“London’s where I was brought up. It’s where my heart is and where I get my inspiration.” – Alexander McQueen, January 2000
The amazing Alexander McQueen
: Savage Beauty exhibition is coming to London – and great news is that you can buy a ticket from 10am tomorrow morning (Advance booking is advised – this can be done in person at the V&A; online; or by calling 020 7420 9736 (booking fee applies)). After endless rumours that it would, the V&A announced that it will host the exhibition from March 14 to July 19, 2015 in partnership with Swarovski and supported by American Express.
The original version of Savage Beauty at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York in 2011 was organised by the Costume Institute and became one of the Museum’s top 10 most visited exhibitions. Now, this outstanding large retrospective of the late designer’s work is to be presented in Europe for the first time, showcasing McQueen’s visionary body of work. Spanning his 1992 MA graduate collection to his unfinished A/W 2010 collection, McQueen’s designs will be presented with the dramatic staging and sense of spectacle synonymous with his runway shows.
For me, a must-see again!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Alexander McQueen
Here is your ultimate S/S 2014 runway trend guide. This season, there is fashion for every personality. It’s about tribal details, the power of pleats and the beauty of flowers, whether they’re luxurious embroideries or bold statement prints. Take cues from your favorite gallery and wear something artful. Don’t forget to add something shiny and to work on your waistline to sport the new must-have cropped tops. Sportswear has made its way into our daily wardrobe and bermudas should be worn layered with a skirt or dress.
I hope that this little summary will inspire you to look for the right new season pieces that will instantly update a look. Enjoy your new task!
LoL, Sandra
S/S 2014 TREND 1: TRIBAL
Akris – Givenchy – Donna Karan
S/S 2014 TREND 2: WEARABLE ART
Prada – Chanel – Céline
S/S 2014 TREND 3: BERMUDAS
Chloé – Alexander McQueen – DKNY
S/S 2014 TREND 4: CROPPED TOPS
Balenciaga – Louis Vuitton – Salvatore Ferragamo
S/S 2014 TREND 5: SPORTSWEAR
DKNY – Gucci – Marc by Marc Jacobs
S/S 2014 TREND 6: LACE
Valentino – Stella McCartney – Nina Ricci
S/S 2014 TREND 7: SHIMMER & SHINE
Lanvin – Versace – Etro
S/S 2014 TREND 8: PLEATS PLEASE
Dries Van Noten – Proenza Schouler – Victoria Beckham
S/S 2014 TREND 9: PASTEL
Miu Miu – Burberry Prorsum – Christian Dior
S/S 2014 TREND 10: SUMMER BLACK
Bottega Veneta – Saint Laurent – Dolce & Gabbana
S/S 2014 TREND 11: FLOWER POWER
Giambattista Valli – Mary Katrantzou – Christopher Kane
S/S 2014 TREND 12: BOLD NIGHT
Emilio Pucci – Alberta Ferretti – Ralph Lauren Collection
Photos: Via style.com
Are you wondering why I named this post Million Dollar Baby? Have a look at my neck… this amazing white gold and diamond choker necklace “EIFFEL MIDNIGHT” is worth CHF 1’190’000 and I had the great honour to wear it recently to a very exclusive event “La Soirée de la Couture Précieuse” hosted by Piaget and my humble self at their store in Zurich on Bahnhofstrasse (photos coming up soon). Believe me, it was hard to take it off…
My look: Houndstooth pencil dress by Alexander McQueen, pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps 
and Sac du Jour leather tote in emerald green, both by Saint Laurent, Limelight Gala watch, necklace and rose diamond ring, all by Piaget and Twenties stay-up by Wolford.
On my nails: Toasted Sugar by Tom Ford.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Pascal Pazanda and © Sandra Bauknecht
I spent the last days in London – a city that I love very much. The double decker buses, the black cabs, and the red telephone boxes, some of the iconic sights on the streets of the British metropole, symbolise gorgeous design while fulfilling their purpose with efficiency. The same goes for my Givenchy sweater – it’s comfy and stylish in one. You need one of those printed must-haves in your closet this season!
My look: Black double-breasted wool coat with gold bars and printed cotton sweatshirt, both by Givenchy, black pants by Alexander McQueen, textured-leather tote by Gucci, Susanna studded leather ankle boots by Chloé and rose ring by Piaget.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Yesterday, I went to the Rive Gauche Summer Party at the Hotel Baur au Lac in Zurich. It was a cabaret theme party and guests were entertained by astonishing shows and live acts.
My look: Embroidered tulle top, trompe l’oeil shoes with lace socks and gold-plated Swarovski crystal clip earrings, all by Dolce & Gabbana, mini knit skirt by Alexander McQueen, bag with cuff by Chloé, stay-ups ‘Twenties’ by Wolford and ring ‘Mitzah’ by Dior Haute Joaillerie.
On my nails: 593 Rose Moiré by Chanel.
LoL, Sandra
All event photos: © David Biedert Photography – all outfit photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
The Moto Jacket (aka fall’s must-have item) should be in your closet right now.
Just when I thought it had gone to biker heaven, this topper pops up on most of the major F/W 2013 runways in every way possible, floral at Givenchy, classic at Saint Laurent and sexy at Jason Wu. The biker jacket is a super-easy way to work this season’s grunge trend and to add some edge to any outfit. Try one of these amazing ones below:
1 Leather biker jacket by Balmain
2 Cracked-leather biker jacket by Proenza Schouler
3 Two-tone textured-leather biker jacket by Faith Connexion
4 Hyde paneled leather biker jacket by IRO
5 Jovanna neon stretch-denim biker jacket by Karl Lagerfeld
6 Herringbone wool-blend biker jacket by Junya Watanabe
7 Karle leather biker jacket by J Brand
8 Leopard-print ribbed leather jacket by 3.1 Phillip Lim
9 Trompe l’oeil leather biker jacket by Alexander Wang
Classic leather biker jacket by Saint Laurent (my favourite one as you can see above)
Royal blue nubuck biker jacket by Alexander McQueen (now on my wish list)
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Via style.com, © Sandra Bauknecht
The closing night of LUISAVIAROMA‘s Firenze4Ever took place at the stunning Boboli Gardens (Giardini di Boboli), a park behind the Pitti Palace in Florence, that is home to a collection of sculptures dating from the 16th through the 18th centuries, with some Roman antiquities. It is amazing how LUISAVIAROMA always surprises us with another outstanding location.
Seated around the fountain in the Island Bassin (Vasca dell’Isola), we enjoyed a wonderful Tuscan dinner, a dance show, the amazing scenery followed by the after party with a private rock concert. The motto of the night was “Grunge Glam” and I went through my closet to find the most “punk-style” pieces that were in there.
My look: Cut-out knit dress, matching leggings and leather glove clutch, all by Alexander McQueen, choker by Louis Vuitton, bracelets by Miu Miu and Hermès, strappy sandals by Gucci and statement rings by Roberto Cavalli. All pieces are from previous seasons.
Below you can enjoy all my impressions of the night.
LoL, Sandra
Familiar faces: Sung-Joo Kim (looking a little different than at the MCM Grand Opening in Zurich last month) and the MCM team came to present their newest collaboration: they teamed up with illustrators, Craig & Karl, for a limited edition collection of summer accessories.
Adrian J. Margelist, Chief Creative Officer MCM, with me
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Meet my friend Rose, Styling Director of 
MYTHERESA.COM, who always puts a cool twist to every outfit. Today, she is casual and ultra stylish in one.
Get her look: Printed cotton tee and mini skull bracelet, both by Alexander McQueen,maxi skirt by Haider Ackermann, snake print clutch by Lanvin, golden sandals by Valentino.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of mytheresa.com
Today is a traditional Spring holiday in the city of Zurich, which is called “Sechseläuten” (In Swiss German: Sächsilüüte). Since the early 20th century, it is celebrated on the 3rd Monday of April of every year. Following the parade of the “Zünfte” (guilds), the culmination of this popular tradition is the burning of winter in effigy, in the form of the “Böögg” (cognate to bogey), a figure of a snowman prepared with explosives.
It is said that the time between the lighting of the pyre and the explosion of the Böögg’s head is indicative of the coming summer: a quick explosion promises a warm, sunny one, a drawn-out burning a cold and rainy one. So let’s keep our fingers crossed that this head will be falling off fast today!
As the roots of the festival go back to medieval times, I was inspired to this look: Printed silk-organza midi dress by Dolce & Gabbana, Skull studded leather box clutch by Alexander McQueen, Noeud 120 bow-embellished leather peep-toes by Christian Louboutin and Leonard 2 round-frame acetate sunglasses by Illesteva.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Via NZZ and © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of the Brands
