Sandra‘s Closet

Today’s post is dedicated to the new luxurious drops for the sporty girls – a must for extreme athletes who are into high fashion. These items may be too precious for actual use but can serve as the perfect decor for sport lovers.

Ping Pong Set James Monogram Eclipse Canvas by Louis Vuitton (€1500)

Table tennis, anyone? Ideal for travel, this sporty set includes two professionally designed ping-pong paddles, regulation balls in a custom holder, and an exclusive cover crafted of masculine Monogram Eclipse canvas, accented with an LV Circle medal.

Basketball by CHANEL (€1990)

As part of the accessories of the Métiers d’Art Paris-New York 2018/19 collection, this basketball is available in black with either silver or gold detailing. It comes with the matching harness that’s either detailed with silver or gold hardware on the black leather sling. Let’s start playing basketball…

Skateboard by CHANEL (Price on request, on the US website $7700)

With this, the skateboard has officially become a luxury item. The cruiser-style must-have by CHANEL is crafted from black lacquered wood that is accented with a white interlocking logo. Its underside features an embossed quilting pattern referencing the French house’s signature technique.

Surfboard by CHANEL (Price on request, on the US website $8900)

On the surfboard you can see a standout silver detail on the board which is made from aluminum, glass and polyurethane.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

My avid readers know that I am a big pilates fan. Therefore I was eager to try the new PILATES WALL class at Studio PILATESwiss by Karolina Schmid in Zurich.

I have been training with Karolina for many years. Her studio is the oldest personal training pilates and yoga studio in Zurich. There are 20 people working with her to make it the success it is today and she is supported by an international advisory board of medical and specific experts. I even do my physiotherapy there and love the touch of Simone’s magic hands after an intense training session.

Karolina’s brand PILATESwiss of pilates and yoga is based on the visceral approach, created by her. Furthermore she teaches teachers to teach. Her intense PILATESwiss teacher training programs are completely bilingual in language course notes and exams. Personally speaking, I enjoy training with teachers as the classes are much more intense as you can imagine.

«Studio PILATESwiss is where your pilates teachers come to do PILATES.»

Being Canadian, service and access to your trainer, is Karolina’s unique selling point. In her 15 year of business her studio has never closed for a single day. You can train 365 day at any time of day or night, and she accompanies you to your holiday home, on your business trip, or on your family vacation.

Although Karolina does personal training only, she has developed a new so-called luxury light service in the way of wall classes, a novel blend of pilates, yoga and function fitness. The reason why I am also showing you this is that it is a perfect way to get into the pilates training, in terms of cost and convenience of bookings.

Key points:
Booking online only here.
Single entry CHF 42 / Pass of 10 classes CHF 400

In small groups of maximum 8 people, you climb the PILATES WALL in a 60 min session. An absolute sensation of price to service.

The PILATES WALL classes offer:
– PILATES REFORMER work on wheel carriages
– PILATES CADILLAC work in the way of wall springs
– You work with special apparatus like gynmastic rings, weight balls and the ballet barre.
– You climb the wall on yoga inversion straps and add asanas to flowing funcitonal sequences.
– You do inversions, central to the visceral approach to core muscle recruitment.

I usually train in a quartet session with three other participants on the reformer or cadillac. Therefore I asked Karolina, what is different from those quartets to the wall classes offered at PILATESwiss Studio?

«Aside from privates and duettes the beloved quartetts remain popular because a client enjoys the «right of way» onto to their reserved machine and time slot each week with their friends and never have to cue up on a waiting list. Business people or busy mums find this fabulous. In addition clients can use their quartett pass on any other quartett in our schedule as well space permitting on the classical studio machines topics like chair, cadillac, swing silks, or reformers.»

I think that the wall classes are a great way to get access to Karolina’s gorgeous top quality studio for a fraction of the cost of her personal training services.

If you are interested, check out her website PILATESwiss or give her a call under +41 78 891 03 17. The studio is located at Seefeldstrasse 225 in Zurich .

See you hopefully there. Summer is here and it is time to get back in shape…
My clothes in the photos are all by CASALL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

During London Fashion Week, adidas Originals has unveiled its third collaboration with an emerging female fashion designer. This time, the brand has teamed up with Ji Won Choi for a 17-piece women’s ready-to-wear collection that his inspired by her Korean heritage. She revamped adidas’ classic tracksuit with hues of lavender, blue, red, green and pink. The brand’s three stripes were also used in more parts of the garments, creating a sense of movement.

One to watch: upcoming Korean designer Ji Won Choi

Born in Seoul, raised in the Midwest USA, educated in New York City and Paris, and having worked in Milan, Ji Won Choi’s work revolves around investigating human cultures and using design to promote positive change within societies. Her thesis collection, EXCESSIVISM, was the winner of Kering Empowering Imagination Award and several other contests as well as featured in various international publications such as Forbes, WWD and Vogue. Her work has been displayed at Bergdorf Goodman in New York and at New York Textile Month. In 2017, she was awarded the «Ones to Watch» Award by Fashion Scout.

I am sure we will se a lot more of Ji Won Choi’s talent in the near future…
TO SHOP ADIDAS ORIGINALS BY JI WON CHOI, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of adidas Originals

Championed by the likes of Princess Diana in the ’80s, the revival of cycling shorts is still going strong into S/S 2019, with slightly sexier styles like this Mugler or Dundas pair taking the lead. Those second-skin versions are made from mesh or delicate floral lace enhanced with plenty of stretch so you won’t feel restricted. In 2019, cycling shorts look great when peeking out from beneath oversized hoodies or a mini dress, as seen on the runway. Try wearing them under a blazer for your next business meeting to show trendsetting capacity.

Below you can find a great selection of those must-haves. Just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly to the respective shop.

LoL, Sandra

Mesh cycling shorts by Mugler

Stretch-lace shorts by Dundas

Logo-patch technical cycling shorts by Versace

Life Is Short satin shorts by Maggie Marilyn

Cropped intarsia-trimmed stretch leggings by Palm Angels

Logo cycling shorts by Stella McCartney

Leather cycling shorts by Manokhi

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands / © Getty

Stay slim at Christmas: here is an idea to stop you turning into a pudding this festive season.
X-mas may traditionally be seen as a time for overindulgence but my simple advice can help you prevent gaining pounds. Exercise is the single best way to keep your weight stable over this tempting period and here is what I like to suggest. Get a great new look for training, one that makes you feel good and that you like to look at in the mirror. Further down you can find two options that I got from CASALL. You will see that it can motivate you a lot and this easy little trick might help you to start the New Year in great shape without missing out on the cookie treats.

With Karolina Schmid in her studio where we shot these photos.

I love to do yoga and pilates. After years of ballet, I love these workouts to lengthen and strengthen the body. If you are living in the Zurich area, I recommend KAROLINA SCHMID‘s studio that offers high end pilates and yoga classes in private lessons or trainings in small groups.
Pilates Karolina Schmid – Seefeldstrasse 225, 8008 Zurich / Switzerland – Phone: +41 78 891 03 17

Get the look of training session 1: Mint green sports bra, side slit pants, and berry glam strap tank, all by CASALL.

Get the look of training session 2: Black spiral long sleeve top and matching tights, both by CASALL.

Working out and fashion belong together, don’t you think?! So no excuses, put on the right workout gear, feel great and enjoy this beautiful Christmas season!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This month, KARL LAGERFELD collaborates with PUMA for the first time ever, to introduce a capsule collection for men and women. Marking 50 years since their iconic sneaker’s first launch, PUMA’s “Suede 50” program throughout 2018 culminates in the highly-anticipated release of the KARL LAGERFELD X PUMA collection.

It will launch worldwide on October 19, three days following the official 50th anniversary of the original Suede Classic release. Originally invited to design a KARL LAGERFELD iteration of the classic Suede sneaker for the anniversary celebration, the partnership soon developed into the creation of a complete 13-piece capsule.

Those sneakers are great! Love the sunglasses detail…

The KARL LAGERFELD X PUMA collection features two unisex Suede sneakers inspired by KARL LAGERFELD’s iconic signature aesthetic – a tuxedo jacket, high white collar, tie and sunglasses. The shoes blend Karl’s timeless look with contemporary streetwear style, and feature either a playful KARL graphic or removable sunglasses detail.

Love this jumpsuit!

The women’s offering includes a tuxedo-inspired T7 track jacket with matching pants and a T7 jumpsuit, both are stylish plays on PUMA’s iconic track jacket with 7mm stripes, a track top, and a cropped tee.

The men’s collection features a slim-fit hoodie and matching sweat pants, plus a logo tee. The clothing styles is further complemented by a backpack, a shoulder bag and a baseball cap featuring custom KARL LAGERFELD X PUMA branding.

Prices will range from €40 to €175.
The KARL LAGERFELD X PUMA collection will be available for pre-sale at KARL.COM on October 18, and worldwide on October 19, at KARL LAGERFELD and PUMA retail stores, online at KARL.COM and puma.com, and via curated retailers and concept
stores.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld

For a long time, the sun was the celestial body to be avoided. But, defiant and liberated from convention, Gabrielle Chanel decided that bronze would be her colour: one of freedom, leisure, and in a word, life. In Deauville, then in Biarritz and Cannes, the designer opened boutiques, located a few steps from the beachside. In love with the coast and outdoor life, a few years later in 1928 she acquired some land in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin on which she had her villa La Pausa built and where she welcomed her family and artist friends.

Coco Chanel, Misia Sert and Mme Philippe Berthelot on The Beach, Lido Venice.

Gabrielle Chanel had started creating collections calibrated for the dolce vita of beachside resorts, jersey outfits in Deauville from 1912 and fluid knits with supple lines in Biarritz from 1915. Among them the silk blouses with wide collars, inspired by sailors and worn by the designer herself, become a signature of this lifestyle. With its view over the Mediterranean and vast Provencal garden, La Pausa was a home port, a stopover between stays on one of the yachts belonging to the Duke of Westminster and the perfect setting for this casual chic outdoor wardrobe.

Coco Chanel, wearing «beach pyjamas», with Duke Laurino of Rome, in 1930 – a great example how Breton tops and nautical style sailed into our wardrobes.

Today Karl Lagerfeld honours this art of living, so dear to Gabrielle Chanel. The designer gives it a renewed vision, infused with youth and stylish energy. While in every collection there’s been surf and paddleboards, ping pong bats and other summer sport accessories, now COCO BEACH DE CHANEL sees the light of day, a ready-to-wear and accessory collection conceived for the beach and seaside resorts.

Chanel S/S 2018

For S/S 2018, swimming costumes and two-pieces, dresses, playsuits and terrycloth shorts but also outfits in fringed denim or belted striped sailor tops in ecru and burgundy silk make up this sporty line. Buttons are stamped with marine anchors while the iconic quilting is printed on jersey, and red, pink or black denim. Sailor’s bags held with the classic chain interlaced with leather, bowling bags, camera cases and clutches, coloured espadrilles with black toe caps complete this collection of swimwear and beachwear.

Another look from Chanel’s  S/S 2018 runway. 

Dedicated to life by the sea, this COCO BEACH DE CHANEL collection will only be available in a selection of CHANEL boutiques, naturally located in beachside resorts: Saint-Tropez, Monaco, Cannes and Nice for France, then Barcelona and Capri for Europe. Other holiday resorts drenched in sun all year round like Palm Beach, Santa Fe, Honolulu and Dubai as well as certain spots in Australia, Brazil, Japan, China, Singapore, Korea and Turkey will also receive the collection, available from mid-June through to September.

Chanel’s pop-up boutique in St. Tropez

From that first dive into the ocean at dawn to toes buried in the sand at dusk, this collection encapsulates the sun, life by the beach and the great outdoors. It’s the signature of a lifestyle dedicated to sunlight.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Under the impetus of Karl Lagerfeld, CHANEL presents the first ever Coco Neige collection. A logical continuation of both Gabrielle Chanel’s love of the open air and the regular presence of sportswear in the CHANEL collections. A few years ago, the House even launched its own skis and snowboards. So today Karl Lagerfeld wanted to go a step further and create an entire line devoted to winter sports, designed for the slopes and the après-ski. 

Chanel skis and snowboards launched a few years ago

Coco Neige revisits the mountains by combining it with the codes of CHANEL: masculine/feminine inspiration, tweed and leather and quilting work set the tone for this line with its slender and sporty silhouettes. Satin, wool, fringed tweed, velvet, denim and leather are paired with waterproof and windproof materials, with heat-sealed seams and reinforced protection to take full advantage of the slopes and the après-ski terraces. Discretion is of course key: Coco Neige instils the attitude and the style of CHANEL through a palette of black and white with flashes here and there of blue and fuchsia. The camellia, the braid, the collar and pocket of the suit jacket all appear in a refined sobriety. 

Gloves in black leather and black and ecru tweed

Each item is made for skiing and boarding, allowing for maximum comfort and a great freedom of movement. The high collars of the parkas and the down jackets protect from the wind, the trousers and salopettes fit the legs beautifully, flaring out to cover ski-boots, while the jackets perfectly cover the lower back. 

Brooch in gold metal, black and white resin and white fantasy pearls

A hint of childhood memories is in the air with the slim-fit sweaters, the gilets with mountain motifs, the ribbed knit balaclavas, the crests and medals in the shape of snowflakes. Suede mittens, denim caps, nylon ushankas and wool berets add an urban touch to the collection. 

Short boots in beige leather

As for shoes, two-tone booties in shearling, mountain shoes with hooks and laces in tweed or in nylon, and boots in long-haired fur have all been designed for strolling through the ski resort. The bags play the high-altitude café terrace game: backpacks and shoppers in quilted nylon and shearling, and the 11.12 bag in suede braided with wool rub shoulders with a down-filled soft nylon line embossed tone on tone with the name CHANEL. 

Backpack in black leather and nylon and ecru wool

Finally, the eyewear, designed especially for the mountains. A pilot frame with 18-carat white gold lenses guarantees maximum protection against the rays of the sun and the luminosity of the snow. Its titanium structure ensures high impact resistance, protects the skin from the cold and is hypoallergenic. Its cable-style temples are curved for perfect support. Removable covers in quilted black, white, raspberry, pine green and grey blue lambskin embellish the frames. A pair of XS black ski goggles are elegantly simple with a CHANEL signed adjustable strap and can be worn with a helmet. When it comes to relaxing, a pair of sunglasses with a shield structure combine gradated black or silver mirror lenses with wide temples in black quilted leather embellished with the CC logo. 

Ushanka in navy blue polyamide and fuchsia tweed

With Coco Neige, Karl Lagerfeld imagines a collection that’s as aesthetic as it is sporty. Discover the nineteen silhouettes imbued with the style and the allure of CHANEL in boutiques from July 2018. 

LoL, Sandra

Brooch in gold metal, black and white resin and strass

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

The ugly sneaker trend is everywhere right now, and available at all price points. And now it looks like it’s even more trending as one of the world’s most influential fashion designers, Nicolas Ghesquière, put a ton of futuristic runners on his S/S 2018 runway for Louis Vuitton. Consider the so-called LV Archlight Sneakers one of high-fashion’s biggest style musts this season.

I love this model: LV Archlight Sneakers

V.N.R. Sneaker – available in four colours

For men, this month, the V.N.R. (Vuitton New Runner), a full knit sneaker, is launching in four new colour ways, combining classic, elegant design and the House’s signatures with ultimate technical innovation.

V.N.R. Sneaker in blue

Twelve months of meticulous research and development have led to a shoe that is light and flexible. In total, each pair of shoes requires three hours to be assembled with keen attention to detail. Now in stores.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

With the athleisure trend dominating off-duty style, I am always looking for ways to rock the sporty gear for work, too. Track pants are officially one of the biggest fashion hypes of the moment, with many designers willing to take them from the gym to the streets. I opted for green stirrup trousers since it’s unapologetically one of the most eye-catching colors.

1 Striped silk crepe de chine track pants by Fendi
2 Striped satin-jersey track pants by Palm Angels
3 Logo-print cotton track pants by MSGM
4 Contrast-piping jersey track pants by REDValentino
5 Striped tech-jersey stirrup leggings by Gucci
6 Fuseau stirrup trousers by Balenciaga (the ones I couldn’t resist)

Enjoy your Easter weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Also trending on the Valentino Resort 2018 runway.

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, Nasty Gal