Sandra‘s Closet

This is perfect way to sustainably update your Hermès bag, consider having an artist take a brush or needle and thread to them. Or have a look at the amazing work of Hong Kong based designer Jonathan Riss who has a passion of giving iconic bags a second life. His brand Jay Ahr (phonetic spelling of his initials) takes luxury bags to the next level.

Jonathan Riss with one of his works @jay_ahr_
« 1969 » Vintage Hermès Kelly bag, size 28

An array of pristine condition pre-loved Hermès bags presents the perfect canvas for this ancient yet modern artwork making every piece sustainable in product and process with a story to tell. Custom embroideries are layered and interwoven into each bag, with the art piece looking like they were part of the original leather design. Riss and his team deconstruct every bag before sending each separate piece of leather to the embroiderers. Once they are finished, the bag is sewn back together using the original yarn.

This vintage Hermès Birkin bag with Shunga embroidery was especially created on behalf of Maxfield LA’s 50th anniversary. Available for $55.000. To shop, click here.

There are so many amazing pieces, see below for more:

Bandana Brown – Hermes Birkin 35

This bag is a vintage Hermès Birkin 35 in brown epsom leather first produced in 1999. The stamped- grain lightweight leather gives a structured relaxed contour. Featuring round top handles and a fold-over top with twist-lock closure.

Detailed with palladium hardware it comes with a detachable clochette with two encased keys and a padlock. From the Sanskrit word for «a bond», the bandana is inspired by the colourful Indian kerchiefs. The Bandana collection is paired with Jay Ahr’s tongue-in-cheek twist on the Hermès Twilly, in a matching bandana pattern.

$38.500 – To shop, click here.

Thangka Snake – Act 2 – Hermes Constance 24

A vintage Hermès Constance 24 in black box calf leather with gold plated metal hardware. The smooth box calf leather gives a glossy finish yet firm hold creating the bag’s structural lines. The bag features a versatile two-way shoulder strap and gilded ‘H’ front clasp closure.

Using this vintage Constance as a canvas, Jay Ahr presents a special interpretation of the Thangka, a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton or silk appliqué. The central motif features an embroidered interpretation of the snake depicted in the Raktayamari Thangka, one of the world’s great textile treasures. One of the major landmarks of early Ming dynasty textile arts, the eight snakes represent the subjugation of various obstacles and the accomplishment of skillful activities.

US$28,600 – To shop, click here.

Welcome to the Jungle Hermès Birkin 35

This bag is a vintage Hermès Birkin 35 in white canvas with a green trim first produced in 1996. Featuring round top handles and a fold-over top with twist-lock closure. Detailed with palladium hardware it comes with a detachable clochette with two encased keys and a padlock.

On this seemingly light hearted beauty the exotic green plays host to the lyrics of Guns & Roses’ «Welcome to the Jungle». Shrouded by Jungle palm leaves creating a sense of mystery and voyeurism. The song exposes the dark side of Los Angeles many people encounter when they go there to pursue fame. The embroidered print is not contained to the canvas but carried across the bag onto the soft Ebène calf leather hiding the underworld conveyed by the song.

$38.500 – To shop, click here.

Nessun Dorma – Hermès Kelly Sellier 28

This bag is a vintage Hermès Kelly Sellier 28 first produced in 1973. Detailed with palladium plated hardware it comes with a detachable clochette with two encased keys and a padlock. The bag stands tall on protective feet and is carried by a single padded top handle.

Marrying musical classics with vintage classics Jay Ahr has woven the lyrics to operas, ballads and anthems.  This piece is an ode to the Italian Opera. The lyrics to «Nessun Dorma» (None shall sleep), an aria from the final act of Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot – one of the best known tenor arias in opera – grace this stunning and rare Kelly, in an embroidered interpretation of wood block stamping.

$35.200 – To shop, click here.

Aren’t those bags so beautiful, when fashion meets art … masterpieces can be created.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Jay Ahr and via Marie Van Damme
DISCLOSURE: This post DOES NOT include affiliate links and is not sponsored. I am just a fan of the products.

Greetings from Sylt! I enjoyed a wonderful long weekend with great friends. Germany’s most famous island can be best explored by bike which you can rent everywhere. Here you see me on my way to the famous beach bar Buhne 16 that is only a short ride away from Kampen. My outfit was the perfect combination for all those different activities during the day. Stay tuned for more!

My look: Jacquard-trimmed printed stretch-jersey sports bra and matching cropped jacquard-trimmed printed stretch leggings, both by Versace, cotton-poplin shirt, all by Thom Browne, leather exaggerated-sole sneakers by Alexander McQueen, Multi Pochette Accessories in monogram canvas by Louis Vuitton and banana leaf print sunglasses by Dolce & Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Here comes the coolest collaboration of this summer. Dior joins forces with Vespa to create an exclusive scooter and a range of matching accessories, celebrating the sunny spirit and art of living of the two houses that were founded in the same year, in 1946.

Out of this passionate dialogue, the Vespa 946 Christian Dior scooter comes to life, its monohull architecture and subtle graphic lines paying tribute to the heritage of the two brands. A symbol of refinement, this object of desire reflects their shared commitment to the excellence of savoir-faire and virtuoso art of detail.

A contemporary version of the iconic Vespa 946 – presented in 2012 in Milan and recognized for its elegant, streamlined curves and technological innovation – the new model was designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri, Creative Director of Dior women’s collections. The scooter is made in Italy, adhering to the exacting standards, commitment and precision of a couture atelier.

Echoing the design of the saddle, a top case patterned with the Dior Oblique motif – designed by Marc Bohan in 1967 – is specially designed to be fixed on the luggage rack, adding a distinctive allure. A helmet adorned with the same iconic motif rounds out the unique range.

Symbols of escape to new horizons, these limited-edition creations will launch in spring 2021 in Dior boutiques around the world and subsequently in a selection of Piaggio Group’s Motoplex stores. The accessories, including the helmet and top case, will be available exclusively in Dior boutiques.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior

Beyoncé wore Mary Katrantzou for the single «Water» featuring Pharrell Williams and Salatiel, in her latest visual album «Black is King», styled by Zerina Akers.

The piece was inspired by electric lightning storms and the painterly colours in the sky after rain. A mix between sunrise and sunset.

The dress is a tech-organza base, selected for its high iridescence and intense shine, printed with a multicolour «rave cloud» which has merging colours of fuchsia, peach, citrus, ocean blue and sea green.

Hundreds of laser-cut oyster ruffles are then tulle bound by hand in correlating colours, amounting to around 500 meters. These are hand tucked into place to create the perfect form of sculpted ruffles. The ruffles are print placed to make the dress bleed from colour to colour across the body.

The embroidery consists of stacked micro sequins and crystal, built up in a 3D style which give them an ombré effect. This is accompanied by thousands of singular ostrich feathers, which are hand dyed in ombré colours, grading to up to three colours in each strand. They are then matched to correlate with the perfect place in the print, to mimic the soft drift of clouds after a storm. The embroidery was partly done in India, with finishing touches by our London atelier, amounting to 7 days of embroidery work on the dress.

Beyonce wore the finale look from the F/W 2019 collection, draped around her shoulders. Also looks 34 & 35 were featured in the same video.

For bespoke enquiries please contact .

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Mary Katrantzou

For S/S 2020, adidas Originals teams up with one of the hottest rising stars in the global fashion scene, China’s very own Angel Chen.
Comprised of four new footwear styles, each available in two colorways, this capsule collection channels a sophisticated yet eye-catching aesthetic capturing Chen’s unmistakable way through bold and colorful graphics.

Angel Chen

Angel Chen is quickly becoming one of the brightest creative talents to emerge from China’s nascent fashion scene. The name behind the brand, Angel Chen, moved to London at the age of 17 to study at the prestigious Central Saint Martin’s College of Arts and Design.

During her placement year, she interned for Marchesa, Vera Wang and Alexander Wang in New York. Following her graduate collection in 2014, Chen was chosen by i-D as one of five designers-to-watch and launched her eponymous label the following year. She listed within BOF 500 in 2017, secured a finalist position with the renowned Woolmark Prize in 2018 and participated and placed 4th in Netflix’s Next in Fashion in 2019.

Angel Chen’s colorful approach to fashion coupled with a core-concept of fusion of Eastern
and Western aesthetics has made it a noticeable bright young label. This remains the case with each new collection she puts out under the eponymous brand founded in 2014, which she describes as «innovative, colorful, unrestrained and expressive.»

These four words could equally be applied to Angel Chen’s first team up with adidas, which takes the form of four new footwear styles. Each is presented in two colorways and, in their brightly playful execution, channel the mood and look of 80s and 90s fashion.

The capsule collection draws inspiration from Chinese calligraphy while celebrating China’s successes and cultural reasonance in sports such as Ping Pong, Kungfu and Diving. Each bold style features colourful contemporary graphics and exaggerated silhouettes.

Angel‘s newly gained international recognition resulted in highly anticipated commercial
collaborations for Angel Chen with H&M and M.A.C.; and most recently with adidas Originals. Stocked internationally at 70 retailers, including Bergdorf Goodman, Selfridges, Lane Crawford, Net-A-Porter and Galeries Lafayette, Angel Chen is part of a new wave of young brands
making an impact globally.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © adidas Originals
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Now showing at Sandra’s Closet: «The back pack is back». At least this is what is written on the cassette sticker with DIY scrawl on my newest collector’s item: the Louis Vuitton S/S 2020 Video Tape Clutch.

Yesterday I had a quick stopover in Zurich to change my luggage as I am leaving today for Sylt. I have so many great things to show your from my travels, so please stay tuned. I tried to do a little digital detox for the past two weeks and it worked pretty well.

My look: Zinnia halterneck polka-dot linen and cotton-blend voile jumpsuit by Zimmermann, printed silk turban by Fendi, video tape clutch by Louis Vuitton, quilted leather mules by Bottega Veneta, cat-eye marbled-acetate sunglasses by Gucci, GG Running 18-karat white gold diamond hoop earrings, GG Running diamond X ring, and GG Running double diamond ring with chain, all by Gucci Fine Jewellery, and Pasha C chronograph in steel (2000) by Cartier.

The Pasha watch will be relaunched in September by Cartier, so I thought it is a great idea to dust mine and sport it again. To find out more, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

Greetings from Lake Como, where I am staying at one of my favorite hotels in the world, Villa d’Este. It is simply a heaven in one of Italy’s most desirable locations: Cernobbio. This Renaissance era palace is a portal to another world, with a touch of Italian Old World charm it is a true luxurious experience. Walking through the beautiful gardens, I am wearing my favorite summer uniform, a floral Zimmermann gown and a Bottega Veneta bag. The linen fabrics are easy to pack and look great even a little bit wrinkled.

My look: Zinnia floral-print linen midi dress and Aurora oversized butterfly acetate sunglasses, both by Zimmermann, Almost Bare metallic leather sandals by Aquazzura, Jodie mini knotted leather tote by Bottega Veneta and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

Looking at the terrible news from Beirut, I am so thankful that I am in such a beautiful and safe environment. Sending prayers to Lebanon. Everyone, stay safe! It is not the easiest time we are living in at the moment. So enjoy every day to the fullest!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. 

This Thursday, August 6th, the monthly Prada Timecapsule, an exclusive product drop of 50 items, occurring once a month, will be launched on prada.com – at 3pm CET – for 24 hours only. To find out more, click here for the previous post.

Enabled by the new Prada e-commerce platform, this new section is now available solely in Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom),
Japan, South Korea, China, USA and Canada, and for the first time in Brazil and Hong Kong, reaching other markets over the course of 2020 following the new prada.com layout-relaunching calendar.

This series of drops offer a classic boxy shirt, one of Prada’s wardrobe essentials, presented as unisex in an original printed version. The print’s motif is inspired by a theme related to the month of launch and includes a specific limited edition number 1/50, 2/50….

For this release, Prada presents a new cotton popeline shirt for both women and men, featuring an exclusive black, light-blue and white graphic print, inspired by the biking world. Available in XS, S, M, L, XL for €790,00 here for only 24h.

Next drop will be on September 3rd, 2020.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Prada

Introducing the Polo Ralph Lauren face mask collection, featuring two models—the Polo cloth mask and the Polo high-filtration mask – for all the ways you work and play. While Ralph Lauren hasn’t announced a firm release date, you can sign up for updates on the brand’s webstore (you will find the link below). It’ll be worth the wait, as it’ll become the new grail for masks, there are not many designer face protections around, and shopping them will help a good cause.

Fifty percent of the net purchase price (excluding VAT) of each mask will be donated to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO, powered by the UN Foundation.

The Polo Cloth Mask
80% Particle Filtration
Antimicrobial-treated cotton inner lining to preserve fabric freshness, two layers of non woven filtration, breathable outer layer. Sign up now here, coming fall 2020.

The Polo High-Filtration Mask
95% Particle Filtration
The most advanced option, the Polo High-Filtration Mask features an antimicrobial-treated shell and inner lining to preserve fabric freshness, a customizable fit, and disposable filters for a higher level of breathability. Sign up now here, coming fall 2020.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Ralph Lauren

Uncover a new glow with the all-new Orgasm X Collection: a provocative pink so deeply flattering, it’s enough to make you blush. Buildable. Blendable. Indispensable.

ORGASM X BLUSH (42.90 CHF)
– The authority in cheek, discover new blush in its iconic shade range and bestselling powder formula. Cult-favorite NARS Blush delivers a weightless, natural-looking rush of color in matte, satin, and shimmering finishes.

ORGASM X CHEEK PALETTE (39.20 CHF)
– Three stimulating shades. One for every pleasure. Hit all the right spots with a coveted cheek trio for a naturally dimensional glow. Featuring new Orgasm X Blush and cult-favorite Orgasm Blush, plus Orgasm Highlighting Powder for sultry, second-skin luster. Build the thrill.
Shades (from left to right):
ORGASM HIGHLIGHTING POWDER (golden shimmer)
ORGASM BLUSH (peachy pink with golden shimmer)
ORGASM X BLUSH (shimmering deep coral pink with gold pearl)

QUAD EYESHADOW (65.- CHF)
– A limited-edition selection of Quad Eyeshadow Palettes in two new shades inspired by Orgasm and new Orgasm X – because too much is never enough. Matte, shimmer, shine.
Quads:
ORGASM – Shades:
• Golden shimmer (top left)
• Light pink champagne (top right)
• Shimmering light cocoa (bottom left)
• Matte Coral (bottom right)

ORGASM X – Shades:
• Pink rust shimmer (top left)
• Sparkling amber (top right)
• Dusty rose matte (bottom left)
• Black with red shimmer (bottom right)

OIL-INFUSED LIP TINT (36.- CHF)
– Sensorial texture. Insatiable color. Sheer pleasure. Indulge your lips with a surge of hydration in new, limited-edition shade Orgasm X. Infused with water-absorbing molecules to help create a fuller look, and loaded with antioxidants for seductively plush lips that beg to be sealed with an X.
Shades:
ORGASM (sheer peachy pink with golden shimmer)
ORGASM X (Limited-edition; sheer shimmering deep coral with gold pearl)

MINI ORGASM EYESHADOW PALETTE (39.90 CHF)
– The signature universally flattering Orgasm glow, but now reimagined in a travel-size eyeshadow palette. Featuring six shades of endless pleasure.
Shades:
FULL MOON (metallic pale pink – top left)
MAXIMUM PLEASURE (shimmering golden peach -top middle)
DANGER GIRL (matte coral – top right)
WILD ONE (metallic golden pink – bottom left)
PATTAYA (sparkling iridescent copper – bottom middle)
SEDUCED (sparkling amber – bottom right)

ULTIMATE ORGASM SET (66.60 CHF)
– A travel-ready set of Orgasm Blush, Orgasm Afterglow Lip Balm, Orgasm Oil-Infused Lip Tint and a deluxe travel makeup bag.
Products Included:
MINI ORGASM BLUSH (peachy pink with golden shimmer)
FULL SIZE ORGASM AFTERGLOW LIP BALM (sheer peachy pink with golden shimmer)
FULL SIZE ORGASM OIL-INFUSED LIP TINT (sheer peachy pink with golden shimmer)
DELUXE TRAVEL MAKEUP BAG

«I never anticipated Orgasm becoming so successful. Looking back, I think the combination of the name and the shade made it so popular… Without such an audacious name, I don’t know if it would have become so iconic.» – Founder and Creative Director, François Nars

For the Orgasm X Collection campaign, François Nars photographed one of his current muses, model Yoon Young Bae, in a New York City studio, with an effortlessly glowing beauty look.
To recreate the collection’s campaign look, start by applying Radiant Creamy Concealer underneath the eyes. Next, using fingertips, apply Natural Radiant Long-Wear Foundation all over the face for an even finish.
Then, using the #20 Allover Eyeshadow Brush, apply Shade 3 from the Orgasm X Eyeshadow Quad all over the eyelids. Then, use the #21 Small Eyeshadow Brush to apply Shade 4 onto the bottom of the eyelids, Shade 2 on top of the eyelids, and Shade 1 on the bottom lash line. Then apply Shade 1 and Shade 2 from the Orgasm Eyeshadow Quad to the inner eye corners.
To define cheek bones, add overall dimension, and contour, sweep Orgasm and Orgasm X Blush onto the cheeks using the #16 Blush Brush.
Fill lips with the Orgasm X Oil-Infused Lip Tint to complete the look.

All products are now in stores.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Nars