Sandra‘s Closet

Yesterday, I was invited by Valentino to an enchanting and mysterious evening. The dress code said: «Dark as Le Noir», reminiscent of the Maison’s F/W 2024 collection, for which Pierpaolo Piccioli presented pieces centered around a monochromatic black palette, exploring the depth and versatility of the color black.

The collection was marked by a sense of minimalism and elegance, focusing on silhouettes that ranged from structured to fluid. There was a mix of sharp tailoring and softer, more romantic elements, showcasing a balance between power and delicacy.  Accessories were kept minimal, allowing the garments to speak for themselves.

We started the evening at 6pm at the Valentino pop-up store located on the first floor of the Mandarin Oriental Savoy Zurich. It was very hot and I have to admit that wearing an all black F/W 2024 outfit was not the most convenient choice but this is what you do for fashion :-).

After lots of shopping, lots of bubbly, and great conversations, we left for the secret location which was the LUX am See Restaurant in Zurich. I hadn’t been there before and was curious to explore something new.

I go to many events but I have to tell you that my Valentino family is truly special. The room is simply buzzing with great energy. The team is amazing and shopping at the Valentino store is always a fun experience.

Stay tuned for the outfit post coming up soon!
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LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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From runways to capsule collections, the «cartoonification» trend is becoming a more noticeable fashion phenomenon. When the unruly American art collective For MSCHF‘s launched this spring a pair of Big Red Boots, that are taking inspiration from Dora the Explorer’s best friend Boots and Astro Boy, the cartoonish footwear immediately went viral.

Soft padded leather bag by Prada

But there is more… Prada‘s bags are cartoonishly puffy and Loewe featured some full-on «pixelated» looks on the runway. I mean those 8-bit hoodies look like their coming straight out of a video game.

Pixelated hoodie by Loewe

Fashion can be an escape and a source of joy and humor, while providing direction, creativity, and identity. It is a mirror to what is going on in this world. And let’s be frank, social media has become an all artificial blown-up world, that you can only survive with a sense of humor.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands / © Sandra Bauknecht
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Welcome to Marjendi! Initially presented as a part of the multi-collab Resort 2023 collection at New York Fashion Week last September, which saw the Italian luxury house partner with the likes of Tiffany & Co., Sarah Jessica Parker and Porter to co-design key classics to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the FENDI «Baguette» Bag, the FENDI by Marc Jacobs capsule collection will be available online and in-stores starting on May 11.

First, though, a word on the New York connection. Sex & the City made the Baguette famous. Secondly, Marc Jacobs and Jones go back to their days together at Louis Vuitton, when Jacobs hired Jones to come on board as LV’s menswear creative director in 2011. Thirdly, thinking back, Marc Jacobs was one of a the first serial collaborators himself, see Stephen Sprouse, Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince, and Yayoi Kusama. So it all comes perfectly together.

«I called Marc up and asked him if he wanted to design a collection for Fendi. I haven’t been involved at all,» Jones said to US Vogue. «We worked side by side during fittings. We were doing ours, he was doing his. I’m looking very much at 1997 and I think Mark’s is fresh and now.»

For his take, Jacobs developed a «Fendiroma» logo. He mixed up his own brand codes with Fendi’s, creating a calfskin Baguette emblazoned with the words «The Baguette,» playing off his «The Tote» designs. Marc Jacobs’ Fendi collection sees exaggerated, platformed, oversized, monochromatic silhouettes, with florescent touches across men’s and women’s ready-to-wear.

«In its sinuous lines and elongated forms, the ready-to-wear collection echoes New York’s ‘Gilded Age’ in shape and yet these are ‘everyday’ items of today made into part of the mythology of the city. Here, both fantasy and reality come into play,» the Italian fashion house shared in a press release. Colors range from silvery, glittering, grey, white, fluo yellow, and black with a total Y2K vibe.

I personally love the baguette hoodies, where the front pocket features the full dimensions of the Maxi Baguette bag. The collection also includes jewelry that takes the bow motif taken from the runway, double sole Fendi Domino sneakers (so ’90s), cat-eye sunglasses and extravagant, gigantic, upcycled fur hats.

The Fendi x Marc Jacobs collection is a fashion dream coming true…

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR EXCLUSIVE PRE-ACCESS TO THE COLLECTION.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Fendi
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A global unboxing. Expressing their creative vision, talented stylists have reinterpreted the amazing Unboxing Valentino S/S 2023 collection through an interactive styling experience around the world. From Anna della Russo‘s vibrant approach in the Dubai Mall to Rebecca Corbin-Murray‘s floral windows in London and Clément Lomellini‘s progressive interpretation in Paris. In Switzerland, I had the honor to host the event. It was an amazing day filled with beautiful encounters, and fashionable talks.

Exploring the Unboxing Valentino collection under my creative proposal, clients discovered outfit combinations and different style tips catered to their personal needs.

What is Unboxing Valentino’s S/S 2023 collection about? Designed by Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli, it celebrates the «diversity and complexity within purity». Revealing the essence by «unboxing», hence its name, removing unnecessary things and creating new expressions on the diversity of body, face, history, colour and texture. A second skin is created; conveyed through a palette of sensuous fleshy tones, in beige, light camel and ebony.

Layering plays a key role in the collection, allowing the wearer to play around, to celebrate their own individuality and body type. One must-have is the bodysuit, the second-skin jersey offers the perfect base for every look created.

The Toile Iconographe pattern, first introduced in the S/S 2023 Pre-Collection, is worn head to toe. The VLogo aims at reproducing the effect of monochrome, like an iconographic canvas. The looks can easily be transformed from day to night. Being very versatile, those pieces will be enjoyed for many seasons to come.

Through a framework of couture, Piccioli and his team harmonized volume and shape in complex creations. Coats and jackets, preferably worn oversized, have an urban attitude and are blended with detachable feathers. Personally speaking my favorite is the nude androgynous blazer – I couldn’t resist this one. Following the «unboxing» principle, it is lined with an organza vest, revealing its immaculate sartorial craftsmanship.

Vibrant shades are also introduced, from red to violet blue, from teal green to yellow. Worn in combination with fleshy tones, the bicolor options offer a modern, yet sophisticated approach to the day and night wardrobe.

I have fallen in love with the dresses created in «oblique plissé» that allow its wearer to change their look just by removing the cape shoulder with a button placed on the center back. The shape of the dress is achieved just by the underpinned body which works as its only lining. Airy, light, dynamic and absolutely modern, those dresses are a must for summer.

Precious embroideries take center stage on separates and outerwear pieces. A new technique has been introduced that demands extreme precision and expertise, the «plissé embroidery». For the first time presented at the S/S 2023 show, it requires nine different craftsmanship steps to obtain these one-of-a-kind pieces. My stunner piece of the collection is the beautiful coat in aquarium color, it needed a place in Sandra’s Closet.

For night, I recommend pairing your look with one of the stunning sparkly bags that the Maison offers. Available in the most vibrant shades, they add the perfect touch to every outfit.

Fashion is a language that speaks to everyone, and this collection does just that. It celebrates individuality and diversity while emphasising the importance of removing the inessential to reveal the essence. The Unboxing Valentino S/S 2023 collection inspires people to express themselves and their identities by capturing their own essence.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht/ Rian Davidson 
DISCLOSURE: Paid collaboration with Valentino. #PartnershipwithValentino #SuppliedbyValentino
We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise..

From New York to London, Milan and Paris, in this post I round up the biggest trends of the summer season. Color is very important, worn in a mostly monochrome way, from shades of beige, to magenta, red, lilac and baby blue. For the more daring, neon hues and cutouts are leading the way.

Cargo pants, biker jackets and fringes are absolute must-haves! Enjoy those beautiful collections.

LoL, Sandra

If you buy one thing for spring, make it a pair of multi-pocketed cargo pants. From their origins in the British army in the late 1930s to today, cargo pants have not aged a bit. This season they are elevated to fashion essentials.

Flannel shirts are an object of desire courtesy of Bottega Veneta and Dr Martens are still holding strong. Enjoy this ’90s grunge.

Denim takes up the Y2K mantle for spring, which means waistlines are down, bellies are exposed, and knee-high boots haven’t been spared either. Begin by reacquainting yourself with Alexander McQueen’s Bumsters, first debuted as part of his Taxi Driver collection for F/W 1993.

Fluorescent shades of blue, green and yellow boosted the summery allure of the silhouettes, which came with a futuristic aesthetic at Balenciaga or Miu Miu.

The baby blues, a soft chromatic mood tinted the second skin silhouettes, which were resolutely fluid and innocent.

For seasons on end, pops of purple have given way to sweeping, head-to-toe lilac looks. You better get used to it!

Magenta is the Pantone Color of the Year 2023, so no wonder shades of red are all over the runways. But it is nothing for the shy, the trend expects you to sport the vibrant shade head-to-toe. My favorite? Ferragamo’s all over sparkles.

The monochromatic silhouette came only in shades of beige. Miu Miu, Max Mara and Dior case fashion staples rather than statement pieces, daring to layer up classic basics in varying hues.

Blending craftsmanship and ’70s charm, crochet remains a failsafe option for summer.

The latest take on fringing is a far cry from its bohemian aesthetic, with the detail adorning even the most sophisticated pieces in your wardrobe.

Hints of fringing feathers and glitter details are bringing back the Roaring Twenties! However the ’20s glamour got a minimalist makeover, without compromising on elegance.

Let’s ride! From the street to the runway, the biker trend is showing no sign of slowing down.

Literal interpretations of the gothic style were replaced by a soft grunge talk on the aesthetic. Black dominates the goth girl look. Complete the vibe by playing on volume and transparency.

Transparency create a silhouette that is sexier than ever. The must-have black dresses of the season hinted at glimpses at several designers.

In what was an ingenious display of creativity, fashion played with optical illusions, unveiling troupe-l’oeil pieces that transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Whether with a new twist on a bouquet or with lifelike tropical flowers, designers transformed simple garments into blossoming works of art.

Living out our costume-drama dreams has never been so easy, thanks to the return of 16th-century farthingales, 17th-century panniers and 19th-century crinolines.

Hoods are the strangely sexy accessory taking over the summer runways. Totally reminiscent of the most renowned Alaïa muse, Grace Jones, who triumphed this look in the ’80s.

Cutouts have moved to a very daring spot. Nothing for the shy…

As the world gets more inclusive, fashion is a welcome way to express your current mood. That means you can dress up as much as you like to get all the attention. References from previous decades are a welcome source of inspiration. Even the poodle skirt is back!

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

This season, I flew to Milan Fashion Week to indulged in a 2-day extravaganza with MOSCHINO. I started with a shopping spree in their newly opened boutique located at Via della Spiga, 26, followed by the highlight of my trip. I attended the F/W 2023 show, followed by a backstage visit to meet Jeremy Scott and an intimate dinner with my MOSCHINO family.

Arriving at the venue with my MOSCHINO family.

With Massimo Ferretti, who is the executive chairman of parent company Aeffe SpA, that he founded in 1980 with his sister Alberta Ferretti. Aeffe SpA owns Moschino.

Ever wonder what it’s like before a runway show? Before the crowds, the music and glamour; what really happens when the guests arrive? I always say that there is already a fashion show happening outside. Streetstyle photographers try to capture the best outfits as well as the celebrities who are attending the défilé. While backstage the models get ready, I’ve always been intrigued by how designers cope with the stress of fashion shows. I mean it is the most important minutes of their entire season.

A fashion show backstage is packed with models, designers, managers, stylists, makeup artists, hairdressers, publicists, and other fashion elite who are there to ensure a fabulous show. Behind the scenes, there’s an army of people working frantically to make sure the fashion show goes off without a hitch. So you can imagine the relief when everything is over. Going backstage after a show is such a great experience.

Having fun with Italian actress Chiara Francini backstage.

This season, I was able to talk to Jeremy and congratulated him on his beautiful collection. He is such a sweetheart and held my hands the entire conversation.

I hope that you enjoyed my photo documentary, for the runway show itself, click here please. And for the post about my yummy outfit, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Nadia Krawiecka
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For F/W 2023, Jeremy Scott does pop-punk the MOSCHINO way. With a nod to Salvador Dalí’s famous painting «The Persistence of Memory», Scott’s hems and shoes looked a little like the famous Melting Clocks.

The show started with a series of beautiful separates with «melted hemlines». Every model completed the look with a towering, spikey mohawk hairdo. I loved the aristo-punk vibe of the collection, featuring large crystal gems and even larger metal spikes as motifs.

Stunning dresses, mostly embellished, will make the heart of every punk princess leap with joy. One of my favorite looks was a soft lavender petticoat tulle gown with matching opera gloves covered in a flashy array of gems.

In general, the Italian Maison’s collections are often characterized by a huge sense of playfulness. This collection seems more «wearable» with lots of great evening options. I love it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Nadia Krawiecka
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For F/W 2022, British designer Ian Griffiths, who joined Max Mara in 1987, seeked inspiration after seeing the major retrospective of the work of Sophie Taeuber-Arp at the Tate Modern in London. She was not only an artist, but also an architect, a dancer and a designer at the same time. During the turbulent early decades of the twentieth century, she met at Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich, with fellow artists of the avant-garde including Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Giorgio de Chirico, Max Ernst and Guillaume Apollinaire night after night. Their performances, publications, recitals and readings produced an astonishing new aesthetic: Dada, a call for peace corresponding with the outbreak of World War I, which resonates with the times we are living in now.

Max Mara F/W 22

From the beginning, Max Mara’s ethos has been to turn ideas into garments that women will not only desire but want to live in: an all-round wardrobe for the modern, stylish yet elegant strong woman. Always respecting the philosophy and iconic elements of the brand, the colour camel, for example, Ian Griffiths is constantly looking for styles that show self-expression. Whimsy was the desired effect of the teddy bear material for F/W 2022, which the designer cut not just into oversized enveloping coats, but also full skirts both short and long, dresses and even sweatpants.

Personally speaking, I was immediately drawn to the Mito camel hair maxi dress, «the teddy dress». This long dress comes with fitted sleeveless bodice in double pure camel fabric, with a slightly low waist. The wide skirt is made of pure camel teddy fabric, with slant pockets on the sides. It is lined with monogram fabric and comes with a concealed back zip fastening. For me, a must-have for my museum. Stay tuned to see me wearing it very soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Max Mara and © Sandra Bauknecht
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Last night, I got spoilt by CHANEL. The French Maison had staged its Cruise 2023 Paris – Monte Carlo collection in an amazing setting at Galerie Gmurzynska for me. As I hadn’t been to the show that took place in May on the pebbled beach in Monaco, it was a great opportunity to browse and try all my favorite looks from the runway before they will be officially in stores.

Inspired by the Formula One, CHANEL was heading a destination that is an integral part of its history, Monaco. It was a beautiful nod to Gabrielle Chanel who had built her villa La Pausa in 1929 on the heights of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, and also to the late Karl Lagerfeld, who loved to visit in the summer, from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, at La Vigie, his famous villa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

The collection? Imagining the luxurious and cosmopolitan beach lifestyle of the Côte d’Azur, as well as the Grand Prix and the ballet that Monaco is so famous for, Virginie Viard came up with some kitsch Formula-One inspired fashion (my favorite part of the show – the first jumpsuit in red and white is to die for), embroidered baseball caps, black-and-white swimsuits, glamorous sequins and ensembles in breezy crochet.

The accessories were playful and fun. Enjoy the photos to explore more.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © CHANEL
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Before showing you the details of one of my favorite outfits for F/W 2022, I would like to take you to the moment when it all started. In March 2022, I attended the Valentino F/W 2022 presentation. The invite, created with artist and writer Douglas Coupland, was beautifully done in pink and my gut feeling told me to wear something in this color family.

Beautiful show invitation and surprises from Valentino

The moment I entered the show location at Carreau du Temple in Paris, I perfectly blended in. The hall was decorated in all pink – giving the audience a hint of what would be coming up. However, I think nobody would have expected the full spectrum.

Details of my look coming up shortly… it’s all Valentino from different seasons.

For Valentino‘s F/W 2022 collection, Pierpaolo Piccioli focused on a single color, hot pink. A shade, developed in collaboration with Pantone, and exclusive to Valentino, so catchy and energetic that it deserves its own name, Valentino Pink PP. Right before the show started, Zendaya, the Maison’s muse, arrived in a pink power suit with floral appliqués from the new collection. The American star is also the face of the Valentino Pink PP Collection campaign.

For the designer, «it was a monochromatic journey into the realm of possibility.» Every look on his runway was pink or it was black. Needless to stay, the vibrant fuchsia tone stole the show. The Pink PP collection emphasized textures, materials, and precious items details.

Radical. Monochromatic. Beautiful. Valentino’s La vie en rose presented couture and oversized silhouettes created with interesting materials, from silk faille, to silky wool, to feather embellishments Piccoli is known for. Jumpsuits with graphic necklines, cargo trousers, transparent blouses, knitwear made with sequins, 3D floral embellishments, cut-out bustiers, and spectacular dresses encrusted with crystals, flowers and/or bows. The looks were completed by full-length tights in the respective color and vertiginous platforms, that gave the impression of ultra long legs. Something we all want.

Thus Valentino moved from the signature red to pink and that translated also into the labels and shopping bags this season. The collection has been ultra successful so far, selling out like crazy.

My favorite dress from the collection. It was love at first sight when I saw it on the runway (left) and the next day in the showroom(right).

When you buy a Valentino Pink PP piece, each item will be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (available only for pink items) to celebrate its unique identity.

Pink PP charisma takes the globe. The Maison celebrates the new Valentino Pink PP collection, making its mark with installations in cities around the world. I shot my first look (yep, I got many… this collection is too good!) in front of the store at 27 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, that was wrapped all in pink during Paris Fashion Week.

Landed in pink paradise when I visited the showroom the next day to see everything close up.

Below you can see more impressions from the show, my showroom visit and some of the celebrities who attended the runway show.

LoL, Sandra

American actress Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical )

Gilda Ambrosio (The Attico – a brand I love)

My lovely host Libby Page, Market Director at NET-A-PORTER

Obsessed with these heels!

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Valentino 
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.