Sandra‘s Closet

Ten years after its global collaboration, Louis Vuitton launches chapter two of its partnership with Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, hitting stores worldwide in January 2023.

Since the creation of Louis Vuitton in 1854, the Maison has nurtured strong ties with the art world, collaborating with a series of artists who have brought their unique vision to Louis Vuitton. These close relationships have produced often radical reworkings of the Maison’s most iconic creations, in the process rewriting the rules of creative collaborations between luxury brands and artists. Yayoi Kusama’s collaboration in 2012 (Part one in July 2012 –  Part two in October 2012) flourished through various universes of the Maison, from exhibitions, products and a series of unique window installations, which included a startingly life-like mannequin modelled after the artist herself.

Finale at the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2023 show in San Diego and some detail shots:

Yayoi Kusama, born in March 1929, is an avant-garde artist whose perspective is expressed through myriad techniques from sculpture, painting, installation, filmmaking, photography, and happening, to writing in a variety of styles. She is regarded as a precursor to Pop and Minimal art, yet her diverse art practices resist any singular classification. Yayoi Kusama’s artworks originated from hallucinations such as where the red flower patterns on a dining table’s tablecloth started to spread across the walls, floor, and even across herself…She has been battling her inner fears and obsessions and pursuing the mysteries of life by depicting the hallucinations she has experienced since her childhood. Please click here for a post about her retrospective in Berlin last year.

Look 51 Louis Vuitton Cruise 2023

As a celebration of the Maison’s relationship with the artist and to mark the 10-year anniversary of the first collaboration, a handful of leather goods were premiered during Artistic Director of Women’s Collections Nicolas Ghesquière’s Cruise 2023 fashion show at the Salk Institute in San Diego. These exclusive bags feature a reinterpretation of the artist’s obsessive dots across Louis Vuitton signature shapes as well as on new models. A true first taste of a transversal collaboration that, come January 2023, will radiate through all Maison categories.

More information will be disclosed at a later date.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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Last Tuesday, I enjoyed a night at the museum with Veuve Cliquot for the unique closing dinner of the retrospective of exceptional artist Yayoi Kusama at Gropius Bau in Berlin. On display in the entrance hall was the champagne house’s new, exciting collaboration with the Japanese artist who dressed the La Grande Dame 2012 Limited Edition in her signature patterns, the polka dots. Also on display was Kusama’s artwork «My Heart that Blooms in the Darkness of the Night», a vibrant floral sculpture.

Among the guests from art and culture were German A-listers Iris Berben, Lea van Acken, Andreas Mühe, Christian and Karen Boros, William Fan, Franz Dinda, Hardy Krüger jr, Esther Perbandt, Johann König and many more.

German actress Iris Berben exploring the early years of the Kusama exhibition.

The evening started with a private guided tour through the amazing retrospective of Yayoi Kusama (92). From an upper class Japanese family that owned a seed nursery business, Yayoi Kusama grew up in a conservative environment. When she left school, and against her mother’s wishes, Yayoi decided to leave Japan, which she considered too small a country, and her family, where art as a career was not appreciated. Kusama left for the US, first Seattle, before settling in New York.

As a painter, sculptor, author, and performance artist, but also a filmmaker, writer, and a female artist of Asian origin in a predominantly male, Western art world, her audacity knew no bounds, as her controversial «happenings» showed. She soon gained recognition and her tenacity paid off: from the 1960s onwards she was one of the few female artists to make a living from her work.

Since her early years, the artist has experienced obsessions and hallucinations; she uses art as a sort of antidote for healing, a kind of self-medication. The canvases she covers with nets and dots have a dual effect; she demonstrates a mastery of repetition that at the same time reveals its infinite character; its overflow is liberating. Interesting to know is that Kusama was the first person in the 20th century to use this method of harnessing an individual’s potential for artistic expression and creativity for openly psychotherapeutic purposes. Today this has acquired the name «art therapy».

As a young artist, Kusama gained inspiration from plants and flowers, which she saw as a symbol of life, birth and regeneration. In later years, they became part of her figurative languages as positive symbols conveying vital energy and regeneration.

The flower is what led her to paint dots at the start of her career – the famous polka dots, which have become her signature. At her happenings in the late 1960s she covered her own and the participants’ bodies in these dots.

«Polka dots are a life, and the moon, the sun, and the stars are one of hundred of millions of polka dots. This is my grand philosophy. With peace from polka dots, I would like to deeply launch my longing for eternal love. Polka dots shall continue to proliferate and appeal to the people with my message.» – Yayoi Kusama

This message of hope and optimism has made her a much-loved figure who is avidly followed by a wide public. She was one of TIME magazine‘s 100 most influential people in the world in 2016 and is now a style icon. She has collaborated with countless brands; from couture (remember the fantastic collaboration with Louis Vuitton in 2012) to streetwear, Kusama’s name fascinates and inspires.

In honor of Madame Cliquot, Veuve Cliquot has commissioned Yayoi Kusama to create a joyful, original work celebrating the new vintage, La Grande Dame 2012. Two bold destinies, two innovative minds, two avantgardists who influenced their times.

With Petra Nagel, Managing Director Moët Hennessy Deutschland (LVMH)

Celebrating this magic encounter, we were invited outside after the tour to enjoy a champagne reception, followed by a wonderful vegetarian/vegan dinner with live performance accompanied by three amazing vintage champagnes; Veuve Cliquot La Grand Dame 2012, La Grand Dame Rosé 2006 and La Grand Dame 2008 Magnum.

A beautiful evening – thank you Veuve Cliquot for inviting me to Berlin, for these unforgettable memories and a message of hope and optimism.

I fully enjoyed the dinner thanks also to the lovely company of Karen Boros, Lea Van Acken and Hendrikje Kopp.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Franziska Krug/Getty Images for Veuve Clicquot, Agentur EVENTPRESS for Veuve Cliquot and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.
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Spreading pure optimism, Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama‘s works are full of vibrant energy and colorful positivity. Being one of the most important contemporary artists of our times, the 92-year has worked primarily in sculpture and installation, but is also active in painting, performance, film, fashion, poetry, fiction, and other arts. Her work is based in conceptual art and shows some attributes of feminism, minimalism, surrealism, Art Brut, pop art, and abstract expressionism, and is infused with autobiographical, psychological, and sexual content.

Limited to 100 pieces worldwide, Kusama’s art work «My Heart That Blooms in The Darkness of The Night» for Veuve Cliquot, a flower that wraps La Grande Dame 2012 Magnum.

From all my heart, 
the life of flowers flew away.
My everlasting affection for the flowers,
flew of beyond the universe
to show its vitality,
to gaze at the extremes of life.
– Yayoi Kusama

This year, she has collaborated with French champagne house Veuve Cliquot again to create the special edition La Grand Dame 2012 x Yayoi Kusama, sending a cheerful message to the whole world. It is with its iconic symbols, that Yayoi Kusama adorns La Grande Dame 2012 case and bottle. The opulent flower symbolizes vital energy, love and celebration of life. The polka dots, Yayoi Kusama’s signature patterns are reworked like champagne bubbles to embody La Grande Dame 2012.

Twist with Madame Clicquot! © YAYOI KUSAMA

Previously in 2006, Yayoi Kusama had already played with her famous polka dots by revivifying the original portrait of Madame Clicquot for a charity auction in Tokyo. So, the dialogue between the artist and the Maison has never stopped and has reached another milestone in its most inspiring and sharing ways.

More than 150 years separate Madame Clicquot and Yayoi Kusama, and yet it is almost as many common points that unite their unique and fascinating destinies. From Yayoi Kusama’s work to Madame Clicquot’s development of the House of Veuve Clicquot, these two daring figures demonstrate strong and flawless commitment. And today, their destinies converge in an unparalleled collaboration.

La Grand Dame 2012 x Yayoi Kusama is available for CHF 250.00 at Globus.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Franziska Krug/Getty Images for Veuve Clicquot, ©Yayoi Kusama
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored but I only show products I love. Promise.
DRINK RESPONSIBLY!

Just as you were all getting comfortable with your winter wardrobes and discovering the art of dressing sustainably, the close of 2019 has got some of us thinking about our 2020 wardrobe. Shopping needs to be more about investment pieces. From bermuda shorts with blazers to head-to-toe white and tropical prints, scroll through for the biggest trends from the S/S 2020 season here.

LoL, Sandra

There is a reason why Pantone announced it the Color of the Year 2020.

Denim borrows from all manner of eras, from the ’70s to the ’90s, more sophisticated than ever and perfect for everyday.

Putting a twist on the classic suit, designers embraced the Bermuda short suit for spring.

Welcome to the resurrection of the waistcoat. Wear the vest alone to a formal event or get dapper with a tailored three-piece.

This season, designers are encouraging us to get colorful, when it comes to buttery leather.

Extra volume and statement shoulders go well together.

This season, your adventurous spirit is to be celebrated and you are heading to the jungle in these tropical prints.

Subtle may not be their specialty, but these vibrant highlighter-inspired shades know how to make an entrance.

Crochet is getting a cool update come spring, modern with a special touch of Grandma’s handmade technique.

Seventies-style, bohemian rock accents, hippie silhouettes set a modern Woodstock tone.

Your grandparents’ old wallpaper, but make it fashion in the form of a swinging ’60s motif.

The look is most impactful in jacket form – extra style points if it has a contrasting collar.

Those slouchy white suits transition the monochrome set into daily wear. Alternatively, you can opt for upscale in an elegant lace.

There is a new kid in town. A hybrid between long pants and shorts. Too cool!

Thanks to the Khaite hype, crop tops are no longer cutting it – the bra top has officially entered the party, preferably with a pair of tailored pants.

Set your expectations high and keep your inseams higher with the newest versions of hot pants that are so tiny, they might technically be hot (under)pants?

The all-time favorite dot – simply put, the trend shows no sign of slowing, this summer, opt for colourful pieces.

What will 2020 entail? Feathers, feathers, and more feathers, and it won’t be long before they fly into your closets.

It wouldn’t be a spring trend report without some sort of floral reference. This season, designers are honing in on the queen of flowers, the rose.

Tiered dresses and skirts offer volume, high drama, and maximum twirl-ability, perfect for your next black tie gala.

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Last Friday, I was invited to a very fun birthday party at Widder Garage in Zurich. The dress code said «stars, stripes and polka dots», so I decided to wear all three.

My look: Striped cotton cropped top (30% off on sale), pleated skirt with polka dots (50% off on sale), and straw hat with appliqué (60% off on sale), all by Dolce & Gabbana, Betty bow-embellished suede platform sandals (40% off on sale) and small California leather bucket bag with stars, both by Saint Laurent, necklace and earrings, both by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Christian Dior himself praised the timeless aura of polka dots: “they offer charm, elegance, relaxation and are always casual.“

Joyous, elegant and timeless, polka dots are at the heart of DIOR‘s summer make-up collection with  confetti-strewn nails that are an invitation to dive into a fantasy-filled world.

APPLICATION TIPS
Step 1: apply a coat of polish
Step 2: dip the Dotting Tool into the second polish in the set
Step 3: dab polka dots onto the base coat

SHADES

Pastilles: an azure blue punctuated with nude beige

Confettis: a bold melon heightened with cherry red

Plumetis: a petal pink dotted with lavender mauve

DIOR Vernis with «dotting tool» (one shot) is available now for CHF 44.50.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior

Here you see an outfit post combining different F/W 2014 trends. Feathers have been everywhere this winter season, they are the perfect way to give your dressing a voluminous effect. Maybe every season polka dots are considered a trend, but they are definitely one of the must-haves for the upcoming S/S 2015 season. So Valentino’s overly cute and stylish version is a great investment to be carried into the next summer. Wear it well!

My look: Striped tiered feather jacket by Givenchy, ribbed black turtleneck sweater by Gucci, patterned wool and silk-blend midi skirt, Carmen appliquéd leather pumps and Carmen appliquéd leather shoulder bag, all by Valentino, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget, earrings by Dior, diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This was my outfit I wore to the Dior Addict event in Paris. I love the beginning of spring when you get to sport for the first time your new season pieces and you know that the summer months are ahead of you. And sunshine in Paris is just divine…

My look: Polka dot print mini dress with lace undergarment by Dolce & Gabbana, pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps by Saint Laurent, vibrant camouflage-print bag, matching scarf and bracelet, all by Anselm Reyle for Dior, Diorette ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Feminine, sophisticated and reminiscent of 1950s elegance, for the new season polka dots returned to the S/S 2014 runway. At Burberry Prorsum they came in a modernized and bold way, while at Dolce & Gabbana and Moschino they appeared smaller in black and white or red – all aptly retro-inspired, especially given Moschino’s special anniversary show.

So cute, a real must-have! Polka dot ‘Pashli’ satchel by 3.1 Phillip Lim

Shop the trendy look and get one of those amazing pieces:

1 Polka-dot cotton and lace shirt by No. 21
2 Febe stretch-mesh balconette bra by L’Agent by Agent Provocateur
3 Polka dot-print stretch-silk dress by Dolce & Gabbana
4 Leather-trimmed polka-dot canvas slip-on sneakers by Katie Grand Loves Hogan
5 Polka-dot linen shirt by Burberry Prorsum
6 Polka-dot cotton dress by Marni
7 Polka-dot silk bow tie by Saint Laurent
8 Chuck Taylor All Star polka-dot suede sneakers by Converse
9  Polka-dot cashmere and silk-blend scarf by Burberry Prorsum
10 Lilico flower-embellished leather sandals by Sophia Webster

There is also a scent dressed in dots living up to the trend. Insolence, one of Guerlain’s iconic fragrances, is adopting a whirlwind of neon pink polka dots. A true collector’s item for lovers of the fruity floral scent or a great way to rediscover it.

Top notes: Raspberry, red berries, lemon and bergamot
Middle notes: Violet, orange blossom and rose
Base notes: Orris, sandalwood, tonka bean and musk

Insolence – Limited Edition Crazy Touch – Eau de Toilette 50ml bottle, CHF 110.00.
Available from March 1, 2014 on all Guerlain’s authorized points of sale.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the brands

After all those posts from China in my sneakers, I thought that it is time again for some sophistication. Here is the first post about my Firenze4Ever Style Lab for F/W 2013 with Luisaviaroma. Since one of my favourite designers, Fausto Puglisi (click here for a previous post), has taken up the reigns at Emanuel Ungaro last year, I am in love with the collection.

All items can be ordered by clicking on the highlighted text below.

My look: Printed cady single button jacket and matching polka dot draped skirt, both by Emanuel Ungaro, waxed heavy lycra sweatshirt by MSGM, Rockstud black nappa leather bag by Valentino and star studded suede cage sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Tommaso Fontanella