Sandra‘s Closet

“I have always loved the heritage and romance of England. My collection for Fall 2012 is about a modern glamour inspired by the timeless character and refined elegance of an authentic way of living.” –Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren‘s inspiration were obviously the Roaring Twenties. The first part of his show was devoted to boy-for-girl suits, followed by flapper-like dresses in gold and platinum Art Deco embroideries. So beautiful!

I especially love the Ralph Lauren Collection shoe collection for F/W 2012. Riding boots have been seen on many runways and the American designer’s take on them is just perfect. Click HERE to shop.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Ralph Lauren

The new season is fast approaching and some of the best F/W 2012 runway looks are available now. This is your chance to be in fashion’s forefront.

Brocade is set to be one of the season’s hottest trends, and Stella McCartney‘s black and cobalt pattern is a typically chic take on the look.

Wool-blend brocade top and Patty brocade skirt, both by Stella McCartney

No one delivers contemporary femininity quite like Christopher Kane, and this rose-flocked tulle dress is a standout piece from his F/W 2012 runway show.

Leather-trimmed flocked tulle dress by Christopher Kane

With his trendsetting vision, Marc Jacobs predicts precisely what women want to wear every season.

Metallic bouclé wool-blend jacket and metallic bouclé wool-blend skirt, both by Marc Jacobs

Mary Katrantzou brings her beautifully mesmeric prints to knitwear this season. Coziness has never been that beautiful.

Wool-blend dress by Mary Katrantzou

Miu Miu‘s acclaimed F/W12 runway collection was a riot of colour and dandy-esque tailoring. Miuccia Prada‘s message was clear: Pants are a must for the new season!

Belted wool-crepe tunic and wool-crepe straight-leg pants, both by Miu Miu

LoL, Sandra

Red is such a big trend for F/W 2012 and there is no other colour that has such a “wow”-effect! In every holiday season, the eye-catching red dress is always in the forefront of the fashion trend and celebrities know use the vibrant, powerful shade to their advantage. A lady in red is such a head turner wherever she goes. It makes her instantly stand out in the crowd.

When it comes to red carpet glamour, Kate Perry, Claire Danes and Reese Witherspoon show us how it works. Shop their amazing gowns now, just click on the highlighted text below.

Kate Perry wowed in this stunning strapless intense-red velvet dress by Dolce & Gabbana.

The flow of Claire Danes‘s lace and ruffled silk-organza gown by Valentino is extraordinary.

Reese Witherspoon radiates Old Hollywood glamour in this strapless crimson silk-taffeta gown by Zac Posen.

Are you RED-dy?

LoL, Sandra

Charlotte Ronson, has become one of the most sought after American womenswear designers and her New York Fashion Week runway shows are a must see. Born in London into an artistic family – her older brother is Mark Ronson, the face for Fan di Fendi pour Homme – and raised in New York, Charlotte followed the tradition by developing her own unique style at an early age.

In 2000, Ronson launched her first collection, C. Ronson, which gained instant recognition and the attention of renowned publications. In May 2002, Ronson opened her flagship boutique in New York’s hip Nolita neighborhood.

In 2005, Aaron Nir joined C.Ronson as president and the collection was re-named “Charlotte Ronson” – a natural evolution of the brand and an accurate reflection of who Charlotte is and what she and her customer want to wear. In late 2009, Charlotte and Aaron became partners and established Charlotte Ronson International headquartered in New York City. With Charlotte Ronson’s sense of style and Aaron Nir’s savvy business sense this dynamic team has created a powerful brand with widespread recognition and huge potential.

Known for her impeccable style and trendsetting designs, Ronson’s clothing and accessories have quickly become a favourite among such fashion forward celebrities, models and influencers including Blake Lively, Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Richie, Rihanna, Diane Kruger, Leighton Meester, and Nicky Hilton, whom I spotted at the show.

Below are some photos I took at the F/W 2012 fashion show in NYC. Her musts for the next season are bohemian prints, an iconic staple. Alongside the Alpine-inspired knits and proper pencil skirts, they look absolutely sophisticated. A modern wardrobe for a real girl. The collection is available at LUISAVIAROMA.COM.

A little goody spotted front row at the Charlotte Ronson F/W 2012 show:
A fluo pink Céline Boston tote.

LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Charlotte Ronson and © Sandra Bauknecht

“But I just don’t want to know, ‘Cos for twenty-four years, I’ve been living next door to Alice. Alice, who the f… is Alice.”

Thinking of Alice, you might start to hum the famous song. But as a true fashionista, you have to know, who Alice is.
It is the new bag of the season, a must-have accessory from the Chloé fashion house created for the F/W 2012 collection, that has placed its bets on modern, urban elegance.

Be the first to carry this fabulous piece and pre-order it at SAKSFIFTHAVENUE.COM (Good news for my British and Candian readers: Free shipping from August 5-20, 2012. Simply enter promo code AFFSHIP at checkout.) and LUISAVIAROMA.COM.

LoL, Sandra

Alice large handbag in blushed pink python and vegetal calfskin
3S0160 705 41Z

Alice large handbag in husky white shiny leather and vegetal calfskin
3S0160 703 00X

Photos: Courtesy of Chloé

Originally established as a creative consultancy, Acne (Ambition to Create Novel Expressions) was born when Jonny Johansson’s jeans designs became a hit with his clients. For a casual-cool update, look out for biker jackets, It-girl boots and signature skinny denim.

For the next three days, you have the privilege to shop these items before they are available to all mytheresa.com customers. Click here to be transferred directly.

The ‘Rita’ jacket has become a firm favorite with the style set, and has been seen on the likes of Alexa Chung and Blake Lively. Updated in shearling, this tobacco and light-gray version is made for fall.

For the uber-hip among you, Acne revamps its cult  jacket for the new season in zesty yellow. Finished with silver zips and a luxuriously soft cream interior, it will seriously amplify your round-the-clock wardrobe. Who said cold-weather dressing can’t be colorful? This vibrant colour is available at net-à-porter.com.

LoL, Sandra

Ladies, store your ballet flats! If you haven’t focused on the day-slipper trend, you really should embrace it. They are on the shopping list of every fashionista and a hot fixture on the fall high street. I went for leopard print slippers by Louis Vuitton in blue (for the previous post, please click here) – Poppy Delevigny has the same ones in red. 
For fall, Miu Miu‘s velvet embroidered slippers are my season’s favourites, so chic!

By the way, gentlemen, you are in the game as well. You can find the most extraordinary models for the fashion-forward of you at the end of this post.

Get involved now and shop those must-have footwear below!

LoL, Sandra

Shop the best slippers for WOMEN:

Embroidered velvet-covered leather slippers by Miu Miu

Embroidered satin-covered leather slippers by Miu Miu

Sequined leather slippers by Marc by Marc Jacobs

Intern tartan canvas and patent-leather slippers by Christian Louboutin

Sequin skull-embellished suede slippers by Alexander McQueen

Embroidered velvet slippers by Alexander McQueen

Swarovski crystal-embellished suede slippers by Giuseppe Zanotti

Wheel studded leather slippers by Jimmy Choo

Shop the best slippers for MEN:

Victory nude nubuck leather slippers by Kardinale

Leopard print suede slippers by Jimmy Choo Men

Sloane zebra print ponyskin slippers by Jimmy Choo Men

Coarse glitter slippers by Jimmy Choo Men

Purple velvet slippers by Del Toro

Velvet slippers with crystal tassel by Giuseppe Zanotti Men

Suede and Swarovski embellished slippers by Giuseppe Zanotti Men

Embroidered velvet slippers by Stubbs & Wooton
(Stubbs & Wooton is a Florida-based label, founded in Palm Beach in 1993, that specialises in luxurious slippers).

Last week, the Haute Couture presentations for F/W 2012 took place in Paris and they have brought along some adorable and stunning looks. From Christian Dior to Stéphane Rolland, from Versace to Valentino, enjoy the best of the best.

GIVENCHY HAUTE COUTURE:

Personally speaking, Givenchy Haute Couture F/W 2012 is my favourite. It is so modern, edgy and cool. This fringed top above or the long embellished cape with fur details are both to die for! If I could wear couture every day, how I would long for it to be Givenchy Haute Couture…

STÉPHANE ROLLAND HAUTE COUTURE:

Stéphane Rolland is always one of the highly anticipated presentations during Haute Couture fashion week in Paris, and this time was no exception. His couture designs are modern and sexy, more of a “Hot Couture”.

Do you remember when supermodel Yasmin Le Bon closed the show in a gigantic red gown last season? Click here for the previous post. This time, it was actress Fan Bingbing, whom I had met at the Trophée Chopard party in Cannes in May, who wowed the guests in a striking sleeveless gown with a cape that took over the entire runway.

CHANEL HAUTE COUTURE:

Two contradictory words on the invitation: “New Vintage”. At Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld returned to the essence of the fashion house and delved into the past with a collection of bouclé jackets and feather-trimmed gowns. His bridal look left me speechless.

ZUHAIR MURAD HAUTE COUTURE:

Opulence is what Zuhair Murad is all about. Haute Couture how you imagine it.

VALENTINO HAUTE COUTURE:

Valentino‘s embroidered and hand-painted looks were proof that couture’s artistry and craftsmanship are higher than ever. Absolutely breathtaking!

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, who have been helming the famous label since 2008 following Mr Valentino’s retirement, did a wonderful job.

CHRISTIAN DIOR HAUTE COUTURE:

Raf Simons’s debut collection for Christian Dior was probably one of  the most refreshing couture show. Clean but masterfully tailored, those strapless embroidered mini gowns over pants, all free from fuss, looked like contemporary couture should look like.

ATELIER VERSACE:

Donatella Versace returned to the Ritz Paris for the presentation of her Atelier Versace F/W 2012 collection. 
The famous hotel had hosted many Atelier Versace shows before. Donatella was paying homage to her late brother Gianni with a collection that encapsulated the best of the iconic Versace looks.

ARMANI PRIVÉ:

Those sultry veils seen at Armani Privé were outstanding.

JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER HAUTE COUTURE:

Speaking of Hot Couture, Jean-Paul Gaultier served up a good dose of sexiness with his creations. Gaultier at his best!

I hope that you have enjoyed my little Haute Couture report.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, © Getty Images

Own a piece of fashion history with McQ Alexander McQueen‘s debut runway collection, available for private order only for two more days. Sarah Burton‘s debut collection of sculptured dresses and refined military silhouettes is dramatic and darkly glamorous. Burgundy and green, the two must-have colours for the F/W 2012 season, will add a stylish touch to any wardrobe.

Until Wednesday, May 23rd, you as my readers have the chance to place a private order made especially for you at the Alexander McQueen atelier in Italy. These exquisite, limited edition pieces – that you can explore below – are available exclusively at NET-A-PORTER and will arrive in time for fall.

“A love story, a love of McQueen and a love of great British style — from military coats to overblown ball gowns,” the show notes explained.

To place your exclusive private order, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

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