Sandra‘s Closet

Last year, when I was convinced that skinny jeans couldn`t get any tighter, designers came up with a match made in heaven: The combination of leggings and jeans, so called jeggings. The new term is already wait-listed to receive an entry into the Oxford English Dictionary. From me, they have already received an entry into my closet.

They are comfortable like leggings and stylish like skinny jeans. Moreover, you never look like coming out of the gym which can happen with a leggings look. It is such a great trend that works so well for young Mums because of their extreme flattering but cosy fit. Hollywood stars have been spotted all over in the new must-haves.

Adriano Goldschmied, who has been in the denim business since many years, could be called the “godfather of the jeggings”. His label Gold Sign was one of the first ones producing them in a super elastic and soft material. Those ones are amazing!

Celebs like Victoria Beckham (Victoria Beckham Denim) or the Olsen Twins (The Row)  included jeggings in their own collections and have been parading them everywhere.

The jeggings are a trend that should definitely remain for a long time and it looks like they will. Here are some pics from the F/W 2010/11 lookbook by Superfine. Applications seem to be on the rise. Update yourself!

If you are not sure yet, I will recommend to find yourself a fab pair at H&M. I got myself one and the fit is really great. The fabric could be softer, but for CHF 29.90 (wow!) I don`t want to complain! Go with the trend, there is no doubt you will be making a fierce statement in those!

LoL, Sandra

My look to the left:
Jeggings, hat and jewelry by H&M, tank top BALMAIN,
shoes CHLOE and FENDI Peekaboo bag.
Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

There is nothing sexier than a big statement men`s watch on a slim fragile woman`s wrist. Imagine that stunning trendy look: sequined top, skinny distressed jeans, boyfriend`s blazer, fringed scarf, sloughy bag and strappy sandals combined with that IWC Portofino watch. Cool but still very feminine.

Swiss watchmaking company IWC Schaffhausen is producing masterpieces that are not only attracting watch connoisseurs but also delight the admirers of luxury and fashionable brands.

IWC is famous for their pilot watches that stand for the Maison`s DNA: tradition, perfection and passion for the engineer`s art. Among men, those pieces have always been must-haves, some even highly collectables.

The Swiss company`s newest work of art comes this time in form of a book: “IWC Schaffhausen. Engineering Time since 1868” chronicles IWC`s fascinating history while leaving bestselling author (my favourite) Paulo Coelho to describe the origins of the individual product families and famous cartoonist Enki Bilal to illustrate these fictional short stories.

 

I always find it hard to find a nice gift for a guy that is not in the price range of a Lamborghini. Therefore I am really happy about this gorgeous book (CHF 250.-; in English, German or French) that will be available at www.iwc.com and in bookshops from the end of this month; advance orders are now being taken.

 

My favourite author Paulo Coelho and me

Last Thursday,  I was at the vernissage and lucky to browse through the exceptional chef d`oeuvre  before the official launch date. I truly love the visual aspect of the book along with Coelho`s art of writing.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of IWC and © Sandra Bauknecht

After my last Tuesday post, I have received so many e-mails from you asking me about my XXL Chanel bag that I wore on one of the photos.

The very large version of Chanel`s iconic 2.55 bag was presented last F/W 2009/10 for the first time in black vernis leather and was spotted immediately on stylist Rachel Zoe. For S/S 2010 the oversized model has appeared once more in grey denim but only a very limited number was produced. I am totally in love with this bag. It gives me a this “Alice in Wonderland” feeling being so big compared to my stature.

The story behind the legendary bag that has always been en vogue is magical. The 2.55 takes its name from the month and year when it was launched by Coco Chanel: February 1955. Her idea was to create a shoulder bag to free up her hands. The traditional hand-held bags were simply no longer practical. Therefore her introduction of the chain strap revolutionized fashion of its time.

In 2005, in celebration of the 2.55`s 50th anniversary,  Karl Lagerfeld (Chanel`s designer since 1983) revived the bag exactly as Coco Chanel had made it and launched the Reissue. As a new member of the traditional Chanel 2.55 family, the updated version has got a turn clasp (Chanel term: Mademoiselle Lock) instead of the classic interlocking CC closure introduced in the `80s (Chanel term: Classic Flap) and a chain strap without the interwoven leather accent. Both variations are available each season in many different ways.

2.55 with Classic Flap

XXL 2.55 with Mademoiselle Lock

Interesting to know is that the bag arrives folded into the stores and can be packed like this for travelling which makes it very convenient (see photo to the left). It is said that Karl Lagerfeld found one of Coco`s previous 2.55 models on a shelf, squeezed together between some books. As the shape of the bag was still in perfect condition, he has adopted that idea for his relaunch.

In case those bags are appealing to you, go to the nearest Chanel store and have a look. If you are there, please do not miss out this summer`s It- shoes:
Chanel`s “5 O`clogs” (love that name) are the hottest ones of all.

To me, Coco Chanel deserves the Nobel Prize post mortem. We owe her the LBD (Little Black Dress), stretch materials, pants and the chain strap. By banishing the corsets, she has been the pioneer of modern wearable womenswear. Thanks, Coco!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and via missylovely

Today I would like to show you some of my favourite looks by Stella McCartney for this summer. As you might already know, I am a very big fan of the British designer. The daughter of Paul McCartney designs clothes for modern confident women. They look stylish, feminine but are also very comfortable and work through day and night.  A lifelong vegetarian, Stella doesn`t manufacture anything in leather or fur. She uses a lot of eco-friendly and organic materials. The soles of her shoes have a stamp saying: “Suitable for vegetarians“.
Could becoming an environmentalist be more in vogue?

Below you will find my own selection. For further enquiries and store locations, please visit Stella`s homepage. For my Zurich based readers, I recommend a shopping trip to Salvatore Schito (In Gassen 14, 8001 Zürich). The store carries a lovely selection of her designs for this summer. A wide range of her accessories can also be found at Lovers Lane.

Just for your information: The prefix “vintage” should only indicate that those pieces are from previous seasons. You might be lucky and find some of them still at www.yoox.com or www.theoutnet.com.
Get inspired!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Emilio Pucci, the Marchese di Barsento, scion of an old aristocratic Tuscan family, was the godfather of colourful prints and lightweight non-crushable dresses in the fifties and sixties. His designs changed the world of fashion dethroning the dull and heavy fabrics of the previous post-war era.

Today, original Pucci prints from his early creative years are highly collectible items. Especially his “palazzo pyjamas” in wrinkle-free silk jersey captured the psychedelic mood of the 1960s and became the jet-set uniform worn by many celebrities like Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor.

It all started on the slopes of St.Moritz in 1948 when the highly gifted skier Pucci was spotted by a Harper`s Bazaar editor in his own designs and was featured later in the fashion magazine. In 1951 he established his own company in his Palazzo Pucci in Florence and remained head designer until his death in 1992. 
Christian Lacroix and Matthew Williamson were among several designers taking over the brand`s legacy until in 2008 the Norwegian Peter Dundas started to bring the Italian label to new heights.

Since today, the brand has never been relegated to history and continues to be an integral component of every fashionista`s closet.