Sandra‘s Closet

Few things in fashion move with the grace of a ballerina and nobody understands that better than Christian Louboutin.

The Parisian maestro of the iconic red sole has long drawn inspiration from the world of classical dance. His ballet-inspired heels are not a mere aesthetic nod, they are a love letter to the art of movement itself. Satin ribbons cascading down the ankle. Sculptural heels that recall the arch of a dancer’s foot mid-relevé. Silhouettes so refined they seem to exist somewhere between footwear and choreography.

Louboutin’s fascination with ballet dates back to his early years in Paris, where the Opera Garnier served as a second home and a boundless source of wonder. That devotion has since been woven into some of his most iconic creations,  styles that blur the line between stage costume and street couture with effortless audacity.

What makes these designs so extraordinary is their wearability. Unlike traditional pointe shoes, which confine the foot in service of pure spectacle, Louboutin’s ballet-inspired heels liberate it, offering drama and femininity for the everyday stage of life. Whether paired with a flowing midi skirt or cropped tailoring, they transform any walk into a performance.

In an era where fashion increasingly chases speed over soul, Louboutin’s ballet-inspired collection reminds us that true luxury is rooted in craft, culture, and poetry. These are not just shoes. They are an invitation to move differently, to carry yourself with the quiet confidence of someone who knows the whole world is a stage.

To shop the heels, just click on the highlighted text below each picture.

LoL, Sandra

Cassia 100 crêpe satin pumps
(The ones I am wearing in the photos, for the detailed outfit post click here.)

Cassia Nodo 100 suede pumps

Cassia 100 velvet and lamé pumps

Cassia leather mules

Cassia 100 satin pumps with attached knitted sock details

Cassiasticina satin pumps

Cassia 160 satin pumps

Cassia metallic leather pumps

Pavlova crêpe satin ankle boot

Photos: © Christian Louboutin, © Sandra Bauknecht / @kazmva0
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

PUMA x JIL SANDER Introduce the K-Street

PUMA and JIL SANDER continue their ongoing dialogue with the launch of the K-Street, a sneaker that distills movement into its most refined form.

Following the revival of the King Avanti in 2025, the K-Street builds on a shared language of clarity, precision, and function. Designed under the direction of Simone Bellotti, the silhouette is defined by its slim, contoured fit and ultra-thin sole, tracing the natural lines of the foot with a sense of both softness and tension.

Fluid, almost aerodynamic in its construction, the design conveys a quiet sense of speed. It merges references from different disciplines: an upper inspired by PUMA’s archival H-Street running shoe meets a karate-influenced sole, giving the sneaker both its name and its distinctive stance.

Available in suede, canvas, and nylon across three colorways, the K-Street balances material contrast with understated precision. Co-branded details remain subtle, reinforcing the collaboration’s restrained aesthetic.

At its core, the project reflects JIL SANDER’s signature minimalism, where structure meets lightness, and continues a partnership with PUMA that has long explored the intersection of sport and fashion.

The unisex K-Street launches globally on April 8, 2026, with selected editions exclusive to JIL SANDER stores and online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Puma x Jil Sander
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

The low-top LV Tilted Sneaker makes a subtle statement, taking cues from classic skate gear. Introduced during the Louis Vuitton Men’s S/S 2026 Pre-collection preview and later worn in the Men’s S/S 2026 Collection show, it has garnered attention for its bold yet discreet silhouette: widened and balanced so that its right and left soles are dimensionally equal, making a pair initially interchangeable.

The LV Tilted is named for the leaning logo that adorns its padded tongue, a nod to the inclines and slopes of skateboarding. A wide, flat rubber outsole is molded with Monogram Flower details and the Louis Vuitton Damier pattern in high relief, underlining a topstitched upper evocative of 1990s designs, including a bracket-shaped leather panel that highlights its simplicity of form.

Each sneaker features Louis Vuitton codes such as the VVN leather enchape between toe and laces and a newly developed LV logo on the sole. Extra supple and lightweight materials ensure flexibility and dexterity, positioning the LV Tilted as part of a Louis Vuitton legacy, combining practical sport and limitless design.

Obsessed with the denim version from the S/S 2026 runway collection …

… and this embellished model in brown suede leather. Amazing!

Breathable mesh and leather lining sees optimal comfort in an array of fabric and treatment options such as worn-in denim, colorful calf suede, woven Damier or plaid canvas, gem-embellished goat leather, embroidered denim, printed calf, and Monogram stencil-rubbed canvas, with many more colorways and textures to be revealed.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Attention, Upper East Siders! British shoemaking craftsmanship meets New York luxury and that can only mean one thing: shoes will shine, steps will be more stylish, and a walk through Manhattan is about to become legendary.

John Lobb, the world-renowned master of bespoke shoes, has opened an exclusive shoe-shine station at The Mark Hotel on the Upper East Side. And because a little movement is good for both soles and souls, The Mark has teamed up with illustrator RF. Alvarez, known for his playful drawings, to create a specially illustrated map that now showcases a carefully curated route from The Mark to the John Lobb boutique on Madison Avenue. The route passes famous landmarks as well as hidden gems not everyone knows about.

Let’s get started!

👞 THE MARK HOTEL (25 E. 77th St)
This is where New York’s most stylish walk begins. Take a moment to breathe in the scent of French luxury and freshly polished leather shoes.

🏛 JAMES B. DUKE MANSION (1 E. 78th St)
A castle in the middle of Manhattan. This mansion once belonged to tobacco magnate James Duke and evokes the grandeur of a European residence.

🎩 STUYVESANT & MAMIE FISH HOUSE (25 E. 78th St)
Once the epicenter of New York’s wildest high-society parties. Mamie Fish knew how to celebrate, surely a fan of gleaming shoes.

🖼 THE FRICK COLLECTION (1 E. 70th St)
One of the city’s most impressive art collections, housed in the former residence of industrialist Henry Clay Frick.

🏛 FORMER WHITNEY MUSEUM (945 Madison Ave)
Once a hub for modern art, now home to the Met Breuer collection. A place that proves true elegance is timeless, just like a well-crafted shoe.

🐐 CENTRAL PARK’S GOAT WALL (1 E. 65th St)
A wall named after goats. Once a grazing area for the animals, today a curious insider tip set amid greenery.

👞 JOHN LOBB BOUTIQUE (700 Madison Ave)
The destination of the route and the address for exceptional shoemaking, where the highest level of craftsmanship and tradition meets modern elegance.

The illustrated map is available free of charge at The Mark Hotel or at the John Lobb Boutique.

JOHN LOBB @ THE MARK HOTEL
📍 Mezzanine Level 🕗 Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm

JOHN LOBB BOUTIQUE
📍 700 Madison Avenue, New York

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of The Mark Hotel
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

A declaration of romance with every step: the Faya 95 slingbacks captivate in luminous ruby-red satin, delicately framed by grosgrain trims. Elegant yet striking, the silhouette balances timeless femininity with modern allure, the perfect finishing touch for Valentine’s Day and beyond. Designed for moments meant to be remembered, this pair is less an accessory than a love letter sealed in scarlet.

TO SHOP THE FAYA 95 SLINGBACKS (€ 1050), CLICK HERE PLEASE.

My size is 36.5 … just saying!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Jimmy Choo
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Simone Rocha and Crocs have unveiled their newest collaboration, introducing the Stomp Fisherman Sandal. This latest design merges Crocs’ bold silhouette with Rocha’s signature embellishments, featuring crystal and pearl details. Available in Black, Stucco, and Electric Pink, the collection also includes new colorways of the Siren silhouette in Latte and Powder Pink.

Simone Rocha x Crocs Siren in Powder Pink

Available today at the Simone Rocha London and New York stores and online  – shipping worldwide.

London Flagship
93 Mount Street
London, W1K 2SY

New York Flagship
71 Wooster Street
New York, NY 10012

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Simone Rocha
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Tapping into the Balletcore trend for S/S 2025, Christian Louboutin revisits the classic ballet pump with the Cassia Lace Up heel‘s square toe and satin ties. A testament to the shoemaker’s ‘savoir-faire’ and inspired by ballet slippers, they are made entirely from black or nude crepe satin. Enhanced by a grosgrain trim, they sit on a 100 mm stiletto heel and tie around the ankle with a ribbon.

To shop the Cassia 100 bow-detailed grosgrain-trimmed satin-crepe pumps, click here please.

 Have fun staying en pointe! I just adore them!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Christian Louboutin
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Louis Vuitton and renowned contemporary artist Takashi Murakami celebrate the 20-year anniversary of their era-defining collaboration with the launch of an extensive re-edition collection.

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

My avid readers know, that I have kept every single piece I have invested in for over 30 years. I have always believed that they will be back in style and predicted the era of re-editions and the sustainability movement. I still have the Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami items from 20 years ago and now it is time to unpack them again. For a long time, they seemed outdated as they had been copied too much. However keeping fashion items is a smart choice because trends often come full circle, with styles being reintroduced or reimagined over time. What may seem outdated today can become a statement piece tomorrow. By holding onto well-crafted items, you not only save money but also contribute to sustainability by reducing waste. Fashion reeditions give old favorites a new life, proving that timeless pieces never truly go out of style.

Takashi Murakami

Twenty years after Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami first came together for what became an era-defining collaboration, the House and the Japanese artist are proud to announce the arrival of Louis Vuitton × Murakami, a joyful and celebratory re-edition that reimagines and updates the original collection. Consisting of more than 200 uplifting creations, the project acts as a modern-day showcase for an enduring creative bond, defined by artistic vision, remarkable feats of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, and the timeless appeal of this seminal moment in early 21st-century pop and collector culture.

Actor and singer Zendaya stars in the campaign for Louis Vuitton x Murakami created by renowned Dutch photographers, Inez and Vinoodh.

For Louis Vuitton × Murakami, the playful, yet profound works that the artist created for the original collaboration, initiated by the House’s then Artistic Director, Marc Jacobs – including a kaleidoscopic reinterpretation of the iconic Louis Vuitton Monogram pattern, the first time in its history that it had been reworked – are now celebrated and featured across a wide-ranging assortment of the House’s most renowned and coveted women’s leather goods and accessories.
The renditions have their own respective label, which I love as it will distinguish the original from the reeditions.

The Louis Vuitton x Murakami reedition will be celebrated within a fully immersive visual landscape, ranging from window displays to pop-ups and pop-ins, as well as innovative in-store activations and a dedicated advertising campaign. Louis Vuitton × Murakami will be available to order worldwide from now. A second chapter will be launched in March 2025 and focus on the artist’s perfect-for-spring Cherry Blossom pattern.

I love when old things feel brand new and the original is always better than the re-edition!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Sending the internet into a frenzy, Alexander McQueen’s «Hoof Boots» are a striking and avant-garde footwear design introduced in the brand’s F/W 2024 collection under creative director Seán McGirr. I spotted them at the re-see after the show in March and knew that they needed a spot in Sandra’s Closet.

Giving the wearer an anthropomorphic feel, these boots are shaped to mimic horse hooves, complete with sculpted heels and sometimes even horseshoe-like embellishments. Inspired by McGirr’s Irish heritage, they embody the rebellious, theatrical spirit long associated with McQueen, echoing the brand’s iconic «armadillo» shoes worn by Lady Gaga.

Finished in brown calf hair, or with a sweeping silk ponytail, the «Hoof Boots» feature a mid-calf length and rear zip fastening, with a heel height of 145mm, offering both height and dramatic flair. These boots have quickly captured attention for their bold silhouette and have been described as a potential viral sensation due to their unique aesthetic.

To shop the hoof booties, click here please. In the next post, I will show you how I personally style them.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / © Alexander McQueen
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

After its huge success in 2023, Jimmy Choo x Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon returns. The second instalment of this bold collaboration delves deeper into the story of the Sailor Guardians, bringing to life five more beloved characters from the iconic manga series. The capsule collection featuring footwear, bags and accessories draws on inspiration from the celebrated magical girls und is in stores now.

Personally speaking I am obsessed with the footwear. So many cool pieces.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Jimmy Choo
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!