Sandra‘s Closet

Jeremy Scott with me

 Ten years of creative freedom. Ten years of explosive, ravishing humor. Happy Birthday to one of the most fun collaborations: Longchamp and Jeremy Scott celebrate their 10th anniversary.

10 years of pure creativity

His irreverence is applauded, his audacity hailed. Jeremy Scott is part of a closed circle of designers who have no fear. A lover of Pop prints and bold colors, he is known for shaking up the catwalk with his extravagant designs. It is with this “enfant terrible” of the fashion world that Longchamp chose to team up in 2006. The unusual alliance between the legendary French leather craftsman and the turbulent designer came as a surprise to more than a few. Yet the partnership is perfectly in line with the label’s style.

Limited edition for the 10th anniversary “Greetings from Hollywood”

Scott was given the challenge to rework the legendary Le Pliage® bag. Every season, the designer takes inspiration from his favorite pattern in his ready-to-wear collection and adds it to the label’s flagship bag. I am so in love with his newest limited edition and of course his Barbie® collection for Moschino!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Longchamp

At the age of 30, Olivier Rousteing, the creative director of Balmain, is H&M‘s latest designer collaborator. Since five years , he has been at the helmet of the French fashion house and is one of the youngest creative directors in the world. He has shot to fame in the succeeding thanks to his glamorous designs and also his groundbreaking sense for social media. His vision is to combine pop culture, music and fashion.

         Together with Ann‑Sofie Johansson, the creative advisor at H&M, he answered some questions regarding his upcoming collaboration with H&M that will hit the stores worldwide tomorrow, November 5, 2015.

Olivier Rousteing and Ann-Sofie Johansson

            Olivier, how did you feel when H&M called you and asked you to be their newest collaborator?

       OR: It was just something amazing like «Oh, my God, it’s happening to me..». It was a dream come true because I’m H&M generation boy. For me being part of the H&M story, it’s an honor, it’s a privilege, it’s something that celebrates a vision and aesthetic.

            10 years ago I was part of the Cavalli collaboration. I was an assistant and now 10 years later I’m with Balmain, the creative director, and am building that amazing story. When H&M calls to ask for your aesthetic and vision, it’s a big achievement for a designer. I’m very proud to be part of it.

         Ann-Sofie, why did H&M want to work with Balmain and Olivier?

            ASJ: Olivier is a fantastic designer, of course. He achieved so many great things at Balmain. WE at H&M have a wish list of designers we would like to collaborate with. Olivier was on it. We also get a lot of questions from our customers, demands really, who to collaborate with next. Olivier was also one of the top names there.

            We were super happy when Olivier and Balmain said yes. It’s also fun to have a collaboration that is opposite to what we did last year with Wang, that was really sporty and streety. This time, it is opulent, glamorous and sexy. 

            Olivier, we all know about the #BalmainArmy. The hashtag for this collaboration is #HMBalmaination. It is like a message of unity, something that is very important to you. Talk a little bit please about why is that so integral to Balmain and H&M.

            OR: I think I love fashion for two reasons. Because I love to do clothes and to deliver a vision of diversity and unity the same time. With H&M it was literally expressing the diversity.

            Also, why ‘nation’? In this nation I could have so many different people. First because obviously this line is more affordable than my own line. Building the Balmain Army means creating a nation that believes in my universe, the DNA of Balmain. With this collaboration, I can reach more people, different ages, also different continents because Balmain has not so many stores as H&M.

Kylie Jenner wearing H&M x Balmain

 Olivier, can you explain please why you decided to remake and sort of revise some of the greatest hits from your past four years?

OR: Because I still remember around 10 years ago when I was in the line to actually get the pieces from different collaborations for myself. I loved watching the runway shows and thought so many times, I wished I could afford this jacket or those pants. I remember my feeling of frustration.

            So now I can see with my Instagram, my followers, dreaming of some pearls, some different craftsmanship. Once in my life I want to make it up. Thanks to H&M, we can make it happen.

         Ann‑Sofie, like you said, this collection is very different than last year’s, which was Alexander Wang, really sporty. What was the process like for H&M? It obviously has a lot of lux detailing. Was that a new experience for everyone?

            ASJ: It was a challenge. Of course, there are different challenges with different collaborations. This time, it was the handcrafted details. We were I have to say a little bit scared if we were able to pull it off or not and now we’re super happy with the result. I know that Olivier is, as well. We work with really skilled suppliers that we’ve been working with for many, many years. They are also super proud of being part of this collaboration.

  Was there a specific piece that was the most challenging?

            ASJ: All the pieces, but definitely the black and white dress, which is fully beaded. 250,000 pearls are on that dress.

          Olivier, how about you, how did you experience the collaboration?

OR: Drama (laughter). Working with H&M, it’s a big achievement because as a designer you push yourself so much more. You know the price range and it’s obvious that you can’t use some techniques, but you want to make sure it looks the best. I wanted to bring affordable couture and that’s why I’m really, really proud of the result.

            To see the collection on the racks over there, there is a mix of embellished pieces, but you put some simpler things, like the sweater that Ann‑Sofie is wearing.

            OR: I think it’s important. When H&M contacted me, I asked myself: what is the Balmain DNA, what do we want to bring to the store? I said there are two pillars, the couture, but also the tailoring. Even for the simplest pieces, the fit is amazing, the fabric is good. I think we managed to find a real good balance for this collection. You can get a dress to party all night long and be really glamourous or you can opt for a jacket with buttons which you can wear during daytime.

         That’s why I talked about diversity. I think it was important to reach different kind of women.

Olivier’s three muses: Jourdan Dunn, Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner

            You are an Instagram star with 1.6 million followers now. I don’t think many other designers come close. Obviously your fans get a lot from you through social media. They learn about you and your life. What do you get as a designer and also what does Balmain and H&M get as brands from Instagram?

            OR: I think the most important part is that you get feedback from the people that love you and also from the ones that hate you. Social media today is a really nice way of advertising and showing who you are, what is your vision, what is your aesthetic.
 What is amazing with Instagram, if you want to know it, you can follow me. If you don’t want to, you can unfollow me. I think it’s a more honest way to actually share with people. You’re not really advertising, you’re just being yourself, taking selfies in the morning after showing what’s happening in your studio, showing the clothes, showing also how it could be hard work to make it up. I think people love to see the process.

  Personally speaking, it’s also a way to keep my feet on the ground because I find a way to keep contact with reality. I can read some comments, I can see how hard life can be for some people. It’s a good balance for my glamorous life.

     Let’s talk about the menswear, too as there’s a big selection. Did you approach that the same way with the idea of keeping the tailoring central but also the embellishments and embroideries?

            OR: This men’s collection is like an access to my closet. I love my double‑breasted jacket, I love my coats, my leather pants, my T‑shirts, my embroidered jackets. It’s like my personal wardrobe. Reminiscent of Instagram where I like to share, I wanted to give the exact same clothes to those who can’t afford what I’m doing. I’m really, really proud.

          Moreover, I am so happy that this menswear collection is something that a lot of women like and could actually wear. Balmain DNA is when a woman can also get the menswear jacket and everything. This is really interesting. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of women are going to go for the menswear line also.

          Androgyny is very of much in the current vogue. People are talking about it a lot in fashion. Considering that Balmain’s DNA is so opulent and glamorous, it seems like it perhaps doesn’t really fit with this new trend. Like you say, it actually does.

            OR: Completely. I think Balmain is not only flamboyant and rich, because it has 200,000 beads on a dress. It’s because you can wear a menswear jacket and feel really strong, confident, not  afraid. That’s what I’m building with my Balmain Army, the H&M Balmain Nation. You know who you are with a menswear jacket, with a really short beaded dress. It’s about confidence and about believing in yourself.

What will this collaboration do for Balmain as a brand?

            OR: I think as a brand, is going to open the doors to our stores because Balmain is not known in some countries. It’s a great access to understand the Balmain world better, that it’s not only about the embroidery dress, but more about the tailoring. And it’s a great way to give younger people an access to Balmain.

Alessandra Ambrosia wearing the must-have jacket on the runway.

       Speaking about the clothes, do you both have favorites, any predictions on what you think will be the top sellers?

            OR: Yes, I have my favorite, it’s the double‑breasted jacket with the pearls and velvet that Kendall was wearing at the Billboards when we announced the collaboration. I love the pearls because it’s part of my first season. It’s kind of emotional for me, but I’m really proud that this jacket is going to be in stores.

Me wearing the black jacket with gold buttons.

What are a the key pieces of this collection that you can recommend that you can start a great closet with?

            OR: The black jacket with gold buttons is a perfect start. You can wear it as a dress if you want to or you can wear it as a jacket. Thanks to Ann‑Sofie who made it slightly longer.

            This jacket in particular is really iconic for me because it’s really Balmain. It’s black, simple with six gold buttons. Wear it like a tuxedo jacket with pants, or as a dress with the high boots that we also sell. It’s a real statement jacket.

Thank you, Olivier and Ann-Sofie for this lovely interview!

Don’t forget tomorrow the Balmain x H&M collection will hit the shelves…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M, Balmain and © Sandra Bauknecht

It’s been a crazy week in fashion. Those who have been following me on instagram @sandrascloset got the breaking news already this afternoon. After Raf Simons another designer is joining the fashion carrousel: Alber Elbaz leaves Lanvin after 14 years. It is said that his exit was based on a decision made by Lanvin owner Shaw-Lan ​Wang.​

No word so far on Alber’s next move, but one thing is for sure after Simons it’s another high-profile fashion departure in a week and it puts Elbaz in a premium position to be considered for the Dior post. I think that it would be a perfect match!

Alber Elbaz with me in Paris a few weeks ago.

Lanvin F/W 2009

Lanvin Ad Campaign F/W 2015

Now, it is a good time to shop the latest designs by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin. I put a great outfit together for you.

Get the look: Embellished velvet and wool-gabardine jacket, cutout metallic fil coupé chiffon mini dress, metallic suede brogues, Sugar medium quilted suede shoulder bag, tasseled gold-tone crystal necklace and snake chain-trimmed rabbit-felt hat, all by Lanvin.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lanvin, © Getty Images and © Sandra Bauknecht

This is one of those days. I am totally jet-lagged as I just got back from New York City and in between travels which means emptying one suitcase and filling the next one. I hoped for an relaxing evening on the couch when I heard the big and very unexpected news that I had to get out to you in case you haven’t read it yet.

After three and a half years as Creative Director at Christian Dior, fashion designer Raf Simons has announced today that he will be leaving the French Maison. His S/S 2016 collection he showed during Paris Fashion Week in the beginning of October will be his last.
Here some of the beautiful looks:

Here is a statement that Simons released  to ​WWD: «It is after careful and long consideration that I have decided to leave my position as creative director of Christian Dior’s women’s collection. It is a decision based entirely and equally on my desire to focus on other interests in my life, including my own brand, and the passions that drive me outside my work. Christian Dior is an extraordinary company, and it has been an immense privilege to write a few pages of this magnificent book. I want to thank Mr. Bernard Arnault for the trust he has put in me, giving me the incredible opportunity to work at this beautiful house surrounded by the most amazing team one could ever dream of. I have also had the chance over the last few years to benefit from the leadership of Sidney Toledano. His thoughtful, heartfelt and inspired management will also remain as one of the most important experiences of my professional career.»

Raf Simons with me in 2014

It will be interesting who will succeed Simons as ​Dior’s sales increased dramatically under him. I truly loved what he did.

Tomorrow I will be on a trip with Dior ​so let’s see if I can get some insights.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chloé Le Drezen, © Yannis Vlamos / Indigitalimages.com, © Sandra Bauknecht

THE INSEPARABLES
MEET FASHION’S BOMBASTIC DUO

Ten years ago, Viktor Horsting & Rolf Snoeren wished upon a star. Their wish was to create a fragrance that would make the world a better place. Their wish came true and with Flowerbomb another success story of the avant-garde Dutch fashion house was born.

The sun is shining in Paris. It is the morning after the 10-year anniversary party of Viktor & Rolf’s highly succesful fragrance «Flowerbomb» and the day after their latest Haute Couture fashion show. Even I feel a little tired because of all the great impressions from yesterday. Yet, I am full of energy and excited to meet the designer duo in person.

I wear a silk top and skirt with bow embellishments from one of their previous collections (for the outfit post, click here please) and when I enter the suite at the Peninsula hotel, they recognize it in a second and I am greeted with two big smiles.

«REALITY IS BORING. WHAT IF WE MAKE IT UP?»

My first impression? As trivial as it sounds, I like them immediately. Fashion and fragrances, both are about fantasy and the designer duo knows exactly how to cater to that. In an intellectual, yet theatrical way, I am immeditaley transported into their world.

But who are those two Dutch men that would like to make the world a better place with their creations? Their vita reads like a bedtime story, like twins who were seperated by birth and found themselves at a later stage in life. Both were born in 1969 not far away from each other. They met during their studies at the Arnhem Academy of Art and Design and began working together upon graduation. In 1993, they won a talent contest and launched their namesake label.

Viktor & Rolf x H&M (2006)

First, their creations were presented in art galleries until they showed their first Haute Couture show in 1998, followed by their ready-to-wear collections in 2000. In 2006, H&M worked with the avant-garde pair for the at that point only third of the mass-retailers designer collaborations. Many more were about to follow, such as a luggage range for Samsonite, a reinterpretation of the Piper-Heidsieck champagne bottle (they turned it upside down and labeled it pink) and a line of false couture lashes for Shu Uemura. Just to name a few.

Viktor & Rolf x Piper-Heidsieck (2007)

In 2008 Italian clothing magnate Renzo Rosso, President of OTB Group, the holding group of Maison Martin Margiela,, Marni and Diesel, bought a controlling interest in the company which gave Horsting & Snoeren the possibilty to create pre-collections and catwalk shows that kept the label on everyone’s lips.

Viktor & Rolf Haute Couture F/W 2015

This fall, Viktor & Rolf will take a break from the ready-to wear schedule after their F/W 2015 presentation to focus on their couture line which is every season a creative atomic bomb.

«WE SEE OURSELVES AS FASHION ARTISTS»

The day before the interview, they had presented their so-called «Wearable Art» F/W 2015 Haute Couture collection at the mezzanine space of Palais de Tokyo. During the show, the designer duo interacted on stage by taking broken picture frames filled with fabric of a wall and transforming them into gowns that they draped over the models.

Ten years ago, another artistic runway presentation had taken place. With three whispering words at the mid-point of the S/S 2015 ready-to-wear show featuring a collection rendered in black and dark tones – «Flowerbomb, Flowerbomb, Flowerbomb» – the stage revolved, revealing a completely transformed tableau vivant of models in a palette of pinks, roses and creams. It was a defining moment for Viktor & Rolf to launch their first female fragrance and intricately linking it to their powerful fashion collections – both a symbol of transformation and empowerment.

«WE FEEL A STRONG NEED TO REFOCUS ON OUR ARTISTIC ROOTS.»

F/W 2015 will be your last ready-to-wear collection because you would like to concentrate on couture. Why is that?

V&R: It was an artistic decision. We started to show couture in the beginning of our career and we returned to it for our twentieth anniversary two and a half years ago. This is what we really love so we want to focus on it. The great thing about couture is that you can take it to the extreme. It is like poetry for ideas. It gives us more freedom as the fashion system can be very demanding.

Will couture influence your fragrance line? It seems rather obvious that you would enter the world of Haute Perfumery as a next step.

V&R(Both smile): Kind of the next project. It is too early now to speak about it.

How did the «Flowerbomb» project get started? Were you approached by L’Oréal or vice versa?

V&R: L’Oréal came to us. They recognized the storyteller in us. We dreamt of a fragrance that had the power to spread a positive message.

«Flowerbomb», that is very innovative in its gourmand approach, was created by Oliver Polge, Carlos Benaim and Domitille Bertier. How were you involved in the process of making your first fragrance?

V&R: Well, it started with the word «Flowerbomb». That was our idea because we are very drawn to flowers. It becomes easily just pretty. The name is about opposites that attract. Opposites that create something new when put together in an unexpected way. A perfumer is an artist in its own. When we smelled it first, we knew that is it.

In 1996, we already had done an art project in a gallery. At that time, we didn’t have a career yet just big dreams so we visualized our ambitions in small installations with dolls. There was for instance a doll in a photo studio or a shop.

A fake perfume was also part of the exhibition because we thought it would be great to have our own scent. It was made in a limited edition of 250 and you couldn’t open the bottle. It was sealed so that its smell stayed a mystery. Everything showed our desire and ambition to be a designer.

What does perfume mean to you?

V&R: It’s a very direct and tangible way to express an emotion. And that is the challenge to create a perfume, to do it in a good way. To be clear. You have a name, an image, a bottle, a fragrance, a message you sent. So you have to get all those factors right in the beginning.

When you smell a woman wearing «Flowerbomb», how is that for you?

Viktor: Sometimes it is weird when you see somebody in the street wearing «Flowerbomb» or «Spicebomb», our male fragrance. It almost feels like borderline and inappropriate as if you know something about this person you shouldn’t know.

Rolf: I always want to see who wears it when I smell it.

The ad campaign was created together with your friends, the famous photographer duo Inez van Lambsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin. It hasn’t been changed for a decade. Couldn’t you imagine a famous face for «Flowerbomb» as most of the fragrance houses do?

Not so easily. What we like about the ad is that it is a mystery. It is about the story of «Flowerbomb», the emotion, the feeling and not about one woman. It is about an idea, not about a celebrity and wanting to be that celebrity. It is aspirational in a different way.

Tori Amos on stage at the 10-year anniversary party of Flowerbomb.

Do you have a woman in mind you would love to dress?

Rolf: Yesterday, hearing Tori Amos sing «Wishing Upon a Star» in our couture cape from the Zen collection a few years ago was a dream come true. She is a real «Flowerbomb».

Would you agree, Viktor?

Viktor: I would agree, we dressed many celebrities. But with Tori a personal relationship has evolved over the years and that adds a meaning to the dressing.

How can I imagine your creative process?

It is a constant discussion. We whats up from the moment we wake up. It is very continious, one thing informs the other. Right from the start already, we felt that our work flow went really well. We had a conversation 23 years ago and it is still ongoing. Literally we start with words, then come up with ideas. We have to make it very clear and visualize it before actually getting started.

You always seem to be in line. Do you ever fight or argue?

V&R (Both laugh): Not so much. It is very easy. If we disagree in work, we talk about it and it means to us it is not finished.

What do you admire about each other?

Rolf: He is my best friend. I cannot really decribe it and I don’t want to because he means everything to me.

Viktor: That is very sweet. Thank you! It would be diminishing to put it into words but Rolf you are a genius. That is it for starters.

If you are in a relationship. How do your partners cope with the strong bond you are having?

V&R: If there is a partner, it is a given. They know from the beginning how close we are.

Viktor & Rolf’s Paris store is located at 370 rue Saint-Honoré.

You seem to wear similiar outfits a lot of times. Do you whats up each other in the morning what you are going to wear?

V&R (Both laugh): It used to be but not so much anymore. It is more about the same style.

Do you wear other designers?

V&R: Not really other designers. Mainly our own things or things that we don’t make like a Nike sneakers.

Which scent are you both wearing?

V&R: Spicebomb in the extreme version.

How do you get creative?

V&R: We talk a lot, it doesn’t always come easily. Sometimes you have to force yourself to sit down. just work and pull it out of yourself. Getting a deadline helps a lot though.

Viktor & Rolf sweets during the interview.

In our times, being in business for 10 years is an amazing success for a scent. Do you see your fragrance line in collaboration with L’Oréal as a marketing tool?

V&R: Oh yes, in our times, when everything is so disposable, it is amazing to have something that has a meaning. Especially considering the fact that when we started making it, we weren’t thinking of other people. We wanted something that we are prone to, that is important to us. That it became such a success, is just amazing.

What do you think about social media and its fastness?

We are very ambivalent. Thinking of how we grew up in the Netherlands, there was not a lot of fashion. It is great how up-to-date and connected the kids of today are. At the same time it looses mystery, and it becomes so disposible, but we use for example Instagram. For our last couture show we tried to make images that didn’t exist before.

Do you manage your own instagram account?

We have an assistant with whom we do it together but we look at it as well.

Viktor & Rolf Haute Couture F/W 2015

What are you most proud of in terms of your career?

Our friendship.

Is there a collection that you are most proud of?

V&R: Several ones, but the last couture show was for us an achievement, as we tried to get to the essence of our work, who we really are.

Viktor & Rolf. The brand in 3 words.

Viktor(smiles): Can it be six?

Provocative couture. Unexpected elegance. Conceptual glamour.
These are the creative pillars that define the avant-garde house of Viktor & Rolf.

Thank you, Viktor & Rolf for this amazing interview!

A lovely surprise waited for me upon my arrival in my hotel room: the Mini Bombette bag. 

Viktor & Rolf surely cannot be pigeonholed. They are like the magicians of fashion for me and I am very curious to see their future projects and collections now that they can concentrate on their artistic skills. «Flowerbomb» is still growing a stronger audience and for the designer duo a good base to make most out of their business. Trust your heart, and success will come to you. In case of Viktor & Rolf, it absolutely seems to be true.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Viktor & Rolf, © Sandra Bauknecht
Illustrations: Franáois Berthoud

EVIAN and New York-based fashion designer ALEXANDER WANG have unveiled the 2016 limited edition bottle featuring the New York-based designers’s signature bar code logo on two contrasting bottles, one black and one white. The purity of evian water is emphasized through clean graphics and highlighted by the play of the lines on the bottles.

Alexander Wang (Photograph by Steven Klein)

This is the ninth time the mineral water company has collaborated with the fashion world to create a new design for its iconic product. Previous collaborators included Diane von Furstenberg, Paul Smith, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Elie Saab and Kenzo, to name a few.

The 2016 evian x Alexander Wang limited edition will be available in 75cl glass bottles at evian.com and retailers worldwide in October 2015.

TO SHOP ALEXANDER WANG PRET-A-PORTER, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Evian

Do you remember this year’s China-themed Met Gala where Rihanna showed up in the best dress of the night by Chinese haute couture designer GUO PEI? 2015 seems to be definitely the year of Asian domination: MAC has named Guo Pei, who is also known as the Alexander McQueen of the East, as its latest beauty collaborator, joining a long list of greats like Giambattista Valli, Proenza Schouler, Prabal Gurung to name a few.

The absolutely stunning MAC Guo Pei Fall 2015 Collection will include 16 beauty items like lip glosses, eyeshadow palettes, blushes, lipsticks and more.

The collection will hit the shelves this October 2015. In Switzerland at Globus Geneva, MAC store Lucerne and online.

You can explore all the products below.

Rihanna in Guo Pei at the Met Gala 2015

MAC Guo Pei Fall 2015 Collection

Night Sky / Eye Shadow Quad (Limited Edition) – CHF 79.00
· Nehru – black grey (matte)
· Clear Bright Moon – warm white (veluxe pearl)
· Blue Horizon – mid-tone vibrant blue (frost)
· Celestial Peak – dark frosted blue (deluxe pearl)

Morning Light / Eye Shadow Quad (Limited Edition) – CHF 79.00
· Sweet Vapours – soft beige with pink pearl (pearl lustre)
· Waking Dawn – medium gold (veluxe pearl)
· Amber Lights – peachy brown with shimmer (frost)
· Earthy Scent – blackened brown (veluxe pearl)

Beauty Powder (Limited Edition) – CHF 58.00
· Moonlight – translucent powder with fine pearl

Powder Blush (Limited Edution) – CHF 49.00
· Lotus Blossom – light blue pink (matte)
· Red Water Lily – light coral pink (satin)

Fluidline (Limited Edition) – CHF 28.00
· Blue Fountain – dark green blue (cream)
· Darkness of Calm – dark espresso (frost)
· Palm Tree – charcoal with pearl (cream)

Lipstick (Limited Edition) – CHF 44.00
· Zenith – light nude (lustre)
· Brave Red – bright yellow red (cremesheen)
· Ethereal Orchid – mid-tone dirty coral (lustre)

Cremesheen Glass (Limited Edition) – CHF 42.00
· Love of Roses – true red
· Pale Moon – mid-tone pink nude
· Bright Pink Bouquet – nude coral (my favorite)

Brush (Limited Edition)
· 213 Fluff Brush – CHF 44.00
· 129 Powder/Blush Brush – CHF 69.00

The packaging is so divine, I can only recommend those beautiful beauty products!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics and Getty Images

«Volez! Voguez! Voyagez!» literally translates as «Fly! Sail! Travel!». Those three words written across a vintage Louis Vuitton advertisement poster summarize the spirit of the brand and are the title of an upcoming exhibition that will take place at the Grand Palais from 4th December 2015 till 21st February 2016.

Curated by Olivier Saillard, this exhibition retraces Louis Vuitton’s great journey from 1854 till today, through depictions of the Maison’s founding members and those who create the Louis Vuitton of tomorrow.

Monsieur Louis Vuitton

The Grand Palais was constructed in 1900 during one of the most spectacular Universal Exhibitions in Paris which welcomed 48 milllion visitors. At this turning point of the century, George Vuitton was in charge of organizing the entire section dedicated to “Travel & Leather goods“.

The Louis Vuitton booth, surprisingly in the shape of a merry-go-round, presented the Maison’s most innovative luggage and elegant bags and was the center of attention.

“Louis Vuitton has always been at the avant-garde of creation. More than a century after,
if Louis Vuitton remains at the helm of fashion, it’s because we continously inspire ourselves from
the past while anticipating trends of our times. For this exhibition, Olivier Saillard has immersed
himself in the archives of our Maison to decode its secrets. He delivers a fresh vision of our past, present and future“, says Michael Burke, CEO of Louis Vuitton.

The thematic journey conceived and designed by Robert Carsen navigates through 9 chapters, opening with the absolute symbol of Louis Vuitton: an antique malle. An innately modern design, it foresaw what were to become the Maison’s emblematic codes and epitomised Louis Vuitton’s audacious spirit. The exhibition presents objects and documents from Louis Vuitton’s Patrimony
as well as a selection of pieces lent by Palais Galliera, Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
A section dedicated to Craftsmanship closes the exhibition.

SUMMARY OF THE 9 SECTIONS OF THE EXHIBITION

I. THE TRUNK OF 1906, an innovative design
II. WOOD, a gateway to freedom.
The roots of the Louis Vuitton house
III. THE CLASSIC TRUNKS, a catalogue
of refined canvases, shapes and locks

IV. THE INVENTION OF TRAVEL:
– The rise of yachts, a taste for cruises.
The inauguration of the Steamer bag
– The motor cars, speed at one’s fingertips
– The train, outbound travel

V. THE ABSENT HOUR,
fine writing in line with Louis Vuitton

Artist Cindy Sherman with the colorful trunk embellished with hotel labels she designed for Louis Vuitton.

VI. THE PORTAIN TRUNK,
a conversation with art
VII. ECCENTRIC/CURIOUS TRUNKS.
Gaston-Louis Vuitton’s antique personal collection

VIII. FASHION AND BEAUTY
– Beauty essentials, fine fragrances,
delicate jewellery boxes
– Celebrity luggage. Superstar trunks
– Elegant dandies, the men of today.
Examples of masculine luggage
– Fashion and design, a mirrored present day
IX. THE MUSIC ROOM.
Special orders, dreams are made of these

EXHIBITION DETAILS

GRAND PALAIS 4th December 2015 till 21st February 2016
Salon d’Honneur, Entrée Square Jean Perrin, Champs-Elysées, Avenue du Général Eisenhower,
Paris 8th
Monday, Thursday and Sunday, from 10am – 8pm
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from 10am – 10pm
Closed on Tuesdays except during school holidays
Free admission
AUDIO GUIDE
A mobile phone application allows visitors to enrich their tour.

As a big fan of the House of Louis Vuitton, I am truly looking forward to this exhibition.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: ©Archives Louis Vuitton Malletier

Happy Birthday Flowerbomb – what a great «flowerbombastic» party! The house of Viktor&Rolf celebrated the 10th year anniversary of their iconic scent at Le Trianon in Paris in the beginning of July with a very special evening. The rooms were literally filled with thousands of flowers. Highlight of the night were the outstanding performances by Tori Amos and Charli XCX.

Enjoy all my pictures and stay tuned for the amazing interview I did with the designer duo.

LoL, Sandra

Designer duo Viktor&Rolf at their party.

Ellen von Unwerth with photographer duo Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin.

At the party with model Willy Cartier.

Charli XCX on stage…

… and in a stunning Viktor&Rolf dress upon arrival.

Ellen von Unwerth with me.

Actress Michelle Rodriguez

Italian clothing magnate Renzo Rosso, President of OTB Group, the holding group, that bought a controlling interest in Viktor& Rolf in 2008.

Petra Nemcova

Amazing performance by Tori Amos on stage…

… and afterwards at the party with me.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Courtesy of Viktor&Rolf

In the beginning of July, rumor had it that Kering, the parent company of BALENCIAGA, will not confirm Alexander Wang’s position as the House’s Creative Director. The designer took over the Balenciaga design department in December 2012 to replace Nicolas Ghesquière that had been hired by Louis Vuitton. Today, it has become official. Alexander Wang will step down after less than three years in the role.

The reason for the split can just be guessed, as it might be hard to grow two labels, Balenciaga and Wang’s successful namesake New York based brand at the same time. It is said that the S/S 2016 collection which will be presented this October during Paris Fashion Week will already be Wang’s last one for Balenciaga.

Rumor has it that Kering is looking for a lesser known designer to replace Wang, having seen the success of Alessandro Michele at Gucci.

TO SHOP BALENCIAGA (see products above), PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of Balenciaga