Sandra‘s Closet

Recently, one of my friends approached me with –what I realized while working on it- a tricky question. She is a very successful business woman and told me that it is really hard to find clothes that are appropriate for work but still have a feminine touch. This is true.

Your goal to getting dressed for work is to project a competent, professional image. Especially being a woman in an executive position, you don’t want to look sexy fashion victim. It is hard enough to stand up to the stronger sex.

Depending on where you work, those dress codes can vary. As for me, being in fashion, there are no rules. Believe me, I have always enjoyed that part.

But for bankers, lawyers or any other more conservative jobs, it is very important that you send the right message. Your fashion choices will speak volumes about your commitment to do your job.

Here are some rules that might help to find the right formal business attire:

• Business suits (a matched skirt and jacket), pantsuits (matched pants and blazer) and pumps of good quality are on your must-haves list together with crisp shirts, shift dresses (can be a great alternative especially in the summer) and a classy coat.
• Don’t opt for too bold or fancy colours and stay away from wild prints! Traditional shades are navy, grey, black, white and beige. You can mix those trustworthy hues with soft feminine pastel colours.
• Keep the length of your skirt at or below the knee. A pencil skirt should be loose enough to sit down comfortably. And please no gaps between the buttonholes of your blouse.
• If you want to send a fashion statement and work on your career image, put the emphasis more on the cut. A sharp tailored  jacket can do wonders.
• Invest in your accessories. Choose classy jewelry like stud earrings, a nice ring without overdoing it. Your handbag should project an organized image therefore I recommend to choose structured styles, like frame bags.
• Needless to say, work on your polished appearance. Manicured nails, neat hair, clean, scuff-free shoes and run-free hose are obligatory.

I put together some looks that fulfill the business dress codes but still have a certain fashionable twist.

Start shopping and enjoy looking profashional!

LoL, Sandra

The new SI Style is available now for my Swiss based readers featuring my fourth fashion column. The global wedding fever inspired me to tell you all about my very own big day that took place in Marbella, Spain. I am actually celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary this summer.

Here is a photo that I couldn’t show in the magazine. My bridal gown was made in the couture atelier of Christian Lacroix in Paris. Everything that was lace like the train, the veil and the long sleeves could be removed for the evening.

I was so scared to loose my dress that I even bought a flight ticket for it. The name it was issued to was Mr Kontrabass and it was sitting next to me in the plane. Isn’t that hilarious?

One of the cutest gift was a special edition of Marie Claire magazine dedicated to me by my colleagues (I was a fashion editor for German Marie Claire at that time) that you can see at the end of this post.

LoL, Sandra

Bally, which celebrates its 160th anniversary this year, came up with a very practical and cute idea: The Bally-Rina collection. Consisiting of matching totes and ballet flats, it epitomises effortless summer flair and versatility. Available in a range of understated summer colours, the bags and shoes retail for CHF 275.- each and are available in-store now.

I especially like the Bally-Rina logo that is inspired by the artwork from an original Villemont poster housed in the archive of the Swiss brand. Bernard Villemont (1911-1989) was a French graphic artist known primarily for his iconic advertising images.

LoL, Sandra

Bally Pink Shoes

Bally Kick

Jennifer Lopez used a pair of cool Gucci sunglasses in her latest music video “I’m Into You” which is the second single of her seventh album featuring Lil Wayne and composed by Taio Cruz.

In the video, the singer, who is clearly a huge fan of the Italian brand, wears a white bikini on the beautiful beach of Tulum, Mexico, and the lilac-colored metal aviator sunglasses, which include a double bridge and a mini “Gucci” insignia on the lower left portion of the lens. The retro ’80s style, which made its debut on the S/S 20111 runway, is produced under license by Safilo Group.

The Gucci GG 2909/S shades are available for CHF 300.-/ $295.-. I want definitely a pair of those…

LoL, Sandra

Father’s Day is coming up. Make Dad smile with those fab ideas. Tiffany & Co.knows the importance of giving a great 
gift and it is time to spoil Dad with something he wouldn’t buy for himself. So why not treat him with some silver sparkle?

Make him the coolest guy on the block this year with a great pair of cuff links or give him a compass for your hiking weekend together.

And if you are looking for an incredibly easy, priceless and quick gift, pamper your Dad and write up a  little book full of coupons that could include things like „A Day of Golf“, „Breakfast in Bed“ or a „Car Wash“.

Stamped with a playful ‘Daddy Cool’ motif, Symthson’s black leather-bound notebook would be a lovely choice.

With 
so many ideas in one place, finding the perfect 
present has never been easier.

LoL, Sandra

Meet Havva Mustafa, the mastermind behind the new luxury footwear brand HAVVA. Born into a family of third generation footwear artisans and designers, and growing up with the curious shapes of patterns, lasts and heels – Havva’s interest and passion for footwear was stirred from a very early age.

Determined to preserve the family heritage and knowledge Havva followed in her father’s footsteps and studied at the prestigious Cordwainers Footwear College in London. Gaining invaluable experience she nevertheless became increasingly frustrated by the constraints and lack of vision encountered. When wearing shoes of her own designs she was frequently stopped in the streets and realised that she wanted to share her passion. She set about making that dream a reality and launched HAVVA in 2009, with the support and backing of her family who all contribute to the brands existence.

HAVVA shoes are truly precious objects of desire. Please find below an interesting interview that the beautiful designer gave Sandra’s Closet:

1.You were born into a family of  footwear artisans and designers. Did your family want you to follow in their footsteps? How has the experience that you have gained from a very early age helped you?

I remember growing up, I was constantly surrounded by shoes, around the dinner table normal conversation was, what leather, last or season trend was going to be appearing. My father and grandfather have always been in the shoe trade, I think it became second nature; it was always something I was going to go into, and wouldn’t change it for the world. As I grew up- my shoe collection gradually expanded until there was no space left- as you can image for a girl it was heaven. Going on holidays would never be the same if we didn’t stop in a few shops to check out the footwear, so I gained a great back round knowledge of the industry before I even went into it.

2. You studied at the prestigious Cordwainers Footwear College in London. How did you like the studies?
Studying there was great, I learnt from design to making which I think is very important to be able to know how the final product will be created. I made fantastic friends who are also in the shoe trade and we meet up all around the world.

3. Nicholas Kirkwood, who became very well known for his shoe designs, studied at Cordwainers, too. I recently did an interview with him. Have you ever met him?
No I haven’t but I would love to, his designs are amazing-what an imagination.

4. Could you imagine to do different collaborations with other fashion houses like he does? If so, which fashion house would be your prefered one to design shoes for?
I think collaboration is a brilliant idea. The creativity that you combine with a fashion house can produce beautiful creations. One of them would be Miu Miu- the shoes are fun and unique and every season I look forward to their collections.

5. Is there any other shoe designer that you admire? And why?
Rupert Sanderson’s footwear is pretty amazing; it’s great to see every brand has their own unique touch.

6. If you were able to dress the feet of a famous lady? Which ones would that be?
Dita Von Teese- she has such a unique style.

7. I like the idea of creating shoes inspired by modernist architecture. Your designs are very special. How did you come up with this?
My younger brother is an architecture student and I was flicking through his books and saw these amazing shaped 1960s buildings.  All of these shapes and designs represented progress and ‘moving forward.’ They symbolized to the people around them that everything, including architecture, was moving forward in some way or another.

The spiral staircase, Buhrich house, 1960, designed by architect Hugh Buhrich demonstrates the curve and shape that inspired Loretta, the swirling shoe boot with elements of the patterns from the 60s.
The design of the Hotel and Restaurant Astoria in Trondheim included various versions of the cone chairs lending itself to Gloria with the geometric lines and side scroll.
The Philips Pavilion designed by the office of Le Corbusier, had strong dynamically-angled contours, geometrical architectural sharp lines and pointing asymmetrical lines takes the form of the style Rene with its intricate diamond design.
The St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chicago is somewhat famous for its marching walls of blue diamonds and the architectural feature of a pediment in the shape of waves took to the patchwork layers of Venus- wave roofing’s and detailing was a feature of the 1960s architecture. The high shine leather metallic mix was a tribute to the futuristic movement called Googie.

8. Do you have a shoe no-go?
Shoes that don’t fit! It can ruin such a beautiful silhouette of a shoe. And always get your soles and especially your heels repaired-when i see a heel bending and the top piece has totally worn away into the actual heel its terrible.

9. Havva Mustafa in three words.
The person- Passionate, creative and bubbly.
The brand- Infinitely, lavish and innovative.

10. What are your plans for the future?
I hope that the HAVVA brand just carries on expanding and we become a known brand for creating beautiful footwear.

Havva’s amazing accessories collection for S/S 2011 includes beautiful headpieces.

I am sure that we will see much more of Havva Mustafa in the future! For store locations, please click here. Good luck, Havva! I am already a big fan of yours.

LoL, Sandra

Today, I have a little goody for my German speaking readers. My colleague Jeroen van Rooijen (NZZ) has published a book which includes the best of his fashion pathological stories “Zerlegt”.

The principle is pretty easy. Jeroen takes literally a seam ripper in his hand and diassembles must-have pieces like a Kelly bag by Hermès, a Mackintosh trenchcoat or a pair of Converse sneakers. During the process, he investigates thoroughly the craftmanship, the origin and the quality. A cute detail is the enclosed seam ripper with which you can open the sealed part of the book.
Available for CHF 39/ € 33. If you are interested, please click here.

Fashion on the morgue slab! A great gift for the mystery loving fashionista.

LoL, Sandra

Girard-Perregaux presents a rare creation that combines the jeweler’s art with the brand’s watchmaking virtuosity: the Cat’s Eye Tourbillon Haute Joaillerie.

At its heart beats the iconic Girard-Perregaux tourbillon with gold bridge, lit up by a dazzling array of diamonds.

Featuring the oval silhouette that is characteristic of the collection, the Cat’s Eye Tourbillon Haute Joaillerie is set entirely with baguette-cut diamonds. Given the exceptionally strict criteria used to select each of the 287 diamonds and the extreme precision required for the cutting, adjustment and setting of every stone, this stunning array of almost 20 carats demands over 700 hours of patient work.

The dedication of the Manufacture’s craftsmen is expressed in the myriad scintillations of every detail of the case, right down to the crown, which is set with twelve baguette-cut diamonds and adorned with an exceptional rose-cut diamond. This style of cut – of Baroque origin and used on rare stones – was a symbol of nobility and owes its name to the rose effect produced by the 24 facets of the diamond.

Technical data

Case in white gold set with 155 baguette-cut diamonds (12.97 ct)

Dial: set with 106 baguette-cut diamonds (4.20 ct)
Crown: set with 12 baguette-cut diamonds and 1 rose-cut diamond (0.58 ct)
Dimensions : 32.90 mm x 38.40 mm
Crystal: non-reflective sapphire
Case-back: secured with four screws
Water resistance: 3 ATM

Girard-Perregaux GP09700-0006 movement
Mechanical with manual winding

Calibre: 12’’’
Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)
Jewels: 20
Power reserve: minimum 72 hours

Grey satin strap

Pin buckle: white gold, set with 13 baguette-cut diamonds (0.56 ct)
or
Folding clasp: white gold, set with 14 baguette-cut diamonds (0.62 ct)

This eyecatching luxurious watch has its price and costs CHF 490.000. Something to dream of … but aren’t diamonds a girl’s best friend?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Girard-Perregeaux

This weekend, I got invited to a friend’s house in Kitzbuehel, Austria. The flair and gorgeous interior design inspired me to write today’s post. Reminiscent of Ralph Lauren’s style, the whole house reflects an outstanding design philosophy in its clever juxtapositions of traditional artisan craftwork and modern timeless style.

Since 1967, Ralph Lauren has defined the essence of American style while elevating it to new heights of luxury. Proportions are chic and clean, fabrics are ultra luxe and textural and color statements are rich and striking.

Inspired by rustic Americana and with a little touch of the Wild West, my personal favourites are those one-of-a-kind bags crafted from vintage, Navajo wool blankets and leathers chaps. Wouldn’t they look good in this beautiful home?
Please enjoy your very exclusive tour through this very special private home.

LoL, Sandra

The gentlemen’s smoking lounge

A dresser from London

The spa lounge

The wall painting in the garage

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My dear readers, just a little joke to start off your weekend on Friday, the 13th! You see when it comes to fashion, most people like to copy… and this is not always good.
Getting it wrong: Princess Eugenie of York in Vivienne Westwood and Princess Beatrice of York in Valentino haute couture, hats by Philip Treacy.

And they all lived happily ever after! The End!

LoL, Sandra