Sandra‘s Closet

German fashion house Basler will be launching their first Dirndl collection during the so-called “Nacht der Tracht” tomorrow at Munich’s famous Löwenbräukeller. It is going to be a fun packed evening with lots of local celebrities as models for the fashion show.

Here is your sneak preview of this very colourful and fun collection. Peacock, leopard and tiger prints embellish the Bavarian dresses designed by Basler’s Creative Director Brian Rennie, who was with Escada before.

Makes me truly miss my time in Munich…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Basler

2012 marks the 60th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II. The celebration of her Diamond Jubilee will be going on throughout the year.
Interesting to know is that Queen Victoria in 1897 was the only other monarch in the histories of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and a few other Commonealth realms to have celebrated a Diamond Jubilee.

Explore some of the cool limited editions to be launched for that special occassion:

In honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Harrods has created together with the famous perfume house Bond N°9 a limited edition fragrance, called Harrods Jubilee . The scent consists of amber, musk and sandalwood along with Lantana leave, dry leave and mace. It is available now from the store’s Perfumery Hall and retails at £290 for a 100ml bottle.

In April 1926, Floris had released a pretty floral scent called Royal Arms to celebrate the birth of Princess Elizabeth earlier that month. It had notes of rose, violet and ylang ylang.

To commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Floris, the only perfumer to hold a Royal Warrant from the Queen, slightly changed the original recipe but keeping the original floral character formed by essence of rose, the queen of flowers.

Royal Arms Diamond Edition EdP is on sale at John Lewis at £99 for a 100ml bottle (and at florislondon.com). There is also a limited amount of Royal Arms Diamond Edition in perfume strength which will be decanted into only six antique crystal dressing-table bottles of which one will surely be given to Her Majesty.

The most eccentric British fashion designers of all, Vivienne Westwood, pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth’s jubilee with an honorary collection featuring ready-to-wear and fashion jewelry that will be available in May in all Vivienne Westwood stores.

The Red Carpet Capsule Collection stays true to the opulent Westwood archive and was inspired by outfits that the Queen has actually worn. The patriotic designer’s logo is a royal ORB with a cross on top, bejewelled and impressive as befits the Queen of British fashion. Westwood became Dame Commander of the British Empire in the 2006 New Year’s Honours List “for services to fashion”.

For this royal occasion, the “Kaiser” Karl Lagerfeld, himself will be offering live commentary of the official event on French television channel France 2 on June 3. He will surely enjoy his latest assignment as fashion commentator as he already did last year, when the Chanel helmet participated in a French live broadcast about the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, attracting five million viewers.

And there’s no doubt the Queenie is one seriously stylish muse. After 60 years on the throne the queen’s outfits on her thousands of visits and tours have proved she is a bastion of good taste and style. She loves tone on tone looks with blue being her favourite colour choice. I mean there has to be a reason that blue is called royal. I know this fact thanks to a recent report featured in Vogue magazine for which editors have studied every outfit Her Majesty has worn in the last 12 months.

A year ago, all eyes were on the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Congrats to the couple on their first wedding anniversary today!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Vivienne Westwood, Harrods, Floris, Getty Images and Vogue

Last night, I went to the exhibition opening of the Gunter Sachs Collection at Sotheby’s.

The art collection of famous German multimillionaire Gunter Sachs, who committed suicide at his chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland, at the age of 78, last year and who was once married to style icon Brigitte Bardot, will be sold at a Sotheby’s auction in London on May 22 & 23, 2012.

The 300 items are ranging from Pop Art works to Art Deco furniture, including paintings by Andy Warhol, Yves Klein and Mel Ramos, to name a few.

Sachs, one of the last great “playboys” and famed for his jet-set lifestyle, was friends with many famous artists.

Andy Warhol – Brigitte Bardot
Acrylic and silkscreen ink on canvas, 120 by 120cm
Executed in 1974
Estimate £ 3,000,000 – 4,000,000

I love this Bardot painting!

Visit sotheby’s.com/sachs for further information, highlights and videos. For enquiries regarding the London auction, please call + 44 (0) 20 7293 5390.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: AFP, Getty Images, Reuters

Welcome to the Coachella Festival, the annual music and arts festival in the California Desert, during which Mulberry hosted two events in Palm Springs this weekend:

The Firepit Party on Friday 13th April and the following day on Saturday 14th a BBQ Pool Party, both at the Parker Hotel.

The guests included Emma Hill, Kate Bosworth, Emma Watson and Lily Collins to name a few. Needless to say, the ladies were all dressed up very fashionably, mostly in Mulberry. The festival dress code: short denim pants, little tank tops and floral dresses.
Some of them wore already the newest pieces for the upcoming F/W 2012 season. Pretty challenging as the Coachella Music Festival has a desert setting, with daytime temperatures frequently rising to over 110 °F (43 °C). And believe me, I have been there, it is HOT!

Enjoy all the photos below. You can shop already some of the looks by clicking on the highlighted text. I felt the sunshine just looking at those beautiful pictures…

LoL, Sandra

Two Emmas: Actress Emma Watson and Emma Hill, Mulberry’s Creative Director

Emma Watson‘s day look: Fuzzy tiger playsuit from F/W 2012 Main and carrying the Mini Lily with tassels in oak from F/W 2012 Main, all by Mulberry

Emma Hill‘s day look: Lace raglan dress in multicolour plastic animals from S/S 2012 catwalk and carrying the Lily with chain handle in ink blue sparkle croc print from F/W 2012 catwalk, all by Mulberry

Actress Kate Bosworth

Kate Bosworth‘s day look: Fuzzy tiger scoop neck tee in acorn from F/W 2012 Catwalk, the black studded sneakers in black from F/W 2012 Main and carrying the Mini Lily with tassels in ink blue from F/W 2012 Main, all by Mulberry

Atlanta de Cadenet

Atlanta de Cadenet‘s day look: Full sleeve dress in multicolour mini zig zag from F/W 2012 Catwalk and carrying the Bryn in flame from F/W 2012 Main, all by Mulberry

Actress Lily Collins

Lily Collins‘s day look: Stripy straws Neely dress in pale blue from S/S 2012 Main, the stitched bow ballerinas from S/S 2012 Main and carrying the Lily with tassels in ink blue from F/W 2012 Main, all by Mulberry

Dree Hemingway

Drew Hemingways‘s day look: Chili pepper-print cotton bustier, matching cotton-poplin skirt and belt, all from Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2012 Catwalk
(This look has found its way already in my closet, stay tuned for the photos to be posted soon.)

Harley Viera-Newton

Harley Viera-Newton‘s day look: Cherry-printed swimsuit by Juicy Couture, low-rise stretch-denim shorts by 7 for all mankind and Lily bag with tassels in oak from F/W 2012 Main

Mulberry’s Creative Director Emma Hill

Emma Hill‘s evening look: Shorts in navy cotton drill from S/S 2012 Catwalk, sequin blouse in navy from F/W 2011 Catwalk and Lily bag with tassles in ink blue heavy suede from F/W 2012 Main, all by Mulberry

Actress Kate Bosworth

Kate Bosworth‘ s evening look: Panel dress in multicolour Ditzy Daisy crushed cotton from F/W 2012 Main, sneaker in black studded leather from F/W 2012 Main and Mini Lily with tassles in ink blue heavy suede from F/W 2012 Main, all by Mulberry

Actress Lily Collins

Lily Collins‘s evening look: Windbreaker in pebbled beige summer boucle from S/S 2012 Catwalk, square printed scarf in multi-coloured Bonkers Beach print from S/S 2012 Main and Lily with tassles in ink blue heavy suede from F/W 2012 Main, all by Mulberry

Photos: Courtesy of Mulberry, © WireImage

Mary Katrantzou has designed a Teflon Easter Egg for the Fabergé Easter Egg Hunt in London. The giant floral-embellished egg, which is on display at the fashionable May Fair Hotel for 40 days and 40 nights, went for £12.000.- in the charity auction.

The egg features several “metal flowers, Swarovski crystals, bells and whistles, the May Fair’s vibrant three-colour tiered Egg is described as ‘Man Meets Machine Meets Mother Earth'”. Reminiscent of Mary Katrantzou‘s beautiful S/S 2012 collection.

Happy Easter!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mary Katrantzou

For spring 2012, Bvlgari introduces a new, lively, cheerful fragrance inspired by by a piece of coral jewelry from the luxury house, the red gold of the Mediterranean Sea: OMNIA CORAL.

With notes of goji berries, sparkling citrus, hibiscus flower and pomegranate, Omnia Coral is a true gem of the ocean. Experience the newest addition to the Bvlgari fragrance world.

Model Carola Remer is the face of the fragrance. The advertising campaign was shot by photographers Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin.

Omnia Coral will be available in characteristic Omnia flacon, as 25, 40 and 65 ml EDT accompanied with perfumed body care products, including a scintillating body lotion 100 ml and a gentle body peeling 100 ml.

“This is the first time that Bvlgari has created a fruity note, but fruity in a very Bvlgari way”, says Alberto Morillas, the fragrance creator. “I was inspired by the noble and rare red coral gemstone, I imagined a voluptuous, natural scent created around the hibiscus flower and the overflowing sensation of  juicy fruits”.

How keen is your sense of smell? Join in Bvlgari’s upcoming virtual event now with different bloggers from all over the world including me and prepare to meet  Alberto Morillas himself today on March, the 29th. And the next step?
Follow me on twitter @sandrascloset for more updates and go to Bvlgari’s facebook page where the Omnia Coral event will be live-streamed today at 3pm Milan time.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bulgari and © Sandra Bauknecht

Do you remember LUISAVIAROMA’s charity project “Pug Dogs for Happy Kids” that I presented to you last January? You can click here for the previous post.

Twenty one pug dogs were customized exclusively for LuisaViaRoma by a selection of the most prominent international luxury fashion designers and bloggers were asked to adopt one of those little soft toys.

As you know, I adopted the Emilio Pucci pug dog.

Finally the pug dogs are to be auctioned off starting March 19th for UNICEF in support of children in Bangladesh on eBay. For more information on how to bet, please click here.

Happy auctioning for a good cause and a big thank you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Let me introduce you the Ombres Matelassées, the new eye palette from Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Makeup, that offers a new interpretation of the iconic quilted effect so emblematic of Chanel.

Held in a black rectangular case, the five shades Pear, Pale Gold, Gold, Golden Khaki and Black Night are presented in a harmonious crisscross arrangement. Simply apply as desired to the eyelids, using the double-tipped foam applicators and brush.

Application tips:
– Use the foam applicator to apply the eyeshadows and the brush to gently blend them, for a makeup look that mixes different shades.
– The two darker shades can be used damp as an eyeliner. Simply apply with the tip of a foam applicator, along the base of the lashes.

Available in Switzerland at Chanel boutiques from the beginning of April for CHF 85.-.

In Paris, the Ombres Matelassées palette was pre-released at the re-opening of the Chanel boutique on 51, Avenue Montaigne last week.
This 600m2 boutique houses the unique world of Chanel and all of Karl Lagerfeld’s creations – Ready-to-Wear, handbags, shoes, jewellery and other accessories – as well as fine jewellery and watches.

The two floors of the new space were inspired by the finesse of Mademoiselle Chanel’s private apartment at 31 Rue Cambon.

The conception of this new address was entrusted to New York architect Peter Marino, who is responsible for all of the Chanel boutiques across the globe.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Last night, the 84th Academy Awards 2012 were held in Los Angeles. Question is who won but even more important who wore what! Here is your fashion recap from the Oscars 2012:

White ruled on the red carpet! The sparkling hue of winter worn by Rooney Mara, Milla Jovovich and Cameron Diaz, among others, emerged as one of the evening’s top trends like a fashion blizzard.

My favourite of last night was stunning Gwyneth Paltrow, who totally nailed it in a striking white cape dress by Tom Ford. The “Contagion” actress kept the rest as sleek and elegant as her gown, a sparkly cuff bracelet and her hair held back in a low ponytail. She definitely deserves the Fashion Oscar of last night!

H.S.H Princess Charlène, wife of H.S.H Prince Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco,was dressed in an Akris couture gown created by Swiss designer Albert Kriemler and carried a matching Mini Allegra bag. Her appearance marked the first time a member of Monaco’s royal family is in attendance since Grace Kelly won the Oscar in 1955 as best actress.

Needless to say, red is always a great choice for the red carpet. Best seen on Michelle Williams, Natalie Portman and Emma Stone.

Whatever happened, those ladies came already like the Oscars and one took it even home! Stacy Keibler, love of George Clooney, is quite literally a trophy girlfriend in her golden Marchesa gown, don’t you think?

Dressed in matching black outfit, the Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt stood out on the red carpet. The couple knows how to draw attention and that does not only mean showing your leg!

The Academy Awards winner of last night were:

Best Picture: The Artist (Thomas Langmann, Producer)

Actor in a Leading Role: Jean Dujardin (The Artist)

Actress in a Leading Role: Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)

Directing: The Artist (Michel Hazanavicius)

LoL, Sandra

This is your invitation to the Emilio Pucci F/W 2012 fashion show!
Watch it tonight at 7pm CET (1pm EST ) here on Sandra’s Closet livestreamed from Milan’s Palazzo Serbelloni.

I am so excited to see what Peter Dundas has come up with for the next season. See you later!

LoL, Sandra