Sandra‘s Closet

Isabella Fendt, the mastermind behind ballerinas to go, had a brilliant idea when she invented the disposable ballets flats that are sold exclusively in shoe automats placed in night clubs. What a relief for hurting feet!
You can buy the pain killers for 7 Euros in four different colours and in sizes 34-43. They also come with a little pouch to store your high heels. Unfortunately, only available in Munich at the moment. But I am sure that this concept will soon spread all over the world…

LoL, Sandra

The Swiss based label Ginger Tea & Nuts has launched its online shop today.
Individual T-shirts, longsleeve tops and more for babies, girls, boys and mamis are available with cute little prints. Each piece is a one of a kind and can be personalized at your request.
Ginger Tea & Nuts offers worldwide shipping. Please send an e-mail to for further details.

LoL, Sandra

Tory Burch is an American fashion designer who launched her namesake brand in 2004. The label was an immediate success, filling the gap in the market for clothes that offered good quality to an affordable, accessible price.
Today, her fans include celebrities and fashion lovers all over the world. Her collections are available at her own beautifully decorated, unique Tory Burch boutiques, online at net-à-porter and in more than 450 select department and specialty stores worlwide.

One of her bestsellers are the Reva ballerina flats that have become a wardrobe essential. And they definitely deserve their cult status combining casual chic with unsurpassed comfort.

Recently at a birthday luncheon, I took a photo of two of my stylish girlfriends who wore by coincidence almost the same look.  They are like Tory herself mothers of three kids and like to be fashionable and comfy in one. Well done, girls!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tory Burch and © Sandra Bauknecht

A limited collection to covet: Ugg for Jimmy Choo, launching in October but available now for pre-order at Saks (shipping worldwide) and Ugg Australia.
The stylish versions of the ultracomfy must-have boots have already got their own nickname: Chuggs. But with a $495.- and more price tag, not everybody can affored to keep warm in style.

Two icons, one collection – I am crazy for them!

LoL, Sandra

Stefano Pilati, creative director of Yves Saint Laurent, is responsible for the “Edition 24” collection, designed to meet the needs of a woman going on overnight trips.
It is a new attempt at travel fashion. The 24 looks are meant to be layered, mixed and put to versatile use from the airplane to boardroom, from day to evening. The leightweight, functional, stylish and timeless pieces that do not wrinkle easily are low-key, less expensive versions of the French house’s high-fashion designs. I think this is a very modern vision, a new concept of luxury, making packing –which I always hate- less work.
Below are some ideas that I put together for you.

Get your style passport!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of YSL

Isabella Blow was a fashion editor and  an international style icon. Her unique, free spirit was admired and she inspired many artists and designers. High-profile names in the fashion industry owe their start to her, Philip Treacy, Alexander McQueen, Sophie Dahl and Hussein Chalayan among them.
In 2007, Isabella Blow committed suicide after having severly suffered from depression and ovarian cancer.

Martina Rink with Christiane Arp (Vogue Germany) and Josef Voelk (The Corner), Photo:©Harald Fuhr

Today is the official launch of an amazing book dedicated to her: “Isabella Blow” by Martina Rink with an introduction by Philip Treacy. First presented in Berlin last Thursday at Fashion’s Night Out at The Corner, it is an hommage to her original, outrageous personality. This lavishly illustrated volume includes reminiscences and stories along with personal letters written exclusively for this book by Mario Testino, Manolo Blahnik, Dita van Tesse and Anna Piaggi, just to name a few.

The author Martina Rink is a Parisian-German born Fashion Director who began her career working with Isabella Blow as her personal assistant. Her insight knowledge makes this oeuvre so special. £29.95, Thames & Hudson, ISBN 978 0 500 515358.

LoL, Sandra

After my Fashion’s Night Out in London, I had another little treat on Thursday. Stella McCartney closed her boutique on Bruton Street in the afternoon to host a small special event for her girlfriends. I was so lucky to be there as well.
The presentation of her fabulous Resort 2011 collection was an eye candy. Gorgeous flower prints reminding me of the works by the Belgian painter and botanist Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840) who was called the “Raphael of flowers” evoked a longing for spring. Stella made the prints look as fresh as when first painted.

Slightly clashing pinks, clean whites and vibrant blues gave this collection a fresh and vigorous feeling.  The world’s most famous vegetarian designer who has built an empire on fur-and leather-free products knows her business. Without sacrificing sexiness for sustainability, she mixed elements of the sixties and nineties. The lace fabric with a three-d effect was to die for. I marked my choice with the little hearts.

If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact the London store at .

In case you are not ready for spring yet, have a look at this stunning winter look that is available now. I am in love with the graphic well-tailored cuts.
By the way, Stella told me that there are no umbrellas this season, it is all about hats for her. Awesome, I am so on for this!

Before leaving my best shopping experience ever, Stella signed my Fashion’s Night Out T-shirt.
I will frame it now.

LoL, Sandra

Have you always dreamt of having a cup of tea with your favourite designer? Now your dream becomes true, you can have a tête-à-tète with Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier and Donatella Versace. The Prêt-à-PorTea set characters recline in your cup.
What a lovely way to enjoy your afternoon tea. To the Haute Brew!

Karl Lagerfeld will be more accessible from next year anyway. Groundbreaking news this week was also that the genius has cancelled his show, which was scheduled to take place in Paris on October 3rd, to focus more on his new vision: The launch of his “Masstige” line next year. The term is coming from the combination of “mass market” and “prestige”. The Kaiser seems to be a true visionary by exploring his notion of “mass elitism” using his own name.
The collection, which will be of good quality but more more affordable than designer clothes, will only be sold online. By saving the inherent costs of opening a boutique and investing more in the product itself, Karl Lagerfeld is anchoring himself in modernity and will make his company highly profitable again.

I like his vision of everybody in the streets well dressed! Go for it, Karl!

LoL, Sandra

Yesterday, I flew to London to celebrate the city’s biggest shopping spectacle: Fashion’s Night Out. Being a fashion addict, I felt like having arrived in heaven. The streets were filled with stylish people for whom fashion still has a thrill, an inspiring mood was in the air. The events were numerous, from Giorgio Armani’s cocktail party, Manolo Blahnik unveiling the World of Manolo pop-up store at Liberty to Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s DJ performance at the Juicy Couture store. Everywhere was something exciting to see or even to win.

The evening served also a good cause. Vogue launched a limited edition T-shirt for the night designed by Sanna Annukka of which all profits go to charity Kids Company.

There was so much to do it had been hard to decide where to start. Superstar appearances were guaranteed at the parties that required an invitation like the ones at Stella McCartney or Matthew Williamson. I was lucky to be there and had the best time ever. The photos I took speak for themselves. Enjoy my very own exciting moments of last night.

LoL, Sandra

Fashion Night Out's kick-off: People lining up in front of the Louis Vuitton store

Louis Vuitton's amazing window display

Fashionable people at Matthew Williamson

Real models in the windows of Daks

Paparazzis taking photos of Petra Ecclestone arriving at Stella McCartney

Sweet treats at Stella McCartney: I was in love with the Falabella bag cookies.

Yummy Stella cupcakes

What do you think? Me being the new F/W 2010 campaign model for Stella McCartney.

Best party moments: Stella hugging Gwyneth Paltrow. To the left: Alexandra Shulman, editor-in-chief of Vogue UK.

Claudia Schiffer welcoming Gwyneth Paltrow. To the left: Natalia Vodianova.

Gwyneth listening passionately. I loved that her lavender lace bra showed a little.

Girlfriends: Claudia Schiffer, Stella McCartney pregnant with her fourth child looking gorgeous in her own designs, Natalia Vodianova and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Claudia in Christopher Kane Cruise 2011, Gwyneth in Stella McCartney and Natalia in David Koma.

Me with Stella McCartney

Me with Claudia Schiffer

Me with Matthew Williamson

Me sooo happy in my hotel room ready for bedtime in my FNO T-shirt, PHOTOS: Sandra Bauknecht

While beeing in Los Angeles, I met with the Queen of the Eyebrows, Anastasia Soare, herself.  Being widely referred to as the Beauty Innovator and The Definitive Brow and Eye Expert, the charming lady of Romanian origin developed over the years her own Golden Ratio technique to shape eyebrows and to enhance the overall eye area. Today, she is the CEO of a beauty empire, including two full service beauty salons and exclusive brow, skincare and colour products that are sold at select Nordstrom, Sephora and International locations.

Her success has no end. While I was with Anastasia, Kim Kardashian texted her and David Beckham was scheduled later. Celebrities like Oprah, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and Sharon Stone, line up to get their eyebrows done by her.
So you can imagine how happy I was when she did mine. She told me that I was tweezing too much and that my shape is the so-called high-arch. After explaining her technique to me and giving me the gorgeous brow kit, I can perfectly do it by myself now. I have been receiving so many compliments since then. The right shape of the eyebrow makes such a big difference to the whole face. It can even make you look so much younger.
Above you will find the most important steps.

I truly recommend her products to you. The brow kit makes the shaping so much easier.

The stencils are included in the kit to find the best eyebrow shape for you.

In case that you are in the L.A. area, here are some insider tips. Try to book a long time in advance. Her technicians are also doing a great job. You will lay flat during the treatment, it is very relaxing, not painful at all.

If you are dreaming of seeing Anastasia herself, she takes walk-ins from 9-10am. On Tuesday, she is in her Brentwood store (11933 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025) and from Wednesday to Saturdays, she works in her famous Beverly Hills location on 438 North Bedford Drive. But please call the store first, as she is travelling a lot.
The beauty salons offer full service from eyebrows to hair styling to make-up and waxing. See the price list for the complete services.

The walls of her store are plastered with thank you notes of celebrities.

Anastasia with me.

Thank you, Anastasia, for giving my brows the perfect arch! I am loving them!

LoL, Sandra