Sandra‘s Closet

Sad news not only for the fashion world! OSCAR DE LA RENTA, the famous fashion designer, died yesterday on October 20, 2014 at his home in Kent, Connecticut at the age of 82, surrounded by family and friends and “more than a few dogs,” according to a statement signed by two of his company’s executives, stepdaughter Eliza Reed Bolen and her husband, Alex Bolen. De la Renta gave up the title of chief executive of his company in 2004, handing over business duties to the two of them, but remained active on the design end, continuing to show his collections during New York Fashion Week.

His death comes one week after it was announced that former Nina Ricci designer Peter Copping had been appointed as creative director of the Oscar de la Renta label. De la Renta is survived by an adopted son, Moises, a designer at the company.

The fashion designer after his show at New York Fashion Week on September 9 with Karlie Kloss (left) and Daria Strokous (right).

He had been diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and said at that time, “The only realities in life are that you are born, and that you die. We always think we are going to live forever. The dying aspect we will never accept. The one thing about having this kind of warning is how you appreciate every single day of life.”

Most recently, Amal Alamuddin wore a de la Renta-designed wedding dress when she married George Clooney. Here, he is pictured with the bride in a photo shoot for Vogue.

Fern Mallis, Executive Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) from 1991-2001, called him once “The Sultan of Suave.” De la Renta himself served as President of the CFDA from 1973 to 1976, and from 1986 to 1988. Óscar Arístides de la Renta Fiallo was born on July 22, 1932 in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Trained by Cristóbal Balenciaga and Antonio del Castillo, he became internationally known in the 1960s as one of the couturiers to dress Jacqueline Kennedy. The award-winning designer also worked for Lanvin and spearheaded the Pierre Balmain collection from 1993-2002, marking the first time an American designed for a French couture house. His eponymous fashion house is famous for its red carpet gowns, bridal and evening wear that has been loved by leading figures, from film stars to royalty, over decades until today.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta at this year’s Met Gala in NYC.

Stunningly beautiful: this gold bullion embroidered ball gown from the F/W 2013 runway.

First lady Laura Bush wore an icy blue gown by de la Renta to the 2005 inaugural ball and Hillary Clinton wore a gold de la Renta in 1997.

In 2006 Oscar de la Renta designed Tortuga Bay, a Leading Small Hotel of the World boutique hotel at PUNTACANA Resort and Club.

Oscar de la Renta was definitely one of the last great American couture fashion designers. If you want to own a piece of his last collection, I invite you to have a look HERE. I will absolutely get this two-tone silk-satin gown, as I love its cocoon-like cut.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Anne Leibovitz/Vogue, © Getty Images

The press conference for the Alexander Wang x H&M launch event took place on one of the probably rainiest of New York City mornings at the St. Patrick’s Youth Center, located close to Bleecker Street station. My hair was a mess due to the humidity but I was brave to take those pictures of my outfit before we went inside. As Alexander Wang is also at the helmet of Balenciaga, I chose an ensemble from his recent F/W 2014 collection.

Alexander Wang with me at the press conference last Thursday

My look: Tonal blue silk-blend oversized jacket and matching mini skirt with black jacquard pattern, both by Balenciaga, peplum-detail top and padlock mini studded leather shoulder bag, both by Alexander McQueen and crystal embellished biker boots by Miu Miu. Diamond bracelet and ring, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery, rose diamond necklace by Piaget.

The best scent to wear: Bleecker Street by Bond No. 9, a woodsy oriental gourmand that captures the spirit of the West Village with a blend of seductive, indulgently sweet notes.

Stay tuned for the photos from the party in the evening…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The epitome of bold luxury, M∙A∙C Ultimate combines an innovative design aesthetic with the sumptuous formulas of their Ultimate Lipstick and Sheer Mystery Powder. Ten new lip colours are utterly chic, while Sheer Mystery Powder smoothes onto skin in luminous hues that are barely there. Perfectly encased in modern geometric designs, this standout packaging features a sleek chrome finish in two cult-collectible accessories.

Ultimate Lipstick (CHF 36.00)

To Savour Light cool pink
Soft Pout Sheer pink peach with white pearl
Marque Soft light neutral pink
Ravishingly Rich Bright mid-tone orange
Femme-de-Luxe Bright pink
Catharina Fuchsia
Audacious Warm mid-tone red
Dangerously Chic Cool mid-tone red
Vogue en Violet Cool mid-tone violet
The Scene Deep berry

Sheer Mystery Powder (CHF 71.00)

Light Medium Pale ivory
Medium Plus Tan beige
Dark Secret Deep caramel
Deep Dark Caramelized brown

The collection will be available in Switzerland at Globus and as an online exclusive from January 2015.
(In other countries the launch will be earlier, in the US in December 2014.)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC

Leather is the way forward this season. Wherever you turn, there is the iconic luxe fabric. Skirts, vests or biker jackets; whatever wardrobe staple you’re after, make it leather – it’s the style for the A-List. If you are extra courageous, you’ll wear it head to toe.

My look: Biker jacket with fur details, leather biker vest, sheer blouse, studded leather skirt and Janis embellished suede ankle boots, all by Saint Laurent, fur bag by Fendi, diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery, Portofino midsize watch by IWC Schaffhausen.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Every addition to the Hermès universe has turned everyday rituals into pure acts of luxury, now the French Maison is turning its focus towards the bath time – a ritual as intense, intimate and precious as the act of applying perfume. Have a look at “Le Bain”, a new art of living through perfume.

At the heart of the new collection are the notes of the perfumes in the Colognes collection and the Garden Perfumes collection, but here they have new textures: creamy bubble bath, revitalising shampoo, hydrating balm, toning gel, soothing body milk and gentle soap…

Among the gestures, textures, colours and designs, choose your favourite for the day, for your mood. Change. Start again. Add some variety to the pleasure. Tomorrow is another bath, another perfume.

From left to right:
Collection Colognes, Shower Gel for Hair & Body, 200ml (CHF45.00)
Collection Parfums-Jardins, Shower Gel for the Body, 200ml (CHF 55.00)
Collection Parfums-Jardins, Body Lotion, 200ml (CHF 65.00)
Collection Colognes, Hand & Body Wash, 300ml (CHF 64.00)
Collection  Colognes, Moisturizing Balm for Face & Body, 200ml (CHF 69.00)
Collection Colognes & Parfums-Jardins, Set with 3 Soaps, 3 x 100g (CHF 75.00)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès and © Sandra Bauknecht

Before the show will be taking place tonight here in NYC, the Alexander Wang x H&M lookbook has been revealed. It’s all about sport with strappy scuba dresses, heavy grey sweatshirts, mesh-paneled leggings, cropped bra-tops, leather jogging pants (I LOVE), and must-have parkas.

For the accessory-minded, there are boxing gloves, beanies, and duffels in the mix, many items branded with a big fat WANG logo. Stay tuned and start planning your shopping list ahead of time. The collection for both, women and men, will hit the shelves worldwide on November 6, 2014. I am off to the press conference now… more to come soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M

Greetings from New York City where I am at the moment for the launch event of Alexander Wang x H&M. The highly anticipated collection which had been announced back in April, will finally hit H&M stores around the world on November 6, 2014.

While I am writing this post, I am enjoying the view from my room at the Soho Grand hotel.

The invitation says it all. Tonight, the cocktail reception will start at 7.30pm, followed by the show, a pop-up store where we can buy the collection first hand and a live performance which I am absolutely convinced will be amazing.

Do you remember Nicki Minaj and Prince playing at the Versace x H&M launch in 2011 or the amazing party to celebrate Maison Martin Margiela x H&M two years ago in NYC? We always talk superlatives. Be sure to follow me tomorrow on instagram @sandrascloset for live updates.

By now you might have seen some sneak previews of the very sporty collection. The press release reveals that Alexander Wang X H&M captures the speed of the city, mixing sports and performance of everyday life. The pieces are meant to be worn on the street, in the gym, at the club – the way women and men live their lives today.

Rihanna led the way and was already spotted in a look from the collection: a stretchy crop top and leggings emblazoned with Wang’s blocky logo.

In addition to apparel for both women and men, the collection includes shoes and bags, as well as “objects,” a selection of everyday items that are infused with a sense of humor and irony, as for example mini sized boxing gloves as key-rings or a whistle on a two-finger ring and for the victor, a magnetized Alexander Wang trophy cup.

Below you can enjoy a sneak preview of the advertising campaign shot by Mikael Jansson for Wang’s one-off collaboration with H&M that features sports gear like a hockey stick and boxing gloves plus real athletes, soccer player Andy Carroll and kickboxer Rivaldino dos Santos.

The female models are Joan Smalls, Raquel Zimmermann and Isabeli Fontana.

“We wanted to take certain elements of each sport and portray the ultimate warrior,” Wang told WWD. “The girls had to feel big and heroic, and Mikael used sunlight glares to heighten that effect against a stark white backdrop.”

I am truly excited for tonight’s event! Stay tuned for more!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of H&M

Tribal and safari looks took over the runways with vibrant prints, warm tones and rich accessories. Don’t forget you can only be limited by your own imagination or fear of expressing your own individuality. Be courageous! Queen yourself the tribe leader of the fashion crowd!

My look: Draped tribal print top, tribal print pencil skirt and matching ‘Antigona’ clutch, all by Givenchy, crystal-embellished round-frame acetate sunglasses by Fendi, fringed suede sandals by Gucci, ‘Mise en Dior’ earrings by Dior, Pasha C watch by Cartier, rose diamond ring by Piaget and diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

“Firing of all wood, the arsonist turning the page of a new history of the senses.“
– Serge Lutens

SERGE LUTENS is launching a new line of pure perfumes with a gold label. The first one of the so-called Golden Section is L’incendiaire (the arsonist, the pyromaniac). In the cryptic press release, Serge Lutens, who is a real poet (you can read an interview I did once with him here), introduces the new collection with a few words suggesting they make a break with the black labels, bringing forth a new idea, like his “Eau” line was separate in concept than the rest.

The new scent is very Lutens, a sensual and opulent skin perfumery. Rare resins, ambers and tarmac…. insanely elegant and deep combined with notes of geranium, carnation, woods and incense. In stores end of October for CHF 545.00 (50ml).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Serge Lutens

Recently I was asked to be featured in the Breuninger Magazine which was of course an honor for me! The famous department store with its mother house in Stuttgart has today 11 shops all around Germany, in Düsseldorf, Ludwigsburg, Sindelfingen, Nürnberg, Freiburg, Erfurt, Leipzig, MTZ, Karlsruhe and Reutlingen. As my husband is originally from Stuttgart, I know this shopping heaven pretty well because I always go there when we visit his hometown.

For my German speaking readers, please find the interview herewith.

LoL, Sandra

If you like the look, please click here.

If you like the look, please click here.