Sandra‘s Closet

Let me show you my favourite collection for the new season: VALENTINO. Watching this runway show in Paris along with celebrities such as Jessica Alba and Nicole Richie, my heart was beating faster and I was thinking: those pieces have to find a way into my closet!

Inspired by the paintings of Flemish Old Masters (Vermeer in particular), Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli‘s latest collection is absolutely exquisite.

Of course, punk is the trend of the season, but my heart beats for those little white collars and the amazing feminine dresses. The outstanding embellishments are blended with materials: carpet textures, embroidery inspired by Delft ceramics, and chiné and jacquard motifs that reproduce them on knitwear.

And to live my grunge moment, I will invest in the famed rockstud accessories to match.

Valentino’s ad campaign for F/W 2013 was shot by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin and shows how fashion meets art in perfection: striking portraits set against ornate still life images of flowers, food and accessories.

Framed by the lovely designer duo, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli.

I was so happy to visit the Valentino showroom the next day after the show to explore this amazing collection up close. The moment I saw and felt the details, the outstanding craftsmanship and beautiful designs, I have been even more in love with the collection, if that is anyway possible… Great news is that most of the pieces are hitting the stores now.

To shop, just click on the highlighted text below! Have fun!

LoL, Sandra

Leather-trimmed wool-blend dress

Tapestry-lace mini dress

Beaded tulle-detailed wool and cashmere-blend sweater

Intarsia stretch-knit dress

Embroidered plastron bonded nappa leather dress

Scalloped wool and silk-blend coat

Beaded tulle and wool-blend crepe mini dress

Patent-leather and velvet T-bar pumps

Patent-leather and velvet T-bar pumps

Rockstud mink and leather clutch

The Rockstud leather trapeze bag

Rockstud Rouge pumps

Runway and ad campaign photos: Courtesy of Valentino, all other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Romantic gowns, clear accessories, Rockstud revisited and a feminine allure, Valentino‘s Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli rediscover their Roman heritage for S/S 2013. The beautiful collection looks to neo-realist Rome for inspiration.

The slip dress is the new silhouette, sensual yet elegant. Summer cotton is treated as a couture fabric and a new print on silk chiffon dresses skim the body. The 1940’s inspired shape suggests seduction with a modern twist on couture details.

“The final interpretation is left open, however: each woman’s personality is the defining trait.”

Below are my personal must-haves of the collection. To die for!

The transparent Rockstud bag and the matching raincoat along with a pair of crystal Rockstud heels will definitely make their way into my closet. The red leather coat is also on my wish list for the next summer. Stunningly beautiful.

An absolute bestseller will be those embellished plexiglass wedge heels.

My seat at Valentino was amazing. In the middle second row behind Carine Roitfeld and across from Anna Wintour. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Thank you so much!

Of course, I was wearing my gorgeous limited edition Red on Red Rockstud heels. There are only a few left, don’t forget to order yours by clicking here! And stay tuned for a detailed outfit post and many many more…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino, Style and © Sandra Bauknecht

This late afternoon, I came back from my trip with Piaget to Paris for the 26th Biennale des Antiquaires. I had four amazing days and have so much to show you.

When I arrived at my house, a very special gift from Valentino waited for me that left me speechless: RED ON RED ROCKSTUD kitten heels designed by the house’s Creative Directors, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli for the upcoming launch of the ultimate on-line shoe shopping experience, SHOE ROOM. Stay tuned as I will keep you posted once it is live.

I will be leaving tomorrow for London Fashion Week and those beauties will definitely be in my suitcase. Thank you, Valentino, for letting me be part of this awesome project!
I love my new shoes!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The hype started two years ago, when Valentino designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, presented their first Rockstud heels. For the designer duo, contrast is the essence of contemporary life. Their stylistic approach, however, aims at blending antithetical elements – for example, Valentino’s proverbial grace and bold metal studs – in a distinct, timeless image. This season, the fashion house celebrates the new classic with the Noir capsule collection of Rockstud shoes, bags and accessories in edgy black with ruthenium studs. Rock on with this clean yet strongly evocative design.

I am convinced that the streets during Fashion Week will be filled with those new icons. Fashionistas everywhere, better start hoarding these limited edition pieces and see the dark side of the stud!

To shop, click on the highlighted product descriptions below.

LoL, Sandra

Rockstud leather tote

So Noir studded leather tote

65mm Rockstud patent So Noir pumps

Studded cuff

Studded So Noir ballet flats

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino

The iconic glamour of Valentino and the rock-chic attitude of creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli are a match made in fashion heaven, and these leather and suede ankle boots are my latest obsession from the storied fashion house.

A beautiful silhouette toughened with pyramid studs, these shoes are an elegant way to add city edge to polished looks. Valentino’s rockstuds have been a must for fashionistas since quite a while, have a look at a previous post by clicking here.
Now you just have to choose if you prefer them in black or powder.

Studded suede and leather ankle boots in black by Valentino

Studded suede and leather ankle boots in powder by Valentino

LoL, Sandra

Just in case you have just warmed up yesterday at your Lanvin for H&M shopping tour, more is to come. Another interesting designer collaboration will hit the stores this Saturday, November 27: Valentino for Gap.

Unfortunately, it will only be available at a few locations in Europe: Gap’s new Milan store, Colette in Paris, in London at Gap’s flagship store on Oxford Street (from 9.30am) and at Dover Street (from 11am).

Due to the limitation, it is a great chance to invest in special-edition Valentino at a high-street price.

Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli said: „We love mixing different cultures and we have been excited to mix Gap’s timeless essentials with our Roman culture of couture.“

The small capsule collection is all about ruffles meet khaki. A signature Valentino bow is also seen on a cute skirt. I like the idea of utilitarian basics such as cargo pants and parkas reinterpreted with a romantic twist.

LoL, Sandra