Sandra‘s Closet

For F/W 2019, Louis Vuitton has collaborated with Alex Israel on a textile collection featuring the Los Angeles-based artist’s trademark vibrant pop aesthetic.

Alex Israel in front of his famous Wave paintings.

An original and strikingly modern addition to Alex Israel’s searching exploration of art and branding, the cultural and the commercial, the new eight-piece collection features playful and beautiful scarves, shawls, blankets and a bandeau.

Pink silk square

It begins with a collection of scarves which use Israel’s celebrated Wave paintings as the basis of a radical and remarkable update of the simple, elegant medium of the silk square.
The Wave scarves use a cutting-edge, technically innovative quilting technique. One side of each scarf is padded to recreate Israel’s Wave paintings’ puffy texture, while the reverse features the House’s iconic Monogram pattern.

Israel has designed four colour combinations across three sizes (classic, giant and jumbo- which doubles as a blanket), a new approach to sizing that creates original and modern ways to wear and use the classic square.

Sky Backdrop Monogram shawl in blue

The collection’s Sky Backdrop Monogram shawls are made in a delightfully airy silk and cashmere blend onto which Sky Backdrop paintings, another of Israel’s most recognizable series, are transferred in two different colourways using Louis Vuitton’s state-of-the-art digital printing.

The collection’s final piece, the double-sided, brightly coloured Desperado bandeau, features a ludic desert scene with cacti and cars inspired by the artist’s 2015 bronze sculpture, Desperado, and a Sky Backdrop overprinted with the House’s Monogram.

This new collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Alex Israel – following on from the artist’s recent Arty capucines bag and packaging for Les Colognes Perfumes – is an inventive and playful new chapter in the House’s long history of working with celebrated artists on its textiles range.

Love it so much: Louis Vuitton x Alexis Israel Arty capucine bag

After creative legends including Sol LeWitt, James Rosenquist, Andrée Putman, Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince, Stephen Sprouse and Yayoi Kusama, Israel becomes the latest artist to bring his talents to these «blank canvases».

The Louis Vuitton-Alex Israel textile collection is available in a selected network from now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © LVMH, © Louis Vuitton, © Gagosian
Photographer: Dan Martensen for Louis Vuitton
Fashion: Karla Welch for Louis Vuitton

Last week, Art Basel took place, that brings the international artworld together, with leading galleries  from all over showing the works of over 4,000 modern and contemporary artists. Creating an exciting, region-wide art week, Art Basel is one of three shows – others are taking place in Hong Kong, and Miami Beach. I went there for the First Choice Preview on Tuesday, that you can only visit by invitation only, wearing one of my favorite outfits of the season.

My look: Lace-trimmed printed silk-twill bustier top, printed stretch-jersey leggings, and gold-tone and printed silk-twill earrings, all by Versace, black oversized tuxedo jacket by Stella McCartney, classic Paris D’Orsay pumps with bow and metallic-trimmed leather clutch, both by Saint Laurent, Mitza ring by Dior Fine Jewellery, and Tonda 1950 Galaxy by Parmigiani Fleurier.

Inside the fair, there is also the Collectors Lounge, where the event’s main sponsors have their dedicated areas and which you can only visit by invitation. As guest of UBS, I enjoyed my time at the UBS Lounge that was decorated by Costa Rican artist Federico Herrero. Later, I went for a glass of champagne at the Ruinart Lounge that showed the artworks of Brazilian artist Vik Muniz. Luxury beauty brand La Prairie partnered with three up-and-coming Swiss female artists to interpret the beauty, the mystery and the enduring timelessness of the gaze, resulting in the creation of three photographic installations.

I got asked what my favorite artwork is and I replied: «I love fashion – for me that is wearing art on my body». But of course, there were many amazing pieces to be discovered. Enjoy!

A big thank you to my hosts Gabriel Cohen, UBS Wealth Management, and Natascha Lander, UBS Chief Investment Office, Wealth Management.

I hope you like my look and the little excursion into the art world…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today’s post is dedicated to the outfit that I wore to the Sioux x Til Schweiger Launch Event in Hamburg. It is all about fashion meets art, as Stella McCartney got inspired by the work of almost entirely unknown artist Joseph Henry Lynch, slightly better recognised by his signature, J.H. Lynch. Nevertheless, you might remember his most ubiquitous, mass-produced, kitsch portrait «Tina» (Tina, 1964, Artwork by J.H. Lynch in college above), named for the voluptuous, kohl-eyed subject, painted in the saturated, sensual style of a B-movie poster, that graces my jumpsuit and scarf.

My look: Tina jumpsuit, and matching Tina scarf, both by Stella McCartney, bomber jacket by Balenciaga, Monogram fringed shoulder bag and Paris metallic leather ankle boots, both by Saint Laurent, golden disc earrings from the Paris – Bombay collection by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Sioux

Swiss luxury watchmaker HUBLOT and MARC FERRERO, the artist behind Storytelling Art, unveiled the Big Bang One Click Marc Ferrero, which could be viewed at the Baselworld trade fair this week. Paying homage to the 21st century woman, who distinguishes herself through the multiplicity of her roles, in this exclusive timepiece she is embodied as the heroine of modern times. This collaboration marks an exploratory approach to art and watchmaking.

The 21st century woman is a real muse. In turn wife, mother, friend, lover, business woman, femme fatale, fashion icon or night owl, for every hour of the day the modern woman sets herself apart as unpredictable, multifaceted and unique. She is disarming and makes light of the simple or complex adventures that she comes up against; drawing upon her charm, she juggles the lives that fill each of her days.

The dial tells the story of this heroine of modern times with ‘Lipstick’, an iconic work by the artist. Enigmatic behind her dark glasses, she remains majestic in the face of the unexpected and affirms her femininity, armed with her lipstick. Spinels in shades of red, topazes for the turquoise version, and forty-two fine stones decorate the bezel of the new 39-mm case, which is adjusted to her feminine wrists.

With one touch of its “One Click” patented fastening system, the leather strap makes way for a version in alligator and rubber, a touch of sophistication appropriate for the moment. Available in red and turquoise, the special series will be available in 50 copies of each tone.

«When I am asked ‘What innovative and modern idea develops your painting?’ Without hesitation, I answer fusion… Using different graphic styles (cubism, impressionism, surrealism, figurative, etc.) on the same plane or over my works—just like a film director uses special effects to tell a story—will always represent an extremely exciting challenge for me.»
Marc Ferrero

HUBLOT and MARC FERRERO cultivate the art of exploration in their respective fields, with fusion as the guiding principle. Personally speaking, I love these two models. They are sophisticated and cool and honor us women of today that manage to master everyday life with all its facets.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of HUBLOT

Welcome to the ​Empathy Suite, a Sky Villa designed by and featuring the works of world-renowned artist Damien Hirst. The artist has collaborated with Bentel & Bentel Architects to design the world’s most expensive hotel room. If you are looking for some for Instagram-worthy moment and you have a spare $100.000 per night, it’s your place to stay at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Sin City has a reputation for excess, and the nearly $690 million renovation of the hotel has also filled it with a huge amount of impressive artwork, including works by Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and, of course, Hirst.

Once you pass through the gilded doors, you’re met with a 13-foot-long tiger shark that has been trisected into three tanks of formaldehyde, lofted above bottles of top-shelf spirits – Hirst’s first bar project in the United States, featuring the fierce sculpture titled The Unknown (Explored, Explained, Exploded).

The 836-square-meters two-story sky villa sits on top of the Palms and is the first and only of «its kind featuring a collection of contemporary art at this scale.» It’s an eclectic mix of blue-chip and street art that rarely mingles under one roof. With many original pieces from some of Hirst’s most notable series, a custom butterfly-motif mosaic tiled cantilevered pool overlooking the Las Vegas Strip and Venus gray marble featured throughout the villa, it will surely attract lots of celebrities – especially after the announcement that they’ll be holding a three-night festival for the anticipated opening of the KAOS nightclub, featuring the likes of Cardi B, Skrillex, and Travis Scott, with additional performances by Alicia Keys and Hozier at their Pearl Theater.

And if you were wondering where the name Empathy Suite derives from…. , because Hirst wants you «to feel empathy when you’re in it; empathy with all your friends wherever they are and whether you’re with them or not and to feel empathy when you’re spending the night with them in the suite and empathy with the whole world the morning after.»

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Palms Casino Resort

From spiral staircases to curving chairs, the creative yet practical designs of Bauhaus are one of a kind. This year, the Bauhaus celebrates 100 years since its founding in Germany by Berlin architect Walter Gropius in Weimar in 1919. Until today, the Bauhaus Art School continues to shape art, architecture and design all over the world.

My beloved Mary Katrantzou dedicated her F/W 2018 collection to this fantastic movement – a testimony how art, culture, architecture and fashion are all linked together.

My look: Lazlo jacket and Alta intarsia stretch-knit turtleneck midi dress, both by Mary Katrantzou, Paris suede ankle boots by Saint Laurent, «16» bag by Celine, and caramel and raspberry handmade Shibori dip-dyed fur stole by Miu Miu. and vintage CC heart motif earrings by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and via Bauhaus Art School

«Art is the flower… life the green leaf.» – Charles Rennie Mackintosh

This holiday season, LOEWE is launching a special capsule collection inspired by the work of renowned Scottish architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928). Regarded as one of the originators of modernism, his seismic influence on the 20th century arts & crafts movement is still being felt to this day.

With a full accessories line and ready-to-wear for men and women, the holiday collection celebrates the vast scope of the designer’s work, from his architecture through to his furniture design. Playing with the various facets of the Mackintosh universe, LOEWE honours his distinctive aesthetic by incorporating his signature grid patterns, stained glass windows and botanical watercolours across the range.

When I was in Madrid mid November, I was happy to explore the collection in the brand’s flagship store in the Salamanca district before it is now hitting the shelves worldwide.

The CASA LOEWE is all about interior design and customer experience thanks to LOEWE‘s creative director Jonathan Anderson. The lifestyle store spans three floors (totaling over 10,760 square feet) of a landmarked 19th-century building.

To delve deeper into Mackintosh’s mind and genius, I invite you to look at this fascinating collection:

Black T-Shirt

Rose-print wool dress

Print crepe blazer

Sweatshirt dress

Gate leather shoulder bag

Patch pink mohair blanket

Stay tuned for an outfit post with my favorite pieces from this collection!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Loewe and © Sandra Bauknecht

PRADA TO OPEN PRADA MODE MIAMI DURING ART BASEL
DECEMBER 4TH – 6TH, 2018

Prada presents Prada Mode, a club that invites its members to experience art, music, dining, conversations and late night festivities with a focus on contemporaneity at large and local. Imagined as a club that augments and extends significant global cultural gatherings at diverse locations worldwide, Prada Mode offers guests exclusive access to unique programs and content that complement the themes and subjects of the host event.

Freehand Miami,  2727 Indian Creek Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33140

The inaugural iteration – which will be held at Freehand Miami from December 4th to 6th – serves as both an exclusive destination and a discreet, elegant retreat from the daily clamor of high-intensity cultural engagements during Art Basel: Miami Beach. Events are planned throughout each day and a site-specific intervention by Theaster Gates is present throughout the club imbued with the experience of music, retreat and archival practice.

Prada Resort 2019 campaign

In advance of Art Basel Miami, Prada Mode members receive credentials and special invitations for all current and future occurrences of the club. The Miami schedule includes events organized by the artist Theaster Gates, the National YoungArts Foundation, and Document Journal as well as special musical performances and dancing with DJ sets.

Miuccia Prada at last year’s event with Rita Ora and Carsten Höller.

Last year, Prada’s Carsten Höller-designed pop-up Prada Double Club in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood was already a great success – I am absolutely convinced that Prada Mode Miami will be no different.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Prada and via WWD

For its F/W 2018 collection, Longchamp has teamed up with the French designer Clo’e Floirat to create a pop and colorful collection, featuring dogs on many pieces.

The artist brings her stylish touch to a selection of bags, including the iconic «Le Pliage», small leather goods and accessories. Clo’e Floirat also created an exclusive dogs line with colorful cowhide leather leashes and collars in three sizes and five colors.

Playing with humour on a theme of this «must-have» accessory, Clo’e Floirat has imagined a story of «Le Pliage» bag unfolding in three formats. She portrays packs of dogs in bright and bold colors walking their owners on the nylon canvas’ tone-on-tone navy print flap with red signature details.

The whimsical dog pattern can be found throughout the vibrant cotton canvas travel bag’s limited edition and on a large silk scarf. The hounds are equally featured with their noses held high on 6 key rings.

Finally, the star of this collection – a red dachshund – appears on two small leather goods, a small silk scarf and an umbrella and shown prancing all over packaging and paper bags, never-to-be-forgotten. With Clo’e Floirat, Longchamp once again offers center stage to artists while revisiting its classics, combining modern day contemporary designs full of cheerful playfulness!

About Clo’e Floirat

Clo’e Floirat is an art critic and cartoonist working between New York, London and Paris. She explores via «drawing Crit’ writing» the boundaries between writing and drawing for various publications such as the New Yorker, and collaborates equally with Robert Wilson and Rufus Wainwright. Author of Pas Mal pour de l’art (Not bad for art) (Marabout edition – 2016) and Je vois quelqu’un (I am seeing someone) (Marabulles collection – 2018), Clo’e Floirat is interested in perspectives towards art as well as the relationship between psychologists and their patients…Always with a signature humor that cleverly contrasts ego and intention.

The Longchamp x Clo’e Floirat hits the shelves this month!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Longchamp

«An important part of my life designing installations, spaces and experiences is actually spent putting out fires! I thought it was time to celebrate that fire…and help put the Art World on fire too! So I chose to show only burnt art and art relating to fire from the fantastic Gmurzynska collection, and create for these an environment that is pop and thematic, inspired by the beautiful look of fire stations, as a boy dreaming of them, pop and joyful, yet modern, minimal and fairly neutral, to enhance the viewing of such important art. It is made of traditional industrial materials, lacquered diamond steel plates and fire extinguishers, but reinterpreted to serve their new purpose in a luxurious manner.» Alexandre de Betak

Having presented a Karl Lagerfeld designed booth in 2011 at FIAC, Galerie Gmurzynska – the leading international art gallery specializing in masterpieces of both classic modern and post-war art – is returning to the fair with a visionary installation by French designer, scenographer and creative director Alexandre de Betak, who is mostly known for his involvement in the production of Victoria’s Secret shows, which he has producing and choreographing for many years.

Sketch by Karl Lagerfeld, FIAC 2011, Galerie Gmurzynska’s booth design

2003 marked de Betak’s debut in design, when he created an acrylic glass bookshelf and a leather bench with French design house Domeau & Perez. Moreover, he is known for various collaborations with important museums, among others the MOCA in Los Angeles and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

Preparatory rendering by Alexandre de Betak, FIAC 2018

Since its discovery, fire has been the propelling force of innovation, civilization and ultimately cultural advancement. Artists throughout the history of art have been drawn to its ethereal power to destroy, create, cleanse and illuminate.

Roberto Matta, Les Fumoïsses, 1973

The survey exhibition «On Fire» will include a diverse list of artists using or depicting fire in all forms throughout the 20th Century, from Joan Miró to Otto Piene, Yves Klein, Alberto Burri, Roberto Matta up to Tom Wesselmann and others. A booklet with an introduction by Germano Celant will be accompanying the exhibition.

Mathias Rastorfer at the booth with Alexandre de Betak

Isabelle Bscher at the opening party with Francesco Vezzoli

On Wednesday evening, the opening party of the gallery took place next to the Seine with a huge fire installation by Alexandre de Betak. The gallery owners Isabelle Bscher, Krystyna Gmurzynska and Mathias Rastorfer and star designer Alexandre de Betak welcomed actor Vincent Cassel, not only since his role as Vincent van Gogh in «Loving Vincent», an art fanatic, Parisian model and author Caroline de Maigret, star photographer Ellen von Unwerth, hotel guru André Balazs and actor and artist André Saraiva, the u.a. also designed for Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Tiffany and Converse, the Italian concept artist and filmmaker («Multimedia Popartist»), Francesco Vezzoli and Michel Gaubert, the best sound designer in the fashion world with clients such as Gucci, Fendi, Jil Sander, Roberto Cavalli, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and Chanel.

Galerie Gmurzynska @ FIAC: OCTOBER 18 – 21, 2018 Booth 0.C24
When the world of fashion meets the world of art, there is fire…

LoL, Sandra

André Balazs and André Saraiva

Ellen von Unwerth

Vincent Cassel

Photos: Courtesy of Galerie Gmurzysnka