Sandra‘s Closet

A global unboxing. Expressing their creative vision, talented stylists have reinterpreted the amazing Unboxing Valentino S/S 2023 collection through an interactive styling experience around the world. From Anna della Russo‘s vibrant approach in the Dubai Mall to Rebecca Corbin-Murray‘s floral windows in London and Clément Lomellini‘s progressive interpretation in Paris. In Switzerland, I had the honor to host the event. It was an amazing day filled with beautiful encounters, and fashionable talks.

Exploring the Unboxing Valentino collection under my creative proposal, clients discovered outfit combinations and different style tips catered to their personal needs.

What is Unboxing Valentino’s S/S 2023 collection about? Designed by Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli, it celebrates the «diversity and complexity within purity». Revealing the essence by «unboxing», hence its name, removing unnecessary things and creating new expressions on the diversity of body, face, history, colour and texture. A second skin is created; conveyed through a palette of sensuous fleshy tones, in beige, light camel and ebony.

Layering plays a key role in the collection, allowing the wearer to play around, to celebrate their own individuality and body type. One must-have is the bodysuit, the second-skin jersey offers the perfect base for every look created.

The Toile Iconographe pattern, first introduced in the S/S 2023 Pre-Collection, is worn head to toe. The VLogo aims at reproducing the effect of monochrome, like an iconographic canvas. The looks can easily be transformed from day to night. Being very versatile, those pieces will be enjoyed for many seasons to come.

Through a framework of couture, Piccioli and his team harmonized volume and shape in complex creations. Coats and jackets, preferably worn oversized, have an urban attitude and are blended with detachable feathers. Personally speaking my favorite is the nude androgynous blazer – I couldn’t resist this one. Following the «unboxing» principle, it is lined with an organza vest, revealing its immaculate sartorial craftsmanship.

Vibrant shades are also introduced, from red to violet blue, from teal green to yellow. Worn in combination with fleshy tones, the bicolor options offer a modern, yet sophisticated approach to the day and night wardrobe.

I have fallen in love with the dresses created in «oblique plissé» that allow its wearer to change their look just by removing the cape shoulder with a button placed on the center back. The shape of the dress is achieved just by the underpinned body which works as its only lining. Airy, light, dynamic and absolutely modern, those dresses are a must for summer.

Precious embroideries take center stage on separates and outerwear pieces. A new technique has been introduced that demands extreme precision and expertise, the «plissé embroidery». For the first time presented at the S/S 2023 show, it requires nine different craftsmanship steps to obtain these one-of-a-kind pieces. My stunner piece of the collection is the beautiful coat in aquarium color, it needed a place in Sandra’s Closet.

For night, I recommend pairing your look with one of the stunning sparkly bags that the Maison offers. Available in the most vibrant shades, they add the perfect touch to every outfit.

Fashion is a language that speaks to everyone, and this collection does just that. It celebrates individuality and diversity while emphasising the importance of removing the inessential to reveal the essence. The Unboxing Valentino S/S 2023 collection inspires people to express themselves and their identities by capturing their own essence.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht/ Rian Davidson 
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After four cities, countless runway shows, it’s time to reflect on the themes and trends that emerged, both within the fashion industry and the cultural vibrations in general. So what’s new for next winter? Plenty. Easywear continues to be big, we’ll still see lots of ’80s references, and real fur has almost disappeared.  The overall trend might have been towards real clothes that are easy to wear in daily life. Next winter will be determined, celebrating individuality and style with a multitude of trends that are dying to be worn. It’s all about having fun!

Below is a summary of the most important trends for F/W 2018. Enjoy and choose yours!

LoL, Sandra

Layering is the absolute must next winter, with plays on texture and volume in a masterful game of accumulation.

After Gucci announced that it won’t be using any more real fur, many brands have followed the movement.

The only «real» fur trending next season is sheepskin which seems to be the natural choice for a cold weather wardrobe.

One of my favorite trends: the comeback of the cape, so versatile and easy to put over even the biggest sleeves.

Checkmate! Checks are at its best in fantastically mad all-over and color-blocked looks.

Classic Saville Row fabrics such as herringbone, glen plaid, and houndstooth look richer than ever. Enter the season with some swagger and a great men’s overcoat.

Wild West feeling!  Fashion looked to America to discover the New World through Western accents.

Black leather is out in full force. Rock your glam power woman silhouette with an sophisticated attitude to take the idea from Matrix remake to decidedly modern.

With a sensual masculinity and a boudoir elegance, those runway looks proved once again that nightwear is not restricted to an evening in.

From Brigitte Bardot’s beehive to Jackie Kennedy’s pillbox hat, and Mary Quant’s geometric prints, every ’60s fashion icon’s style has been revisited this season.

I don’t remember one season without any florals on the catwalks. F/W 2018 is no different -perennials come in every charming varietal – most important update is the three-dimensional effect.

This season, scarf prints are worn all over the body for a vibrant and flowing appearance.

With all these vibrant looks on the runway, clean, lean, and chic-white seems to be a very welcome alternative. Think: Maxi in length and slim in silhouette.

Ultra-reflective, high-shine materials – holographic, futuristic looks are big this winter. 

Think Dynasty in the ’80s where the focus was on glamorous eveningwear: sensual and festive frills.

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Classic woolens have had a runway makeover. Silhouettes in XL sizes; long cardigans paired with even chunkier scarves; and as a surprise mixed with a chiffon skirt. Sound toasty? Yes, it will be. But it’s also an ultra-stylish approach to layering up this season.

My look: High-low intarsia cardigan, matching wool-blend scarf and silk-chiffon and satin mini skirt, all by Prabal Gurung, white cady top and patent-leather ankle rain boots, both by Miu Miu, hat by Louis Vuitton and small ‘Ricky’ tote in nude pink by Ralph Lauren.
On my lips: Carmine Rouge clean true red (matte) by Prabal Gurung x MAC.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday morning in Paris, I attended the Louis Vuitton F/W 2012 show which was the best I have ever seen (It even topped Chanel’s Paris – Bombay…).

When I arrived, I found myself inside a 1920’s inspired train station with a huge Louis Vuitton station clock hanging from the ceiling. And what looked like the runway in the middle, was actually something else…

The show started on time as usual and a gigantic gate opened, there was steam. All of a sudden, I saw rails…

…and an amazing old-fashioned train with a lot of steam rolled inside the hall. The crowd cheered and applauded. Believe me, it takes something to charm the fashionable audience.

Inside the wagon, the models were seated. You could already see the gigantic hats. The ambiance reminded me immediately of the Titanic era. The ladies looked like belonging to the upper class de-boarding the “Vuitton Express”.

THE BAGS

Each lady had a her own porter helping her to carry the oversized bags which were absolutely divine. Hat boxes, vanity cases, weekend bags and petites valises all make an appearance for everyday use. The traditional canvas Monogram finds itself trimmed in real crocodile or embroidered in sequins on a blanket wool, trimmed with box calf. The Speedy has an intense reworking this season, based on and featuring a round signature buckle.

Mink makes its way into Vuitton baggage, utilising vibrant colours to accompany its rich, sumptuous texture.

THE LOOKS

Marc Jacobs played with proportions and this collection seems to be for the tall ones among you. It is all about elongation. The clothing is layered in rich, sumptuous fabrics; long skirts over cigarette pants, long coats over all, each look topped by a tall hat. There is a certain, simple geometry to this elongation, an extended A-line to engulf the entire body.

The normal sized porters seemed tiny in comparison to the tall models. Marc Jacobs did it on purpose to reinforce the point of his towering female silhouette; the men are merely added accessories.

The materials are rich, from kangaroo leather that is patch-worked and bejewelled with plastics to heavy metal yarns replicating Afghan blanket fabrics and brocades and jacquards.

I loved Marc’s thinking about the company’s nineteenth-century origins and travel heritage. Can you believe that he started Louis Vuitton’s Prêt-à-porter collection fifteen years ago… time flies!

Marc after the show in the train

The “Vuitton Express” from inside

Me in front of the train

Bryan Boy with me, isn’t his Jil Sander hat too cute?!

Anna dello Russo

Famous guest: Sarah Jessica Parker

Another reason for my enthusiasm for this amazing, outstanding Louis Vuitton F/W 2012 show might be that it reminded me so much of a collection inspired by the Titanic era that I created during my fashion design studies.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht