Sandra‘s Closet

For sensual, rocking hands, Dior is launching a new collection of nail varnish colours, hitting the stores in Switzerland this Tuesday, March 1st. The collection’s absolutely beautiful five urban shades are indispensable accessories for a resolutely rock look.

But the best is yet to come: For even more depth use the ultimate Rock Coat, a smoky veil of lacquer, for a mysteriously seductive effect. This key element of the “Rock your Nails” maxim, with its semi-transparent black formula, coats the varnish with a veil of grey, intensifying the colour and transporting it to an even more rocking universe. The newly smoky shade becomes more intense and enigmatic.

Like all classic top coats, Rock Coat extends wear and increases shine!

The new top coat won’t make a shade that doesn’t already exist somewhere but is the perfect alternative to transform the colours you have at home into something new and different. Imagine with one bottle, you will have twice the colour range for your nails.

Please have a look below at my review to see photos of my favourite colour Nirvana with and without the Rock Coat. I am predicting a fast sell out, so you’ll have to be quick when it’s released.

The pleasure of getting dressed, down to the tips of your fingers. Please, ladies, no excuse, rock your nails!

LoL, Sandra

# 997 Blue Label: A deep blue. A signature rock essential to wear any time, anywhere.

# 804 Perfecto: Almost black. Experience any hour of the night, at your fingertips.

# 824 Underground: A mysterious brown. An enigmatic, urban universe.

# 887 Purple Mix: A smoky violet. An enticing shade for a sensually charged slow dance.

# 704 Nirvana: A grey-green. Mixing a masculine vibe with the ultra-feminine in a promise of paradise.

Nirvana on my nails with a regular top coat

Nirvana with one layer of the black transparent Rock Coat

Left Nirvana, right Nirvana with Rock Coat head-to-head

Photos: Courtesy of Dior and @ Sandra Bauknecht

Red-hot and purple gowns, sequined body-conscious dresses along with screen-siren hair and beautiful high jewelry pieces. The 83rd Academy Awards 2011 last night in Los Angeles were once more all about glamour and drama.

See the styles and trends that celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sandra Bullock and more wore on Hollywood’s ultimate night.

My Fashion Oscar: Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Haute Couture S/S 2011

The winning actress in a leading role was highly pregnant Natalie Portman who looked so radiant in her burgundy Rodarte gown in „Black Swan“.
The winning actor in a leading role was Colin Firth in „The King’s Speech“ that also won in the categories „Directing“ and „Best Picture“.

Enjoy the photos from last night!

LoL, Sandra

As part of Gucci’s 90th anniversary celebration this year, the Italian fashion house is taking a stylish spin with another titan of Italian design, Fiat.

Gucci creative director Frida Giannini in collaboration with Fiat’s design office has customized the iconic Fiat 500, or as it’s known in Italian, “cinquecento”.

“When the Fiat 500 first hit the road in the fifties it created a style revolution.” says creative director Frida Gianinni. “Gucci’s history has always been about traveling in style so when this collaboration came up, it struck me as the perfect opportunity to create a new modern travel statement.”

Called 500 by Gucci, the special edition car, which comes in glossy black and white, will be presented from March 3rd to March 13th at the Geneva Motor Show. Be the first to shift into high gear by pre-ordering the 500 by Gucci from April 1st to June 30th exclusively on 500byGucci.com. (Recommended list price in Italy €17.000). Road trip anyone?

Throughout the sporty car, you’ll find distinctive Gucci elements starting with the iconic green and red stripe, which runs along the exterior and also appears inside on the seats, gearshift, carpet, and seatbelt. The interlocking GG makes an appearance on hubcaps, and topping off the design is the cursive Gucci signature, which you’ll find on the hatchback as well as the doorpost.

Complementing that statement is an exclusive 500 by Gucci collection of travel accessories, leather goods, track suits, driving accessories and sunglasses, all of which will be available in select Gucci stores and on gucci.com starting this April.

Hit the road in true Italian style!

LoL, Sandra

Earlier this week I promised you, that I will keep you posted about a S/S 2011 trend that I spotted front row at London Fashion Week. Think Tutti Frutti and you got it.

Charlotte Olympia, "Bananas is My Business" Shoe in Python

Shoe designer Charlotte Olympia often cites the energy and vitality of Brazil, the home country of her mother, ex-model Andrea Dellal. This summer, she included lots of fruit references into her collection.

Charlotte Olympia, Banana-shaped "Baker" Bag in Python

The „Bananas is My Buisness“ fruit shoe in python is divine and the gorgeous banana-shaped „Baker“ bag was worn by her mother to the Emilio de la Morena F/W 2011 show together with the banana-print skirt by Prada (see photos below).
I loved how she made the look her own and didn’t push the healthy vibe too much. The black sandals, also from her daughter’s collection, were the perfect addition to her outfit. Don’t go head to toe fruity, you do not want to look like the produce department in the supermarket.

Stella McCartney went for vitamin C. Her collection was all about lemons and oranges.

Fruity display at the Stella McCartney store in London

Colourful and vibrant prints are must-haves this summer. With the vintage appeal of fruit patterns, the retro-inspired trend is very appealing and seems so healthy.

Below you see me in my Stella McCartney citrus print slash-detailed silk dress that I combined with platform sandals by Prada and my lovely Louis Vuitton floppy straw hat.

I hope that I whet your appetite to get your own fruit cocktail! Cheers!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

John Galliano has been suspended from Christian Dior following his arrest for allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks towards a couple at a Paris cafe.

The fashion house said he would be asked to stay away from work pending the outcome of the police investigation, raising doubts over the Christian Dior fashion show planned for next Friday. Christian Dior president and CEO Sidney Toledano emphasized that Dior has a zero-tolerance policy against racism and anti-Semitism.

The 50-year-old was arrested in the bar La Perle situated in the French capital’s Marais district, which has always been the traditional home of the city’s Jewish community. He is believed to have been drinking heavily on Thursday evening when he launched the alleged attack.

Witnesses said he swore heavily, using anti-Jewish insults, before attacking a couple and therefore they called the police. Galliano, who was born in Gibraltar and then brought up in South London, has been chief designer at Christian Dior since 1996, and was the only person arrested in connection with the incident.

There is only one week to go before the Christian Dior show scheduled for next Friday, March 4, at Paris’s Rodin Museum. John Galliano, meanwhile, is due to present his eponymous F/W 2011 prêt-à-porter collection two days later.
What a story… but isn’t he fashion’s enfant terrible?!

LoL, Sandra

Colette in Paris, Corso Como 10 in Milan… and now finally Zurich will get its own concept store.

Salvatore Schito, the renowned fashion house is presenting a shop in shop together with Lovers Lane, the place to go for the best shoes and bags in town. The beautiful courtyard will be hosted during spring, summer and early fall by MaDonna Ristorante. So the perfect place to park your hubby while you discover the newest fashion must-haves in the stylish shop, situated In Gassen 14, in the heart of Zurich.

Mark your calendars and this is not an April fool’s on April 1st when the doors will officially open!

LoL, Sandra

Here is a new contest to make you dream about warm weather, the pool, the sea, sand and sun. Show me your spring break must-haves to look beach chic and party-ready.

You could win $1000 or an American Eagle gift card. Create a beautiful look by using at least 2 of the featured American Eagle items.
Contest ends on March 5, 2011 at 11:59pm PST.

Good luck!

LoL, Sandra

The last show I went to at London Fashion Week was Emilio de la Morena F/W 2011. As you know I am a very enthusiastic person, but this collection didn’t do so much for me… unfortunately.

De la Morena is not so much into trousers (the last ones he showed were in 2007). His specialty are party frocks and seperates, well-tailored and geometrically cut but somehow I wouldn’t feel like partying in them.

The only fun the collection had were the GORGEOUS shoes by Charlotte Olympia who I spotted front row next to her mother, iconic Brazilian ex-model Andrea Dellal, wearing the same red heels like the models on the runway.

See for yourselves and enjoy the photos of shoe designer Charlotte Olympia leaving the event.

I love her super-modern take on the old Hollywood glamour. Please stay tuned as mother and daughter have been promoting a very hot trend for S/S 2011 that I will tell you all about very soon.

LoL, Sandra

Love Charlotte's "I love Shoes" shopping bag and her red booties!

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Alexander Wang teamed up with LOVE editor-in-chief Katie Grand to host a party at Liberty in honour of the magazine’s Androgyny issue last Monday. An abundance of famous faces celebrated with the American designer at the store’s first floor international designer room.

Beth Ditto

„Thank you, Liberty, for having me,” Beth Ditto called during her guest performance, “You’ll never have me back here again after this, but thanks to Katie Grand and Alexander Wang I’ve got all your free clothes, and I’m totally cool with that.”

Alexa Chung and Pixie Geldorf

Ditto sang an acappella rendition of Whitney Houston’s „I Will Always Love You“ that made guests cheer in awe of her extraordinary vocal talent. Party girls like Alexa Chung and Pixie Geldorf conquered the dance floor with Boy George and Erin O’Connor. Even the Beckhams breezed in to join the party.

Alexander Wang with me

My heart leaped with joy when Alexander Wang came up to me and said: „Hi Sandra, how are you? Great to have you here!“ Always nice to be remembered… (click here for my interview with him last year).

LoL, Sandra

Boy George with me

Erin O'Connor

Love the hair piece

Beth after her performance...

...talking to Katie Grand...

...and finally leaving the party...

...like the Beckhams!

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Julien Macdonald, who is half-Welsh and half-Scottish, surprised me with his F/W 2011 show that I truly liked. The presentation took place in a church. The goth athomosphere was amazing, especially with the head-banging soundtrack and light effects rocking the show.

The designer started off with some black looks, followed by delicate layers of spiderweb-like fabrics. My absolute favourites were the beautiful embellished long flowing gowns, romantic but edgy and the lace-up boots. Truly ethereal!

Please enjoy my photo coverage and check out the celebrities who were sitting front row.

LoL, Sandra

Me front row at Julien Macdonald

Me with American actress Juliette Lewis

Model Amber Rose framed by other "ladies" in red

Hilary Alexander, Fashion Director of the Daily Telegraph, going ethno

Swimwear designer Melissa Odabash with me

British socialite Tamara Beckworth with her daughter Anouska that she had at the age of 17 - they look like sisters.

Aren't those Manolos to die for?!

Let the show begin:

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht