Sandra‘s Closet

As announced in yesterday’s post, today is World Oceans Day, the United Nations day for celebrating the role of the oceans in our everyday life and inspiring action to protect the ocean and sustainably use marine resources. We can all do something for the environment. Even if you are not close to an ocean, you can make an effort to keep your local shores clean. This also works around Lake Zurich. Don’t forget, small acts can make a huge impact.

Today, in honor of this special day, I am wearing a look from Mary Katrantzou‘s beautiful Mary Mare collection. This shell print couldn’t be a better fit.

As the LA MER Blue Heart mission will donate $25 to the LA MER Blue Heart Oceans fund for each public post that will use #LaMerBlueHeart and #LaMerDonation together, I will surely post a picture to Instagram. The power of the sea lives within us all. Therefore I kindly invite you to also share your connection with the Earth’s ocean…

My look: Mary Mare Firenze shell-print linen midi dress by Mary Katrantzou, matching trainers in orange shells by Superga x Mary Katrantzou, Valensole raffia hat by Jacquemus, embellished woven straw tote by Rosie Assoulin, silver necklace with shells by Prada, and cat-eye marbled-acetate sunglasses by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Go Girl! It has been raining now almost over a week and you better be back in boots and shell jackets. This Alexander Wang denim look includes two of the coolest pieces I have in my closet, a very tight denim shirt and those hot pants that are layered to look as though you have a denim jacket tied around your waist.

For my very attentive readers who have been asking me why I am enjoying two different pools. The answer is simple, I am currently in between houses. My fiancé and I are reconstructing our new home and we will be moving in in the end of the year.

Let me know if you would be interested in seeing the interior design process. Dressing myself or a home is something I truly love to do. And our new house will be so amazing.

My look: Belted shell jacket and buckled leather and shell platform boots, both by Prada, textured leather-trimmed denim shirt and tie-front distressed denim shorts, both by Alexander Wang, Boy bag with chains by CHANEL, and plissé sunglasses by Dolce Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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As much as I love fashion, I love medicine. The only reason why I didn’t become a doctor was that I didn’t want to wear a white coat every day and have short nails. I know it sounds superficial but it is true! During my law studies, I took a few semesters of forensic medicine because I was so interested.

Therefore I was absolutely fascinated by The Prada Group‘s latest commitment to support PROTEGGIMI with the aim of exploring the role science plays in contemporary society. This research project dives into male susceptibility to Coronavirus. Clinical data suggest that COVID-19 affects men more seriously than women: San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, supported financially by the Prada Group, will investigate the role played by male sex hormones in this imbalance.

San Raffaele Hospital in Milan

Coming on the back of the «Human doctors, warrior patients» project, a partnership with the Gianni Bonadonna Foundation to develop innovative cancer treatment and research, the initiative not only coincides with a period of global health crisis – researching why the pandemic predominantly affects men – but also reflects Prada’s forward-looking, original research, which seeks to foster dialogue between neuroscience and culture.

Prof. Andrea Salonia

The PROTEGGIMI project, developed by the San Raffaele research hospital in Milan and coordinated by urologist and andrologist Prof. Andrea Salonia, director of the San Raffaele Urological Research Institute and a lecturer at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, will seek to explain the disparity in the impact of COVID-19 on men and women and to assemble a European register of epidemiological data on COVID-19, broken down by sex. The project will also involve various research groups from Italy and across Europe.

According to the latest data, men account for 66% of deaths from COVID-19 in Italy – a percentage that rises as the age bracket gets younger – and they are also more likely to require treatment in intensive care, accounting for 82% of all admissions in the Lombardy region. Sex hormones, and testosterone in particular, could explain this disparity, at least in part.

«It is crucial to be able to examine separate data for men and women», Prof. Salonia explained, «if we are to understand whether testosterone levels are linked to the severity of the illness, and to assess any long-term impacts on the overall health of men who have recovered from the virus. We hope this research will produce its first results in the next few weeks».

Personally speaking, I am really looking forward to seeing the outcome of this research.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Prada

For my birthday, I wore this combination that I truly adore. The way the flowers are attached to the dress and bag is so artful. However, the combination of lace adds this unexpected twist. Looking back at these photos made me realize how much I miss my girlfriends, how much I miss these beautiful and careless lunches we spent together. Let’s hope that we will be soon back to normal.

My Look: Sheer mini cotton-blend cape, flower embellishments lace and cady dress, fiori appliquéd satin tote and red crystal-embellished leather pumps, all by Prada, JUSTE UN CLOU bracelet in rose gold with diamonds, LOVE bracelet in rose gold with 4 diamonds, and LOVE ring with diamonds, all by CARTIER, True diamond ring by Tiffany & Co., Diorette ring and earrings, both by Dior Haute Joaillerie, and Tonda 1950 Galaxy by Parmigiani Fleurier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
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Candy colors I love – we look cute together. Madame de Pompadour and Marie Antoinette would surely agree with me as they are best known for favoring hues such as baby blue and pale pink in particular. Those soft and sweet feminine shades represent a dramatic break with the dark and moody colors often favored in wintertime, which has long given pastels a strong affiliation with the spring and summer months. For me at the moment, they represent a new beginning and the association with holidays and escapism after those quarantine days.

My look: Stagno coat in light blue by Max Mara, single-breasted floral-lace jacket, partial-lined flared lace trousers, and crystal-embellished sunglasses, all by Gucci, white knitted polo shirt by CHANEL, Love 100 pumps by Jimmy Choo, crystal-embellished leather phone case by Prada, GG Running 18-karat white gold diamond ring and GG Running 18-karat white gold diamond double ring, both by Gucci Fine Jewellery.

Follow my rule: «Better wear candy than eat it… !»

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Green is that rare color that means virtually the same thing across the globe. It signifies spring, rebirth, hope and stands for good luck and eco-consciousness.
In my opinion, green means «go», wether you are driving or dressing. It sends a strong message but less aggressive than red. A pair of green heels can elevate every outfit to new heights and is a great addition to every closet.

LoL, Sandra

Purist 105 suede pumps by Aquazzura

Monstera crystal-leaf satin pumps by Nicholas Kirkwood

Hangisi 105 Pumps by Manolo Blahnik

Décolleté 554 85 suede pumps by Christian Louboutin

Gianvito 85 suede pumps by Gianvito Rossi

Green 85 suede pumps by Prada

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
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Raffia bags are the annual stalwarts of summer, but now they have traded up: sleek incarnations now carry the day – not only on the beach but in the boardroom, too.

Below are my favorites, just click on the highlighted description to get yours delivered to your doorstep. A welcome distraction during quarantine times.

LoL, Sandra

GG Marmont large leather-trimmed raffia tote by Gucci

Nolita small leather-trimmed raffia shoulder bag by Saint Laurent

The Rockstud leather-trimmed raffia clutch by Valentino

 Panier small textured leather-trimmed straw tote by Prada

Escape leather-trimmed straw tote by Valentino

Espadrille large fringed raffia tote by Altuzarra

Medium leather-trimmed woven raffia tote by Loewe

The Studio Basket woven raffia tote by Salvatore Ferragamo

Lecky leather-trimmed raffia shoulder bag by Isabel Marant

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands / Net-à-Porter
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If you’re prone to misplacing your AirPods, those designer cases below are ideal – they can be worn as a cross-body bag or can be attached to your key chain or to handbag with an easy snap. Most of them come with an opening at the base to allow easy charging.

LoL, Sandra

Snake AirPods case by Fendi

Textured-leather AirPods case by Saint Laurent

Textured-leather AirPods case by Gucci

Intrecciato leather AirPods case by Bottega Veneta

Floral-print textured-leather AirPods case by Dolce & Gabbana

Textured-leather AirPods case by Prada

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands / Net-à-Porter
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Let’s go and have some fun. Life is too short to wear boring clothes… give me colors, give me style, give me sparkles and I smile…

My look: Asymmetric leather cape by Saint Laurent, Caldes sequined-embellished chiffon and cotton mini dress, Lecce leather belt, and Lakfee studded leather ankle boots, all by Isabel Marant, crystal-embellished leather clutch by Prada, and chain necklace with heart and logo charm by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
Location: Park Hyatt Zurich
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Today, I received the breaking news that Raf Simons will join Prada starting April 2, 2020. Rumors had been out since quite some time and now it is official. The Belgium designer will join the Italian fashion house as co-creative director alongside Miuccia Prada with equal responsibilities for creative input and decision-making. Their first runway presentation together will be for S/S 2021 in September 2020. «It’s a new wind,» said Miuccia Prada and I have to admit that I agree with Tim Blanks who wrote: «I cannot think of anything like this in the history of fashion.»

In 1978, Miuccia Prada inherited the label that was known for luggage making and transformed it into a global fashion brand with her creative designs. Prada has been a true trendsetter for decades, sometimes too fast thinking for the fashion world, she is often a few steps ahead of the game. Her iconic black nylon backpack launched in 1985 caused a real fashion frenzy and has been popular since then. In 1989 she added ready-to-wear to the offerings. Simons, who will continue to design his namesake menswear label, is the first designer from outside the Prada family to join the house since its inception.

Trendsetting: Prada S/S 2012 ad campaign photographed by Steven Meisel

Today at the Prada press conference, Simons announced: “Prada is a brand that I have been interested in my whole life. I cannot wait to express to all of you the dialogue I will have with Mrs Prada and her team. To be really honest, Mr Bertelli approached me right after my exit from Calvin Klein. Miuccia and I had a conversation about creativity in today’s fashion system. And it brought me to open dialogue with many designers, not just Mrs Prada. We have to re-look at how creativity can evolve in today’s fashion system.»

Power couple: Patrizio Bertelli and Miuccia Prada

Simons, who had worked with Prada and her husband Patrizio Bertelli before, when he was hired as creative director of Jil Sander in 2005. Prada had bought the German label and was looking for someone to fill the shoes of the namesake designer at that time. Simons’ seven-year tenure at the brand was an absolute success, and the Prada Group sold it to a London private equity firm in 2006.
Simons later worked at Dior and his latest venture was at Calvin Klein, where he was chief creative officer, and abruptly excited in December 2018.

Presented in Milan last Thursday: Miuccia Prada’s last single show for F/W 2020

Miuccia Prada has still a very strong view on fashion. Yet, it seems hard for her at the moment to translate this into sales. Rumors had been that the family is planning to sell to one of the big conglomerates. With the appointment of Simons, it seems that the Prada family will keep it a family business that also owns Miu Miu and Church’s.

Good luck, Raf!

They will have all my support – I have been collecting Prada pieces since a very young age and have always been very fond of the brand. Good luck to Raf, I am really excited to see what the two creative masterminds will come up with…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada and © Sandra Bauknecht