Sandra‘s Closet

Last night, fashion’s most anticipated yearly event (yes, hotter than the Oscar’s), the MET GALA, offered a breathtaking red carpet that I will tell you all about today. It always takes place on the first Monday in May. But if you’re not an industry expert, you might be wondering why on earth there should be so much hype about it. First of all, Anna Wintour is hosting the night along some well-known co-hosts, which are all much-worshiped by the paparazzi: Amal Clooney, Rihanna, and Donatella Versace. But there is more… many stars, models and fashion designers attend the night in showstopping outfits worthy of unforgettable photos.

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, right, designer Donatella Versace, left, and Vogue US Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour  in Rome last February.

It is a huge night for fashion fundraising as it is dedicated to New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute – formally named The Anna Wintour Costume Center, in homage to the American Vogue’s editor-in-chief, who has been a chair member of the museum’s gala since 1995. It also celebrates the opening of the newest exhibition of which its theme sets the tone for the event and invitees have to dress accordingly. Personally speaking, I find this year’s motto extremely interesting, instead of being dedicated to the work of one designer, it is inspired by the dialogue between fashion and the masterworks of religious art: «Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination».

In Anna’s recent «Letter of the Editor» in the May 2018 edition of US Vogue, she writes: «The exhibition itself has been years in the making, and it will be not only the largest Costume Institue show to date but the biggest show ever at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It’s hard to not sound hyperbolic about it, but it is going to be an absolutely magnificent experience – spanning some 26 galleries and including work from the likes of Valentino, Gaultier, and Dolce & Gabbana along with more than 40 extraordinarily opulent liturgical garments and accessories on loan from the Vatican.

For curator Andrew Bolton, it required endless hours of patience dealing with the Vatican, given the labyrinthine way that it operates.»

Central to the conversation will be the papal garb on loan from the Sistine Chapel sacristy, many of which have never been seen outside the Vatican, even in the 1983 Met blockbuster, «The Vatican Collections: The Papacy and Art».

An enduring influence of religion on fashion: for F/W 2010, church elements played a huge role on the catwalks. Have a look at this previous post: The Nun’s Story.

The display of these extraordinary ecclesiastical pieces will highlight the enduring influence of religion and liturgical vestments on fashion. Among the 150 or so ensembles that will be on display are pieces by Cristóbal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, who was educated by nuns, and John Galliano, whose transgressive F/W 2000 Couture collection for Christian Dior opened with a mitred, incense-swinging pope-like figure who proceeded down the runway to a voice intoning: «Understand the concept of love.»

First look of Christian Dior Couture F/W 2000

Fashion is a way to express yourself and by placing clothes within the context of religion, you realize how much power the looks of Christianity have and that fashion has supported the way we feel the Catholic imagination.

Part of the exhibition
Left: Fragment of a floor mosaic with a personification of Ktisis, Byzantine, 500–550, with modern restoration, marble, and glass; right: Ensemble, Dolce & Gabbana, F/W 2013

Me in a Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2013 look: A Byzantine Moment

«Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination» is on view May 10–October 8, 2018. A catalog with photographs by Katerina Jebb will accompany the exhibition.

Below you can enjoy some of my favorite looks of last night.

My personal winner: Blake Lively in Atelier Versace
She needed to arrive in a party bus to have enough space for her amazing gown!

Love this look as well: Jennifer Lopez in Balmain, Jimmy Choo shoes and clutch.

Rare moment: The host of the night, Anna Wintour, caught smiling in Chanel.

Angel of the night: Katy Perry in Versace.

Madonna in Jean Paul Gaultier

Co-host perfection: Rihanna in custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano, Christian Louboutin shoes, Maria Tash jewelry, Cartier jewelry, and a custom Judith Leiber Couture clutch.

Always an eye-catcher: Sarah Jessica Parker in Dolce & Gabbana and Jennifer Fisher.

Heavenly: Anne Hathaway in a stunning red Valentino gown.

Icon: Lily Collins in Givenchy

Cara Delevingne in Dior Haute Couture

Simple and elegant, matching the theme:
Andreea Diaconu in Michael Kors Collection and Chopard jewelry

Beautiful print: Ariana Grande in Vera Wang.

Lana Del Rey and Jared Leto, both in Gucci

Curvy and beautiful: Kate Upton in Zac Posen

Rita Ora in Prada

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in custom Ralph Lauren Collection

So cute: Cardi B shows off her baby bump in Moschino next to designer Jeremy Scott.

Kate Bosworth recreated her bridal look in Oscar de la Renta and Tacori jewelry.

Beautiful in velvet: Priyanka Chopra in Ralph Lauren.

Definitely not the most sexy look, but matching the theme well: Greta Gerwig in The Row.

Stella Maxwell in Moschino and David Yurman

Sexy interpretation: Taylor Hill in Diane von Furstenberg

Best dressed man of the night: Chadwick Boseman in Versace.

I personally didn’t like this look at all, not matching the theme (as a co-host you would expect better) and the cut is not pleasing her beautiful shape: Amal Clooney in Richard Quinn.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Vogue.com, © Sandra Bauknecht, © Melanie Galea, (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
Photos: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harris Brisbane DickFund and Fletcher Fund, 1998; Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, Dodge Fund, and Rogers Fund, 1999 (1998.69; 1999.99) / © Metropolitan Museum of Art; Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana / Image courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Digital Composite Scan by Katerina Jebb, Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Variety/REX/Shutterstock

Happy Easter to all of you! I couldn’t resist my own blog post and went for the Prada bunnies. So cute… I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

My look: Rabbit intarsia jumper, matching cashmere and wool scarf and feather-embellished velvet headband, all by Prada, skinny denim pant with embroidery and shearling-lined leather mules, both by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Easter is in two weeks which is right around the corner. Get ready for the holiday in style with these adorable outfit and gift ideas for any Easter activity you have planned! Whether you are hosting a brunch with friends and family, an egg hunt with the kids, or just chill at home for the holiday with your loved one, I have your wardrobe options covered. Thankfully, this season’s trends complement the Easter spirit perfectly, so no need to feel shy wearing your bunny all year long!

THE FASHIONABLE EASTER BUNNY

1 Embellished intarsia sweater by Gucci
2 Polka dot rabbit T-shirt by Peter Jensen
3 Rabbit intarsia jumper by Prada
4 Rabbit tote by Comme des Garçons Girl
5 Intarsia wool sweater by Gucci
6 Rabbit zip around wallet by MCM
7 Rabbit print wallet by Prada

THE GUCCI EASTER BUNNY

1 Embroidered wool cardigan by Gucci
2 Embroidered denim skirt by Gucci
3 Appliquéd cotton T-shirt by Gucci
4 Appliquéd cotton hoodie by Gucci
5 Embroidered denim jacket by Gucci

THE NAUGHTY EASTER BUNNY

1 Playboy bunny logo sweater by Moschino
2 Bunny gingham leather cross-body bag by Loewe
3 Bunny cap by Bernstock Speirs
4 Embellished swimsuit by Moschino
5 Heidi lace bunny ear headband by Maison Michel
6 Embellished Bugs Bunny sweater by Gucci

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

This season, it’s time to give your silhouette a sultry and unexpected spin, pulling down the sleeves for a shoulder-baring, décolletage-highlighting effect. What we best know from dresses and tops, comes now also for jackets and coats. Time to give the cold-shoulder in style!
To shop, just click on the highlighted text of the respective item below.

1 Cold-shoulder wool and cashmere coat by Prada
2 Could-shoulder wool and silk blazer by Prada
3 Cold-shoulder cotton top by Mugler
4  Cold-shoulder denim jacket by Alexander McQueen
5 Cold-shoulder cardigan by Prada
6 Cold-shoulder cashmere and silk top by Prada

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via mytheresa

«You can’t let someone else lower your self-esteem, because that’s what it is – self-esteem. You need to first love yourself before you have anybody else love you.»
– Winnie Harlow

Today is International Women’s Day (IWD) and we celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of inspirational women such as Winnie Harlow. I admire the Canadian fashion model, spokesperson, and activist who shows us to love ourselves with all our little imperfections.

Role model Winnie Harlow posing naked on her Instagram @winnieharlow

She was diagnosed with vitiligo, the chronic skin condition, characterized by depigmentation of portions of the skin, at the age of four. Harlow was a victim of bullying by other children and was reportedly called a «cow, zebra, and all manner of other disparaging slurs» throughout her childhood. The verbal harassment led to her changing schools numerous times and dropping out of high school, after which she contemplated committing suicide.

Her life changed when Tyra Banks discovered her for the twenty-first cycle of the U.S. television series America’s Next Top Model. Winnie gained easily prominence as a contestant despite her skin condition and finished sixth place. From then, she has worked as a successful model and was the face for several campaigns.

Get her look she wore on the streets of New York City recently: Custom Crystal fox fur coat by M.A Skinz, feather-trimmed embellished printed crepe blouse and cropped chain-trimmed printed crepe straight-leg pants, both from Prada‘s Resort 2018 collection and D’orsay Marlene heels in petal by Roger Vivier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roger Vivier (Photo by Gotham/GC Images), via Winnie Harlow and stills courtesy of the brands

The «ugly-chic» footwear aka pool slide trend is major this S/S 2018 season. I have to admit that I haven’t arrived there yet… I mean I am talking about the plastic slip-ons first made popular by Adidas (in German we called them «Adiletten» and they were a no-go) that are now popular like hell. This season almost every designer has given them an upgrade from embellishments to crystals, from mink to feathers, just get your wallet ready!

LoL (Laughing out Loud literally), Sandra

Daisy appliquéd glittered rubber slides by Marc Jacobs

Crystal-embellished slides by Gucci

Faux leather star slides by Stella McCartney

Bon Bon embellished slides by Aquazurra

Slidy Viv’ calf hair slides by Roger Vivier

Hellea leather slides by Isabel Marant

Velvet slides by Prada

Embossed leather slides by Loewe

Calypso logo-embossed leather slides by Balmain

Joan embellished leather slides by Saint Laurent

Leather slides by Fendi

Pursuit horsebit-detailed perforated rubber slides by Gucci

Checked rubber slides by Burberry

Fur slides by Givenchy

Fur slides by Dolce & Gabbana

Feather slides by Valentino

Jeanne fur slides by Moncler

Cindi fringe slides by UGG Australia

Mink fur slides by Valentino

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

For S/S 2018, Miuccia Prada collaborated with eight female illustrators who depict women in their own way for a collection inspired by comics that I absolutely adore!

Besides the must-have bags and clothes, the designer launches new must-have sneakers for women that will be available at selected Prada stores from end of February 2018. I LOVE!

TO SHOP PRADA ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada

Today, I am flying back from an amazing trip through Yucatán. For the past two weeks, I tried to stay away as much as I could from social media and other work related distractions to recharge my batteries fully. Here you see me at Wasserngrat Restaurant during the ASW Winter Weekend in Gstaad in December. I cannot imagine that I have to get back to winter clothes in a few hours… but I have to admit they look nice as well.

My look: Ski overall with fur embellishments, fur snow boots, and gloves, all by Prada, fur stole by Fendi, Boy bag with chains by Chanel, embroidered sweater by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Framed by Patrick Liotard-Vogt and Canadian Ferrari racecar driver Josh Cartu.

With Wycleaf Jean

Photos: © David Biedert Photography

It’s my intention to astonish you all… and do you know how? By changing my heels into a pair of fantastic sneakers! One of the best trends ever…

Prada‘s white textile Cloudbust trainers feel wholly futuristic (also available in black). The low-top silhouette features a round toe and split sole alongside slender crossover straps, and is detailed with grey, black, white, and pale rose inserts for a clean yet modern finish. I contrasted them against a tailored feather-trimmed dress from the F/W 2017 collection for an on-brand finish last night at the Prada Zurich‘s Christmas cocktail.

My look: Soft pink mink coat with flower intarsia and black satin bag with floral embellishments (both from the S/S 2013 collection), feather-trimmed printed wool and silk-blend dress, earrings, and Cloudbust low-top mesh trainers, all by Prada.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography

In collage: Printed satin-jacquard midi dress by Marni, velvet platform ankle boots by Prada and swimsuit by Eres.

«The Pantone Color of the Year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today.» – Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute.

Each year PANTONE, the global color authority, chooses one Color of the Year, like a snapshot of what we see taking place in our global culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude. For 2018, it is a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade: PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.

Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now. The vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own.

Purple Rain: Prince performing in 1985

Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets.

Ultra violet on the S/S 2018 runways: Gucci – Balenciaga – Moschino

Historically, there has been a mystical or spiritual quality attached to Ultra Violet. The color is often associated with mindfulness practices, which offer a higher ground to those seeking refuge from today’s over-stimulated world. The use of purple-toned lighting in meditation spaces and other gathering places energizes the communities that gather there and inspire connection.

To shop ULTRA VIOLET, have a look at those fantastic pieces and get ahead of the fashion trend:

Belted asymmetric silk-mousseline blouse by Balenciaga

Spandex pumps by Balenciaga

Nail Polish in Ultra Violet (Pantone Collection) by Butter London

Embellished-leaf satin pouch by Attico

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via Pantone