Sandra‘s Closet

For Cruise 2015, Charlotte Olympia introduces a new theme inspired by the atmosphere, traditions, and spice of Mexico. The colourful and textured styles of Down Mexico Way are a vibrant portal for your winter escape. I just adore every single piece.

1 Piñata raffia and leather shoulder bag

2 Kahlo embellished Perspex clutch
3 It Makes You Happy brass clutch
4 ‘Senorita Magazine’ clutch
5 Taquera suede-trimmed embellished raffia clutch
6 Calavera Swarovski crystal-embellished Perspex clutch

7 Hibiscus embroidered satin sandals
8 Chili Pandora Perspex clutch

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Charlotte Olympia and via Teen Vogue

Fall into the holidays with the 2014 Gucci Gift Guide, inspired by a whimsical story about finding the perfect gift, even in the most unexpected moment. From contemporary trends and iconic accessories in their Wish List Section (with picks for him and for her) to elegant looks for the season’s chicest invitations to the ultimate in no-holds-barred holiday opulence, as seen in Handle with Care, the curated selection has something for everyone on your list. With pint-sized picks from Gucci Kids, chic designs for sunny escapes, and small luxuries designed to delight, a sensational season is guaranteed. Explore all this and more on GUCCI.COM.

A piece of art: Gucci‘s Floral Knight Bamboo Shopper is definitely on my wish list. As I am already a huge fan of this line (check out this previous post here), I couldn’t have been more excited about this new printed version. Perfect for the next season.

Overly cute: these Mini Bamboo Shoppers are made from supple textured-leather and finished with a detachable strap. It’s the perfect size for your cell, makeup essentials and wallet. 
Did you know that Gucci’s iconic bamboo handles were originally created in 1947 using a patented method to heat and bend them into shape. (If you are interested, I would like to invite you to have a look at a previous post about my visit to the Gucci manufacture in Casellina, Italy).

Love at first sight: sophisticated style with a retro edge, the Bamboo Sac Backpack
makes a defiant comeback. Available in many different colors, its spacious drawstring style has plenty of room for your essentials. Really one is spoilt for choice, which color is your favorite?

Ultimate luxury: a wallet in crocodile leather. The perfect gift for the distinguished connoisseur.

Those studded heels make every fashion lover’s heart leap with joy. Play with colors to elevate your outfit to the next level.

Dear Santa, please be good to me, all I want for Christmas is Gucci…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci

How hard is it to find your perfect black clutch? Depending on your own taste, it has to meet different criteria: from sophisticated, fashionable to functional or timeless. Such a little black bag is essential to complete your closet! Here is my selection of the best ones available right now.

1 PURE LUXURY Patent-crocodile clutch by Bottega Veneta
2 FASHIONISTA’S MUST-HAVE Monogramme leather clutchby Saint Laurent
3 ROCK CHIC Rockstud leather clutch by Valentino
4 INTO THE WILD Embellished suede fold-over clutch by Roberto Cavalli
5  ALREADY A CLASSIC Falabella faux brushed-leather clutch by Stella McCartney
6 LADYLIKE Chandra chain-embellished shimmer-suede clutch by Jimmy Choo
7 FOR EVERYDAY USE Antigona envelope clutch in black grained leather by Givenchy
8 GREAT WITH JEANS Broadway fringed suede clutch by Gucci

UNDERSTATED AND TIMELESS Marche leather and suede clutch by Nina Ricci
My personal favorite is accented with gold hardware and has three internal compartments – perfect for keeping your belongings organized. Carry it cross-body by day, swapping to the hand strap after dark.

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

When Tommy Hilfiger approached me to work together on this special project, I was immediately hooked. The American brand’s continued support of Breast Health International for the eight consecutive year marks the launch of a new limited-edition handbag. As my own mum suffered from breast cancer and fortunately fought this horrible disease, I know how hard this phase of life can be for the patient but also for her family. Buying this fantastic bag means: “Building awareness, raising funds and making a positive impact on the lives of women who are affected by breast cancer around the world,” as Tommy Hilfiger states.

The limited-edition handbag will retail for €299, and €100 of each sale will go directly to the Fund for Living. This global BHI initiative assists women with breast cancer by covering costs or addressing unique problems associated with their care that are not commonly covered by health insurance programs, such as transportation to a medical appointment or childcare during treatment.

The 2014 BHI campaign features no other than award-winning actress Naomi Watts photographed by Patrick Demarchelier. The handbag is available exclusively on tommy.com and in select Tommy Hilfiger stores around the world starting today.

For the social media campaign, I was asked to show the content of my bag. I truly love the different very useful features of this versatile fashionable companion such as many pockets, a keychain with red, white and blue tassels, a detachable tan strap that allows for use as a shoulder bag.

Here is what I in general carry around with me on a daily basis: Something to read like L’Officiel Switzerland, my iPad and iPhone (don’t you love my new Vanity mirror iPhone 5 cover by Moschino?!), a notebook by Smythson and my pen by Montblanc, a pair of sunglasses, credit cards and some cash, my make-up pouch filled with lipgloss, blush and a powder for quick retouches and of course my little Leica with which I capture all those moments I share with you on my blog.

I was asked to donate one item from the content of my bag and I would like to give this beautiful necklace with a key charm by Patrizia Pepe as a mojo. In the end of the social media campaign, one breast cancer patient gets the bag filled with little surprises from all around the globe.

Shopping for a good cause. Ladies, I am asking you what can be better?! Please help to support Tommy Hilfiger’s wonderful initiative and let’s all walk around with this must-have bag!
TO SHOP, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger and © Sandra Bauknecht

LOUIS VUITTON’s “Celebrating Monogram” project takes place in honor of the house’s 160th anniversary. As announced this week in a previous post, six creative visionaries Christian Louboutin, Karl Lagerfeld, Rei Kawakubo, Cindy Sherman, Frank Gehry and Marc Newson reinterpreted the iconic Vuitton Monogram with a series of accessories. Finally the designs that will hit the stores Mid-October 2014 have been revealed.

Enjoy and better get yourself on the wait list now!

The Shopping Bag ($5150.00) and Shopping Trolley ($23,300.00) by Christian Louboutin

For his contributions to ‘Celebrating Monogram,’ Christian Louboutin achieved a rather amazing mind-meld of his own signature codes – red (of course), metal studs, feminine bows – with those of Monogram.

Camera Messenger ($4450.00) and Studio in a Trunk (Price on request) by Cindy Sherman

Perfect for globetrotters, visual artist Cindy Sherman drew on memories of the colorful hotel labels affixed to vintage Vuitton trunks. Her designs evoke Sherman’s own journey as a photographer.

Twisted Box ($4400.00) by Frank Gehry

Renowned for his designs on a grand scale – the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Vitra Design Museum near Basel, among many others – architect Frank Gehry applies his avant-garde mastery to the construction of this sculptural bijou of a bag in Monogram canvas.

The Punching Bag ($3400.00), Suitcase ($5900.00) and Punching Trunk (Price on request) by Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld’s extravagant Boxing suite is surely the most flirtatious of this collaboration celebrating the French Maison’s grand tradition of special-order luggage.

The Fleece Pack ($5900.00) by Marc Newson

Acclaimed as the most influential industrial designer of his generation, Marc Newson’s work ranges from concept jets to jewellery. When he accepted the invitation to join ‘Celebrating Monogram’ project, he set out to create a truly functional object; the result is this pure, sculptural backpack. My favorite!

The Bag with Holes ($2790.00) by Rei Kawakubo

Upon seeing Japan’s first Louis Vuitton store in 1978, Rei Kawakubo discovered the allure of French craftsmanship and art de vivre. Today, the creator of Comme des Garçons applies her radical, refined aesthetic to a House icon, revisiting the Sac Plat with boldly conceived asymmetrical cutouts and raw-edged details to produce this provocative ‘Bag with Holes.’

For more information, please visit the dedicated website.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton, © Steven Meisel and © Karl Lagerfeld

LV gets a new meaning… Lagerfeld Vuitton, Louboutin Vuitton… sounds too good to be true?! It is reality, on September 10, 2014, Louis Vuitton will reveal the amazing collaboration with the group of six famous creatives as part of THE ICON AND THE ICONOCLASTS project.

Among those visionaries from the worlds of fashion, art and design are Karl Lagerfeld, Rei Kawabuko, Christian Louboutin, Cindy Sherman, Marc Newson and Frank Gehry, who has also designed the window displays for September.

Each of them has been given ‘carte blanche‘ to to reinterpret the brand’s iconic monogram bag or luggage. The limited edition pieces will go on sale from mid-October in a very select number of Louis Vuitton stores and range between €2000 – 4000.

Classic Monogram Keepall 45 by Louis Vuitton

The monogram was launched with worldwide patents on it in 1896 by Georges Vuitton as a tribute to his late father Louis, who had died in 1892, and was considered revolutionary in its time. Its graphic symbols, including quatrefoils and flowers (as well as the LV monogram), were based on the trend of using Japanese and Oriental designs in the late Victorian era.

Today, Louis Vuitton revealed some exclusive behind the scene photos of the creative process!
Cannot wait to see the results on September 10, 2014! Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Karl Lagerfeld

Christian Louboutin

Frank Gehry

Cindy Sherman
Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Add a pop of color and excitement to your evening looks with those fun clutch bags. Fall’s juiciest arm candies are bright and ladylike. Either you go for Anya Hindmarch‘s bold graphics of household brands (1 and 4) or choose Charlotte Olympia‘s playful peach clutch (2) that is covered in suede perfectly mimicking the fuzzy texture of the fruit. I personally adore REDValentino‘s combination of fairy tales and fashion (6). All interiors offer enough space for your party essentials.

1 Coco Pops printed elaphe box clutch by Anya Hindmarch
2 What A Peach suede clutch by Charlotte Olympia
3 To Have And To Hold Speech Bubble leather clutch by Sophia Webster
4 Digestives printed elaphe and leather clutch by Anya Hindmarch
5 Knuckle bead and Swarovski crystal-embellished box clutch by Alexander McQueen
6 Snow White Disney© leather clutch by REDValentino
7 Embroidered leather shoulder bag by Moschino
8 Girls Perspex clutch by Charlotte Olympia
9 Manga printed leather clutch by McQ Alexander McQueen
10 The Mystery of Magnolia Beach embroidered clutch by Olympia Le-Tan

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Here is your exclusive preview of Mulberry‘s F/W 2014 ad campaign that has been released this morning. The British fashion house returned to its roots in the countryside with a blast of fresh air to invigorate its new and very British winter collection through the lens of one of my favorite photographers Tim Walker. Cara Delevingne is once more the face of the campaign and presents the Mulberry Cara Delevingne Collection, which is infused with her own style.

Mulberry has designed a beautifully classic and very elegant collection for F/W 2014 with argyle and arran-inspired knitwear and iconic Houndstooth and check, all influenced by traditional British tailoring, textures and prints. Even the footwear references two key British styles – the all-purpose rain boot, beloved by country-dwellers and city-commuters alike, and the quintessential lace-up brogue.

The F/W 2014 bags were inspired by the brand’s interpretation of how to make everyday life feel more beautiful, and how to make beautiful things practical. The new Tessie embodies the mood of simple, unfussy elegance and is among my new season’s must-haves.

The team stayed in a Scottish lodge and woke up every day to early morning mists, huge breakfasts, homemade shortbread and wild Land Rover rides across rushing rivers and up off the beaten track, arriving to a place of serenity and calm at the location for the shoot, with no phone signal, miles from anywhere and with not a soul in sight apart from the local gamekeepers’ dogs and a flock of sheep. One little lamb quickly became Cara’s favourite!

So cute! Such a great campaign and lovely collection…
TO SHOP THE NEW MULBERRY COLLECTION, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mulberry

Alexa Chung stars in Longchamp’s F/W 2014 advertising campaign for a second successive season sporting the new Le Pliage Héritage bag, the epitome of the brand’s leather savoir-faire, whose striking trapezoidal shape was inspired by the iconic Le Pliage, which celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

In a nod to heritage and tradition, the campaign was shot by Max Vadukul in the privately owned Château des Ormes, a jewel of French 18th century architecture on the banks of the River Vienne near Tours. I am convinced that the new addition to the Longchamp family will surely be a bestseller…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Longchamp

Established in Rome in 1925 by Adele and Edoardo Fendi and renowned for almost 9 decades for its iconic creations crafted in a myriad of furs and leathers, the Fendi collections never disappoint. Snap up your either your favourite 2Jours, your Peekaboo or Baguette and team it with a great pair of heels for a dynamic fashion statement. See how one bag can change a look!

From left to right: Perforated leather and suede boots, Peekaboo medium leather tote from the ‘Bag Bugs’ Collection (for an artsy look), two-tone cady top, 2Jours small textured-leather shopper (for a classic style), leather pencil skirt and Baguette crystal and Perspex shoulder bag (for a night out), all by Fendi.

LoL, Sandra