Sandra‘s Closet

It’s not every day that Christian Louboutin takes over an iconic theatre to put on a show. Last night, the fashionable guests arrived at Le Trianon in Montparnasse. They were greeted by crowds of fans that were eagerly waiting for the K-pop stars to arrive for the event.

For last night’s F/W 2024 presentation, Louboutin threw what most people would call the party of a lifetime, the Loubishow. During the champagne reception, I indulged in the new collections on display, from amazingly embellished cowboy boots to denim models. I had also the chance to preview of the revered tradition of the annual cabas series, this year dedicated to Rio de Janeiro. Lots of sparkles and embellishments – exactly what I love!

At around 9.30pm, we were asked to go inside the theatre to enjoy the show. Sitting front row, it was a pleasure witnessing the mesmerizing dance performance happening in sparkly Louboutins. After that we enjoyed the after party. It was an absolutely amazing night.

Monsieur Louboutin on the balcony.

With my dear friend Jani Gerard.

And now time for new season shopping … Don’t forget, Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life. Below you can find my favorite new models for F/W 2024.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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“I never followed what people said was in fashion. I think that women should wear what suits them. So I created a style that fitted my type and my artistic genre.”
– Carmen Miranda

The Portuguese-Brazilian actor and samba singer – and one of the first celebrity fashion designers – died over 60 years ago today. But her legacy remains …

Carmen Miranda’s name has become synonymous with frilly blouses, plastic fruit accessories and extravagant headpieces, items that were always essential to her larger-than-life look. Her influence on fashion had broader consequences too: the colourful aesthetic that made her a hit in Hollywood was controversial back home in Brazil.

Known for her tutti-frutti turban, A Pequena Notável, as she was known in her home country Brazil, or The Brazilian Bombshell, as they called her in the USA, did not just sing and dance. She also created the costumes for her Broadway shows and Hollywood musicals in the 40s and 50s, a period when she was the highest paid studio actress.

Born in Portugal, she moved to Brazil with her family when she was still a child. In 1925, as a sixteen year old in Rio de Janeiro, she discovered she had a talent for making hats and dresses while working in a clothing shop. She began to design and sew her own costumes when in 1930 she started singing professionally. As she was just five foot tall, she was also known for wearing platforms and making them very popular.

Many designers have been inspired by her tropical image over the last years but I truly adore what Dolce & Gabbana has come up with for the S/S 2017 collection:

Appliquéd polka-dot stretch-silk turban by Dolce & Gabbana

This playful turban combines the label’s ‘Mambo‘ and polka-dot inspirations. Modeled after dancer Carmen Miranda’s iconic headpiece, this structured style is made from patterned stretch-silk and topped with flowers and colorful fruit appliqués. The internal brim is lined with a grosgrain ribbon to keep it comfortably in place.

By the way, Carmen Miranda’s original costumes were brought together by her sister in the Museu Carmen Miranda in Rio de Janeiro. A museum that is worth the visit if you love fashion as much as I do. Therefore I adore how Dolce & Gabbana also reinterpreted beautifully the singer’s iconic bow turbans:

Floral-print silk-satin headband by Dolce & Gabbana

This headband is twisted at the front and patterned with pretty pink roses, blue butterflies and the label’s signature. Isn’t it so pretty?

To a tropical weekend…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana, Bettmann/CORBIS and via Vogue Brazil

As promised yesterday, here are the most amazing photos taken during the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The experiences I had were unbelievable and a huge thank you goes to Omega Watches for this amazing trip.

I witnessed history when Usain Bolt ending his Olympic career after his victory in the 4x100m relay which secured his ninth gold medal. That was the only moment it was raining, the rest of the time it was sunny and beautiful. I saw so many amazing winners, enjoyed the beach volleyball finals at night, went to a samba school, did sightseeing and had the best time ever. As pictures sometimes speak more than words, I would like to invite you to indulge in my diary below…

After all these impressions, I am sure you would enjoy this great coffee table book: In The Spirit Of Rio by Bruno Astuto.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Omega Watches and © Sandra Bauknecht

As 2016 is almost going to mark its end, I want to share some of my most impressive moments of the year. One was definitely my trip to Rio de Janeiro for the Olympic Games with Omega Watches in August. Brazil had been on my bucket list for many many years and funnily enough whenever I was supposed to go something tragic happened.

So you can imagine my happiness when I finally flew to this magic and vibrant city that is full of contrasts and great diversity. My favorite sightseeing spot was the Corcovado mountain as the panoramic views from up there are breathtaking and the magic you feel being close to the Christ the Redeemer statue gives you chills. A symbol of Christianity across the world and a cultural icon of both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil, it was constructed between 1922 and 1931 and is listed today as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Watching the sunset, I took an important personal decision that felt all of a sudden very easy and I have not regretted it. 2016 was not the best year for me and I am truly looking forward to 2017!

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post with some stunning shots of Rio de Janeiro.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

During the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, I had the honor to visit the Omega House in Ipanema. It’s just beautiful with different corners to explore the identity of the brand. Located in front of the famous Ipanema beach, I paid a visit to this iconic Brazilian spot. As it’s still quite dangerous, I didn’ t wear any jewelry. Don’t you think that my new dress designed by my friend from Dubai, Nadine Arton, brainchild of Glamonyou, is just perfect for Rio?

My look: Selma short dress by Nadine Arton, Blooms GG Supreme leather-trimmed printed coated-canvas shoulder bag by Gucci, Rockstud kitten heel leather pumps by Valentino and Aviator gold-tone sunglasses by Ray-Ban.

With my host Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of Omega. 

Stay tuned for more coming up from my amazing trip to Rio de Janeiro last week!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Omega and © Sandra Bauknecht
Thank you, Adriana Bavuso, for taking the pictures!

My olympic experience with Omega has been just amazing – a one in a lifetime experience. The brand’s hashtag for the event «RecordingDreams» can be taken literally. From the moment I put my feet on Brazilian ground, I have been constantly exposed to magic moments. I landed on Tuesday morning around 6am, went to the hotel to drop off my luggage and then we started at the Rio Olympic Arena to watch my favorites, the Artistic Gymnastics finals, followed by the fast-paced action of Track Cycling in the Velodrome. The day ended with a special dinner in the hospitality lounge of the arena, followed by drinks at the House of Switzerland.

Decorated with iconic things from our Alpine country, this popular Baixo Suiça meeting place is in a prominent location on the edge of the Lagoa, a popular lagoon in the centre of Rio close to the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. And who would have thought that I end up on a sleigh n Brazil?!

Have fun to see some of my favorite moments of my first day!

Congrats to Simone Biles who finished the Rio Olympic gymnastics competition with a breathtaking floor routine that earned her a fifth Olympic medal. Now, she truly deserves to be called the best female gymnast that ever lived. the silver medal went to team-mate Aly Raisman and bronze to Amy Tinkler of Great Britain.

What a magic moment watching Fabian Hambüchen from my home country Germany winning the gold medal at the horizontal bar finals. The perfect way to end his amazing career!

Yannick Jenni, Omega Brand Manager Swiss Market, with me in the arena.

Fast-paced action inside the Velodrome.

The Rio Olympic Arena during the day…

… and at night.

Late night drinks at the House of Switzerland.

What a wonderful day surrounded by lovely people! Only a few hours of sleep as the alarm clock was set for 6 am in the morning. Ready for the next adventures! Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Omega

Today, I landed in Rio de Janeiro to visit the Olympic Games as guest of Omega Watches. The Swiss brand assumes its role as the Official Timekeeper and is the name behind the clock that is «recording Olympic dreams» when every split second counts.

During the next days, I will be able to follow many athletes who strive for victory in their respective sport fields.

Stay tuned as I will be so happy to share with you this adventure. Here are some first impressions from my room at the newly opened Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Omega and © Sandra Bauknecht