Sandra‘s Closet

May 1st is not just a date on the calendar. In France, it is la Fête du Muguet, a centuries-old tradition of gifting lily of the valley to those you love as a token of luck and happiness. The custom is said to trace back to 1561, when King Charles IX received a sprig of the delicate, bell-shaped white flowers and, enchanted, decided to offer them to every lady of his court each spring. The tradition has never really stopped since.

For Christian Dior, the muguet was nothing short of a religion. He was never without a sprig in his buttonhole, his florist grew lily of the valley year-round in a specially heated greenhouse just to ensure that. He also kept some in a finely-wrought box in his pocket, and during preparations for his fashion shows, he would ask his petites mains to sew sprigs into the hem of a sleeve or a dress. A man who understood that good luck, like good style, requires daily commitment.

Anouk and I with Carlos Bueno, General Manager at Raffles Boston, a hotel I can highly recommend.

So what better flower to wear on a day like this? My dress and jacket are embellished with lily of the valley, which felt entirely right, not just seasonally, but spiritually. We were celebrating Anouk’s graduation, and if ever a moment called for a little extra luck and a lot of elegance, this was it.

The evening unfolded in the only way it should: drinks at the Raffles, my favorite hotel in the city, followed by dinner at the French restaurant Bistro du Midi where the night gently dissolved into laughter, good wine, and the kind of conversation that makes you feel like time is standing still in the very best way.

The Long Bar & Terrace is amazing place to enjoy drinks before dinner …

… with spectacular views over the Boston skyline during sunset. I recommend the Boston Sling.

Graduation dinner at Bistro du Midi, that has the best bouillabaisse.

And my bag? A frog. A little sculptural frog clutch that caused more commentary than any It-bag ever has. Let me be clear: this is the only frog I kiss. Because when you’ve spent enough time in fashion, you learn quickly, better a frog bag than the wrong prince.

Bonne chance à tous. And to Anouk, the luckiest thing about this day was you.

My look: Addison bow jacket, and Velia floral appliqué bandeau minidress, both by Alice + Olivia, silver-tone crystal necklace, and heart shaped earrings with pearls, both by Alessandra Rich, Aevitas leather platform boots in black by Versace, floral tights by Calzedonia, and frog resin clutch by JW Anderson.

LoL, Sandra

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

A Proud Parent’s Letter to the World
She Did It – A Master’s Degree from Northeastern
Bouvé College of Health Sciences · Boston, Massachusetts

There are moments in a parent’s life that stop time. Not dramatically, no fanfare, no slow motion, just a quiet, overwhelming wave of pride that rises from somewhere deep and settles over everything. This week, I had one of those moments. More than once, actually.

My daughter has earned her Master’s degree from Northeastern University in Boston. And if you’ve never had the privilege of witnessing a Northeastern graduation ceremony, let me tell you: it is something else entirely. Northeastern doesn’t just hand you a diploma. They celebrate you, with performances, powerful speeches, and a sense of ceremony that makes the whole thing feel genuinely historic.

Tuesday: The Moment Her Name Was Called
The college-specific ceremony at Bouvé was held outside by the water. The sky was blue and clear, beautiful, if brutally cold. We sat bundled up, scanning the rows of graduates, waiting. And then it happened: her name, read aloud, ringing out across the crowd. She walked up, accepted her diploma, and that was it. Everything all those years of work had been building toward, right there in thirty seconds of pure joy. I won’t pretend I kept it together.

There’s something uniquely powerful about the smaller college ceremony. It’s intimate. Personal. Every single graduate is called by name, acknowledged as an individual, not just one face in a sea of thousands.

Wednesday: Fenway Park and a Storm That Didn’t Stop Anyone
The big ceremony, the full university convocation, was held the following day at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. All Master’s students, all doctoral candidates, the entire Northeastern family gathered in one iconic stadium.
It rained. Of course it rained, because apparently this is now our tradition. At her undergraduate graduation, we also sat in the cold and the wet and laughed through it.

Wednesday was no different. The clouds rolled in, the temperature dropped, and not a single person left. Nobody even flinched. A stadium full of graduates, families, faculty – all of them choosing to be exactly where they were, rain and all. There’s something quietly magnificent about that.

«Whatever you envision, remember the three lessons you taught me. Luck is a skill. Imagination beats computation and humanity is your superpower.» – Joseph E. Aoun, President of Northeastern University

Global superstar Hilary Duff, who was Northeastern’s undergraduate commencement speaker with Joseph E. Aoun. Photo via @presidentaoun.

The performances were exceptional. The speeches were sharp, funny, and genuinely moving. The energy inside Fenway gave the whole event a gravitas that a conventional auditorium simply cannot manufacture.

What It Means
Studying in the United States, earning an American university degree, it demands so much more than academic ability. It demands courage, adaptability, resilience. A different language, a different culture, an ocean between you and home. She navigated all of it and came out the other side holding a Master’s diploma from one of the country’s most respected institutions.

I am incredibly proud. Not just of the degree, but of the person she has become through the pursuit of it. Whatever comes next, this is a foundation she will carry forever. And I cannot wait to see where she goes.

Congratulations, to my daughter, the Master. May every chapter ahead be as bold as this one.
Written with love, pride, and slightly frozen fingers somewhere outside Fenway.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

LoL, Sandra

Even Cooper, the campus dog, dressed up for the occasion.

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

More than a new face for BLEU DE CHANEL, Jacob Elordi has established himself as one of the most compelling actors of his generation. He first broke through in Euphoria, where he played Nate Jacobs, a complex and unsettling character that brought him international attention. In 2023, Elordi appeared in Saltburn, directed by Emerald Fennell, and portrayed Elvis Presley in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla.

He has since successfully taken on a series of transformative roles. Elordi starred in the awardwinning limited series The Narrow Road to the Deep North directed by Justin Kurzel. Elordi plays the Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, a performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He also stars as Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s reimagining of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights opposite Margot Robbie. Robbie previously appeared in See You at 5 (2024), a romantic film by Luca Guadagnino created for the global campaign of the iconic N°5 fragrance.

Now, Elordi becomes the face of BLEU DE CHANEL for 2026. A role that reflects a modern, instinctive masculinity and a spirit that favors individuality over convention.

The new BLEU DE CHANEL L’EXCLUSIF campaign featuring Jacob Elordi will be unveiled in May 2026.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. @CHANEL.BEAUTY #BleuDeCHANEL #CHANELFragrance #JacobElordi

This week, I had the absolute pleasure of being invited to the Zimmermann boutique here in Zurich for an exclusive event celebrating their new collection and it was nothing short of magical.

The boutique was alive with beautiful cocktails, wonderful conversations, and enchanting musical performances that set the most perfect atmosphere. It was one of those rare evenings where everything just felt at ease, the people, the energy, the setting, and of course, the clothes.

(If you like my Zimmermann look, click here for the details).

Zimmermann needs little introduction for those who follow fashion. Founded in Sydney in 1991 by sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann, the Australian label has grown into one of the world’s most beloved luxury brands. Known for their dreamy femininity, intricate craftsmanship, and that signature blend of romance and ease, Zimmermann has a way of making every piece feel like it was made just for you. Their designs draw heavily on delicate prints, flowing silhouettes, lace detailing, and an almost poetic sense of movement, clothes that feel as beautiful to wear as they look.

I have to confess: Zimmermann is one of my absolute favourite brands. I own an embarrassing number of their pieces and I regret none of them (scroll down and you see most of my Zimmermann outfits). Every single item tells a story and has a place in my heart (and my wardrobe).

The new collection did not disappoint. Seeing it up close, feeling the fabrics, and discovering the details in person was a true treat. If you ever get the chance to visit the Zurich boutique, do not hesitate, it is a beautiful space worthy of the brand it represents.

TO SHOP THE NEW ZIMMERMANN COLLECTION ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Thank you, Zimmermann, for such a wonderful evening. Until next time.

LoL, Sandra

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

TRAME: A JOURNEY INTO PUGLIA’S ARTISANAL SOUL
Masseria Torre Maizza, Season 2026

Puglia has always seduced the discerning traveller with its bone-white trulli, silver-olive light, and a pace of life that feels almost defiant in its ease. This season, Masseria Torre Maizza offers something rarer still: a way in.

Rocco Forte’s sun-bleached retreat opens its 2026 season with Trame, Italian for threads, and also, fittingly, for plots. Curated exclusively for hotel guests in partnership with a local specialist, the programme is less itinerary, more immersion: a slow unravelling of Puglia’s artisanal soul, told through textile, light, and the hands that shape them.

THE ART OF TEXTILES
At Fondazione Le Costantine in Casamassella, traditional embroidery and four-shaft wooden loom weaving have been kept alive for generations. Guests explore an original tool archive, a remarkable textile library, and walk through surrounding nature,  the very flora that has inspired the patterns for centuries.

In Francavilla Fontana, Bottega Dalmut represents the finest expression of Italian bespoke: hand-finished garments and shoes crafted from noble fabrics and leathers. A private style consultation unfolds inside a 19th-century palazzo; fittings follow in the comfort of your own suite.

Further into the Valle d’Itria, a master of Tombolo lace, historically woven into every Puglian bride’s trousseau, opens his atelier for an intimate bobbin lace workshop. Meditative, rhythmic, and quietly moving.

THE ART OF LIGHT
No experience of Puglia is complete without its luminarie: the elaborate hand-crafted light installations that have illuminated southern Italian festivals for centuries. A master craftsman opens his studio for an intimate introduction to the tradition, every element made by hand, traditional motifs reinterpreted with contemporary sensibility, resulting in light sculptures that are as much architecture as they are art.

Trame is not a tour programme. It is an argument for a different kind of travel, one measured not in landmarks visited, but in things genuinely understood. Each experience can be personalised through the Masseria’s concierge. Because the most beautiful journeys, much like the finest cloth, are always made to measure.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Few things in fashion move with the grace of a ballerina and nobody understands that better than Christian Louboutin.

The Parisian maestro of the iconic red sole has long drawn inspiration from the world of classical dance. His ballet-inspired heels are not a mere aesthetic nod, they are a love letter to the art of movement itself. Satin ribbons cascading down the ankle. Sculptural heels that recall the arch of a dancer’s foot mid-relevé. Silhouettes so refined they seem to exist somewhere between footwear and choreography.

Louboutin’s fascination with ballet dates back to his early years in Paris, where the Opera Garnier served as a second home and a boundless source of wonder. That devotion has since been woven into some of his most iconic creations,  styles that blur the line between stage costume and street couture with effortless audacity.

What makes these designs so extraordinary is their wearability. Unlike traditional pointe shoes, which confine the foot in service of pure spectacle, Louboutin’s ballet-inspired heels liberate it, offering drama and femininity for the everyday stage of life. Whether paired with a flowing midi skirt or cropped tailoring, they transform any walk into a performance.

In an era where fashion increasingly chases speed over soul, Louboutin’s ballet-inspired collection reminds us that true luxury is rooted in craft, culture, and poetry. These are not just shoes. They are an invitation to move differently, to carry yourself with the quiet confidence of someone who knows the whole world is a stage.

To shop the heels, just click on the highlighted text below each picture.

LoL, Sandra

Cassia 100 crêpe satin pumps
(The ones I am wearing in the photos, for the detailed outfit post click here.)

Cassia Nodo 100 suede pumps

Cassia 100 velvet and lamé pumps

Cassia leather mules

Cassia 100 satin pumps with attached knitted sock details

Cassiasticina satin pumps

Cassia 160 satin pumps

Cassia metallic leather pumps

Pavlova crêpe satin ankle boot

Photos: © Christian Louboutin, © Sandra Bauknecht / @kazmva0
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Family Time 🤍… some things are just universal. A day in Boston with my daughter Anouk, my favorite kind of time. We ended it with Peking duck at JIANG NAN – Chinese Fusion, simple and perfect.

Wearing Alice + Olivia – I love how the brand creates pieces that feel playful, bold, exactly my style and with a fit that feels made for me.

And every time I watch the stories of Stacey Bendet, I can’t help but smile, the way her daughter Scarlet captures her, the little comments, that mother-daughter rhythm… it feels so familiar. Alice + Olivia was founded in 2002, the same year Anouk was born. A full circle moment.

My look: Bradley stretch cotton equestrian cardigan, and gorgeous corduroy jumpsuit, both by Alice + Olivia, Paris metallic leather ankle boots and Monogram fringed shoulder bag, both by Saint Laurent, cat-eye sunglasses by Gucci, and crystal-embellished clip-on earrings in gold by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

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

Stella McCartney x H&M: Because Once Wasn’t Enough
Over twenty years ago, Stella McCartney and H&M made history. The collection sold out in days, the fashion world applauded, and the idea of a luxury designer democratising her vision for the high street felt genuinely exciting. Novel, even. So here we are again.

The S/S 2026 collection drops May 7th, and it is, by all accounts, a thorough tour of McCartney’s greatest hits. The Falabella chain appears on approximately everything, loafers, necklaces, bag straps, necklines. There are oversized trenches, sharp tailoring, cherry-print mesh dresses, a white gown with a cape sleeve, and a studded tee reading Rock Royalty. Six bag styles, including a chocolate-brown shoulder bag that will be gone within the hour. A keyring shaped like a cherry, for those who missed out on everything else.

The sustainability credentials are real, and here McCartney deserves genuine credit – recycled metals, organic cotton, RWS-certified wool, coated fabrics derived partly from industrial corn and recycled vegetable oil. She has been saying all of this since long before it became a brand strategy, which sets her apart from most. There is also an Insights Board, a joint initiative designed to push industry-wide change. One hopes it produces more than a very elegant PDF.
The uncomfortable question, of course, is one the collaboration doesn’t entirely answer: does producing a mass-market capsule collection – however consciously – move fashion forward, or simply make us feel better about buying more of it?

McCartney’s ethics have always been sincere. H&M’s record is, charitably, more complicated.
Designer collaborations remain fashion’s most reliable sleight of hand. They create desire, generate headlines, and sell out before most people have had their morning coffee. The formula is twenty years old now. It works. It will work again on May 7th.

Which, depending on your perspective, is either reassuring or precisely the problem.
Stella McCartney x H&M – available globally in stores and online from May 7, 2026.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © H&M
DISCLOSURE: We may also earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Georgian Fashion: Why Tbilisi Belongs on Every Fashion Lover’s Map

There is a city where fashion is not a trend. It is a statement of identity. Tbilisi surprised me. Not with its architecture, not with its food, although both are extraordinary, but with the way people dress. Expressive, oversized, dark, fearless. Nothing for the shy. The women on the streets wear their individuality like armour. Deep, dark makeup. Sculptural silhouettes. A grunge-cool energy that feels entirely their own and entirely unimpressed by what anyone else thinks. I found it absolutely thrilling.

But the real story of Georgian fashion starts with two names the world already knows.

Demna & David Koma – Georgia’s Global Voices

Demna Gvasalia, co-founder of Vetements, the visionary behind Balenciaga’s radical reinvention, and now at the helm of Gucci, is Georgian.. His architectural, often raw approach to fashion has always carried something of his homeland in it, that particular tension between brutalism and beauty that Tbilisi embodies perfectly. David Koma (in picture with me), born in Tbilisi and trained at Central Saint Martins, built an international career on precise, sculptural dressing that is quietly, unmistakably Georgian in its rigour. Both are proof that this small country punches far above its weight on the global fashion stage.

ANOUKI – Georgia’s Own Victoria Beckham

If there is one name that defines modern Tbilisi fashion for a wider audience, it is ANOUKI. Founded in 2013 by Anouki Areshidze, the brand is known for its bold colours, intricate embellishments, and a distinctive mix of textures that blends modernity with femininity. Anouki herself is something of a national icon, married to the mayor of Tbilisi, and often described as the Victoria Beckham of Georgia.

She has her own flagship store in the city (2 Tarkhnishvili Street), and her pieces are available internationally on Farfetch and Moda Operandi. I adore her designs (how cute are these tulle dresses?!) and not only because her name happens to be the same as my daughter’s.

Situationist – Fashion as Political Act

Situationist founder Irakli Rusadze has never shied away from using his collections to make bold, powerful statements. A self-taught designer born and based in Tbilisi, he started working in fashion at fifteen and presented his first collection at Tbilisi Fashion Week at twenty-one. Today, Situationist shows in Paris and counts Beyoncé, Bella Hadid and Doechii among its fans. The brand’s name is inspired by the mid-20th century group of intellectuals and artists known as the Situationists, emblematic of political dissent and cultural avant-garde. His clothes carry that weight as this gorgeous brown leather jacket. You feel it when you look at them. His designs are also available at Farfetch.

George Keburia – The Sunglasses Everyone Is Wearing

George Keburia is a self-taught designer born in Tbilisi in 1990, whose label is known for surrealist references and outlandish concepts expressed through exaggerated silhouettes and a synthesis of heavy and light fabrics. But it was his eyewear that made him globally famous. His sleek, angular frames found fans in Rihanna, Solange, and Bella and Gigi Hadid, a reminder that the fashion landscape is increasingly shaped by one iconic piece rather than an entire runway. If you have been wondering where those tiny cat-eye frames you keep seeing come from – now you know.

Tamuna Ingorokva – Tailoring with Couture Precision

Tamuna Ingorokva is the quieter name on this list, but no less impressive. Known for her minimalist tailoring crafted in her own Tbilisi atelier, each piece is cut and sewn by a small team with a couture-like attention to detail. Her work is the antidote to fast fashion – considered, precise, and built to last.

Aleksandre Akhalkatsishvili – Deconstructive Minimalism

Aleksandre Akhalkatsishvili is one of the most exciting names to emerge from the Georgian fashion scene in recent years. The award-winning designer is behind not one but two of Georgia’s best-known labels, Matériel, which he co-designs with Lado Bokuchava, and his own eponymous line. His philosophy is deconstructive minimalism, using vegan leather as a signature material, he creates a vision of the modern woman who is aligned with the 21st century and unafraid of its challenges. Straight lines, a precise mix of feminine and masculine, and pieces that are built to last beyond a single season. A name to know – and to wear.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tbilisi – Georgia’s Own Runway

Since 2015, Tbilisi has its own Fashion Week, and it is the real deal. Every October, international press, buyers and tastemakers fly in to discover the next generation of Georgian talent. Names like ANOUKI, George Keburia, Lado Bokuchava and Ingorokva have all shown here. Not every big name is on the schedule, Demna and David Koma built their careers on the international circuit, but for anyone wanting to experience Georgian fashion at its most raw and exciting, this is the moment to be in Tbilisi.

Where to Shop in Tbilisi – My Personal Edit

Ieri (Vasil Petriashvili 1) is not easy to find, which is part of its charm. Tucked into a wonderfully cool neighbourhood full of great restaurants and cafés, it is a destination worth seeking out. The concept store celebrates Georgian designers almost exclusively at the highest level, the sign at the entrance reads like a who’s who of the country’s best talent: Aleksandre Akhalkatsishvili, Situationist, Keburia, Lado Bokuchava, Sofio Gongli, Tata Naka, Lili Archive, David Koma, Ingorokva, and more.

Recently, Comme des Garçons joined the edit, after Rei Kawakubo visited Tbilisi, fell in love with the store, and personally wanted her pieces to be sold there. That alone tells you everything about the calibre of Ieri.

More is Love, closer to the hotel district, carries a wonderful selection of Georgian designers including ANOUKI, and is a perfect starting point for discovering the local scene in one visit.

Right next door, Archived Couture is a revelation for vintage lovers, an incredible selection of Christian Lacroix and CHANEL at a quality that would be hard to find anywhere in Europe.

Boygar’s – Tbilisi’s Luxury Destination

For those who want international luxury alongside the local talent, Boygar’s on Rustaveli Avenue is a must. Spread across three floors of a stunning historic building on Tbilisi’s main shopping boulevard, the store carries an exceptional edit of global houses, Prada, Loewe, Bottega Veneta, The Row, Jacquemus, Valentino, Khaite, Phoebe Philo, Saint Laurent and many more.

But what makes Boygar’s truly special is the interior, designed by acclaimed Stockholm-based studio Halleroed, it pairs the building’s ornate architectural heritage with contemporary minimalism, Georgian earthy tones and curated artworks by young Georgian artists. It does not feel like a luxury store you have seen before. It feels like Tbilisi.

Beyond these, the city is full of thrift stores and vintage finds at every price point. Just be aware: there are also many shops selling fake designer goods. My rule, if it feels too easy, walk past and never ever buy fakes!

A Final Note
Georgian fashion is expressive, political, deeply rooted in cultural identity and utterly unbothered by the mainstream. Whether you leave with a Keburia pair of sunglasses, an ANOUKI piece, or simply a new perspective on what dressing boldly really means, Tbilisi will stay with you long after you land home. I know it has stayed with me.

LoL, Sandra

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

There are cities that dress you differently. Tbilisi is one of them. When I was planning what to wear for my first evening in Georgia, it felt only right to let the destination guide the choices, not just in mood, but in origin.

The bag I chose is Balenciaga from the Demna era. For those who don’t know: Demna Gvasalia, one of the most influential designers of his generation, is Georgian. His early work for the house carries something raw and architectural that, to me, has always felt deeply rooted in where he comes from. The necklace and the bodysuit are by David Koma, another Georgian talent who has built an international name while never losing that precise, almost sculptural approach to dressing.

Two pieces. Two Georgian designers. One city that made the connection feel inevitable.
More from this evening – and from Tbilisi – coming soon.

My look: Hooded wool mini dress by Alaïa, zebra macramé long sleeve bodysuit, and crocodile necklace, both by David Koma, Hourglass crystal-embellished suede shoulder bag by Balenciaga, patchwork belt with snake head buckle by Saint Laurent, and Kiki studded leather platform ankle boots by Marc Jacobs.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, taken at the Telegraph Hotel
DISCLOSURE: We may also earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.