Sandra‘s Closet

During the last days, I did a lot of sightseeing in this phenomenal city. Today was my favourite: Istanbul’s most famous monument, the former cathedral and later mosque of Haghia Sophia (meaning „Divine Wisdom“) that was originally built in 537 A.D., in the rule of Emperor Justinian, and later converted to a mosque after the conquest of the city by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II in 1453.

View of the Haghia Sophia from the beautiful Four Seasons at Istanbul Sultanahmet terrasse.

The interior is truly awe-inspiring, particularly the main chamber, roofed by its fabulous dome, 30m (98ft) in diameter, just breathtaking.

While sightseeing, I like to be comfortable but don’t want to look too sloppy. Today I went for my T-shirt dress with colourful applications and ballet flats by Lanvin and had an extra pair of  leggings plus my ikat print scarf by Louis Vuitton with me to respect the local dress codes if necessary. Backpack (very practical) by Prada.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The outlook for men’s F/W 11 fashion season has some similarities to the women’s trends, for example, it encompasses the World War eras by combining references of the 1920s with the 1940s. Military inspired pieces, feodora hats, spy-like looks that evoke the style of a gentleman from a previous decade. Just get inspired and make it your own, you don’t want to look like going to a costume ball.

A great way to wear the retro vibe would be the new Monterubello Zegna watch. The Zegna coat of arms was in fact officially created in 1939 when the founder Ermenegildo Zegna was made Conte di Monterubello.

The new classic timepiece encapsulates the history of the Zegna family’s region with the eponymous mountain and expresses the passion of the Italian brand for its history and ancestors. The Monterubello Collection is manufactured by Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux.

Monterubello Solo Tempo – Rose Gold with Alligator Strap
CHF 12.500, Ref. 38525-52-121-BK60

(also available in White Gold with Alligator Strap, CHF 13.800, Ref. 38525-53-122-BK60)

CASE
Material: rose gold, Diameter: 38.00 mm, Height: 8,52 mm, Crystal: sapphire antireflective, Case-back: sapphire crystal, Water resistance: 3 ATM

MOVEMENT
Girard-Perregaux GP03300-0030, mechanical with automatic winding, Calibre: 11 ½’’’, Frequency: 28,800 vib/h (4 Hz), Power reserve: min. 46 hours, Jewels: 27, Functions: hour, minute date, seconds

Monterubello Chronograph with Alligator Strap
CHF 23.000, Ref. 38527-52-121-BBBA

CASE
Material: rose gold, Diameter: 40.00 mm, Height: 12,63 mm, Crystal: sapphire antireflective, Case-back: sapphire crystal, Water resistance: 3 ATM

MOVEMENT
Girard-Perregaux GP03300-0032, mechanical with automatic winding, Calibre: 13’’’, Frequency: 28,800 vib/h (4 Hz), Power reserve: min. 46 hours, Jewels: 63, Functions: hour, minute date, seconds, chronograph

Photos: Courtesy of Ermenegildo Zegna

LoL, Sandra

Here is my fifth and final look from the LuisaViaRoma Total Styling Lab. This time I focused on the maxi trend and gave my look some romantic touches by adding a bow belt that I tied around my waist and the cute straw hat.

Nothing epitomises chic summer dressing like a ground skimming dress paired with flat sandals.

Chiffon Blouse: Chloé – Maxi Dress: Semi-Couture – Hat: Lanvin – Belt: Valentino – Gladiator Sandals: Chloé – Bag: Marc Jacobs

Receive exclusively through Sandra’s Closet at LUISAVIAROMA.COM – FREE SHIPPING to the United States, Canada, and Europe. Just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly. Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I am so in love with Lanvin’s pieces this season. This flower embellished T-shirt dress works so well for many different occasions. The details are breathtaking. It is comfy and stylish in one.

Team it with bright ballerina flats and a little cross over bag for a pretty day look that transforms into the perfect party outfit. You can order this summer must-haves by clicking on the links below.

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Lush colour is S/S 2011’s biggest style story. An emerald green dress is so hot at the moment, especially combined with some bright accessories for the ultimate style factor.
Enhance your mood and put a spring into your wardrobe.

The reason why I am showing you this is that I am the birthday girl today and this was part of my outfit last night:
I wore the emerald green dress by Lanvin Cruise 2011,  combined with red silk pumps by Prada and a purple statement necklace by Lanvin, both from previous seasons. The perfect play on electric brights with some colour blocking.

To a bright future!

LoL, Sandra

Emerald green dress by Lanvin

Statement necklace by Lanvin

Silk pumps by Prada

Thank you girls for such a fun night!

Two gifts were truly outstanding: The gorgeous Louis Vuitton Cruise 2011 floppy straw hat (Thank you, M-A-C girls, for the best gift ever!!!) and my new Canon EOS 500D camera that I can finally take some better shots.

Here are the first two photos I took with my new camera:

…of my new floppy straw hat (love it sooo much)…

…and some beautiful birthday flowers. Photos: ©Sandra Bauknecht

Searching for a gorgeous gown to attend a black tie gala this summer? Consider fashion’s recent colour vibe, characterized by vibrant eye-popping shades, edgy neons and Crayola brights from head to toe.

Stripping away all darkness might be your ticket to brighten up your mood. Play with the hues and combine them, colour-blocking is a must. This is your chance to enlighten every party.

LoL, Sandra

Last night, the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards were held at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills.

This year the red carpet came alive with colour– emerald green (Angelina Jolie was among my favourites of the evening), feminine hues like rose, peach and sultry red captured the aisle (Best nude dress: Anne Hathaway in Armani Privé).
But also some gorgeous black gowns embellished with lace and rhinestones were breathtaking (Best: Olivia Wilde in her fairytale Marchesa dress). Armani, Versace, Calvin Klein and Lanvin among others delivered amazing gowns for deserving ladies.

An expectant Natalie Portman showed off her blossoming figure and her mommy glow in a peachy silk Viktor & Rolf gown and took her second Golden Globe award home.

Enjoy the impressions of the glamourous night.

LoL, Sandra

On the S/S 2011 runways, there was an Yves Saint Laurent mood in the air. Many designers got inspired by the late master of colour and the father of the trouser suit.

Yves Saint Laurent

The reason for this was probably the beautiful first posthumous retrospective of Yves Saint Laurent’s career with an exhibition of over 300 garments that took place last year at the Petit Palais museum in Paris. On display were his creations from his debut at Dior in 1958 up to the sumptuous evening dresses of 2002.

In 40 years of being a fashion designer, YSL revolutionized the female wardrobe by borrowing the tuxedo, the trouser suit and the safari jacket from men’s clothing in order to dress women, thereby transferring the symbols of power from one sex to another.

In 1961 Yves Saint Laurent decided to create his couture house. Just under 50 years ago, in January 1962, at the age of 26, he created a cultural shockwave by opening his first haute couture show with a caban jacket and trouser ensemble directly inspired by a fisherman’s pea coat.

The era in particular that was referenced for S/S 2011 was the 1970’s when Saint Laurent spent a tremendous amount of time at his second home in Marakkesh in his beautiful Majorelle botanical gardens. While being there he was greatly influenced by traditional Morrocan dressing and the gardens. His ashes were scattered there when he died in 2008.

I am in love with all those collections that are paying tribute to one of the greatest fashion designers of the 20th century and took the runways by storm. Therefore I put some collages for you together. I included photos of the exhibition of his previous creations to demonstrate the versatile references.

Enjoy this feast for the eyes.

LoL, Sandra

The new cruise 2011 pieces are arriving in stores and some work perfectly for the winter season. Wish upon a star with Christopher Kane’s galactic space print.
The combination with leather is utterly unique and turns on immediately your star factor.
I wore the dress last night with a cropped jacket by Alexander Wang and a fur vest by Miu Miu. Add some overknee boots for total evening cool and finish off your look with some killer jewelry.

To your inner evening star!

LoL, Sandra

Those beautiful gift ideas by Lanvin will make every fashionista’s face glow with pleasure. Whether writing about flower arrangements or bridesmaid’s dresses in your new must-have bridal notebook, or getting organized for your next shopping tour with Alber’s sketch pencils, all those chic nick-nacks are little treasures.
Keep them for yourself or give it as a fabulous surprise for a stylish fellow girlfriend. You can find my favourites below, available at Lanvin or net-à-porter.

LoL, Sandra

Alber sketch pencils, $30

Lanvin "Faces" playing cards, $85

Bridal notebook, $35

Set of six bridal greeting cards, $55

Notebook "Dresses", $35

Alber sketch umbrella, $140

Miss Lanvin doll 2011, $555

Miss Lanvin doll 2011, $555

Miss Lanvin key chain, $185

Mother and daughter snowglobe, $225