Sandra‘s Closet

This for all serious Ford devotees: The Private Blend Lip Colour collection by Tom Ford consisiting of 12 flattering colours. The formula contains moisturizing Brazilian murumuru butter, chamomilla flower oil and soja seed – very creamy and easy to apply.
The chic cases in ivory with gold accents are just as sexy as the man himself. The price is exceptional: $45.-/ £35.-/ CHF 68.-.

British Vogue introduced the new beauty must-haves with a special event at Selfridges, London on Thursday night. The best-selling shades were “Cherry Lush” , a classic glowing red, and “Pure Pink”, a juicy fuchsia. From today, the lipsticks are exclusively available at Selfridges. Call the Customer Services team on 0800 123 400 for international delivery. The collection will reach the rest of Europe in May and cross the pond on June 1st.

Me with two of my idols: Tina Turner and Tom Ford.

Rumors were out since a long time but now it is definitely no secret that Tom Ford is making a foray into womenswear. He will be designing his own line for ladies that is likely to launch over the next year.
Getting excited like me? No worries, I will keep you posted. Thank God we have a Tom Ford store in Zurich!

LoL, Sandra

In the last two weeks, after the release of the Weltwoche Style edition, I have received so many lovely e-mails from my Swiss readers asking me about the black leather jacket that I am wearing in the photo.
It is from Balmain`s last F/W 2009 collection and definitely one of my favourite pieces in my closet. The sleek cut is divine and emphasises all the good parts of the body. The metal chain adorning one sleeve gives it a rock-chic appearance and can also be removed. Stylists around the world love this motorcycle jacket in supersoft leather as you can see above.

But no worries if you missed that one, Christophe Decarnin designed two other interesting variations for this summer. The cut has remained the same, but colours and materials follow the newest trends: military and denim. I can recommend both as those are the perfect stylish addition to your wardrobe.

Beyoncé was seen recently at a basketball game wearing Balmain`s canvas version in olive green paired with a pair of Balmain`s camouflage jeans and some rivet suede pumps by Brian Atwood. This military jacket is one of the season`s It-pieces.  But be aware, there is no chance to hide in this stunning look!

Style icon Kate Moss was spotted several times in Balmain`s denim jacket that she combined with her beloved Superfine Blondie skinny jeans and her Kate Moss for Longchamp zebra print bag that she created in collaboration with the French house.

The Balmain pieces are available through www.net-a-porter.com or for the Swiss fashionistas at Trois Pommes and Designer am See.

LoL, Sandra

Go bold at cocktail hour with a red statement dress. Everything floral, like prints or applications, is essential this summer. My winner is this bright-red strapless silk mini dress with pleats and oversized flowery ruffles by Stella McCartney. This show-stopping runway style deserves center stage; slip on some gorgeous sandals (mine are the Fendi ones from the show) and keep the accessories simple.

I am welcoming spring today with my new Louis Vuitton Bohemian Monogram Cheche cross body bag. The textile is very soft and comfortable with dazzling hints of coloured leather that comes in red (like the one I am wearing) or blue. The fabric is innovative due to a new weaving process that creates the black-on-beige jacquard pattern with fluorescent and lurex threads woven through. The lining is made from bright soft calfskin leather and so pretty. On the runway the bags were presented with long attached tassels that are available seperately. Today I am finishing off the look with the matching colourful Monogram Cheche stole and a nautical dress from the cruise collection. It feels unbelievably fresh and summery.

Below you can find all different models of this line. I tried them all and my favourite was definitely the Bohemian. Which one will be yours? Have a look at your nearest Louis Vuitton store.

Bohemian Red

Bohemian Blue

Gypsy PM Vert

Gypsy GM Blue

Tuareg Blue

Probably you are wondering why I have been showing you so many Louis Vuitton bags recently. This season they are my absolute favourites. Great shapes, innovative materials and extraordinary colours with that little edgy New Age twist convinced me right away.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week in St. Moritz, Dianne Brill, whom you have met yesterday, and I went for a coffee to the Palace hotel. My American girlfriend fell immediately in love with my tribute for Alexander McQueen sweater. I had bought the striped piece with the slogan “God save McQueen” almost two years ago. It seems like his decision to kill himself aroused much earlier. Our conversation about the death of this fabulous designer started and we came up with a BRILLiant idea for the perfect successor: Thierry Mugler.

It would be kind of ironic. If you start looking closer, you will see that McQueen took a lot of his inspirations from Mugler`s amazing former collections. Thierry was the designer of the Eighties. His style was very much of its time: Extreme proportions like padded and broad shoulders, wasp waists, body-conscious, even fetish exaggerations of the human figures. He used a lot PVC as his favourite material. The insect kingdom was a constant influence along with futuristic and robot themes. Sounds a lot like McQueen and today`s trends, doesn`t it?

Thierry as Manfred Mugler today

Alexander McQueen is definitely the brainchild of Mugler. So it would be a true irony of fate if Mugler who lives today as Manfred Mugler in Las Vegas after his retreat from the fashion world in 2001 took over. Instead of designing fashion the last years, his body became his design work of art. He transformed himself completely. Nowadays he is still involved in his bestselling perfumes like Angel, Alien and A*Men.

As I am having quite a big archive, I was lucky to find a catalog from Thierry`s S/S 1995 collection. I scanned the best pictures for you. Have a look and you will see how Mugler and McQueen are somehow soul brothers.

Recently Mugler served as main costume designer for Beyoncé Knowles latest concert tour. He also contributed to develop the entire show, from lighting to choreography. Several of his famous vintage pieces are seen throughout Knowles` videos.

It seems like he is ready to break fresh ground. Please Thierry come back!

LoL, Sandra

Two living legends: Thierry Mugler and Dianne Brill. He called her his muse.

Some of my own Murakami - Louis Vuitton pieces that I collected over the years.

I love Louis Vuitton`s Cosmic Blossom flower power and will surely get a piece for my little Murakami collection!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton and © Sandra Bauknecht

My Swiss based readers will know what I am talking about: The White Turf St. Moritz is quite a spectacle. The setting against the magnificent alpine backdrop of the Upper Engadine is amazing. Established in 1907 the International Horse Races of St. Moritz on the frozen lake are a unique experience and believe me fashionwise, too!

Me today at the White Turf in a black overall with fur details and fur boots, both PRADA SPORT, hat DOLCE & GABBANA, scarf GUCCI, studded bag MIU MIU and sunglasses BALENCIAGA.

St. Moritz has anyway its own style. You see so much fur in all different ways like nowhere else in the world. CAFT (Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade) would not know where to start. Dressed in mink, sable or chinchilla head to toe, the looks have a very Russian approch to it. True to the motto more is more.

Come up here one day and see for yourself!
St. Moritz is always worth a journey!

LoL, Sandra

As you already know, I am a big fan of Matthew Williamson. Last night I went out and wore one of my favourite pieces: The liquid sequin waistcoat. This time I combined it with a black and white graphic dress from his winter collection, very high Yves Saint Laurent pumps and my sparkling Mini Noé Rococo bag by Louis Vuitton (see above and to the right).

Matthew and me in one of his amazing dresses from his recent winter collection.

The absolute highlight during my stay in London last weekend was my visit to one of my favourite designers: Matthew Williamson.

The 1971 born king of bohemian chic founded his own fashion house in 1997. Since then he is known for his brilliant play on colour and print. I am so in love with his exotic shades, vivacious candy-tinted creations that are mostly embellished with exquisite embroidery and beading. When I think of him, I see vibrant kaleidoscope patterns with an inimitable touch of relaxed sensibility.

The award-winning English designer also worked for 3 years as Creative Director at Emilio Pucci and had a collaboration last spring with H&M. In 2007 the Design Museum London even held a retrospective exhibition dedicated to his 10th anniversary of being in fashion.

His first flagship store opened the Central Saint Martin`s graduate (one of the best schools for fashion design in the world) 2004 in London at 28 Bruton Street. I took some photos for you to see the mesmerizing display of ionic pieces, the asthetic wallpaper and the little rain forest in the middle. Just to be in the shop is an experience….! If you don`t have time to go to London, have a look at his webshop.

LoL, Sandra