Sandra‘s Closet

When Parisian chic takes up summer residence in the sun, a spirit of luxury and refinement pervades the Riviera. The Dior summer escape in the couture colors of blue, pink and orange, taking on the iconic toile de Jouy motif, adorn a selection of ready-to-wear, accessories and lifestyle summer essentials, such as deckchairs, parasols, and cushions, to be discovered in several pop-up and resort stores around the world.

DIORIVIERA – A celebration of the dolce vita so dear to Christian Dior, that is only available in the respective Dior resort shops. I resisted in Saint Tropez, but hold back in Mykonos where I took all of these photos … see for yourself. I hope that you will like it as much as I do.

If you buy something, you will get a shopping bag in blue or pink that is reminiscent of the iconic DIOR Book Tote. It is perfect for the beach.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht
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I am such a huge catsuit fan. Why is that you might ask? I love dancing and a jumpsuit is the perfect outfit for a night out. Therefore I was over the moon when I spotted the Saint Laurent S/S 2022 runway collection. Comfortable, yet sexy, those sultry styles are the perfect addition to my wardrobe. In a strapless cut with a reverse-halter neckline, or long-sleeved with floral prints, there are many options to choose from. The common thread? They are all designed in a slinky slim fit to define and flatter your figure.

Here is a summary of the best styles available (and great news is … the jumpsuits are staying for F/W 2022).

Left: Embellished cutout satin and velvet jumpsuit
Middle: Strapless cutout embellished ruched stretch-satin jumpsuit
Right: Embellished cutout stretch-satin halterneck jumpsuit

Left: Cutout catsuit in rose jersey
Middle: Twist-front floral-print stretch-satin jumpsuit
Right: Neckholder catsuit with rose print

Left Cutout white floral jersey jumpsuit
Middle: Floral appliquéd jersey jumpsuit
Right: Cutout olive green floral jersey jumpsuit

Left: Twisted crushed-velvet jumpsuit
Middle: Red cutout halterneck jumpsuit
Right: Gathered blue satin-jersey jumpsuit

Stay tuned! I got myself some of them. A love story to be continued.

LoL, Sandra

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

As summer begins, Gucci presents a special selection of ready-to-wear and accessories from the House’s latest collections envisioned for warm season. Mixing light fabrics with bright pops of color, the Towards the Sun pieces evoke the easy-going cadence that comes with sunny days.

Upon bags, shoes, and accessories, pattern comes to the fore with the House’s emblematic GG monogram woven from a raffia-effect material. Houndstooth and seersucker also become defining motifs, enriching signature items such as bags from the House’s archive- inspired Beloved lines. The women’s ready-to-wear proposes practical femininity in muslin slip dresses accented with lace, as well as a selection of bathing suits.

The men’s lineup ranges from the casual to the sophisticated with jogging shorts, patterned pants, nylon jackets, and double-breasted blazers.

The Towards the Sun selection is captured in a special campaign shot on the coast of Provincetown—the Summer escape of choice for many artists and creatives. The campaign captures a cast of characters partaking in a series of activities on the quaint northern tip of Cape Code, such as swimming, sunbathing, and strolling around the lighthouse. As an ode to the act of vacationing, the photographs also feature the Gucci Ophidia luggage, which progresses the House’s century-long legacy in travel.

Now available in Gucci stores worldwide, Towards the Sun will be presented in dedicated window displays and Pop-Ups with a creative concept that riffs on the houndstooth design found across the selection. The offering will also be available online at gucci.com.

I love Cape Code and the photos make me dream of my latest vacation there…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci #GucciTowardsTheSun
Creative Director: Alessandro Michele Art Director: Christopher Simmonds Photographer & Director: Julie Greve Make up: Lauren Reynolds
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Color – eclectic – lilac – chartreuse – shocking pink – S/S 2022 is a hopeful collection to give you light in your life. Diane Kendal created the matching make-up look, a look you will surely adore. Wearable, sexy and so Tom Ford. She revealed that the show’s beauty inspiration was none other other than Tom Ford himself. Inspired by Tom Ford’s 1996 runway show, the stunning models donned sultry lids, sculpted cheeks, and of course, some sex appeal.

In a wonderful zoom call with Melissa Fernandes, Education Manager EMEAI Tom Ford Beauty, we explored the whole concept behind this beautiful look.It is all about working on your bone structure with the focus on your eyes for a bold dramatic look.

BROWS
Brows are sculpted with the eye brow pencil. Brush upwards with a flat hold. With a straight hold, make short flakes and fill in gentle your brows.
You can give it a nice lift by accentuating the high point. To summarize:
Flat – bold effect
Straight – hairy effect

Brow Perfecting Pencil – 02 Taupe

EYES
Use the pointy side of your applicator above the grease for the reddish tone, not directly in it. According to Melissa, this will make your eyes look much bigger. This is when your smokey eye effect starts. Under the eye, use half way the yellowish tone.

Then you will apply the brown tone on the eyelid. Very importantly, use the blending brush to blend well between the eyelids and the grease.

Whatever you do – ALWAYS us the blending brush with one or two swipes in between. This will make sure that no hard edges will be visible and that your result will look like from a make-up professional.

The third step for the eyes is to use the yellow tone under the eyebrow and to blend it nicely. Also use this yellow shade in your inner eye corner and for the first part of the lower eye. Then take the spikey edge and tap the sparkling color on top of these areas.

Eye Color Quad – 4 Eye Shadow Compact – Leopard Sun

Next comes the eyeliner but in a very modern way, no wing, only on the base to give definition. Don’t apply it in one stroke, use short movements for your eyeliner. It will give you a much more defined and natural look.

However, Melissa gave us a great tip for any eyeliner mistake. You can use your eyebrow brush to take it off immediately.

Eye Defining Pen – 01 Deeper

If you prefer a super definition, you can apply a kohl pencil on the water line.

Emotionproof Liner – 01 Dominateur

For the final step, use a lot of mascara to give you this sexy and seductive look.

Extreme Mascara – 01 Raven

BLUSH/CONTOURING
Enhance your bone structure. With the darker color, you can contour face perfectly. With the lighter shade, you can add light and highlight parts of your face. Tap on top of cheekbones and blend it in nicely.

The more color you add, the more intense the outcome will be. It is truly an amazing product. Once I tried it, I immediately have become addicted. It will make your skin look juicy and nourished while providing this contouring and highlighting effect we all love. It is so easy to use and I am absolutely convinced that you will love it too.

Shade & Illuminate – Intensity One (comes in different intensities)

LIPS

As the main focus of this make-up look is on the eyes, lips stay natural and muted.

Lip Color – Matte Equus 100

SCENT
«Some scents capture an aspect of my life», says Tom Ford.

This applies to OMBRE LEATHER, which is connected to Tom Ford’s childhood (you can read more about the background here). This Eau de Parfum explores ideas of touch and texture in a warm, enveloping aroma. The notes of Black Leather and spicy Patchouli are enlivened with bright Vetiver, Violet and Jasmine. It’s poured in a matte-black bottle with a faux leather plaque, so it’ll look great on your vanity.

Eau de Parfum – Ombré Leather

The collection is in stores now. You can also shop the products by clicking on the highlighted product description.
It is my favorite make-up look at the moment!

LoL, Sandra

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

A cutout swimsuit may be a straight-up no-no for some, with very bizarre tan lines being too much of a risk, but given that cutouts are a major S/S 2022 fashion trend this year, you might want to change your mind. This season, they are absolutely trending, preferably in black. Below you can find my absolute favorites. Just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly.

LoL, Sandra

Cutout crochet-paneled swimsuit by PATBO

Cutout swimsuit by Alaïa

Crystal-embellished cutout stretch-nylon swimsuit by Dolce & Gabbana

Cutout embellished halterneck swimsuit by Magda Butrym

Wilona crystal-embellished cutout swimsuit by Agent Provocateur

Cutout halterneck swimsuit by Norma Kamali

Maddy cutout stretch-ECONYL halterneck swimsuit by Mara Hoffmann

Cutout halterneck swimsuit by Christopher Esber

One-shoulder cutout swimsuit by Versace

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

From New York to London, Milan and Paris, in this post I round up the biggest moments of the new season. One of the most important trends is the revival of the 2000s. Keyword is «Y2K» which is the shorthand for «the year 2000.» Designers found new ways to interpret sex by freeing the nipple and creating interesting cut-outs.

Color is very important. After the months spent at home, the urge for fun and vibrant fashion is huge. Enjoy those beautiful collections and let’s hope that we will find peace this season.

LoL, Sandra

After the ’90s, the 2000s are back! Crop tops and butterflies, Grecian draping and low-rise pants, and body chains – all those things are epitome of Y2K style.

No other piece of garment has come up quite the winner like the bra top, be it a bikini top, a bandeau, or a humble bra, best combined with a pant suit.

XXS hemlines are a must this summer. The micro skirt steals the show from the traditional mini skirt.

This season, homespun crochet details were a present theme on the runways, playing up texture.

As the blazer is a standalone piece in its own right, it is worn directly on the skin, preferably with a cinched waist and exaggerated shoulders.

Buckle up, ladies! The biker jacket is back.

Nothing beats elegance and sex appeal like a black catsuit.

Here’s one for the minimalists: a shock of Colgate white, worn head-to-toe, preferably oversized.

Counterbalacing the neutral monochrome trend are head-to-toe looks in bold colors.

Sweet pastel colors appear this summer mostly on airy pieces for a second skin effect.

In 2022 there is not the slightest excuse for not wearing color. Optimistic color splashes elevate color blocking to new heights.

Graphic cut-outs paired with bold colors deliver the right amount of chic.

The new sexiness means super sheer and unleashing your nipples.

A beautiful interpretation of the ’60s era in pop colors.

Colorful marabou feathers are the best way to stay warm during chilly summer nights.

A hybrid trend mixing fringing and stripes for the fashion forward.

Back embellishments, trains, and swinging tails create maximum drama.

A new definition of evening glamour with dramatic, big-volume silhouettes and goth details.

Shine bright like a diamond. Sparkling textures and sheer sexiness are a must for evening wear this season.

Dress-code after the pandemic: Fabulous and shiny with sequins, chainmail, sparkling mesh, and crystals.

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Presented for the first time at the S/S 2022 show, the CHANEL 22 bag is the House’s latest bag imagined by Virginie Viard. Like its predecessor – the CHANEL 19 created in 2019 – its name refers to both the year of its creation and a powerful symbol in CHANEL’s numerology: in 1922, N°22 was launched, the House’s second fragrance after N°5 created in 1921.

Anchored firmly in its time, the CHANEL 22 bag combines simplicity and comfort. Functional and light, made of an extremely supple yet resistant leather, this bag comes in three sizes (small, medium and large) and as a backpack version. For summer, it is available in navy blue, purple, and two shades of pink, white and black.

Ever loyal to Gabrielle Chanel’s desire to give women freedom of movement and spirit, the CHANEL 22 bag is a genuine ally for daily life. Its interior, sophisticated and practical, closes with a magnetic button and purse-like drawstrings. It features an inside zipped pocket and a removable pouch held in place by a snap hook.

The CHANEL 22 bag adopts the codes of the House, from the quilted leather and metal chain interlaced with leather to the «CHANEL» signature composed of gold or lacquered metal letters. Finally, it comes adorned with a «CHANEL Paris» medallion with an openwork double C. Modern and refined, the result of the House’s creative energy, it is destined to become a timeless CHANEL creation.

A veritable object of desire, the CHANEL 22 bag writes a new chapter in the history of the House, combining creativity and liberty. It will be available in boutiques from March 2022.

Ladies, get on the wait lists now!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
DISCLOSURE: This post is not sponsored. I am absolutely loving it.

For its 2022 Color of the Year, global color authority Pantone has for the first time created a brand new shade: Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri, a vibrant periwinkle blue with violet red undertones. The new Very Peri is the «happiest and warmest of all the blue hues,» blending the «faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red» to deliver an «empowering mix of newness» with a «carefree confidence and a daring curiosity that animates our creative spirit,» said the company in its announcement.

After the lockdowns of 2020, Pantone chose two colors, Ultimate Gray and Illuminating, to represent quiet reassurance and resilience in the face of difficult circumstances, as well as optimism for the future.

We are living in transformative times. PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri is a symbol of the global zeitgeist of the moment and the transition we are going through. As we emerge from an intense period of isolation, our notions and standards are changing, and our physical and digital lives have merged in new ways. Digital design helps us to stretch the limits of reality, opening the door to a dynamic virtual world where we can explore and create new color possibilities. With trends in gaming, the expanding popularity of the metaverse and rising artistic community in the digital space PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri illustrates the fusion of modern life and how color trends in the digital world are being manifested in the physical world and vice versa.

I personally love this sweet violet-blue shade that can be pretty powerful. It is a positive hue, a jewel tone, with depth and equal brightness, a colour that actually suits all skin tones. It has already conquered the runways and I am sure we will see it a lot in 2022.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands