Sandra‘s Closet

During London Fashion Week, I was photographed by Marie Claire Brazil. I am showing you this to demonstrate how one pair of bright patent pumps can change a whole outfit. This season, those vibrant coloured heels are a must and absolutely worth the investment.
Mine are by Miu Miu. Coat – Etro, Scarf – Alexander McQueen, Cardigan – Miu Miu and Boston Bag – Céline.

Please enjoy the nice selection of the best pumps available at the moment, from YSL to Brian Atwood to Miu Miu and Christian Louboutin. Happy shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Chunky heels and wedges, this is what the summer 2011 is all about . Being more comfortable than high heels (especially if you live like me in a city plastered with cobblestones) and giving you a more casual and effortless look, those shoes will be surely bestsellers.

Enjoy those creations for this summer that are bold, daring and definitely different.

The footwear innovation for S/S 2011 is the flatform – a ballet flat elevated on a high platform heel, that gives you extra hight. Kind of reminiscent of summer espandrilles, but only higher. Designers are loving them at the moment.
And what about you? Are you a brick-like shoe lover?

LoL, Sandra

New shoes cure the blues and a gorgeous pair of suede pumps will keep you stylish on many occassions. Opt for colour for the ultimate eyecatching effect and try platforms for comfy heights. I am sure that you will love them either way!
And isn’t Cinderella’s story proof enough that a new pair of shoes can change your life…?!

LoL, Sandra

Ladurée is worldwide known for their double-decker macaroons which come in various flavours and seasonal specials. Founded in Paris by Louis-Ernest Ladurée, in 1862, the famous luxury pastries shop and café is always worth a visit. Today, the brand can be found all over the world and has even opened its doors in Zurich last winter.

Even if you are not into caloric treats, you should pay the shop a visit. The interior itself is overly stunning and inspiring, definitely nothing for minimalists.
Remember my friend, I wrote about, that built her dream closet in the famous Ladurée green.

The Ladurée universe includes much more than sweets. They sell the most beautiful gifts you can imagine from scented candles to shower gel, from ruffled printed umbrellas to tea degustation sets. All gorgeously wrapped and packed in their signature boxes in pastel colours.

Many designers got together with the famous French patisserie for the best fashion/food collaborations ever. Names like Christian Lacroix, Christian Louboutin, Marni, which are making our hearts go all aflutter with their designs, have created adorable macarons gift sets.
In the end of October, John Galliano will be decorating his special edition for Ladurée: The rose-ginger macaroons.

While the sweets inside may not last long, the fashionable packaging will be worth keeping it forever.

LoL, Sandra

Recently the couture bottle design has become a huge craze. Companies team up with famous designers to get new “clothes” for their drinks.

After some really amazing collaborations with some of the biggest names in fashion, like Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier and Paul Smith, Evian has chosen Issey Miyake this year to create a stylish cover. Clean, contemporary and colourful is the new design that will be available in gourmet stores.

Perrier is spicing up his bubbles with the help of burlesque star Dita van Teese who will be their new cover girl this year. Before that they worked with Custo Barcelona, Agnès B. and Paul & Joe to create some very desirable cans and bottles.

Finally San Pellegrino decided to be part of the hype and has chosen Missoni to cover their famous bottle label with the Italian fashion house’s zig zag pattern for their 111th anniversary. Thirty million units are being produced and will be sold in the best restaurants worldwide. In Zurich, they are everywhere.

Diet Coke has been increasing its connections with the world of fashion since quite a while. So no wonder that a long list of famous designers already have got a chance to embellish the beloved soft drink. Karl Lagerfeld has even changed the shape of the bottle this spring.

For all champagne loving fashionistas, Piper-Heidsieck has got some amazing pieces, from the corset bottle designed by Jean Paul Gaultier in 1999 to Christian Louboutin’s Le Rituel Box with a red soled shoe flute and Viktor & Rolf’s limited edition Rose Sauvage set with an upside down bottle.

Dolce & Gabbana’s first experiment in the wines and spirits sector is the Martini Gold Limited Edition. The exclusive mix: bergamot from Calabria, lemons from Sicily as well as oranges, Spanish saffron, myrrh from Ethiopia, ginger from India, and cubebe pepper from Indonesia was developed by the design duo themselves.

A good investment was definitely one of the 2000 individually numbered whiskey bottles that featured Alexander McQueen’s signature Union Jack colours. The late designer had teamed up with Chivas Regal to create that special piece in 2008.

As to me, all those bottles are really striking and sophisticated object d’arts and a show stopping addition to any dinner party.

Cheers!

LoL, Sandra

Me in the Haight area wearing black leggings by BLUMARINE, military shirt by BALMAIN, top and pink-khaki scarf by LOUIS VUITTON and suede clogs by MIU MIU

Last week, I spent a few days in San Francisco. Haight Ashbury is the famous intersection in the area that gets its notoriety from the “psychedelic” culture and the 1968 “Summer of Love”. Today, you can still feel the hippie vibe with its fragments of flower-power.

When I was walking around the district, I got so inspired by the gorgeous bright coloured houses, so-called Painted Ladies. The term refers to Victorian and Edwardian buildings painted in three or more colours that embellish their architectural features.

Adopting that idea and transferring it to fashion, I styled some beautiful outfits in different colour combinations. You will see how stunning some shades can look together. Most people tend to wear a more neutral palette along with black. There is nothing against this. But today, I want to challenge you a bit and demonstrate how wonderful a little mix with some bolder tones can appear without looking like a clown.

It is again all about that special twist. Carrie in Sex and the City might be the perfect example: Patricia Field, the show`s stylist, opts very often for something that looks kind of strange in the beginning, but then so surprising and interesting that you cannot take your eyes of it.

Experiment with your own style! That is the thing that is so hard to copy and will earn you lots of admiring glances.

Spare for a little hug?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Camilla Skovgaard F/W 2010

High heeled, stilettoed, up to the thigh, those boots are insane and definitely to become the hits of the season. Just imagine your legs in them! Those jaw-dropping models from the F/W 2010 collections will make you speechless and others green with envy.

The overknee is going to stay for another season, love the Burberry ones. You could feel a saloon-girl approach in detail and line at Balmain or Givenchy, lace-up and mid-calf, you are ready to dance the Can-Can. But no worries, it is a very modern look, not at all disguised.

Architecturally amazing are the soles of Viktor & Rolf, even if they seem to be a copy of Camilla Skovgaard`s signature style (see left).

Buckled, fringed – there are certainly no rules, experiment with such a variety of shapes and models. I am sure that there is already one that has conquered your heart! To be in stores soon…

LoL, Sandra

These boots are made for walking… and admiration. There is always a time and always a place to put on a pair of flat boots. From patent to suede, from colourful to neutral, there is a pair for everyone. The flat It-boot next season would be the riding boot – totally love the Manolos.  The range is wide, the pirate style ones by Michael Kors would also be a great purchase just like the studded ones by Christian Louboutin. If you are worried about them looking too casual, these stunning versions are refined and polished, and dressy enough to wear to a variety of occassions and events.

Chloé wool-lined leather boots, approximately €850.-

Already available at NET-À-PORTER and selling out fast is the Chloé pre-fall 2010 strappy model to the left.

LoL, Sandra

Those killer heels are by far some of the most colourful and extraordinary shoes for F/W 2010. The breathtaking models are true works of art and should definitely remain the centre of attention. So keep the rest of your outfit subtle and make sure you know how to walk in them. And if you think there are too much, then just enjoy looking at them.
One thing is certain: This footwear provokes and can cause justifiable credit card debt.
As to me, so worth it…

LoL, Sandra