Sandra‘s Closet

The suspense is over. Olivier Rousteing is officially Balmain’s new Creative Director. Christophe Decarnin left the fashion house following some health problems that stopped him attending his last show. It has been reported that the Balmain F/W 2011 collection has been already designed by Olivier Rousteing and styled by Melanie Ward.

The new designer was born in France and raised in Bordeaux. He completed his fashion studies at Paris’s Ecole Supérieure Des Arts Et Techniques De La Mode (ESMOD) in 2003. I went to the same fashion university.

Rousteing, who has been a member of the Balmain team since 2009, will oversee both menswear and the women’s collection. He previously worked at Roberto Cavalli, designing the men’s and women’s ready-to-wear lines for the Florence-based firm.

Good luck, Mr Rousteing!

LoL, Sandra

With a whip-thin blue leather belt, Miu Miu‘s pleated black, off-white and neon-yellow satin dress is a fabulous way to work colour-blocking cool. Take inspiration from the runway by teaming it with fluorescent heels and a bright clutch. Or wear it like the modell in the editorial with a wide belt by Ellery.

A sensational way to wear colour for cocktails. I couldn’t resist, can you?

LoL, Sandra

A sketch by Jeanne Lanvin from 1929.

Great news for this November, Lanvin will be launching a children’s line for the Summer 2012 season. In the past year, both Gucci and Stella McCartney have joined the likes of Fendi,Dior, Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Prada, and more by introducing childrenswear. Now Lanvin is getting in on the action and will channel „super-luxurious“ styles for ultra-luxe little girls, aged 4-10. So please do only expect the designs to be scaled down and don’t expect the pricetags to follow.

“It’s a way to translate the universe of Lanvin ready-to-wear to the world of kids,” Alber Elbaz said in an interview, noting the collection would include dresses, tops, coats, sweaters and accessories, all in the finest materials.
The announcement couldn’t be more fitting as Jeanne Lanvin, who founded Lanvin in 1909, gained her reputation by designing clothes for mothers and daughters early in her career. She sketched designs for tots until the mid-1930s!

The collection will officially be unveiled in New York, mid-June, selling later in Milan and Paris showrooms. Deliveries are to start in late November for the spring 2012 season.

To the little Miss Lanvin! Like mother, like daughter…

LoL, Sandra

Starting from today, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, is on view until July 31, 2011 at the Metropolitan Museum’s second-floor Cantor Galleries.

So if you just can’t get enough after having seen Kate Middleton’s bridal dress, that was made by Sarah Burton for the house of McQueen, you might consider a trip to NYC. The designer’s costume institute retrospective features approximately 100 ensembles and 70 accessories from the late designer’s prolific 19-year carreer with some outstanding pieces from the Givenchy Archive in Paris, custom-made items from the closet of Isabella Blow and even his graduate collection at Central St.Martins among others.

To celebrate the opening of the exhibition, the Museum’s Costume Institute Benefit took place Monday night with high-profile guests in high-profile fashion. The Met gala has anyway become over the years the fashion community’s biggest red carpet night. It was no wonder to spot some McQueen tributes to the mix.

My favourite two looks by Alexander McQueen were Gisèle Bündchen who looked so radiant in her red gown next to her husband Tom Brady…

… and Anna Dello Russo, known for her eclectic style, showed up in a pant suit from the S/S 2011 collection, divine!

As for me, the ultimate highlights were the „Stella Girls“ with Stella McCartney herself making an appearance in a black and white tuxedo gown of her own design. It was a modern, probably experimental but uncoventional look. The British designer is also a Co-Chair for the fundraising event.

The Stella McCartney parade was led by Madonna in a silky blue gown with a beautiful embroidered train. With her 50’s hair and make-up, she looked very Hollywood. Wow!

Very pregnant Kate Hudson glowed in her champagne-coloured Stella gown and long tousled hair.

This is my favourite. Gwyneth Paltrow chose to go with long sleeves which was a popular trend at the gala. So simple and absolutely stunning. The actress is good friends with the British designer.

Rihanna in a one-shoulder black lace gown, an iconic Stella look!

Adding some colour drama, Eva Mendes enhanced her complexion by wearing a cobalt blue plissé dress by Stella McCartney. So beautiful!

What a night!

LoL, Sandra

I desire, therefore I am.

Sisley’s art project continues. This time, the fashion brand has joined forces with Italian illustrator and comic book artist Milo Manara for a limited edition S/S 2011 capsule collection, including T-shirts, tops, skirts, shorts, handbags, shoppers and sneakers for both genders.

Portraits, illustrations and whole comic strips starring his provocative heroines come to life on Sisley’s clothes and around the wearer’s body. Black-and-white prints, sometimes with sparkling elements, and colour prints faithfully reproduce different drawing techniques, from chalk to acrylics, to recount the adventures of numerous female characters.
The collection will be available in a wide number of Sisley shops and sold in dedicated shopping bags.

Good news for my Milan based readers, Milo Manara, will be the guest of the brand’s store in Piazza San Babila on Thursday, May 5, from 5 to 7 PM and sign the limited edition T-shirts.

LoL, Sandra

Great news: In celebration of the launch of their new Color Design Palettes, Lancôme gives away a trip to NYC to shop with a Lancôme ambassadress!

This is your chance to win this trip or one of those fantastic palettes. Create a set with some of the stylish items that coordinate with each of the 10 high-potency Lancôme Color Design Palettes. You must style a complete look. New colours will be released every three days, so be sure to come back for more creations.
The contest ends on May 17, 2011 at 11:59pm EST.

Good luck!

LoL, Sandra

THE CONTEST HAS ENDED!

Something is happening in the world of ties. Wide, narrow, long, short, – there is no other men’s accessory as manifold as the tie. In the business world, it is the gentleman’s embellishment, so you better choose wisely as it may reveal more of your personality than you would presume.
With an Hermès tie, you cannot go wrong, it is an implicit statement of taste.

The French fashion house has some good news for the discerning men.
Its emblematic Façonné H silk tie is offered now in over one thousand colours to be chosen from. The „Ma Couleur“ service is finished off with an embossed leather label featuring the wearer’s initials. You can also decide on the length and width of your bespoke tie that will be made in the ateliers in Lyon. CHF 420.

The „Mon Message“ goes even a little further and offers five different patterns in a large variety of colours. In the lining of the tie, you can include a private message that only its wearer knows about. It takes about 3 months to order it. CHF 620.

So ladies, why not asking your beloved one to tie the knot with a note in the tie?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht