Sandra‘s Closet

On Saturday, you were able to watch the Burberry Prorsum Menswear S/S 2012 show live on Sandra’s Closet. Today, I would like to show you whom I saw at the show in Milan and give you a little more insight into the collection.

The lull before the storm.

Anna Dello Russo with Bryan Boy…

…and with me.

Front Row: Julian Morris, Cara Delevingne, Rob Pryor and Jake Cooper

Christopher Bailey celebrated craftsmanship and laid the emphasis on the artisan spirit:

“This collection started with our iconic heritage as the foundation, we really wanted to emphasise this feeling of handcrafted pieces, celebrating craftsmanship but always with this playful element. We have taken our icons and played with texture to personalise and give them a real character and charm using colour to highlight the intricate detail that goes into crafting them.”

Christopher Bailey, Burberry Chief Creative Officer BURBERRY PRORSUM

There were lots of ikat prints, beautiful raffia trims and wooden paillettes. Those embellishments will make those T-shirts the next summer’s must-haves.  The crocheted details and the bobble caps were reminscent of the `70s and the hippie era. I am pretty convinced that those ethnical influences, the maxi bags and the earthy colours will be liked a lot by the stronger sex. Don’t forget, you can order some of the pieces now online until June 27, 2011.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Burberry

Yesterday, I was invited by Daniele Cavalli to see the Roberto Cavalli Men S/S 2012 show which took place in the beautiful garden of the Palazzo Serbelloni in Milan. It was truly amazing. Every single look screamed gorgeous. This is how men should look like, crisp cuts, great fabrics and a sexy allure.

Roberto Cavalli’s son Daniele is the designer for the men’s line and a real talent. The handsome Italian knows how to flirt with clothes, colours and women. Stripes were used in interesting ways, from a bold all-over-look to a more subtle tone-on-tone pattern on the cobalt-blue jacket. I especially liked the python trims, “very Cavalli” but with a young twist. The collection had a lot of `70s references and rock appeal. No wonder, as the 25-year-old draws a lot of inspiration from his probably biggest passion, the music.

As for me, it had a very nice Italian Riviera feel. Well done, Daniele! I would like him to dress the women as well. Probably we won’t need to wait too long…as the wind of change is blowing in the house of Cavalli! And it is a young and fresh one.

LoL, Sandra

Daniele had to give a lot of interviews before the show, here with his father Roberto.

Speaking with International Herald Tribune‘s Suzy Menkes.

A proud mum, Eva Cavalli

Me at the show with Carmel from the LuisaViaRoma team.

In the end, when the applause started, Daniele left the runway with a generous gesture to his parents…

…who then applauded their son. Their proud faces were really sweet to watch.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Watch the Burberry Prorsum Menswear Spring/Summer 2012 Show Live from Milan here on Sandra’s Closet, today at 5pm (Milan Time)!

Be among the first ones to see the hot male models parading down the runway in the next summer must-haves by Christopher Bailey.

The Burberry Prorsum S/S 2012 menswear collection will be available to purchase immediately following the show through the “Runway to Reality” concept developed by the brand. You can go on burberry.com and buy outerwear and bags from the collection.
Orders that are placed immediately after the show on Saturday 18 June until Monday 27 June 2011 will be delivered within 8 weeks.
After that you will have to wait until December 2011, when the collection will hit the stores.

More from Italy’s fashion capital to come!

LoL, Sandra

Probably you were like me and loved playing dress-up with your dolls when you were little. In case that you haven’t outgrown that phase or you are a mom already, I truly recommend a visit to American Girl Place.

American Girl is a line of dolls, books, and accessories based on ten-year-old girl characters that originally focused  on various periods of American history from the viewpoint of girls. Today, the brand, that was founded in 1986 by Pleasant Rowland and is currently owned by Mattel, includes dolls and stories about contemporary girls with one special edition each year, the so-called “Girl of the Year”.

It is truly an amazing experience to enter an American Girl Place store. Girls can choose their doll according to their own look and get the matching outfits for both. The dolls can go to the hairdresser, get their ears pierced and enjoy many more activities.

Girls can visit different camps with their doll, from a cooking class to a night at the museum.

Girls can also buy a pet for their doll with all sorts of accessories.

The historical characters tell the story of their time and kids can learn a lot about American history.

The “Girl of the Year 2011” is Kanani and she comes from Hawaii.

The “Bitty Babies” are for the smaller children. Girls can even choose a twin couple.

The café is loved by kids and the parents, a very unique experience. The dolls get their own chair and little china. Kids who don’t bring their own doll, can borrow one.

The flagship and first store debuted in Chicago followed by shops in New York and Los Angeles among other US cities. I truly hope that they will expand to Europe one day. In the meantime, have a look at their website by clicking here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos taken in the American Girl Place stores in New York and Los Angeles by Sandra Bauknecht
© Sandra Bauknecht

Bex Manners with me

Yesterday, I was so happy to meet Bex Manners, the designer behind BEX ROX, the It-jewelry brand from London. She came to launch her beautiful collection with Lovers Lane who will exclusively carry the little treasures in Zurich.

If you are looking for a killer statement necklace, for deco inspired jewelry or for animal shaped rings, you will instantly fall in love with her creations. The entire range is bold and very unique, combining chain mail techniques with ancient Chinese knotting.

Since the launch of BEX ROX in 2006, the rise has been unbelievable. BEX ROX has not only done acclaimed collaborations with MADE Africa, and with Browns Focus, it has also been celebrated with the Coutts New Jewellers award 2009.

Please enjoy my interview with Bex Manners below. All the photos I took show the pieces that are available now at Lovers Lane.

Donkey Ring

You were raised in Menorca. What is your nationality? Your cultural background?

I am English but born and raised in Menorca- my mother is Austrian and my father is British but my soul is definitely Spanish!

How much has the lifestyle of the Balearic Island inspired your work?

I would say a great deal.  My collections are about a feeling, being a free spirit, youthful and colourful with a sexy undertone which for me sums up the Balearics…

Since when do you live in London? How do you like the city?

I’ve been living in London since 2007 –  I love it – it’s edgy, diverse and full of constant inspiration – people aren’t afraid to show off their style.

What is your favourite place on earth?

Right now my bed!!

Elephant Collar

How did you come with the idea of creating jewelry? What did you do before?

I was fashion stylist in NYC  and used to constantly make pieces for photo shoots and then would wear them afterwards- people in the streets kept stopping me to ask me where I’d got “that necklace” or “that bracelet” and I would literally sell them off my neck- et voila I started BEX ROX.

What is your most iconic piece? Your signature?

My Eivissa Cuff and the Natalie Ring are my most iconic pieces but then again I believe in my identity and make sure that every season screams BEX ROX.

Eivissa Cuff

Natalie Ring

Gold Tribe Pendant

I like your idea of a necklace that you can take apart with your magnetic clasp to get a bracelet and to be able to mix and match with other pieces so that the customer himself can become creative. Will this always be part of the collection?

Always.

What is your style advice? How would your perfect outfit with Bex Rox jewelry look like?

Walk out the door feeling all woman and believe in yourself, this way you’ll make anything work.

Do you only wear your own jewelry? If not, what else do you wear?

I also wear lots of vintage jewellery and pieces from other designers that are friends of mine.

Do you have a muse? Or an icon?

Most of my best friends are my muses!

Bex Manners in 3 words.

Individual, freckly and pretty temperamental ( but I suppose that comes with being a redhead! )

Where do you see yourself in the future? Will we see more BEX ROX, probably handbags or even clothes?

I have already started collaborating and creating but for now that would be telling.

Thank you, Bex!

And now ladies, run to Lovers Lane and get your Rox on!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Me with my bloggerdoll. La Bloggerdoll is designed and handmade from Paola Ferrai.

Meet the Bloggerdolls. Designer Paola Ferrai came up with the idea to create handmade dolls inspired by different bloggers.

The details are very cute. I am personally in love with those little fur boots. LuisaViaRoma is going to sell those cuties soon online and in their shop in Florence.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Why have one celebration when you can have two? We had double the fun on 11 June when Mulberry marked their 40th birthday with the launch of a beautiful anniversary book, ‘Mulberry’, at Firenze4Ever.

And I might have been in beautiful Tuscany, but nothing gets in the way of Mulberry’s love for English tea. We were treated to a cup of tea or a glass of elderflower bubbly and cucumber or salmon and cream cheese sandwiches – crusts off, of course. Afternoon tea wouldn’t be complete without cake, so I practised my cake-decorating skills with Victoria sponge.

Among the guests was not only a giant inflatable gold Bayswater, but also Mulberry’s Creative Director Emma Hill who had especially flown in from London for the event.

Emma Hill, Mulberry’s Creative Director

Me in front of the giant Mulberry Bayswater

I was given a copy of the lavish book so that I could take time to browse through the pages of behind-the-scenes peeks at Mulberry through the years, largely photographed by Venetia Dearden.

This beautiful coffee table book took nearly 3 years to create and is a collection of 480 pages of exquisite, never-before-seen images. It will be available in Mulberry stores and from mulberry.com from 1st July 2011 for £55/ $90/ €65.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © Mulberry

While being in Florence, I was able to explore the new Pop Up Greenhouse by RED Valentino which will officially opens its doors today at Piazza Strozzi.

The temporary space will stay until the 17th of June.

It is a beautiful botanical scenario, where you unexpectedly find yourself in a luxuriant, verdant place like Alice in Wonderland.

In this imaginary greenhouse the young protagonist of the RED Valentino story light-heartedly continues her journey.

Her romantic fantasy and vivid imagination are her means of expression.

A cloud of delicate fluttering white butterflies comes to life, seemingly lifting this airy, magical world and carrying it to a fairytale setting. The decoration is divine.

Gardening elements become objects for displaying exclusive garments. Scarves are enclosed in transparent glass bulb boxes. Galoshes hang in wood crates while colourful costume jewellery is “planted” in small white flower pots.

If you are a romantic woman, you will fall in love with the magical surrounding. The collection was created solely for this fairytale space: each garment and accessory was especially designed and presented in this dreamy, light-hearted setting. Flirty garments and accessories are playfully paired up with garden elements. Work aprons and rubber galoshes becomes whimsical accessories for overalls, while flowers and butterflies embellish the fabrics of dresses, skirts, and accessories, all in a burst of colourful prints.

Even the colours are inspired by nature: rose, hyacinth, and thyme are used on natural materials that are traditional elements of the RED Valentino world.

This new chapter in the marvellous RED Valentino fairytale, signed by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, will visit next St. Tropez, France from 11-18 July, 2011 at Place Celli. After that, Knokke, Belgium is the following stop from 4-7 August, 2011 at Place Van Brunnen Plein.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The closing dinner party of Firenze4Ever 3rd Edition took place in the beautiful gardens of La Specola museum. The theme of the party was „Animalier“.

I dressed up as a mixture between a mouse and a cheetah, a „cheetouse“.

Leggings and Top by Givenchy – Blouse and Cage Sandals by Alexander McQueen, Belt – Yves Saint Laurent, Headband with Mouse Ears by Louis Vuitton and Mini Boston Bag by Céline – Watch by Roger Dubuis.

Me with Dan Hasby-Oliver from Laststylelofdefense.com

Sebastiano and La Carmina were showing us the Japanese animalier trend: Pokemons, rabbit bags and plush dogs on the head.

It wouldn’t be LuisaViaRoma if they didn’t have some surprises for us that night. A beautiful ballet performance waited for us in the gardens. The dancers were dressed up as animal creatures. Kind of spooky but really beautiful.

The DJs of the night were pretty famous: Daniele Cavalli (Roberto’s son), whom I had met already at the last Firenze4Ever event in January, and Henry Holland, the designer of House of Holland were rocking the crowd.

Daniele

Henry

The last days were just so amazing, filled with many exciting moments. I have so much more to show you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, I was wearing to the Mulberry Book Launch Tea Party at LuisaViaRoma (photos to be posted soon) the following outfit:

Knit Dress with Sequin Belt by Louis Vuitton (S/S 2011 runway collection) – Strappy Sandals by Gucci – Sequined  Clutch with Peacock Feathers by Matthew Williamson – Peacock Feather Necklace by Matthew Williamson, Cocktail Ring and Bangles by Chanel, Watch by Roger Dubuis.

Hope that you like it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht