Sandra‘s Closet

Some pieces are simply too special to be worn only once. This Oscar de la Renta dress is one of them. I first wore it four years ago during Paris Fashion Week, for a special occasion hosted by Dr. Barbara Sturm.

With Dr. Barbara Sturm at Kaviar Caspia in Paris in 2021 wearing the dress for the first time.

Last week, I was wearing it again in a very different setting in front of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree at the National Palace in Santo Domingo on the occasion of Oscar de la Renta’s 60th anniversary.

Christmas tree camouflaging.
So perfectly decorated that I almost disappear into it.

The dress remains the same. I only changed the shoes and the earrings. And yet, it feels completely new.

My look in Paris: Open-back appliquéd tulle mini dress by Oscar de la Renta, vintage dark green stingray leather clutch, and platform sandals, both by Alaïa, oversized gold-tone, leather, crystal and faux pearl clip earrings by Dolce & Gabbana.

My look in Santo Domingo: Open-back appliquéd tulle mini dress and dark green long beaded tassel earrings, both by Oscar de la Renta, vintage dark green stingray leather clutch by Alaïa, and Jodie rose-embellished white leather platform sandals by Saint Laurent.

With its iconic three-dimensional floral appliqués, a design made iconic by Taylor Swift, this gown is an absolute dream piece. And when you are lucky enough to own something this special, you should wear it again and again. Because every time you do, it feels like a Christmas gift all over again: familiar, yet still magical.

These images below were taken in Paris, but over the coming days I’ll also be sharing what I experienced with Oscar de la Renta in Santo Domingo. This is just the beginning. Merry Christmas and stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Nadia Krawiecka
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If you are a mum of a twenty year old, you will surely have spent a lot of time listening to Taylor Swift songs. And you will know exactly what it means to get Taylor Swift’s concert tickets, with people starting queuing at various outlets days before the sale officially started. Those so-called Swifties will be proud now as Taylor Swift is TIME’s 2023 Person of the Year!

Swift’s accomplishments as an artist – culturally, critically, and commercially – are so legion that to recount them seems almost beside the point. As a pop star, she sits in rarefied company, alongside Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Madonna; as a songwriter, she has been compared to Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, and Joni Mitchell. As a businesswoman, she has built an empire worth, by some estimates, over $1 billion. And as a celebrity – who by dint of being a woman is scrutinized for everything from whom she dates to what she wears – she has long commanded constant attention and knows how to use it. But this year, something shifted. To discuss her movements felt like discussing politics or the weather – a language spoken so widely it needed no context. She became the main character of the world.

Taylor Swift has been named TIME’s 2023 Person of the Year, making second appearance on a Person of the Year cover since the franchise’s inception in 1927. Swift, who had previously been honored as one of the «Silence Breakers» in 2017, joins the list of several U.S. presidents and world leaders as a repeat designee. Swift, at 33, boasts an unparalleled litany of records and honors, culminating in a smashing Eras tour and hitting billionaire status. In the interview with TIME where she expressed being the «proudest and happiest she’s ever felt,» Swift, recognized for spinning her story into a global legend, credited her recent creative freedom for her success.

If you’re skeptical, consider it: How many conversations did you have about Taylor Swift this year? How many times did you see a photo of her while scrolling on your phone? Were you one of the people who made a pilgrimage to a city where she played? Did you buy a ticket to her concert film? Did you double-tap an Instagram post, or laugh at a tweet, or click on a headline about her? Did you find yourself humming «Cruel Summer» while waiting in line at the grocery store? Did a friend confess that they watched clips of the Eras Tour night after night on TikTok? Or did you?

Swift’s undeniable impact is reflected in societal shifts; her romance with NFL star Travis Kelce spurred millions of her followers into football fandom, while her call to voting action triggered thousands to register. However, beyond her stardom, it is her personal touch with fans that resonates most, encapsulated in her sentiment about holding up a mirror to her life to help others better see themselves. Swift’s authentic self-expression and triumphant creative journey were showcased in not one, but three unique covers of TIME magazine. In a display of her candid nature, one cover starred the pop superstar with her beloved cat Benjamin Button, revealing the intimate bond between the artist and her pet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Inez and Vinoodh for TIME
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

To support the release of her new album «Lover,» out this week on August 23, 2019 Taylor Swift announced that she’s working with British fashion designer Stella McCartney on a special—and sustainable—fashion collaboration, featuring organic fabrics, leather made from recycled polyester and vegetable waste oils, and even a reusable water bottle.

«She’s been a friend for a really long time, and also just a woman I respect so much,» Swift said of McCartney during an Instagram Live. The collection is inspired by the songs on the album, and is including a bomber jacket, purse, and many tees in all sorts of amazing pastel hues and tie-dyes. You don’t need to be a teenager to like those pieces…

Tune in to Taylor’s YouTube channel at 5pm EST on August 22, 2019 to see Stella and Taylor reveal more about their creative process.

The collection will be available in a special pop-up store in New York City called «The Lover Experience» that will take place between August 23-25, 2019 and online here. It seems to be the only place fans will be able to purchase the limited edition tees (at least for now). The jacket and purse, however, will also be available on Stella McCartney’s website starting the night of August 22, 2019.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Stella McCartney
via Instagram @taylorswift @stellamccartney #StellaxTaylorSwift

WELCOME TO NOW
It’s a new era at Tommy Hilfiger.
We’re breaking the old-school rules of the runway and giving instant access to our Fall
2016 Hilfiger Collection and the new TOMMYXGIGI capsule. These are our greatest
hits, remixed and restyled for the digital age and shoppable the moment the lights go up.
We look to the classic codes of our 30-year arsenal––nautical, sport, rock-n-roll,
Americana––and give everything a modern day swagger. We’ve played with proportions
and fabrics, making signature details pop. It’s nautical meets street; inspired by Gigi
Hadid and designed to be worn as you like it.
This is the show I’ve always wanted to present. A true democratization of fashion, so
get on board––this is #TommyNow. – Tommy Hilfiger

Such as Tom Ford, who presented his first-ever in season fashion show for F/W 2016 this week in NYC, Tommy Hilfiger is living the «now» moment with #TOMMYNOW. As I told you earlier this week, «see now, buy now» is in full effect and digital becomes more important than ever.

And Hilfiger, the «American Dreamer», has set the bar high for any future fashion events with a set design that was truly outstanding including a 40-foot ferris wheel, a public carnival, food, games and of course his new muse Gigi Hadid that has launched her capsule collection with the brand simultaneously. Tommy Hilfiger’s runway shows had always been amazing but this one was absolutely special. The show was live-streamed and immediately shoppable on Tommy.com. In addition, all Tommy Hilfiger retailers and locations across the globe have now everything available for purchase.

Explore the collection that offers everything Tommy Hilfiger stands for, the famous «classic American cool» style and the amazing set design below.

TO SHOP THE #TOMMYNOW RUNWAY COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

YOU CAN SHOP THE COLLECTION ALSO ON MYTHERESA.COM.

LoL, Sandra

Look 1 -Gigi Hadid

Look 10 – Sara Sampaio

Look 20  – Frederrike Falbe-Hansen

Look 23 – Hailey Baldwin

Look 32 – Fei Fei Sun

Look 33 –  Paulina Frankowska

Look 36 (final look) – Gigi Hadid

Famous front row: Taylor Swift

Photos: Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger

On Wednesday, Taylor Swift was shaking it off in style when the famous singer headed out in NY in a bright yellow two-piece by Lovers + Friends combined with the new must-have Lady Bag from Miu Miu’s F/W 2016 collection. She is great in mixing designer pieces with affordable fashion items and this bag is truly a stunner.

Get the look: Net bomber jacket by Alexander Wang, Coastline top and matching Contessa skirt, both by Lovers + Friends, Madras embellished textured-leather shoulder bag by Miu Miu and Balcone sandals by M.Gemi.
On her lips: K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick – Velvet Underground by Charlotte Tilbury.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

The 57th Annual Grammy Awards were held last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Rapper LL Cool J hosted the show for the fourth consecutive time. In all, 83 Grammy Awards were presented, one more than in 2014.

Sam Smith accepts the Best New Artist award from singer Taylor Swift onstage

Sam Smith was the big winner at the 2015 Grammys, taking home four awards for best new artist, best pop vocal album, record of the year and song of the year. In an upset, Beck took home album of the year for Morning Phase, beating out Beyonce’s Beyonce.

But what interests us most are the best dressed winners and of course the worst as well. Enjoy, from a dreamy Giambattista Valli frock on Rihanna to Taylor Swift’s sexy Elie Saab gown, most of the celebs hit all the right notes on the music industry’s biggest night.

Rihanna in Giambattista Valli Couture

Taylor Swift in Elie Saab

Beyoncé in Proenza Schouler

Nicki Menaj in Tom Ford

Rita Ora in Prada

Ariana Grande in Atelier Versace (one of my favorite looks)

Awkward moment: Miley Cyrus in Alexandre Vauthier grabs Katy Perry’s boob who wore Zuhair Murad

Weird boob situation: Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell

Kiss of the night: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian in Jean Paul Gaultier Couture

Also in love: Nicole Kidman in Thierry Mugler Pre-fall 2015 with her husband Keith Urban

Ageless beauty: Jane Fonda in Balmain Pre-fall 2015

Looking cute: Charli XCX in Moschino…

… but how cute is her doggy?!

And last but not least: Queen M Madonna in Givenchy Couture…

… who still knows the best how to seek attention in the right moment.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images, Valerie Macon/Getty Images, Reuters, Wireimages

Last Sunday evening, the 2014 Golden Globe Awards were held in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton. American Hustle was responsible for the most wins (three, including best movie in the comedy/musical category); other multiple-category winners were Dallas Buyers Club, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Breaking Bad and Behind the Candelabra. But of course, we all might be even more interested in the gowns spotted on the red carpet.

One of my favorite looks was worn by Sandra Bullock. The brunette actress went for a bright gown, sporting a striking pink, black and blue Prabal Gurung dress teamed with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry with her hair pulled into a side ponytail.

YOU CAN ORDER SANDRA BULLOCK’S COLOURFUL DOUBLEFACE SATIN V-NECK GOWN HERE.

Fellow nominee Cate Blanchett took home the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her role in Blue Jasmine and striked a pose in amazing lace backless Armani Privé couture gown. Personally speaking, this is how a winner should look like!

Her makeup was done by Jeanine Lobell who used NARS Love Blush from the Final Cut Collection along with Eyebrow Perfector and Brow Gel.

NARS Final Cut Collection for Spring 2014 (coming out in February).

Bringing world class sustainable luxury centre stage, the blonde actress paired her couture gown with a pair of earrings from Chopard’s Green Carpet Collection, featuring marquise-cut white diamonds (11 carats) set in a laurel design, crafted in 18-carat Fairmined white gold. She also selected a white diamond line bracelet (35 carats) set in platinum, and a white diamond ring featuring three stacked rows of brilliant-cut diamonds (6 carats) set in 18-carat white gold.

Founder of the Green Carpet Challenge (GCC), Livia Firth says, ‘Cate Blanchet is both a fashion icon and a woman with an intuitive grasp of the issues that matter. By choosing to wear Chopard jewels for the Golden Globes, she is supporting a profound and dynamic shift toward sustainable luxury that affects change right at the beginning of the supply chain among artisanal miners.’ If you like to find out more about the dynamic project, please click here for a previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Steve Granitz/WireImage – © Jason Merritt/Getty Images – © Getty – Courtesy of Nars

At the moment I am in London where I met the lovely dynamic designer duo Kaufmanfranco at the net-à-porter offices yesterday. The New York label’s signature is dazzling evening wear that’s delicately embellished, plus modern day wear with an urban twist.

Isaac Franco to the left and Ken Kaufman to the right with me

Their sleek American style have landed them a stockpile of fans in every age group, spanning Taylor Swift to Jennifer Aniston. Calling themselves “the New Sensualists”, their designs are pure sophistication.

Taylor Swift and Jennifer Aniston in Kaufmanfranco (Photos: Getty Images)

It was lovely talking to the charismatic designer duo who answered openly my questions.

Ken Kaufman and Isaac Franco met over 25 years ago. FIT-alumni Ken offered Isaac his first job who at that time had just finished his studies at Parsons School of Design. Since then, the two have been working constantly together for the likes of Valentino or Emanuel Ungaro, just to name a few. In 2004, they decided to launch their own label.

You two seem like yin and yang, same vision, different approach but complementing each other perfectly. Who designs which part of the collection?

Me, Isaac, I take care in general of the day wear styles and Ken is more into eveningwear.

How can I imagine your creative process?

Each of us designs and does sketches that we present each other. We then sometimes change what the other came up with which makes our designs better and special.

Whom would you like to dress? This could be also a person in history.

I think Madonna. But I have recently been asked whom I would like to invite for dinner and I thought Moses and Madonna would make a great combination at the dinner table.

Why don’t you do a runway show?

We are still a small label and prefer putting all the money into the clothes.

Last night, I got a wonderful preview of the Kaufmanfranco F/W 2012 collection that is full of sophisticated cocktail looks and all the fall coats and dresses you need. The colours are dark, from black to silver and rust. The materials are luxurious with lots of embellished pieces, Kaufmanfranco’s signature style. Enjoy the photos that I took for you:

If I have whetted your appetite for some Kaufmanfranco shopping, I would like to invite you to explore their S/S 2012 collection which is in stores now by clicking here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Kaufmanfranco and © Sandra Bauknecht