Today’s photos were taken at the East Side Gallery in Berlin, Germany. The probably largest and longest-lasting open air gallery in the world is actually an international memorial for freedom. With 1.3 km, it is the longest remaining part of the Berlin Wall, located near the city centre on Muehlenstraße in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, next to the river Spree.
The East Side Gallery consists of 105 paintings by artists from all over the world, painted in 1990 on the east side of the Berlin Wall.
Inspired by yesterday’s post about Rihanna who’s sporting the military trend for our September 2014 cover of L’OFFICIEL Schweiz/Suisse, here is a gun salute to the revival of military chic fashion this fall. Therefore I went through my closet to look for my S/S 2010 Balmain pieces – the season when it had been up-to-date the last time.
My look: Military shirt and khaki tank top, both by Balmain (from the S/S 2010 collection, for the new F/W 2014 pieces, please click HERE), pants by Alexander McQueen (similar ones HERE), sneakers by Prada Sport, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring by Piaget, sunglasses by Valentino and Boy Bag with chains by Chanel.
LoL, Sandra
Hitchhiking with Chanel
One of the most impressive paintings at the East Side Gallery: Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker kissing by Dmitri Vrubel.
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Yesterday, I had a lovely day surrounded by great friends to celebrate the baptism of little Ben. After the ceremony in the church, we went to the restaurant Seerose at the lake of Zurich for lunch and stayed until dinner. The big thunderstorm that was supposed to hit in the afternoon luckily waited to arrive in the evening.
My look: Cropped leather jacket by Prada, bonded laser-cut cotton-poplin bra top and matching bonded laser-cut cotton-poplin skirt, both by Alexander McQueen, Rockstud leopard-print calf hair trapeze bag by Valentino, Janis leather pumps by Saint Laurent, Mitza ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie, interlaced loop necklace by Dior, green calf hair cuff by Céline and Tank Américaine watch in yellow gold by Cartier.
McQueen’s Sarah Burton got heavily influenced by Mondrian‘s art this season. I am in love with her ability to mix different materials and turn them into one. This structured pleated skirt and top are both crafted from black cotton-poplin with a bonded laser-cut white overlay that gives them a three-dimensional effect that is unfortunately hard to see in the pictures.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
One week ago in Marrakesh, my friend Mel’s big birthday celebration took place on Saturday evening accompanied by the renewal of her wedding vows with her husband Dan. It was a very romantic evening and she look stunning in her Zuhair Murad dress. It truly felt like One Thousand and One Nights and I am so grateful for all these different highlights that we experienced, among them a live performance by Paul Potts, the British tenor, who had won the first series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2007. With all my heart, thank you, Mel and Dan, for your friendship and this magical trip!
My look: Leather-trimmed jersey gown with cutouts by Givenchy, set of 5 gold-tone cuffs by Alexander McQueen, earrings by Chanel, ring by Etro, animal print clutch, tribal sandals and necklace, both by Louis Vuitton, small Amulette necklace by Cartier.
LoL, Sandra
Paul Potts with me
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
“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