Sandra‘s Closet

It was an Underwater World at many of the S/S 2012 shows. Many of the designers took inspiration from the deep blue and created one of the most important fashion trends for the summer season.

I have outlined the most anticipated collections and pieces for you below, enjoy!

Karl Lagerfeld took the underwater trend to a complete new level with his S/S 2012 collection for Chanel. The scenery of his runway show looked like a stage setting for Ariel’s World. Some of the fabrics shimmered like fish scales.

As usual at Chanel, the accessories played a big role, such as beautiful shell clutches (unfortunately extremely expensive) and wonderfully designed coral-shape heels plus sea world inspired fashion jewlery.

Mary Katrantzou showcased a stellar take on the trend from under the sea with her scene-stealing prints, as seen on the Fishtank dress. Swarming with tropical fish and colorful coral reefs, this punchy piece is a fabulous way to play out your fashion fantasies.

The Versace S/S 2012 collection was all about starfish and seashell embellishments and studded seahorse shapes. The look was a mixture of sweet pastels, ladylike elegance  and studded biker pieces. Those glittering sea goddess gowns will surely be seen on the red carpet.

A great low-budget way to get started on the look is this fun statement starfish gold-tone ring by Versace.

Gigantic shark tooth necklaces were seen on the Givenchy S/S 2012 runway as well as many jellyfish inspired jackets and dresses. One of my favourite collections of the summer season.

You can shop a large selection of Givenchy at Matches and Farfetch.

There are many wonderfully designed blue coloured pieces in stores now that really represent the fairytale world of the deep blue. Stella McCartney drew inspiration from the sea waves for her S/S 2012 collection.

Here are some of best pieces to buy for the upcoming summer (from top left to bottom right):

Candy printed acrylic clutch by Jimmy Choo
Printed scuba-style top by McQ Alexander McQueen
Joan silk crepe-de-chine and lace dress by Stella McCartney
Printed silk kimono maxi dress by Issa
Paillette-embellished silk-georgette dress by Roberto Cavalli
Fish-charm corseted strappy sandals by Tabitha Simmons

LoL, Sandra

The beautiful sunny spring weather has put me in such a good mood and inspired me to wear bold prints and vibrant colours.

My look: Salamandra printed silk-crepe dress by Mary Katrantzou, neon-pink wool-blend crepe biker jacket by Christopher Kane, blue scarf by Gucci, lace pumps by Christian Dior, bracelet by Anselm Reyle for Dior, handle bag by Versace and statement necklace by Gabriele Frantzen.

The  neon-pink wool-blend crepe biker jacket by Christopher Kane is such a versatile piece, one of my season’s favourites.

I am in love with Gabriele Frantzen‘s statement jewelry pieces that take every outfit to a new level of style. Her creations are now available at Saks Fifth Avenue and in Zurich at Gassmann among others.

Tropical fish, fields of flowers and crushed car sculptures were the inspirations behind Mary Katrantzou‘s highly acclaimed S/S12 collection, which took her signature aesthetic to new fashion heights. This precision-cut Salamandra printed silk-crepe dress is the perfect canvas for the designer’s explosive and unforgettable prints. Don’t you agree?

This bracelet is a collector’s piece. Designed by Berlin artist Anselm Reyle for Dior.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Welcome to my new category “Travel Insider” – your best source for your favourite destinations and fancy escapes. Famous fashion insiders will provide you with the best spots and places-to-be.

MARY KATRANTZOU

The fashion designer shares her tips for the best summer reads and the ultimate fish in the port of Piraeus.

Your favourite city in the world:
ATHENS
That is home.

Your favourite restaurant:
JIMMY AND THE FISH, Koumoundourou Coast 46, 18543 Piraeus – Mikrolimano, Phone: +30 210 – 4124417
Try the mini fried shrimps.

Your favourite shop:
SOTRIS, 41 Voukourestiou Street & Tsakalof Street, Kolonaki Athens, Phone +30 210 – 361 0662
They were the first in Greece to by my clothes beginning from my very first season.

Your favourite island:
SPETSES
I got christened there and spent my last 28 summers on that beautiful island.

Your favourite summer read:
SANDRA’S CLOSET (Thank you, Mary!)
and the next book on my to-read-list is: 
THE TIPPING POINT – How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell
(The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. Just as a single sick person can start an epidemic of the flu, so too can a small but precisely targeted push cause a fashion trend, the popularity of a new product, or a drop in the crime rate. This widely acclaimed bestseller, in which Malcolm Gladwell explores and brilliantly illuminates the tipping point phenomenon, is already changing the way people throughout the world think about selling products and disseminating ideas.)

Three things you have to pack for Greece:
1. FLAT SHOES for the cobbled streets on the Greek islands.
2. SUN PROTECTION
3. A MARY KATRANTZOU SCARF for the windy nights.

Thank you, Mary, for sharing your insider scoop on Greece with us!

LoL, Sandra

The amazing Jewel Tree dress from Mary Katrantzou’s F/W 2011 collection that I wore to the launch of “Mary Katrantzou for Longchamps” at Colette last Tuesday is so special that it deserves its own post.

The appliquéd velvet piece comes with amazing 3-D flower embellishments and is immaculately tailored with a nipped in waist and a peplum skirt. A piece that is very close to couture.

I kept my accessories to a minimum and simply added some black heels and earrings by Miu Miu plus my Diorette cocktail ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

The most exciting part of my trip to Paris was the launch event for the “Mary Katrantzou for Longchamp” collection at the famous concept store Colette. As you know, I am a huge fan of Mary and her designs. Her talent is truly outstanding and I was so happy to see her again. (For a previous post, please click here.)

Below you see the text from the official press release. Can you imagine how honoured I felt to be mentioned in the same breath with Emmanuelle Alt,  Suzy Menkes or Glenda Bailey.

Please enjoy the photos of the evening and have a look at those beautifully printed bags:

For this occasion, the facade of the famous colette concept store was spectacularly covered with one of the exclusive prints from the “Mary Katrantzou for Longchamp” collection. It will stay like this one week.

Sweet Mary Katrantzou with me wearing (of course!) Mary Katrantzou

A unique “Mary Katrantzou for Longchamp” Le Pliage bag, 1 meter high and 2,5 meter large, was exposed in the interior courtyard.

The bags on display.

Love this tote bag with the poetic digital “Lanterne” print, €320.

The “Aquarium” print on the tote bag , €350, is awesome. The little pouch, € 55, to the right is already in my closet as each guest got it as a gift. Thank you so much!

The bottles of champagne served were all printed with the colours of Mary’s inspirational theme “When East meets West” for this new collection.

Some pieces of Mary’s must-have S/S 2012 collection were already on display. I am crazy for those dresses! Flower prints and underwater world inspired themes are huge fashion trends for the season.

Mary’s ultimate accolade: Fashion’s most powerful ladies all came to see her designs.

Suzy Menkes, Mary Katrantzou and Sophie Delafontaine, Artistic Director of the Longchamp House

Jean Cassegrain, Owner of Longchamp with Glenda Bailey, editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar US and Mary Katrantzou.

Mary, you can be so proud of yourself!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Longchamp and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last night, she won the Emerging Talent Award (ready to wear) at the British Fashion Awards in London, last week she took me out to lunch. I am talking about Mary Katrantzou, one of the hottest names in London’s fashion scene. As for me, she is the most innovative designer at the moment and as you know, I am a huge fan of her.

Her creations are different and new. Mary’s unbelievable talent to use bold, overall prints has been a huge influence on today’s fashion. For S/S 2012, many designers have seeked inspiration from her iconic arty florals, expressive colours and patchwork prints.

If you are wondering how can floral prints can be new, have a look at Mary’s flower power for S/S 2012. They are strong, unexpected, surreal and make fashionistas drool over it. The show in September was truly divine with a catwalk divided by a tennis court long field of carnations.

My favourite look by Mary Katrantzou for S/S 2012: “Battle Royal”
I adore that every dress gets its own name!

Last Wednesday, Mary took me to lunch to the Greenhouse restaurant in Mayfair that I can only recommend. Great interior design and awesome food.

We were sitting for hours, talked about her upcoming projects and about daily life. Mary’s birthday is only two days before mine and we loved that we are both aquarius. The 28-year-old was born and raised in Greece but loves living in London. She is a true fashion visionary, a print-cess charming and a wonderful refreshingly unpretentious young woman.

Mary Katrantzou is already hugely influential even though her label is just three years old. She won last year’s Swiss Textiles Award, her designs can be found in the most distinguished shops around the world and celebrities show up on the red carpet in them. If you think that the hype has overwhelmed her, you are absolutely mistaken.

She was so happy to see me in her Serendipity dress that by the way made a huge appearance this week on Gossip Girl. In the last episode, Serena wore this stunner to Blair’s bridal shower. Cocktail or lunch, the dress is a must around the clock!

Photo: Courtesy of The CW, © Getty Images

More testaments to Katrantzou’s reach and importance are her upcoming collaborations next year:

In January, Mary Katrantzou for Longchamp will be launched. The theme for this amazing S/S 2012 bag collection is “East meets West”. A must-have for all print lovers and for those who have been eagerly waiting for a Mary Katrantzou handbag!

Extremely exciting is the news of a second Mary Katrantzou for Topshop collection to be released in February next year. The first prototype was unveiled at the Topshop press day a few weeks ago, and even it was not supposed to go public, one photo has made its way around the globe. Doesn’t it look so promising?!

Please stay tuned, will keep you posted!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Style.com, Courtesy of Mary Katrantzou, Longchamp and Topshop

I am so excited. The new Bolero magazine is available now (unfortunately only for my Swiss readers) featuring a style portrait of me. Fashion director Sara Allerstorfer and photographer Gian Marco Castelberg were so lovely to work with. Below you can see some behind-the-scene shots taken by my daughter. You might recognize some pieces from previous posts! Have fun!

Outfit: Caramolengo Dress by Mary Katrantzou, oversized clutch bag by Miu Miu, ring by Chanel and cuff by Stella McCartney.

Outfit: Lace-insert dress by Antonio Berardi, patchwork coat and bag by Louis Vuitton, floppy hat by H&M.

A close-up of my personalised “Sac Louis” by Louis Vuitton.

Sara, Gian Marco and me in an overall by Stella McCartney checking the photos.

My beloved Chanel collection including very special pieces.

Outfit: Dress by Gucci, shoes by Yves Saint Laurent, clutch by Matthew Williamson, earrings by Chanel, ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and watch by Roger Dubuis.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: A.Bauknecht, © Sandra Bauknecht

This was my look for the Versace for H&M fashion show last week in NYC. The fabric pays tribute to the iconic Versace prints and as you know I love Mary Katrantzou’s designs! This dress with its wide bell skirt is truly a piece of art for me.

My outfit: Kite Runner dress by Mary Katrantzou, necklace by Prada, sparkling booties by Chanel, tights by H&M and cocktail ring”Diorette” by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

My make-up: Eyeshadows “Vanilla”, “Electric Eel” and “Atlantic Blue” by MAC, Blue Instant Definition Mascara by Clarins, Blush “Orgasm” by Nars and Lipgloss “Buff” by Bobbi Brown.
On my nails: “Graphite ” by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Keira Knightley recently wore Mary Katrantzou‘s Caramolengo dress in Venice. The British designer who is known for her amazing prints belongs to my favourites. Yesterday, here in Milan, I wore the same mid-length silk printed dress.

My outfit: Caramolengo dress by Mary Katrantzou, glitter booties (the shoes of the season!) and oversized clutch by Miu Miu, watch by Roger Dubuis.

To shop Mary Katrantzou dresses, please click here.

This photo was taken by Mr.Newton, the famous street style photographer for Harper’s Bazaar.
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Net-à-porter features the Caramolengo dress in their beautiful ad campaign.

LoL, Sandra

Natalie Massenet, Stefano Gabbana, Queen Latifah, Naomi Campbell and Domenico Dolce.

Here we go: Party N°2!

I didn’t even have time to change after Matthew’s tropical night as I was running off to the next amazing event on Thursday night in London:
Net-à-Porter and Mr Porter celebrated the arrival of Dolce & Gabbana with a very intimate party “at home”.

It was literally a night of the stars (photo to the left: Queen Latifah with me), an A-list event with so many celebrities joining the fun and fashionistas wearing Dolce & Gabbana’s star-sprinkled F/W 2011 pieces.
Enjoy all the pics and comments from that memorable night!

Dolce & Gabbana collections are now available on Net-à-Porter and Mr Porter.

LoL, Sandra

My favourite fashion duo Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce with me.

Remember designer Henry Holland from LuisaViaRoma’s Animalier Party?!

Very sweet Mary Katrantzou remembered me and my Serendipity dress.

The good thing about Twitter (it was livestreamed on a wall) is that you can find people easily…

…like Disneyrollrgirl.

Emerging solo artist Sunday Girl Jade performed live in a star print jumpsuit by Dolce & Gabbana.

Natalie Massenet and Tim Blanks pose for their photo on the vintage Vespa mopeds.

My own picture postcard – such a lovely idea!

Kelly Osbourne

Famous Dolce & Gabbana model David Gandy

Mr & Mrs Porter: Jeremy Langmead & Natalie Massenet

Pixie Geldof

Pixie Lott

Stefano Gabbana, Natalie Massenet, Naomi Campbell and Domenico Dolce

Photos: © Net-à-Porter / Mr Porter, © Sandra Bauknecht