«Fashion is about optimism,» Oscar de la Renta once said. On the last day of the year, those words feel especially present. This year brought profound loss and many difficult moments, marked by the passing of my parents. Ending it with a beautiful memory feels meaningful.
Earlier this month, I travelled to Santo Domingo for the Oscar de la Renta fashion show celebrating the house’s 60th anniversary, an experience I will share more of very soon. For now, this is a first glimpse of the look I wore.
Head to toe in Oscar de la Renta, the orchid print reflected the Caribbean Gala dress code for the night and matched perfect the beautiful background at my hotel, the Kimpton Las Mercedes.
My look: Maxi dress with orchid print, Tro crystal-embellished mini bag, and Impatiens silver-tone crystal clip earrings
, all by Oscar de la Renta, crystal embellished sunglasses by CHANEL, diamond rose ring by Piaget , and Double Bow crystal-embellished glittered leather point-toe pumps by Mach & Mach.
Wishing you all a bright, joyful, and great start to the new year! I am convinced that 2026 will be a good one!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Last month, when I visited Milan with my daughter, I took her to the Teatro alla Scala, the famous opera house in Milan, which is regarded as one of the leading theatres in the world. Most of Italy’s greatest operatic artists, and many of the finest singers from around the world, have appeared at La Scala. We enjoyed the German opera «Der Freischütz» by Carl Maria von Weber. Being considered the first important German Romantic opera, especially in its national identity and stark emotionality, it was a true pleasure to see it in our mother tongue surrounded by the stunning ambiance of La Scala.
My look: Ruffle-trimmed single-breasted wool coat
, ruffle bow dress
, embellished leather pumps
, and Sylvie mini buckle leather shoulder bag, all by Gucci. Choker with evil eye symbol by Chanel, diamond rose ring and Limelight Gala watch, both by Piaget.
My scent: Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum, which is the first fragrance developed wholly under Alessandro Michele’s creative vision and blended by master perfumer Alberto Morillas. The beautiful powdery floral scent features tuberose and jasmine combined with rangoon creeper, also called Chinese honeysuckle, which is a unique flower discovered in South India that is being used for the first time in perfumery to create a rich fragrance that transports its wearer to an imaginary garden.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
A big thank you to my daughter for taking them!
Recently, I was invited to a beautiful masquerade ball in Venice to celebrate the 10th wedding anniversary of my friends, Kristina and Piero, at exactly the same location they had tied the knot a decade ago. The dresscode was black and red with headdress. Wearing a Venetian mask with feathers makes you feel truly mysterious. What a fantastic night, thank you!
My look: Rilla crochet cage stitch gown
by Hervé Léger, Monogramme Kate studded leather shoulder bag and cutout leather platform pumps, both by Saint Laurent, cashmere scarf in black and white by Chanel, earrings and choker both by Dior, diamond rose ring by Piaget, diamond bracelet and diamond ring, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
My new overly cute clutch broadcasts GOOD GIRL, so I know exactly where I am mentally at any given moment. Moschino is a brand to watch tremendously, as it is enjoying a revival thanks to Jeremy Scott who took the helm at the famous Italian brand. Click here for a previous post to see how he injects the label with his irreverent blend of high and low starting this upcoming F/W 2014 season.
My look: Sleeveless leather biker jacket by Saint Laurent, red dress and Good Girl clutch, both by Moschino, pearl necklace with bow by Moschino Cheap and Chic, leopard print hat by Dolce & Gabbana and lace sandals by Givenchy. Limelight Gala watch and diamond rose ring, both by Piaget.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound… how sweet the sweater. I love this bright blue piece from the special collaboration, PRINCESS GRACE, MORE THAN AN IMAGE, between Pringle of Scotland and Central Saint Martins. It is so perfect in combination with my new bag.
My look: Black double-breasted wool coat with gold bars by Givenchy, Grace sweater by Pringle of Scotland, stretch-leather leggings by Gucci, bleached denim scarf by Louis Vuitton, floral sunglasses by Dolce & Gabbana, Choupette wool hat by Karl Lagerfeld, fringed boots by Isabel Marant for H&M, Falda bag with grey calf hair by Rodtnes and ring by Piaget.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
