Sandra‘s Closet

AMY SMILOVIC is the mastermind behind the must-have fashion label Tibi. The charming designer shared during New York Fashion Week her travel tips for STOCKHOLM with me. After a recent trip to Sweden, she has become a huge fan of the Scandinavian city.

Your favourite city?
I visited STOCKHOLM this Spring and fell in love. My grandfather’s family came over from Sweden in the early 1900s so it was interesting to discover my roots.

Your favourite hotel?
GRAND HOTEL for stunning views of the harbor and Gamla Stan “the old town”.
Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8 – 103 27 Stockholm, +46 8 679 35 00

Your favourite restaurant?
TEATERGRILLEN for the crayfish—it reminds me of the south where I grew up.
Nybrogatan 3 – 114 34 Stockholm, +46 8 545 035 65

I also love ÖSTERMALMS SALUHALL, a sensational food hall full of fine foods, different stalls of fresh seafood, cheeses, meat and fruit stands, bakeries, wine bars and intimate restaurants. Delicacies served to you on the spot, I always come home with some great local products.
Östermalmstorg – 114 39 Stockholm

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
RICHE (order some late night meatballs) and RESTAURANG 1900, modeled after a 1920s-era speakeasy; I love the old school cocktails crafted by the master mixologists.
Riche: Birger Jarlsgatan 4 – 114 34 Stockholm, +46 8 545 035 60
Restaurang 1900: Regeringsgatan 66 – 111 39 Stockholm, +46 8 20 60 10

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
The MODERNA MUSEET, they have great exhibitions of international artists. Walking through Gamla Stam is like going back in time with it’s medieval buildings. And FOTOGRAFISKA, one of the largest photographic galleries in the world.
Moderna Museet: Exercisplan 4 – 111 49 Stockholm, +46 8 519 552 00
Fotografiska: Stadsgården 22 116 45 Stockholm, +46 8 509 005 00

Your favourite park?
The BERGIANSKA TRÄDGARDEN, a beautiful botanical garden and park on the waterfront. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon exploring exotic plants and ornate greenhouses.
Gustafsborgsvägen 4 – 114 18 Stockholm, +46 8 545 917 00

Your favourite tour?
It’s great to get out by boat (weather permitting) and tour some of the ARCHIPELAGO ISLANDS.

Your favourite shop?
The Bibliotekstan area for stores like NATHALIE SCHUTERMAN, FILIPPA K and ACNE.

Your must-have accessory?
My iPad, iPod, and iPhone!

The best soundtrack for this destination?
Django Django soundtrack.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
PARIS by Edward Rutherfurd

Thank you, Amy, for sharing your insider scoop on Stockholm with us!

LoL, Sandra

Right after I had arrived in NYC on Saturday, I went to Pier 59 to go backstage before the Tibi S/S 2014 show and to interview Amy Smilovic. The charming designer has brought her label in a very short amount of time to success and told me a little about her inspiration and how she manages daily life as a working mum of two sons.

What was your inspiration for S/S 2014?

It is travel-inspired, from Asia to Arizona. It is really about the grit and the work that goes into getting there and the beauty once you arrive. That was grounding the collection for me because I love beautiful things but you need to be able to wear them in daily life on the street. It is important for me that the collection is cool and clean but still feminine.

After your amazing very successful last collection, do you feel pressure to reinvent and top yourself?

Always. It is a good challenge. I would rather feel the pressure to reinvent myself than staying the same.

How do you manage in daily life being a business woman and mother of two?

Just do it! My sons are were important to me. Being a mum keeps me balanced, I don’t freak out about tiny details. The kids help me keep perspective.

Your secret to success?

I surround myself with really good people.

Do you have an icon? Which women would you like to wear your designs?

No, I don’t have an icon. It is a mix of strong women, such as Charlotte Rampling, Patti Smith and Kate Bosworth. I want really confident woman to wear my clothes.

Speaking of which, as I am a huge fan of the brand, I was of course wearing a Tibi dress combined with my leather biker jacket, pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps, both by Saint Laurent and the Bamboo shopper leather tote by Gucci.

I have truly loved the nail design created by Jin Soon Choi. Inspired by the collection’s travel theme, Jin came up with a manicure that expresses a virtual language developed by American travelers who lived a nomadic life in the 1920s.

These signs were used to help fellow travelers navigate; the vertical/ horizontal lines on the nails are an extraction  from the traveler symbol “all right”.

Jin Soon Choi with me backstage

Front row next to Stylebop Fashion Director Leila Yavari

What I have loved most about this beautiful collection were the details, like cutouts, unusual hemlines or fringes in the back. The jumpsuits, along with the palm print were amazing. My preferred look was the all orange combination pretty much at the end.

Enjoy all my favourites below and stay tuned for more!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Tonight, I went after the Tommy Hilfiger F/W 2012 show straight to the Bloglovin’ Awards (I promise you that there will be soon a Bloglovin’ button to the left to follow me there).

The event took place at the famous Edison Ballroom right off Broadway. I spotted many familiar faces and had a truly good time.

Derek Blasberg presented the awards and needless to say was very sarcastic and humorous.

Olivia Palermo who won with her team in the category Newcomer of the Year.

I am repeating myself, but I love him! He is gorgeous: The famous Bryan Boy!

Sweet Carolina Engman (Fashionsquad) and Andy Torres (Style Scrapbook) who won Best Business with Werelse.

Olivia Palermo with me.

Leandra Medine from the Man Repeller (love her humour) with me.

Tibi designer and owner Amy Smilovic with me. Stay tuned for awesome photos from the Tibi F/W 2012 show where I was sitting front row!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht