Sandra‘s Closet

While being in Florence, I was able to explore the new Pop Up Greenhouse by RED Valentino which will officially opens its doors today at Piazza Strozzi.

The temporary space will stay until the 17th of June.

It is a beautiful botanical scenario, where you unexpectedly find yourself in a luxuriant, verdant place like Alice in Wonderland.

In this imaginary greenhouse the young protagonist of the RED Valentino story light-heartedly continues her journey.

Her romantic fantasy and vivid imagination are her means of expression.

A cloud of delicate fluttering white butterflies comes to life, seemingly lifting this airy, magical world and carrying it to a fairytale setting. The decoration is divine.

Gardening elements become objects for displaying exclusive garments. Scarves are enclosed in transparent glass bulb boxes. Galoshes hang in wood crates while colourful costume jewellery is “planted” in small white flower pots.

If you are a romantic woman, you will fall in love with the magical surrounding. The collection was created solely for this fairytale space: each garment and accessory was especially designed and presented in this dreamy, light-hearted setting. Flirty garments and accessories are playfully paired up with garden elements. Work aprons and rubber galoshes becomes whimsical accessories for overalls, while flowers and butterflies embellish the fabrics of dresses, skirts, and accessories, all in a burst of colourful prints.

Even the colours are inspired by nature: rose, hyacinth, and thyme are used on natural materials that are traditional elements of the RED Valentino world.

This new chapter in the marvellous RED Valentino fairytale, signed by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, will visit next St. Tropez, France from 11-18 July, 2011 at Place Celli. After that, Knokke, Belgium is the following stop from 4-7 August, 2011 at Place Van Brunnen Plein.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Metallics have stayed being a huge trend this season. Gold in particular is everywhere and adorns especially handbags and shoes. Here are my two favourites for this summer. As sale has started almost everywhere, keep an eye on those two investment pieces.

Crafted with a sculptural peaked wedge heel, Yves Saint Laurent’s “Venice” gold leather sandals are sure to top every fashionista’s wish list. Complement the luxe hue with rich jewel tones and a statement ring to complete a glamorous evening look.

Add high-shine polish to your cocktail wardrobe with Gucci’s shimmering “Malika” metallic python leather clutch bag. Carry this trophy piece after dark to create this exciting new-season style. You might need nothing else…

LoL, Sandra

Meet Havva Mustafa, the mastermind behind the new luxury footwear brand HAVVA. Born into a family of third generation footwear artisans and designers, and growing up with the curious shapes of patterns, lasts and heels – Havva’s interest and passion for footwear was stirred from a very early age.

Determined to preserve the family heritage and knowledge Havva followed in her father’s footsteps and studied at the prestigious Cordwainers Footwear College in London. Gaining invaluable experience she nevertheless became increasingly frustrated by the constraints and lack of vision encountered. When wearing shoes of her own designs she was frequently stopped in the streets and realised that she wanted to share her passion. She set about making that dream a reality and launched HAVVA in 2009, with the support and backing of her family who all contribute to the brands existence.

HAVVA shoes are truly precious objects of desire. Please find below an interesting interview that the beautiful designer gave Sandra’s Closet:

1.You were born into a family of  footwear artisans and designers. Did your family want you to follow in their footsteps? How has the experience that you have gained from a very early age helped you?

I remember growing up, I was constantly surrounded by shoes, around the dinner table normal conversation was, what leather, last or season trend was going to be appearing. My father and grandfather have always been in the shoe trade, I think it became second nature; it was always something I was going to go into, and wouldn’t change it for the world. As I grew up- my shoe collection gradually expanded until there was no space left- as you can image for a girl it was heaven. Going on holidays would never be the same if we didn’t stop in a few shops to check out the footwear, so I gained a great back round knowledge of the industry before I even went into it.

2. You studied at the prestigious Cordwainers Footwear College in London. How did you like the studies?
Studying there was great, I learnt from design to making which I think is very important to be able to know how the final product will be created. I made fantastic friends who are also in the shoe trade and we meet up all around the world.

3. Nicholas Kirkwood, who became very well known for his shoe designs, studied at Cordwainers, too. I recently did an interview with him. Have you ever met him?
No I haven’t but I would love to, his designs are amazing-what an imagination.

4. Could you imagine to do different collaborations with other fashion houses like he does? If so, which fashion house would be your prefered one to design shoes for?
I think collaboration is a brilliant idea. The creativity that you combine with a fashion house can produce beautiful creations. One of them would be Miu Miu- the shoes are fun and unique and every season I look forward to their collections.

5. Is there any other shoe designer that you admire? And why?
Rupert Sanderson’s footwear is pretty amazing; it’s great to see every brand has their own unique touch.

6. If you were able to dress the feet of a famous lady? Which ones would that be?
Dita Von Teese- she has such a unique style.

7. I like the idea of creating shoes inspired by modernist architecture. Your designs are very special. How did you come up with this?
My younger brother is an architecture student and I was flicking through his books and saw these amazing shaped 1960s buildings.  All of these shapes and designs represented progress and ‘moving forward.’ They symbolized to the people around them that everything, including architecture, was moving forward in some way or another.

The spiral staircase, Buhrich house, 1960, designed by architect Hugh Buhrich demonstrates the curve and shape that inspired Loretta, the swirling shoe boot with elements of the patterns from the 60s.
The design of the Hotel and Restaurant Astoria in Trondheim included various versions of the cone chairs lending itself to Gloria with the geometric lines and side scroll.
The Philips Pavilion designed by the office of Le Corbusier, had strong dynamically-angled contours, geometrical architectural sharp lines and pointing asymmetrical lines takes the form of the style Rene with its intricate diamond design.
The St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chicago is somewhat famous for its marching walls of blue diamonds and the architectural feature of a pediment in the shape of waves took to the patchwork layers of Venus- wave roofing’s and detailing was a feature of the 1960s architecture. The high shine leather metallic mix was a tribute to the futuristic movement called Googie.

8. Do you have a shoe no-go?
Shoes that don’t fit! It can ruin such a beautiful silhouette of a shoe. And always get your soles and especially your heels repaired-when i see a heel bending and the top piece has totally worn away into the actual heel its terrible.

9. Havva Mustafa in three words.
The person- Passionate, creative and bubbly.
The brand- Infinitely, lavish and innovative.

10. What are your plans for the future?
I hope that the HAVVA brand just carries on expanding and we become a known brand for creating beautiful footwear.

Havva’s amazing accessories collection for S/S 2011 includes beautiful headpieces.

I am sure that we will see much more of Havva Mustafa in the future! For store locations, please click here. Good luck, Havva! I am already a big fan of yours.

LoL, Sandra

Something is happening in the world of ties. Wide, narrow, long, short, – there is no other men’s accessory as manifold as the tie. In the business world, it is the gentleman’s embellishment, so you better choose wisely as it may reveal more of your personality than you would presume.
With an Hermès tie, you cannot go wrong, it is an implicit statement of taste.

The French fashion house has some good news for the discerning men.
Its emblematic Façonné H silk tie is offered now in over one thousand colours to be chosen from. The „Ma Couleur“ service is finished off with an embossed leather label featuring the wearer’s initials. You can also decide on the length and width of your bespoke tie that will be made in the ateliers in Lyon. CHF 420.

The „Mon Message“ goes even a little further and offers five different patterns in a large variety of colours. In the lining of the tie, you can include a private message that only its wearer knows about. It takes about 3 months to order it. CHF 620.

So ladies, why not asking your beloved one to tie the knot with a note in the tie?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Still looking for a little Easter surprise. Here are some suggestions that are perfect for those who want to declare their love within a budget or feel good when helping others.

Dodo belongs to famous Italian jewelry brand Pomellato and is definitely their sweetest collection. The dodo pendants are a happy company of animals who speak the language of feelings and emotions. Each dodo reveals a little bit of who we are and what we want to say, sending a wonderful personal message to our loved ones.

Those who look like innocent little lambs and those who pass for big bad wolves often make a perfect couple. Why not giving such a sweet little Easter lamb instead of eating it?!

Charms lamb and wolf  starting at € 115 each, earrings starting at € 364 each pair.

Gucci introduces a limited edition charity bracelet to support earthquake relief efforts in Japan.  All proceeds from sales of the bracelet will benefit the Japanese Red Cross Society to support victims of the devastating Higashi Nihon Dai-Shinsai earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March.

Featuring a white-red-white web that recalls the colors of the Japanese flag, the bracelet carries a medal with a message that reads, “Gucci loves you.” The limited edition bracelet will be available from April 23, for CHF 120. Who doesn’t want to be loved by Gucci?

Vanessa Tugendhaft has also created two bracelets to salute and support the stricken nation: Bracelet Nobless – a diamond for Japan, something to remember.

The Nobless bracelet is available in two forms at affordable prices for larger mobilisation.
– a white unbreakable thread with a central motif without diamond in rhodium silver and red enamel : CHF 69
(CHF 13 will be donated to the Red Cross)
– a white unbreakable thread with a diamond trimmed central motif in rhodium silver and red enamel : CHF 129
(CHF 26 will be donated to the Red Cross).

Available through Kids and the City, phone +41 79 768 37 23.

Enjoy your Easter weekend and Happy Spring to everyone, it is really here!

LoL, Sandra

Thank you to all of you who were sending me such sweet e-mails regarding my outfit that I wore to the Chanel show in Paris last month (see photo in the middle below). Some of you were curious about the colourful fur stole, so let me tell you more about it.

The fashion world has declared Prada’s hot accessory from the S/S 2011 runway show as the must-have item. Just look at who’s already been spotted with it.

First on the scene with the stole was no other than ueber-stylish editorilista herself, Anna Dello Russo.

Marc Jacobs wore it casually draped around his neck to party with Kanye West while Mary-Kate Olsen was trying to hide from the paparazzi with it. It has appeared in many editorials and Rihanna sported the stole in her latest music video for her single “S&M”.

It comes in an array of vibrant colours and is perfect to work this season’s colour block trend.

As it is mostly sold out worldwide, I have some exciting news for you. There are three pieces left in Switzerland. For further enquiries and the colour combinations available, please contact this number: +41 43 2110943.

Below you can enjoy some close-up shots of my “baby”. Aren’t those colours divine?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Something that might be interesting for my Zurich based fashionistas: Dazü, the third Brazilian fashion event will take place this week, on the 31 of March until the 2nd of April.

Established last year by three lovely Brazilian ladies, Monica Wendel, Beatriz Heuer and Denise Vaccaro Graetz,  who live here in Zurich with their hubbies and children, Dazü has twice a year sales, one in spring and one in fall.

The prices are reasonable, between CHF 100- 300 for the clothes and between CHF 60 -150 for the jewelry that it is made by Israeli designers. Having an eye for fashion, the intention behind the idea was to to bring the Southamerican joie de vivre and trendy style to the Switzerland. The collection for S/S 2011 is very versatile, from dresses to shirts and tunics to bikinis. Have a look at some of the pieces and find a detailed description below how to get there. They take cash only.

Bom divertimento!

LoL, Sandra

In stores now is Miu Miu’s sweet denim collection with which I am completely in love.
The blue fabric is so hip and those pieces will make lots of heads turn after you.

Please find herewith a detailed price list:
Denim shirt, 270 Euro – Little denim dress, 520 Euro – Long denim dungarees, 590 Euro – Denim shoes with flake, 350 Euro – Denim bag with gold catch, 695 Euro –  Denim bag, 560 Euro

For Miu Miu store locations, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

The Hermès S/S 2011 collection for men by Véronique Nichanian is a dream. Classic pieces like the well made pants and the colours in hues of white and beige are combined with skin revealed with subtlety. The look has what it takes to please both, men and the women who love them.

I came across two accessories for men that I find absolutely amazing. MUST-HAVES!

Belt-tie or tie-belt? Made of printed or woven silk to match the men’s S/S 2011 collection, this belt is presented in a gift box with two bands of silk and a removable Etrivière buckle. Vary the way you wear it to match your mood. CHF 730

This boot with its assertive personality dares cool green for a refreshing summer look. A British elegance is paired with a sensual modernity. I just love them! CHF 950

For further information, please visit the Hermès boutique nearest to you.

LoL, Sandra

Matthew Williamson has designed an amazing capsule handbag collection for Bulgari that is available in stores now. The S/S 2011 accessories collection celebrates Mediterranean allure blending design and innovation.

Bold colours and strong patterns, this is what Matthew Williamson stands for. Check out the beautiful pieces by clicking here.

LoL, Sandra