Sandra‘s Closet

Feathers are a trend that seems to be always there. For F/W 2010 designers showed that fine feathers make fine birds. From beautiful marabou plumes to ostrich feathers, the creations were versatile. Being dressed in full feathers stands for a certain glamourous allure.
So Ladies, start looking for your feathers of prey:

A marabou jacket or cape is a piece for eternity. It adds the right amount of sophistication to every evening outfit or ball gown. I especially adore the ones from Balmain this season and would opt for a colourful piece.

The Gucci dress from the F/W 2010 runway collection is a smart choice as it comes with a removable feather-trimmed bolero.

In case you do not like to ruffle your feathers, I recommend a feather print or just a little detail like the ostrich-trimmed satin bag by Lanvin.

For F/W 2010, the possibilities are numerous. If you turn up your glam factor, you will surely not be shedding feathers.

And good news is, the feather trend is going to stay for S/S 2011. So those pieces are definitely great investments.

Ladies, it is time to adorn yourselves with borrowed plumes!

LoL, Sandra

I would like to dedicate this week to outstanding talented designers around the world who have impressed me with their work.
As the annual Munich Beer Festival, the famous Oktoberfest, is taking place at the moment, I would like to start with Lola Paltinger who creates the most beautiful dirndl couture– the embodiment of urbane German traditional costume, so-called “Tracht”.

Lola graduated like me from ESMOD. After her studies she trained with Vivienne Westwood before launching her own atelier.

Her style is eccentric and very feminine, inspired by the Hollywood glamour of the 1930s/40s. Her playful romanticism with that touch of drama is what makes her creations so special. As for me her dirndls are by far the most gorgeous ones on the market, elevating the traditional costume to a trendy must-have.

Her label Lollipop & Alpenrock stands for her famous couture dirndls, classy two-pieces and separates. The beautiful range of Bavarian accessories complete the collection.
For enquiries concerning the bespoke pieces, please contact the Munich atelier directly.

Under the name Happy Heidi, Lola Paltinger presents her prêt-à-porter range of very fashionable models in limited editions. Aprons, charivaris and matching blouses are also available from selective retailers both within Germany and abroad.

For my German, Swiss and Austrian readers: Himmelblau by Lola Paltinger is her casual line with Tracht elements that is sold exclusively to HSE24, the home shopping televison network.

She even has some famous fans who were spotted wearing her Bavarian pop couture, among them Selma Hayek and Paris Hilton.

One thing is for sure: Women of all ages, figures and types look great in a dirndl!
And with that famous “dash of Lola”, that coquettish wink, you will be snowed under with gingerbread hearts saying I love you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lola Paltinger

Vending machines selling luxury goods seem to be on the rise. Katie Grand, editor-in-chief of LOVE magazine has teamed up with Selfridges to create such a machine for the beginning of London Fashion Week until October 15th. The new retail concept can be found in the lobby of London’s It-hotel St Martin’s Lane where many editors, models and buyers are staying at the moment.

You can get a lot of fantastic items, some highly exclusive, let me name a few:

-Falabella bag by Stella McCartney

-leather and sequined dress by Alexander Wang

-draped dress by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania

-a unique pair of trainers by Rick Owens customized by Chrome Hearts with solid silver hardware

-Amazona handbag by Loewe

-limited Dior nail polishes

-Mimosa candles by Diptyque exclusive to Selfridges in yellow

–Falke’s new „secret socks“ for men

-a vintage Rolex watch

-embossed leather wallets by Comme des Garçons

-clutch purses by Mulberry

A word to the wise, do not get drunk in the hotel bar, you might lose control and this could end on the way to your room passing the LOVE machine in a financial disaster.

LoL, Sandra

The traditional French house Hermès is starting to be more and more advanced by surfing on the internet trend. Similiar to the Sartorialist, they created their own street style inspired photos of It-girls all over the world for a standalone website named J’aime mon carré (I love my scarf). There you can find ideas and instructions on how to wear and knot your Hermès scarf.

Cashing on the recent 70’s trend, Hermès shows how hip the classic accessory can be.
It is definitely another sign of how luxury, fashion and street have merged in the last years.

If you like to be part of it, you can still get your pictures taken. Today in the Swiss Hermès boutiques in Basel, Bern and Zurich where last night the brand new and gorgeous store celebrated its opening. Other cities to follow will be: September 25th, Surabaya, Indonesia, September 27th Paris and November 3rd, Hong Kong.

LoL, Sandra

Some impressions of last night’s party:

The new Hermès store in Zurich on Bahnhofstr. 28A

Stilt walkers with Venetian masks were welcoming the guests.

Sophie C. Anache-Strobel, store manager, in HERMÈS with me wearing a LOUIS VUITTON dress and scarf, an ALEXANDER WANG leather jacket and a PROENZA SCHOULER PS1 clutch.

But I had a little HERMÈS accessory as well: A silk twilly wrapped around my wrist.

The party continued in the beautifully decorated Zunfthaus zur Meisen.

After my Fashion’s Night Out in London, I had another little treat on Thursday. Stella McCartney closed her boutique on Bruton Street in the afternoon to host a small special event for her girlfriends. I was so lucky to be there as well.
The presentation of her fabulous Resort 2011 collection was an eye candy. Gorgeous flower prints reminding me of the works by the Belgian painter and botanist Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840) who was called the “Raphael of flowers” evoked a longing for spring. Stella made the prints look as fresh as when first painted.

Slightly clashing pinks, clean whites and vibrant blues gave this collection a fresh and vigorous feeling.  The world’s most famous vegetarian designer who has built an empire on fur-and leather-free products knows her business. Without sacrificing sexiness for sustainability, she mixed elements of the sixties and nineties. The lace fabric with a three-d effect was to die for. I marked my choice with the little hearts.

If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact the London store at .

In case you are not ready for spring yet, have a look at this stunning winter look that is available now. I am in love with the graphic well-tailored cuts.
By the way, Stella told me that there are no umbrellas this season, it is all about hats for her. Awesome, I am so on for this!

Before leaving my best shopping experience ever, Stella signed my Fashion’s Night Out T-shirt.
I will frame it now.

LoL, Sandra

Some of the most important Prada icons become “mini” accessories: the shopping bag in nappa gauffrè, the backpack in nylon and the saffiano boxy shaped bag have been reinterpreted in a new 15 cm size.

Even F/W 2010’s “Yo-Yo bag” goes  “mini” and becomes  part of  Prada’s heritage. The “Mini-Bags” turn into keyrings as well, which are made with the same fabrics used to make the bags.

Prada will also launch the “Pin Up Tricks” and the “Graffiti Tricks” collections that will include some fun earrings inspired by the work of street artists.The mini gift ideas by Prada will be available from November 2010 in the Prada Stores.

Prada Lisbon

It is always worth paying a visit to a Prada store, especially when it is a brand new one because it is sure to be filled with the best pieces of the season. Last weekend, I went to Lisbon where the legendary Italian label just has opened its doors on Avenida da Liberdade.

After conquering the market in over 70 countries, Prada has finally arrived in Portugal. Designed by the architect Roberto Baciocchi, the shop has some beautiful museum-like displays, resulting in a sumptuous “boudoir” ambience where each collection has separate compartments and is organised in different environments.

And for those travelling to Lisbon, I highly recommend a visit to the new Mude –Design & Fashion Museum. Take your time as you can spend hours in there.

LoL, Sandra

Lanvin’s Pre-fall 2010 collection is totally on the wild side and has some of the hottest leopard print items of the season. This is Parisian chic being bang on trend that works effortlessly day to night. Make a fierce statement in a gorgeous dress or just add a hint of animal print with these stunning leopard print pony skin trainers.

Lanvin Decoration at Barneys Beverly Hills

Medium and Large 'Happy' Leopard Print Shoulder Bags

My favourites are the “Happy” Leopard Print Shoulder Bags with the beautiful iconic grosgrain ribbon metal chains that come in two sizes. Might be pretty hard to decide which one to take as they both look fabulous. What do you think?

LoL, Sandra

They are loved and worn by Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Kate Perry: The crazy sunglasses by Kerin Rose. From lace-covered to paint-spattered, those sunnies might probably fail to fulfill their original purpose but they are definite eyecatchers. Being one-of-a-kind statement pieces with a rockstar allure, they are the perfect accessories for your next 80s revival party.
So go big, go hard, and go far! And do not take it too seriously…
Available at A-morir and Browns.

LoL, Sandra

A dear subscriber of Sandra`s Closet asked for help. She is going to a wedding which will take place in a beautiful garden of a winery in Napa, California and wants to look stunning. Her request was that the outfit should be around $1000.- max.

I put some gorgeous styles together in different colour combinations. Let’s start with something classy in beige and gold for approximately $800.-. Contrast the polished look with a pair of cut-out booties and a hat for an über-stylish statement. (Dress by Karen Millen).

Soft pink is an exquisite colour to wear for a wedding party. The shift dress by D&G Dolce & Gabbana is a fabulously feminine choice. Complement the delicate pastel tone with suede pumps and a golden clutch.
The pochette by Anya Hindmarch is a little pricey at 525.- but an investment piece for many occassions to come.
I totally adore the hat clip for only $10.-. This modern and stylish take on the traditional wedding accessory will make you stand out of the crowd.

A contemporary choice for day and night is this purple halterneck dress for $355.- by Halston Heritage. The brand carries a lot of gorgeous dresses for less money.
Cinch this sculpted style at the waist with the self-tie belt and wear it with understated jewelry and strappy sandals for first class cocktail chic. A feather hair clip for only $27.- could give you that Blair Waldorf attitude. The whole outfit is $745.-. You can add a stylish leopard cardigan for $350.- if it gets chilly.

I love this vibrant asymmetric dress by Halston Heritage. The bright hue will look awesome on brunettes and dark haired ladies. Sharpen the playful rose detail with stunning lace booties and a beaded clutch. Bangles are always a fabulous finish. The complete look is without the jewelry around $850.-.

But careful, it is hard not to steal the show in those gorgeous outfits.
To a great wedding party!

LoL, Sandra

Me in my beloved blue leopard cardigan from Dolce & Gabbana’s S/S 2010 collection

Due to the ongoing leopardmania, there will be a lot of wild cats around this winter, so you probably better make sure to stick out of the crowd. And the best way might be Dolce & Gabbana`s colourful twist on their signature animal print.  What started last season in blue and red, is for this fall all about pink and green.

Give your wardrobe some va va voom and pick your leopard print essentials for this fall. A stylish cardigan or scarf will bring a bit of colour to an all black outfit and an animal-print bag will add an instant hit of glamour to your daily look.

Make a roaring fashion statement in those colourful leos!

LoL, Sandra