Sandra‘s Closet

Today is Independence Day (colloquial: the Fourth of July), a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776. So here is my round-up of patriotic but fashionable pieces to wear to all those Fourth of July parties or of course all year around. Luckily, designers have found plenty of ways to transmute the classic stars and stripes motif into something fun, and dare I say elegant.

1 Embroidered apliquéd leather bomber jacket by AMIRI (50% off)
2 Chuck Taylor All Star 70 logo-print canvas high-top sneakers by Converse + JW Anderson
3 Storm rubber and ribbed-knit thigh sock boots by Givenchy (40% off)
4 American flag-intarsia wool-blend sweater by Saint Laurent (40% off)
5 American flag-appliqué cotton baseball cap by Vetements (50% off)

6 American Flag T-shirt by Polo Ralph Lauren
7 Flag print dress by Polo Ralph Lauren
8 Eagle print iPhone X cover by Palm Angels
9 U.S.A. print T-shirt by Balmain (50% off)
10 Flag print hoodie by Calvin Klein Jeans

Happy Fourth of July!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands,
Runway Photo in Collage: Viktor & Rolf F/W 2000

Do you remember when fashion lovers around the globe were craving for the limited edition pieces, such as the Book Tote, that were only available in DIOR‘s Mykonos pop-up store (for the previous post, click here).

This season, DIOR presents DIORIVIERA, a new capsule collection created by Maria Grazia Chiuri, that celebrates the beauty, leisure and art of farniente. A bright and sunny wardrobe, like an invitation to travel, dedicated to the most delightful Mediterranean getaways, the promise of an eternal summer, from Forte dei Marmi, Capri to Mykonos, from Marbella, Saint-Tropez to Ibiza. Great news is that the beautiful items are this season all available online and of course in the respective local holiday boutiques.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior
#Dior #DiorRiviera #DiorCruise #MariaGraziaChiuri #PamelaHanson

The retro one-piece swimsuit feels so right again. Better than ever, those new offerings are really fun, and could double as bodysuits. You can style them with pants or tailored jackets to the office or with hot pants to the next festival.

In the end, they will accompany us through the summer, reminding us of beaches we’ve lain on, and boats we’ve jumped off. Enjoy and channel your own Baywatch moment.

LoL, Sandra

One-shoulder ruffled printed swimsuit by Johanna Ortiz

Wrap-effect button-embellished printed swimsuit by Balmain

Printed swimsuit by Gucci

Lacy swimsuit by Cynthia Rowley

Amari Swiss-dot tulle-paneled ruffled swimsuit by Zimmermann

Old Smoky Moonshine embellished cutout swimsuit by Johanna Ortiz

Scared Heart print swimsuit by Dolce & Gabbana

Printed swimsuit by Balmain

Printed swimsuit by Fendi

Leopard-print swimsuit by Dolce & Gabbana

Sparkling swimsuit with zebra print by Gucci

Mare striped sequined swimsuit by Missoni

Dakotta slashed swimsuit by Agent Provocateur

One-shoulder button-embellished cutout swimsuit by Balmain

Printed swimsuit by Versace

Ruffled swimsuit by Emilio Pucci

Allia floral print swimsuit by Zimmermann

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

During the Creative Women Conference, I held a workshop about the most important fashion trends for the upcoming season. During my speech, I explained which S/S 2019 tendencies will stay, which ones won’t be strong and what will be a must for  F/W 2019.

Furthermore, I explained how dressing can be fun and what you should keep in mind when choosing your outfits. Below you can find all my presentation slides that are absolutely self explanatory.

LoL, Sandra

Slides: © Sandra Bauknecht
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Courtesy of the Designers and via Instagram @EcoAge

A long-time friend of the House of CHANEL and of the late Karl Lagerfeld, Pharrell Williams has signed a CHANEL ready-to-wear and accessories capsule collection for the S/S 2019 season.

With a rainbow palette, Pharrell Williams has imagined a line in the colours of optimism. In the spirit of street art, the musician appends his signature and his writing in the form of CC, N°5 and Coco embroideries and graffitis on a hooded sweatshirt, an oversize shopper and white sneakers with mismatched laces.

The collection was launched first in Seoul’s newly opened CHANEL store on March 28, 2019.

Pharrell Williams performing at the opening party in Seoul.

The artist combines his name with that of the House of CHANEL – CHANEL-Pharrell – on block colour t-shirts, short and long robes, rhinestoned costume jewelry, leather belts, terry towelling bucket hats, hip packs in suede, loafers that also come as mules, as well as rectangular-shaped, shield and round glasses with a pop attitude.

The singer and songwriter also has fun sharing a memory, that of a bet he made with a friend about a future collaboration with CHANEL: we find this story printed on the back of a long-sleeve t-shirt that comes in eight different colours.

CHANEL-Pharrell, obvious assonances, a creative affinity: discover this collaboration exclusively now in certain CHANEL boutiques around the world.

Personally speaking I like it a lot. Nevertheless it seems not very «CHANEL» to me and reminds me somehow a little bit too much of Gucci … but every brand has to find a new way to navigate through the possible bumpy times ahead and to secure new customer groups. Especially that the emperor had to leave his kingdom… the wheel of fashion is turning fast and you have to be creative to survive. And let’s be honest, Coco Chanel was a trendsetter. It’s in the DNA of the Maison!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of © CHANEL
#CHANELPharrell

In honor of the 90th birthday of Disney‘s Mickey Mouse in November 2018, this cheeky adaptation of the famous cartoon character walked the S/S 2019 runway. Created using a printed 3-D technique, the top handle bag is enameled to reflect the character’s most recognizable depiction. It welcomes a debossed Gucci logo at the handle, as well as magnetic closure.

Mickey Mouse top handle bag by Gucci

To be expected, this It-bag doesn’t come cheap, as it retails for CHF 3900. If you are looking for not so pricey options to sport Mickey Mouse, have a look at these fun designer pieces below:

Mickey printed denim jacket by Marc Jacobs

Mickey Mouse printed denim jacket by Rag & Bone + Disney

Mickey Mouse print tank top by Saint Laurent

Mickey Mouse silk shirt by Saint Laurent for Men

LoL, Sandra

Photos/Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

CHANEL is taking is back to the ‘80s, and I want in. If I had to buy one piece this summer, it would be this crisp white button-down shirt that Kaia Gerber wore on the Maison’s S/S 2019 runway show that is in stores now for €1990. It has already become the must-have piece of the season for celebrities and bloggers and was featured in several editorials.

In case you are one of the lucky ones to get it, don’t miss the oversized logo earrings and the fabulous Side-Packs about which I will tell you more over the weekend.

LoL, Sandra

Look 6 on the CHANEL S/S 2019 runway worn by Kaia Gerber.

Lily Aldridge US Vogue – February 2019

CHANEL’s new S/S 2019 eyewear campaign

Ciara (@everythingrelatedfashion/Instagram)

Cardi B. (@iamcardib/Instagram) with the must-have shirt and the Side-Packs.

Photos: Via © CHANEL, Dazed Digital – if not stated otherwise.
#CHANELByTheSea
#CHANELSpringSummer

Not sure what a C-string is… google at your own risk! Here is a little explanation, it is a specific type of thong (see collage above to the right), an undergarment for people who think everything else covers up way too much skin. It’s also known as «invisible underwear» and probably something celebrities wear under these breathtaking high-slit dresses.

This S/S 2019 season, no shoe was more daring than Christopher Kane’s: a kitten heel with a C-string tongue. On the runway, the British designer took the idea one step further and used C-strings as straps for this amazing lace-bonded satin dress.

To shop, just click on the highlighted text.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and via Getty

Today is MARY KATRANTZOU‘s birthday and with this post I want to congratulate my dear friend who also happens to be one of my favorite designers. From her first presentation, I have been collecting her outstanding designs and I am proud of my extensive collection. It’s hard to believe that it’s a decade since her designs made their catwalk debut as part of the annual Central Saint Martins MA graduate show. Her digital trompe-l’oeil prints of oversized jewellery placed on colour-block dresses were an instant hit and her label is one of London’s most loved. Since then, she has constantly evolved. The so-called «Queen of Prints» surprises me each season how she masters print and plays with proportions.

Princess Beatrice of York, Mary Katrantzou, my humble self and Federica Fanari

On top of her talent, Mary is an amazing woman, so warm-hearted – it is always so much fun spending time with her. Therefore, I hopped on the plane in the beginning of October to attend her 10 Year Anniversary Party at MATCHESFASHION‘s newly opened retail space at 5 Carlos Place in London.

To celebrate the occasion, a limited edition collection was exclusively launched on MATCHESFASHION.COM. The capsule features 10 iconic looks from past collections, all reissued for this exclusive collaboration. And needless to say, I have most of the featured pieces in my closet. Here are a few examples:

Left: Caramolengo jewel-print silk dress (click here for the post from September 2011)
Right: Serendipity print crepe and chiffon mini dress (click here for the post from June 2011)

Left: Harp Hazzard printed silk-satin gown (click here for the previous post from May 2012)
Right: Powdy printed silk mini dress (click here for the previous post from December 2012)

Part of the exhibition: my beloved Jewel Tree dress from Mary’s F/W 2011 collection that I wore to her launch event with Longchamp at Collette in January 2012.

So divine: Mary Katrantzou S/S 2019

Also Mary’s S/S 2019 collection is celebrating 10 years of her eponymous label. It explores the urge to collect, catalogue and organise, infused with themes and motifs from Mary’s decade of designing. A collection of collections! Among the highlights is a dress inspired by her perfume-bottle dress from her first London fashion week collection.

Below you can enjoy some of my impressions from this amazing event. Amazing people gathered together from the world of art and fashion to celebrate our beloved Mary.

Favorite editor: Sarah Mower

With my lovely Federica Fanari

With another great designer Mira Mikati

Mary Katrantzou framed by Jasmine Hemsley and Candice Lake

With Mary Katranzou and jewellery designer Eugenie Niarchos (Venyx)

Girls in Mary: Magdalena Gabriel and me

Sandra Choi of Jimmy Choo

With Juliet Angus

The beautiful night ended at Annabel’s which is my favorite club in London… here with my gorgeous Brazilian friend Polyana Santos.

A little thank you note with lots of memories I made for Mary!

«The next decade,» Mary said, «is about taking the brand DNA and allowing men and women to buy into it in different ways, whether it’s homeware, jewellery or accessories.» No matter the medium, I am looking forward to having more Mary in my life!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MATCHESFASHION and © Sandra Bauknecht

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