Sandra‘s Closet

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
― William Shakespeare, As You Like It

A throwback post to the City of Angels… from the Spirit Awards with Piaget to all the A-list parties happening in Hollywood to celebrate all things Oscar, Los Angeles is always worth a trip in February even that the weather can be quite cool.

My look: Ruffled silk-blend lace gown and leather and guipure lace bra, both by Alexander McQueen, stretch-lace thigh boots by Dolce & Gabbana, vintage embroidered clutch bag by Valentino, «Extremely Piaget» earrings in white gold set with pear-cut diamonds and cushion-cut yellow diamonds, «Extremely Piaget» ring with yellow and white diamonds, and rose diamond ring, all by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Piaget and © Getty Images

“Everyone called her Coco but her real name was Gabrielle. It’s the perfect name for a handbag that has all the codes of CHANEL,” explains Karl Lagerfeld.

In in the beginning of January, I told you already about the new It-bag alert, the GABRIELLE by CHANEL (for the previous post, click here please).

But who is Gabrielle? With the launch of this new bag that bears the name of the founder of the House, Karl Lagerfeld has been continuing the tradition and enriching the legacy of Gabrielle Chanel who created a handbag in February 1955 that freed up women’s movements. Her design was a bag with lines as beautiful as they were functional, by this she revolutionised the world of fashion and accessories.

Introduced during the S/S 2017 runway show (see photo above and the next two below), this new bag draws from the futuristic spirit of the collection with a mischievous wink to Gabrielle Chanel. Indeed, the designer was inspired by the shape of augmented reality glasses, and also by the binocular cases gentlemen would wear over the shoulder at the racecourse. We know menswear gave Gabrielle Chanel the idea to design, among so many other things, bags that were both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

Fitted on a rigid thermoformed base, the main body of the bag is extremely light and ultra-supple: this contrasting structure gives it perfect stability and enables women to find their belongings with ease. In tune with the search for comfort advocated by the founder of the House, it hugs the silhouette, moves with the gait and never hinders it. Its adjustable strap comes with a double chain interlaced with leather in both golden and silver metal.

An original detail that allows for three different ways of wearing it: either over the shoulder, across the body or both at the same time, with the chain going over one shoulder and then diagonally over the other. It thus adapts to the wearer’s character, situation or mood.

Crafted from aged calfskin with a quilted body and a smooth base, in black or white unicolours or bicolours (black/white, navy/black, beige/black), CHANEL‘s GABRIELLE bag comes as a hobo version, itself available in three formats, a backpack, a large shopper and a supple purse contained in a rigid half-case. This purse exists in numerous versions: in addition to the leather version there’s black python and also vibrant shades of yellow, pink, red, blue and aqua. The lining is a garnet-hued cloth, the ultimate reference to the first-ever bags created by Gabrielle Chanel.

With CHANEL‘s GABRIELLE bag, Karl Lagerfeld renews the distinctive codes of the brand and perpetuates the history of a House: a beautiful tribute to its founder who always put comfort and women’s freedom at the heart of all her creations.

Below you can enjoy some of the new models from the Paris Cosmopolite Métiers d’Art collection that feature some amazing special editions of the Gabrielle collection.

The pieces from the S/S 2017 collection have already hit the shelves this week, so hurry as those will sell out fast.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chanel
#TheCHANELGABRIELLEbag
#GabrielleChanel

Born in Colombia and raised between Miami and London, EDGARDO OSORIO combines his eye for drop-dead glamour, his passion for modern design and his hand for luxury craftsmanship into desirable footwear. After attending the London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins, he made his first strides in the footwear world within some of the most prestigious luxury brands such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Sigerson Morrison, René Caovilla, and Roberto Cavalli. In 2011, after working in the industry for 10 years, and at just 25 years old, Edgardo launched his luxury footwear brand AQUAZZURA. Striking the perfect balance between modern design and impeccable craftsmanship, Edgardo creates stylish yet wearable footwear for the modern woman. Today, he shares his insider scoop on the city he is living in with us!

Your favourite city?
FLORENCE – My home. My headquarters are situated in the historical Palazzo Corsini along with the Florentine flagship store (see photo above). Along the Arno River, in the heart of Florence and near the best shoemakers and craftspeople in the world.
Aquazzura Store, Lungarno Corsini, 42, 50123 Florence, Phone: +39 055 291242

Your favourite hotel?
J.K. PLACE FIRENZE – This small boutique hotel is the most stylish address to stay in Florence.
Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 7, 50123 Firenze, Phone: +39 055 2645181

Your favourite restaurant?
BUCA MARIO – Traditional Florentine cuisine in the heart of the historic city centre, housed in a sixteenth-century buca. In Florence, buche were typical cellars situated beneath imposing historic palazzos often owned by aristocratic families. They were used to store salted meats, ham and salamis, and, above all, to house precious wine. Enormous oak vats lined the thick walls, which maintained an ideal temperature. As you make your way down the old entrance stairs of Buca Mario, it is impossible not to step into the past.
Piazza degli Ottaviani, 16r, 50123 Firenze, Phone: +39 055 214179

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
LA TERRAZZO LOUNGE BAR on the rooftop of HOTEL CONTINENTALE – From the rooftop bar you get a magical view of the cathedral and other historic buildings located in Florence.
Vicolo dell’Oro, 6R, 50123 Firenze, Phone: +39 055 27262

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
The VASARI CORRIDOR, a hidden corridor used by the Medici family to get between the Pitti Palace and the Palazzo Vecchio. It is one of the most unique places in Florence, with a one of a kind collection of self-portraits from the 16th century.
Uffizi Gallery, Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze

Your favourite park?
BARDINI GARDENS – It has three sections: a great baroque flight of steps, fringed with irises. It ascends to a belvedere and with expansive views of Florence, an English garden with its Channel of the Dragon and a farming area with almost-medieval hillside terraces planted with olive trees.
Costa S. Giorgio, 2, 50125 Firenze, Phone: +39 055 2006 6206

Your favourite shop?
OFFICINA PROFUMA FARMACEUTICA DI SANTA MARIA NOVELLA – It is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world.
Via della Scala, 16, 50123 Firenze, Phone: +39 055 216276

Your must-have accessory?
A BORSALINO PANAMA HAT – stylish and iconic.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
Old italian songs by RAFFAELLA CARRA to put you in a great mood!

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
«SAVING ITALY» by Robert M. Edsel – An unforgettable story of epic thievery and political intrigue, a testament to heroism on behalf of art, culture, and history.

Thank you, Edgardo, for sharing your insider scoop on Florence with us!

TO SHOP AQUAZZURA, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the different locations, © Edgardo Osorio/Aquazurra and © Sandra Bauknecht