Sandra‘s Closet

I love Toile de Jouy, abbreviated «toile», the type of decorating pattern consisting of a usually white or off-white background on which a repeated pattern in a single colour depicting a fairly complex scene, generally of a pastoral theme such as a couple having a picnic by a lake or an arrangement of flowers. PLEASE don’t miss the end of this post…. it is naughty Sunday and I have the most exciting toile pattern for you.

Toiles were originally produced in Ireland in the mid-18th Century and quickly became popular in Britain and France. The term, Toile de Jouy, originated in France and literally means «cloth from Jouy-en-Josas», a town in the south-west suburbs of Paris.

A Dior window filled with toile pieces from the Resort 2019 collection.

Mostly associated with fabrics  for curtains and upholstery in particular as well as wallpaper, toile is also used on teapots, and beddings. For Resort 2019, many fashion designers have rediscovered the pattern that was widely worn on shirts in the ’70s. This season, the fabric looks stunning on long skirts and accessories. Don’t miss Dior‘s take on it. It is my favorite. Oscar de la Renta‘s Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia are inspired by bridal registry china – the idea struck after the design duo flicked through a Wedgwood book by Rizzoli.

Enjoy the best pieces below:

Pleated floral-print cotton-blend midi skirt by Oscar de la Renta

TRO floral-print textured-leather shoulder bag by Oscar de la Renta

Isa toile double waist skirt by Tibi

Printed voile cotton skirt by Dior

Lady Dior Toile de Jour bag by Dior

When my manicurist Megan Biggi‘s moved to a new location (the best in Zurich, click here for her contact information), we were talking about the interior design of the room. During the conversation, I recommended this Toile de Jouy traditional pattern that is revisited with a new humoristic and pertinent approach, showing some erotic scenes that you only discover when you look closer. She loved the idea and now one wall in her spa is decorated with the high quality wallpaper as you can see below. I think it absolutely looks fantastic!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE EROTIC TOILE WALLPAPER, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, I have some rather gorgeous newness to share with you from Cult Gaia.

You all loved her Ark clutch when they launched, (it broke the internet – for the previous post click here please) then then came the shoes, then the jewellery and accessories and now STOP-THE-PRESS!! there is ready-to-wear.

Ark Clutch

As if that wasn’t enough, we can now wear Cult Gaia head-to-toe and the full looks definitely don’t disappoint. Charming and understated, simple yet elegant, picture yourself wearing some of these looks on vacation or to a garden party for that ultimate desireable wardrobe.

TO SHOP CULT GAIA READY-TO-WEAR, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Cult Gaia

Here is my outfit that I wore to the event that I hosted with Prada past Tuesday at their Zurich shop. All pieces are from the Resort 2019 collection and in stores now.

My look: Roll-neck floral-print mini dress, chunky plex chain necklace, plex earrings, silk headband, Sibylle bag in blue and black, and sling back chunky heel pump, all by Prada.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography

On Tuesday, I hosted a lovely event with Prada at their Zurich store on Bahnhofstrasse to explore the new Resort 2019 collection. In a previous post, I already wrote about the beautiful pieces and how pioneering Miuccia Prada‘s designs for the new season are. In case you have missed it, I invite you to click here for more information.

Enjoying a glass of bubbly while indulging in fashion among friends, do I have to say more? Everything was just perfect. I put together some of my favorite looks and explained how I would style the looks to achieve this interesting kind of twist. Below you can enjoy some impressions and more details about the must-have pieces.

I adore these new shirts so much. It seems to be a traditional striped classic, but if you look closer, you will be surprised by its updated look with brocade ruffles and a zipper.

The new mini suede skirts come with a ruffled hem and are surely among the bestselling pieces.

Here is a look I styled with everything I love from this collection: the ruffled leather skirts, brocade fabrics, knitted loafers and the fun mix of colours.

The knitted footwear also comes as a pointed toe version with a high heel in several colour combinations. To die for!

Everyone loved the headpieces in silk that are available in several colours.

I am also a big fan of the patterns – something Miuccia Prada is famous for.

These trapper hats are the perfect way to stay warm and stylish at once.

The new Sidonie bags – a curvaceous, ergonomic shape, a modern classic rediscovered.
For a previous post, click here please.

A pair of brocade pants will spice up every look.

The new jewellery pieces that I also wore that night are extremely beautiful and easy to wear.

Thank you everyone for coming and Prada for having me!
Everything you see in this post is available now in the Zurich store, pass by… it is worth the visit!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
Photos in collage: Courtesy of Prada, © David Biedert Photography © Sandra Bauknecht

PRADA REINVENTS ITS OWN CLASSICS FOR RESORT 2019
Established in 1913 at Milan’s prestigious Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Prada is one of the world’s most iconic luxury fashion houses. Contemporary art and society inspire its collections, which are designed by visionary Miuccia Prada, granddaughter of founder Mario. Miuccia is fashion’s undisputed trendsetter and mood maker.

In the mid-90s she made ugly chic. For Resort 2019, she went exactly through her rich archive to revisit her famous ’90s decade. In times when everybody is doing more, she takes us back to minimalism but in a modern and updated way – spiced up with geek chic athleticism and playful embellishments.

Many of the pieces felt like revamps of prior Prada classics: a quirky mix of chunky loafers, the famous «yes, they are bad, that is why they are so good» patterns, low waists, kick flares, and opulent brocades combined with leather polos, sequin-studded tights, plastic necklaces and trapper hats. Think of me, once again, it’s Prada’s inimitable way with texture… Miuccia has started a wave. More is more or let’s say more is less. Maximalism is not over, just different.

LOCATION
In May 2018, Miuccia Prada chose the seventh floor of the Herzog & de Meuron–designed Prada HQ in New York as the venue. The transformation of the former piano factory was the first project entrusted to the famous architects by Prada in 2000. It was a kind of a striptease of the existing building: all architectural elements were removed so only the naked concrete structure remained.

THE SHOW
The space was kept as open and empty as possible for the fashion show. Only one new element was added to the space: large floating panels reflecting the cityscape outside and thus transferring images of the real city deep inside the space of the presentation. In addition to the real image of the city, other images of virtual cityscapes were projected onto the boards for an intriguing mix of inside and outside, of analogical and virtual realities.

PERSONAL NOTE
I have been a fan of Miuccia Prada from the beginning. A Prada nylon backpack was my school bag and I always felt very strong in her designs. When I studied fashion design, I realized how advanced her thinking is. She is a true pioneer and with her Resort 2019 collection she got the ball rolling again. Is the world ready for a return to minimalism? Probably in a different way than what we are used to. Look at the manicure for the Resort 2019 show, it is minimalistic yet maximalist. It depends on the way of looking at things… as Miuccia says: «Fashion is instant language». Do you speak Prada?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada

The playful pussycat has long been central to Miu Miu’s heritage, finding its way onto everything from ready-to-wear and accessories to pearl and crystal encrusted jewelry. New for the holiday season is the ‘little cats’ capsule collection of Shetland wool sweaters inlaid with some of the most celebrated feline characters in the history of animation.

True to the multi-facetted nature of the Miu Miu girl – and indeed the animal in question – these range in spirit from grand to cute and cuddly, from mischievous to plain mean. The collection celebrates famous kittens from iconic stories including the playfully cute Marie from Disney’s The AristoCats (1970), and Dinah – Alice’s beloved kitten from the magical Disney original movie Alice in Wonderland (1951). Completing the collection is Snowball II, the cat that ironically replaced The Simpsons’ (1990) first family cat, Snowball.

The ‘little cats’ capsule collection of Shetland wool sweaters comes in shades of purple, yellow and green and is available from mid November 2018 in selected Miu Miu stores and at Mytheresa.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu and © Disney

From the It-bag to the It-belt…! Drawing inspiration from the ezcaramuzas of Mexico (female equestrians in the traditional Mexican rodeo known as charrería), Maria Grazia Chiuri has designed a number of feminine outfits for the DIOR Cruise 2019 collection with eye-catching details: Corsets and wide leather belts in plain black or totally embroidered in Mexican flowers emphasized the models’ waists. In reference to the equestrian world and the House’s heritage, each style of belt is in the form of the ‘Saddle’ bag with its emblematic curved flap and tab decorated with a golden “D”.

Those belts will be flying off the shelves now…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of DIOR

For Resort 2019 Miuccia Prada helped to give us the 90’s rebirth we needed after all this ’80s dominance. And let’s be honest, it had to be her to celebrate this nineties nostalgia as she was the designer who had actually invented the «ugly chic» at that time. She looked through the archives, specifically her collections from the 1990s, for references this season.

The PRADA Resort 2019 show took place in New York City.

The outcome? Printed low-slung trousers with matching jackets, amazing leather coats and my favorite looks, belted miniskirts with ruffled detailing combined with cute polo tops. Moreover a new bag shape, that will probably sell out very fast.

Sidonie Bag Resort 2019

Meet the PRADA Sidonie that evokes elements of the archetypal bags presented in S/S 2000: a curvaceous, ergonomic shape, a modern classic rediscovered.

The inspiration behind the new PRADA Resort 2019 Sidonie Bag can be clearly seen in this ad campaign from S/S 2000.

Sidonie Bag Resort 2019

PRADA bags from S/S 2000 that I have in my closet.

A PRADA bag is always a great investment. I went through my closet to dust these S/S 2000 beauties. As I keep on recommending… don’t throw away your designer items, there will always be a time again for them. And those bags have just found their moment again.

Needless to say, I also would like to buy a new Sidonie bag for my own personal PRADA collection. I adore this blue and black version:

Sidonie Bag Resort 2019

The metal hardware details – plaques and buckles – draw on the brand heritage of superlative luggage-making, established by Mario Prada in 1913, juxtaposed with a modern shape, delicately curved and finely-balanced.

Sidonie Bag Resort 2019

The style is proposed in dual models, top-fastening or flap fronted with, respectively, a cross-body strap or haut, curved and shaped handle to be held on the shoulder for a new attitude. Both are offered in an entire wardrobe of fine calfskin and precious leathers.

PRADA Sidonie is a new character of the brand, a heroine, to be discovered. In stores this month.

’90s nostalgia with a modern twist! Bravo, Miuccia Prada!

LoL, Sandra

The PRADA Resort 2019 campaign: retro meets future.

Photos: Courtesy of Prada and © Sandra Bauknecht

Fashionistas, attention please! CHANEL’s new Spring 2019 sunglasses will hit the stores this month and some of them will surely fly off the shelves. So better reserve your favorites now.

But what makes them stand out? It is the chain, an iconic signature at CHANEL. As an underlying theme of the season, it punctuates the frames for a multitude of possible styles and ways of being worn. A jewellery chain, ultra-feminine, an implicit fashion statement and a resolutely CHANEL allure… and moreover very practical!

Available in three solar frames (the same goes for the optical versions) – round, square and pantos (a combination of round and oval) – they are adorned with a metal link chain reminiscent of those that the seamstresses slip into the linings of jackets to ensure an impeccable drop. I have always loved this detail at CHANEL.

On certain versions, which will be the bestsellers, they come as a trio of chains: metal links, woven with leather and beaded. They reinterpret the idea of both an item of jewellery and an accessory, focusing on versatility to accentuate their fashionable design. Attached to the temples with a discreet link, they become a necklace when the glasses are not being worn on the face.

Then there are the Cruise 2019 show pieces. Sporting maritime influence, I love to get such a bold pair of sunglasses: as round as boat portholes, they play with pop block colour. Their intensely blue lenses really show the world… in blue.

Karl and Suzy have already been wearing them… and probably you soon, too.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL, © Sandra Bauknecht and via Instagram @suzymenkes

On the bridge of the La Pausa liner last May, Karl Lagerfeld imagined a collection inspired by cruise ships. The silhouette is happy, thought out for travelling comfortably and with style, just as Gabrielle Chanel did. Onboard the Flying Cloud, the yacht belonging to the Duke of Westminster, the designer liked to wear simple outfits, fine knitwear, pleated skirts and low-heeled shoes fastened with a strap. In block colour or two-tone, Mademoiselle would also wear them ashore, most often with light knits and mid-length skirts.

Gabrielle Coco Chanel

These shoes feature regularly in Karl Lagerfeld’s Ready-to-Wear and Haute Couture collections, each time in new previously unseen forms: precious or understated, with a single or double strap, flat or with a heel, according to the designer’s imagination.

For the Resort 2019 collection, Karl Lagerfeld reinvents them as «children’s party shoes» to punctuate the looks of the collection. Imagined in silver goatskin, in white calfskin or embellished with sequins, and perched on a little heel, this new version brings elegance and femininity to a shoe long associated with children’s wear.

With their rounded toe, they follow in the line of the ballerina, the emblematic CHANEL shoe. The designer has also created a casual-chic sportswear version with a rubber sneaker sole.

The Resort 2019 CHANEL collection will be in boutiques from November 2018.
Do you like these shoes? Personally speaking I am not so sure… .

LoL, Sandra

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Photos: Courtesy of CHANEL
#CHANELCruise