Sandra‘s Closet

Here is my fifth and final look from the LuisaViaRoma Total Styling Lab. This time I focused on the maxi trend and gave my look some romantic touches by adding a bow belt that I tied around my waist and the cute straw hat.

Nothing epitomises chic summer dressing like a ground skimming dress paired with flat sandals.

Chiffon Blouse: Chloé – Maxi Dress: Semi-Couture – Hat: Lanvin – Belt: Valentino – Gladiator Sandals: Chloé – Bag: Marc Jacobs

Receive exclusively through Sandra’s Closet at LUISAVIAROMA.COM – FREE SHIPPING to the United States, Canada, and Europe. Just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly. Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Happy New Year to my Chinese readers!

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2011 is the Year of the Golden Rabbit, which begins today on February 3,2011 and ends on January 22, 2012. The Rabbit is the fourth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animal signs.

According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves.

What a wonderful New Year’s Resolution! Here is my cozy rabbit-inspired outfit suggestion including pieces by some Asian-American designers!

LoL, Sandra

IWC’s gala event “A Night in Portofino” brought together well known faces – including many Hollywood celebrities. Guests arrived on the red carpet and were able to browse through the beautiful exhibition that showed Peter Lindbergh’s Days in Portofino on their way to the main hall where they finally arrived in the carefree days of the 1950 and `60s.

The entire evening was outstanding showing a “making-of“ film of the shoot and an impressive performance of Zurich Opera House, with a 60-strong orchestra and tenor Neil Shicoff.

Another highlight of the night was also when Tim Jefferies and Georges Kern started to introduce the Friends of the Brand. When all celebrities were on stage, you felt like being at the Oscar’s.
Enjoy all those beautiful photos of a night to remember.

LoL, Sandra

Ronan Keating demonstrates what this night is about to celebrate the launch of the new IWC Portofino watch family.

Elle Macpherson looked amazing...

...on the red carpet in her floor sweeping black gown.

Unbelievable that this beauty will turn 48 in March this year!

Elle Macpherson with me.

IWC CEO Georges Kern with his wife Monika who combined her dotted stockings with kitten heels, well done!

Luis Figo and his beautiful wife Helen Svedin

Hollywood in Geneva: Kevin Spacey with Cate Blanchett

I loved Cate's lipstick colour!

Matthew Fox with his wife Margherita Ronchi who was among the worst dressed. Those boots are a no-go for a red carpet gala event and the zebra look is pretty questionable, too. Her best accessory was definitely her hubby and their love for each other.

Me with LOST star Matthew Fox.

A wonderful opera performance was among the highlight of the nights...

...as well as Ronan Keating's singing some of his hits on stage.

Me framed by bestselling author Paulo Coehlo and Ronan Keating.

Elle talking to Ronan...

...intensively...

...and obviously very funny.

Malin, wife of Tim Jeffries, Elle Macpherson and Lilly Becker

Malin and Tim Jeffries

Elle Macpherson, Marc Forster and Cate Blanchett.

Cate Blanchett with me.

Zinédine Zidane with his wife Véronique in little D&G dots.

Georges Kern asked all celebrities on stage...

...among them Boris Becker, Elle Macpherson...

...and Jean Reno.

Kevin Spacey imitated Bill Clinton...

...and sang something for us.

Cate Blanchett spoke about the shoot in Portofino.

A kiss on the hand... what a gentleman!

Peter Lindbergh...

...took a photo of the Oscar-like crowd on stage.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Getty Images for IWC

The IWC booth at the 21st SIHH was designed in the style of the 1950s and `60s right down to the last detail, transporting the visitors to the Italian-style joie de vivre of Portofino, to the sweet dolce fa niente… as the hours go by.
The hostesses were dressed in beautiful petticoats with make-up and hair finishing off the perfect vintage look. A scooter parked in front of the “Via Scafusia”, an ice-cream vendor, a cinema for press presentations were just among those amazing ideas to create the wonderful surrounding.
Have fun seeing all the celebs who came to the fair. Hollywood made in Switzerland, two thumbs up!

LoL, Sandra

Georges Kern, CEO of IWC, in his amazing office at the booth.

On display his well-deserved award...

...and the beautiful photo book by Peter Lindbergh.

Tim Jeffries had a good laugh with Ronan Keating...

...before inspecting all the beautiful new Portofino watches.

Tim Jeffries with me.

Vitali Klitschko had a brief conversation with Ion Tiriac about sports.

Boris Becker with me.

Lilly Becker with me.

French former soccer player Zinédine Zidane with Georges Kern.

Luis Figo greeted Joachim Loew, soccer trainer and one of the best dressed men.

Director of the 007 James Bond movie Quantum of Solace Marc Forster with me.

That is me taking the photo below...

...of Kevin Spacey and Georges Kern enjoying the photos.

Later on, Cate Blanchett looked at the amazing book.

That might have been one of her favourite pages.

Photographer Peter Lindbergh with Cate Blanchett.

LOST actor Matthew Fox surprised with his beard.

And here she came: Gorgeous Elle Macpherson.

On the scooter with colleague Matthew Fox.

Loved her look with the red shoes and the little toe rings.

Elle greeted cheerfully Peter Lindbergh.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Getty Images for IWC

For my second look of the LuisaViaRoma Total Styling Lab, I took inspiration from the punk-rock trend but added a little glamourous twist to it – meaning less rebellion and more sophistication! I hope that you will like it.

Leather jacket: MARC JACOBS – Sequined pants: BALMAIN – Bustier: MARIA LUCIA HOHAN – Scarf: MARUCELLI – Ring: GISELE GANNE – Muse Two Bag: YVES SAINT LAURENT – Patent Tribute Sandals: YVES SAINT LAURENT

If you want to start shopping, just click on the LuisaViaRoma banner!

LoL, Sandra

Last night, the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards were held at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills.

This year the red carpet came alive with colour– emerald green (Angelina Jolie was among my favourites of the evening), feminine hues like rose, peach and sultry red captured the aisle (Best nude dress: Anne Hathaway in Armani Privé).
But also some gorgeous black gowns embellished with lace and rhinestones were breathtaking (Best: Olivia Wilde in her fairytale Marchesa dress). Armani, Versace, Calvin Klein and Lanvin among others delivered amazing gowns for deserving ladies.

An expectant Natalie Portman showed off her blossoming figure and her mommy glow in a peachy silk Viktor & Rolf gown and took her second Golden Globe award home.

Enjoy the impressions of the glamourous night.

LoL, Sandra

For my first look of the LuisaViaRoma Total Styling Lab, I took inspiration from the Marakkesh trend for summer. The Moroccan style head wrap and crochet dress was very appealing to me and cohesive with this trend. A breeze of the `70s finished off the look perfectly.

Crochet Dress: EMILIO PUCCI – Scarf: MARUCELLI – Strappy sandals: GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI – Bangles: DALIA – Bag: ROBERTO CAVALLI

Exclusively through Sandra’s Closet you get a LUISAVIAROMA.COM – FREE SHIPPING to the United States, Canada, and Europe when you place your order. Just click on the link. All items are available there.
Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Baerbel Reinhard, Sabine Gasplmayer

Saturday night was the final dinner party of Firenze4Ever. We started at Luisa Via Roma’s beautiful terrace and later on we went to the after party to a club called Colle Bereto where we had the whole VIP section for us.

So please enjoy the impressions of that fun night with the fashionable Florence crowd and all the lovely bloggers from abroad.

LoL, Sandra

Zarko (DesignScene) and David (HighSnobiety) with me in the middle.

Florence Fashion People, a little Lanvin for H&M on Marzia...

...what a headpiece...

...the girl with the tattoo...

...loved the dress and his suspenders...

...two stylish Danish girlfriends: Lotte and Marie (Fashion Fairytale)

...worth a photo...

...a young handbag designer...

Lisa (LuisaViaRoma) with me

Happy Zarko (DesignScene) with the Cavalli book that Eva signed for him.

Eva Cavalli

Me with Daniele Cavalli who will soon show his first men's collection in Milan.

Sweet Guia

Martina (The Fashion Coffee)

Beautiful Italian girls

Mr. Animal Print

Party at Colle Bereto, Saba (LuisaVia Roma) in a blue lace top.

Gorgeous Caroline (Caroline Daily) with me having so much fun dancing

Diane (ThePerfectism), Zarko (DesignScene) and me

Time to change headpieces...what a night!

Last night, we all went to dinner at Roberto Cavalli’s club after having drinks at Luisaviaroma before.  I wore my sequined dress by Balmain (the one from New Year’s Eve) with a marabou cape and clutch by Balmain. The suede punk YSL pumps finished off my look.

Enjoy the photos and see who was there!!!! It was a wonderful evening…

LoL, Sandra

Me with David (Highsnobiety), Zarko(DesignScene) and Nathalie(LesMads) starting the night at Luisaviaroma

Arriving at the Cavalli Club (Piazza del Carmine)

Inside the club

Lots of leopard prints...

Drinks were chilled...

Cavalli wine was served during dinner.

Eva Cavalli with me

Famous shoe designer Guiseppe Zanotti with me

Designer Neil Barrett with me

Fausto Puglisi with me (His designs, that are loved by Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, are available at Dolce & Gabbana's new Spiga 2 store)

Eva having a conversation with Neil

Fashion power: Fausto Puglisi, Guiseppe Zanotti, Andrea Panconesi (Owner of Luisaviaroma), Eva Cavalli and Neil Barrett

Guiseppe Zanotti, Eva Cavalli and Neil Barrett

A wonderful hello from Florence where I have arrived this afternoon. I am totally excited because I am one of the 40 selected fashion bloggers worldwide (as LUISAVIAROMA names it the 40 most influential fashion bloggers worldwide, how can I not love that?!) that were chosen to participate in FIRENZE4EVER 2nd Edition.
The first FIRENZE4EVER event was held last year to celebrate the 10th anniversary of LUISAVIAROMA.COM’s online activity.
For three exhilarating days, we have the opportunity to interact, connect plus to photograph and create multibrand looks in the TOTAL LOOK STYLING LAB. Moreover, there is each evening a dinner and party with special guests and VIPs from the fashion world, so stay tuned for lots of fun photos and inspirations.

LoL, Sandra

Below there is today’s post from the LUISAVIAROMA blog:

Photos from the welcome cocktail reception tonight that took place in the beautiful store:

On the terrace of the Luisa Via Roma store

Sabrina Meijer (After Drk)

Caroline de Surany (Caroline Daily) and Chiara Biasi (The Golden Mode)

Beijing-based Nels Frye (Stylites) talks to Jessie from Tampa, FL (Denimology)

Andy Torres (Style Scrapbook) and Chiara Ferragni (The Blonde Salad)

Caroline from Sweden (Carolinesmode) with me (Sandra's Closet)

Diane De L'OrPaz from Israel (Perfectism)

Saba Tedla (Luisaviaroma)

Goodie bag from Luisaviaroma with a limited edition T-shirt designed by Toxic Toy.

Don't Want No Short Blog Man (Photo via Luisaviaroma)

Already my new favourite sleepwear, probably not intented to be...

One of the reasons I love Italy is the food: my night snack while working...