At Centre Court in Wimbledon

Last week, before leaving to Johannesburg in the evening, I attended The Championships at Wimbledon for the first time as guest of Ralph Lauren x Net-à-Porter.

At Centre Court, British heritage takes a global stage – from the freshly cut grass, strawberries and cream, and morning garden parties to the polished spectator style. As the Official Outfitter of The Championships at Wimbledon since 2006, Ralph Lauren has proudly celebrated the tournament’s rich traditions in sportsmanship and elegance.  The American fashion house is providing uniforms for on-court officials as well as stylish, yet functional, pieces that embody the prestigious and sophisticated atmosphere of the tournament.

I was invited to the Ralph Lauren suite that is elegantly furnished and beautifully decorated. Here I enjoyed lunch and drinks before heading to the game.

Here’s a glimpse into the unique fashion culture of Wimbledon:

Traditional Dress Code
Players: Wimbledon is known for its strict all-white dress code for players, which dates back to the 1800s. At the time in Victorian England, sweat stains were seen as improper and unacceptable, and white would mask the stains the best out of every colored clothing. Once the rule was drawn up, Wimbledon has decided to keep the all-white dress code a tradition throughout the years, meaning that any visible clothing, including undergarments, must be white or almost white.
Spectators: While there’s no official dress code for spectators, the event often attracts a chic, garden-party look with summer dresses, blazers, and hats being common choices.

Celebrities and Royalty
Celebrity Sightings: The event attracts celebrities from various fields, including actors, musicians, and other sports stars, often dressed in stylish, sophisticated outfits.
Royalty: Members of the British royal family, especially Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, was frequently seen at Wimbledon before her illness. Kate is known for her impeccable fashion sense, often opting for elegant dresses that respect the tournament’s refined atmosphere. My seat was next to the royal box where I spotted her parents front row.

Experience and Atmosphere
Strawberries and Cream: A quintessential Wimbledon experience includes enjoying strawberries and cream, served in the grounds, adding to the genteel, summery feel of the event.
Pimm’s and Champagne: These are popular beverages at Wimbledon, contributing to the festive and high-society atmosphere.
The Grounds: The carefully manicured lawns and flower arrangements provide a beautiful backdrop, enhancing the overall experience and making it a picturesque setting for both tennis and fashion enthusiasts.

Iconic Fashion Moments
Roger Federer and Serena Williams: Known for their stylish takes on the all-white rule, Federer’s sleek Nike outfits and Williams’ elegant and sometimes bold tennis dresses have left a mark on Wimbledon’s fashion history.
Anna Wintour: The US Vogue editor-in-chief is a regular at Wimbledon, often seen in the stands wearing stylish summer attire that combines elegance with comfort.

Wimbledon seamlessly blends the worlds of sport and fashion, making it a unique and stylish experience for both players and spectators. The tournament is taking place from July 1-14, 2024.

A big thank you to Iona Miller and her team at Net-à-Porter for this amazing day in Wimbledon!

The Ralph Lauren style tradition pays tribute to the timeless sophistication of tennis.
YOU CAN SHOP THE POLO RALPH LAUREN WIMBLEDON COLLECTION HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Getty
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Met Gala 2021

The Met Gala is typically held on the first Monday in May, but this year, the event was postponed due to COVID-19 and falls right in the middle of fashion month. As Iris Apfel once said: «When we were small children, we all played dress-up and everybody had a good time, so why stop?». This is how Met Gala is for me, a huge party for everyone who loves to dress up and has never stop to indulge in fashion.

Ensemble, Christopher John Rogers (American, born 1993), F/W 2020; Courtesy Christopher John Rogers. Photo: HAPPYMONDAY / Courtesy of the Costume Institute

Also referred to as «fashion’s biggest night out,» the Met Gala is a fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This year, the Costume Institute will host its first two-part exhibition, on the theme of American fashion, during 2021 and 2022. Part one, «In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,» will open in the Anna Wintour Costume Center on September 18, 2021, and will remain on display when «In America: An Anthology of Fashion,» opens on May 5, 2022 in the period rooms of the American Wing. Both shows will run through September 5, 2022.

Below, you will find my personal selection of outfits, that I loved or didn’t like and hope you will enjoy it.

LoL, Sandra

Fashion that makes us dream – my favorite look of the gala: Iman in Harris Reed

Cracking the codes: Kim Kardashian in Balenciaga

Rihanna in Balenciaga Couture and Maria Tash jewelry and A$AP Rocky in ERL

Wild West: Jennifer Lopez in Ralph Lauren

Fitting the American theme of the upcoming exhibitions perfectly: Helen Lasichanh and Pharrell Williams in CHANEL

Sporting the American flag: Debbie Harry in and with Zac Posen

Trio infernal with an American «Statue of Liberty» touch: Sienna Miller in Gucci, Hamish Bowles in Thom Browne, and Emily Blunt in Miu Miu

Feathers were also a trending theme: Serena Williams in Gucci

One of my favorites last night: Zoë Kravitz in Saint Laurent

And another one of my favorite looks: Kendall Jenner in Givenchy

Julia Garner in Stella McCartney

Hailee Steinfeld in Iris Van Herpen

Donatella Versace in Versace

Whoopi Goldberg, Pierpaolo Piccioli and Carey Mulligan in Valentino

Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello in Michael Kors Collection

Literally eye-catching: Hunter Schafer in Prada

Gigi Hadid in Prada

A great look, but somehow not for her: Diane Kruger in Prabal Gurung and Jimmy Choo shoes

Beautiful: Emily Ratajkowski in Vera Wang

Mmh… definitely not my favorite look: Vera Wang in Vera Wang

Playing dress-up: Erykah Badu in Thom Browne

Making a statement: Cara Delevingne in Christian Dior

Flowers were a huge theme: Lili Reinhart in Christian Siriano

LOVE: Irina Shayk in Moschino

YouTuber Nikkie Tutorials (Nikkie de Jager), who came out as transgender last year, paid homage to activist and drag queen Marsha P. Johnson with this «pay it no mind» sash.

Anna Wintour wore a floral Oscar de la Renta gown.

Stunning in Oscar de la RentaKarlie Kloss and designer Wes Gordon

Billie Eilish in Oscar de la Renta. Her bombshell gown symbolizes her activism for animal rights. According to The New York Times, she agreed to work with Oscar de la Renta on the condition that the designers would no longer use fur in their pieces.

Dan Levy in Loewe

Designer Virgil Abloh in Off-White

And here comes the golden king in his amazing outfit that revealed different layers: Lil Nas X in Versace

Photos: via Vogue.com

OPI Hollywood

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, OPI returns to its birthplace with the Hollywood Collection! Featuring 12 red carpet-ready colors in four different formulas, the Hollywood Collection celebrates «then» with a nod to vintage Hollywood glamour and «now» with the season’s most trendsetting colors. High-intensity, deeply saturated reds and pinks evoke classic Hollywood style, while sporty blues offer a trendforward palette. Refreshing, subdued hues of pale lemon, slate blue, bubblegum pink, and kelly green radiate positive energy. Warm neutrals in cream, terracotta, and mauve shades provide natural elegance.

OPI first made its big screen debut in 2001 with product placement in the iconic movie, Legally Blonde. From here, OPI became the first nail care brand to collaborate with films, going on to work with productions ranging from Alice in Wonderland to Fifty Shades of Grey. Working with movie studios provided a natural segue into working with celebrity brand ambassadors, a trend OPI pioneered. Having collaborated with actors, musicians, and athletes including Katy Perry, Kerry Washington, Serena Williams, and so many more, OPI’s out-of-the-box partnerships cemented the brand’s position in pop culture.

«Over the past 40 years, we’ve taken women on a wonderful tour around the world with our destination collections. Now, to mark our anniversary, we’re headed home to the homestate of OPI, with the first stop being Hollywood,» remarks OPI Co-Founder and Brand Ambassador Suzi Weiss-Fischmann.

«We’re introducing a beautiful mix of neutrals paired with pops of color,» adds OPI Global Director of Color Collections Jill Bartoshevich. “This collection really brings together diva extravagance and old school glamour. We’ve reinterpreted classic styles and given them a new twist, which is epitomized with the launch of I’m Really an Actress, an updated version of the iconic bestseller I’m Not Really a Waitress.”

«In Los Angeles, ‘I’m not really a waitress – I’m an actress (or singer/model/artist)!’ is a well-known mantra,» remarks Weiss-Fischmann. «The name exemplifies that we’re more than just our job. It speaks to anyone laboring for a dream, offering a reminder that our goals are worth pursuing. With the shimmery red ‘I’m Really an Actress’, we’re giving a nod to today’s self-empowered woman who is not just working for her dream, but living it

All 12 of the Hollywood Collection shades will be available in GelColor, Infinite Shine, Nail Lacquer and Powder Perfection* (select shades) formulas, including:

Suzi Calls the Paparazzi*
A pop of pretty persimmon pink to hit the tabloids and create nail fashion frenzy.
I’m an Extra
Extra special that is! OPI brings us extra-ordinary passionate pink to please any nail palette.
Movie Buff*
OPI is on the big screen! Featuring a provocative kiss of color that will make nails blush.
Hollywood & Vibe
Your nails will stop traffic. A vibe-rant combo of ravishing pink roses and lilacs.

Bee-hind the Scenes
Special props to a sunshine yellow sure to brighten any movie or manicure set.
Destined to be a Legend*
Ready for your close-up? This brilliant blue makes your nails the stars that legends are made of.
Rated Pea-G
Approved by all audiences, OPI premieres a glamorous green gleam of color. Get in line!
Oh You Sing, Dance, Act and Produce?*
OPI fans want it all! Enjoy a blockbuster blue that never skips a beat.

Award for Best Nails goes to…*
Nails sparkle with winning color to capture the essence of legendary Hollywood.
I’m Really an Actress*
Got a plum part! My nails will star in OPI’s newest, hottest Hollywood Collection. My role? I’m Not
Really a Waitress.
15 Minutes of Flame
A lush and luminous fuschia that makes nails famous forever, not minutes!
Emmy, have you seen Oscar?
The hunt for the perfect red ends as OPI rolls out the red carpet.

GelColor provides a salon-perfect finish with up to three-week wear, while Infinite Shine offers a highshine finish and traditional lacquer application. Nail Lacquer features a highly-pigmented, rich formula for even application without streaking.

Launch in Switzerland: February 15th, 2021.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © OPI #OPIHollywood

Make-up, Tea and L.A. Dar(jee)lings

Tea Time

The house I am renting in Beverly Hills is in a pretty fancy neighbourhood with Russell Crowe living just around the corner in Tom Cruise`s former mansion. No wonder, Christopher Bailey, Burberry chief creative officer, chose the area above Sunset to host an English tea party with L.A. dar(jee)lings such as Rachel Zoe, Lake Bell, Serena Williams and Kate Bosworth to promote his new make-up line.

Between cucumber sandwiches and little tarts, Kate Bosworth looked the most tasty in her sophisticated nude lace dress by (what a surprise) Burberry Prorsum. I loved how she gave her elegant look an edgy twist with that cool leather belt. This dress takes fall`s lace trend to new heights, available at matches and mytheresa for approximately £1895.-/ $3070.-/ €2395.-.

Have I whetted your appetite?

LoL, Sandra