Sandra‘s Closet

Making history as the first black woman to headline Coachella, the famous California music festival, Beyoncé used the opportunity to celebrate the culture of historically black colleges with her performance. To do so, she hit the stage in several custom college letter sweatshirts designed by Balmain while singing her famous songs, such as «Run the World (Girls)». Immediately after, fans were searching the internet for ways to get their hands on these cool pieces. And now, we can all finally buy a BAK-lettered sweatshirt.

Printed cotton-blend jersey hooded top

The six-piece collection, an iconic collaboration for music and fashion, features three T-shirts and three sweatshirts offered in black, hot pink, and bright yellow, like the one Queen Bey wore to open her Coachella set and riffs on the signature varsity styles and legacy of America’s 37 historically black colleges and universities.

Proceeds from the collection, fittingly, will be used to help fund the impressive work of UNCF (United Negro College Fund), which helps thousands of students attend college, thrive, graduate and become tomorrow’s leaders.

Cropped embellished cotton-blend jersey hooded top

Me with Olivier Rousteing

In a statement, Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing explained: «After experiencing that beautiful partnership, we weren’t ready to just walk away without adding gone final, perfecting touch. This collection of hoodies and tees, based on key designs from our Coachella efforts, responds to our need to repay an obvious debt for the inspiration we received from the signature spirit and legacy of America’s historically black colleges and universities(HBCUs). Which is why we are so very pleased to announce that proceeds from this collection will help fund the impressive work of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF)—helping to guarantee that tomorrow’s leaders will be able to attend college, thrive and graduate.»

Printed cotton-jersey T-shirt

 The Balmain x Beyoncé Coachella collection is available exclusively at Balmain’s Paris flagship store, at the House’s revamped digital platform and at NET-A-PORTER.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balmain

For MIU MIU’s F/W 2018 ready-to-wear show staged in Paris in March, the elegant halls of the Perret building were hung with generic poster-size sheets of white paper, each bearing
a highly distinctive, large-scale, monochrome illustration of a female face or body interlaced with a letterform.

Ambiance at the MIU MIU F/W 2018 show

This MIU MIU «alphabet» – all 26 letters of the alphabet appeared – was created for the occasion by M/M Paris in collaboration with Miuccia Prada.

A «Miu Miu Types» capsule collection of white poplin shirts, cotton hoodies and track pants will be patched with one, two or three letters , all drawing on the ‘MIU’ of the MIU MIU name.
Classic white cotton T-shirts, meanwhile, will be emblazoned with ‘MIU MIU’ spelt out in full in this idiosyncratic and characteristically playful style.

Available for example in MIU MIU’s new boutique on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris.

From the end of July 2018, in select MIU MIU stores, clients will be offered the opportunity to personalize a simple white shirt and T-shirt with a single letter of their choosing. In a series of exclusive three-day events visitors will be asked to pick their letter which, will be applied to a garment on the spot or will be sent out for customization and then shipped to their desired destination upon completion.

In this way a bold and beautiful new language for Miu Miu is brought to life.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

Yesterday, Italian fashion entrepreneur, also called the «Jeans Genius», Renzo Rosso, was spotted during Paris Haute Couture Week wearing a T-shirt with cryptic wording on it. A mistake, or a purposeful provocation? It was both—a mistake on purpose.

Me with Renzo Rosso at Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbombastic Party during Paris Couture Week.

DIESEL founder Rosso definitely doesn’t make a mistake. This move is a marketing strategy par excellence. The President of OTB Group, the parent company of Diesel, Maison Margiela, Marni, Paula Cademartori, Viktor & Rolf, Staff International (manufacturer and distributor of DSquared², Just Cavalli, Maison Margiela, Marni and Vivienne Westwood), and Brave Kid (manufacturer and distributor of Diesel Kid, Dsquared², John Galliano Kids, Marni and Trussardi Junior) knows how to get attention and make a statement in the right way.

His message?
Anything you do online, whether you are famous or not, will get judged. Hate brews on the internet; angry, bitter people are able to hide behind the anonymity of their screens. At one point or another, everybody receives hate on social media. He wanted to provoke his audience with an intentional misspelling in public and on Instagram. As expected, tons of comments appeared in his feed over the next few hours, giving more proof that conflict and hate are inescapable online.

DIESEL once again taps into current social issues in a very personal way, starting with self-mocking. The brand’s Haute Couture will be a bold message towards haters worldwide—and an invitation for everyone to step up, face and own the negative messages we receive every day.
The complete reveal of this new communication ‘adventure’ will occur at the end of summer—so, now more than ever, stay tuned. Bravo!

In the meantime, I will be on vacation wearing this shirt :-).
Swarovski crystal-embellished cotton-jersey top by Ashish

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Diesel and © Sandra Bauknecht

Since Maria Grazia Chiuri has taken the helmet at Dior, she has not been afraid of delivering powerful statements. Last year, she already gave us one politically charged look with her famous «We Should All Be Feminists» T-shirt, and now she is back for another round.  To open the S/S 2018 show, Sasha Pivovarova went down the runway in a Breton-striped shirt that read «Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?», a direct reference to historian Linda Nochlin’s 1971 essay on patriarchy’s lasting effect on art. It is absolutely worth reading.

But personally speaking, I think Maria Grazia has forgotten one tiny thing:-) …, most of us are great artists on a daily basis. And our skin is our canvas. Dior has come up with some great painting tools this S/S 2018, enjoy this quick insight of what I can recommend for the perfect oeuvre.

PREPARE YOUR CANVAS

DIOR HYDRA LIFE Balancing Hydration
2 in 1 Sorbet Water
It is as yummy as it sounds. This new generation waters highly concentrated in a bouquet of Jasmin, mallow, haber lea and fine mineral powders of natural origin. It immediately moisturizes and rebalances for skin so naturally beautiful you will prefer it bare.
CHF 47.00 (175ml)

DIOR HYDRA LIFE Cooling Hydration
Sorbet Eye Gel
A must for summer and after a night out. This ultra-fresh eye gel moisturizes, balances and revitalizes the delicate skin around the eyes while mineral pearls illuminate it. Best if you keep it in the fridge for an extra cooling effect.
CHF 66.50 (15ml)

PREP YOUR CANVAS

DIOR PRESTIGE Le Cushion Teint de Rose
Fond de Teint Revitalisant d’Exception
Rose Glow – High Correction
SPF 50 – PA+++/ Long Wear

Dior’s first revitalizing foundation concentrates the power of at least 500 rose petals for the most radiant rose-petal complexion. It ideally evens out the complexion with a weightless finish while enhancing the rosy glow on the skin’s surface. Available in 5 shades. Love, love, love!

COLOUR YOUR CANVAS

DIOR ADDICT Lacquer Plump
Plumbing Lacquered Lip Ink
Long-Wear Colour
CHF 50.00

In mere seconds, its fine formula delivers color with intense lacquer shine and fusional hold. Enriched with hibiscus extract and hyaluronic acid, it plumps and deeply hydrates lips (+78% hydration after 24 hours) to achieve a fuller effect. You don’t need much more during warm summer days. My favorite shades are: 456 Dior Pretty, 538 Dior Glitz and 758 D-Mesure

FINISH OFF YOUR ARTWORK WITH A TOUCH OF PERFUME

MISS DIOR Blooming Bouquet
Roller-Pearl Eau de Toilette
CHF 52.50 (20ml)

A beautiful glass bottle in the right size for your handbag topped with a delicate pearl for discreet and sensorial fragrance application that offers you to wrap yourself in the fresh floral scent of Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet anywhere, anytime.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht

When the whole ’90s-revival thing picked up steam most recently, I didn’t think twice about whipping out my overalls, and buying some body-hugging bodies. By the way, I am not talking about other human beings, I am talking about those tops that snap together at the crotch that were hugely popular in the ’90s and that made you look more like a Soviet gymnast than a fashionista at that time. This S/S 2018 season, I’ll admit that the return of this trend can look really amazing as the designers have come up with some fabulous pieces.

Anyway, brace yourself for a fashionable trip down the memory lane. You will love it, I promise!

1 Sage one-shoulder cutout metallic stretch-jersey bodysuit by Isabel Marant
2 Lace-trimmed square-neck bodysuit by Valentino
3 Denim-knit bodysuit by Stella McCartney
4 Logo-print scoop-neck body by Balmain
5 Sequined knitted bodysuit by Michael Kors
6 Jersey bodysuit by Roberto Cavalli
7 Knotted faux leather and stretch-jersey bodysuit by Stella McCartney

Stretch-knit bodysuit by Alaïa

Mesh and stretch-jersey bodysuit by Balmain

Ruffled silk-blend chiffon bodysuit by Johanna Ortiz

Mesh-paneled printed jersey bodysuit by Versace

Happy Sunday!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Easter is in two weeks which is right around the corner. Get ready for the holiday in style with these adorable outfit and gift ideas for any Easter activity you have planned! Whether you are hosting a brunch with friends and family, an egg hunt with the kids, or just chill at home for the holiday with your loved one, I have your wardrobe options covered. Thankfully, this season’s trends complement the Easter spirit perfectly, so no need to feel shy wearing your bunny all year long!

THE FASHIONABLE EASTER BUNNY

1 Embellished intarsia sweater by Gucci
2 Polka dot rabbit T-shirt by Peter Jensen
3 Rabbit intarsia jumper by Prada
4 Rabbit tote by Comme des Garçons Girl
5 Intarsia wool sweater by Gucci
6 Rabbit zip around wallet by MCM
7 Rabbit print wallet by Prada

THE GUCCI EASTER BUNNY

1 Embroidered wool cardigan by Gucci
2 Embroidered denim skirt by Gucci
3 Appliquéd cotton T-shirt by Gucci
4 Appliquéd cotton hoodie by Gucci
5 Embroidered denim jacket by Gucci

THE NAUGHTY EASTER BUNNY

1 Playboy bunny logo sweater by Moschino
2 Bunny gingham leather cross-body bag by Loewe
3 Bunny cap by Bernstock Speirs
4 Embellished swimsuit by Moschino
5 Heidi lace bunny ear headband by Maison Michel
6 Embellished Bugs Bunny sweater by Gucci

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

This season, it’s time to give your silhouette a sultry and unexpected spin, pulling down the sleeves for a shoulder-baring, décolletage-highlighting effect. What we best know from dresses and tops, comes now also for jackets and coats. Time to give the cold-shoulder in style!
To shop, just click on the highlighted text of the respective item below.

1 Cold-shoulder wool and cashmere coat by Prada
2 Could-shoulder wool and silk blazer by Prada
3 Cold-shoulder cotton top by Mugler
4  Cold-shoulder denim jacket by Alexander McQueen
5 Cold-shoulder cardigan by Prada
6 Cold-shoulder cashmere and silk top by Prada

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via mytheresa

Launched for the first time as a limited-edition capsule collection directly after the Pre-fall 2017 runway as a see-now-buy-now movement, Alberta Ferretti‘s so-called «Rainbow Week» consists of seven wool and cashmere sweaters in mood-boosting hues, each dedicated to a day of the week. Some come in cropped versions, others such as «Friday» in a more comfy oversized look.

I am sure that you do remember this «days of the week underwear» that probably many of you wore as a child. I actually loved those and here is the adult version. Now, the Italian designer takes its successful idea to new heights with a re-issue of the «Rainbow Week» in different vibrant or pastel colors as well as striped pieces that say «Today», «Tomorrow» and «Yesterday». Moreover there are now bathing suits, T-shirts, cropped tops, hats and fake fur jackets available in matching shades.

You can mix and match the colors and style the must-have pieces with your favorite pair of jeans for the perfect off-duty look or dress them up with a sexy lace skirt as Alberta Ferretti has shown it on the runway. I love all combinations!

YOU CAN SHOP THE COLLECTION AT LUISAVIAROMA AND FARFETCH.
Just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly.

HAPPY FRIDAY SWEATER DAY!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Alberta Ferretti and via design-seeds

Inspired by the iconic Walt Disney full length feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, London-based designer Mary Katrantzou has designed an exclusive collection for iconic Parisian store colette, that will close its door on December 20, 2017 unfortunately.

Marking the 80th anniversary of the groundbreaking animated feature, the collection centers on the scene stealing dwarfs re-imagined in technicolor sequin motifs, boldly embroidered on t-shirts and fully sequined sweatshirts, bombers and dresses. Combining Katrantzou’s signature witty and colourful style with easy-to-wear silhouettes, the collection aligns with colette’s innovative Parisian mix of modernity and originality.

“My work is rooted in visual culture and the collaging of disparate elements in unexpected combinations” says Mary Katrantzou. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a definitive moment within pop culture and each individual dwarf expresses a different facet of feelings universal to the human experience. This collection is a re-interpretation of the iconic Snow White characters for our times”.

To celebrate the capsule collection, Mary Katrantzou and director Pierre Dixsaut have captured an immersive shimmering wonderland with model Louise Follain. The video will be premiered in the colette windows from now till this Saturday November 25th.

Those beautiful limited edition pieces will be available in store from now until November 25th and online at www.colette.fr from now until December 20th.

Which dwarf are you? #happy #bashful #sleepy#sneezy #dopey #doc #grumpy…
I am so in love with this collection! Bravo, Mary!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of @Mary Katrantzou 
Film and images: @pierredixsaut with @louisefollain

Those who think that cropped tops are only for the warm-weather months are sadly mistaken. This fall, they are shorter and trendier than ever, giving your favorite shirts a whole new look!
Get your crop top fix during the colder months with those super-short sweaters.

1 Cropped wool sweater by Stella McCartney
2 Cropped cable-knit wool turtleneck sweater by Valentino
3 Cropped ribbed wool-blend turtleneck sweater by Marni
4 Cropped cashmere sweater by Valentino
5 Cropped open-knit wool sweater by Isa Arfen

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands