Sandra‘s Closet

Frieze Art Fair is renowned for cutting edge art and a fashion-forward crowd. Established in London in 2003 by the infinitely stylish Matthew Slotover and his co-director Amanda Sharp, it has become one of the art world’s hottest tickets.

This month, London’s coolest art fair hits Manhattan for the first time with the launch of Frieze New York. The four-day event (May 4-7) will see over 1000 of the world’s leading artists gather alongside curators, gallerists and collectors all set against a cool waterside backdrop and with a hip lineup of pop-up restaurants, parties and people to spot. And fashion trendsetters such as Net-à-porter and Mulberry join forces with the art world:

Co-publishers of Frieze Matthew Slotover and Amanda Sharp at the Mulberry dinner

On Friday, May 4 Mulberry hosted an intimate dinner in celebration of the Frieze Art Fair’s New York debut and in honour of the artists of Frieze Projects, of which Mulberry is the sponsor.

Frieze Projects is a not-for-profit initiative featuring commissioned artworks around the outdoor space of Randall’s Island, which are accessible to all visitors to the area. The dinner was held at The Crown restaurant on New York’s Upper East Side (readers of my fashion column in the SI Style magazine know this place already).

The beautiful decorated entrance to The Crown Restaurant

The ambiance

Among the fashionable guests: Derek Blasberg and Alexa Chung

The Clarins-Courtin sisters

Lana Del Rey

American singer Lana Del Rey performed during the evening, wearing the three quarter blouse in flame heavy lace and the fitted pencil skirt in flame, both from the F/W 2012 Collection. Lana was Emma Hill’s inspiration for Mulberry’s newest bag, the Del Rey, which launches in stores and online in mid-May.
(Stay tuned as I will keep you inform you once it hits the shelves).

Mulberry’s Del Rey Bag

Last night, May 5 influencers from the worlds of fashion and art came together to join NET-A-PORTER for a cocktail party and dinner celebrating Frieze Art Fair’s Chelsea Gallery Night, a night where more than 20 of Chelsea’s finest galleries opened their doors for a neighborhood block party filled with exclusive gallery previews, live music and food.

The NET-A-PORTER-sponsored event at the Hôtel Americano kicked off with roof-top cocktails and music by London DJ, Bip Ling, and continued with a seated dinner.

The Big Frieze hits NYC, I love!

LoL, Sandra

Christopher Kane with Natalie Massanet in a lace dress by Alessandra Rich

Giovanna Battaglia in a black leather coat
(Don’t we love the floral lace A-line dress by Miu Miu to the left and the neon-orange with white lace dress by Christopher Kane to the right in the background?!)

Olympia Scarry in head to toe floral prints by Proenza Schouler.

Designers Jason Wu and Roland Mouret

Photos: Courtesy of Mulberry, ©Craig Barritt/WireImage, Courtesy of Net-à-Porter and Frieze New York

Yesterday, a box from net-à-porter arrived, filled with some amazing goodies. Those pieces were sold out in one day! Can you imagine how happy I am that they have arrived at my doorstep?! Please stay tuned as more stock will be arriving soon.

In the meantime let’s have a closer look:

Layered tulle midi skirt by D&G Dolce & Gabbana.
Pastel colours are such a huge trend for S/S 2012. I love the feminine tulle layers. The skirt reminds me of the ballet tutus I had when I was a child. The mint hue is so pretty.

Studded leather ankle boots by Chloé.
Those shoes just took my breath away, they were definitely worth investing. One thing is for sure, they will adorn many front row feet. Zara carries a similiar version at the moment, check it out by clicking here.

Resin bead necklace by Marni
So versatile, this necklace is a great way to work the neon trend. One piece like this can take your look from simple to standout.

An outfit post will follow soon! I am packing for New York Fashion Week today as I will be leaving tomorrow. I am having some very exciting news, so please stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A formal statement has been released by net-à-porter.com: Karl Lagerfeld’s exclusive new collection will be revealed on January 25, 2011. To sign up for Karl’s Kult, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Recently, I was invited to an evening at the V&A museum in London with legendary French shoe designer Christian Louboutin, whom I had met earlier this year at La Soirée Monégasque in Monaco, and Net-à-porter founder Natalie Massenet. The event was linked to the launch of his first book and the 20th anniversary of the Louboutin empire.

On Nov 21st, 1991 Christian Louboutin opened his first store at the age of 27. Now 20 years later, he still lives his passion for shoes.  Louboutin is a very interesting man and a true latitudinarian.

He was expelled from 3 schools, he ran away from home at the age of 12 and grew up in a household with many women, 4 sisters and his mom who gave him a lot of support and encouraged him to follow his dreams. At an early age, he had already developed an obsession for burlesque clubs and showgirls that has inspired him all his life.

Christian Louboutin with me…

…signing the book with a personal dedication for me.

Meet Christian Louboutin and enjoy this insight into his world and life.

On happiness

“I don’t know how to be unhappy in life. This is a natural element that I have. For me, it helps me with my work. This is the great thing about designing, it should bring happiness.”

On destiny

“I don’t believe in destiny. I have loved drawing shoes from an early age but never thought that this would become my job.”

On his childhood

„I learned a lot from my sisters and my mum. Women behave differently when they are by themselves and when there is no man around. I never thought that I had a special childhood but I had. My mum was very supportive and gave me complete freedom. She believed that it is important to be brought up in love. She was beautiful, even though her shoes weren’t. She was definitely not a shoe person!“

On shoes

“A shoe has so much more to offer than just to walk. Shoes are bringing posture to the whole body. They change the way you are walking, standing, behaving. They give you confidence. A customer once said while trying on a pair of my heels: ‘Look, I’m completely transformed and it’s cheaper than a facelift!’ “

On his first success

“It was a flat shoe, the Love shoe”. Like the love birds that cannot be separated, I designed them. Only if you put the two shoes together, they are complete. I only sold those shoes in the first season and they were a huge success.”

On his favourite heel height

“Ain’t no high heel high enough!” (started singing)

On his favourite shoe

“If there was only one shoe to be made, it would have to be a pump. It is like a beautiful face without make-up. If you have a good pump, the rest is make-up.”

On Princess Caroline of Monaco

“Caroline is the second fairy in my life. Caroline came in my store at a very early stage in December 1991. A journalist who did a story on new shops was by coincidence there and when she spotted Caroline, she wrote a huge article that brought me many buyers and sales went up.”

On Folies Bergère

“I love Burlesque dancers. At the Folies Bergère, I saw all the shows, knew all the girls. So I decided to design for them. At one stage, I was even an intern at the Folies Bergère.”

On the importance of the red sole

“It is my signature, it is clear how important it is. But now I don’t even think about it anymore. It is a funny story how it started. During my designing process for my third collection, I was thinking a lot of Andy Warhol, pop art, bright colours. The first prototype arrived and I was very happy with it, with the heel proportion, a Mary Jane with a big huge flower. Still, I was looking at the drawing and at the shoe, and something was missing. Looking at the sole, it was all black which was not on my drawing because you didn’t see the sole. Sarah, a model, was sitting on the floor and painted her nails in red. I grabbed the polish from her and started to paint the soles. The magic took place. The sole is like a message, the red a signal.”

On sex

“You really need to be a criminal or a pervert to shock me! It is sad but you can even be sexy in bad shoes. Sexy is coming from a certain attitude.”

On independence

“I am very happy to not be a part of a big luxury company and do not plan to change it, because I enjoy my freedom very much. Freedom means a lot to me.”

On toe cleavage

“It is one of the important aspects of my designs, mainly because it gives the impression of longer legs. While working with the show girls, I learnt a lot. They are very specific with their shoes. Good balance is indispensable and to be able to dance while having the longest legs possible. This inspired me to create more toe cleavage.”

On his favourite thing to do

“Working.”

On his favourite colour

“Red.”

On his favourite quality in a person

“Tolerance and enthusiasm.”

On his nick name

“Laporo, Loubi, Bottinos or Los Bottinos which I hate.”

If I whet your appetite for a little Sunday shopping, you will find a great wish list below (just click here to be transferred). Channel Christian’s joie de vivre and enjoy your new shoes!

LoL, Sandra

Today, net-à-porter has released a gown almost identical to Pippa Middleton’s bridesmaid dress that she wore to her sister Kate’s royal wedding to Prince William on April 29 this year.

The cowl-neck dream designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is not exactly the same and comes with minor differences to the original gown. It has for example a covered zip at the back instead of fabric buttons and the sleeves and neck seams have been alternated. Pippa’s version was made of heavy ivory silk and a customized order.

In the mood for pulling a Pippa? I just couldn’t resist…

LoL, Sandra

Play the Stella pairs game on Net-à-Porter for a chance to win an incredible £10,000 Stella McCartney shopping spree plus a range of fabulous runner-up prizes; 3 Falabella bags, 10 knickers of the week sets and 15 Adidas by Stella McCartney yoga sets.

To play, just click on the cards above. The competition closes midday BST October 12.
Good luck!

LoL, Sandra

For my German based readers: 
The new SI Style with my monthly fashion column is available from today.
This time, I am telling you more about my recent trip to London where I went to the Dolce & Gabbana Net-à-porter party and the “Tropical Night” event hosted by Matthew Williamson.
You will also find some travel tips for London.

Get your issue now!

LoL, Sandra

Newly launched for F/W2011, Claudia Schiffer’s luxurious cashmere line perfectly encapsulates the legendary supermodel’s insouciant style. Schiffer sourced the finest fabrics for this collection of model must-haves – you’ll find everything from cozy cardigans in rich earth tones to slinky color-pop tube dresses.

The range will be manufactured, produced and distributed in partnership with luxury German 
cashmere label Iris von Arnim.

Available from today at www.net-à-porter.com.

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

Yesterday in New York City, influencers from the worlds of fashion, art, philanthrophy, business and entertainement came together like last year at Christie’s Bid to Save the Earth. After a live auction, the Runway to Green fashion show took place that must have accelerated every fashionista’s heart. The pieces on the catwalk from over 25 designers including Prada, Gucci, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Thakoon and many more were from the upcoming F/W 2011 collections.

Now, those must-haves are available on net-à-porter, but only on the US site. No worries, my dear European and Asian readers, they also ship to us. A minimum of 10% of net-proceeds from the sale of each item will benefit Alliance of Climate Protection, Natural Resource Defense Council and United Nations Environmental Programme’s Billion Tree Campaign. Shopping for a good cause and your chance to be the first to wear a stunning piece from the next season. Do I need to say more..?!
Ready, set, go!

LoL, Sandra