Sandra‘s Closet

Another designer to make a career move…, Fendi artistic director Kim Jones is leaving the Italian fashion house but will stay on at Dior Homme, LVMH said in a statement, the latest in a series of designer shuffles at big name labels as the industry adjusts to a downturn.

A new creative organisation for the label will be announced «in due time,» the company said. One of the industry’s highest profile designers, Jones succeeded Karl Lagerfeld at the label in 2020, designing ready-to-wear and couture collections.

Demi Moore walking the Fendi Couture runway in January 2021.

Described as «the hardest working in man in fashion» by ELLE UK’s editor-in-chief Kenya Hunt for a December 2023 profile, Jones has previously held the top job at Louis Vuitton (Men’s) having risen up the ranks of the industry by way of non-profit incubator Fashion East.

Last week, LVMH named Michel Rider to succeed Hedi Slimane at Celine, and in September named Sarah Burton to take over creative direction at Givenchy.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Fendi
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Finally I can share the news for you: the most spectacular style battle in the world is coming to Germany presented by Gülcan Kamps and I will be part of it. On October 15, 2024, MY STYLE ROCKS premiers on Sport1 and I am one of the four jurors alongside fashion designer Harald Glööckler, actress and model Larissa Marolt, and beauty expert Andreas Wendt.

The new show is on daily from Monday to Friday at 4:45 p.m at Sport1 and 3+.

MY STYLE ROCKS is a fashion competition show in which twelve stylish, self-confident women fight a daily fashion battle to determine the most stylish woman in Germany. Every day, the participants get a motto that they have to interpret in their own stylish way. From an autumn walk to a sophisticated business appointment to a club night. They can go shopping or present something from their own closet. After walking the catwalk, they will explain their choices and their inspirations to the jury and their fellow contestants.

They will then be commented on and evaluated using a points system by us fashion experts as well as the other candidates based on their creativity, their presentation and their consistency with the theme of the day.

At the end of the week, on the last gala day, they are given a specific theme – such as «Red Carpet Glam», «Feather Fantasy» or «Halloween Queen» – and the candidates have to take it up a notch. At the end of each week, the person with the highest score wins the weekly prize. Those with the lowest overall score, however, are in the danger zone – and one of them is eliminated.

What I really love about this TV format is that viewers have the opportunity to follow the contestants’ development over the weeks and see how they increasingly express their fashion sense and personality through their outfits. They will also learn new tips and be inspired by their fashion sense. It’s not just about being fashionable, but also about expressing their talent, creativity and fashion sense – and ultimately making it to the finals to win the crown. Personally speaking, I will give insights into fashion history, materials, proportions and trends.

Each week one contestant will win the weekly prize of €1500 and at the end of the series only one of them will be crowned as the most stylish woman in the country. She will win the big prize money of € 20,000!

In Switzerland MY STYLE ROCKS will air on 3+. For more information on the show in German, click here please. I hope you will start watching on Tuesday!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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After its huge success in 2023, Jimmy Choo x Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon returns. The second instalment of this bold collaboration delves deeper into the story of the Sailor Guardians, bringing to life five more beloved characters from the iconic manga series. The capsule collection featuring footwear, bags and accessories draws on inspiration from the celebrated magical girls und is in stores now.

Personally speaking I am obsessed with the footwear. So many cool pieces.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Jimmy Choo
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I am in Istanbul at the moment filming a new TV show about fashion for German and Swiss TV, but I don’t want you to miss out on the big news. It’s official: Hedi Slimane is exiting Celine after seven years, owner LVMH confirmed in a statement. The star designer is departing the Parisian fashion house after months of thorny contract negotiations according to BoF. During his tenure, Slimane more than doubled Celine’s annual sales to €2.5 billion.

One thing is for sure Hedi, who is known for his trademark skinny silhouette has transformed Celine. He added menswear for the first time in the brand’s 79-year history to the portfolio, as well as expanding into high perfume and beauty. In womenswear, Slimane reconnected Celine to its historic identity as a purveyor of leather goods that incarnate Parisian bourgeois style and took the accent aigu of the e, which means it is Celine and not Céline anymore.

«Celine has experienced exceptional growth and established itself as an iconic French couture house,» LVMH said in a statement. «The holistic vision of Hedi Slimane, his exigence and rigour have made it possible to redefine the codes of Celine whilst reaffirming its feminine and Parisian roots.»

Mere hours after the official exit of Hedi Slimane, Michael Rider has been named artistic director of Celine. Rider was a top design deputy during Phoebe Philo’s tenure at Celine and left his role at Ralph Lauren earlier this year. Before that Rider worked under Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga.He will oversee all collections at the LVMH-owned house from early 2025.

CHANEL has not named its new designer yet. I guess that Hedi is heading there … what is your take on it?

LoL, Sandra

PHOTOS: Courtesy of Celine
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Today, I am super proud to show you the photo shoot and interview I did for Settedonna Magazine. The photos were taken by Michael Orlik at Atelier Dati, where you can find amazing art objects made of steel, for indoors and outdoors, busts, sculptures and paintings by the well-known artist couple Dario Norelli and Tina Itin. A huge thank you to the Settedonna team, publisher Yolanda Risi-Egger for the trust, creative director Patrizia Camardella, and stylist Tosca Hentz for the amazing collaboration and to Michael Tsanidis for the beautiful hair styles.

In the photo shoot I wear some amazing looks by Swiss designers combined with accessories from my own closet. I will post all details during the next days.

PHOTOSHOOT SETTEDONNA

INTERVIEW SETTEDONNA

In the interview  you can find photos shot by Felicia Sewerinsson. If you like the looks, you can find all the details in the links under the photos.

Saloni – Sky Blue – Royal Ascot

I am at the moment in Istanbul for a very special TV project. Stay tuned for an update coming soon.

LoL, Sandra

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Gucci unveils «We Will Always Have London», a new campaign by Creative Director Sabato De Sarno to present the Gucci Blondie bag and Cruise 2025 collection. Debbie Harry and Kelsey Lu, captured by the visionary Nan Goldin, are the protagonists of a story of people, places and moments, an ode to the timeless allure of London, and the House’s deep connection to the city. 

With a creative vision that evolves and deepens each season, from the discreet setting of S/S 2024 to the exploration of new sensuality in F/W 2024, Sabato De Sarno’s latest campaign for Gucci introduces new languages of artistry and romance. This latest chapter in a voyage through various dimensions of stylistic expression is set in London, an eternal muse for music, art, and culture, and where the Cruise 2025 collection debuted, embodying the creative spirit of the House’s ongoing love affair with the city. It was here, over a century ago, that a young Guccio Gucci, working as a liftboy at The Savoy hotel, first encountered the elegance and sophistication of the international elite. This experience sparked his ambition and led to the founding of his eponymous leather goods house in 1921, forging an enduring bond with London. This connection continues to shape Gucci’s creative journey, celebrated in the Cruise 2025 collection and in the «We Will Always Have London» campaign. 

Award-winning photographer and filmmaker Nan Goldin, brings her distinctive vision to the campaign. With honors such as France’s prestigious Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres in 2006, and a 2023 Academy Award nomination for her documentary All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, Goldin is widely regarded as one of the most influential photographers of our time. For «We Will Always Have London,» her documentary-style approach infuses the imagery with an intimate, rare power. Goldin’s skill in capturing the raw essence of her subjects weaves a story where fashion transcends the runway, embodying the free-spirited energy at the core of Sabato De Sarno’s vision. The campaign follows its protagonists through various locations in the city under a mysterious nighttime ambiance, creating a cinematic narrative that melds timeless influences with a contemporary edge. 

Cultural icon Debbie Harry, co-founder and frontwoman of Blondie – whose rebellious spirit, trailblazing style, and enduring musical influence continue to inspire generations, stars alongside one of today’s most esteemed performing artists, cellists, and composers, Kelsey Lu.

These two women, though from distinct generations, share an undeniable creative spirit. Together, they symbolize the fusion of past and future that Gucci so often explores, and they embody the spirit of the Gucci Blondie bag, a timeless icon reimagined in the Cruise 2025 collection. The campaign features moments in London’s iconic cabs and atmospheric  spaces. Joining them are Alaato Jazyper, the face of Gucci’s F/W 2024 campaign, and Yanan Wan, who opened the Cruise 2025 runway at Tate Modern. As they explore the spaces of London’s home of modern art, they bring the collection’s narrative to life. 

At the heart of the campaign is the Gucci Blondie bag, not merely an accessory, but a piece of the House’s legacy reimagined for today’s world. First introduced in the early 1970s, the bag’s signature rounded emblem, crafted from leather or enamel, echoes the liberated spirit in the era of its origins, while its sleek, spacious silhouette speaks to today’s aesthetic. 

A collection that reflects the bold and the subtle, the Gucci Cruise 2025 collection continues this dialogue between past and future, weaving together contrasting elements in a celebration of opposites. Embroidered embellishments and delicate laces meet structured, precision-cut outerwear in a captivating exploration of dualities. 

LoL, Sandra

CREDITS: © Gucci – Creative Director: Sabato De Sarno  – Artistic Director: Riccardo Zanola  – Director: Benoît Delhomme with Nan Goldin  – Photographer: Nan Goldin  – Stylist: Francesca Burns  – Casting Director: Piergiorgio Del Moro  – Make Up: Brigitte Reiss-Andersen  – Hair: Jimmy Paul  – Talent : Debbie Harry, Kelsey Lu  DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

Welcome to the Mauritian Côte d’Azur and don’t let its name fool you, Cap Malheureux («Unlucky Cap») is a true paradise! Although its name sounds like a curse, this small fishing village located between Grand Baie and Anse la Raie, has a peaceful, pleasant coastline and is far from mass tourism. A must-see is the Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice Church also known as the Red Roof Church.

My look: Halliday lace-trimmed floral-print linen maxi dress by Zimmermann, Palm cutout embossed textured-leather bucket bag by Staud, Rockstud Torchon 105 leather espadrille wedge sandals by Valentino, green logo sunglasses by Miu Miu, and silver-tone, crystal and faux pearl necklace by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Italian designer Alberta Ferretti announced that she is stepping down as creative director of the eponymous brand she founded more than 40 years ago. The S/S 2025 collection that the brand presented last week during the Milan fashion week was the last one carrying her signature.

«On Sept. 17th, you attended my last fashion show,» Ferretti wrote in a letter sent out by email. «I believe that at this point of my career it is a right and conscious choice to pave the way for a new creative chapter for the brand I founded and which will continue to bear my name.»

The new creative director for the Alberta Ferretti brand will be announced in the next few months, the group said, adding that Ferretti will retain her role as vice president of Aeffe, which also owns brands Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, Moschino and Pollini.

Together with her brother Massimo, Alberta Ferretti co-founded Aeffe S.p.A.

Ferretti, who grew up in her family’s dressmaking shop before opening her own boutique as a teenager, has remained true to her signature gentle feminine silhouettes since the launch of the brand in 1981.

«The Alberta of that day is in many ways still the Alberta of today, even if in the meantime a small family business has become a company with 1500 employees,» she wrote further.

Beautifully said. Thank you, Alberta, for the magic of all those years.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Courtesy of Alberta Ferretti
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Created for and inspired by travel, Flight Mode returns as a women’s capsule that elevates lifestyle dressing from Louis Vuitton. Comprising ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes and accessories, the collection presents a wardrobe for the journey as well as the destination. From the functionality of a bag to the feeling of a fabric, Flight Mode continues to build a complete silhouette adapted to contemporary voyage.

The Neverfull Inside Out offers a useful spin on the beloved Louis Vuitton bag. Fully reversible, it can be flipped so that the original inside becomes the outside. A GM size Neverfull Inside Out comes patterned with Flight Mode travel stamps; the MM size is available with three lining colour options; and for both the MM and BB sizes, smooth calf leather is offered in chic and neutral shades. The classic Neverfull will also come in vivid Epi leather – each one endlessly versatile for everyday use, at home or away.

Other iconic bags are revisited in animations that nod to the season, whether the Noé cinched bucket style or the iconic Twist in Fauve, a reddish-brown Epi leather. The Speedy in a supple Monogram canvas makes a statement as three pre-embellished styles: a darker version with black calf trim and a gothic silver chain; a classic option with a golden chain, colourful lining, precious ostrich leather trim and thematic charms; and a craft-focused version with a chain of natural pearls and a special address tag. Additionally, several key shapes showcase the Mahina Monogram as a greyish Brume base with a gradient blue and white effect reminiscent of the changing skies.

Transported to a modernist house within a forested setting, the ready-to-wear shifts between outdoor and indoor. Like the Neverfull Inside Out, wrap coats are reversible and offer a soft yet sophisticated look in wool and silk. For a subtle signature touch, a variety of pieces recall the tonal Mahina pattern, while an all-over print of travel stamps introduces a lively touch of colour to padded vests, fluid silk skirts and light shell pieces. Casual silhouettes are loose yet put-together and include a Monogram grey denim ensemble; velvet jersey sets with colour-block detailing; and tech jersey coordinated looks that are at once sporty and feminine. As layering is integral to travel, the Flight Mode collection also encompasses embossed Monogram, mohair and cashmere knits and sumptuous shearling that can be styled for comfort and relaxed elegance.

Flight Mode footwear spans low impact activity to higher intensity. Sneakers are accented with eye-catching details. The LV Rush is a technical sneaker with a wavy graphic around the upper and elastic laces for an easy fit. Exuding ‘80s cool, the LV Stadium is a mid-top, bi-colour leather style juxtaposing green, rose or blue and white debossed with the mini Monogram. Louis Vuitton Paris curves around the lightweight sole.

Accessories that assure warmth play with the Maison’s codes. And as the weather transitions from fall to winter, a signature Corduroy cap, a LV Fluffy bucket hat, or even sporty socks add up to a total look.

Always channelling the spirit of voyage, Louis Vuitton envisions Flight Mode as a multi-faceted approach to dressing that is dedicated to travel and the ways this is integrated with everyday life.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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Knowing – Knowledge is everything. Knowledge sets you free. Knowledge is sexy. Knowledge is power. And so is the perfect scent. Just as knowledge can be enticing and powerful, so too can a fragrance leave a memorable impression. It speaks to how certain qualities – whether intellectual or sensory – have the ability to command attention, evoke emotion, and convey a sense of confidence or charisma. I have fallen in love with Knowing Legacy from the first spritz. Created by Frédéric Malle for the self-assured woman who knows who she is and what she wants, it is a sophisticated, luxurious and confident scent.

«Knowing Legacy is all about skin, fire and a long night.» – Frédéric Malle

Knowing Legacy expands the original rich and luxurious essence of smouldering amber and sandalwood, while notes of black currant and lavish orris push the sensual fragrance even further. It is seductive, full of feminine energy, for the «Eve» within you!

My look: Eve belted crystal-embellished crepe jumpsuit, and matching Eve embellished velvet tote, both by Clio Peppiatt, Angel leather platform sandals by Gucci, and crystal-embellished snake necklace by Alessandra Rich.

My scent: KNOWING LEGACY by Estée Lauder

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Felicia Sewerinsson @feliciasewerinsson
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