Sandra‘s Closet

Here we go: Your exclusive preview of Maison Martin Margiela with H&M really up close! Today, I was able to browse through and try on the amazing collection at Mondrian Soho‘s penthouse suite. Personally speaking, I was truly impressed.

Before talking you through the collaboration, let me tell you a little more about the house of Margiela: The influential Belgian designer Martin Margiela founded his brand Maison Martin Margiela in 1988. He is the fashion scene’s ghost, compared to other eccentric designers, he has never granted an interview or even considered to being photographed. His employees are wearing lab coats and have also never been seen in pictures. I met some of them today. You will see their white uniform in the photos but I am not allowed to show you their faces. Margiela’s main focus is on the product and not on the individual behind it.

The label on his clothes is equally anonymous, a blank white rectangle and a circled number from 0 to 23 that corresponds to one of various lines in the Margiela range. Of course, the white stitches used to affix his label—often visible at the back of the garment—have become funilly enough an internationally recognized icon. Margiela has pushed fashion boundaries with clothes made of trash bags or vintage home furnishings  such as car seats or seat belts. In 2002, he sold a majority stake to Renzo Rosso, owner of Diesel.

The collaboration between Maison Martin Margiela and H&M presents a re-edition of iconic Margiela garnets and accessories for men and women. It consists of around 100 pieces. Each of them is specifically labelled with a unique tag indicating the season from which it originated, spanning 23 years. The most representative pieces of Margiela’s archive are reproduced in updated shapes and materials and offered to the broad public as an exclusive synopsis of their history. I think that is a very interesting approach of H&M. They are bringing fashion history to the masses which I adore.

The entire collection is divided into five groups:

Shape & Volume: Masculine shapes are adjusted to frame the female body.

Oversized: Pieces of the masculine and feminine wardrobe are presented in oversized versions of themselves.

Ambiguity: Conveyed through the use of trompe l’oeil.

Transformation: This occurs in different ways. Offering a new use and shape to otherwise typical objects and materials.

My favourites: The adjusted biker jacket and the amazing candy clutch in pink.

The adjusted biker jacket for women also looks great on men as René sports it in perfection. If you like his style, follow him on instagram @renewho.

Gray of Bootiesonmyfeet looks stunning in the belted Maison Martin Margiela with H&M leather jacket.

The candy clutches SS2010. A candy bar packaging is enlarged and transformed into an evening clutch bag.

Process of Tailoring: Traditional finishings and tailoring procedures are visible. Similarly, more specific sartorial concepts, particular to the world of couture are exposed.

Margareta van den Bosch, H&M’s Creative Advisor, with me

The accessories are absolutely divine. Now, I am getting ready for tonight’s party where we can also shop the new collection before it will officially hit the stores on November 15, 2012 worldwide.

Stay tuned for more.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Finally, we can see the fruits of Maison Martin Margiela‘s amazing collaboration with H&M. Sam Taylor-Johnson shot the campaign (see above) and below you can enjoy photos of the recently revealed lookbook. The avant-garde Belgian fashion house is loved by all fashion connoisseurs. What do you think of it?

The collection will land in stores and online on Thursday, November 15, 2012.

And while you are reading this, I am in the plane on my way to New York City for the launch party of Maison Martin Margiela for H&M tomorrow night. Stay tuned for some amazing photos! I am getting heart palpitations from the excitement of just thinking of it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M and © Sandra Bauknecht

Help support the United Nations World Food Program with DKNY‘s and FEED‘s fashionable collaboration.

FEED began in 2006 when model activist Lauren Bush designed a bag to benefit the United Nations World Food Program. To date, FEED has raised enough money through the sale of products to provide over 60 million school meals to children around the world. All FEED products are made with sustainable materials designed as an alternative to disposable paper and plastic bags, and manufactured under fair labor standards.

With each item sold from this capsule collection, DKNY will make a guaranteed donation to support the work of FEED. Check out more details on this collection for a cause:

With the purchase of a city survival canvas and shell tote you will supply 100 emergency meals to children.

With the purchase of a canvas and shell diaper bag you will provide micronutrient powder for a mother and her baby for a full year.

With the purchase of matte-rubber Wellington boots you will supply 25 emergency meals to children in need.

Shopping has never felt so good!

LoL, Sandra

Net-à-porter‘s International end of season sale is now on! You can enjoy up to 50% off their favorite designers, including Alexander McQueen, Isabel Marant, Lanvin, Jimmy Choo, Stella McCartney and many more. Just click on the highlighted text to be transfered directly.

LoL, Sandra

Exciting news: Maison Martin Margiela is the next fashion house to collaborate with H&M.
The collection for both, men and women, will be available on November 15th, 2012 in 230 H&M shops worldwide as well as online.

“MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA is one of the most important and influential fashion houses of the past three decades. I am so excited by this collaboration which will give fashion lovers around the world the chance to wear special pieces by MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA. This collaboration will be a great and memorable fashion moment“, says Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor at H&M.

“We are very happy to present MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA pieces with H&M, offering a new interpretation of our vision. The democracy of our fashion has always been at the centre of our creativity, and the collaboration with H&M allows us to push this instinct further. We will bring together the contrasting universes of the two houses in ways that will surprise all.” MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA

ABOUT MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA

MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA is a French fashion house which has always followed its own path, often outside the conventional fashion framework. The Maison believes in the absolute importance of the collaborative nature of its team rather than the individual, where its ideals are founded in the desire for concept and creativity. Constantly questioning the norms of fashion and presenting its pieces through the technique of deconstruction and transformation, the collections reinvent volumes, modify shapes, change the original use and movement of garments and derail classic notions of fashion.

The Paris-based label, whose elusive Belgian founder left the company in 2009, is loved by fashion insiders around the world for its avant-garde aesthetics. It might not reach the same level of anticipation as the collaboration with Versace did, but it will definitely be a successful and different combination!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M

The official sale at mytheresa.com has started and there are some fab pieces marked down up to 50%. I always recommend not to shop too season-oriented. For example, look out for some iconic prints like this long dress by Emilio Pucci to the left or shop an amazing gown for your next black tie gala such as this stunningblack and white silk one by Marchesa Notte to the right.

A pair of animal print pumps by Rupert Sanderson will last for many seasons to come.

To shop the sale, just click on the banner below! Have fun!

LoL, Sandra

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Go bold with Closed‘s bright silk shirt that will make a versatile addition to any wardrobe. Style this strikingly chic piece with contemporary pastel denim pants, adding neutral accessories for a vibrant combination and you will look best in the sunshine.

I love the uncomplicated elegance of this trendy top.
My look: Bright silk shirt by Closed, apricot-coloured denim pants by Zara (They have an amazing fit, in stores now), bag by Givenchy and platform suede sandals by Miu Miu.

To shop the shirt, please click on the highlighted text.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Earlier you’ve seen the new H&M Fall 2012 women’s collection, now here’s a look at the men’s lookbook!

Andreas Löwenstam, H&M’s Head Menswear Designer sums it up, “The suit is the most important garment for men at H&M this fall, and it’s amazing to see how it can be worn in so many modern ways. Traditions mix with new ideas to build a new wardrobe that’s all about personal style.”

I love the suit look layered with a hoody, this adds just the right amount of coolness to the classy look! The mix of texture and colour is nicely contrasted with burgundy and bottle green, THE colours for F/W 2012. The silhouette is very ’60s. Which one is your favourite?

Key garments: The suit, turtleneck sweaters, tailored pants, chinos, cords, mid-thigh coats, the cardigan and blazers.

Key accessories: Leather brogues, leather gloves, leather weekend bags, tweed ties and bow ties, suspenders, coloured socks, 60′s glasses frames and gentlemen’s umbrella.

LoL, Sandra

Photos Lookbook: Courtesy of H&M – © Kacper Kasprzyk
Photos Showroom: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Thursday, the official H&M Fall 2012 press launch took place worldwide. Here’s your preview of the women’s lookbook and I also added some photos that I took in the showroom!

Isn’t this collection absolutely divine? The styling of the looks is amazing! For Fall 2012, H&M is all about “minimal meets maximal” featuring sculptural silhouettes and bold shapes packed with metallic accents, slit skirts, varsity-style jackets and leather corset belts, this collection is made for mixing and matching. The focus is on the textures and adding lots of costume jewelry to maximize minimal outfits. I am particularly loving the jeweled statement necklace and crystallized baseball cap – such a ’90s allure! What catches your eye first?

Key garments: Tailored coat, zippered-ankle slacks, oversized cable knit cardigan, bouclé sweatshirt, long-sleeved dress, collarless blouse jacket and printed leggings.

Key accessories: Costume jewelry, embellished shoulder pieces, beaded cap, concealed-platform hi-tops, elegant mules and beaded bags.

This collection is actually getting me looking forward to colder weather, I mean if it that is even possible as it is already cold outside…

LoL, Sandra

Photos Lookbook: Courtesy of H&M – © Kacper Kasprzyk
Photos Showroom: © Sandra Bauknecht

This morning, H&M has announced a special collaboration with fashion icon and legendary Fashion Director Anna Dello Russo. An idol of the blogosphere whose flamboyant outfits are endlessly documented by style photographers and broadcasted globally through the web, Anna Dello Russo proved her unique sense of style creating a special collection of accessories for H&M. Available from October 4, 2012, at the peak of the global fashion weeks tour, in around 140 stores worldwide and online. The collection features jewelry, sunglasses, shoes, bags and a trolley allowing H&M customers uniqueness at an affordable price.

“I am excited by this collaboration: this is the first time H&M involves a Fashion Director in a special project. This is the sign of an important evolution in fashion, and I am both thrilled and humbled to be the one chosen to lead it. I wanted to create precious accessories that are impossible to find.  As a stylist I know accessorization is essential: it is the personal touch to any outfit. With these pieces everybody can have fun, turning an ordinary day into a fantastic fashion day”, says Anna Dello Russo.

Famously described by photographer Helmut Newton as a “fashion maniac” and currently holding the role of Fashion Director at Large and creative consultant at Vogue Japan, Dello Russo is a darling of the fashion bloggers, whom she likes to please with extravagant get-ups, and countless changes of outfits, during the world’s fashion weeks.

The sneak preview looks very promising, cannot wait!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M