Sandra‘s Closet

Frieze Art Fair is renowned for cutting edge art and a fashion-forward crowd. Established in London in 2003 by the infinitely stylish Matthew Slotover and his co-director Amanda Sharp, it has become one of the art world’s hottest tickets.

This month, London’s coolest art fair hits Manhattan for the first time with the launch of Frieze New York. The four-day event (May 4-7) will see over 1000 of the world’s leading artists gather alongside curators, gallerists and collectors all set against a cool waterside backdrop and with a hip lineup of pop-up restaurants, parties and people to spot. And fashion trendsetters such as Net-à-porter and Mulberry join forces with the art world:

Co-publishers of Frieze Matthew Slotover and Amanda Sharp at the Mulberry dinner

On Friday, May 4 Mulberry hosted an intimate dinner in celebration of the Frieze Art Fair’s New York debut and in honour of the artists of Frieze Projects, of which Mulberry is the sponsor.

Frieze Projects is a not-for-profit initiative featuring commissioned artworks around the outdoor space of Randall’s Island, which are accessible to all visitors to the area. The dinner was held at The Crown restaurant on New York’s Upper East Side (readers of my fashion column in the SI Style magazine know this place already).

The beautiful decorated entrance to The Crown Restaurant

The ambiance

Among the fashionable guests: Derek Blasberg and Alexa Chung

The Clarins-Courtin sisters

Lana Del Rey

American singer Lana Del Rey performed during the evening, wearing the three quarter blouse in flame heavy lace and the fitted pencil skirt in flame, both from the F/W 2012 Collection. Lana was Emma Hill’s inspiration for Mulberry’s newest bag, the Del Rey, which launches in stores and online in mid-May.
(Stay tuned as I will keep you inform you once it hits the shelves).

Mulberry’s Del Rey Bag

Last night, May 5 influencers from the worlds of fashion and art came together to join NET-A-PORTER for a cocktail party and dinner celebrating Frieze Art Fair’s Chelsea Gallery Night, a night where more than 20 of Chelsea’s finest galleries opened their doors for a neighborhood block party filled with exclusive gallery previews, live music and food.

The NET-A-PORTER-sponsored event at the Hôtel Americano kicked off with roof-top cocktails and music by London DJ, Bip Ling, and continued with a seated dinner.

The Big Frieze hits NYC, I love!

LoL, Sandra

Christopher Kane with Natalie Massanet in a lace dress by Alessandra Rich

Giovanna Battaglia in a black leather coat
(Don’t we love the floral lace A-line dress by Miu Miu to the left and the neon-orange with white lace dress by Christopher Kane to the right in the background?!)

Olympia Scarry in head to toe floral prints by Proenza Schouler.

Designers Jason Wu and Roland Mouret

Photos: Courtesy of Mulberry, ©Craig Barritt/WireImage, Courtesy of Net-à-Porter and Frieze New York

Most of you know that I am a Louis Vuitton aficionado. Therefore I am always looking forward to the LV show that with its beautiful stunning decor surprises each season. Yesterday, it was a gigantic carrousel with models riding on it in pastel-coloured clothes, leaving quite another impression after Marc’s fetish-like creations for F/W 2011.

The S/S 2012 collection is sweet, full of rich details and materials, from matte crocodile jackets, coats and skirts to laser-cut tops and 3-D floral embellishments and plastic paillettes. I am completely taken by the tweed fabrics that are adorned with marabou feathers. The craftmanship that went into this collection is truly outstanding.

The last look was presented by Kate Moss, same as last season. But instead having her smoke on the runway in hot pants, she appeared in a light white floral dress like an innocent bride. I was wondering if she might be pregnant. Rumours are going around those days, same as the fashion crowd is wondering if Marc Jacobs will leave for Dior. The Louis Vuitton S/S 2012 collection looked like a slight approach. Let’s see in which direction fashion’s merry-go-round will be turning…

Below you can see some photos of the front row action!

LoL, Sandra

Caroline Sieber, Claire Courtin Clarins, Antoine Arnault, Virginie Courtin Clarins

Dasha Zhukova, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Carine Roitfeld, Marie-Amélie Sauvé, Rachel Zoe, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Peter Marino

Natalia Vodianova, Uma Thurman

Best friends: Marc Jacobs and Kate Moss

Alexa Chung in a Louis Vuitton dress from the F/W 2011 collection.

While being in New York, one trend caught my eye: White nail polish.

Personally, I like the opaque version very much. It emphasizes the shape of the nails while looking cool and fresh. Moreover it suits every skin tone. The only downside is the maintenance as the white hue doesn’t last as long as other shades.

My favourite tone is Ecume by Nars, which is part of their recent summer collection.

Ecume is described as “An opaque white nail enamel that is at once vintage-inspired and avant-garde in sensibility.”

If you like to take it one step further, get inspired by stylesetter Alexa Chung. She painted little palm trees or tine hearts on her white fingertipps. I am loving it and you?

LoL, Sandra

Alexander Wang teamed up with LOVE editor-in-chief Katie Grand to host a party at Liberty in honour of the magazine’s Androgyny issue last Monday. An abundance of famous faces celebrated with the American designer at the store’s first floor international designer room.

Beth Ditto

„Thank you, Liberty, for having me,” Beth Ditto called during her guest performance, “You’ll never have me back here again after this, but thanks to Katie Grand and Alexander Wang I’ve got all your free clothes, and I’m totally cool with that.”

Alexa Chung and Pixie Geldorf

Ditto sang an acappella rendition of Whitney Houston’s „I Will Always Love You“ that made guests cheer in awe of her extraordinary vocal talent. Party girls like Alexa Chung and Pixie Geldorf conquered the dance floor with Boy George and Erin O’Connor. Even the Beckhams breezed in to join the party.

Alexander Wang with me

My heart leaped with joy when Alexander Wang came up to me and said: „Hi Sandra, how are you? Great to have you here!“ Always nice to be remembered… (click here for my interview with him last year).

LoL, Sandra

Boy George with me

Erin O'Connor

Love the hair piece

Beth after her performance...

...talking to Katie Grand...

...and finally leaving the party...

...like the Beckhams!

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today’s Burberry Prorsum F/W 2011 show took place in a massive tent in London’s Royal Park of Kensington Gardens. It was a true spectacle with many celebrities attending the event., including among others Rachel Bilson, Kate Bosworth, Alexa Chung, Stella Tennant, Maggie Cheung, Anna Wintour, Samantha Cameron, Mario Testino, Laura Haddock, Lily Donaldson, Julia Restoin Roitfield, Daisy Lowe, Alice Dellal, Sophie Kennedy-Clark, Poppy Delevingne, Nick Rhodes and Simon Le Bon.

My invitation

I was photographed many times

What a spectacle!

People are watching the arrival of the celebrities

Caroline Daily

Lily Donaldson...

...on her way in.

Stella Tennant in Burberry studs with Tim Blanks

Duran Duran arrives: Nick Rhodes & Simon Le Bon

A "catwalk" for the celebrities to be interviewed and photographed

Me at Burberry Prorsum

Photographer Mario Testino

Poppy Delevigne

Me inside

Natalie Massenet, founder of net-à-porter, with me

Christopher Bailey named his F/W 2011 collection after the icon of the Swinging Sixties “Jean Shrimpton”. The look and sound of her golden era shaped the show. The Shrimp once did advertising for Burberry so she had history with the house.
Trim coats with matching bags, drop-waisted tulip-skirted dresses, bold colours, check at its best, the designer played with the silhouettes. Two thumbs up!

Bergdorf Goodman's Linda Fargo in front of me

Loved this mink coat!

Gorgeous pants

Beautiful silhouettes

Outerwear

Black and white moments

Check

The finale of the show was divine. Snow was falling of the ceiling and the models were protected with little rain capes. Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Live stream at Piccadilly Circus

As part of 40 events, the show was broadcasted live globally in Burberry flagship stores from Boston to Beijing, creating ‘buy from the runway’ in-store virtual trunk show events across 4 continents
.
The 40th venue, London’s iconic Piccadilly Circus, streamed the show live onto the famous 32 metre digital screen viewed by an estimated 1.2 million people a week – a first for any brand.

LoL, Sandra

Spotted everywhere during Paris Fashion Week, the It-shoe of the season: Valentino’s most fierce kitten heels. Editors, stylists and celebrities have been rocking these pumps lately.

The studs and the straps make this kitten heels sizzling hot, adding this touch of sexyness most 3-inch heels are missing. Even the flat version seen on Alexa Chung is amazing.

The most popular shoe of Paris Fashion Week comes in different material and colour combinations and is still available at NET-A-PORTER.COM. But hurry, they are selling out fast.

LoL, Sandra

... they are stylish and comfy in one!

I love mine...

My invitation to Louis Vuitton's S/S 2011 show.

Me today totally excited at the Cour Carré du Louvre a few minutes before the start of the show

On the final day of Paris Fashion Week, Marc Jacobs rounded off the S/S 2011 collections in more ways than one. For me, it was one of best shows. The catwalk was beautifully decorated with tiger statues. Amazingly embellished dresses in gorgeous bright colour combinations made out of flowing materials paraded the runway. Tropical flowers along with Japanese details and tiger stripes gave this collection an outstanding feel. The cuts were absolutely sexy with slit legs showing a lot of skin.This summer will be an expensive one if you like Vuitton.

Thumbs up, Marc, I am loving it!

Enjoy my photos before, during and after the show! I also got some amazing shots of amazing people. Hope that you will like it!

LoL, Sandra

Hilary Alexander from the British Telegraph talks to Anna Dello Russo, editor in chief of Vogue Nippon

Grace Coddington, creative director of American Vogue

It-girl Alexa Chung in Louis Vuitton Cruise 2011

Princess Siriwanwaree Nareerat of Thailand

Me with British photographer Amanda Eliasch

Famous photographer Mario Sorrenti to the left.

Inside before the show

Anna Piaggi

Famous blogger couple: Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist and Garance Doré

The last look: The top was just painted on the skin!

Outside after the show

Christiane Arp, editor in chief of German Vogue

Amanda Eliasch giving an interview

Model Lindsey Wixon after the show

Me with stylist Carolin Sieber

The It-girls looking for their drivers. (Photos: Sandra Bauknecht)

Last night, I was invited to the vernissage of the exhibition Africa Rising and to celebrate the collaboration between Edun and Louis Vuitton.

Edun is the for-profit eco fashion label founded by Bono and his wife Ali Hewson on the premise of trade for aid as a means to alleviate poverty through sustainable employment and growth. Since 2009, LMVH acquired a 49% stake in the company in order to promote the brand’s vision.

The collection shows flair and individuality whilst remaining on-trend. I like the printed silk tanks and flowing materials. Shopping for a good cause! Available at net-à-porter or visit the Edun homepage for more information.

In Louis Vuitton’s recent Core Values advertising campaign, both Ali and Bono wear Edun clothing. Ali carries the Louis Vuitton/Edun collaboration bag:
The Keepall 45 Monogram Révélation in brown leather with the beautiful handmade Charm Massai in natural bones. Also attached is a plaque reminding us “Every journey began in Africa”.

There were lots of celebrities at yesterday’s party enjoying the beautiful contemporary art exhibition that showcased African art from Jean Pigozzi’s collection (CAAC).
If you are interested, the contemporary art exhibition will be on display to the public from October 6th to 18th 2010 at 1, Rue du Pont Neuf in Paris.

Naomi Campbell and Jean Pigozzi

Naomi looked amazing.

Elisa Sednaoui to the left with Rita Ora

Me with the stylish singer from The Noisettes: Shinghai Shoniwa

Style icon and daughter of French Vogue's Carine Roitfeld, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld with me

The most fashionable It-girl Alexa Chung with me

Louis Vuitton offered me a limousine for the night, what a gorgeous party!

The absolute highlight was Bono’s performance with Angélique Kidjo. I hope that you have enjoyed my best moments of last night! And please stay tuned as I will see today Louis Vuitton’s S/S 2011 fashion show!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Sandra Bauknecht