Sandra‘s Closet

I have a love-hate relationship with those Miu Miu sunglasses. During Milan Fashion week, I was on a mission to get a pair of those glittering stunners. The new retro-glam frames featuring a perfect angular cat-eye shape were beautifully displayed in the Miu Miu shop but when I wanted to buy them, the store manager explained to me that they were only for display.
Excuse me?! So I decided to hate them! Impossible!

In the meantime, two pairs have magically made their way in my closet and I am absolutely in love with them. Thank you, Miu Miu for having mercy on me. Such a wonderful gift! And for my dear readers, they are available at Saks Fifth Avenue’s online store now.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

Donatella Versace called Givenchy’s F/W 2011 collection an homage to Versace and she is definitely not mistaken with her statement. I truly love the panther and floral prints reminiscent of Gianni’s early patterns.

My look: Flower print sheath dress by Givenchy, stretch-jersey thigh boots with hoop detail by Givenchy, “Nightingale” bag with black panther print by Givenchy and glitter sunglasses by Miu Miu.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Arlène Bonnant

Caspita is an exclamation of a thousand colours, a name chosen by Arlène Bonnant to launch her line of fine jewelry. Caspita expresses admiration, joy, surprise – literally “my goodness” in Italian. This spirited word came to the designer while reminiscing about her grandfather, who often used this expression of surprise in her presence. The word created a bond between them, in much the same way as a jewel can unite two people.

I like Caspita’s approach of seeing jewelry as something so special, so emotional that it can touch your soul.

For Arlène, her creations are designed to develop a certain spiritual balance – there is a harmony and beauty nourishing every level of being, from its inner strength to its exterior radiance.

My favourite is the Chakra collection that has taken shape around the seven main chakras, stemming from Indian spirituality and designating seven centres of energy in the shape of lotus flowers, each one a different colour. Each chakra represents a world in itself, a sensibility, a colour, an emotion, and a deity…
The choice of one chakra over another is not inconsequential; it is purely a matter of intuition and mystery.

For a closer look on the amazing jewelry, I would like to invite you to view this short movie “Metamorphosis I” filmed in the famous hotel Le Meurice in Paris featuring Caspita’s muse French actress Carole Bouquet and her eternal grace and beauty.

A special treat for my Zurich based readers:

Caspita Haute Joaillerie is delighted to welcome you to discover their collection of jewelry created by Arlène Bonnant at an exclusive private viewing and sale for the first time in Zurich, on Monday, the 12th of December 2011, between 11am – 8pm at Park Hyatt Private Dining Room of the « Parkhuus » Beethovenstrasse 2, 8002 Zurich.

For further information, please kindly contact Mrs Nina Arnold-Shah via e-mail or phone +41 79 768 3723.

LoL, Sandra

Photos and movie: Courtesy of Caspita

Just recovered from the Versace for H&M mania, no time to relax, there is more to come.
To get started, here is a sneak preview of the next designer collaboration with the Swedish fashion house: MARNI FOR H&M.

Famed for its original prints and inventive spirit, Marni is one of fashion’s most-loved labels, and its Founder and Creative Director Consuelo Castiglioni has created for H&M a spring collection for both women and men which capture its essence perfectly.

Available from March 8, 2012 in around 260 stores worldwide and online, the collection features both clothing and accessories all at H&M’s prices, meaning everyone will have the chance to enter Marni’s world.

Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director Marni and Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor H&M

“I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints. As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colours, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic adding sporty utilitarian elements”.

– Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director

“We all love the collection here at H&M and we believe that our customers will do the same. Marni has such a modern touch with everything they do, mixing prints and accessories in a playful but chic way. It’s fantastic to see how Consuelo Castiglioni coordinates her designs, matching new combinations of print and colour, with such incredible craftsmanship behind every piece. The collection will arrive in stores at just the perfect time, as a lovely statement for spring“.

– Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor H&M

Marni is a label that sticks to its own path, setting its own trends for print, cut and silhouette that are always playful and elegant. Marni has remained a family owned-business as it has grown to become an international luxury brand with stores around the world.

Marni’s collection for H&M has all the freedom and experimentation for which the label is renowned, with all-over prints in strong colours all intended to be worn together in layers that both match and clash.
For women, the colours are vivid and the prints are bold, be they African inspired or simpler colour blocks. The silhouettes are all Marni staples, with full pleated skirts, dresses, cropped trousers and jacquard knit, and fabrics range from silk to crisp cotton poplin. To finish the complete look the collection also includes jewellery, shoes, bags and scarves.

For men, the colours and fabrics are softened for a relaxed take on menswear staples that is truly Marni. The use of print is subtle, often as a lining or as a contrast detail for shirts, the silhouette a modern and relaxed take on masculine classics.

Photos: Courtesy of H&M, © Magnus Magnusson

Bored of queuing? Here is your fashionable surprise!

There will be also a Versace for H&M S/S 2012 collection, exclusively available in countries with H&M online sales from January 19, 2012. The colourful capsule line will feature fruit prints and lots of Versace glamour. Unfortunately, bad news for Switzerland and the United States. Where are our European friends when we need them?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Mirror UK

Last night, she won the Emerging Talent Award (ready to wear) at the British Fashion Awards in London, last week she took me out to lunch. I am talking about Mary Katrantzou, one of the hottest names in London’s fashion scene. As for me, she is the most innovative designer at the moment and as you know, I am a huge fan of her.

Her creations are different and new. Mary’s unbelievable talent to use bold, overall prints has been a huge influence on today’s fashion. For S/S 2012, many designers have seeked inspiration from her iconic arty florals, expressive colours and patchwork prints.

If you are wondering how can floral prints can be new, have a look at Mary’s flower power for S/S 2012. They are strong, unexpected, surreal and make fashionistas drool over it. The show in September was truly divine with a catwalk divided by a tennis court long field of carnations.

My favourite look by Mary Katrantzou for S/S 2012: “Battle Royal”
I adore that every dress gets its own name!

Last Wednesday, Mary took me to lunch to the Greenhouse restaurant in Mayfair that I can only recommend. Great interior design and awesome food.

We were sitting for hours, talked about her upcoming projects and about daily life. Mary’s birthday is only two days before mine and we loved that we are both aquarius. The 28-year-old was born and raised in Greece but loves living in London. She is a true fashion visionary, a print-cess charming and a wonderful refreshingly unpretentious young woman.

Mary Katrantzou is already hugely influential even though her label is just three years old. She won last year’s Swiss Textiles Award, her designs can be found in the most distinguished shops around the world and celebrities show up on the red carpet in them. If you think that the hype has overwhelmed her, you are absolutely mistaken.

She was so happy to see me in her Serendipity dress that by the way made a huge appearance this week on Gossip Girl. In the last episode, Serena wore this stunner to Blair’s bridal shower. Cocktail or lunch, the dress is a must around the clock!

Photo: Courtesy of The CW, © Getty Images

More testaments to Katrantzou’s reach and importance are her upcoming collaborations next year:

In January, Mary Katrantzou for Longchamp will be launched. The theme for this amazing S/S 2012 bag collection is “East meets West”. A must-have for all print lovers and for those who have been eagerly waiting for a Mary Katrantzou handbag!

Extremely exciting is the news of a second Mary Katrantzou for Topshop collection to be released in February next year. The first prototype was unveiled at the Topshop press day a few weeks ago, and even it was not supposed to go public, one photo has made its way around the globe. Doesn’t it look so promising?!

Please stay tuned, will keep you posted!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Style.com, Courtesy of Mary Katrantzou, Longchamp and Topshop

This month, I have had some really nice press coverage that I am truly thankful for. You have already read some of it like my style portrait in Bolero magazine for example or that Blick named me one of the most important bloggers.
Here is what you probably haven’t seen so far: 20 Minuten Friday magazine compared me to Anna dello Russo. Nothing to say against that!

Annabelle magazine took this front row picture during the second night of the Fashion Days Zurich.

20 Minuten called me a fashion hunter and did some wonderful advertising for my stories about the Fashion Days Zurich.

Faces showed this picture in their November issue…

…and Polyvore buzzed about me! Thank you sooo much!

LoL, Sandra

This was my look for the last evening of the Fashion Days Zurich. You see, I am keeping my word. In June, I told you that this ’60s colour block Mondrian-inspired shift dress and the oversized clutch bag will be on every fashionista’s shopping list ( see previous post), I couldn’t resist either.

20 Minuten Friday magazine liked the look, too!

Dress and shoes by Prada, pussybow blouse by Gucci, oversized clutch bag by Miu Miu, watch by Roger Dubuis and ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

In Venice, we stayed at the Palazzina Grassi. A design hotel, situated on the Grand Canal, with an atmosphere full of charm and vitality, steeped in history, where you can experience the melancholy grandeur of Venice like true Venetians. Privacy, flexibility, luxury and elegance are the fundamental elements of this exclusive property, designed by Philippe Starck.

The 21 rooms and six suite apartments are characterized by a marriage of contemporary and romantic design, highlighted by unique furnishings, glass works by the French artist Aristide Najean and sophisticated collector’s items, with some rooms offering glimpses of the lagoon landscape. 
Adorned with many mirrors, the rooms appear much bigger than they are.

My look for the first night in Venice: Dress with tropical print and matching clutch by Matthew Williamson, suede pumps by Yves Saint Laurent, ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and watch by Roger Dubuis.

Tropical and hawaiian prints are a huge trend for Cruise 2012 and can be found at Stella McCartney, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Givenchy among others.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My friend Mel looked so stunning for the “40 years, 40 hours” party in Venice that I had to share it with you.

Her elegant and stylish look: Lace dress by Tom Ford and black suede pumps byGucci.
Her makeup: Smokey eyes and nude lips finished off the look perfectly.

My Swiss readers can also admire her and her beautiful kids in the new annabelle magazine where she was part of a “mum-kids” photo shoot. A great idea showing different women sharing different views on how to dress their children.

LoL, Sandra

For my Swiss and German based readers: The sixth 2011 Weltwoche Style Edition is available now featuring my holidays must-haves, a gift guide for men and my absolute favourites like the Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis and the mask necklace by Louis Vuitton.
Have a good Sunday read!

LoL, Sandra