Sandra‘s Closet

 

Louis Vuitton’s F/W 2011 show had already the best invitation with a gorgeous tassel hanging from it. Marc Jacobs also touched the Parisian World War II-era like Miu Miu did but he added a fetish vibe which is said to be a metaphore for women’s obsession with bags. Talking about the power of a handbag which brand could be better than Louis Vuitton.

The show’s decor was absolutely amazing. Four elevators transported the models on stage. Porters for each opened the lift doors like in a luxury hotel.

The looks were all about peaked caps, sculpted jackets, jodhpur pants, tiny little briefs and below-the-knee pencil skirts.

Later on, French maids in plasticized lace and embellishments in the shape of masks and handcuffs started to exalt the imagination.

Kate Moss presented the last look waving a cigarette and looked smoking hot in both senses. If you are interested, you can watch the show by clicking here.

The must-have Louis Vuitton bag for F/W 2011 will be the reinterpreted 1958 top-handle Lockit bag. For the show, some versions had a diamond encrusted handcuff attached to it.
What can you say… such a Louis Vuitton handbag is for life.

Below you can see which celebrities were spotted at the show. I hope that you will like it.

LoL, Sandra

The Miu Miu F/W 2011 show took place at the Palais d’ Iéna in Paris, the seat of the Conseil Economique, Social et Environnemental (CESE). It was the first time that the Palace’s spaces, which were designed by the famous architect Auguste Perret, were used for a fashion show.

With its striking views of the Eiffel tower, the location was just perfect for a collection that transported the audience back to World War II-era Paris. But it wouldn’t be Miuccia Prada if she didn’t surprise us. The retro vibe was definitely there but absolutely modernized.

The bare legs of the models ended in super sharp glitter sandal booties. Mink was twisted around the hips and the clutch bags looked like gigantic coin purses. The silhouettes were no doubt `40s with bold-shouldered jackets and slim pencil skirts.
It was a very grown-up Miu Miu collection.

The show’s front row was filled with young celebrities. Actress Hailee Steinfeld, who is only 14, is said to be Miuccia’s new muse. All those young ladies looked fabulous in Miu Miu’s S/S 2011 collection. Please enjoy the photos before the show.

LoL, Sandra

The dramatic setting with vulcano-like smoke and scorched earth was just amazing for the Chanel F/W 2011 show.

Following Karl Lagerfeld’s statement „The world is a dark place“, the Cure’s famous hit „A Forest“ matched the new Chanel designs.

Lagerfeld’s creations seemed to be an approach to a much younger audience and all the It-girls were spotted front row from Poppy Delivgne to Lily Allen and Emma Roberts.

Floor-length edgy capes, distressed leggings, looking more like street fashion than anything else. The volumes were bigger and the all in all appearance reminded more like the survival of a natural catastrophe.
I adored Lagerfeld’s apocalyptic vision mixed with a little neo-medieval twist and you?

LoL, Sandra

What a lovely morning. The sky was blue and the sun was shining when I went to the to see the Stella McCartney F/W 2011 show in the Paris Opera house. The collection was like the weather, just amazing, probably one of her best presentations.

The first looks were sculptural pleated silhouettes in black and astro blue.

Stella defined a new silhouette with broader shoulders borrowed from the menswear. She is always strong when it comes to tailoring. For winter, it will be masculine and exggerated. Her knitwear pieces were all about texture. I loved the gold foil felted wool in bold volumes.

The show got better from piece to piece. Blue velvet was bonded with scuba stretch, introducing body contouring silhouettes. Those dresses are so sexy. 
Hand embroidered spots floated on transparent tulle. Separates were layered using different sizes of polka dots to graphic effect.

 

 

Accessories echoed the collection, from stiletto pumps with gold foiled soles to flat masculine loafers and clutches made of hand cut resin with rounded brass details for evening. So beautiful!

 

The Finale

 

Look whom and what I spotted after the show:

Stay tuned as I got some great streetstyle shots today in front of the opera!

LoL, Sandra

The last show I went to at London Fashion Week was Emilio de la Morena F/W 2011. As you know I am a very enthusiastic person, but this collection didn’t do so much for me… unfortunately.

De la Morena is not so much into trousers (the last ones he showed were in 2007). His specialty are party frocks and seperates, well-tailored and geometrically cut but somehow I wouldn’t feel like partying in them.

The only fun the collection had were the GORGEOUS shoes by Charlotte Olympia who I spotted front row next to her mother, iconic Brazilian ex-model Andrea Dellal, wearing the same red heels like the models on the runway.

See for yourselves and enjoy the photos of shoe designer Charlotte Olympia leaving the event.

I love her super-modern take on the old Hollywood glamour. Please stay tuned as mother and daughter have been promoting a very hot trend for S/S 2011 that I will tell you all about very soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Julien Macdonald, who is half-Welsh and half-Scottish, surprised me with his F/W 2011 show that I truly liked. The presentation took place in a church. The goth athomosphere was amazing, especially with the head-banging soundtrack and light effects rocking the show.

The designer started off with some black looks, followed by delicate layers of spiderweb-like fabrics. My absolute favourites were the beautiful embellished long flowing gowns, romantic but edgy and the lace-up boots. Truly ethereal!

Please enjoy my photo coverage and check out the celebrities who were sitting front row.

LoL, Sandra

Let the show begin:

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today’s Burberry Prorsum F/W 2011 show took place in a massive tent in London’s Royal Park of Kensington Gardens. It was a true spectacle with many celebrities attending the event., including among others Rachel Bilson, Kate Bosworth, Alexa Chung, Stella Tennant, Maggie Cheung, Anna Wintour, Samantha Cameron, Mario Testino, Laura Haddock, Lily Donaldson, Julia Restoin Roitfield, Daisy Lowe, Alice Dellal, Sophie Kennedy-Clark, Poppy Delevingne, Nick Rhodes and Simon Le Bon.

Christopher Bailey named his F/W 2011 collection after the icon of the Swinging Sixties “Jean Shrimpton”. The look and sound of her golden era shaped the show. The Shrimp once did advertising for Burberry so she had history with the house.
Trim coats with matching bags, drop-waisted tulip-skirted dresses, bold colours, check at its best, the designer played with the silhouettes. Two thumbs up!

As part of 40 events, the show was broadcasted live globally in Burberry flagship stores from Boston to Beijing, creating ‘buy from the runway’ in-store virtual trunk show events across 4 continents
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The 40th venue, London’s iconic Piccadilly Circus, streamed the show live onto the famous 32 metre digital screen viewed by an estimated 1.2 million people a week – a first for any brand.

LoL, Sandra

This afternoon, I went to Matthew Williamson’s F/W 2011 presentation in the Philips de Pury building in London that was absolutely amazing. Matthew at his best – soft versus sharp, bold colours in gorgeous combinations, cobalt blue on feathers , divine embellishments and to-die-for fur pieces. The Mongolian wool gilets, the modern biker jackets and the fabulous red and pink outfits were my favourites.

New French Vogue Editor-in-chief Emmanuelle Alt who was spotted front row, commented that she really liked it. Also seen was Alexa Chung and many more. Enjoy the gorgeous photos that I took before the show, of the beautiful collection and of all the celebrities.

And ladies, here at London Fashion Week, one trend is major on the streets, maxi skirts and red nails, they are everywhere.

LoL, Sandra

After the show, I took some night shots outside of the models rushing to the next show and some street style photos. The new camera is really great to experiment with…

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The Hermès S/S 2011 collection for men by Véronique Nichanian is a dream. Classic pieces like the well made pants and the colours in hues of white and beige are combined with skin revealed with subtlety. The look has what it takes to please both, men and the women who love them.

I came across two accessories for men that I find absolutely amazing. MUST-HAVES!

 

Belt-tie or tie-belt? Made of printed or woven silk to match the men’s S/S 2011 collection, this belt is presented in a gift box with two bands of silk and a removable Etrivière buckle. Vary the way you wear it to match your mood. CHF 730

This boot with its assertive personality dares cool green for a refreshing summer look. A British elegance is paired with a sensual modernity. I just love them! CHF 950

For further information, please visit the Hermès boutique nearest to you.

LoL, Sandra

It is that time again, when fashionistas from all over the globe mingle to spot the newest trends for the upcoming season. And it starts with New York Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

To start you off, I have a real eye candy for you from yesterday’s presentations. Derek Lam showed his F/W 2011 collection with a modern and dramatic makeup look designed by Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux. Enjoy the first-hand details on the look by following Tom Pecheux and his team backstage.

Derek Lam’s collection focused on new combinations of fabric to make the clothes look fresh, fluid and weightless, the bulk is eliminated and the pieces fit effortlessly together.
Walking in the show were Estée Lauder Global Spokesmodels Liu Wen, Constance Jablonski and Joan Smalls dressed in bold textures and patterns mixed with seamlessly flowing and sharp accents.

Working with Derek and Estée Lauder for a third consecutive season, Tom created the sleek leaden eye and muted lip and skin with new products from his upcoming Pure Color collection launching in Fall 2011.

Eyes: Silver (metallic finish) and black (shimmer finish) shades
Two NEW Estée Lauder eye shadows tested backstage – both launching Fall 2011
Highlight Shade: NEW Estée Lauder Illuminating Powder tested backstage – launching Fall 2011
Eyebrows: Automatic Brow Pencil

Tom started with shimmering black eyeshadow and dramatically winged out towards the temples and then used an intensely pigmented metallic grey eyeshadow to produce a silver foil finish in the center of the lid.  Finishing the eye with a swipe of a new highlighting powder on the brow bone created the focus on the bold eye that perfectly complemented the soft richness of the clothing.

Lips: NEW Estée Lauder Nude Matted Lipstick tested backstage – launching Fall 2011

The skin and lips evoked an almost blurred effect, using a new matte nude lipstick and soft contouring under the cheekbone.

Cheeks: Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer – below cheek

Face: Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10
Lucidity Translucent Loose Powder

Skin: NEW Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator – launching Summer 2011
DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Crème SPF 15

Nails: NEW Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Porcelain –launching Fall 2010

Famed manicurist Jin Soon Choi was also on-hand to polish the toes and fingers of the models in the new limited pale shade.

“This look is very versatile, it almost changes with your movement. The silver metal on the eye reminds me of modern architecture, hard and strong and plays delicately against Derek’s minimal but sophisticated collection. These clothes, you want to keep forever.” described Pecheux, “This look is very confident and lovely, it evokes the fantasy of the Derek Lam woman.”

I am always a big fan of smokey eyes and pale lips and love Tom’s look for F/W 2011. We just have to wait a little longer for those amazing metallic and shimmering shades…
But isn’t anticipation the greatest joy?

LoL, Sandra