Sandra‘s Closet

With the fashion week craziness and all my travelling, I am a little behind posting as I have so much to show you. Thank God, it is all about F/W 2012, so that we have plenty of time to prepare us for this season.

During New York Fashion Week, I went also to the Tommy Hilfiger F/W 2012 Women’s Show. The location and the ambiance was the same as for the men’s show but instead of little tables with chairs, there were the typical fashion show rows to be able to host more people. Among the famous guests were Uma Thurman, Elisa Sednaoui, Petra Nemcova and the Courtin-Clarins sisters.

The Courtin-Clarins sisters looking for their seats.

From left to right: Sisters Jenna and Prisca and their cousins Virginie and Claire.

Model Petra Nemcova

Enjoing the show front row: Tommy Hilfiger’s wife Dee Ocleppo, Elisa Sednaoui and Uma Thurman.

TOWN AND COUNTRY

“The women’s collection is inspired by the preppy sporting life reconsidered with city sophistication. She is as much at ease at the hunt club as she is on Park Avenue. Championing classic looks with a modern spirit, versatility is key with A-line, mod shapes in rich colours and fabrics.”

Coats are the season’s must-have. Pea coats and trench coats are renewed in printed shearling, bonded leather and Melton wool with a nod to a 60s military influence (as seen earlier at the men’s show). Menswear patterns are reinterpreted in silk dresses with riding and cable knit prints and pleated backs. Heritage colours – Burgundy, Midnight Navy and Caramel, carry throughout, as do penny loafer inspired riding boots.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger, © Sandra Bauknecht

This was my look for the last evening of the Fashion Days Zurich. You see, I am keeping my word. In June, I told you that this ’60s colour block Mondrian-inspired shift dress and the oversized clutch bag will be on every fashionista’s shopping list ( see previous post), I couldn’t resist either.

20 Minuten Friday magazine liked the look, too!

Dress and shoes by Prada, pussybow blouse by Gucci, oversized clutch bag by Miu Miu, watch by Roger Dubuis and ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I have just heard the terrible news that Amy Winehouse has been found dead at her home in London this afternoon by emergency services. Her death is being treated as „unexplained“ by police but an overdose is considered the most likely cause, although a full autopsy will have to be performed. Winehouse has had a troubled life which has included various stints in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction.

We will miss her fantastic voice and her eclectic style of her golden days. Inspired by the chic of the `60s, Amy’s enormous beehive hairdo even inspired Karl Lagerfeld to send his models down the catwalk sporting the same hairstyle for his Chanel show three years ago.

“She is a beautiful, gifted artist. And I very much like her hairdo. I took it as an inspiration. Because, in fact, it was also Brigitte Bardot’s hairdo in the late Fifties and Sixties. And now Amy has made it her own style. So, when I saw her, I knew it was the right moment. Amy… she is the new Brigitte.”

– Karl Lagerfeld

Amy’s heavy black eyeliner was her signature and she loved `60s-era Capri pants with short-sleeved fitted shirts and little puffball skirted mini dresses.

She was 27. Coincidentally, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix were all also 27 when they died. It is so sad to see such a talented person throwing all her gifts away.
The devil in Miss Winehouse has won. R.I.P!

LoL, Sandra

Here it is look N°2 from LuisaViaRoma’s Firenze4Ever Total Styling Lab, so-called “Venus in Fur”. Some might not be so delighted about winter’s must-have, but fur was one of the trend materials on the runways. A fur vest is a great investment piece, very versatile to wear.

The `60s inspired dress by Giambattista Valli has a fun detail. The attached cape can be worn as a hood. I especially like the neon-coloured little waist band.

Céline’ s box bag has definitely become a classic. For this outfit, I chose the leopard print version which I find very chic. To shop the look, just click on the highlighted text:

Fur Vest: SIMONETTA RAVIZZA – Dress: GIAMBATTISTA VALLI – Bag: CELINE – Overknee Boots: CASADEI – Watch: ROGER DUBUIS

More from Florence to come…
LoL, Sandra

Photos: Ilaria Gambi

Summer has officially just started, but when it comes to fashion, we are right in the middle of winter.
The F/W 2011 ad campaigns are popping up and one of the most talked about this season is Prada’s „fashion maximalism“. Shot by Steven Meisel, the photos show never-before-seen faces such as Frida Gustavsson, Ondria Hardin, Dorte Limkilde, Kelly Mittendorf, Antonia Wesseloh and Julia Zimmer.

One thing is for sure, same as the S/S 2011 banana prints, those trompe l’oeil boots in bright and exotic skins will be seen everywhere the next season and the `60s colour block shift dress will be on every fashionista’s shopping list.

It wouldn’t be Miuccia Prada, if she didn’t surprise us once more. The face of her Miu Miu F/W 2011 ad campaign is 14-year-old actress Hailee Steinfeld who was photographed by Bruce Weber.

After nine seasons working with Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, Miu Miu is going in a new direction, with this different and fresh campaign.

Those glitter booties are sure to get even more buzz, they are to-die-for! Same as the oversized clutch bags, preferably in fur.

LoL, Sandra

If I wet your appetite with my article about the new S/S 2011 collections last week or you are leaving for a sunny and warm place after Christmas, you will love the new Resort 2011 collections that hit the stores daily.
This season is all about femininity, sweet details, a retro vibe and French chic. Enjoy my summary that I put together for you with the best looks available at the moment. Isn’t it always the most exciting time when the new pieces are arriving, I am just loving it….
What a bummer that I cannot wear my new gingham bikini in St. Moritz!

To a beautiful spring!

LoL, Sandra

Flaunt the season’s sexy 60s-look and embody the style of legendary Parisian chic in those stunning Louis Vuitton outfits. Preppy, classy and full of elegance, my favourites!

Imagine a bouquet of fresh cut flowers transforming into an appliqué dress. A feminine fusion of romance and seduction, foreunner of this trend: Stella McCartney.

Scallop details are this spring a glamour girl’s must-have. Take off in prim ensembles and jet-set-ready accessories and the French Riviera will be all yours.

Sip cocktails at a garden party in the most beautiful floral prints. Flower-bedecked accessories complement your sweet style perfectly.

Channel a sexy innocence in Chanel’s gingham prints, fit for a dip – or just sitting pretty, this is a must for every fashionista.

Pack for your trip to the Côte d’ Azur with nautical stripes and take a stroll along the beach in those classics. Cannes do!

Pinpoint spring chic with colorful polka dots and sweetly spotted seperates. Miu Miu shows you how to wear this look.

Start a delicious romance with lemons, cherries and apples. This season’s take on fruity prints, just gets started. Tutti Frutti is this summer’s leitmotif, yummy!

Challenge your luck and embrace spring in those Irish-inspiried beauties. It is time to live like a bee in clover.

This year, Wolford celebrates its 60th anniversary. To honour the event, the Austrian hosiery and lingerie brand is launching a gorgeous special edition set that is limited to only 350 worldwide with each individually numbered.
The collectable item, comprising of an all-in-one panty body combined with matching stockings (which can be worn separately), is made out of fine flower lace with embroidered blossoms and glittering Swarovski crystals. The exclusive anniversary pack has a great  `60s vibe to it, and remember lace is a must for F/W 2010.

Beyoncé is wearing it already in her video for her new dance track „Why Don`t You Love Me?“ that shows the rising vintage trend par excellence.

Available for CHF 1590.- (£ 825.-) in Wolford boutiques in the beginning of October.

LoL, Sandra

Swing into the season`s sixties mood in brocade bell-bottoms and baby dolls with peter pan collars. The ballooning trapeze mini silhouettes that had Twiggy made so famous were revived by Miuccia Prada for her Miu Miu collection. Popping orange, yellow and purple with petite bows, large buttons and tight fitting sweaters were seen on many runways, all evoking the sixties reference without forcing the vintage.

I am totally crazy for Miu Miu`s retro feel of the moment. And as Duke Ellington once said, „It don`t mean a thing if it ain`t got that swing“.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

During the next week, we will do some time-travelling through different decades and their impacts on the F/W 2010 collections. One of the most important ones to influence your fall wardrobe, is the era of the late fifties. It is a celebration of women with the return of the curvy silhouette. Forerunner of the mid-century modern look is Miuccia Prada that surprised once more with her first time focus on the breasts with ruffled  pointy-bra tops. But there is nothing vulgar about her designs. When nostalgia catches up, Marc Jacobs cannot be far away. In the same vein as Prada this season, his collection for Louis Vuitton accented the womanly figure via corsets, belted wasp waists, petticoated skirts, fitted tops and deep cuts.

The looks could have come straight out of the most popular American TV show of the moment, Mad Men. The Emmy and Golden Globe winning series is set in the late fifties/ beginning of the sixties in the world of New York advertising. Its visual style is highly acclaimed and has inspired many designers for fall.

The mood is very fresh feminine with an uptight but sexy secretary note. The full skirt that had reigned until the early 1960s as the emblem of the 1950s woman celebrates its comeback with a charming Frenchified accent.

The hair is scraped back into high, bouncy sort of Brigitte Bardot ponytails or preferably worn in high chignons, held by tight headbands. The make-up is very Dita Von Teese, sort of clean and all about eyeliner. If you like, you can add a red pout. This look will stay for Resort 2011 as seen beautifully at Dior.

To accessorize your Stepford Wives look, here is what you need:

First a pair of spiked little kitten heels, Those very pointed shoes are comfy and because of their short height, you can still look up to the stronger sex.

Secondly, a top handle bag that shows discreet elegance.

And last but not least, a pair of cat-eye sunglasses. You can choose from sharply exaggerated to sweetly retro, just unleash your feline side.

Can you write in shorthand “chic”? I am convinced that now you can…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Ladies, learn your fashion math! What equals a must-have? One dress on three covers  would be a good answer! Every season has a few iconic looks that appear over and over again.
So one important piece for fall is the `60s inspired Miu Miu dress that comes in bright orange or lavender lace. Worn by Eva Mendes on the July cover of W, by Lily Allen for British Elle and Freja Beha for Vogue UK, both for their August covers. That is an unusual coincidence because editors do not like to share their lead picture. But some clothes have that certain something that makes everybody crazy for them. In this case, it is for sure not only the great cleavage!

In Miu Miu stores this fall.

LoL, Sandra