Sandra‘s Closet

STELLA McCARTNEY AND VEUVE CLICQUOT COLLABORATE ON NEXT-GEN LEATHER ALTERNATIVE AND WORLD-FIRST LUXURY ACCESSORIES CRAFTED FROM GRAPE WASTE

Stella McCartney and Veuve Clicquot have collaborated on a pioneering grape-based alternative to animal leather – embodying both LVMH Maisons’ shared values and long-term commitments to sustainability, circularity and regenerative practices. The next-gen material is made from the by-products of Veuve Clicquot’s harvest and has been used to handcraft six Stella McCartney accessories, a selection of which debuted at the S/S 2024 runway show during Paris Fashion Week. Stella McCartney is additionally the guest of honour at Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Woman Award 2023 in Paris.

Both Maisons were founded by pioneering women who disrupted and drove change within their respective fields, with legacies rooted in craftsmanship, passion and innovations that created new, better possibilities. Stella McCartney is widely regarded as fashion’s conscience – inspiring others within the industry and beyond to pursue cruelty-free and sustainable alternatives, having never used leather or fur, whilst Madame Clicquot contributed to the shape of the modern champagne bottle and invented the riddling table, which is still in use today. Her innovations revolutionised the champagne industry, which additionally included the creation of vintage champagne and blended rosé champagne, and she has been recognised by her peers as ‘La Grande Dame de la Champagne’.

Continuing this legacy of innovation, Veuve Clicquot has been exploring next-generation materials for the past decade, with disruptive packaging made from vegetal waste since 2010 and now produces all its gift boxes from hemp, a soilregenerative and CO2-fixing plant. The by-product used in the new material consists of manually collected grape stems. These elements are sourced with full traceability from the environmentally certified Grand Cru vineyard of Bouzy in Champagne, which Madame Clicquot herself purchased 200 years ago.

«I AM SO THRILLED TO BE PART OF THIS FIRSTOF- ITS-KIND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN A FASHION HOUSE AND A CHAMPAGNE MAISON – CONNECTED BY OUR SHARED PASSIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY, CRAFTSMANSHIP AND INNOVATION. THIS COLLABORATION IS THE PERFECT BLEND OF MY CRUELTY-FREE VISION WITH VEUVE CLICQUOT’S INCREDIBLE NATURAL INGREDIENTS, USING WASTE TO CIRCULARLY CREATE A LUXURIOUS ALTERNATIVE TO ANIMAL LEATHER THAT CAN BE EASILY SCALED AND CHANGE THE INDUSTRY. YOU TRULY CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE; THIS IS A BETTER WAY.» STELLA McCARTNEY, CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF STELLA McCARTNEY

The grapes are grown using regenerative practices, helping to restore local biodiversity, soil health and sequester carbon, and are handpicked to ensure the highest quality of the material. Stella McCartney has also pioneered regenerative agriculture in fashion, having supported the SOKTAS regenerative cotton project in Turkey since 2019, in partnership with LVMH. The Maison also launched the world’s first regenerative cotton luxury garment at its S/S 2023 runway show. Stella McCartney will use the Veuve Clicquot grape-based alternative to craft three iconic Frayme bags, a bottle holder housing a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and two Elyse sandals, which additionally have a platform wedge made from recycled cork collected from Veuve Clicquot as a mix of pre- and post-consumer waste from its cellars in Reims.

The vegan accessories will be made available for pre-order soon, delivering in March 2024. The material solves for LVMH’s leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions, leather and winemaking, and was created in under 18 months – an incredible feat and speed in the innovation space. Multiple studies have shown that vegan alternatives can have less than half the carbon footprint of animal leather, which kills over 1 billion creatures annually (PETA) and is driving the destruction of key ecosystems like the Amazon (WWF). By creating a next-gen biobased material using waste, Stella McCartney and Veuve Clicquot are pioneering a better way that is kinder to animals, the environment and is both scalable and sustainable.

«THIS COLLABORATION WITH STELLA MCCARTNEY EMBODIES OUR COMMITMENT FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE FUTURE. FROM THE VINEYARDS TO OUR PRODUCT INNOVATIONS, OUR DRIVING FORCE IS ARTICULATED AROUND SHARED, OPENED AND COLLECTIVE PROGRESS. REINVENTING A NEW CIRCULAR MATERIAL REUSING THE RESOURCES OF OUR VINEYARDS GROWN IN REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE IS ONE OF THE KEY PROJECTS THAT DEMONSTRATE OUR CLIMATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP SPIRIT.» –  JEAN-MARC GALLOT, CEO OF VEUVE CLICQUOT

Available for pre-order at Stella McCartney boutiques and Selfridges from December 2023, and for purchase in-store from March 2024.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Stella McCartney x Veuve Cliquot
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Chloé becomes the inaugural collaborator for Atelier Jolie with a ready-to-wear capsule collection celebrating femininity​ that you don’t want to miss. Minimalistic sustainable luxury at its best.

Co-designed by Chloé Creative Director Gabriela Hearst and Atelier Jolie founder Angelina Jolie, the capsule collection spotlights authentic women-to-women connections and honours both brands’ respective commitments to improving social and environmental sustainability with greater transparency and accountability. ​

Parts of the collection showcase the work of artisans from a Fair Trade enterprise while multiple looks make use of deadstock and lower-impact materials. Drawing on Chloé’s network of international makers and reinforced by its B Corp certification, coupled with Atelier Jolie’s comprehensive founding principles regarding ethical and sustainable practice, the capsule collection incorporates a higher percentage of lower-impact materials than any previous collection from the Maison. ​

Chloé x Atelier Jolie is defined by fluid silhouettes and tactile details. With an eveningwear focus, it has a timeless aesthetic inspired by perennial pieces from Angelina Jolie’s own well-loved wardrobe.​

TO SHOP CHLOÉ X ATELIER JOLIE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chloé x Atelier Jolie
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This holiday season, haute couture and avant-garde style meets hair care and skincare to bring joy at first sight. Aveda has teamed up with Iris van Herpen for a new capsule collection that includes limited-edition high-style hair accessories, plant-powered hair care products, luxurious skin and body care formulas, all wrapped in designer gift packaging conceptualized by the Dutch designer, whom you might remember from her amazing collaboration with Rolls-Royce in February.

Aveda x Iris van Herpen came together through their shared love and respect for nature. With the natural world as their muse, the collaboration combines biomimicry designs, high-performance hair, skin and body care for luxurious holiday gifts that turn heads and fashion possibilities.

«This collection captures a future-forward vision for the holidays and embodies the limitless beauty of nature,» shares Iris van Herpen. «The visual inspiration of this collection was drawn from the relationships between living organisms and their physical environments in all its layers and nuances – a constant dialogue between nature and ourselves.»

While van Herpen’s couture designs are regularly seen on red carpets, in globally recognized films, and on runways around the world, she has also dressed models for hair shows led by Aveda’s Senior Vice President of Global Professional Artistry, Antoinette Beenders. Years of working together led to a genuine friendship that evolved into this formal holiday collaboration with artistry and craftsmanship at its core.

The special-edition gift boxes, sleeves and other holiday gift packaging elements are made with FSC-certified recycled paper that is wrapped and ready to gift as keepsake boxes that may also be reused or displayed as miniature works of art. The luxurious beauty gift sets have been curated together for a variety of hair and body selfcare needs for everyone on your list.

From ultra-hydrating nutriplenish™ hair hydration to naturally derived botanical repair™ hair strengthening to sleek styling with smooth infusion™, there’s something for every hair care lover on your list. From deeply moisturizing skin and body care to bespoke accessories that elevate any holiday updo or hairstyle, there’s a gift set for every self-care lover on your list.

Personally speaking, I am obsessed with the bespoke hair accessories, that include three luxurious, limited-edition and instant high-style accessories: a hair cuff, hair pin set, and cosmetic pouch. The elegant hair jewelry and pouch can be found online while supplies last for a one-of-a-kind haute couture gift.

Henosis Hair Pin Set: For a stunning end-look to accentuate your hair style, this pin set design embodies the Greek concept of oneness and union.

Lagoon Nebula Hair Cuff Set: Statement hair cuff features a limited-edition design inspired by an interstellar cloud where stars are born. This cuff embeds itself seamlessly into your hair to elevate your everyday updo.

Syntopia Cosmetic Pouch: Keep beauty products safe and in style with a luxurious pouch featuring a design inspired by the state of being where different species live together.

In line with the brands’ sustainability values, the hair cuff and hair pins are made from recyclable gold tone brass, and the cosmetic pouch is made from 65% post-consumer recycled materials.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Aveda @avedaswitzerland @irisvanherpen #avedaswitzerland #irisvanherpen
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Gucci unveils an innovative iteration of its heritage Horsebit 1955 bag, transformed through an asymmetrical aesthetic and brought to life in Demetra—an innovative animal-free material that combines quality, softness, and durability—in collaboration with iconic musical artist Billie Eilish, who is known for her bold advocacy.

This Horsebit 1955 is the first Gucci bag ever to be crafted in Demetra, exemplifying Gucci’s forward-looking approach as the House’s traditional tanning craftsmanship supports a transformation towards a more ethical fashion future. Made from 75% plant-derived raw material sources, the animal-free Demetra is the culmination of two years of research and development by Gucci’s own technicians and artisans and has been produced in Italy since 2021 in a Gucci factory.

The collaboration is celebrated in a new campaign of imagery and videos that all feature Billie’s unfiltered, authentic tone of voice. The videos are a series of cinematic moments, woven together in a candid motion piece that feels like an album of Billie’s life and set to her song, «What Was I Made For?».

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci
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Panerai and Prada come together in a collaboration where style meets innovation.

Rooted in design and timepiece innovation, the new Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon collaboration by Panerai and Prada marks the coming together of two Italian names, masterfully fusing aesthetics to create an accessory that is stylish and functional.
Luminor Due’s slim, light and sleek proportions that express urban Italian sophistication are matched with exclusive straps crafted from Prada Re-Nylon material, a regenerated nylon fabric, reflecting Panerai’s pulse on the contemporary while continuously reinterpreting its storied origins of high-precision timepieces.

The new 38mm Panerai Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon with an Alabaster pink strap (PAM01425)

Prada Re-Nylon is a textile representing a ground-breaking evolution of Prada’s iconic material, nylon – an important part of the brand’s DNA as a purveyor of modern luxury, beauty, and contemporary life for more than four decades. Prada Re-Nylon is crafted from ECONYL®, a 100% recycled nylon from pre (50%) and post-consumer (50%) materials such as fishing nets, discarded nylon, carpet and industrial waste.

The straps are available in iron grey and navy blue for the 42 mm case and in alabaster pink and cornflower grey for the 38mm case and they all feature hot-printed logos of Prada Re-Nylon and Panerai to mark the collaboration. The cosmopolitan timepieces are all set in a polished steel case. PAM01425 and PAM01426 are paired with an elegantly sophisticated matte white sandwich dial filled with grey Super-Luminova™ that illuminates in green in the dark. PAM01428 features a white sun-brushed dial with beige Super-LuminovaTM while PAM01429 is set in a blue sun brushed dial with white Super-LuminovaTM. The date is shown at 3 o’clock with small seconds at 9 o’clock while a subtle Panerai inscription finishes the quintessentially modern look of the dial.

The light grey 38mm (PAM01426) model is paired with a sophisticated matte white sandwich dial.

Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon comes with the PAM Click Release system to allow for easy changing of straps, making the timepiece even more versatile and universal to suit different styles and moods. The Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon 42mm feature an adjustable buckle while the 38mm a pin buckle. The automatic P.900 calibre powers the Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon with a three-day power reserve.

The iron grey 42mm (PAM01428) model from the Panerai X Prada Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon collection.

Perfect as a spring wardrobe addition, the Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon reflects Panerai’s urban and contemporary portfolio. The pieces seamlessly blend the Maison’s distinctive watchmaking elements with modern style sensibilities, appealing to watch lovers who want the best of both worlds.
The collection is available worldwide in all Panerai boutiques and on panerai.com.

LoL, Sandra

The 42mm (PAM 1429) Luminor Due Prada Re-Nylon in a stunning deep blue.

Photos: © Panerai/Prada
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Gucci announces the reopening of its newly renovated boutique in Saint-Tropez. Located at 72, rue François Sibilli, between the port and the place des Lices, the space spans over 200 square meters across two floors and carries a wide array of pieces comprising ready-to-wear and accessories for both men and women. Guests are welcomed to discover the House’s signature handbags lines including the Jackie 1961, the Bamboo 1947 and the Horsebit 1955 along with a curated selection of precious jewelry pieces. In addition, the boutique showcases items from the Gucci Valigeria collection envisioned for the perfect get-away.

Situated in a classic Saint-Tropez house characterized by the typical green shutters that define the surrounding landscape, the boutique is crowned by a private garden designed around an old well providing guests with a space to relax, enjoy the greenery and immerse themselves in the beautiful atmosphere of the French Riviera.

The design of the interiors complements the outdoors evoking the unique beauty of the Cote D’Azur through light-toned hues and the implementation of local materials and finishes. Floors are adorned with Liberty style mosaics recreating curved volutes designs typical of the early 20th century. Natural oak panels found across walls harmoniously complement woven rattan finishes in a nod to local craftmanship traditions.

Envisioned to make guests feel at home, the store is framed with newly designed racks inspired by classic brass designs associated with drawers reminiscent of hard sided trunks inspired by the House’s luggage offer. Carpets and curtains match the boutique’s sophisticated palette evoking the light-hearted spirit of warm summer days. Ensuring the most comfortable and intimate shopping experience, guests may reserve a dedicated room within the store to enjoy privacy and special services tailored to their specific needs.

As part of Gucci’s commitment to implement and enhance eco-friendly initiatives and energy-efficient technologies in the House’s stores worldwide, the new boutique is designed using LEED guidelines and principles; monitor and promote energy efficiency.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci
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June 8th marks World Oceans Day and LA MER is celebrating this special occasion with the limited-edition Blue Heart Crème de la Mer. It lives the same combination of sea-sourced ingredients that gives every batch of the iconic moisturizer its skin-soothing abilities. With a collectible design imbued with the regenerative energy of Giant Sea Kelp, that power now undulates on the outside, too.

Today, over 90% of LA MER’s sea plants are responsibly sourced. As a brand born from the sea and powered by the self-regenerative properties of kelp, the House is committed to listening closely to its needs. That’s why the LA MER Blue Heart Oceans Fund was launched, a resource that helps to support organizations that share the commitment to protecting the ocean.

YOU CAN SHOP THE LA MER BLUE HEART 2023 LIMITED EDITION HERE.
Your purchase of this commemorative Blue Heart Crème de la Mer does not impact La Mer’s charitable donations.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Rian Davidson 
We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Prada announces the June 2023 installment of its Timecapsule NFT Collection. Featuring a floral pattern, the drop on June 1st is a celebration of the upcoming summer period.

For drop #42 of the Timecapsule collection, Prada designed a tank top in floral-patterned jacquard terry cloth, an upcycled fabric from the Prada Archive. It features the iconic Prada enameled triangle logo on the front and the month June on the back. Each shirt comes accompanied with its own gifted NFT, serving as an invitation to join Prada’s exclusive Crypted NFT community on Discord.

In May 2022, Prada pushed further from the physical world into Web3 by creating its very own community which is inclusive and open to all. Members of the Prada Crypted Discord community have direct access to information on future Prada projects and NFT drops. It is a place to exchange ideas and inspire one another while connecting the universe of fashion with the worlds of art, architecture, cinema, music, Web3 and more.

Purchasers of Prada Timecapsule items prior to the launch of the NFT initiative in June 2022 can retroactively claim past Timecapsule NFTs in sync with their existing physical product. More details can be found on the Prada Crypted Community on Discord.

The thirteenth Timecapsule Collection paired with a corresponding gifted NFT drop is limited to 50 items, for 24 hours only, starting from June 1st, 2023 at 3pm CET.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: ©Prada
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Hublot and Nespresso, two Swiss icons, have joined forces on an exceptional project: the creation of a Big Bang timepiece based on recycling and circularity. This watch is the first to be made using recycled Nespresso aluminium capsules and coffee grounds.

As part of its Second Life initiatives over the last seven years, Nespresso has partnered with prestigious Swiss brands to create new products from used aluminium capsules. The Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin, the result of the partnership between Hublot and Nespresso, shares the values of innovation, excellence and sustainability, which are at the core of both brands. Founded in 1980, Hublot is renowned for its Art of Fusion, developing new alloys, materials and composites, pushing the boundaries of different materials and placing rubber at the heart of the watchmaking industry by using it for its straps. And, since 1986, Nespresso has not only revolutionised the Art of Coffee with its portioned system that perfectly blends precision with an unforgettable taste, but has also added even greater value with its recycling system, designed in 1991, that separates the aluminium from the coffee grounds, enabling each component to be repurposed. And that’s how a coffee capsule can now become a watch, from strap to case.

This is a world first: Hublot’s and Nespresso’s pioneering spirit has transformed used coffee grounds from the capsules into watch straps. The recycled aluminium fused with the aluminium capsules become the case, the bezel, the crown and the pusher.

This is an unprecedented collaboration, signaled by Nespresso’s iconic «N» engraved on the crown, and its iconic colour – a nod to the Master Origins Peru Organic capsule. The density of the two materials is expertly blended to ensure the durability of the product. The Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin’s 42-mm case is crafted in recycled aluminium, of which 28% comes from Nespresso coffee capsules, anodised in vibrant green, then satin finished and polished. The crown and pusher undergo the same treatment. The bottom of the case and the container are both made from Eco-Titanium (recycled titanium). The titanium deployant buckle of the rubber strap, with its decorative recycled aluminium cap, and the sport buckle of the Velcro strap are also in the same anodised green colour.

The Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin takes the recycled coffee grounds from Nespresso capsules and applies the magic of Hublot’s patented One Click interchangeable strap system to them. To create the rubber strap, Hublot has skilfully balanced the ratio of each ingredient to achieve the perfect colour and quality. For the fabric strap, Hublot has collaborated with SingTex, one of Nespresso’s partners who was already using recycled coffee grounds to produce a fabric called Scafé. This 100% recycled fabric (composed of 5% coffee grounds and 95% recycled polyester) is being used for the first time to make a watch strap. A subtle balance, to ensure the durability of the bracelet, which also sees the rubber strap fusing 4.1% coffee grounds, 8.2% recycled white rubber and the usual Hublot formula.

It took Hublot a whole year of R&D, working closely with Nespresso, to finally achieve the perfect harmony of colours between seven different materials that make up the watch, from its case to its straps (anodised aluminium, the varnish on the dial and hands, the Hublot logo decal on the glass, the rubber of the strap, and the fabric, lining and hook & loop tape of the Velcro strap) and to ensure that this uniformity of colour would stand the test of time.
This is a symbolic watch: in creating the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin, Hublot and Nespresso have demonstrated that it is possible to add value to recycled raw materials – and that circularity has no limits.

Another first: the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin will come in the Hublot Greenbox case, a brand new case developed by this watchmaking manufacturer that will be used for all its watch collections in the future. Created entirely from oak, including its hinges, it is carved from mostly massive, traceable wood, whose sourcing and manufacture both promote short supply chains. It is designed to be a reusable item, with 98% of its removable interior made from eco-friendly and recycled components. It is made from recycled fabrics, plastic yarns and PET, as well as recycled paper and cardboard that are eco-labelled. For the collaboration with Nespresso, the Hublot Greenbox case is specially decorated with the two brands’ logos, affixed using coffee grounds.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hublot – @Hublot @Nespresso @Nespresso.ch
#Hublot #Nespresso #CultivateTheMovement
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The power of water… Drinking plenty of water is a simple yet vital part of maintaining good health, especially as we get older. Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your health. It can help with everything from healthy heart function and skin elasticity to making you happier and more productive. And good news is that you can drink water in style and also get dressed for it.

Evian is partnering with historic Paris fashion house Balmain. With a unique baroque motif designed by Balmain Creative Director Olivier Rousteing, this limited edition 75cl glass bottle reflects a shared commitment to embracing our heritage. Paying homage to the fashion house’s founder, Pierre Balmain, who grew up in the small mountain village of Saint Jean de Maurienne, not far from evian’s iconic source in the Alps, its design combines the universes of both houses, with delicate light blue lace features and aqua-like droplets inspired by evian’s pure natural mineral water, enhanced with Balmain’s signature embellished details and gold lettering.

The collaboration also includes the launch of a capsule collection of ready-to-wear clothing and accessories. Classic sportswear silhouettes with the shades of soft pastels that one immediately associates with Balmain runways, the evian universe and, above all, refreshing joys of summer.

Relying on a wide variety of eco-friendly practices, materials and innovations, the collection of laid-back styles and accessories places the collaboration’s focus squarely on the powerful possibilities of a future world of fashion sustainability, all grouped under the distinctive tagline of «Together, change is beautiful.»

The Balmain team undertook the task of integrating a diverse range of materials, such as GOTS-certified organic cottons, sustainable viscose, and various recycled materials, to craft an extensive range of clothing items, including swimsuits, tees, hoodies, bombers, trucker jackets, and jeans.

Through this collaboration, evian and Balmain demonstrated a shared dedication to eco friendly practices, even in the minutest details, such as the recycled polyester labels and composition stickers, paper packaging made from pulp derived from sustainably managed FSC-certified forests, and the use of recycled plastic hangers and bags.

As an extension to the collection, evian and Balmain collaborated with Solaris, a recycling innovation industry leader to highlight the new opportunities presented by recycling plastic waste not suitable for circular economy in the fashion industry. Together, they developed a surprising new spin on the popular Balmain B-It slider: a sleek and transparent B-It that is entirely crafted from plastic waste that is typically judged to be unsuitable for reuse within the circular product cycle. Solaris also assisted Rousteing’s accessory design team, helping create an unexpected take on the house’s luxury Blaze handbag, using a 45% plant-based resin mixture to 3D-print the body and cover of the Blaze. The bag’s handle and lock logo were also 3D-printed, relying on a 100% rPET material created from recycled evian bottle waste (evian rPET flakes) that doesn’t meet circularity standards.

The «Together, Change is Beautiful» campaign was shot by filmmaker and photographer Carlota Guerrero, an artist who aims to portray beauty in a natural and frank way.

Guerrero’s film features the highly acclaimed La Marche Bleue dance troupe performing an original dance piece choreographed by founder Leo Walk. «The sequence was choreographed so that the movements would be impossible to perform alone,» noted Walk. «Instead, the dancers achieved their goal together, supporting each other and making it clear, through dance, that together, change is beautiful.»

Stay hydrated, stay in touch.
TO SHOP THE BALMAIN x EVIAN SPORTSWEAR COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Balmain x evian, © Sandra Bauknecht #evianwater
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