Sandra‘s Closet

PRADA opens new spaces in the via della Spiga boutique in Milan, which have been expanded and feature the rolling out of a fresh image, with a new layout and interior architecture. The boutique is entirely dedicated to the women’s collections.

On the corner between Via Sant’Andrea and Via della Spiga, the façade is characterised by entrances on both streets and large windows, inserted in the stone frame of the building. Inside, the new layout of the spaces is on two levels for a total area of 400 square metres.

The space on the ground floor – dedicated to leather goods, accessories and footwear collections – is an original and sophisticated interpretation of the historic Prada display niche. New and elegant design elements stand out, among which the green marble tables sketched by the Milanese design firm BBPR and exclusively reproduced for Prada in a limited series.

The upper floor – reached by a marble staircase – houses the clothing collections and is characterised by the modern design of the ceiling beams and the pearl-grey carpeted floor, combined with the wooden details of the large windows and 1950s furnishings. The walls are decorated with bas-reliefs in shades of pastel green, inspired by the iconic prints of the brand.

On both levels, the display elements – made with details of polished wood – are flanked by furniture designed by Osvaldo Borsani and Giò Ponti, made exclusively for Prada and some special design pieces that pay homage to the masters of Milanese design of the 1950s.

From 10 September 2018, the Prada Sidonie bag, protagonist of the Prada Resort 2019 collection, will be available solely at the Via della Spiga store in two styles made of city calf leather in a different range of colors. The precious skin versions  – crocodile and ostrich – will be available in pre-order only.

Ladies, be prepared, the small shoulder bags are back!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada

Last night, I attended the opening celebration of BREITLING‘s newly designed boutique, situated in a prime location on Augustinergasse in Zurich. During this dazzling, high-profile red-carpet event, VIP guests and customers were treated to a cocktail party and dinner, followed by a concert performance by Swiss pop star Baschi. A full-scale mock-up of a Breitling Jet Team aircraft in front of the boutique caught the eyes of passersby, who took the opportunity to be photographed with the impressive flying machine.

#SquadOnAMission – Me surrounded by the Swiss Air Force’s Patrouille Suisse elite aerobatic squadron at the Breitling opening.

BREITLING CEO Georges Kern was joined at the opening event by an impressive roster of special guests, including former World Cup Alpine ski racer, Winter Olympic gold medalist, and pilot, Dominique Gisin, multiple Ironman champion and duathlon specialist Ronnie Schildknecht, celebrated Swiss chef René Schudel, Breitling Jet Team leader Jacques Bothelin, and members of the Swiss Air Force’s Patrouille Suisse elite aerobatic squadron.

With Breitling CEO Georges Kern at last night’s opening.

Georges Kern was excited about introducing Breitling’s new industrial-loft point-of-sale concept in Zurich, one of the brand’s home towns: «Our redesigned boutiques respect Breitling’s long heritage, but they do so in a stylish, contemporary environment. It is essential, as a global brand, to have a significant presence in key cities around the world. We have already launched flagship boutiques in Beijing and London, and today we are opening our doors to a new generation of Breitling enthusiasts in the country where the company was founded in 1884.»

Breitling’s newest brand ambassador, internationally renowned model Ronja Furrer, was also in attendance along with her boyfriend singer Stress.

Redefining industrial-chic luxury, the boutique’s interior space is divided over two floors. On the ground floor, Breitling’s watches are presented in vitrines and display cases whose design reflects the urban-loft ambience.

Upstairs is a bar and lounge area where visitors can escape from the hustle and bustle of the city just outside the boutique’s doors and enjoy a drink while exploring some of Breitling’s iconic collections.

Ronnie Schildknecht, Breitling CMO Tim Sayler, Jacques Bothelin and Dominique Gisin at the boutique opening.

Along with Adrian Bindella, CEO of Zett-Meyer, Steven Biedert, Breitling’s Brand Manager in Switzerland, and the brand’s celebrity guests, Georges Kern cut the ribbon, officially opening the Breitling Boutique Zurich.

Following the boutique opening, guests enjoyed cocktails an «unplugged» concert performance by Baschi, one of Switzerland’s most popular musicians. The singer arrived in style on a motorcycle created by iconic British brand Norton, one of Breitling’s partner companies.

The mock-up of the Breitling Jet Team aircraft – with its imposing dimensions (a height of 12.3 meters and a wingspan of 9.46 meters) – attracted attention throughout the event. It served as a stage for Baschi’s concert, and also provided a perfect photo opportunity.

A great night with a lot of fun, thank you, BREITLING, for having me!
Stay tuned for the outfit post coming up soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images for Breitling
© Getty Images

I am in love, yes IN LOVE! This is definitely the  chicest bag you could add to your summer wardrobe, DIOR‘s embroidered Book Tote! A veritable invitation to travel by the House’s creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, an evocation of sunshine, inspired by Mexican crafts, it is the perfect luxury staple piece to rock throughout the season. First seen at the DIOR S/S 2018 runway show, it sports geometrical motifs and requires more than thirty-two hours of work and over one million two hundred thousand stitches to create an interplay of arrestingly lovely patterns in mesmerizing shades of green, orange, red, fuchsia, violet and blue. It’s crafted in the fashion house’s studio in Paris.

Rihanna sporting her personalized DIOR book tote

Although the tote has just been released this season, celebrities all over are sporting the brand in a range of colors and customized names.

Check out the photos below to see how the elegant piece is made:

If you are dreaming of a limited edition piece, I recommend visiting DIOR’s pop-up store on the Greek island of Mykonos this summer at the upscale Nammos shopping village until Oct. 15, 2018.

There you can find exclusive pieces, including DIOR Book Tote bags featuring the name of the island woven into the canvas as well as striped bodysuits and sweaters, silk cravats and cotton pareos bearing the slogan «J’adior Mykonos.»

Great news is that the DIOR book tote is here to stay and has been designed in many different versions for F/W 2018 as well as for Cruise 2019.

DIOR Book Totes for F/W 2018

DIOR Book Tote for Cruise 2019

Such a great bag – my favorite is still the S/S 2018 in vibrant shades.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior

Tap into the Ibizan hippy chic way of life. This season LOEWE collaborates with PAULA’S IBIZA for a second time (for the previous post about the first collaboration and for more information in general, click HERE please), adding the label’s island ethos to classic summer styles. Crafted in Spain and inspired by Paula’s impressive print archives, Loewe’s Jonathan Anderson turns holiday memories into pieces that channel the amazing vibe of the iconic White Isle and its iconic boutique.

From left to right: Fringed leather tote, Elephant Mermaid Mini shoulder bag, Dorfman hat, and Mermaid printed scarf.

One of my personal favorites from this collaboration: Puzzle shoulder bag

Great for the beach or a stroll through the old town: Mermaid small tote

Mixing prints from Paula’s Ibiza’s archives: Sequined patchwork denim jacket

«Paula’s is part of the bohemian Spanish culture.»
– Jonathan Anderson of Loewe

If you are looking for the right make-up to live up to this amazing vibe, look no further than to the summer collection by BY TERRY with the eponymous name: HIPPY CHIC.

«The sun is a true love story between the skin and the light,» says BY TERRY founder Terry de Gunzburg, «and so I created powders to give a warm, healthy glow – with or without a holiday!»

To the left: Sun Designer Palette (available in different color combinations)
Featuring both matte and satin-finish colors, this multitasking palette allows you to create a sun-kissed look that’s totally customizable. It has six shades – including three blushers – which can be blended or used separately to contour, brighten, sculpt and correct. Use yours as the perfect space saver for your next vacation.

To the right: Twist-On Lip (available in eight different shades)
A dual lipstick that helps you plump and contour. Also perfect for touch-ups all day long.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Loewe, By Terry, Net-à-Porter and © Sandra Bauknecht

The journey of Marni Market arrives in Paris, bringing the imaginative world of MARNI to 231 Rue Saint Honoré. For five months the space will be continually transformed, giving visitors the chance to discover the various facets of the MARNI universe and to buy a selection of special, exclusive products, immersing themselves in the lively environment of bright colours and graphic prints in three specific periods.

January 2018: MARNI VISITORS MARKET

The protagonists are the MARNI Visitors, fun, colourfully painted wood and resin marionettes, characters that are half toy and half sculpture, that seem to have arrived from another planet. Keeping to the traditional annual Christmas charitable donation, the proceeds of the MARNI
Visitors’ sales will go to the Piccolo Principe association, which, through the Orso Baloo community, helps children in difficulty aged 0 to 5 within the Province of Milan.

1 February – 12 April: MARNI PLAYFUL MARKET

The key word is play. The MARNI Playful Market is an invitation to forget rules and predefined structures interacting with the surrounding area and the elements it contains: toys to be showcased or to play with, extraordinary objects and furnishing sculptures that have cast practicality aside to embrace a more freely interpreted, playful side.

13 April – 18 May: MARNI HOUSE MARKET

The wood, metal and coloured PVC furnishing items hand-made in Colombia, which have garnered fame at various editions of the Milan Salone del Mobile, populate the space in celebration of the design month. They create a unique environment where hand-crafted workmanship and creativity find the peak of their expression.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Marni

Prada presents PRADA SILVER LINE, an itinerant project offering customers the chance to acquire exclusive products – which are chosen for each leg of the journey – and presented inside an original installation.

For the Christmas Holiday, for one month, this imaginary railway station stops for the first time at the Galaxy shopping mall in Macau, hosting a selection of women’s luxury bags and accessories.

In particular, the Prada Cahier bag is reinterpreted in three new styles made of exotic leathers. A different selection of items will be developed for each future city of the itinerant retail space.

The concept is a reconstruction of an ideal train in which the various target is aesthetic themes are combined in a single design. The exterior is a metal shell reminiscent of the American Streamliners of the ’30s and ’50s. The interior features walls cover in floral-patterned red silk brocade to create a luxurious, romantic look. The setting is completed by the iconic black-and-white chequered floor which characterises Prada stores around the world since 1913.

Around and outside the train’s coach, a series of installations including life-size Prada robots and a ticket booth, which serves as a concierge service’s booth, finish off the perfect ambiance.

From January 2018, PRADA SILVER LINE will touch on several cities, including Dubai and later on some of the most important locations in Asia, Europe and the United States.

I am loving it… cannot wait for the PRADA SILVER LINE to hopefully stop in Zurich…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada

GUCCI has opened its new stunning two-floor boutique with over 4,700 square feet showcasing the latest women’s and men’s collections as well as Gucci Décor in Miami’s Design District. Creative Director Alessandro Michele has had a hand in the design concept which includes immersive concept elements such as velvet armchairs, industrial accents and other luxurious details.

Absolute must-have: Gucci‘s Coco Capitán logo backpack

A mural by Coco Capitán is featured adjacent to the marble and metal façade, and the artist’s work appears on two special accessories available exclusively in the boutique. According to Gucci, «These murals will be an extension of the Gucci Art Wall project that has been revealed in New York City’s Soho neighborhood and in Milan’s Largo la Foppa, in the lively pedestrian district of Corso Garibaldi.»

139 NE 41st Street
Miami, FL 33137
+1.786.915.8710

Opening Hours:
Mon – Sat: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm – 6:00pm

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci

After several months of renovation work, Louis Vuitton celebrated the reopening of its Zurich store located in the historic Peterhof building last September.

The store presents a complete restoration of the historic ceiling as well as the work of the Swiss painter Otto Pilny entitled «Seidenzucht im XVI. Jahrhundert» that was hidden behind wood panels before. The gentlemen’s universe now also extends to ready-to-wear, in addition to leather goods, accessories and shoes; the first floor of the store, featuring the historic mezzanine, is dedicated to women’s ready-to-wear and shoes.

My look was colorful and bold: Linen coat by Delpozo, Corely cold-shoulder ribbed-knit midi dress by Roland Mouret, yellow, magenta, powder pink leather Rockstud tote and matching pink Rockstud heels, both by Valentino. Tonda 1950 set clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier and earrings with pearls and tiger heads by Gucci.

On my wrist: THE SILVER LOCKIT by Louis Vuitton
This fall, Louis Vuitton has launched a new version of its Silver Lockit with color bracelets (yellow, blue unicef, pink, purple and black) in effort to continue raising awareness and funds for Syrian children facing the world’s most challenging humanitarian crisis. For each sale of the Silver Lockit Bracelet, $100 will be donated to UNICEF. For more information, click here. A great gift for a loved one for Christmas!

As a treat for the guests of the opening, French illustrator Yohann Propin drew them in the most fun way you can imagine. Personally speaking, I loved watching him as he finished its illustration in no time.

LoL, Sandra

Photos of me outside of the store: © Céline Luetolf – all others © Sandra Bauknecht
Photos of the store: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

As you already know, unfortunately Colette, the legendary Parisian concept store, will close forever on December 20, 2017 (click here for a previous article). Founded in 1997 by Colette Roussaux, the house has been led by her daughter Sarah Andelmanin recent years. But before the amazing mother-daughter team says good-bye to their Rue St.-Honoré space for good, they are hosting the last in a season-long series of pop-up takeovers.

But who will be the label that will be the last to fill Colette’s famous first floor? It’s Saint Laurent! This might sound bizarre as you might remember the clash the two brands had a few years ago after Colette started selling ironic tees that referenced the Saint Laurent brand («It ain’t Saint Laurent without Yves») when Hedi Slimane was at the helmet of design. After this incident, the label pulled its merchandise indefinitely from the store. Now, the wind freshened and Saint Laurent’s recent creative director Anthony Vaccarello has dreamed up a series of highly collectible collaborative items to celebrate the traditions and iconic memories of Parisian daily life for the pop-up shop. Rumors are out that this might be a test-run as Saint Laurent might be taking over the Colette space for its own store in 2018.

Vespa for Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello, 6,900 euros ($8,100), available at Colette

My favorite? The all-black Vespa, the most common and stylish way to get around crowded Paris.

Ruby for Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello helmet, 2,500 euros ($2,900), available at Colette

And to go with it, you will need the glossy black and fully crystal-embellished motorcycle helmet made with Ruby.

Polaroid for Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello custom vintage SX-70 camera, 500 euros ($587), available at Colette

Among the must-have pieces you will find something for every budget, from a customized vintage Polaroid SX-70 camera, a leopard-print Arkaic Concept skateboard, to a box of Pierre Marcolini custom chocolates and many more…

Arkaic Concept for Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello leopard skate deck, 195 euros ($229), available at Colette

Pierre Marcolini for Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello “Les Cœurs de Saint Laurent Dorés” chocolates, 49 euros ($57), available at Colette

Should none of that get your attention, check out those pieces below…

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello fetish toy, from 250 to 395 euros ($294 to $463), available at Colette

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello set of stickers, 25 euros ($29), available at Colette

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté makeup palette, 150 euros ($176), available at Colette

Saint Laurent’s Colette pop-up will be open from November 27 to December 20 at 213 Rue St.-Honoré in Paris.

LoL, Sandra

B&O PLAY by Bang & Olufsen for Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello portable speaker, 295 euros ($346), available at Colette

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello 2018 calendar, 195 euros ($229), available at Colette

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello Patti Smith sweatshirt, 690 euros ($808), available at Colette

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello bag, 1,150 euros ($1,348), available at Colette

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello lighter, 5 euros ($6), available at Colette

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello Bryan Ferry tee, 320 euros ($375), available at Colette

Photos: Courtesy of Saint Laurent

Inspired by the iconic Walt Disney full length feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, London-based designer Mary Katrantzou has designed an exclusive collection for iconic Parisian store colette, that will close its door on December 20, 2017 unfortunately.

Marking the 80th anniversary of the groundbreaking animated feature, the collection centers on the scene stealing dwarfs re-imagined in technicolor sequin motifs, boldly embroidered on t-shirts and fully sequined sweatshirts, bombers and dresses. Combining Katrantzou’s signature witty and colourful style with easy-to-wear silhouettes, the collection aligns with colette’s innovative Parisian mix of modernity and originality.

“My work is rooted in visual culture and the collaging of disparate elements in unexpected combinations” says Mary Katrantzou. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a definitive moment within pop culture and each individual dwarf expresses a different facet of feelings universal to the human experience. This collection is a re-interpretation of the iconic Snow White characters for our times”.

To celebrate the capsule collection, Mary Katrantzou and director Pierre Dixsaut have captured an immersive shimmering wonderland with model Louise Follain. The video will be premiered in the colette windows from now till this Saturday November 25th.

Those beautiful limited edition pieces will be available in store from now until November 25th and online at www.colette.fr from now until December 20th.

Which dwarf are you? #happy #bashful #sleepy#sneezy #dopey #doc #grumpy…
I am so in love with this collection! Bravo, Mary!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of @Mary Katrantzou 
Film and images: @pierredixsaut with @louisefollain