopefully send me some pics along to feature her look here.

Thank you to my dear subscribers from everywhere in the world for participating! The winner of this prize draw was chosen at random. Stay tuned as there will be another exciting competition coming soon on Sandra’s Closet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Streetstrut