Sandra‘s Closet

Finally, Dolce & Gabbana Men is available at Mr Porter!

The F/W 2011 collection is dedicated to Bryan Ferry (he is even on a special icon T-shirt). But the Italian duo didn’t copy the man who is said to be one of rock’s best dressed singers, they only took some inspirations. The models walked to Ferry’s music on the runway in well-tailored suits, tuxedos and skinny suspenders. For the more casual days, Dolce & Gabbana offers cool leather jackets, striped sweaters, cropped pants and distressed denim.

For the launch of the brand at Mr Porter, three Italian screen stars were photographed in those must-haves for men. One, you will recognize for sure: Michele Venitucci, my colleague for the Closed F/W 2011 campaign shoot.

Gentlemen, we, the weaker sex, love a little Italian seduction… Viva la dolce vita!
And ladies, please stay tuned, Dolce & Gabbana will launch their beautiful women’s collection this week at net-à-porter, too.

Domenico Dolce recently in Milan with me

Below you will find my personal favourites worn by Paolo Bernadini and Luca Marinelli.

LoL, Sandra

Ice, ice, baby! You get in a good mood just looking at the multi-coloured display. The Belgium based watch company ICE Watch had recently invited to a press lunch to present their fun timepieces that brought back the plastic strap watches into fashion.

There was entainment galore: Graffiti, break dance to music of the Black Eyed Peas who belong by the way to the ICE watch fan crowd and colourful food.

CEO of the company Jean-Pierre Lutgen had come especially to Zurich to tell us a little more about his brand that is available in 99 countries worldwide and expected to reach 3 million sold pieces in the end of 2011. Every six weeks, there is a seasonal collection for a small period of time. The wide range of colours and the starting price at CHF 89 makes it very attractive to own many and to change them for different activities or outfits.

To me, they look as if Rolex and Swatch had a baby, and I have to admit, a very cute one that you would like to have immediatley in many colours. The box is part of the watch.

No kidding, the minute you see them, the virus catches you: „Which colour should I take? I want them all…!“

In Zurich available at Grieder www.bongenie-grieder.ch, or online at www.ice-watch.com. Below you can find some inspirations…

LoL, Sandra

Last week, another dream came true. Elle US wrote about my style on their website. I was so excited.

Another site called Treetslook.com liked my outfit that I wore in Paris last March to the Stella McCartney’s F/W 2011 show. They just got a little confused with my home town…

Hope that you will like it, too!

LoL, Sandra

Diesel has unleashed a possible new trend with the launch of “Jogg-jeans”. This new killer product is a mutant of denim and sweatpants, allowing you to sport your jogger bottoms out to do your groceries without looking like a slob.

The woven and knitted fabric has the look of a jersey weaving, giving the garment 360° elasticity, and is dyed in indigo and laundered to create a beautifully realistic denim pant effect. Jogg-jeans are available in three styles for women and in four styles, including one jacket, for the male collection.

I was able to explore Diesel’s latest innovations in the showroom. The fabric is really soft to touch, not as soft as typical sweatpants but much softer than jeans. I know that I will definitely get a pair of them. As for me, they are the best travel companions, perfect on an airplane.

Already available at Selfridges, in Switzerland starting from August 1, 2011 in all Diesel stores.

LoL, Sandra

Below (first 4 photos): Tintsie for Women

Above: Krooley for Men

Photos: © Diesel

“Bal Vénitien” ring

Dior has launched a new High Jewelry collection “Le Bal des Roses”.

Reminiscent of the Parisian fashion house’s Haute Couture, the stunning creations pay tribute to Monsieur Dior’s favourite flower, the rose. The collection brings together 12 unique pieces that evoke the image of blossoming women attending a ball in their most beautiful gowns. Sumptuous pieces of jewelry with hidden details and stones set within stones evoking luxurious emboidered fabrics. As you know, I am a huge fan of the Dior’s High Jewelry designer Victoire de Castellane. With those designs, she has outdone herself once more.
Wow!

Enjoy the video at the end of this post for a closer look at those eyecatchers.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior

Et voilà, here is my last look from LuisaViaRoma’s Firenze4Ever Total Styling Lab. “Beautiful Colours” is my favourite one. The hues are so amazing together and the lace insert dress by Antonio Berardi is definitely hot!

I love hats and this special edition by Borsalino & Delfina Delettrez is among my must-haves for F/W 2011 (it comes in many different colours).

Dress: ANTONIO BERARDI – Jacket: MULBERRY – Shoes: CASADEI – Hat: BORSALINO & DELFINA DELETTREZ – Bag: MULBERRY – Scarf: SIMONETTA RAVIZZA – Watch: ROGER DUBUIS

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Ilaria Gambri

Ohmygod! The Closed F/W 2011 advertising campaign photographed by Lina Scheynius has been released and my photo is in the German Grazia.

I have to admit that it was an amazing feeling to open the magazine and to see myself in it. I am very happy with the shot. Many more publications in the world to follow. The campaign photos will also grace the stores around the globe. Below you can see the pictures of my lovely colleagues.

Have a lovely weekend, mine has started alreday fabulously…

LoL, Sandra

Here it is look N°2 from LuisaViaRoma’s Firenze4Ever Total Styling Lab, so-called “Venus in Fur”. Some might not be so delighted about winter’s must-have, but fur was one of the trend materials on the runways. A fur vest is a great investment piece, very versatile to wear.

The `60s inspired dress by Giambattista Valli has a fun detail. The attached cape can be worn as a hood. I especially like the neon-coloured little waist band.

Céline’ s box bag has definitely become a classic. For this outfit, I chose the leopard print version which I find very chic. To shop the look, just click on the highlighted text:

Fur Vest: SIMONETTA RAVIZZA – Dress: GIAMBATTISTA VALLI – Bag: CELINE – Overknee Boots: CASADEI – Watch: ROGER DUBUIS

More from Florence to come…
LoL, Sandra

Photos: Ilaria Gambi

My dear readers, I still owe you all those photos from the LuisaViaRoma Firenze4Ever 3rd Edition Total Styling Lab with all the fab pieces from the upcoming F/W 2011 season.

Here is my first look I called „Feather Girl“ because of those amazing shoes, aren’t they divine? It is always a great investment to get a pair of statement shoes as they will make every outfit something special. The Bayswater Mulberry bag has also a beautiful feather print on the leather.

If you don’t have a vest yet, I truly recommend getting one, preferably with some fur embellishments. It is a must this winter! 
And last but not least the jumpsuit is definitely back! I know that it can be quite unpractical, you know what I mean… but nevertheless it is such a stylish piece of clothes that you should absolutely consider.

For shopping, just click on the highlighted description below:

Jumpsuit: DSQUARED2 – Shoes: DIEGO DOLCINI – Bag: MULBERRY – Necklace: ISAJON – Vest: ALEXANDER MCQUEEN – Watch: ROGER DUBUIS

By the way, isn’t the location on the terrasse overlooking Florence and the Duomo just wonderful? Makes me dream of those wonderful days…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Ilaria Gambi

Signature White Gold: 34.000€

Last week, I met Perry Oosting, President of Vertu. During the lovely press dinner, I have learnt a lot about the phone that is truly more than just a phone. I have to admit that I was pretty impressed.
I am familiar with the concierge service you get once you own an American Express Centurion Card but that something like this exists also when buying a phone, I didn’t know.

Perry Oosting (Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht)

„Vertu was born from a simple question: why would someone not wish to enjoy the same quality in their mobile phone as they did in their grand complication watch, fountain pen, luxury car or any other premium product? Luxury experience and enrichment was foremost in the minds of that team; every customer touch point was to be attended to and the experience was to be something truly special. What came of this was something that has become Vertu’s unique differentiator, and something for which it has become renowned: a dedicated concierge service, available at the touch of a button. This service grew into something much more: a full suite of luxury services, partnerships, benefits and opportunities, channeling relevant, tailored information, sourced independently by Vertu for its customers. The luxury of time really is something precious, and for the Vertu user, these dedicated services that are delivered to the phone help them to maintain a life that is beautifully arranged.“

– Perry Oosting, President of Vertu

Signature Red Gold: 34.000 €

Here are some of the other lifestyle services offered by Vertu:

– Vertu City Brief which is a highly curated and independent global digest of information covering more than 200 cities and destinations worldwide.

– Vertu Select that delivers original articles selected to inspire, inform and entertain based on a user‟s region, preferences and passions.

– Vertu Remote Assist that is currently available with Constellation Quest. Vertu Remote Assist is dedicated to providing technical assistance 24 hours a day and is a unique offering in the mobile phone market.

– Vertu.me which was introduced with the launch of Constellation Quest in October 2010. Vertu.me is a service that provides the user with a Vertu email account and effortless harmonisation of the device‟s lifestyle and business tools.

Those very luxurious fashionable mobile phones can be embellished with diamonds, made of pure gold depending on your budget. One thing is for sure, those lifestyle services coming with the Vertu will help you live your life beautifully arranged. For further information, please visit their website.
Stay tuned for Vertu’s new smartphone launch this fall.

LoL, Sandra

Constellation Quest: 7.700€