Sandra‘s Closet

Why carry one bag if you can have two? Women never have enough space in their handbags and CHANEL has the solution to stay organized with the so-called Side-Packs, spotted on the Maison’s S/S 2019 runway. It is a new style of wearing your It-piece that capture breezy allure and a seaside spirit. Worn by twos, like shoulder bags, their metallic chains crisscross at the hip. Mini or maxi versions can also be hooked together, with or without a pair of mules. I am sold and CHANEL set a new trend… again!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
#CHANELByTheSea
#CHANELSpringSummer

On Fendi’s S/S 2019 runway, there was quite a variety of military-inspired bags. All coming with several pockets to help you stay organized. My favorite style is this cross-body version below that is crafted from smooth leather with three compartments – one designed for a phone and another labelled ‘Secrets’ in gold hot-stamped lettering (how cute is this?!) – then set on a slender adjustable strap that’s completed with gold-tone metal hardware. Utilitarian style at its best. A bag that allows you to go hands-free. Perfect for all mummies, for travelling and more…

LoL, Sandra

Pocket mini leather cross-body bag in tan

Pocket mini leather cross-body bag in orange

Pocket mini leather cross-body bag in khaki-green

Pocket mini leather cross-body bag in black

Mini leather cross-body bag in white

Photos: Courtesy of Fendi

Last season, in a project looking back to the untold story of Gucci’s ‘British roots’, Globe-Trotter has produced a collection of distinctive luggage for the Italian fashion house.

In the Gucci Garden museum in Florence, there is a gallery called Cosmorama. Here visitors will find displays of luggage and travel paraphernalia going back to the founding of the House in Florence in 1921. Part of this exhibition is an exploration of a distinctive emblem that Gucci has used over time of a bellboy wearing a pillbox hat and carrying luggage.

The origins of this peculiar motif lie in the history of the House itself, when founder Guccio Gucci worked as a porter at London’s prestigious Savoy hotel. The story goes that he was so inspired by the beautiful luggage of the hotel’s distinguished guests that he moved back to his hometown to start making leather travel bags and accessories under the Gucci name.

Globe-Trotter GG carry-on

Now, almost a century later, Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele revisited the brand’s British connection. The designer has for many years travelled the world with his trusty Globe-Trotter which inspired him to create a collection of luggage in several different styles and sizes that incorporates signature Gucci motifs such as the double-G supreme pattern and the famous green-red-green web stripe as well as bold new prints in collaboration with the English luggage brand.

This must-have carry-on suitcase is expertly handcrafted from fiberboard and leather in the heritage brand’s Hertfordshire, England atelier, it’s printed with painterly blooms, dainty stars and the Italian house’s signature red and green stripes.

It has a canvas-lined interior that’s perfectly sized to stow weekend essentials. Boarding your flight will be a breeze, thanks to the 360-degree wheels.

YOU CAN SHOP THE CARRY-ON SUITCASE FROM TOMORROW HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci

The must-have accessory for summer is definitely a lust-worthy pair of espadrilles. This S/S 2019 season, you can combine it with the most amazing tote bags that get an update by being set on an espadrille-style woven and rubber base.

Below are this season’s prettiest styles designed by the most coveted designers, shop the pieces ahead to add the finishing touch to your sunny-day look.

LoL, Sandra

Espadrille striped suede tote bag by Altuzarra

Espadrille suede tote bag by Altuzarra

Loulou Toy leather and jute-trimmed quilted printed cotton shoulder bag by Saint Laurent

Gate leather bucket bag by Loewe

Espadrille small tote bag by Altuzarra

Vintage espadrille chain shoulder bag by Chanel

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

These S/S 2019 bags will make you forget winter is in full force. Tons of unique styles that you’ll be sure to see all over the place once the season rolls around.

LoL, Sandra

Bum bags in a modern way. Belts bring pouches into the loop. So practical!

The rise of craft couture in ready-to-wear has resulted in a similar movement in accessories.

Circles or squares? That’s the big bag debate of the season.

Don’t take fashion too serious! Those tongue-in-cheek bags are worthy of a red carpet turn.

The bigger the better and please note, to be carried under your arm.

The two-bag approach is proving not only hero-buy status but total practicality.

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Louis Vuitton extends its New Wave collection in February. Whether tender, passionate or more classic, three shades champion the colours of love. Perfect gifts for Valentine’s Day!

The Heart bag embraces the universal heart shape as a versatile symbol to make your own. A removable shoulder strap, leather handle and a loop on the back allow it to be carried in three different ways: over the shoulder, clutch-style in the hand, or on a belt.

The LV Love locks accent the quilted leather of the Louis Vuitton New Wave line. A host of fun symbols – metallic padlocks, keys and locks – punctuate the small and large – Chain bag, the Heart bag and even the wallets.

The Heart bag comes in blush pink and scarlet with the LV Love locks, while its black version simply sports the LV signature. The blush pink Heart bag with the LV signature is exclusively available online.

Enlivened with LV Love locks, the small Chain bag in scarlet and the large Chain bags in blush pink and black bring their colourful energy to this festival of love.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

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

Yesterday, in 16 Celine stores around the world a true object of desire arrived for a few chosen fashion lovers and I am one of them.

It is Slimane’s «16» bag (it is called the «Seize» which stands for sixteen in English, the latter a language you should not use to pronounce the new It-piece). The name derives from the address of the Maison’s headquarters and atelier on 16, Rue Vivienne in Paris.

The boxy, top-handle style was first spotted on Lady Gaga in August and caused a frenzy on Instagram right before Slimane’s debut show for Celine which took place in September during Paris Fashion Week. A runway presentation that was endlessly discussed and divided the fashion world into two camps, «Old Céline» and «New Celine».

But coming back to this beauty, the design features discreet gold hardware and the new accent-less Celine logo (don’t forget, there is no more Céline as Hedi took the «accent aigu» ( acute accent) away in the beginning of September). Officially it will hit the shelves in January/February 2019 and will be available in three sizes as well as a range of colors and leathers, including exotic skins.

I am so happy to have this holy grail of fashion already in my closet… stay tuned for my first outfit post with it! Cannot wait to sport this must-have piece on my arm. And yes, I am a committed fashion addict… and that is ok!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

For Resort 2019 Miuccia Prada helped to give us the 90’s rebirth we needed after all this ’80s dominance. And let’s be honest, it had to be her to celebrate this nineties nostalgia as she was the designer who had actually invented the «ugly chic» at that time. She looked through the archives, specifically her collections from the 1990s, for references this season.

The PRADA Resort 2019 show took place in New York City.

The outcome? Printed low-slung trousers with matching jackets, amazing leather coats and my favorite looks, belted miniskirts with ruffled detailing combined with cute polo tops. Moreover a new bag shape, that will probably sell out very fast.

Sidonie Bag Resort 2019

Meet the PRADA Sidonie that evokes elements of the archetypal bags presented in S/S 2000: a curvaceous, ergonomic shape, a modern classic rediscovered.

The inspiration behind the new PRADA Resort 2019 Sidonie Bag can be clearly seen in this ad campaign from S/S 2000.

Sidonie Bag Resort 2019

PRADA bags from S/S 2000 that I have in my closet.

A PRADA bag is always a great investment. I went through my closet to dust these S/S 2000 beauties. As I keep on recommending… don’t throw away your designer items, there will always be a time again for them. And those bags have just found their moment again.

Needless to say, I also would like to buy a new Sidonie bag for my own personal PRADA collection. I adore this blue and black version:

Sidonie Bag Resort 2019

The metal hardware details – plaques and buckles – draw on the brand heritage of superlative luggage-making, established by Mario Prada in 1913, juxtaposed with a modern shape, delicately curved and finely-balanced.

Sidonie Bag Resort 2019

The style is proposed in dual models, top-fastening or flap fronted with, respectively, a cross-body strap or haut, curved and shaped handle to be held on the shoulder for a new attitude. Both are offered in an entire wardrobe of fine calfskin and precious leathers.

PRADA Sidonie is a new character of the brand, a heroine, to be discovered. In stores this month.

’90s nostalgia with a modern twist! Bravo, Miuccia Prada!

LoL, Sandra

The PRADA Resort 2019 campaign: retro meets future.

Photos: Courtesy of Prada and © Sandra Bauknecht

Working out of French ateliers, HERMÈS has earned a reputation for using the finest leathers in the world—not to mention, each bag is crafted by the same pair of hands, from start to finish. In partnership with Heritage Auctions, MODA OPERANDI brings you a mix of classic and more contemporary shapes, as well as incredibly rare styles that prove there’s an HERMÈS bag to suit every woman. Think Birkins, Kellys, and more in pretty much every colour under the rainbow and every size produced.

Whether you are in mind to shop or browse, click HERE now to view the collection as styles are selling out. The prices are high, you see, those bags are an investment.
Below are my personal favorites:

Designed in the late 19th century, this was the precursor to the infamous Birkin. You won’t find a more fabulous weekender anywhere else: HERMÈS 40cm Lime Evercolor Leather And Toile Birkin HAC.

If you are a Kelly girl, than this will be a must. The owl print dates back to 1990 and is a one-off, meaning only a few were ever produced: HERMÈS 20cm Rouge Vif Calf Box And Silk Kelly.

My personal favorite: a work of art, only the most skilled artisans are able to weave the delicate wicker (and Hermès no longer makes this size): HERMÈS 35cm Osier And Fauve Osier Wicker And Barenia Leather Kelly Picnic.

Tell your hubby you found an extremely savvy investment: pink in an exotic skin sells for the highest prices at auction: HERMÈS 28cm Rose Tyrien Ostrich Sellier Kelly.

Classic and absolutely beautiful in a vibrant colour: HERMÈS 35cm Blue Zanzibar Togo Leather Birkin.

The bags will ship within two weeks from order date.
Expected to ship Nov 16, 2018 – Dec 30, 2018.

TO SHOP THE LARGE SELECTION OF VINTAGE HERMÈS BAGS, CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Moda Operandi