Sandra‘s Closet

Family Time 🤍… some things are just universal. A day in Boston with my daughter Anouk, my favorite kind of time. We ended it with Peking duck at JIANG NAN – Chinese Fusion, simple and perfect.

Wearing Alice + Olivia – I love how the brand creates pieces that feel playful, bold, exactly my style and with a fit that feels made for me.

And every time I watch the stories of Stacey Bendet, I can’t help but smile, the way her daughter Scarlet captures her, the little comments, that mother-daughter rhythm… it feels so familiar. Alice + Olivia was founded in 2002, the same year Anouk was born. A full circle moment.

My look: Bradley stretch cotton equestrian cardigan, and gorgeous corduroy jumpsuit, both by Alice + Olivia, Paris metallic leather ankle boots and Monogram fringed shoulder bag, both by Saint Laurent, cat-eye sunglasses by Gucci, and crystal-embellished clip-on earrings in gold by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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A rare moment in Boston: me in jeans and frizzy hair, stuck in an underground garage due to heavy rain, called for: beauty queen of the force of nature.

Bright orange, against concrete. That was the situation. Later at Puttshack Boston, indoor mini golf, part game, part spectacle. Caution: I was unstoppable.

My look: Dioriviera cashmere sweater «Mykonos» (S/S 2022) by Dior, butterfly embroidered jeans by Valentino, ruched belt with butterfly buckle (Gucci Garden), and  Screener sneakers by Gucci, orange red mirror quilted runway shield sunglasses (S/S 2016) by CHANEL, «All Aboard» bandana silk scarf 55 in orange / white / black, and Evelyne 16 mini canvas shoulder bag in Clemence leather in Orange Minium, both by Hermès.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Beauty and the Bag: Gucci introduces a new campaign starring Kate Moss for the Gucci Borsetto and Emily Ratajkowski for the Gucci Giglio

Gucci unveils a new campaign centered on the endless appeal of the House’s handbags, exploring the instinctive connection that forms between object and desire. The campaign reflects a singular idea: when a bag becomes part of one’s world, it occupies the mind completely.

Captured by Mert and Marcus, the campaign images feature Kate Moss with the Borsetto and Emily Ratajkowski with the Giglio, in portraits that center on the connection between each individual and the bag they carry. The Borsetto appears in GG Canvas, brown suede, and black leather, while the Giglio is presented in dark brown, black, and classic GG Canvas. Appearing in Gucci ensembles that echo the identity and feel of each bag, the styling moves from minimal to full GG across garments and accessories. The campaign continues through videos directed by Bardia Zeinali, where the narrative shifts into motion and the presence of the handbags builds, surrounding the protagonists in an endless, almost dreamlike accumulation.

The campaign highlights the essential role of the Gucci bag within the wardrobe. Materials, surfaces, and silhouettes repeat across images and film, returning again and again to the bag at the center of it all.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci
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Happy St. Patrick Day with moments captured on Killiney Hill, where the wind doesn’t ask, it decides. Freezing, wild, and impossible to style against. My hair? Completely taken by the elements, and honestly, that’s the point.

Later, in front of a perfectly green door, I paused for a photo. It opened. Within seconds, I was invited inside. No hesitation, just that quiet, unmistakable Irish warmth. Effortless, real, rare.

The clover charm on my sweater felt like more than an accessory, a small lucky symbol, a subtle homage to a country that wears its spirit so openly. Ireland has a way of staying with you, quietly, honestly, and a little like the wind: you can’t quite capture it, but you never really lose it either.

My look: Vintage green velvet blazer, cashmere sweater with clover charm, Linea G 2 leather-trimmed canvas shoulder bag, and sunglasses with golden frame and burgundy lenses by Gucci, Beautiful jean by Alice + Olivia, «Coaching» Forever Scarf 90, and scarf ring 90 Régate, both by Hermès, and leather platform ankle boots by Versace.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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The spontaneous plan was a romantic countryside escape, the kind you picture in soft focus. The reality? Saturated fields, silver skies, and a chill that lingered in the air. Atmospheric, yes. Forgiving, absolutely not.

Which is precisely why the look had to deliver. I chose bold, insulating layers with real fashion authority, engineered for shifting temperatures yet unapologetically polished. A waterproof layer disappeared seamlessly into the styling, proving that practicality can – and should – look luxurious. Wellington boots, cut so elegantly they read more riding boot than rubber, grounded the outfit with quiet confidence.

Because true style does not rely on perfect conditions; it creates them. The weather may have challenged the romance, but arriving impeccably dressed restored the magic. Consider this your reminder: book the spontaneous countryside weekend, bring the statement layers, and treat every muddy path like your runway.

My look: Patch fox fur vest (2009) by Miu Miu, brown waxed cotton coat (2008) by Gucci, rib wool-cashmere funnel neck sweater, and black skinny jeans, both by Polo Ralph Lauren, eyelet-embellished wool, silk and cashmere-blend scarf by Chloé, Harlowe wool-felt fedora by Eugenia Kim, mini Pocket tote bag by Burberry, and black rubber Wellington boots by Givenchy.

LoL, Sandra

Photos:© Sandra Bauknecht /  Sinbad Phgura @sinbadphgura
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Last week, on a sunlit day in Henley-on-Thames, I wore this knitted ensemble by Loewe for the first time. The 13th century market town is considered one of the most beautiful towns in England, and I couldn’t agree more, the river, the light, the ambiance are special. Henley is known for the Henley Royal Regatta, when style becomes bold, competitive, and visually charged. Even outside of that spectacle, the town carries a sense of quiet elegance, a perfect counterpoint to a look that commands attention.

And speaking of which, the Loewe knit was anything but understated. Heavy, sculptural, and unapologetically luxurious, the kind of craftsmanship that doesn’t blend in, it asserts itself. I wore this ensemble straight through the day and onto my flight to Boston. A reminder that true luxury doesn’t need to be toned down to travel, it carries its presence wherever it goes.

My look: Ribbed wool-blend cardigan in green, and ribbed wool wide-leg pants in green, both by Loewe, Nama suede-trimmed leather platform sneakers by Chloé, Multi Pochette Accessories in monogram canvas by Louis Vuitton, pearl necklace by CHANEL, Couvertures et Tenues de Jour Forever Scarf 90 in Crème / Rouge H / Bleu / Multicolore, and scarf ring 90 Régate, both by Hermès, Aquanaut Luce in khaki green by Patek Philippe, and oval frame burgundy sunglasses by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Following the recent Instagram trend, I decided to dive back into 2016, when fashion went full volume. Before quiet luxury, before restraint became aspirational, 2016 was about impact.

This was the era of Vetements energy, Balenciaga proportions, and Gucci maximalism. Oversized silhouettes pushed to excess, hoodies and bombers worn like armor, chokers framing the neck with intention, distressed denim taken to extremes, thigh-high boots paired without hesitation. Logos weren’t whispered, they were declared.

Streetwear and high fashion didn’t just meet. They collided.

The current return to 2016 isn’t accidental. It follows a widely discussed ten-year cultural cycle, a moment when fashion and internet culture begin to reject hyper-curation and visual restraint. As the polished, controlled aesthetics of the early 2020s lose momentum, there is a renewed appetite for excess, imperfection, and emotional immediacy. What resurfaces isn’t a replica of the past, but the attitude of it: fashion that allows scale, provocation, and unapologetic presence.

For me, 2016 wasn’t a reinvention. It was a moment of alignment, when the dominant fashion language finally mirrored an intensity I had always embraced. Gucci’s eclectic maximalism, Vetements’ provocation, Balenciaga’s scale: the visual vocabulary of that year allowed fashion to be excessive, expressive, and unapologetically styled.

What followed didn’t soften. It intensified.

My style didn’t pivot after 2016, it escalated. Proportions became sharper, contrasts more extreme, statements more deliberate. Not in response to trends, but through a long-standing instinct to push silhouettes further rather than edit them down.

This post is a curated edit of my favorite looks from 2016, a year defined by volume, attitude, and fashion without restraint. If you like to see all the details of the respective looks, I invite you to visit the previous post MY FAVORITE OUTFITS OF 2016.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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The House unveils Gucci: La Famiglia, a new campaign revealing wardrobes that mark the genesis of a new Gucci era by Demna: unapologetically sexy, extravagant, and daring. First unveiled in September, the La Famiglia collection reflects Demna’s ongoing research into the House’s archival and visual codes across multiple eras, in anticipation of and building up to his personal vision for Gucci, which will be revealed in February.

Captured by Catherine Opie, each character appears as a distinct facet of the House’s personas, shaped by attitude, aesthetic language, and the shared mindset that defines the ‘Gucciness’ of Gucci.

Across the campaign, gesture, styling, and presence highlight the different personalities within this extended Gucci family, revealing how their wardrobes form a collective identity built on ease, character, and iconic codes.

The collection unfolds through a spectrum of characters whose wardrobes reinterpret these codes with new sensuality, spontaneity, and Italian attitude. Incazzata appears in her vivid ’60s-style «little red coat» that reflects her fiery demeanor. Gallerista moves through the world in a refined black look complemented by the re-proportioned Bamboo 1947 bag.

The Italian art of effortless elegance, sprezzatura, informs gestures of ease with soft leather mules worn stepped-in. Dressing for pleasure is carried over into menswear, seen in Direttore’s tailored suit and Principino’s look, defined by his natural pull toward the centre of attention. Each character and their wardrobe reveal one of the many personas of La Famiglia and the distinctive aesthetic attitudes that define the collection.

The La Famiglia collection will be available in Gucci stores worldwide and on gucci.com starting January 8.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci
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Under the fading full moon, I had the pleasure of attending the Gala Night of the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia 2025 at the National Museum in Riyadh, a truly enchanting evening that felt straight out of One Thousand and One Nights. For this special occasion, I chose an outfit from Taller Marmo, a brand that perfectly embodies modern sophistication with a touch of timeless Middle Eastern allure. Surrounded by inspiring women, art, and culture, the night shimmered with creativity, beauty, and elegance.

My look: Suratt fil coupé kaftan by Taller Marmo, Torchon gold-tone crystal clip earrings by Alessandra Rich, Angel leather platform sandals by Gucci, black shimmering scarf by Moschino, and velvet strass evening flap bag in black and gold by CHANEL.

Stay tuned for so much more coming up from my recent trip to Saudi Arabia.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Aiman Fekri @aiman.ph
The photos of my outfit were taken before the event at the Jareed Hotel.
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After some heavy weeks, I chose color and sparkles again. Going to lunch with my daughter and my star-reading, high-energy friend Alexandra Kruse reminded me that life keeps moving, and joy can return in unexpected ways. This outfit carries brightness for the days when the heart feels heavy, a little reminder that love, light, and connection always find their way back. Stay strong!

My look: Pink poplin shirt, and poplin and jersey miniskirt, both by Miu Miu, heiress flex shoulder bag in crystals by Alexander Wang, Monolith 55mm leather loafers, all by Prada, cat-eye sunglasses by Gucci, and J12 Mademoiselle La Pausa watch by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Anouk Bauknecht
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