Sandra‘s Closet

Today marks the launch of Alexa Chung‘s debut collection ALEXACHUNG. Drawing on the model, muse and journalist’s own idiosyncratic sense of style, her beautiful collection applies over a decade of experience in the fashion industry and is packed with personality and humour. “Music has had a huge influence on my work as have my friends,” she explains, citing icons Jane Birkin, Brian Jones, David Hockney and David Bowie as inspiration. I especially love her fun slogan tops and the gorgeous denim overall.

To celebrate the new line, luxury online retailer MYTHERESA has joined forces with musician Mike Skinner to produce the second instalment of mytheresa.com tunes.

In 2004 English musician, The Street’s Mike Skinner booked a then unknown model, Alexa Chung, to star in the music film clip of “I could well be in”. They met again for the first time in twelve years at a mytheresa.com intimate dinner in Germany and an idea ensued. To celebrate the launch of Alexa’s collection, mytheresa.com re-united them for the mytheresa.com tunes series. The song “In my head – the darker the shadow the brighter the light”, is classic Mike Skinner prose and features Alexa Chung narrating her way through Ireland, from the iconic Lismore Castle to the dive bars of Cork, in selected looks from her debut collection.

Being the first mytheresa.com woman in a series of inspiring women, there is a special bonding between mytheresa.com and Alexa Chung since 2013 when the first joint project launched. Since then Alexa Chung has attended several mytheresa.com events (click here please for a previous post), but was also the main character of the very first mytheresa.com tunes instalment for the launch of AC by AG jeans, singing a cover of “Blue Denim” by Stevie Nicks.

TO SHOP ALEXACHUNG ONLINE AT MYTHERESA, CLICK HERE PLEASE. Alternatively, the collection is also available at NET-A-PORTER.

LoL, Sandra

Photos and Video: Courtesy of Mytheresa.com and via Vogue UK

Last week, I had the chance to preview the upcoming H&M Conscious Exclusive Collection 2017 at the new showroom in Zurich which is a dream by the way. The Swedish fashion house knows how to amaze us when it comes to affordable fashion, but it’s the work the brand is doing with its latest sustainable line that will blow you away.

Natalia Vodianova is the face of the campaign and looks absolutely divine in my favorite dress of the collection: a dreamy, blush-pink gown that seems to float on air, made of the new material BIONIC® – a recycled polyester made from recovered plastic from shorelines, waterways and coastal communities.

It is the very same plastic that is constantly polluting our beach ecosystems that is used throughout the newest Conscious lineup. Have a look at the video at the end of this post explaining the new material further.

Launching in stores and online April 20, you can enjoy here the mind-blowing preview of the future of fashion.

The full assortment will also include of men’s and kids’ clothes and accessories as well for the first time a fragrance.

LoL, Sandra

My favorite dress on display in the Zurich showroom…

… along with more beautiful pieces from the collection.

Those tulle dresses are also absolutely beautiful.

Photos: Courtesy of © H&M and © Sandra Bauknecht

The launch of VOGUE ARABIA is not only a milestone for the Arab fashion scene, it is a milestone for the world of print and online media itself. In a historic move for a Vogue magazine edition, it first launched as a digital website in October 2016 before focusing on print from Spring 2017.

Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, Editor-in-Chief Vogue Arabia.

The magazine will be distributed in several Middle East countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz is the Editor-in-Chief of the 22nd edition of Vogue. The publication is a partnership between Condé Nast and Dubai-based media company Nervora.

In the beginning of this month, I had the honor to receive the first print edition as an exclusive preview and I absolutely adore this issue, which is published in Arabic and English. The cover features model Gigi Hadid, who is half Palestinian and half Dutch, photographed by Inez and Vinoodh. Visually, undoubtedly this is one of the best Vogue covers of all time.

“In one poised photograph, she communicates a thousand words to a region that’s been waiting far too long for its Vogue voice to speak,” says the Editor-in-Chief, Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz.

Arabia’s fashion awakening is here. Stay tuned for more.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Vogue Arabia, © Sandra Bauknecht and © Marcy Swingle for The New York Times

Graphic silhouettes stand out against an immaculate background like an arty collage. For the S/S 2017 ad campaign, Karl Lagerfeld plays with contrasts as he captures the metamorphosis of a contemporary creature, one minute a pop Lolita, the next a cyber punk. Bold colours or black and white, close-ups or bodies in motion, the campaign highlights the explosive combinations from a collection that is feminine and yet ultra-modern.

Both gentle and daring, a dress in navy blue silk crêpe and lace is coupled with the comfort of an embroidered tweed jacket whose motif echoes an electronic circuit board.

Beneath a knitted cardigan the lace of a playsuit in satin crêpe is revealed, while a coat in off-white silk and lace covers a black babydoll worn with suede booties adorned with touch fasteners. Opposites attract as the feminine spirit of lingerie fuses with the singularity of new materials and playful references to the online world.

The silhouettes combine striking pieces and an accumulation of pieces of fine jewellery. A silk jacket with a hypnotic print is embellished with sautoirs and necklaces in white or yellow gold, diamonds and multi-colour cultured pearls, and with rings and earrings in white gold and diamonds, from the Plume de CHANEL, Sous le signe du Lion, Camélia and Ruban collections. The high-tech aesthetic of two J12 watches in white ceramic completes the look.

A series of resin and silvery metal cuffs accessorise a patent leather jacket worn with the BOY CHANEL handbag, the iconic House handbag revisited here in a perforated white leather version.

A fanny pack nonchalantly clashes with a multi-colour cotton tweed jacket and skirt ensemble worn with a yellow crêpe de chine blouse.

Finally booties or ballet flats, low-heeled shoes that play with detail, liberate the movements of this digital Amazon.

Inventive and mischievous, the S/S 2017 campaign recreates the energy of the Data Center Chanel runway show. And the free spirit of the House of CHANEL gazes ever forward to the future.

#DataCenterChanel
#SpringSummer2017

Personally, I am so in love with this open back little black jacket to the right. And Arizona Muse was the perfect model for the campaign. Bravo, Karl Lagerfeld! Well done!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chanel 2017 / © Olivier Saillant / © Karl Lagerfeld

Today, I had an amazing day in NYC that was filled with so many outstanding impressions and special moments. One of them was meeting Carolyn Murphy, who has been the face of Estée Lauder for 15 consecutive years. The minute we spoke, it was a match made in heaven.

She is not only so beautiful from the outside but also from the inside. Before I tell you more about this special encounter, I would like you to get inspired by her extraordinary outfit.

Get her look: Printed midi dress by Saint Laurent, embroidered suede shoulder bag by Aerin, Nim patent-leather sandals by Alexandre Birman.

Stay tuned for more…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

WELCOME TO NOW
It’s a new era at Tommy Hilfiger.
We’re breaking the old-school rules of the runway and giving instant access to our Fall
2016 Hilfiger Collection and the new TOMMYXGIGI capsule. These are our greatest
hits, remixed and restyled for the digital age and shoppable the moment the lights go up.
We look to the classic codes of our 30-year arsenal––nautical, sport, rock-n-roll,
Americana––and give everything a modern day swagger. We’ve played with proportions
and fabrics, making signature details pop. It’s nautical meets street; inspired by Gigi
Hadid and designed to be worn as you like it.
This is the show I’ve always wanted to present. A true democratization of fashion, so
get on board––this is #TommyNow. – Tommy Hilfiger

Such as Tom Ford, who presented his first-ever in season fashion show for F/W 2016 this week in NYC, Tommy Hilfiger is living the «now» moment with #TOMMYNOW. As I told you earlier this week, «see now, buy now» is in full effect and digital becomes more important than ever.

And Hilfiger, the «American Dreamer», has set the bar high for any future fashion events with a set design that was truly outstanding including a 40-foot ferris wheel, a public carnival, food, games and of course his new muse Gigi Hadid that has launched her capsule collection with the brand simultaneously. Tommy Hilfiger’s runway shows had always been amazing but this one was absolutely special. The show was live-streamed and immediately shoppable on Tommy.com. In addition, all Tommy Hilfiger retailers and locations across the globe have now everything available for purchase.

Explore the collection that offers everything Tommy Hilfiger stands for, the famous «classic American cool» style and the amazing set design below.

TO SHOP THE #TOMMYNOW RUNWAY COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

YOU CAN SHOP THE COLLECTION ALSO ON MYTHERESA.COM.

LoL, Sandra

Look 1 -Gigi Hadid

Look 10 – Sara Sampaio

Look 20  – Frederrike Falbe-Hansen

Look 23 – Hailey Baldwin

Look 32 – Fei Fei Sun

Look 33 –  Paulina Frankowska

Look 36 (final look) – Gigi Hadid

Famous front row: Taylor Swift

Photos: Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger

This season, PRADA brings you a delicate new addition to the Prada Candy universe. Inspired by fashion, music and the pop culture of the ’60s, Prada Candy Kiss is composed around one single note, an overdose of powdery musk that is wrapped up in orange blossom and vanilla.

The Prada Candy family from left to right: Prada Candy Kiss (2016), Prada Candy L’Eau (2013), Prada Candy (2011) and Prada Candy Florale (2014).

Under the creative direction of Miuccia Prada, Daniela Andrier has created this delicate gourmand cocktail that is quite addictive, oriental, sweet and powdery, evoking thousands of kisses.

The campaign was shot by Steven Meisel who transformed US model Lexi Boling in a seductive pop icon.

Prada Candy Kiss is available as Eau de Parfum in three different sizes: 30ml (CHF 82.00), 50ml (CHF 110.00) and 80ml (CHF 140.00).

TO SHOP PRADA PRET-A-PORTER ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada

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

We believe in the Easter Bunny all year around as those amazingly cute pieces would be a shame not to be worn more than one weekend. Kate Moss knows how to do it!

Get the bunny look in style here:

1 Printed cotton-jersey sweatshirt by McQ Alexander McQueen
2 Bunny leather clutch by Hillier Bartley
3 Flocked glittered cotton-jersey T-shirt by McQ Alexander McQueen
4 Swarovski crystal-embellished tulle bunny ear headband by Fleur Du Mal + Playboy
5 Satin and patent-leather sandals by Gianvito Rossi
6 Bunny ponte bodysuit by Fleur Du Mal + Playboy
7 Heidi patchwork cotton bunny ears headband by Maison Michel

Enjoy your Easter weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via Playboy January/February 2014

Karl Lagerfeld has chosen Cara Delevingne as the face of the S/S 2016 CHANEL eyewear campaign. Since 2012, the young actress has been a close friend of the House and of Karl Lagerfeld. She has walked the runway several times and appeared in different campaigns.

For the S/S 2016 eyewear campaign, she sports a very urban and contemporary look wearing pieces from the CHANEL AIRLINES ready-to-wear collection. The new must-have shades have been presented on the catwalk last October during the S/S 2016 show: an ultra-graphic, mirrored mask with a quilting effect engraved by laser.

Other eyewear models for this summer are:

The Plein Soleil 2016 collection revisits the two-tone – an emblematic House signature – and is inspired by tie-dye motifs. The colours subtly melt into the acetate, sliding progressively from black into blue on the cat-eye sunglasses, and from black into white on an oval optical.

The Bijou 2016 eyewear collection draws inspiration from another CHANEL code: the camellia. The temples of the butterfly shaped sunglasses and a cat-eye optical are adorned with an abundance of camellias in metal and enamel.

The campaign has been shot by Karl Lagerfeld and is expected to be released in April 2016.

#ChanelSunglasses
#ChanelSpringSummer2016

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel