Sandra‘s Closet

Louis Vuitton invites six new artists to join its Artycapucines collection.

The 2021 Artycapucines Collection sees six more leading contemporary artists bring their unique visions to Louis Vuitton’s timeless and feminine classic: the Capucines bag. The third chapter of Louis Vuitton’s limited-edition, artist-designed Artycapucines Collection is further proof of the bag’s ability to inspire unbridled creativity.

For this latest collection, six internationally acclaimed artists – Gregor Hildebrandt, Donna Huanca, Huang Yuxing, Vik Muniz, Paola Pivi, and Zeng Fanzhi – have transformed the blank canvas of the iconic bag named after Rue Neuve-des-Capucines, the Parisian street on which Louis Vuitton opened his first store in 1854.

After the first two Artycapucines chapters, the six new bags attest to the collection’s ability to blend the beauty and creativity of the artists’ talent with the ingenuity and absolute craftmanship of the House’s skilled artisans: Gregor Hildebrandt’s stunning black-and-white design with its screen-printed leather and LV signature inlaid with vinyl records; Donna Huanca’s precise, powerful and tactile bag with its hand-painted embroidery and piercing rings; the beautifully embroidered and brilliantly coloured fantasy landscape of Huang Yuxing’s Capucines; Vik Muniz’s characteristically joyful design with its effervescent trompe l’oeil effects and playful aesthetic; the complex leather marquetry and rich gold-leaf gilding of Paola Pivi’s creation; and Zeng Fanzhi’s reinterpretation of a Van Gogh self-portrait brought to life with over 700,000 remarkably worked embroidery stitches.

The Artycapucines Collection, which now contains 18 distinctive designs from celebrated artists including Henry Taylor, Beatriz Milhazes, Urs Fischer, Zhao Zhao, Jean-Michel Othoniel, and Tschabalala Self, once again reveals the House’s long-running desire to use its innovative spirit and artisanal expertise to help creative minds bring their ideas to life.

Each bag embodies the House’s unending commitment to savoir-faire and craft, while affirming the Capucines as the ultimate expression of Louis Vuitton’s timeless elegance.

Each bag in the the Artycapucines collection will be available for CHF 7900 in a limited edition of 200 and released in stores worldwide at the end of October 2021.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
DISCLOSURE: This post is NOT sponsored. I am absolutely in love with this collaboration.

A match made in heaven! Maison Ladurée and the Olympia Le-Tan brand have teamed up to create a collector’s edition macaron box and an exclusive collection of two embroidered book clutch bags.

Olympia Le-Tan took inspiration from its famous book clutch bags to design a macaron box shaped like a book with gilt-edge pages encasing a cheerful array of scrumptious Ladurée delights. The Ladurée pastry chefs have created a special citrus Rose Champagne macaron for this occasion.

«Le Buffet Festif» box with a selection of 9 macarons is available at Ladurée from September 8th.

The two limited edition Olympia Le-Tan x Ladurée embroidery book clutch bags will be available only from certain Olympia Le-Tan retailers and online olympialetan.com from September 15th.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Olympia Le-Tan / Ladurée

In recent times, traveling has become something special. We are not taking it for granted anymore. Luxury is a way of life. This GUCCI knows very well, that is why the Italian brand has created a tote bag inspired by different summer hot spots in the world.

Crafted in the style of a retro postcard, each shopper is personalized with colors, trims and a leather tag unique to the location it represents. A bag as unique as the memories of that place and your way of showing where you have been besides your Instagram account. My mantra? Bags speaks louder than photos… haha!

Those shoppers are all exclusive editions, there are only a few pieces available of each model, which can only be purchased, of course, in the destination in which they are inspired. The exclusivity and uniqueness of each bag is aligned with its distinguished design, with beachy and somewhat vintage airs. Just a few models can be purchased on the GUCCI website along with some other limited edition ready-to-wear pieces and shoes as well as on NET-A-PORTER.

Cannes, Capri, Ibiza, Mykonos, Phuket, Miami, Rio de Janeiro, Hawaii, among others, GUCCI’s new tote bag travels the world, embodying the essence of different destinations; one of them, Saint Tropez where I have been spending part of my summer. This is the only model that doesn’t carry the main motif of the design, the name of the destination engraved in gold on leather in the center. The sales person at the GUCCI store in Saint-Tropez explained to me that they didn’t get permission of the city to use it. I found this one the most special beause of the exclusion and also because of the stunning color combination of pink and orange which I love.

Summer has been and always will be that invitation to enjoy the little things: enjoy the rays of the sun that become energy for our spirit or a breeze that refreshes our soul. Now you can carry a bag that was part of a summer that will hopefully always be worth remembering.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

The Constance bag, a great Hermès classic, undergoes a complete transformation for this exceptional limited edition version in silk and leather. The fruit of meticulous and complex assembly work, this refined marriage gives pride of place to the material. This silk is printed with the Orbis design using a unique technique that lends the colors and extraordinary vibrancy.

Marble Silk is the culmination of a veritable treasure hunt. It all started with the discovery, in an archival album of printed fabrics acquired by the House long ago, of fascinating motif whose production technique remained a mystery.

It took several years of research to locate the origins of this technique, invented in the first half of the 20th century in Switzerland, Germany, and France… In the end, however, it was in Japan that Hermès discovered the passionate craftsmen, heirs to know-how their ancestors had acquired in Europe, whom we may thank for the creation of the Marble Silk scarf.

Matching the bag is this exceptional Hermès Carré 90 Marble Silk Robe du Soir.

The process used to make the scarf is unique and entirely artisanal. First, a paste imbibed with different color pigments is prepared. Skilfully worked, cut out, and arranged in patterns, it is used to form the design, like marquetry, on a cylinder. The cylinder is then rolled over the silk to print it. Gradually becoming more refined over the course of the production process, the motif is never exactly the same, making each piece one-of-a-kind.

From this intricate process a rare silk is born, with wonderful whimsical motifs and a wealth of incredibly diverse effects and intense colors, all of which feature on this exceptional bag.

This bag is delicate. Although the silk of the Marble Silk Constance bag (size 24) has been treated to make it more resistant to stains, water (its is showerproof and not waterproof) and marks, it deserves special and attention. To preserve its original beauty, it needs time to rest. It needs to be provided with the best possible preservation conditions; a temperate, dry environment away from light, preferably in its original boy and dust cover.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Rian Davidson © David Biedert Photography / Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise

A bamboo handle tote first presented by the House in 1991 is reimagined by Alessandro Michele in the Gucci Diana. The current iteration is distinguished by removable, neon leather belts—a nod to the functional bands that once came with the original bag to maintain the shape of the handles—the latest expression of the Creative Director’s contemporary approach to archival elements.
Alessandro Michele explores the concept of embodiment in the new line, which is designed to evoke an aesthetic, but also an attitude. At the edge of inspiration, he takes a step beyond in a contemplation on the vast and impactful influence that a person, or perhaps, a persona, has had across generations and cultures.

The Gucci Diana is reflective of a certain era—even its silhouette echoes a moment in which practicality took its rightful place in the wardrobe—but the line maintains its timeless appeal. It represents the notion of style in constant evolution, fitting perfectly into the conventions of sophistication one day and undergoing reinvention the next, speaking to the House’s message of fluidity, freedom, and embracing fashion as a powerful medium of self-expression.

The colour palette is bright, classic and elegant, with the addition of some intriguing, unusual hues. There are seven colours of leather in total across three sizes of bag (medium, small and mini): black, white, a timeless cuir, bright emerald green, striking red, poudre light blue and light rose.

Every Gucci Diana is paired with three matching coloured belts in either fluorescent yellow, pink or orange. Each belt has a functional buckle and features a Gucci script logo in gold metallic film on its outer side. Those who choose a Gucci Diana can also purchase additional leather belts in the three special colours so that they can customise their bags. There is also the option to emboss the leather belts (on the insides) in store with letters and star symbols in a variety of metallic film colours.

The medium Gucci Diana makes an ideal daily bag or working tote on account of its roomy interior and detachable leather shoulder strap. The small size is the perfect everyday bag and also comes with a detachable leather shoulder strap. Finally, the mini bag is a charming everyday companion. The interiors of the leather Gucci Diana bags are lined in beige microfibre.

To add a luxurious dimension, there are versions of the Gucci Diana in precious leathers. A patchwork of multicoloured python creates a graphic model. There are also python styles in black, rock (ecru) and bright emerald green. In crocodile there is a black and a cuir version of the Gucci Diana; and in ostrich it comes in yellow, white, red and bright emerald green.

TO SHOP THE NEW GUCCI DIANA BAGS, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci, Courtesy of Neil Mockford, Getty and BfA
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Unveiled during Louis Vuitton’s F/W 2021 show by Men’s Artistic Director, Virgil Abloh, the Felt Line, features three iconic leather good pieces and reflect the Maison’s ground-breaking approach to circular creativity. Designed using several eco-responsible materials: organic cotton and recycled wool-based jacquard, 100% recycled polyester derived from existing stocks, as well as recycled plastic for the chains.

A Keepall, a Keepall XS and a Soft Trunk — a design created by Virgil Abloh since his very first fashion show for Louis Vuitton; these three staple pieces from the menswear collection showcase Louis Vuitton’s commitment to circular creativity. Moving blankets — functional, protective and on-the-go — were Virgil Abloh’s inspiration for this new adventure, perfectly in line with the sustainability dedication he has shown since joining Louis Vuitton in 2018. A real creative challenge, this holistic approach is embodied in the creation and use of sustainable and responsible materials used for each product in the Felt Line collection.

An innovative textile — the main material of the pieces — was designed using 43% certified organic cotton, the highest standard, and 20% recycled wool. The unpredictable result of this jacquard underscores the uniqueness of each leather good, on which the Monogram pattern appears and disappears thanks to a lurex thread tufting. The global process emerges in every detail of these three light and practical models, as well as in a form of stylistic adaptation. The lining comes from the House’s existing stocks of 100% recycled polyester, which have been upcycled, thus maximising the use of existing materials and limiting production. The chains and corners were produced using 70% recycled plastic with a multi-colour effect reflecting the jacquard’s chromatic aspects. For the straps and handles, an LWG (Leather Working group)-certified leather was selected, the most exacting environmental label for tanning.

Meeting all the quality and durability criteria cherished by Louis Vuitton, the three models of the Felt Line, as well as one piece of ready-to-wear, a long coat, express the choice of a responsible and sustainable sophistication. By celebrating beauty and creativity in everyday life, which is the central theme of the F/W 2021 fashion show, the Felt Line demonstrates the vivacity of Louis Vuitton’s expertise and ingenuity to provide the best response to its clients’ needs as well as the challenges of the contemporary world. All products feature the signature initially conceived by Virgil Abloh, placed on a leather patch from existing stocks. This emblem is the symbol of Louis Vuitton’s sustainable development policy, as by 2025, 100% of its products will be created through eco-conception.

«Our committed journey» is Louis Vuitton’s sustainable development plan, in line with the LIFE360 (LVMH Initiatives For the Environment) plan. Through six lines of action, it aims to preserve natural resources (sustainable supply of materials, contribution to climate protection, circular approach of creativity) and to have a positive impact on society (diversity and inclusion, commitment to local communities, development of know-how).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton

Enter an oasis of colour and vibrancy: MARNI brings its exclusive collection of limited-edition, artisanally crafted home accessories and bags to MATCHESFASHION, and it is sure to bring joy to the everyday, inside and out.

The Italian powerhouse created eclectic roving markets to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2014, instantly making the brand more accessible, and ever since, they’ve been constantly evolving. Now, following pop-ups in Hong Kong, Venice and Tokyo, MARNI MARKET has landed in London for the first time, and this is MATCHESFASHION’s spin on it.

For spring, the MARNI MARKET products offer ideas for decorating interiors and outdoor spaces, or renewing outfits with liveliness and color. Stools—which become coffee tables—cushions, rugs, baskets, trays and bags—many of which can also be used as plant pots—bring the playful soul of MARNI to the stage through unpredictable shapes and materials. The products of the collection feature a design that differs with irony from traditional canons, igniting imagination.

MARNI MARKET GOES AROUND sees the introduction of new hand-woven BASKET BAGS, emblematic designs of the Marni Markets, together with the STRIPE BAGS. With this Marni Market, debut the WOLLY BAGS: winking at the retro-inspired lines of the CROCHET BAGS, they are entirely covered in soft wool. The Market also presents the HAMMOCK BAGS available in a wide range of colored rainbows and in a sophisticated version with floral print, as well as cotton BOAT BAGS, characterized by timeless textures and oval PVC handles.

The MARNI MARKET GOES AROUND collection also includes the BUCKET BAGS and the MOICANA BAGS, entirely made of natural fique fiber, as well as the crochet FISH BAGS inspired by old blankets, available in a sophisticated version with elongated profiles, featuring distinctive prints of the Marni archives.

The Market welcomes a series of new metal and PVC knick knack trays and cake holders, to combine with fruit baskets, vases and magazine racks, made of the same material. The new striped crochet rugs and the HAMMOCK PILLOWS join the furnishing accessories, bringing a touch of joy to moments of relax through their colors.

Each product is one-of-a-kind and is the result of a collaborative venture with Colombian artisans who have been working with Marni for many years. Through MARNI MARKET GOES AROUND, Marni renews its commitment in engaging with local communities, in the attempt to actively preserve artisanal traditions and propel them into the present. All products creatively merge Marni’s aesthetic codes with the language of local traditions, attesting to the Colombian artisans’ visionary perspective in experimenting with materials and colors inspired by the natural world.

TO SHOP MARNI MARKET GOES AROUND PRODUCTS AT MATCHESFASHION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © MARNI, 2nd Picture © MATCHESFASHION /Photo: Jermaine Francis, styling by Chris Hobbs – #MarniMarket
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Another fun and cheeky collaboration from Olympia Le-Tan who joined forces with Portuguese artist and illustrator Rita Gomes a.k.a. Wasted Rita who has been amassing a huge following since starting her blog «Rita Bored» through her self-styled «natural born agent provocateur».

Emotional Iceberg, Girls Just Want to Cum or Sex Toys? Whatever you choose, please, louder for the people in the back!

To shop the collection, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Olympia Le-Tan and © Wasted Rita

In the 1930s, Robert Dumas, son-in-law of Émile Hermès, whom he succeeded at the head of Hermès (1951-1978), created the women’s bag with straps. He designed a trapezoid shape with two triangular gussets, a cutout flap, a handle and two side straps, and with it he brought the house into the era of boldness and modernism.

In the late 1950s, legend has it that Grace Kelly, a Hollywood star turned princess of Monaco, was photographed holding the bag over her stomach to conceal the early signs of her pregnancy.
The bag shot to international fame and was renamed the Kelly.

The Kelly bag comes in different sizes and styles (like the Kelly Pochette or Kelly Ado for example), offering different aesthetics. There is no «right» size or shape. Although right now smaller bags are the rage, the size for you is the size you choose.

Recently, I have added a Kelly Danse to my Hermès collection. Originally released in 2007 by Jean-Paul Gaultier, who was at the helmet of Hermès at that time, Kelly Danse is a more casual and multi-functional version of the iconic Hermès Kelly. Without the top handle, and with a long strap, you can wear it seven different ways: around the waist, as a crossbody bag, a shoulder bag at two different lengths, as a wristlet, a clutch and even as a backpack!

Danse means dance in French. The idea behind its creation was to attract a younger audience: young ladies who like to dance while having their hands free. Kelly Danse was a revolutionary design for the brand. However, it was discontinued in 2013 because the shape was too «advanced» and fashion-forward. Comfortable cross-body bags were not so trendy at that time.

However, as it often happens, after the bag has been discontinued, the bag has quickly turned into a rare collector’s item and was re-introduced in 2019. Known today as the Kelly Danse II, the bag is around 22 cm in length and 17 cm in height. In terms of dimensions, the Kelly Danse II is very similar to its predecessor.

I chose my Kelly Danse II in Verso Blush/Rose Jaipur Evercolor leather (a leather that is very resilient to wear and tear) with silver hardware and love it, as it is without a doubt, the most versatile of all Hermès bags.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: AP, Courtesy of Hermès, © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: This post is not sponsored. I own and love this bag!

Loud, fun, bold, dreamy and even nasty, dive into the world of Ana Hard. The creative designer from Bilbao, Spain, collaborated with Olympia Le-Tan on these four fun bag styles.

«I love details, I think everything is about details», she says. «Small hidden things that have the power to make life more beautiful.»

Personally speaking, I love those clutches – especially the Nasty Women Book Club. So much fun… and all come in limited editions of 77 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Olympia Le-Tan
DISCLOSURE: This post is not sponsored. I am just loving it!