Sandra‘s Closet

Today, I have some rather gorgeous newness to share with you from Cult Gaia.

You all loved her Ark clutch when they launched, (it broke the internet – for the previous post click here please) then then came the shoes, then the jewellery and accessories and now STOP-THE-PRESS!! there is ready-to-wear.

Ark Clutch

As if that wasn’t enough, we can now wear Cult Gaia head-to-toe and the full looks definitely don’t disappoint. Charming and understated, simple yet elegant, picture yourself wearing some of these looks on vacation or to a garden party for that ultimate desireable wardrobe.

TO SHOP CULT GAIA READY-TO-WEAR, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Cult Gaia

Breaking news last night: Raf Simons and Calvin Klein part ways after less than two years and eight months before the end of his contract. But the fashion world saw it coming after PVH (which also owns Tommy Hilfiger) chief Emanuel Chirico criticised last month the brand’s bumpy financial performance and high-fashion approach for which on the other side Simons won multiple awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America during his time at Calvin Klein.

With Raf Simons in 2014 when he was still at Dior.

Here lays exactly the problem. The Belgian designer, as well known for his cult menswear label as his well-regarded times at Jil Sander and Dior, was clearly committed to the cause of the iconic brand that consumers know for its denim, underwear and provocative marketing campaigns. He was given a multi-million-dollar salary and the title of chief creative officer. He oversaw all aspects of marketing and design for the American megabrand, a degree of control he did not have at Dior.

Calvin Klein 205W39NYC F/W 2018 ad campaign shot by Willy Vanderperre

Unfortunately, the brand, that was renamed Calvin Klein 205W39NYC under Simons (sorry, but I have hated the name from the beginning), hoped to create a marketing effect through the high-end ready-to-wear collection for its lower-priced products. But this transformation didn’t take place. Personally speaking, I liked the looks Simons designed but I didn’t buy one single piece. Somehow I never felt the urge.

Calvin Klein 205W39NYC F/W 2018 show in NYC

For the American fashion industry, it is a big loss to see Simons go. But on the other hand, it is the only way to go. The brand will NOT even stage a runway show in February which is truly sad as his show definitely got a lot of international attention.

#MyCalvins – bestselling items the brand will focus on even more.

What will happen now with Calvin Klein? Needless to say, probably not another big designer name. but a strategy that will shift the focus of its marketing campaigns from high-fashion to more affordable items. Cobbler, stick to your trade!

Calvin Klein 205W39NYC F/W 2018 runway collection

TO SHOP A LAST PIECE FROM RAF SIMONS FOR CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Calvin Klein and © Sandra Bauknecht

PRADA REINVENTS ITS OWN CLASSICS FOR RESORT 2019
Established in 1913 at Milan’s prestigious Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Prada is one of the world’s most iconic luxury fashion houses. Contemporary art and society inspire its collections, which are designed by visionary Miuccia Prada, granddaughter of founder Mario. Miuccia is fashion’s undisputed trendsetter and mood maker.

In the mid-90s she made ugly chic. For Resort 2019, she went exactly through her rich archive to revisit her famous ’90s decade. In times when everybody is doing more, she takes us back to minimalism but in a modern and updated way – spiced up with geek chic athleticism and playful embellishments.

Many of the pieces felt like revamps of prior Prada classics: a quirky mix of chunky loafers, the famous «yes, they are bad, that is why they are so good» patterns, low waists, kick flares, and opulent brocades combined with leather polos, sequin-studded tights, plastic necklaces and trapper hats. Think of me, once again, it’s Prada’s inimitable way with texture… Miuccia has started a wave. More is more or let’s say more is less. Maximalism is not over, just different.

LOCATION
In May 2018, Miuccia Prada chose the seventh floor of the Herzog & de Meuron–designed Prada HQ in New York as the venue. The transformation of the former piano factory was the first project entrusted to the famous architects by Prada in 2000. It was a kind of a striptease of the existing building: all architectural elements were removed so only the naked concrete structure remained.

THE SHOW
The space was kept as open and empty as possible for the fashion show. Only one new element was added to the space: large floating panels reflecting the cityscape outside and thus transferring images of the real city deep inside the space of the presentation. In addition to the real image of the city, other images of virtual cityscapes were projected onto the boards for an intriguing mix of inside and outside, of analogical and virtual realities.

 

PERSONAL NOTE
I have been a fan of Miuccia Prada from the beginning. A Prada nylon backpack was my school bag and I always felt very strong in her designs. When I studied fashion design, I realized how advanced her thinking is. She is a true pioneer and with her Resort 2019 collection she got the ball rolling again. Is the world ready for a return to minimalism? Probably in a different way than what we are used to. Look at the manicure for the Resort 2019 show, it is minimalistic yet maximalist. It depends on the way of looking at things… as Miuccia says: «Fashion is instant language». Do you speak Prada?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada

«Vivienne Westwood was one of the first designers who made me dream to become a designer myself and when I first started at Burberry, I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to approach her to do something. She is a rebel, a punk and unrivalled in her unique representation of British style, which has inspired so many of us. I am so incredibly proud of what we will be creating together.»
Riccardo Tisci, Burberry Chief Creative Officer

Andreas Kronthaler and Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood and Burberry revealed the campaign for their collaboration
which was shot in London by David Sims.
The campaign features an eclectic cast wearing looks from the limited-edition collection
created as a collaboration between Riccardo Tisci, Vivienne Westwood and Andreas Kronthaler. The cast includes: Kate Moss, Sistren, Leonard Emmanuel, LadyFag, Josh Quinton,
Andy Bradin, DelaRosa, Claudia Lavender, Marco Motta, Sashadavai
and Jacob Shifrin as well as Vivienne Westwood and Andreas Kronthaler.

THE COLLECTION

The collection celebrates British style and heritage and is inspired by Vivienne Westwood’s iconic collections, taking a unisex approach across styles.

Vivienne Westwood’s famous designs – from classic double-breasted jackets, a hugger jacket and a mini kilt to lace up platforms and a beret – are all reimagined in Burberry’s Vintage check. «Vivienne Westwood & Burberry» is the first collaboration for Burberry under its newly appointed Chief Creative Officer Riccardo Tisci and is now available online and in select Burberry stores globally.

COOL EARTH

Vivienne Westwood and Riccardo Tisci were united by a shared vision to support and promote Cool Earth, a UK based non-profit organisation that works alongside rainforest communities to halt deforestation and climate change, through this collaboration.

At the heart of the collection, is an oversized T-shirt dedicated to the charity, with a handwritten message from Vivienne. She will also customise four exclusive items from the collection to be auctioned to raise further support for Cool Earth.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Burberry, © David Sims

My dear readers, it is very important that you read until the end of this post as a very special treat is waiting for you to celebrate 9 years of my blog! I am convinced you will love it…

The idea of the concept store is by no means unheard of nowadays. In 1990 the first one of this kind opened its doors in Milan, 10 Corso Como, followed by Opening Ceremony, Colette and Dover Street Market, just to name a few.

The new VOGUE concept store inside the OUTLETCITY METZINGEN

What is a concept store? A 360 degrees experience, a type of living magazine, offering a unique mix of art, fashion, one-of-a-kind homeware and accessories. Christiane Arp, Editor-in-Chief of VOGUE Germany, takes the idea a step further. The tall blonde has been dedicated to supporting emerging talent within the fashion industry since many years. In 2011, she launched the VOGUE Salon, an initiative to grant up-and-coming German fashion designers the opportunity to present exclusive collections to industry opinion leaders. It takes place twice a year during Berlin Fashion Week.

With Christiane Arp, Editor-in-Chief of VOGUE Germany, at the VOGUE concept store opening.

Now, Christiane Arp takes her engagement a step further. Looking for new ways for print media to attract readers and to create attention for the brand itself, she had the idea to launch the VOGUE Concept Store in cooperation with OUTLETCITY METZINGEN.

From left to right: Tim Labenda, David Tomaszewski, Marina Hoermanseder, William Fan, Jeanne Zizi Margot de Kroon, Wolfang Bauer (CEO OUTLETCITY METZINGEN) and Christiane Arp.

Chosen for their one-of-a-kind viewpoints and unparalleled talent were Marina Hoermanseder (click here for a previous post about her collaboration with EOS), Tim Labenda, Dawid Tomaszewski, Jeanne Zizi Margot de Kroon and William Fan. The pieces of the respective designers, which are not older than three months, were bought by OUTLETCITY METZINGEN, which is operating the store in collaboration with VOGUE that is in charge for the marketing and advertising in return. Christiane Arp herself made the selection.

Always at work – here during the fashion show.

It is a win-win situation – a great way to support emerging talents in Germany. The young designers receive through the sale enough money to invest in their next collection.

The pop-up store will be there for six month until April 2019. Inside, you can find many interactive and augmented reality features such as ideas how to style the pieces. Moreover, via your smartphones, you can access information about the designers themselves and their inspirations.

The bestseller that night was definitely the VOGUE logo tops, sweatshirts that came with the latest issue of VOGUE Germany.

Catching up with longtime friends at the opening: Ingrid Hedley, Marketing Director VOGUE & AD Architectural Digest, and Marina Hoermanseder.

And when you are wondering why VOGUE opened in Metzingen in an outlet mall, that seems to be in the middle of nowhere, remember where Carla Sozzani opened her 10 Corso Como shop almost 30 years ago. The location seemed very far away to the people and it was not glamorous at all with its concrete floor. At the time, Via Monte Napoleone was considered the only shopping street. You have to think in new ways, especially print media… the same goes for blogging by the way.

Before it’s in Fashion, it’s in VOGUE! or let’s say now in the VOGUE concept store! And before that of course in Sandra’s Closet :-)!

To celebrate the 9th anniversary of my blog, I have a treat for you. When I was at the opening party of the VOGUE concept store, I was truly overwhelmed by the size and the design of the the OUTLETCITY METZINGEN. Personally speaking, some stores look so much better and are bigger than in Zurich. I attached a few pictures for you below. The collections on display are from S/S 2018 with prices marked down up to 70%.

Metzingen is not far from Stuttgart in Germany. The little village is dedicated to its OUTLETCITY. You can find many hotels and restaurants. If you prefer staying in Stuttgart, no problem, there are bus transfers for Metzingen, leaving from most of the hotels.

Toasting with Christina Gobil at the opening of the VOGUE concept store to 9 years of Sandra’s Closet!

HERE COMES MY ANNIVERSARY TREAT FOR YOU:

As my dear reader, you are entitled to the VIP Shopping Pass:
Mention «Sandra’s Closet» when you arrive at the International Service Point, located at Reutlinger Strasse 58, 72555 Metzingen, Germany.
You will receive a VIP Shopping Pass, a welcome Winzersekt (a vintner’s sparkling wine – German kind of champagne) and a coffee voucher. The VIP Shopping Pass offers also an extra 10% discount at the Vogue Concept Store and other participating stores.
The offer is valid until March 31st, 2019.

Have fun shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Bottega Veneta in OUTLETCITY METZINGEN

Prada in OUTLETCITY METZINGEN

Jimmy Choo in OUTLETCITY METZINGEN

Gucci in OUTLETCITY METZINGEN

The Burberry shop in OUTLETCITY METZINGEN has already the new logo.

The whole area looks like one of those amazing gigantic US shopping malls.

Photos: Courtesy of VOGUE, OUTLETCITY METZINGEN and © Sandra Bauknecht 

Great news for all beauty addicts and fashion lovers around the globe, this month Isabel Marant, the queen of effortless Parisian chic, is launching a make-up collection with L’Oréal Paris. Five multi-purpose products in a range of perfect shades, the line is ideal for creating the insouciant, pared-back look Marant’s customers adore. Below, take a first look at the products as the designer gives us an insight about the process behind creating the collection, and how the partnership came about.

With Isabel Marant – the queen of effortless Parisian chic

L’ORÉAL X ISABEL MARANT – WANTED: ONE COLLECTION OF EFFORTLESS PARISIAN ALLURE

For your first ever makeup collection, what did you want to bring to women?
Exactly what I want in my makeup bag. The essential products for every day, for life on-the-go. I approached this makeup collection in the same way I design my ready-to-wear collections: to be wearable anytime, anywhere. For me, Parisian cool style is not about social media perfection, it is a natural elegance: Super-natural for day then statement updates for night with a dark eye or a bright red lip. But never both at the same time. And always worn with a slight offbeat edge. Imperfection has a charm all its own. A makeup embracing your own personality.

This collaboration is Paris meets the Wild West, what inspires you about that era?
I love the myth of the Wild West. That borderless way of life, eyeing new horizons and feeling the endless possibilities of adventure. The way our culture is today. This modern reinterpretation of the West has been a theme of my fashion collections. The wildness of that era, the exploration, the rebelliousness… it is a continuous inspiration to me.

Why on-the-go makeup products?
For this collection, the question I asked myself was the same as when I design clothes: “what do I want to wear? What do I need that I don’t already have?” And the answer is makeup that’s effortless because we’re all on the go. Who goes back at home to change after a long day of work? I wanted to create products that are practical, fast on the draw! That can be applied on the go. Products that are small enough to take with you anywhere, any time. And also what was important to me was that each of these is multi-purposed. Easy to use and easy to take with you anywhere.

How did you decide what you wanted to include as essentials?
For me, every day makeup should be about wearing just one thing. One brush of mascara or a touch of lipstick or a little shadow. To create this collection, started with those three products. Then, the addition is a bit of color on the cheeks. The look I envision is makeup without trying, slightly undone. Easy natural elegance.

What influenced which colors you wanted?
For this collection, I had in mind colors “hors du temps”, timeless. The sought after Parisian look of today with a modern feel. We have three red lipsticks for that modern women can dress up with.

Isabel Marant F/W 2018

What inspired the L’Oréal Paris x Isabel Marant graphic aesthetic?
The inspiration is my Fall Winter 18 Collection, which is cowboyish: The “Wanted Posters” from the Wild West that we have reinterpreted in a modern way. And Black on white is the signature!

With each product emblazoned with either to SMILE, to SHINE, to AMAZE… is the message to wear makeup with confidence?
Absolutely. For me, that’s the difference between embracing first the woman, her personality, rather than the makeup first. It is very important to me. Those sentences are a lift me up to women using my products. And it is also a small touch of humour. We had fun in thinking about those sentences.

Let’s talk about each essential.
SMILE – You’re known for your smile – what is lipstick to a smile?
I love red lipstick: Beautiful alone, lipstick can even be more powerful with a smile! We’ve created 7 Isabel Marant shades for Color Riche, 2 nudes, for a bare lip look, 3 different reds for that bold lips you spot brightening a grey day on the Paris streets, and two deeper plum shades.

WANTED – Why a double-duty translucent mascara?
This transparent mascara is very natural but in the same time very sexy and you can also use it to tame your brows. Transparent, it suits every lash color, and gives a very natural, ‘wet’ look – a dewy, just emerged from water finish – that works on everyone. I love it.

SMOKE – When and where do you rock a smoky eye?
I’l l create a smoldering smoky eye to go out. The handy pocket shadow combines matte black for the smokiness with a beautiful iridescent black, blended with chromatic emerald and blue shimmer to add depth and intrigue to any eye color. Smudge on with your fingertips for a nonchalant Paris night.

AMAZE – When do you most need or use a cheek tint?
At the final stage of a show, when all the final touches being placed start showing up. When you just need a most subtle touch of color and light on the face. What’s genius about this cheek tint is that the formula adapts to your skin’s natural coloring.

SHINE – How does this highlighter reintroduce shine?
This is the light to detract any shadows or dullness. It’s a flattering, anytime highlighter that puts women in their best light. A multi-purpose cream that turns into a powder on skin, to blur imperfections while it subtly highlights.

What did you learn in the L’Oréal Paris labs that you didn’t know before about makeup?
So much. There’s a level of technology involved in the colors and in the textures. For example, AMAZE really amazed me! A formula that responds to the pH of your skin!

You’re the epitome of the natural look, how does this new capsule collection achieve that effortless result?
I would say understated not overdone. We’ve made the tones and the shades for natural looks – that take a nude lipstick, transparent mascara, a cheek tint for a flush that looks healthy and natural.

WANTED: WHEN THE WILD WEST HITS PARIS

How is the spirit of the Wild West captured in the campaign?
The Wild West comes to the Paris of today. So, of course the first shot is a woman on horseback. You see these strong women who dare to kick up dust, stand tall and prepare to duel in the City of Lights. These heroines will not stand for the status quo. The world is theirs – and they know it.

What made you decide – “Women on horseback!”
It was inspired by my Ready to Wear Fall 18 Collection. Uninterrupted horizons and low skies were the unseen backdrop for my silhouettes that inspired me. It’s such a powerful image, the rider on horseback. I enjoy rewriting the myth of the Wild West, the Wild West in Paris. These are heroines in their own right, not a cowboy in sight.

Is the Isabel Marant woman a loner or part of a bigger gang?
I don’t like the idea to put people in boxes. But I see my “girl” as an independent-minded woman shaping her own paths – yet joining up with other women to travel stretches of road at a time together.

Isabel Marant’s F/W 2018 campaign was photographed by Juergen Teller.

WANTED: A SHARED FORCE OF FEMININITY

What are the 3 values distinct to the Isabel Marant brand?
Sincerity, pioneering spirit, joy.

What is self-worth to you?
It’s self-respect, having an inner voice that speaks up for yourself, not down. Being yourself without letting the others change your point of view.

When did you first hear “Worth It”?
“Je le bien” I remember hearing as a teenager. It stood out at the time, but it must have resonated, even as a tomboy teenager raiding her dad’s wardrobe and not subscribing to the feminine ideals of the time.

What does “Worth it” bring to mind today?
It makes me think of women having to take ownership of their identities and choose their own path. Unfortunately, it is still not the case everywhere in the world.

Why L’Oréal Paris & Isabel Marant?
I love dressing women all around the world, in all their diversity – with a vision of femininity that I share with L’Oréal Paris. I like to give women the confidence to express themselves freely.

Both represent facets of the Parisian look, how would you describe French style in a few words?
French style is style. It’s somewhat hard to define the Parisian look. It is a carefree nonchalance, without trying just simply elegant, not pretentious. I think my style is really Parisian.

How do both you, and L’Oréal Paris champion women?
Giving each woman the freedom to be whoever she wants to be.

How do you define beauty?
Beauty is embracing yourself, it adds confidence.

WANTED: ONE SELF-MADE DESIGNER

How did your journey to a most wanted fashion designer begin?
I was actually going to study economics, but then because I couldn’t find the kind-of clothes I wanted to wear in the shops, I started making them myself. And that’s how the label first began.

Over 24 years as creative head of your label, what are your greatest triumphs?
I’d say one of the things I love most is seeing someone on the street wearing one of my designs from years ago. Seeing a pair of boots or a dress, be loved and worn for seasons. That to me is the greatest triumph.

Known for her conic heels: Lileas ruched leather ankle boots for F/W 2018

As a fashion designer, everybody wants more of you, how do you deal with fame?
I don’t see myself as famous. I’m not recognized all the time and luckily in Paris, people are mostly discreet, they want to play it cool and that’s great with me.

Your designs have a very distinctive Parisian signature, how do you describe it?
Effortless, free. A silhouette that speaks of self-affirmation and individuality with an art of contrast. Tomboyish but sexy.

What drives you to stay independent?
I always had creative freedom since I was young and that is never going to change. Freedom is everything to me.

You’ve said before what you do isn’t about fashion, rather “getting dressed.” How does that ethos translate into this beauty collection?
This collection is about getting ready: getting ready for a special day or getting ready for a party, the essentials to have always in your bag but still embracing yourself. Essentials that aren’t about creating an entirely new look but giving elegance to the look you have.

What makes Parisian style so desired by the world?
This is a question I’m often asked. I think Parisians are known for not overdoing their style, for having discreet elegance. Just having that little touch of charm. That’s said, French don’t look to work on their style but in fact they do!

WANTED: THE WOMAN BEHIND THE DESIGNER

How do you feel about your reflection?
I am happy with who I am and I am not afraid of time passing. I see the movement of time. I see aging as a beautiful thing that does not need to be changed and I do things for myself, to keep my mind and my body healthy. I’m very happy to be here, doing what I do.

Why such social media discretion?
I lead a full life, I’m a busy working woman. I cannot spend my time on social media because I don’t have time. But I am curious about what customers have to say about the brand. In the past, it was difficult to get feedback and get customers points of views.

Agnès Varda and her historical alter ego in her most recent movie.

Who’s your superhero?
Agnès Varda, one of the only female film Directors of the New Wave. I like what she represents for the French cinema, and what she has made smoothly for the feminist cause.

Do you see yourself as feminist?
I am not a feminist as a militant but rather in the way that equality is so rooted in me that I do not really think about people’s gender when I think of them. A majority of women work in my company, but this was never thought-out and I don’t make a political statement of it, they were just the best persons, the right moment.

If you could live in any other decade, which one would it be?
In the Wild West of the 19 th Century. 

What would you say to your younger self?
Stand up for yourself. Trust your voice. And don’t listen to anyone else. Follow your own path.

What is your mantra? Favorite quote?
Less is more.

One makeup product that you couldn’t live without?
A beautiful red lipstick which galvanizes when you are a little bit down.

Indians or cowboys?
I love the culture, the history and the myths surrounding both. Indians and cowgirls you mean?!

AVAILABLE NOW ONLY AND EXCLUSIVE AT MANOR IN SWITZERLAND.

HIGHLIGHTER: CHF 14.90
BROW MASCARA: CHF 16.90
LIP GLOSS: CHF 15.90
LIP STICK : CHF 21.90

TO SHOP ISABEL MARANT PRÊT-À-PORTER AND ACCESSORIES, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of L’Oréal Paris and © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, fashion’s second most anticipated show took place, Hedi Slimane’s debut for Céline. Ups, first mistake. He took the «accent aigu» (acute accent) away and Céline is now Celine. The looks, personally speaking, were very much Saint Laurent at his time, as if he just continued where he left off. For me absolutely boring.

The Celine S/S 2019 show invite

I loved when he started at Saint Laurent and went crazy for his looks. But after some seasons, I had enough in my closet of his rock’n roll chic. Of course, the collection for Celine is good, very ’80s and sexy. It is also ok to stay to true to yourself. But as a designer, I find it important to go with time and to value a brand’s heritage. Hedi just repeated what he did for Dior and Saint Laurent. Instead of taking the Yves away, he went for the accent aigu. Instead of applying his aesthetics to the French Maison in a new creative way, he just did copy and paste. Boring.

Copy and paste

To be honest, for LVMH it would have been the smartest move to give Hedi Slimane his own label.

ABOUT CÉLINE

Céline was founded in 1945 by Céline Vipiana and her husband, Richard, as one of the first luxury brands in the industry to make a made-to-measure children’s shoe business. The couple opened a first boutique at 52 rue Malte in Paris. The brand was recognised by its logo, the red elephant created by Raymont Peynet.

Céline Vipiana

In 1960, the brand decided to change its positioning by focusing its business on a ready-to-wear fashion brand for women with a sportswear approach. Henceforth, the brand offered a range of leather goods such as bags, loafers, gloves and clothes. The trench became the iconic product of the house. In 1973, Céline, who remained at the helmet until 1997, redesigned its logo with the intertwined “C” Sulky canvas, linked to the Arc-de-Triomphe, which appeared as a symbol for Parisians. At that time, Céline began its expansion in the world with the opening of various boutiques in Monte Carlo, Geneva, Hong Kong, Lausanne, Toronto and Beverly Hills.

In 1987, Bernard Arnault decided to buy into Céline’s capital. However, it was only in 1996 that the brand was integrated into the LVMH group for 2.7 billion French francs ($540 million). LVMH propelled the brand to fame with the opening of a boutique at 36 avenue Montaigne in Paris.
American fashion designer Michael Kors was named the first ever women’s ready-to-wear designer and creative director for Céline in 1997. During his tenure at Céline, Kors brought modern femininity with a luxurious spirit. In 2004, he left the fashion luxury house to focus his career on his own brand. In 2005, Italian designer Roberto Menichetti was named creative director. A year later, Croatian designer Ivana Omazic directed the design studio. Omazic was a former consultant for the brand and previously worked with Romeo Gigli, Prada, Jil Sander and Miu Miu. Omazic designed for Céline until 2008, after further disappointments for the brand.

Phoebe Philo’s Céline changed your wardrobe (even if you didn’t realise it)…  she managed to predict what you want six months before you know you do.

On September 4, 2008, the fashion portal Women’s Wear Daily announced that Bernard Arnault, president of LVMH, had appointed Phoebe Philo as the new creative director of Céline. Her tenure began in October 2008, and she presented her first ready-to-wear collection for S/S 2010 at Paris Fashion Week. Pierre-Yves Roussel, chief executive officer of LVMH’s fashion division, said that recruiting Philo was giving her the opportunity to express her vision. Philo brought a new touch to the brand creating functional clothes with a focus on materials and tailoring. In 2009, Vogue Magazine defined her style as the “cool minimal trend”. Philo studied at Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design in London. Prior to Céline, Philo held the position of Design Director at Chloé. In 2010, she received the Designer of the Year award from British Fashion Council. In 2011, she was awarded International Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Both prizes were awarded for her work at Céline.

We all wanted it! Céline’s Boston bag – first seen on the S/S 2010 runway.

In December 2017, following increasing rumors in the press, Philo announced her departure from Céline after finishing the F/W 2018 collection, which is to presented in March of that same year. Thanking her team, Phoebe Philo stated “Working with Céline has been an exceptional experience for me these last 10 years. I am grateful to have worked with an incredibly talented and committed team and I would like to thank everyone along the way who has been part of the collaborations and conversations…it’s been amazing.”

Hedi Slimane

On January 21, 2018, LVMH announced the appointment of Hedi Slimane as Artistic, Creative and Image Director, set to join the house on February 1. He is to direct all Céline collections, extending the brand’s offering with the launch of men’s fashion, couture and fragrances.

Great news for me, I can dress next summer in my former Saint Laurent pieces and will look like wearing new Celine. Money saved for other things…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Céline, © Sandra Bauknecht

For Tara Ghazanfar dreams of quitting her day job became a reality in 2016 when the London-based, US-born designer launched her handbag line, Tara Zadeh – named, in part, for her mother’s maiden name. ‘Zadeh’ is a Persian suffix meaning ‘born of’ – a fitting label for the realisation of Tara’s long-imagined dream.

Her bags reflect her Iranian heritage – the geometric shapes and vibrant mosaics in the palaces and mosques of Tehran and Shiraz influence each collection. After her first designs were loved by friends and family, Ghazanfar began bringing her creations to life, using a factory in the small town of Ubrique, Spain to produce the handmade leather and brass accessories.

Before launching her brand, she graduated from Parsons the New School with a degree in graphic design, and worked as Art Director of The Gentleman’s Journal, a London based luxury magazine for men. She spent years sketching designs based on pieces gathered from souks and markets around the world.

Her signature piece, the Azar clutch, is easily recognisable thanks to its round silhouette and geometric brass fixtures and has certainly awakened our desire being featured all over Instagram.

TO SHOP TARA ZADEH ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Net-à-Porter, Browns, Tara Zadeh
@tarazadeh

Last week I showed you how to match your dinner invitations to your dress (click here for the previous post please). Now we can take it one step further and match the tablecloth and decoration to our outfits as London based designer Emilia Wickstead is bringing her coveted florals into the home. Exclusive to Moda, this collection of table linens (featuring prints lifted from her most-loved dresses) marks Wickstead’s first foray into interiors—and, better yet, it delivers within the month. Don’t miss it.

TO SHOP THE NEW AND EXCLUSIVE EMILIA WICKSTEAD HOME AND READY-TO-WEAR COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

ABOUT EMILIA WICKSTEAD

British-based and New Zealand born, spent her formative years in Milan and gained a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Fashion Design and Marketing at Central Saint Martin’s London with Honours in 2007.

After graduating, Emilia worked at fashion houses Giorgio Armani, Proenza Schouler, Narciso Rodriguez and Vogue in New York and Milan. Before returning to London to establish her own label in 2008 by opening her first store in Belgravia. Originally commencing as a made-to-measure atelier, Emilia’s collections are currently seasonal ready-to-wear and showcased at London Fashion Week from S/S 2012.

Emilia Wickstead is stocked in retailers globally including Net-A-Porter, Selfridges, Matches, Harvey Nichols and Moda Operandi alongside of her flagship store which opened in 2014, on London’s Sloane Street.

I am a huge fan of her beautiful feminine designs!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Emilia Wickstead

My avid readers know how much I love MARY KATRANTZOU and that I have collected her designs starting from her first season. This summer, she has joined forces with PAPERLESS POST to create some beautiful invitations that are matching many dresses I have.

Cowboys and Princesses Invitation

Her clothes use intricate digital prints as transformative elements of style—and her eye for pattern is a natural fit for elegant party invitations that transcend the envelope.

Click HERE to see the full selection that is available at PAPERLESS POST. Inviting your friends has never been so much fun…

Left: Powder Gun Dress (with Mary Katrantzou) – Right: Sprinter Fritz Invitation

Left: Powdy Dress – Right: Powdy Invitation

Left: Rodizio Clutch – Right: Rodizio Invitation

Left: Expandit Dress – Right: Expandit Invitation

Left: Showmanship Dark Rush Dress – Right: Star Heart Invitation

Left: Harp Hazard Dress – Right: Strip Valley Invitation

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and via Paperless Post