Sandra‘s Closet

Last week, I attended the V&A Summer Party that celebrated the opening of the «Naomi: In Fashion» exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The exhibition is the first major museum show dedicated to a supermodel, honoring Naomi Campbell’s 40-year career in fashion.

The party drew a star-studded crowd, including fashion designers, celebrities, and industry insiders. Elizabeth Hurley, Tessa Thompson, Letitia Wright, Rina Lipa and more joined Campbell on the event’s red carpet.

«[It feels] overwhelming, but I just wanted everyone to get to know that side of me that they might not have known,» said Campbell.

She wore a custom dress from Boss, which sponsored her exhibition and the event. Top stylist Law Roach worked with the model on the design of the dress, which was accessorized with two diamond Bulgari snake necklaces.

The exhibition, titled «Naomi: In Fashion» spans four decades of her influential career and will run from June 22, 2024, to April 6, 2025.
Enjoy the impressions of the night!

LoL, Sandra

With interior designer Pernilla Bennet of House of Bennet

The performance of Boy George was really outstanding.

Wearing Christopher John Rogers at the opening party.

With Naomi’s mum Valerie Morris Campbell

With Imran Amed of Business of Fashion

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 
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Another great talent has left us. French fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier (21 August 1943 – 31 March 2022) has died today. His imagery helped write the history of 1990s fashion.

Born near Paris in 1943 to a modest family, Demarchelier spent his childhood in Le Havre, Normandy, with his mother and four brothers. His profession was self-taught. For his seventeenth birthday, his stepfather bought him his first camera. Demarchelier learned how to develop film, retouch negatives and began photographing friends and weddings.

Natalia Vodianova in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci.
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue, October 2008

In 1975, Demarchelier left Paris for New York City, United States to follow his girlfriend. He discovered fashion photography by working as a freelance photographer learning from, and working with photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Terry King, and Jacque Guilbert. Since the late 1970s he shot the covers for nearly every major fashion magazine including American, British and Paris Vogue, as well as Harper’s Bazaar. He also shot international advertising campaigns for Dior, Louis Vuitton, Celine, TAG Heuer, CHANEL, Donna Karan, Yves Saint Laurent, Tommy Hilfiger, Carolina Herrera, Moschino, Vera Wang, Elizabeth Arden, H&M, Sam Edelman, Zara, Max Azria, Express, Longchamp, Blumarine, Lacoste, Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren.

Lady Diana photographed by Patrick Demarchelier in 1990

However, he is perhaps best known for his intimate portraits of Princess Diana that helped establish her popularity and accessible public image.

In 2007, Christine Albanel, French Minister of Culture, honoured Demarchelier as an Officer in l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Literature), the same year that he received the CFDA Founder’s Award in Honor of Eleanor Lambert. Demarchelier also appeared in the film «The September Issue» and can be glimpsed in «The Sex & the City movie».

With his son Victor, who works also as a photographer.

Despite a rich and deep legacy, in 2018 amidst the #MeToo reckoning, Demarchelier was accused by seven models who worked with him of sexual harassment. In response to the allegations, Condé Nast announced: «We have informed Patrick we will not be working with him for the foreseeable future. Demarchelier denied the allegations.» However, he had never been charged and denied the allegations.

Demarchelier is survived by his wife Mia, his three sons, and three grandchildren.

LoL, Sandra

30 years later, still one of my favorite Vogue covers of all times, famous supermodels on the magazine’s 100th anniversary cover. Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue US, April 1992

Christy Turlington in Azzedine Alaïa.
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue US, May 1991

Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Harper’s Bazaar US, May 1998

Christy Turlington 
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Harper’s Bazaar US, July 1999

Photos: Via Vogue Harper’s Bazaar, Sothebys © Patrick Demarchelier

Personally speaking, one of my favorite S/S 2021 collections is ZIMMERMANN titled «Wild Botanica». Inspired by Nicky Zimmermann‘s native flora and fauna of her home country, Australia, the designer translated these references into bold floral and bird prints and playful 3D flower and butterfly appliqués. Furthermore, she looked at the turn-of-the-century artwork of painter and explorer Ellis Rowan.

Inspiration behind the Zimmermann collection: Australian artist and botanical illustrator Ellis Rowan (1848 – 1922).

Favorite looks from the Zimmermann S/S 2021 runway.

Breezy dresses, stunning shorts and vibrant blouses set the scene for sunny romance. The long gowns with butterfly embroidery or the billowing floral waterfalls in the back stood out for their interesting textures for me.

On Mother’s Day I wore the amazing Botanica wattle-print linen-blend organza dress that was the first Zimmermann S/S 2021 runway look. The outfit post will be coming up tomorrow.

Liya Kebede stars in the S/S 2021 campaign. In front of Benny Horne‘s lens, she poses on location in St. Barths. A picturesque setting complements dreamy silhouettes as well as painterly prints.

You can shop the beautiful S/S 2021 collection at NET-À-PORTER, MATCHESFASHION and MYTHERESA.

Such beautiful butterfly applications on my Botanica floral linen-blend organza maxi dress. This outfit post will also coming up shortly.

Photos: Courtesy of Zimmermann, © Sandra Bauknecht, © David Biedert Photography
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Here is a new generation lipstick! Take a look. The first thing you notice about ROUGE COCO BLOOM is its colour and shine. Bold and vibrant, it reveals an intense glow behind its clear lid. Slide the lipstick out of its case. Admire the elegant silver ring and prepare to be surprised by how slowly the stick rotates. This is no coincidence. As always with CHANEL, things have to be as good as they look: chic, unique. Here, the twisting system has been deliberately slowed down, both for flawless application and the sheer beauty of a perfect motion. Notice the texture, so smooth and comfortable, present without overloading. All you need is a single layer to coat the lips with intense and luminous colour.

Wonder at the result. Your smile lights up. In one go the richness of a lipstick and the shine of a gloss come together. Intensity, lasting-hold and plumping effect in one patented* formula developed by CHANEL Research: that’s the prowess of ROUGE COCO BLOOM. Moisturizing and highly concentrated in micronized pigments, this new-generation lipstick keeps its promises for eight hours**.

Take your pick from the palette of twenty vibrant shades developed by the CHANEL Makeup Creation Studio. Unique and special, they reflect CHANEL‘s authority when it comes to colour. Play with the colour. Don’t compromise on the results. Vibrate with ALIVE, a classic yet surprising red with a subtle rust undertone that gives it warmth and character. Enchant with RADIANT, a romantic, mauve-tinted reinterpretation of universal rosewood. Charm with MERVEILLE, a soft, natural, delicate shade of dusky rose. Captivate with SEASON, a bright, warm fuchsia that evokes summer euphoria. Shine with SUNLIGHT, an orange with terracotta tones, ideal for getting into a good mood and enhancing the complexion while staying natural. Sparkle with VITALITY, a chic, powerful red to assert your personality. Surprise with UNEXPECTED, a deep brownish red full of depth and character, warmer than a classic burgundy. Or fascinate with SURPRISE, a vibrant plum with red undertones.

In direct line with Mademoiselle Chanel’s timeless maxim « add more lipstick and attack“, Lily-Rose Depp embodies with freshness, joie de vivre and energy this ode to color that magnifies all smiles. Shine now! In stores now for CHF 46.00 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL, #RougeCoco #CHANELMakeup
* International patent application.
** Respective evaluations, clinical and instrumental, on 20 women.

Such sad news before Christmas. Former British supermodel Stella Tennant has died at the age of 50, only 5 days after her birthday. «It is with great sadness we announce the sudden death of Stella Tennant on 22nd December 2020,» the family said in a statement to the PA news agency. «Stella was a wonderful woman and an inspiration to us all. She will be greatly missed.»

Stella Tennant with me in 2016 in Cuba with CHANEL

The circumstances of her sudden death have not been revealed and the family asked for their privacy to be respected which is fully understandable. Stella was married to French-born photographer David Lasnet in in 1999. They had four children together in total, of which the youngest is only 15. In August it was revealed, that they had separated after 21 years of marriage earlier this year.

Stella Tennant and David Lasnet at Oxnam Kirk Church where they got married in 1999.

The granddaughter of Andrew Cavendish, 11th Duke of Devonshire and The Hon. Deborah Mitford, one of the well-known aristocratic siblings, the Mitford sisters, Tennant was born in Scotland and attended St Leonards School in St Andrews. Her parents are The Hon. Tobias William Tennant, son of the 2nd Baron Glenconner, and Lady Emma Cavendish.

Stella shot by Steven Meisel for Vogue UK, December 1993

Tennant studied sculpture at Winchester School of Art. In 1993 she sent photographs of herself to a high fashion magazine, and a friend introduced her to fashion writer Plum Sykes. She had recently had her nasal septum pierced, which was an unusual look for models at the time, and Sykes was taken aback. In the same year, she attracted the attention of photographers such as Steven Meisel and Bruce Weber and soon achieved success as a fashion model, posing for magazines such as French, British and Italian Vogue as well as Harper’s Bazaar and Numero. Later i the ’90s, fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld unveiled her as the new face of Chanel, noting her resemblance to Coco Chanel.

CHANEL campaign S/S 1997

She also appeared in numerous advertising campaigns, including Calvin Klein, Chanel, Hermès, and Burberry. In 2010, she starred in L.K.Bennett’s S/S campaign photographed by Tim Walker. She also starred in the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games alongside fellow British models like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.

Rest in Peace, Stella! You will be missed!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, and via VOGUE

A cinematic context, a language of film, a mystery to be solved, a narrator reading words that the images bring to life – the Prada 2020 Holiday campaign «A Stranger Calls» is photographed by Steven Meisel and based on an original short story conceived and written for Prada by the best-selling author Candice Carty-Williams. It proposes perspectives – different angles, views and cuts around the protagonists of an unfolding narrative: Prada’s accessories, jewelry and leather goods. Each image, like movie stills, proposes a new panorama – like fragments of a story, about to unfold.

In the tradition of film noir, the campaign reconnects with early Prada moments pioneering the aesthetics of cinematic drama. A language then new for fashion, it now becomes layered with historical references – revisited through digital exchange with the audience.

Five characters, five faces cast from the universe of Prada – Freja Beha, Maty Fall, Mao Xiaoxing, Rudolfs Valbergs and Merlijne Schorren – populate an isolated villa in Italy, namely Villa Gnutti, made famous through a 1981 shoot by Helmut Newton. The stills are inspired by the moving, campaign imagery underscored by the esthetics of cinematic drama. Photographed in black-and-white, the fragments presented in the print campaign become the door to a living narrative that develops online. Jump shots from an imaginary film offer a sense of tension, sometimes of contradiction.

Cinema suggests shifting focus and points of emphasis: here, details of Prada accessories are pulled into macro-scale. Like plot-points, or clues to an unknown mystery, they dominate the frame, drawing attention – before Meisel’s lens, they become characters in themselves.

A focal point is the new Prada Cleo handbag, debuted in the Prada Multiple Views SS21 show and featured in the S/S 2021 womenswear collection. The Cleo line draws influence from archival Prada styles and traditional craft techniques, a synthesis of classicism and futurism. Precious jewels for her, in silver or gold with tourmaline, reinterpret the iconic lines of the Prada triangle, like facets of a gem abstracted, the emblem appearing as delicate chain necklaces, lariats and chandelier earrings. The Prada Galleria handbag, the Vanity compact-bags, Saffiano and nylon travel accessories and men’s jewelry all feature.

Heroes and heroines, protagonists and antagonists. A play between the still and the animated, this campaign – and these Prada accessories – explore emotion, intrigue, attraction and, ultimately, desire.

I love Newton, Meisel and Prada… a match made in heaven.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Prada

Fashion talks a big game when it comes to inclusion, but few brands can actually back it up. In September 2018, Feriel Moulaï shot to fame making her debut as the first hijabi model in history to walk at Paris Fashion Week when she appeared on the Koché S/S 2019 runway and Fendi casted Jill Kortleve and Paloma Elsesser for its F/W 2020 runway show in Milan. They were the first «plus size» models to walk in a Fendi show ever. Such a breath of fresh air…

Halima Aden in a Tommy Hilfiger burkini for the Sports Illustrated last month.

This weekend, Tommy Hilfiger, one of America’s most well known fashion labels, has just unveiled its first hijab. Joining the multi billion-dollar modest fashion industry, this is not the first time the brand has designed with modesty in mind, however, as it recently dressed hijabi model Halima Aden in a custom-made burkini.

Hilfiger’s first-ever hijab

Launching on 24 August for purchase globally in select stores and online, Hilfiger’s hijab will come in a fine, woven jacquard boosted with light shimmer via a glittering metallic thread dubbed as soft lurex. Decorated with the initials TH in a tumbling block pattern, the hijab serves up a breathable, lightweight and chic option for the everydays.

Early adopter: in 2016, Dolce & Gabbana launched a collection of hijabs and abayas.

The decision for the launch is surely business-driven as the State of the Global Islamic Economy report presents the continued momentum of the Islamic economy, projecting the modest fashion industry to be worth an estimated £226 billion worldwide.

A number of luxurious brands, such as Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry and DKNY, have all produced pieces or entire collections aimed specifically at the modest market.

The Japanese company Uniqlo has unveiled a collaboration for F/W 2020 with British hijabi designer Hana Tajima. Embodying a rich sense of cultural diversity, this exclusive collaboration line features elegantly simplistic yet considered pieces, offering comfortable, versatile clothing for all women of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, culture or belief.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, © TOMMY HILFIGER, @HALIMA

This month, Gucci presented in New York its new lipstick collections, the first debut from a new Gucci Makeup line ideated under a contemporary manifesto of beauty by Gucci’s Creative Director Alessandro Michele.

The new chapter of the Gucci Beauty story, starts with lipsticks. Exclusively pre-launching on Gucci.com until May 27, Gucci’s three new lipstick collections are in diverse formulations: Rouge à Lèvres Satin with a satin finish, Rouge à Lèvres Voile with a sheer finish, and Baume à Lèvres, a lip balm with a translucent finish.

The campaign, which was shot by Martin Parr, stars Dani Miller, the lead singer of punk band Surfbort, whose music touches on politics, sexuality, mental health and social media, and models Mae Lapres, Achok Majak and Ellia Sophia Coggins. The new Gucci Global Makeup Artist is Thomas de Kluyver.

Gucci Global Makeup Artist @Thomas de Kluyver

Great news is that the Gucci Lipstick Collections will hit the shelves in Switzerland in September 2019 at the new Gucci counter at Jelmoli in Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci
@GucciBeauty #GucciBeauty #GucciBeautyNetwork

Viva Glam, MAC’s monumental campaign, was created in 1994 at the height of the HIV epidemic to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and is having to date raised funds above $500 million. 28 outspoken celebrity talents, among them Elton John to Miley Cyrus and Rihanna starred in the campaign.

RuPaul in the original VIVA GLAM MAC campaign 1994

To mark the anniversary and celebrate the initiative’s legendary past, the make-up brand is paying homage to RuPaul’s original Viva Glam shoot from 1994 and the original red VIVA GLAM I Lipstick, an intense brownish blue-red, with model Winnie Harlow as ambassador recreating the famous look. A funny coincidence is that the famous model was born in 1994.

«If you know me you know make-up is a love of mine so I’m speechless!» Winnie Harlow wrote on Instagram, adding: «There is no make-up campaign more ICONIC than the @MACcosmetics#VIVAGLAM campaign and I’m honoured to work with them as they celebrate their 25t​h ​anniversary of Viva Glam.»

The campaign is fully charitable. Every cent of the selling price of VIVA GLAM Lipstick is donated to support health and rights of people of all ages, all races and all genders. To give a visual example of what the sale of one CHF 28.00 lipstick might mean, it could buy 254 condoms to prevent the transmission of HIV; it may purchase a full day of meals for two homeless LGBTQ+ youth; or test 14 pregnant mothers for HIV to support the health of women.

You can shop the special-edition 25th-anniversary VIVA GLAM Lipstick this month at all MAC counters and stores and online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © MAC Cosmetics
#macswitzerland #vivaglam

Yesterday, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show returned to its New York City home after three years. I was really eager to see it, especially because I was curious to see my beloved Mary Katrantzou‘s creations on the runway of angels. This year was a true glittery catwalk extravaganza that dazzled with over 850,000 crystals from Swarovski as Victoria’s Secret and Swarovski proudly introduced new facets of their iconic 16-year partnership.

Gigi Hadid in one of the Mary Katrantzou’s designs for the show.

It’s the most-watched fashion event of the year with around 800 million tuning in annually. And for a good reason! Atelier Swarovski created this year’s spectacular Dream Angels Fantasy Bra embellished with over 2,100 Swarovski Created Diamonds and Topaz. On another exciting note, fans will be able to purchase a replica version of the Fantasy Bra made with Swarovski crystals. 

Halsey performed on the runway in this blockbuster show…

… as well as Rita Ora and Shawn Mendes.

«In this year’s show we had 90 looks, and more than half of them have Swarovski crystals,» said Monica Mitro, EVP Brand Communications and Events for Victoria’s «It’s a really special show for both of our brands because it represents a true partnership. This year we had the greatest number of Swarovski crystals ever used in a show: these included the fully crystallized Swarovski look, plus over half of the other looks. And for the first time ever, we created the Fantasy Bra with Atelier Swarovski using sustainable, Swarovski lab-created diamonds, as well as producing a replica of the Fantasy Bra made with crystals from Swarovski, which we’ll be selling in our stores and online.»

Wearing the coveted Dream Angels Fantasy Bra is the ultimate honor for the Angels, and this year’s lucky recipient was Elsa Hosk, who described the delicate Atelier Swarovski designed bralette style as «very cool, very simple, modern, and so sparkly. If I had designed it myself, it would have looked just like this.»

Swarovski Created Diamonds are responsibly grown in a state-of-the-art lab according to the highest environmental, safety and labor standards, and yet they have the same optical, chemical and physical attributes as mined diamonds: both are 100% carbon, with the same hardness and brilliance. The Swarovski Genuine Topaz comes from traceable sources in Brazil and Sri Lanka. 

The replica bralette will retail at $250 and its matching panty at $98, with the total set featuring over 1,000 Swarovski crystals. Customers will be able to purchase their replica version on November 29 at select Victoria’s Secret stores and online at victoriassecret.com, before the show airs. 

«Swarovski’s partnership with Victoria’s Secret has brought major sparkle to the runways for over 15 years. We’re especially proud of our 2018 collaboration, because we’ve been able to add sparkle to women’s everyday lives by creating a commercial version of the Dream Angels Fantasy Bra,» said Alexander Wellhoefer, SVP for Swarovski Professional North America. 

The show closed with the sumptuous «Celestial Angel» section of the show, where Angel Romee Strijd’s official Swarovski Look transformed her into a shooting star. Made with over 125,000 crystals from Swarovski, the full outfit consisted of a sheer bodysuit hand-beaded with over 70,000 Swarovski crystals and framed by a seven-pointed star wing that took a team of experts over 250 hours to create.

More than 55,000 Swarovski crystals were placed on the celestial star wing.

«Victoria’s Secret and Swarovski have always been such a brilliant collaboration. Once the looks have Swarovski on them they’re elevated to another level. That’s what we look for in every show we do and in every piece we present. When we conceive the looks it’s always with Swarovski in mind because for us, the crystals bring a sense of luxury to the outfits—without them we just wouldn’t have that opulence. It’s essential to have Swarovski crystals in the collection,» said Sophia Neophitou, the show’s Creative Director.

Enjoy more looks and impressions below…
Happy Weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Adriana Lima

Aiden Curtiss

Alexina Graham

Barbara Palvin

Bella Hadid

Candice Swanepoel

Cindy Bruna

Devon Windsor

Duckie Thot

Estelle Chen

Jasmine Tookes

Josephine Skriver

Jourdana Phillips

Kendall Jenner

Lais Riberio

Leomie Anderson

Liu Wen

Martha Hunt

Mayowa Nicholas

Nadine Leopold

Sara Sampaio

Sui He

Toni Garrn

Winnie Harlow

Zuri Tibby

Photos Courtesy of Swarovski/Victoria’s Secret
Thomas Concordia/Getty Images for Swarovski