Sandra‘s Closet

Today H&M announced its big secret: the next exclusive designer collaboration will be with ERDEM, the London based must-have designer loved by celebrities and fashion insiders alike.

H&M is also pleased to reveal that the visionary film maker Baz Luhrmann will bring the collection to life through his unique storytelling. ERDEM x H&M will be available in selected stores as well as on hm.com, November 2.

For H&M, Erdem has designed a brand-new collection for women and, for the first time ever, a collection for men. Erdem believes in the power of beauty, exploring historical references and personal narratives in every piece he makes. For ERDEM x H&M he’ll reflect and reinterpret the design themes from some of his most celebrated collections, playing with the prints, textiles and delicate craftsmanship that have made his name.

Erdem with me

“I am so happy to collaborate with H&M, and to explore my work on a whole new scale including a menswear collection which I have never done before. It’s also such a thrill to work with Baz Luhrmann, one of the most important storytellers of our time,” says Erdem.

Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s Creative Advisor, to the left, Erdem in the center, and Baz Luhrmann.

“For me fashion is always about more than just clothing, it is a form of expression – a stand alone art form. I am excited to be collaborating with ERDEM and H&M to reveal the story of this unique collection,” says Baz Luhrmann.

“From the moment we started talking with Erdem about the collaboration, I was captured by his vision. For ERDEM x H&M he has created an enchanting world full of beauty, delicacy and rich details. These are special pieces you will want to wear forever,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s Creative Advisor.

Have fun watching the video below and start dreaming!
LoL, Sandra

Photos/Video: © H&M and © Sandra Bauknecht

Eleven sneakers dedicated to eleven vibrant cities of the world – Emilio Pucci launches a new limited edition capsule collection that celebrates luxury sportswear inspired by the most renowned cities.

Through a journey across the world, each shoe is an exclusive combination of colors: dynamic for Milan, tropical for Miami, and radiant for Seoul. The collection includes styles dedicated to Florence, Rome, Paris, London, Dubai, Moscow, Hong Kong, and New York.

The name of the each city is embroidered on the back of the shoe; vivid colors, elastic bands and mini rouchesdetails create a unique and fashionable design.

Every model of Sneakers of the World will be available in the Emilio Pucci boutique of the related city from now while all models will be exclusively sold on the online flagship store.

What a pity that we don’t have a Pucci store in Zurich…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Emilio Pucci

Today marks the launch of Alexa Chung‘s debut collection ALEXACHUNG. Drawing on the model, muse and journalist’s own idiosyncratic sense of style, her beautiful collection applies over a decade of experience in the fashion industry and is packed with personality and humour. “Music has had a huge influence on my work as have my friends,” she explains, citing icons Jane Birkin, Brian Jones, David Hockney and David Bowie as inspiration. I especially love her fun slogan tops and the gorgeous denim overall.

To celebrate the new line, luxury online retailer MYTHERESA has joined forces with musician Mike Skinner to produce the second instalment of mytheresa.com tunes.

In 2004 English musician, The Street’s Mike Skinner booked a then unknown model, Alexa Chung, to star in the music film clip of “I could well be in”. They met again for the first time in twelve years at a mytheresa.com intimate dinner in Germany and an idea ensued. To celebrate the launch of Alexa’s collection, mytheresa.com re-united them for the mytheresa.com tunes series. The song “In my head – the darker the shadow the brighter the light”, is classic Mike Skinner prose and features Alexa Chung narrating her way through Ireland, from the iconic Lismore Castle to the dive bars of Cork, in selected looks from her debut collection.

Being the first mytheresa.com woman in a series of inspiring women, there is a special bonding between mytheresa.com and Alexa Chung since 2013 when the first joint project launched. Since then Alexa Chung has attended several mytheresa.com events (click here please for a previous post), but was also the main character of the very first mytheresa.com tunes instalment for the launch of AC by AG jeans, singing a cover of “Blue Denim” by Stevie Nicks.

TO SHOP ALEXACHUNG ONLINE AT MYTHERESA, CLICK HERE PLEASE. Alternatively, the collection is also available at NET-A-PORTER.

LoL, Sandra

Photos and Video: Courtesy of Mytheresa.com and via Vogue UK

The new Prada Cinéma S/S 2017 eyewear collection stands out with its stylistic blend of sophisticated elegance and contemporary details.
The new sunglasses draw inspiration from the 1960s, reinterpreting the classic rounded shape with a modern twist. The oversized acetate front features thick lines enhanced by the shiny metal upper front profile. They are sophisticated while being extremely wearable.

The iconic flat metal temples – a key theme of the Prada Cinéma collection – are creatively matched with the acetate tips.

The palette includes a wide range of colour combinations, from classic Black and different shades of Tortoise – Classic, Medium, Orchid, Talc – to the new fresh upcoming delicate nuances of Crystal Nude, Crystal Aqua and Crystal Blue.

The collection is available at prada.com, Prada stores and selected retailers worldwide.

The launch is accompanied by a digital film starring model Giedre Dukauskaite – a playful homage to the cinematic escape in which the transformational fantasies of film take center stage. A deceptively simple story of a day at the movies, but what apparently seems an ordinary escape gives way to an unexpected plot.

If you are like me a big fan of the Prada feather top, you can click here to shop it.

LoL, Sandra

Photos and Short Film: Courtesy of Prada

Luxury online retailer MYTHERESA and 2013 launched fashion brand Off-White collaborated on a special capsule collection which will be sold worldwide exclusively from today. The collection, that consists of 8 pieces, picks up on Off-White’s high-minded take on street wear that embodies multiple juxtapositions, featuring lose shapes and street style in combination with very feminine details such as soft pastels and tight corsages.

An exciting look behind-the-scenes was given to both of the brands followers on social media through the videos “CUT HERE” (to watch part2 and part3 of the video trilogy, click on the highlighted text please), showing the making of the exclusive capsule collection. For the hero piece of the line, the khaki coloured Mackintosh, followers on social media were furthermore invited to be part of the creative process by deciding on the length of the coat.

“The concept for the capsule collection was to embrace the internet’s relation with fashion, to empower the public and broaden while gaining additional fashion critics. The idea is that the garment is labeled with a series of marks. People can chime in with their opinion on where the garment should be cut. I take in the suggestions, but ultimately will make the final decision.” Virgil Abloh, Creative Director Off-White.

The Off-White c/o mytheresa.com exclusive capsule collection will be presented within a dedicated editorial story, featuring behind-the-scenes footage and the possibility to shop the looks directly.

TO SHOP THE EXCLUSIVE OFF-WHITE c/o MYTHERESA CAPSULE COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mytheresa, Off-White

Looking for something exclusive and new? Then I have something for you today. Mytheresa.com is partnering with Miu Miu to launch an exclusive capsule collection for S/S 2017 that is hitting the virtual shelves today.

The line, which is inspired by Miu Miu’s beautiful S/S 2017 runway collection and vibrant signatures, features ready-to-wear, as well as handbags and footwear.

How cute are those girly embellishments and the playful spirit of the bright floral and polka dot prints?! My two most wanted: Embellished cotton T-shirt and printed cotton-terry skirt.

Embellished open-toe sandals

Among the limited edition must-haves are the brand’s bestselling ballet flats and slides updated in pastel-hued shearling.

Shearling ballerinas

To introduce the new collection, the Mytheresa has teamed with Danny Sangra, a Central Saint Martin’s graduate and renowned director, artist and illustrator, to produce a short film called “Shark” that I invite you to watch below. It is very fun. But be careful! You might be in a serious shopping mode after!

To shop the exclusive Miu Miu x mytheresa.com exclusive capsule collection, click here please!

LoL, Sandra

Photos, Stills and Short Film: Courtesy of Mytheresa

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Yesterday, Dolce & Gabbana showed their S/S 2017 haute couture «Alta Moda and Alta Sartoria» show at the Tokyo National Museum in Japan. It is cherry blossom, so-called sakura season at the moment and who has ever been during that time to Tokyo knows how beautiful it is to see this national icon of the Asian country. I have been there many years ago and love to indulge in those memories of pink petals plastering the streets.

Of course, there was an in-bloom cherry tree on the runway when the designer duo presented their almost 100 looks for both, men and women, to an audience of mostly local clients and other guests from all over the world.

Contrary to other shows that Dolce & Gabbana hosted, the models came mostly from Japan, a way of showing respect, which is the backbone of this Asian culture. After the show, the designers shook hands with their guests, another important gesture as for the Japanese, every person has a role to play towards the collective. It is always about «we», never about «me».

The collection was of course very much inspired by Japan, beautifully embellished and embroidered, something Dolce & Gabbana stands for. There were headpieces designed as branches of a cherry blossom tree or hand-painted floral motifs on lace. Just beautiful – have a look at the video below where you can get a great impression of this Italian artwork in Japan!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana, © Luke Leitch / Vogue

This morning while I was working on another post, I got an e-mail from Louis Vuitton that made my heart leap with joy and that I wanted to share with you immediately. The French Maison is collaborating with Jeff Koons for a collection called «Masters» for which the famous American pop artist remixes the iconic artworks of the old masters and presents them in a way that encourages new interpretations.

Balloon Dog (Orange) © Jeff Koons
signed and dated ‘Jeff Koons 1994-2000’ (on the underside) , mirror-polished stainless steel with transparent color coating , 121 x 143 x 45 in. (307.3 x 363.2 x 114.3 cm)
Executed in 1994-2000. This work is one of five unique versions (Blue, Magenta, Orange, Red, Yellow).

With Jeff Koons in New York City in 2013 for the Balloon Venus launch event with Dom Pérignon.

Since Marc Jacobs enlisted Stephen Sprouse to create the now-iconic graffiti range in 2001, Louis Vuitton has led the way in the fashion/art collaboration stakes. Koons, whose Balloon Dog (Orange) holds the record for the most expensive art work by a living artist after it sold for $58.4 million at Christie’s New York in November 2013, follows in the footsteps of Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince, Daniel Buren and Damien Hirst by partnering with Louis Vuitton.

Gazing Ball (Ariadne), 2013, Plaster and Glass
112.6 x 238.4 x 93cm, Edition no. 3/3
Monsoon Art Collection, © Jeff Koons

For his collaboration with Louis Vuitton, Koons seeked inspiration from his Gazing Ball series that he started in 2013 as a series of plaster reproductions of famous ancient sculptures, each one set with a blue mirrored sphere. It’s these hand-painted Old Master reproductions that appear on the limited-edition Masters range of iconic Louis Vuitton handbags as well, from Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Titian’s Mars, Venus and Cupid, Fragonard’s Girl with a Dog, Van Gogh’s Wheat Fields and Cypresses to Rubens’ Tiger Hunt.

The beautiful interior of the Rubens Palm Springs backpack (more photos below…)

The name of each original artist is emblazoned across the front, and their biography and portrait are featured inside. Absolutely new for Louis Vuitton is that a collaborator features his own initials on the bags. A sign for the importance of his status.

Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters Collection
Fragonard Speedy 30

Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters Collection
Titian Neverfull MM

Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters Collection
Da Vinci Speedy 30 in Poppy

Fans of Koons’ Inflatables series get their money’s worth; each piece is finished with a leather tag in the shape of the inflatable rabbit that Koons famously cast in polished stainless steel in 1986.

My personal three favorites are:

Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters Collection
Rubens Palm Springs Backpack

Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters Collection
Rubens Keepall 50

Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters Collection
Van Gogh Montaigne MM

The Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters collection will be available from April 28 in stores and at louisvuitton.com. Below you can enjoy the beautiful teaser.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton, © Jeff Koons, © Sandra Bauknecht, Louis Vuitton Malletier/Melanie & Ramon

Last week, I had the chance to preview the upcoming H&M Conscious Exclusive Collection 2017 at the new showroom in Zurich which is a dream by the way. The Swedish fashion house knows how to amaze us when it comes to affordable fashion, but it’s the work the brand is doing with its latest sustainable line that will blow you away.

Natalia Vodianova is the face of the campaign and looks absolutely divine in my favorite dress of the collection: a dreamy, blush-pink gown that seems to float on air, made of the new material BIONIC® – a recycled polyester made from recovered plastic from shorelines, waterways and coastal communities.

It is the very same plastic that is constantly polluting our beach ecosystems that is used throughout the newest Conscious lineup. Have a look at the video at the end of this post explaining the new material further.

Launching in stores and online April 20, you can enjoy here the mind-blowing preview of the future of fashion.

The full assortment will also include of men’s and kids’ clothes and accessories as well for the first time a fragrance.

LoL, Sandra

My favorite dress on display in the Zurich showroom…

… along with more beautiful pieces from the collection.

Those tulle dresses are also absolutely beautiful.

Photos: Courtesy of © H&M and © Sandra Bauknecht

Now available! The beautiful exclusive Missoni x Mytheresa capsule collection. Angela Missoni‘s classic signatures are freshened up just a touch, resulting in six styles, including tops, trousers and an amazing overall, that will give you an immediate confidence boost whether you’re out in the city or heading to the gym.

I am completely in love with those performance-boosting pieces! Working out in style has never been easier! Definitely something that keeps me motivated…

As part of the exclusive Missoni x Mytheresa activewear capsule collection, Jennifer Missoni offers us a complete yoga tutorial wearing the active-chic look. Namaste.

TO SHOP THE EXCLUSIVE CAPSULE COLLECTION MISSONI X MYTHERESA, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mytheresa