Sandra‘s Closet

The title might sound a little pathetic looking at all the fur clothes that Miuccia Prada presented for her S/S 2014 collection. But even if you don’t like fur, you will have to admit that those designs are pieces of art. Colourful and vibrant, the craftsmanship that is needed to create those intarsia details is outstanding. Miuccia Prada uses the fur like a canvas and as most clothes cost as much as a masterpiece, why not combine the two? “Art” has been a major inspiration for many designers for the S/S 2014 season.

Personally speaking, I love the facial prints seen on the handbags the most. Cannot wait to get my hands on those…

Somebody else who couldn’t wait for those pieces to hit the shelves was no other than Marc Jacobs. He walked his dog on Christmas Day in Saint Barts wearing already one of the Prada S/S 2014 fur coats. He is a great admirer and friend of Miuccia Prada and I spotted him frequently at her Miu Miu shows in the afternoon after he had shown Louis Vuitton in the morning. 
Let’s see which one of the must-have pieces Anna Wintour and Anna Dello Russo will pick. Nevertheless, Marc was first!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: PacificCoastNews, Courtesy of Prada

Lady Gaga is the face of Versace‘s S/S 2014 campaign, the first time that the famous singer has starred in any fashion advertising. Channeling Donatella’s iconic look, the very long platinum blonde hair, Lady Gaga appears in a series of images shot in London by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott, wearing pieces from the new summer collection along with some must-have accessories, such as the new Palazzo bag, which was introduced at the S/S 2014 show.

The campaign marks the latest stage of a continuing friendship between Donatella Versace and Lady Gaga. It began with Lady Gaga wearing archive Versace pieces in her video for Edge of Glory, with most recently Lady Gaga titling a track on her new Artpop album Donatella. “I am honoured that my friend Lady Gaga is the face of our new Versace campaign. I wanted to capture her true beauty and spirit in images that are elegant and alluring. She is like family to me, the embodiment of the Versace DNA.”

TO SHOP VERSACE ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versace

Elie Saab called his S/S 2014 collection “A LACE GARDEN” and sent the extremely feminine material in all shades over the runway. The Libanese designer is a red carpet favourite and of course he offered a lot of choices for the big moment. His strongest designs are the long gowns, this season definitely a lacy affair to remember… My favorite is a black see-through dress with layers of lace in between as photographed below.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Elie Saab

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli are a dream team and their S/S 2014 collection for Valentino is a divine piece of art (You can still watch the video here).

Like last season, when I had been already overwhelmed by their designs, they showed craftsmanship, sophistication, elegance and beauty in their 72 (!) looks on the runway. After an impromptu visit to the Rome Opera workshops, the duo was compelled to create a glamourous and opulent repertoire. The collection is a journey admits elements borrowed from imaginary ethnic groups. Embroideries, lace, capes, ponchos, fringes, leather, veil-like dresses, take all part in this outstanding collection.

Combining ancestral austerity and sensual opulence, the designer duo has created an amazing and ever-changing look based on today’s modern woman that we will surely spot everywhere on the streets next summer!

Light Cuir Vachetta Medium Stamped

Great news is that you can PRE-ORDER THE AMAZING VALENTINO ACCESSORIES STRAIGHT OFF THE RUNWAY for the next 5 days. I included the best ones in this post.
Happy pre-shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Gold Gryphon Miniaudiere

Black Vitello Fringe Ankle Boot

Light Emerald Patent Croc Scarab Finger Clutch

Black Rete Embroidered Bootie

Light Cuir Vitello Scarab And Gryphon Wrap Bracelet

Chocolate Vitello Gryphon Sandal

Rubin Studs Crown Hair Band

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino and © Sandra Bauknecht

Personally speaking, there hasn’t been one collection, Mary Katrantzou hasn’t amazed me with. This season has been no different. For the motif mistress, footwear prints walk a fine line between fashion and art. For S/S 2014, she was inspired by every woman’s love for shoes for her signature digital prints.

The collection’s evening looks were absolutely divine, and heavenly embroidered by the House of Lesage in Paris with which Mary had been working before already. Think ruffles, empire and baby doll cuts. Nothing for the shy! I am loving it!

Great news: YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO PRE-ORDER THE MARY KATRANTZOU S/S 2014 COLLECTION STRAIGHT OF THE RUNWAY FOR THE NEXT 6 DAYS BY CLICKING HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mary Katrantzou, Style.com, © Getty Images

Today was a big day! The last day of Paris Fashion Week started with the Louis Vuitton S/S 2014 show. Rumors had been out quite a long time about Marc Jacobs leaving the French brand after 16 years, but the minute I arrived at the venue, I knew, it was true. It felt like a journey through time. From the governess girls at the entrance to the station clock, the carrousel, the elevators and the escalators, the fountain, last season’s hotel corridors, every little detail was reminiscent of something amazing Marc had created for a Louis Vuitton show.

In the press kit on my seat, Marc Jacobs wrote something so beautiful that I truly would like to invite you to read it:

“This collection is dedicated to the women who inspire me and to the showgirl in every one of them, Emmanuelle Alt, Jane Birkin, Betty Catroux, Carlyne Cerf De Dudzeele, Coco Chanel, Cher, Grace Coddington, Sofia Coppola, Victoire de Castellane, Catherine Deneuve, Claude Lalanne, Julie de Libran, Lady Gaga, Judy Garland, Katie Grand, Juliette Gréco, Françoise Hardy, Zizi Jeanmarie, Rei Kawakubo, Madonna, Liza Minnelli, Kate Moss, Louise Nevelson, Edith Piaf, Miuccia Prada, Lee Radziwill, Millicent Rogers, Sonia Rykiel, Carla Sozzani, Elsa Schiaparelli, Barbra Streisand, Diana Vreeland, Vivienne Westwood, Anna Wintour.

Whether extrovert or esoteric, they are figures that keep visual language vital. Their style, imagination, creativity, talent, vision and voice have changed our landscape.”

He continued: “When I look around Paris, it isn’t the depth of the city that takes my breath away. It’s the decoration and the applied ornamentation that dazzles. It is not about thinking, it is about feeling. There may be no deeper sensation than this when it hits. While designing this collection the same instinct gathered momentum. I take pleasure from things for exactly what they are, revealing in the pure adornment of beauty for beauty’s sake. Connecting with something on a superficial level is as honest as connecting with it on an intellectual level.

TO THE SHOWGIRL IN ALL OF US.“

Speaking of which, many of the forty-one extremely dark looks resembled showgirl clothes, all exquisitely embellished with jet beads, crystals, and glossy feathers. Each and every one of the models wore an amazing headpiece of ostrich plumes designed by Stephen Jones for the show. The first look was pretty evocative, nothing but a G-string and the Stephen Sprouse-designed LV logo showing all over the model’s body, along with handcuffs and chains.

The biker jackets and denim pants were amazing, something you are dying to have in your closet. I love the collection and Marc’s creativity, it might not be commercial, but it is definitely for the showgirl in us!

Never forget, it was Jacobs who brought Louis Vuitton’s foray into prêt-à-porter to a huge success, and whatever the behind-the-scenes speculations of the past few months, he appears to be leaving on good terms. I was backstage and started crying like everybody else after all those heartfelt hugs.

Marc said that he wants to focus on his own Marc Jacobs brand. And I think, the announcement will be coming out soon that Nicolas Ghesquière will replace him at Louis Vuitton. So watch out!

LoL, Sandra

Marc’s last finale…

… and heartbreaking moments backstage.

Having fun behind the scenes: Sofia Coppola and Dakota Fanning

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Before the Paul & Joe S/S 2014 show, I was invited to go backstage and interview the lovely Sophie Albou, the mastermind behind the French brand. I got really spoilt last night as I had been already greeted at the entrance with a wonderful surprise, a bag, and on my seat, flowers were waiting for me. Thank you!

Sophie, what was your inspiration for this season?
I was completely inspired by the early 90s work of photographers Gilles Bensimon and Hans Feurer. Imagine Elle MacPherson and Stephanie Seymour wearing sheer shirts, 501 denim, patchwork, mix of fabric… my main idea comes from those photos. Women beautiful with curves, I think we are ready to go back. I am fed up with the skinny girls. I would love to see happy girls, curvy girls.

Your secret to success?
To do what I do, being surrounded by beautiful people. I love my mum, she is my muse, my husband, my kids. I am so gifted that I have such a great family.

You named your label after the first names of your sons? Have they ever complaint?
My sons are great, they are proud of their mum and are happy with it.

Sophie in 3 words!
Happy, smile, thank you!

Your best kept beauty secret?
Love

Thank you, Sophie!

Backstage with Lindsey Wixon who adored the look she was wearing on the catwalk.

This sweater is extremely gorgeous! My must-have!

“Spring/Summer is about harmony with pure Parisian attitude”. Masculine oversized pants, short and boxy, drop shoulder trenchcoats (gorgeous!) along with maxi dresses and short skirts show the nonchalant vibe that is leading Sophie Albou’s collection. A “no stress” elegance is her motto, focusing on natural femininity.

The accessories such as woven backpacks, basket bags and studded leather flats are laid back and complementing the looks in a cool way. The must-have of the ’90s, the silk scarf knotted at the waist, has made its comeback on the Paul & Joe S/S 2014 runway.

A beautiful and extremely wearable collection. Thumbs up!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Paris Fashion Week has started off for me with the Akris S/S 2014 show yesterday evening. I have to admit arriving at my seat is always a treat at this presentation, some yummy chocolate is waiting and the press kit is just perfect.

A sketch by Albert Kriemler with a piece of real fabric pinned to it, plus the inspiration laid out in a moodboard (sandstone lines, algae, honeycombs in the sand, and granite curves) along with a list of all the upcoming looks make my work so much easier.

This eye for detail could also be seen in the stunning collection. Nature was Albert’s main inspiration (something that has been spotted quite a lot here in Paris). “It’s a dream of fabrics and nature – moved forward through technology,” he wrote.

The show started off with some very strong prints on cotton voile, plissé chiffon and leather, inspired by sandstone lines. I loved the see-through and asymmetrical details of the collection and the amazing St. Gallen embroideries in honeycombs of lace, reminiscent of algae. The last pieces in black and gold wave jacquard will surely fly off the shelves.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Akris and © Sandra Bauknecht

Be part of Paris Fashion Week and watch the Valentino S/S 2014 fashion show live on Sandra’s Closet tomorrow afternoon. Here is your front row invite, enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino and © Sandra Bauknecht

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“My Spring 2014 Collection celebrates a simple purity of clean lines and structure with a nod to the bold spirit and playfulness of swinging London in the late Sixties.” – Ralph Lauren

America’s grand seigneur of fashion added a wonderful modern and young twist to his S/S 2014 collection. I loved those knee socks and little Mary Janes in the beginning of the défilé. He showed a lot of black and white looks, very elegant and sophisticated as we know Ralph Lauren.

When colour appeared in the second half of the presentation on the runway, it was eye-catching bright. From cobalt blue to lime green and acid yellow, those hues looked extremely beautiful on the many gowns that walked down the runway. My favourite was Karlie Kloss‘s cobalt-blue strapless long dress in which she certainly made an entrance.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Ralph Lauren Collection and © Sandra Bauknecht