Sandra‘s Closet

Are you a dog lover? What is your favourite breed?
Are you more a Balenciaga German Sheperd or a Givenchy Rottweiler?
Let the dog fight begin!

Riccardo Tisci, Givenchy’s Creative Director, chose prints of rabid-looking Rottweilers for his F/W 2011 Givenchy men’s collection that has also attracted many women, among them famous Liv Tyler who showed up in the same sweater as Kanye West during Paris Fashion Week.

I love both, but I am completely thrilled for the Rottweiler. I like the 90’s gangster-style, hip hop attitude that comes with it. But probably it is because I grew up with those dogs even that I have to admit I am not their biggest fan. As for me, there are much more beautiful dogs in this world. But a Golden Retriever would never look as cool and stylish as a Rottweiler!

Riccardo Tisci got photographed by Steven Klein for Interview magazine dripping with blood in a kind of macabre setting.

If you are interested, here is your last chance to get a Rottweiler T-shirt by Givenchy that is even on sale. Just click on the highlighted text!

And if you have a real dog, check out this product:

Aesop Animal

A mild body and fur wash containing botanical extracts to cleanse even the most delicate animal skins and furs. Animal is formulated with the same research, development and care that we apply to our human product range. Enriched with Lemon Rind, Tea Tree and Spearmint Leaf extracts.

500ml, CHF 46 / £23

LoL, Sandra

Looking outside, it is truly sweater weather! And this season, it is official, the cheesy holiday jumper got a style upgrade. Suddenly, all that we want are reindeers, snowflakes and jacquards. My favourite are Moschino’s penguins.

1 Penguin intarsia wool sweater by Moschino
2 Cropped wool-blend jacquard sweater by Alexander Wang
3 Fair Isle neon wool-blend sweater by Juicy Couture
4 Fair Isle knitted cotton sweater by Jonathan Saunders
5 Snowman intarsia wool sweater by Moschino
6 Snowflake sequined merino wool sweater by Markus Lupfer
7 Firgrove intarsia wool and alpaca-blend sweater by Aubin & Wills
8 Chunky-knit Fair Isle sweater by J.Crew
9 Polar bear intarsia wool and alpaca-blend sweater by Stella McCartney

Stylist Carolin Sieber rocks this trend by combining her Topshop sweater with a leather mini and Chanel booties. Get cozy for Christmas!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Mr Newton for Harper’s Bazaar

Don’t hold back with colour and spice up your F/W 2011 season. Infuse the hues of autumn leaves straight into your wardrobe. Blast away your winter blues with spice colours such as mustard, curry, russet, pumpkin orange and gingerbread brown, sure to keep your spirits up in the bitter cold.

I put together some of my favourite pieces for you and included some photos that I took at the spice market in Istanbul. If you like something, just click on the highlighted designer name for an immediate shopping experience!

Have fun!

LoL, Sandra

This mink shoulder wool tweed trench coat by Burberry Prorsum makes an amazing fashion statement during the cold season.

This felted wool coat by Space has a great price and is a classic piece that you will keep for many more seasons to come.

What a stunner! Make a stunning entrance in this floor-sweeping gown by Roksanda Ilincic .

Fendi has launched many It-bags during the last years, from the iconic “Spy bag” to the “Baguette clutch”. This fall, fashionistas crave for the Chamelon colour-block tote that will stay a must for next summer.

Pair this standalone piece by Fendi with a simple black dress for high impact, low effort style.

Channeling fall’s penchant for all things texture, this shaggy statement coverup by Maurizio Pecoraro will lend every wardrobe a hit of directional cool straight from the runway.

Keep warm in style with Paul Smith‘s striped wool knitted hat.

Take a playful approach to this season’s ’60s-inspired style in Gianluca Capannolo‘s bright wool coat.

Make a head-turning statement at cocktails in Carven‘s merlot wool-blend dress.

Christopher Bailey breaks from tradition with a trendy spin on the Burberry Prorsum Meniconic  trench coat.

Yves Saint Laurent‘s “Muse Two” is a modern classic and a wonderful addition to every closet.

Simple design can make the boldest statement and Nicholas King‘s jewelry pieces are an effortlessly directional adornment.

Etro‘s metallic silk-blend lurex dress is the perfect piece for the imminent party season.

Proenza Schouler‘s iconic PS1 Keep All gets an on-trend makeover for fall in Navajo-inspired jacquard. My absolute must!

Detailed with a signature horsebit and buckle strap, Ralph Lauren Collection‘s sleek boots will make a polished addition to your footwear collection.

Giuseppe Zanotti‘s killer heels spice up every outfit!

Tap into a ladylike retro mood with this fur stole by Diverso Italiano that is your fast-track to statement vintage appeal.

Photos (spice market Istanbul): © Sandra Bauknecht

Now that Fashion Week has closed its doors on Paris and we have seen the beauty of the upcoming S/S 2012 season, it is hard to believe that winter is here and it is time we get all dressed up for it!

One of my favourite colour combinations for F/W 2011 is blue & black, a low-contrast but high-impact combo. Navy blue works well, but honestly vibrant cobalt is the standout shade to pair with basic black for the perfect winter palette.

Blast away your winter blues with those beautiful shades! You can shop some of my favourite pieces below to keep your spirits up in the bitter cold. Enjoy!

Make a stunning appearance in this beautiful cobalt blue gown by Roksanda Ilincic or combine a black top with this stunning maxi length blue skirt by Raoul. To finish off your look, a clutch bag by Fendi and those eye-catching heels by Sergio Rossi would be the perfect choice.

Another way to work the trend is to focus on the accessories. You can wear a black outfit and add some blue shoes or a cobalt bag for an instant new season upgrade.
Here are my favourites:

1 Classic blue pumps by Christian Louboutin
2 Fur stole by Simonetta Ravizza
3 Bright blue suede boots by Sergio Rossi
4 Strappy python sandals (on sale!) by Alexandre Birman
5 Large hobo bag “Roady” by Yves Saint Laurent
6 Stunning vibrant cobalt suede pumps by Gianvito Rossi
7 A quilted bag by Marc Jacobs
8 A season’s must-have, the floppy hat by Borsalino

So if this winter somebody would ask you if you got the blues, you could proudly say yes!

LoL, Sandra

Last Saturday, Barneys New York celebrated the launch of their new womens F/W 2011 campaign „Carine’s World“ with a gigantic party in New York City. Many celebrities attended, but the real highlight of the evening was definitely the karaoke performance of Anna Dello Russo and Carine Roitfeld on stage.

The new campaign for the American department store was cast by Carine Roitfeld, former editor-in-chief of French Vogue. Friends, family members, people she admired over years for their style, were featured in the newest must-haves. Carine worked alongside renowned photographer Mario Sorrenti and Barneys New York Creative Director Dennis Freedman.

In the store, you can find some installations with quotes that I enjoyed very much. I hope that you do, too!

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Below you can find my personal favourites of the campaign. For more information, go on Barneys.com.

LoL, Sandra

Naomi Campbell in Fendi

Carine on Naomi:
“I met Naomi 25 years ago at the beginning of her career and worked with her often. She is of course a legendary model and an icon, but one thing that people don’t know about her is that she has a very big heart.”

Shop the Fendi collection at Barneys.com.

Jessica Hart in Marc Jacobs

Carine on Jessica:
“Jessica is the Australian girlfriend of my son Vladimir’s best friend. So pretty, natural, and elegant. She’s got a spontaneous, sporty allure and she’s always smiling.”

Shop the Marc Jacobs collection at Barneys.com.

Melanie Huynh in Yves Saint Laurent

Carine on Melanie:
“Melanie is a stylist and was my assistant for 3 or 4 years. We have stayed close – I am even godmother to her daughter. She is ravishing and brings a lot of grace to the Saint Laurent clothes. She looks like a princess.”

Shop the Yves Saint Laurent collection at Barneys.com.

Izabel Goulart in Mugler and Gianvito Rossi

Carine on Izabel:
“Izabel, a Brazilian, is one of my most recent discoveries. She is a very, very beautiful girl that I first saw at a Victoria’s Secret runway show.”

Shop the Mugler and Gianvito Rossi collection at Barneys.com.

Theodora Richards in Rodarte

Carine on Theodora:
“Theodora has inherited the daring style of her father, Keith Richards, and it suits her divinely. She’s also very spirited and lively and has an incredible presence.”

Shop the Rodarte collection at Barneys.com.

Photos: © Barneys

Python is the new leopard, python print an essential for F/W 2011. Even trendier is the real reptile skin that adorns coats, jackets and all sorts of accessories. The runways were full of those exotic, wild assortments.
If you don’t want to go overboard, opt for a great python handbag to live this trend.

LoL, Sandra

Dolce & Gabbana’s star-sprinkled collection is loved by fashionistas and celebrities all over the world. The must-have print also graces some of the recent September issues. From Spanish Vogue with Eva Herzigova, Helena Christensen and Claudia Schiffer in a trio of Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2011 dresses on the cover to American Marie Claire with Anne Hathaway.

My favourites are the printed star dress with lace inserts and the matching star pumps. The sequined star clutch and wallet work well with every outfit.
Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Céline built their collection around the white turtleneck as their key piece for F/W 2011. And the French fashion house wasn’t alone. The mostly close-fitting version of the versatile classic was seen on many runways, for both men and women. The very `60s inspired look is clean and crisp, providing you with the perfect minimalistic base to layer on (another trend for F/W 2011) and it will give you the possibilty to wear it for fall with a summer dress that you are not willing to put away yet.

LoL, Sandra

This winter, there is only one way to wear your crisp white shirt: buttoned-up to the very top. The wheel of fashion is always turning. On the runways, there were lots of masculine references, the season is all about the suits. Designers are paying tribute to the working girls and to keep things demure, no more cleavage is shown. But no worries, combined with a cool pair of shorts, the look is more about sophisticated minimalism instead of looking all prude.
My favourites are the shirts with embellished collars (Miu Miu and Christopher Kane) that are now in stores.

Enjoy experimenting!

LoL, Sandra

Fashion repeats itself and designers love to seek inspiration from previous decades. For F/W 2011, there were lots of 1940s-themed references. The best approach to reinvent this fashion era has been realized by Miu Miu, as well as by Gucci, Christian Dior, and Jonathan Saunders.

What do the `40s stand for in fashion? The world was at war which meant that resources were restricted everywhere. Fashion had to be more practical. Function was more important than form. Women’s skirts became much shorter and much simpler, but as seen today on the F/W 2011 runways, the basic A-line frame or slight flare of many of the skirts tends to flatter many figures. Floral prints seem to dominate the early 1940’s and have been lovely interpreted by Miuccia Prada for Miu Miu this season.

Women’s chunky heeled shoes were one of the marvels of 1940’s fashion along with stylish accessories such as gloves and feodora hats. Those must-haves for F/W 2011 are absolutely stylish and best of all, will make you instantly look mysterious like you are coming out of a spy movie.

LoL, Sandra