Sandra‘s Closet

What a night in NYC! I am still overwhelmed by this glam and fun event where the fashion and Hollywood elite joined forces on Wall Street to celebrate the launch of the amazing collaboration between Balmain and H&M. More is more is definitely something that goes for the Parisian Maison and yesterday was proof for it!

”Tonight has been a dream come true for me. The energy and vibe are unbelievable.” – Olivier Rousteing

Olivier Rousteing with me last night

Just like the opulent collection designed by Creative Director Olivier Rousteing, the party in the Big Apple was extra everything. Rousteing, who is bringing the brand’s DNA of music, couture, luxury and pop culture – he is the designer with the biggest instagram follower ship – together, said: ”Tonight has been a dream come true for me. The energy and vibe are unbelievable.” He created the hashtag #HMBalmaination where people could follow live the best moments of the night.

When I arrived at 23, Wall Street, I entered the highly secured venue over the stairs and found an ambiance similar to a subway system, referencing the campaign film – where Kendall Jenner, Olivier’s muse and friend, stars as the leader of a dance crew. While enjoying champagne, I mingled with the A-list crowd of top models, celebrities and Hollywood actors.

Singer Ellie Goulding with me

After the cocktail reception, I entered the next hall where the runway was built over two stories. Before the show actually started, a live dance performance took place as well as an exclusive sneak peek of the campaign music video. The guests were truly cheered up when Kendall Jenner opened the  catwalk, followed by some of the hottest models in the industry right now.

Swiss front row power: Kerstin Netsch, Editor in Chief Friday Magazine and Caroline Piccinin, Le Matin with me in the middle.

Kendall Jenner opening the runway

Jourdan Dunn

Alessandra Ambrosio wearing Olivier Rousteing’s favorite piece from the collection: the pearl-embroidered jacket.

Gigi Hadid

Karlie Kloss was my favorite on the runway.

Toni Garrn

The collection is all about affordable luxury. Olivier Rousteing took some of his best creations he designed over the past seasons and made them into one collection. Compared to other designer collaborations H&M did in previous years, the pieces are more expensive but I am still pretty amazed how this craftsmanship is possible for that amount of money. The collection is truly beautiful with lots of items you can enjoy for a very long time.

The Backstreet Boys

After the show, it was all about the music and energy. A live concert by the Backstreet Boys took guests back in time, especially my humble self as over 20 years ago, I was with them on a Germany tour with my own band. Personally speaking, the Balmain x H&M launch party was one of those nights you never want to end!

Olivier Rousteing and his friends, among them Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Alessandra Ambrosio, cheered to the Backstreet Boys.

The Balmain x H&M collection features fashion and accessories for both men and women, and will be available in selected stores and at hm.com starting November 5.

Now have fun to scroll through some more impressions of the night and check back in for more updates as I just uploaded my own photos today. The internet is too slow… there is much more coming up. Now I have some appointments in NYC before I am heading back home!
Talk to you when I am in Europe…

LoL, Sandra

René Zibold, PR and Communication Manager at H&M Switzerland (@monsieurené), is looking good in my marabou stole.

Guests being crazy about the red carpet arrivals.

German actress Diane Kruger

Amazing ambiance.

We couldn’t get enough of the Backstreet Boys!

Always a lot of fun with my colleague Caroline Piccinin from Le Matin in Geneva.

The normal craziness at the pop-up store late at night.

The clothes come well-protected in plastic hangers.

Olivier Rousteing even joined in the shopping fun late at night.

All Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Hello from New York City where I arrived yesterday. Tonight is the night: H&M x Balmain‘s launch ​party celebration will take place starting at 7pm local time with cocktails, followed by the fashion show, a concert and of course the pop-up store where guests are able to shop the collection before it will officially hit the stores on November 5, 2015.

I will be attending the event tonight and keep you updated on instagram @sandrascloset but you can also watch the live stream HERE or follow the #HMBalmaination hashtag to see whats happening at the show!

Below are some of my first impressions:

Still breathtaking: the first view on NYC when you come from the airport.

My hotel: The Nomo Soho, the former Mondrian Hotel, where I also stayed three years ago for the H&M x Maison Martin Margiela launch event.

The view from my hotel room.

A gift: the beautiful scarf.

Now, I am on my way to preview the collection ahead of the show and to interview Olivier Rousteing, Creative Director of Balmain and the fashion designer with the most instagram followers on earth.

Stay tuned for my report from the event coming up soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M and © Sandra Bauknecht

On Monday morning, I will be on my way to NYC for the launch event of H&M x Balmain and I couldn’t be anymore excited about it. First of all, I love the French Maison as you know and second of all, H&M throws the best parties for their designer collaborations.

Do you remember…
2011 H&M x Versace in NYC
2012 H&M x Maison Martin Margiela in NYC
2013 H&M x Isabel Marant in Paris
2014 H&M x Alexander Wang in NYC

Below you can take a peek at what’s to come. I included for you photos of the campaign and the lookbook. You will be absolutely amazed!

From draped satin skirts to skintight pants, from embellished dresses to the iconic wide belts, all pieces are shockingly affordable Balmain signatures that are as desirable as the runway collections Olivier Rousteing shows on the Paris catwalk season after season.

A little preview of the collection that took place in May 2015 Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing showed up with models Jourdan Dunn and Kendall Jenner, all wearing Balmain x H&M, at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Many of those must-haves are reimaginings of the French Maison’s classics, here are some examples:

Left: H&M x Balmain – Right: Balmain F/W 2013 Look 8

Left: H&M x Balmain – Right: Balmain F/W 2012 Look 7

Enjoy the whole collection below and stay tuned for more coming up from NYC. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @sandrascloset for live updates!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Jason Merritt/Getty Images, via Vogue.com and Courtesy of H&M

Great news, it is this time of the year: NET-A-PORTER.COM start their big sale today. Now, you have the chance to get the most amazing pieces marked down up to 50%.

Especially for you, I put together this outfit that would be perfect for a night out. To shop, just click on the highlighted text.

Get the look: Godet Dance embellished stretch-tulle mini dress by Topshop Unique (50% off), Lelie snake-effect leather sandals by Isabel Marant (40% off), Valorie glitter-finished canvas clutch by Anya Hindmarch (50% off) and Soho gold-plated snake earrings by Aurélie Bidermann (30% off).

TO ENJOY THE FULL SALE SELECTION CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

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

This summer, a dear friend of mine is getting married and she has wished for us bridesmaids to be dressed in pastel colors, every girl in a different shade, from rose to lavender, from light blue to soft yellow. My assigned hue is mint green and so I have been looking for the perfect gown. I came across those two beautiful dresses that might look pretty much the same but if you check their price tag, you might be extremely surprised…

SPLURGE: Pleated silk-chiffon gown by Elie Saab
STEAL: Cross front plissé-chiffon gown by Halston Heritage

LoL, Sandra

Dear readers, great news, here is an early Christmas gift. NET-A-PORTER.COM‘s international sale starts today and I pre-selected some fab pieces that are marked off 50%!

Get the look: Embellished belted wool-crepe coat by Carven, jacquard-knit mini dress by Alexander McQueen, Daisie leather shoulder bag by See by Chloé, suede and ostrich thigh boots by Emilio Pucci and rose gold-plated cuff by Arme de L’Amour.

Have fun shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Before the show will be taking place tonight here in NYC, the Alexander Wang x H&M lookbook has been revealed. It’s all about sport with strappy scuba dresses, heavy grey sweatshirts, mesh-paneled leggings, cropped bra-tops, leather jogging pants (I LOVE), and must-have parkas.

For the accessory-minded, there are boxing gloves, beanies, and duffels in the mix, many items branded with a big fat WANG logo. Stay tuned and start planning your shopping list ahead of time. The collection for both, women and men, will hit the shelves worldwide on November 6, 2014. I am off to the press conference now… more to come soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M

Greetings from New York City where I am at the moment for the launch event of Alexander Wang x H&M. The highly anticipated collection which had been announced back in April, will finally hit H&M stores around the world on November 6, 2014.

While I am writing this post, I am enjoying the view from my room at the Soho Grand hotel.

The invitation says it all. Tonight, the cocktail reception will start at 7.30pm, followed by the show, a pop-up store where we can buy the collection first hand and a live performance which I am absolutely convinced will be amazing.

Do you remember Nicki Minaj and Prince playing at the Versace x H&M launch in 2011 or the amazing party to celebrate Maison Martin Margiela x H&M two years ago in NYC? We always talk superlatives. Be sure to follow me tomorrow on instagram @sandrascloset for live updates.

By now you might have seen some sneak previews of the very sporty collection. The press release reveals that Alexander Wang X H&M captures the speed of the city, mixing sports and performance of everyday life. The pieces are meant to be worn on the street, in the gym, at the club – the way women and men live their lives today.

Rihanna led the way and was already spotted in a look from the collection: a stretchy crop top and leggings emblazoned with Wang’s blocky logo.

In addition to apparel for both women and men, the collection includes shoes and bags, as well as “objects,” a selection of everyday items that are infused with a sense of humor and irony, as for example mini sized boxing gloves as key-rings or a whistle on a two-finger ring and for the victor, a magnetized Alexander Wang trophy cup.

Below you can enjoy a sneak preview of the advertising campaign shot by Mikael Jansson for Wang’s one-off collaboration with H&M that features sports gear like a hockey stick and boxing gloves plus real athletes, soccer player Andy Carroll and kickboxer Rivaldino dos Santos.

The female models are Joan Smalls, Raquel Zimmermann and Isabeli Fontana.

“We wanted to take certain elements of each sport and portray the ultimate warrior,” Wang told WWD. “The girls had to feel big and heroic, and Mikael used sunlight glares to heighten that effect against a stark white backdrop.”

I am truly excited for tonight’s event! Stay tuned for more!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of H&M

I am a huge fan of Joseph Altuzarra’s work and really indulged into his F/W 2014 pieces from the runway. His eponymous label seamlessly blends French sophistication with American ease. Now, the award-winning designer has collaborated with US retailer Target to product a limited edition collection that aims to “instill a feeling of power, confidence and beauty in women everywhere”, which basically means that his must-have creations are available for a small amount of money.

Available globally at Net-à-porter, the line features Altuzarra’s signature sleek tailoring, feminine dresses and accessories. Here are my favorites, hurry, they will sell out fast!

LoL, Sandra

Orchid-print satin-jersey maxi dress

Embellished fringed georgette scarf

Embroidered jersey sweater

Python-print stretch-cotton twill pencil skirt

Sequined Swiss-dot chiffon dress

Photos: Courtesy of Altuzarra and Net-à-porter