Sandra‘s Closet

One of the most important designers in the history of American fashion, Donna Karan, has made a personal decision to step down from her day-to-day responsibilities as Chief Designer for Donna Karan International. She will remain with the company in an advisory role though and will dedicate her focus on her Urban Zen Company (available at Trois Pommes in Switzerland) and foundation, which she founded in 2007.

LVMH, the French conglomerate that bought the house in 2001, said there were no immediate plans to replace her as a designer, and the main Donna Karan collection would be suspended. It will not hold a show at New York Fashion Week in September.

DKNY (Donna Karan New York) cites New York City as a point of inspiration.

Donna Karan with models wearing looks from her DKNY Spring 1989 collection in Times Square.

Instead, according to an announcement, the company will reorganize its teams and structure to in order to substantially increase its focus on the DKNY brand, which is the more accessible line and currently responsible for 80 percent of Donna Karan International revenue.

Donna Karan with her beloved family

Over the past three decades, Donna Karan has inspired women around the world to embrace their power and sensuality. When she started her collection in 1985 she set out to simply make clothes for her and her friends. A little collection of simple black pieces that was all about need and desire. She quickly found out that she wasn’t alone- she had a lot of friends out there.

The debut of the Seven Easy Pieces collection in 1985, centering on a leotard-like bodysuit, with layers to transition easily from day to night.

Her philosophy of a sophisticated system of dressing, “her seven easy pieces“, a handful of interchangeable items that work together to create an entire closet for day and night, revolutionized the working woman’s wardrobe.

Donna Karan Pre-Fall 2015 collection

Donna Karan is an icon, visionary designer and a passionate philanthropist. She believes in dressing and addressing women. Her impact on American fashion has been extraordinary and she will continue to influence and inspire for years to come. If you are interested in reading her full bio, please click here.

Let’s honor Donna today and always. We look forward to celebrating her past, present and future in her memoir, which is due out in October 2015.

TO SHOP THE LASTEST COLLECTION BY DONNA KARAN, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Donna Karan, Condé Nast Archive/Corbis, AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis

Sandra’s Closet is very proud to be the first one to announce the launch of the new Swiss based label “BRAND OF SISTERS“. The entire project is the brainchild of two visionaries, Martina Vondruska and Barbara Portaluri.

Martina Vondruska and Barbara Portaluri

The two brunettes had a fantastic idea, merging a fashion label with a social enterprise. The shared vision of the two founders is to combine the world of luxury together with the rough reality of most of the less fortunate «Sisters» around the world.

HALF OF EVERYTHING THEY MAKE GOES TO SUPPORT GIRLS AND WOMEN’S CAUSES AROUND THE WORLD. THAT IS 50 % STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE AND THE PROMISE THEY MAKE.

Brand of Sisters‘ first non-governmental organization (NGO) partner is Girl Rising – a global campaign for the improvement of girl’s lives through the power of education. Let’s believe in sisterhood where giving back and making a difference and caring for each other all come together. Shopping and helping others in one, what could be better, ladies?! So let’s have a look at what Brand of Sisters has to offer.

The new label invites the most desirable established and emerging designers to produce beautiful, unique and highly covetable pieces for their collections, launching their line with an iconic debut scarves collection from Italian designer Gabriele Colangelo.

Gabriele Colangelo with me

Some of you might remember his innovative designs from a previous post when Gabriele came to Switzerland for the opening night of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich 2013.

The first collection of 15 scarves is now available online HERE. Here are some of my favorites:

Scarf «Jason Martin»

Scarf «Fog in the Woods»

Scarf «City Lights»

Brand of Sisters believes in sisterhood where giving back and making a difference and caring for each other all come together. So let’s help them to make this great idea a huge success! Enjoy your virtual shopping spree and share their wonderful website and their powerful message.

Happy Thoughts Sisters!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Brands of Sisters/ © Daniel Reiter, © Sandra Bauknecht

Let me introduce you to the first capsule collection from Totême, the brand that was established in 2014 by Swedish couple Elin Kling and Karl Lindman.

The style queen presents American sportswear mixed with an effortless European sensibility. The collection of 14 perfect staple pieces, inspired by her every day New York wardrobe, will see you from city life to your next resort getaway.

My favorite: Havana stretch-crepe dress by Totême

Stay cool and look chic in silky separates, easy-breezy tailoring and luxe lightweight knits.
SHOP THE WHOLE CAPSULE COLLECTION EXCLUSIVELY HERE AT NET-A-PORTER.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Totême and Net-à-porter

Last night at the Billboard Music Awards, Balmain‘s Olivier Rousteing arrived on the red carpet with Jourdan Dunn and Kendall Jenner in gorgeous outfits which obviously seemed to be by the French house.

However, Rousteing took the opportunity to tell the world that the ensembles were actually a first look at Balmain’s upcoming collaboration with H&M that will hit the stores worldwide on November 5, 2015. What great news to start the week!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images
#HMBALMANATION

M∙A∙C x Philip Treacy represents a unique partnership – London’s leading couture hat designer collaborating with the world’s boldest makeup brand and the outcome is to die for!

Philip Treacy created three dazzling headpieces that accentuated different parts of the face, including the eyes, cheekbones, and lips. From there, M∙A∙C Cosmetics produced a makeup collection that complemented the milliner’s designs.

ABOUT PHILIP TREACY

Beginning his millinery label from a basement workshop in Isabella Blow’s house, Philip Treacy’s fantastical creations have graced the runways of Givenchy, Chanel and Valentino and earned him an OBE in 2007. Handcrafted in London, Treacy himself sculpts the molds and forms that each individual hat is made from.

Buntal scroll parisisal hat by Philip Treacy

My favorite products from the collaboration are:

Lipsticks
No Faux Pas, Cardinal and Holly wood Cerise CHF 28.00

High-Light Powder
Nude Pink CHF 41.00

Fluidline
Royal Wink CHF 26.00

The collection is now in stores. In Switzerland at the MAC counter at Jelmoli Zurich, MAC store Lucerne and online at www.maccosmetics.ch.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Philip Treacy, MAC Cosmetics

After Friday’s news that Peter Dundas had departed Emilio Pucci after 7 successful years at the design helm, the Florentine brand, which is controlled by the LVMH Group, announced the appointment of Massimo Giorgetti to the position of Creative Director effective April 2015. Hailed by the international press as one of Italy’s most talented young designers, Massimo Giorgetti emerged on the fashion scene with a maverick aesthetic that gravitates towards irreverent, joyful prints and bold colour.

Massimo Giorgetti embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity of a new breed of designers. In 2009, backed by Paoloni Group, Giorgetti launched MSGM and in just a few short years brought the company to international success. He will continue to design for his own brand, MSGM, dividing his time between Pucci’s Renaissance-era Florentine headquarters and MSGM’s Milan offices.

Founded by Florentine aristocrat Emilio Pucci in 1947, the brand came to epitomize a lifestyle that expresses freedom, boldness, youth and a legacy of ready-to-wear, mixing luxury and sophistication with humor and innovation. It operates a global store network of approximately 50 boutiques across 4 continents. (If you are interested, I recommend a previous interview I did with Laudomia Pucci. To read it please click here.)

The first picture that popped up in all social media channels. A declaration of intention by Massimo Giorgetti: white T-shirt like a blank canvas – a new story to tell.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Emilio Pucci

After weeks of rumours, Roberto Cavalli has announced the appointment of Peter Dundas as Creative Director of the group. After 7 years at Pucci, the probably best looking designer has returned to the Florentine House where he worked side by side with Eva and Roberto Cavalli from 2002 to 2005.

“This is a homecoming for me. It is an honor for me to continue to evolve the wonderful world of Roberto Cavalli and I am very excited by the possibilities and potential of this unique brand. I cannot wait to get started“, said Dundas.

“The choice of Peter Dundas was made with the desire to evolve a style that combines glamour, tradition and innovation, recognized worldwide as the signature of Cavalli since the birth of the house”, commented Roberto and Eva Cavalli.

The debut collection of the Norwegian fashion designer – who also enjoys a special relationship with the world of celebrities, another of Cavalli’s distinctive features – are set to be seen on the Milan catwalks in September. Peter Dundas will be directly responsible for the creative direction for the RTW Women’s, Men’s, and Accessories collections, as well as all the licenses. He will also be directly involved in the marketing and communication strategies of the brand – a portfolio of roles that will enable a repositioning of the house established by Roberto Cavalli in the early 1970’s.

One thing is certain: Dundas’ spirit of sexy-cool style makes him the ideal fit for Cavalli.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Being in Los Angeles, you might not think immediately of cashmere and blankets. But funnily enough sunny California can get chilly, believe me, I know what I am talking about right now as I am here. One of the best unstated luxury brands for cashmere products is The Elder Statesman, founded in L.A. in 2007 by Greg Chait.

Greg Chait with me

First launched as a menswear label, the brand has expanded its offering to a wide range of a products including, but not limited to, women’s and men’s ready to wear collections, knit and woven accessories of all kinds, optical, children’s items, and a robust selection of home goods.

Each garment is made in the USA by a team of skilled craftsman using special cashmere felting and hand looming techniques. Looking for sumptuous knitwear with borrowed-from-the-boys appeal, here you go!

You can shop THE ELDER STATESMAN online at FARFETCH, NET-A-PORTER or in Switzerland at TROIS POMMES THE STORE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of the Elder Statesman

Last December, GUCCI revealed the breaking news that their Creative Director Frida Giannini and CEO Patrizio di Marco both stepped down.

Being also a couple in real life – they have one daughter Greta together – they had both joined the Kering group almost at the same time, Di Marco 13 years ago as the CEO of Bottega Veneta before moving to Gucci in 2008 and Giannini 12 years ago, when she left Fendi for Gucci, at this time still under the creative direction of Tom Ford.

Marco Bizzari

Marco Bizzarri has been appointed the new CEO of Gucci, having joined Stella McCartney in 2005 before moving to Bottega Veneta in 2009. Seems like Bottega Veneta is the “stepping stone” for Gucci CEOs.

Alessandro Michele

Yesterday, the new Creative Director of GUCCI has been officially appointed and it is probably not someone you would have thought of: Alessandro Michele, a longtime Gucci employee, is responsible for all of the brand’s collections and global image.

Born in Rome in 1972, Alessandro studied at the prestigious Academy of Costume & Fashion in Rome. He forged his early design career inside Fendi where he was Senior Accessories Designer. A rising talent, he was tapped by Tom Ford in 2002 and moved to Gucci’s London-based Design Office. Over his 12-year tenure inside the Gucci design studio, Alessandro held a variety of roles. In 2006 he was named Leather Goods Design Director and promoted in May 2011 as Associate to then Creative Director Frida Giannini. Passionate about interiors and décor, Alessandro in September 2014 took on the additional role of Creative Director of Richard Ginori—the fine Florentine porcelain brand acquired by Gucci in June 2013. He immediately reimagined the product offering and branding of the 280-year-old brand, repositioning it for the luxury market with new collections and a new store design template.

It was during the Gucci Men’s F/W 2015 runway show where Alessandro first revealed a contemporary new direction for the House. His full vision for Gucci will emerge during the Women’s F/W 2015 runway show. I am wishing him only the best, a great start and of course lots of creative ideas!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci and Indigital

Happy first Sunday in Advent, my dear readers! While you are hopefully enjoying a cozy day at home or with friends, I am on my way to Salzburg with CHANEL to attend the French house’s extravagant Métiers d’Art show. I shared with you the first visuals a few days ago and you might imagine my excitement to be invited. Seeing Cara Delevingne and Pharrell Williams in those amazing outfits just got my imagination going how amazing the collection will be.

On December 1, the movie Reincarnation will be revealed during a dinner party and on December 2, the show will take place at 10.30 am at Schloss Leopoldskron, an 18th-century lakeside rococo palace. Follow me on instagram @sandrascloset for live updates. But Karl Lagerfeld isn’t the only one who looked to Austria for inspiration – Tyrolean references have shown up at previous collections from the likes of Givenchy, Emilio Pucci, Olympia Le-Tan, and more. See the trend’s full evolution below.

According to Karl Lagerfeld, Coco Chanel derived her original inspiration for the Little Black Jacket from the Tyrolean uniform she spotted on a bellhop at Schloss Mittersill, a castle-cum-hotel in Salzburg, Austria.

Rock ‘n’ Tyrol at the recent Givenchy S/S 2015 show during Paris Fashion Week.

For Emilio Pucci’s F/W 2011 offering, Peter Dundas channeled Tyrolean folklore and two Austrian beauties: Romy Schneider (specifically her turn in Sissi) and the nation’s opulent palaces.

My look: Pucci Goes Wies’n

My look: Tyrolean Love

The aforementioned Romy Schneider in Sissi, a 1955 film based on the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri‘s darling take on Hansel & Gretel for Red Valentino’s F/W 2013 offering.

Milliner extraordinaire Stephen Jones whipped up this Tyrolean topper for John Galliano‘s F/W 2003 spectacular.

My look: Dirndl Time

Delicate alpine flowers scattered across a frock at Valentino’s F/W 2012 show.

These are a few of our favorite things: a luxe take on lederhosen, as spotted in the lookbook for Olympia Le-Tan’s F/W 2013 Schnitzel With Noodles collection.

Hello, cowgirl in the sand. Or, in this case, the Alps. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana went north for inspiration for their F/W 2002 D&G secondary line and came back with a Tyrolean-themed collection—just the thing for a sexy, young Heidi with a great figure and a good sense of humor.

My look: Greetings from Kitzbuehel in Austria

Whether you’re taking the Givenchy route or going full-on alpine, this trend is surely on the rise.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Vogue and Style.com, Alessandro Garofalo / Indigitalimages.com, Michele Morosi / Gorunway.com, Monica Feudi / Feudiguaineri.com; Gianni Pucci / GoRunway.com, Mondadori Portfolio, Don Ashby, Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com, Courtesy of Red Valentino and © Sandra Bauknecht