Sandra‘s Closet

Sometimes I receive a press release that truly makes me happy and excited. Today, I got one of those. Great news! The ALEXANDER MCQUEEN brand launches its first women’s fragrance under the creative direction of Sarah Burton after signing a deal with P&G Prestige.

Do note that there were already two scents on the market, Kingdom, in 2003, and My Queen, in 2005, that were developed by YSL Beauté. Both were disappearing very quickly from the shelves after being discontinued in 2008.

Although Alexander McQueen passed away six years ago, his legacy lives on in his label’s stunning designs by Sarah Burton, who was also in charge for the amazing juice that is the base for those two new scents, McQueen Parfum and McQueen Eau de Parfum.

Inspired by the craftsmanship of haute parfumerie, McQueen has created a unique scent made from the precious essence of three night-blooming flowers: Sambac jasmine, tuberose and ylang ylang. There are also topnotes of clove, pink and black pepper, as well as vetiver. Solid, sensual, with the artisan’s love of form, the parfum bottle is a small work of art. Gold feathers crown the perfume bottle, reflecting bespoke craftsmanship that is pure McQueen.

ORIENTAL FLORAL

Top notes: Clove, pink and black pepper
Middle notes: Sambac jasmine, tuberose and ylang ylang
Base note: Vetiver

The association with these nighttime flowers launched the social media hashtag #BloomAtNight, a tag that can easily be tied to more than a few of the pieces in the new F/W 2016 collection.

McQueen Parfum
50ml – CHF 450.00

McQueen Eau de Parfum
30ml – CHF 90.00, 50ml – CHF 119.00, 75ml – CHF 149.00

Available in Switzerland from September 5, 2016.

TO SHOP THE NEW ALEXANDER MCQUEEN FALL COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Alexander McQueen

The CHANEL F/W 2016 handbags and small leather goods collection revisits the great classics of the House of CHANEL.

Karl Lagerfeld reinterprets several fundamental elements of CHANEL’s stylistic vocabulary, starting with the emblematic quilting of the House that we discover here as an ultra-light version on the flap bags, the shopping bags and even a backpack, uniting comfort with elegance.

The designer has also reinvented the iconic CHANEL bag and in particular the 11.12 which, this season appears in a laser treated faded denim.

The 2.55 is attached to a clip hanger with a discreet little mirror. It comes in aged or metallic leather as well as overstitched beige suede split calfskin inspired by the toiles used in the ateliers to make the handbag prototypes. This same material covers the drawstring, flap and bowling bags, plus the clutches and a camera case.

Meanwhile the BOY CHANEL bag appears to be patterned with pins. The Montex Atelier has created a special embroidery composed of silver tube beads and multi-coloured round beads, and which required more than 20 hours of work. Another version is embellished with precious braiding.

A key detail in the collection, the lacing inspired by corsetry that cleaves the dresses and boots, is also present on handbags in leather or combined with tweed.

The Girl bag adopts a clutch format in quilted leather or united with tweed. Functional thanks to its numerous pockets, its leather-interlaced chain is detachable at one end allowing it to be hand held or worn over the shoulder.

For evening, the clutches in leather, lizard or python play the ultimate luxury card with chains made of leather, metal and fantasy pearls.

As a tribute to the ateliers and their treasures, the resin minaudières adopt the shapes of a dual compartment sewing-box or a bobbin of golden thread.

Karl Lagerfeld has also conceived a line of accessories dedicated to Smartphones and tablets: the cases covered with tweed (including two versions woven by the House of Lesage) or with quilted or exotic leathers are designed to accommodate the devices in style. On certain models the iconic chain alternates gold and silver links.

The CHANEL F/W 2016 handbags and small leather goods collection will be available in boutiques from September 2016 onwards.

I cannot wait for those beauties to arrive!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chanel

For the first time in 17 years, Donatella Versace and Bruce Weber reunite for the Italian House’s F/W 2016 ad campaign. The photographer responsible for some of Versace’s most iconic images returns to the famed fashion brand for the first time since 1999. Starring Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss and Dilone in a series of tableaux, some real-life and some fantastical, the images were shot in Chicago and, in classic Weber style, womenswear and menswear are shown together. The large cast of men features real-world discoveries such as a bodyguard, a singer and dancers, as well as models Trevor Signorino, Charlie Kennedy and Marcus Watts.

Bruce Weber said, “When I first spoke with Donatella about going to Chicago she said, simply, – yes, let’s pack up and go! – Donatella has always been an adventurer and not only does she treat me like a prince, she treats me like family – and the feeling is mutual. The most important thing to me, after all these year, is that we can still laugh together”.

I used to live in Chicago and love this city, what a great choice.
TO SHOP VERSACE ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versace

Warning! Fashion kills! Finally some smoke I like. Today, I would like to present you Moschino‘s cigarette-themed capsule collection that was in tandem with its F/W 2016 runway collection that has been available for purchase just days after the show.

From left to right: Printed acrylic iPhone 6 case, intarsia wool mini dress, packet of cigarettes iPhone 6 case, cigarette earrings, printed leather shoulder bag and Fashion Kills jumper, all by Moschino.

Moschino F/W 2016 runway

After the Italian house’s success with its Barbie-inspired as well as the fast-food McDonald’s-themed collection—the “It’s Lit” theme stands likely to burn down the house or the fashion scene.

Cigarette lips cardigan by Moschino

Matchstick motif skirt by Moschino

Which one is your favorite?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Moschino