Sandra‘s Closet

Ladies and Gentlemen, don’t forget that this week on the 6th of November the Alexander Wang x H&M collection will hit the stores. To get you in the shopping mood, I would love to show you all the impressions of the amazing launch event that took place at the Armory on the Hudson, an indoor track and field stadium in New York City Mid October. When H&M celebrates a designer collaboration, it means that VIP’s from the worlds of entertainment, fashion, and Hollywood, follow the invitation with pleasure. This year, I spotted for example Jessica Chastain, Dakota Fanning, Justin Theroux, Mary J Blige, Kate Mara and many more.

H&M approached Wang a year and a half ago, and the designer immediately knew he wanted to take things in a different direction than anything they’d tried in the past. “They’ve done such an incredible job with the previous projects, everything from Versace and the archival Margiela,” he said. “But the approach had to be different for this one, both for me and for H&M.”

Alexander Wang is the first American to partner with the company whose designer collaboration program is in its tenth year. He mixed sports and performance for everyday life by capturing the speed of the city. Using technical details and functional fabrics, Wang created the perfect versatile performance wear wardrobe for both, men and women, a collection to be worn on the street, in the gym, at the club – the way we live our lives today.

After a men’s and women’s full speed runway fashion show, the doors of a pop-up store opened where we could shop the collection first hand (click here to see what I got myself). The evening culminated when Sharaya came on stage as the opening act before the rare performance by Missy Elliott took place. She was so fantastic that even Alexander Wang, who had said earlier during the press conference that he doesn’t do sports, jumped on stage and danced crazily to her vibes. The party continued with music by DJ’s Diplo and Jesse Marco. It was again one of those magic nights with a gazillion of highlights that I will treasure forever.

Let me show you more impressions of that fantastic event:

Me arriving at the event location in a Moschino S/S 2015 look (the outfit post will come up tomorrow).

Dakota Fanning rushing to her seat.

The Armory on the Hudson from the inside.

Actor Justin Theroux…

… was extremely charming. Now, I understand Jennifer Aniston.

A redhead seldom comes alone: Jessica Chastain…

…and Eddie Redmayne.

Glamourous front row: Actors Dakota Fanning, Eddie Redmayne and Kate Mara.

An energetic acrobatic performance before the runway show…

… that captured the speed of the city.

Mary J Blige seemed to like it a lot.

A confetti rain was the perfect backdrop…

… for a happy Alexander Wang running around the catwalk.

Me taking the provided boxing gloves to get ready for the fight…

… in the pop-up store.

I was in the first slot. Therefore it still looks pretty quiet.

Even the supermodels went crazy for the collection, here you see Karlie Kloss.

Swiss girls: Barbara and Karo with me.

Before the runway show, I caught singer Sharaya…

… who was the opening act that night.

The highlight of the event was the performance of…

… Missy Elliott…

… who rocked the stage…

… that even Alexander Wang couldn’t stop dancing.

Party time…

… that the Swiss crowd didn’t need to be told twice. Being the only rooster in the yard, René Zibold, PR and Communication Manager for H&M Switzerland, surrounded by the Swiss girls (check out his travel tips for Paris here) going crazy.

Thanks H&M for taking me on this amazing adventure, to be continued next year…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of H&M, Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for H&M

At the Alexander Wang x H&M launch event last week in NYC, there was a huge pop-up store where we could buy the collection first hand before it will hit the stores worldwide on November 6, 2014. The photos of the night will be coming up shortly.

Alexander Wang‘s inspiration was sportswear that “could be translated to things you can use in other events or situations. That idea of sports at night came into my head.” This was the outfit I got myself at the pop-up store and I was curious to try its functionality right after I landed at my private yoga class. The pieces have absolutely convinced me, the breathable fabrics have great quality and deliver what they promise. I recommend getting your shopping list ready before hand as those items will be flying off the shelves.

My look: Breathable top and pants, beanie with logo, water bottle, towel and key chain with mini boxing gloves, all by Alexander Wang x H&M.

If you are looking for a great yoga class in Zurich, try the Iyengar Yoga Center. Maya & Vasili Vlachos (pictured here with me) are the best ones in town. I have been training with them for many years.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The press conference for the Alexander Wang x H&M launch event took place on one of the probably rainiest of New York City mornings at the St. Patrick’s Youth Center, located close to Bleecker Street station. My hair was a mess due to the humidity but I was brave to take those pictures of my outfit before we went inside. As Alexander Wang is also at the helmet of Balenciaga, I chose an ensemble from his recent F/W 2014 collection.

Alexander Wang with me at the press conference last Thursday

My look: Tonal blue silk-blend oversized jacket and matching mini skirt with black jacquard pattern, both by Balenciaga, peplum-detail top and padlock mini studded leather shoulder bag, both by Alexander McQueen and crystal embellished biker boots by Miu Miu. Diamond bracelet and ring, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery, rose diamond necklace by Piaget.

The best scent to wear: Bleecker Street by Bond No. 9, a woodsy oriental gourmand that captures the spirit of the West Village with a blend of seductive, indulgently sweet notes.

Stay tuned for the photos from the party in the evening…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Before the show will be taking place tonight here in NYC, the Alexander Wang x H&M lookbook has been revealed. It’s all about sport with strappy scuba dresses, heavy grey sweatshirts, mesh-paneled leggings, cropped bra-tops, leather jogging pants (I LOVE), and must-have parkas.

For the accessory-minded, there are boxing gloves, beanies, and duffels in the mix, many items branded with a big fat WANG logo. Stay tuned and start planning your shopping list ahead of time. The collection for both, women and men, will hit the shelves worldwide on November 6, 2014. I am off to the press conference now… more to come soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M

Greetings from New York City where I am at the moment for the launch event of Alexander Wang x H&M. The highly anticipated collection which had been announced back in April, will finally hit H&M stores around the world on November 6, 2014.

While I am writing this post, I am enjoying the view from my room at the Soho Grand hotel.

The invitation says it all. Tonight, the cocktail reception will start at 7.30pm, followed by the show, a pop-up store where we can buy the collection first hand and a live performance which I am absolutely convinced will be amazing.

Do you remember Nicki Minaj and Prince playing at the Versace x H&M launch in 2011 or the amazing party to celebrate Maison Martin Margiela x H&M two years ago in NYC? We always talk superlatives. Be sure to follow me tomorrow on instagram @sandrascloset for live updates.

By now you might have seen some sneak previews of the very sporty collection. The press release reveals that Alexander Wang X H&M captures the speed of the city, mixing sports and performance of everyday life. The pieces are meant to be worn on the street, in the gym, at the club – the way women and men live their lives today.

Rihanna led the way and was already spotted in a look from the collection: a stretchy crop top and leggings emblazoned with Wang’s blocky logo.

In addition to apparel for both women and men, the collection includes shoes and bags, as well as “objects,” a selection of everyday items that are infused with a sense of humor and irony, as for example mini sized boxing gloves as key-rings or a whistle on a two-finger ring and for the victor, a magnetized Alexander Wang trophy cup.

Below you can enjoy a sneak preview of the advertising campaign shot by Mikael Jansson for Wang’s one-off collaboration with H&M that features sports gear like a hockey stick and boxing gloves plus real athletes, soccer player Andy Carroll and kickboxer Rivaldino dos Santos.

The female models are Joan Smalls, Raquel Zimmermann and Isabeli Fontana.

“We wanted to take certain elements of each sport and portray the ultimate warrior,” Wang told WWD. “The girls had to feel big and heroic, and Mikael used sunlight glares to heighten that effect against a stark white backdrop.”

I am truly excited for tonight’s event! Stay tuned for more!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of H&M

Last Wednesday, a secret event took place in the city of Zurich to launch Samsung‘s newest mobile phone GALAXY ALPHA, emphasizing the brand’s foray into the fashion crowd.

Ready-to-wear has laid its focus from the runway also to the world of high technology as many renowned fashion houses scramble to stamp their coveted logos on mobile handsets and other personal devices. Samsung for example collaborated in one-off projects with the likes of Giorgio Armani, Alexander Wang, Nicholas Kirckwood and Moschino. Therefore, I was very curious to arrive at the secret event …

Inside an unspectacular backyard at Kanonengasse, I was guided by a bouncer to the basement. There a room, reminiscent of an underground club in New York, awaited me.

When I entered, I was handed my very own new Samsung GALAXY ALPHA phone as a gift. It had a prepaid card so that I could use it immediately to read the text messages the guests were sent during the event.

Only 80 people were invited and I spotted among the illustrious crowd Swiss supermodel Nadine Strittmatter who had flown in from Paris where she is living.

Other highlights were the melting ice bar and different performances.

Ezgi Cinar, the brainchild of the secret event with me.

Menswear designer Julian Zigerli, one of Samsung’s ambassadors, had created 80 personalized mobile phone covers to choose from. As you see in the collage above, I went for the little mouse…

… and my friend Mel Guenthardt (photo below) for the cute owl.

The GALAXY ALPHA phone is available in Switzerland from the beginning of September 2014 in the colors Charcoal Black, Dazzling White, Frosted Gold, Sleek Silver and Scuba Blue for CHF 749.00.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Andrea Monica Hug, © Ezgi Cinar, © Melanie Guenthardt and © Sandra Bauknecht

Sportswear is a huge trend this S/S 2014 season and its stroke of sheer genius is mesh, wether it is seen on a sporty top, a sultry dress – or a sophisticated pair of heels. Nothing seems quite as fresh as a this airy material that is revealing parts of your skin. You can dress it up or keep it simple –  yet you will be sure to turn fashion heads this season.

Here are some suggestions for you to shop:

1 Leather, suede and mesh sneakers by Karl Lagerfeld
2 Dunstable techno-mesh coat by Belstaff
3 Bandage and mesh dress by Hervé Leger
4 Mesh-paneled stretch-jersey top by McQ Alexander McQueen
5 Embellished cloqué and mesh top by 3.1 Phillip Lim
6 Suede and mesh ankle boots by Alaïa
7 Embroidered honeycomb-mesh skirt by Lela Rose

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

What an exciting Sunday morning! H&M has revealed their new designer collaboration. The Swedish fashion brand has partnered with no other than Alexander Wang who leaked the news via instagram this morning before the official press release has been sent out!

Left: Alexander Wang with me, right: Margareta van den Bosch, H&M’s Head of Design, with him

Alexander truly keeps himself busy, designing his eponymous line as well being at the helmet of Balenciaga. But all good things come in threes and I am sure Wang’s designs for H&M will fly off the shelves.

In the video Wang posted on instagram, a countdown clock appears, and when the timer runs out, “WANG X H&M” pops up alongside the numbers 11:06 (the release date).
The line will be available on November 6, 2014 in 250 stores worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M and © Sandra Bauknecht

Happy New Year from Bangkok where I am at the moment. I hope that you started 2014 in a very fun way. Today is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one!

On the first day of the year, I am exploring the Thai city a little more with all its shrines and spirit houses. Something that you can see here on every corner. It is a truly amazing place to visit.

My look: Zebra print top by Saint Laurent, grey mid-rise skinny leg distressed jean by J Brand, studded leather loafers by Miu Miu, Donna hobo bag in vine green by Alexander Wang and floral sunglasses by Dolce & Gabbana.

The Erawan Shrine (officially named Thao Maha Brahma) in Bangkok is not old, but it is an interesting testament of the role of religion in modern Thai society. In 1955, the founder of the Erawan hotel was told by an astrologist, that the time for laying the foundation stone was not really right. It could only be corrected by building a shrine in the area. Following this advice, the Thao Maha Brahma was enshrined one year later.

The Erawan Shrine is located on the northwest corner of the Grand Hyatt Erawan property, near the Chit Lom stop on the skytrain. It consists of a golden statue, the Thao Mana Brahma, that sits beneath a glittering canopy, surrounded by offerings of flowers, incese and candles. The area is crowded with worshippers day and night and always wafting with incense smoke. A very magical place to visit and a great spot to wish for a Happy New Year.

Enjoy some of my impressions and of course stay tuned for more…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Coco Chanel once said: “Luxury must ne comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury…”. Wishful thinking and not always true – unfortunately.

Fashion weeks are approaching and I start slowly getting myself organized for some stylish but comfortable outfits in which I can run around the whole day and look good at the same time.

Here you see today’s shopping obsession: Tiger-intarsia knitted sweater by Kenzo, stretch-leather skinny pants by The Row, Emile textured-leather tote by Alexander Wang (love its rose gold-finished design) and black leather ankle boot with metal chain by Givenchy (one of the hottest shoes of the season).

My notes and my iPhone should look stylish as well with the runway textured-leather notebook by Smythson and the chain-embellished cover by Moschino.

I will finish off the look with some statement nails and vibrant lips: Giddy Kipper nail polish by Butter London and Persistence matte lip color by Kevin Aucoin.

LoL, Sandra