Sandra‘s Closet

Welcome to Maldives! Since almost one week already I am embracing island life at the Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands resort which is an absolute a dream. I am relaxed, nourished and just happy. Nature is so powerful here and the energy is very special. I feel inspired and refreshed. The first days I did absolutely nothing besides, swimming, exercising and reading books. Then, I was in the mood to take some photos. Before coming here, I bought myself a compact travel tripod which was a super investment as I took all of these shots by myself and it was a lot of fun!

My look: Dragon-print swimsuit with gold buttons, and matching dragon-print pareo, both by Balmain, gold wedge sandals by Aquazzura, BV1070 cat-eye sunglasses by Bottega Veneta, «Dubai» limited edition white and gold book tote with Rêve d’Infini motif imagined by Pietro Ruffo and matching «Dubai» J’adior limited edition bracelet set in black and white Dior Oblique cotton by Dior, gold metal necklace with coins and matching earrings, both by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Fall is coming and you can feel it everywhere. The colors change and the layers multiply. I love to mix and match old and new pieces. Going through my closet and browsing through my pieces, is something I absolutely enjoy. After the warm season, your personal winter wardrobe always feels kind of new again.

My look: Sequined crepe trench coat by Balmain, Alex metallic leather knee-high boots by Alexandre Vauthier, vintage metallic rose pink lambskin leather motorcycle city bag by Balenciaga, black and white tweed jumpsuit (S/S 2020 Look 8), tweed cap, and pearl earrings (Métiers d’Art 2015 Paris – Salzburg), all by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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Mykonos and Santorini are just a few of the Greek islands that promise unforgettable holidays. I just arrived in Mykonos. However those pictures were taken  in Santorini at the beautiful Mystique Hotel before. I love this pink and white checked outfit. It’s fresh and sophisticated. On top, the oversized jacket is perfect to resist the strong wind in the evening.

My look: Checked oversized tweed blazer, checked jacquard crop top, and checked jacquard mini skirt, all by Balmain, quilted leather mules by Bottega Veneta, pearl earrings and Chanel 19 bag in rose leather, both by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: ©  Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

French fashion house BALMAIN has partnered with digital artist JEFF COLE to create THREE EXCLUSIVE NFTs inspired by the Balmain Unicorn sneakers.

Balmain S/S 2022

Only on MINTNFT can you make bids of these exclusive NFTs that include both physical and digital utility:

– One pair of Balmain Unicorn sneakers, signed by Creative Director Olivier Rousteing
– One original sketch of the Balmain Unicorn sneaker, signed by Balmain’s Head of Sneaker Design, Safa Sahin
– Two VIP access passes to the Balmain Festival V03 during Paris Fashion Week 2022, in September
– Balmain’s own NFT, the «Non-Fungible Thread», which creates additional utility (drops later during 2022)

Make your bids. Get your Unicorn.
Auction closing: Friday, June 24, 2022, at 12PM EST

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © MINTNFT
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Christopher John Rogers is one of fashion’s most exciting new names, and it’s easy to see why. Since launching his eponymous brand only a few seasons ago, the designer’s unabashed use of color has already earned him a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award and a legion of fans, including Zendaya, Tracee Ellis Ross and Michelle Obama. I wore his rainbow knit dress on a sunny day in New York and went for a walk through Central Park.

My look: Pleated striped ribbed wool maxi dress by Christopher John Rogers, lilac peak-lapels double-breasted blazer by Balmain, La Medusa leather plateau sandals, and small La Medusa top handle bag, both by Versace, square-frame glitter sunglasses by Gucci, and black monogram croc-embossed leather belt by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Lacuna Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Last month, I posted already a spoiler about this amazing collaboration between Barbie® and Balmain. For the previous post, click here please.

However this is not the first time, Barbie has collaborated with a fashion house, as she launched a collection with Jeremy Scott for Moschino in 2015. Olivier Rousteing and Barbie are also obvious admirers of one another, as the designer sat Barbie and Ken front row at Balmain’s digital fashion show last year.

Olivier Rousteing wrote on his Instagram account, showing him as a child next to a Barbie doll: «So this collaboration is more than just a collaboration. There is a message stronger than just a color card. When I was a little boy, I remembered hearing comments saying: a girl plays with Barbie, a boy with a car. This is such a cliché. As much as blue is for boys, pink is for girls. That’s why I love so much this collaboration, because Balmain and Barbie are stopping clichés and bringing a new ear where FREEDOM is the right word. I feel so proud of this collaboration because we are building a world where you are not defined by neither a gender, neither colors, neither codes that are not relevant today anymore. I am proud of this picture because it shows that the beauty of letting dreams about freedom since a young age happen will make you a free adult with passion.»

«Barbie® and Balmain are embarking upon a distinctly multicultural, inclusive and always joy-filled adventure,» said Olivier Rousteing, Balmain’s creative director.

With a lot of pink which is synonymous with the brand and perfectly aligns with the modern Balmain Army’s bold spirit, and the familiar Balmain’s signatures like the House’s iconic marinière and its mesmerizing labyrinth pattern, this limited-edition Balmain x Barbie capsule collection is the perfect match of fashion and toy industry heritages. Launching on January 13, the collection also includes unisex styles as Ken can be seen wearing a rosy robe in a photo.

TO SHOP BARBIE® AND BALMAIN, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Bridging the physical and digital worlds, there is also a NFT auction, hosted by @mintnftofficial, that features three Barbie avatars created by @forgetmenot_bln wearing an exclusive look from the high-fashion Balmain x Barbie collection. The highest bidder of each auction will win both the avatar and a physical, one-of-a-kind Barbie-scaled version of the outfit their avatar is wearing.

The auction is live on NFT.MattelCreations.com, so get ready to bid!

 If you’ve ever wanted to be a Barbie girl in a Balmain world, this is your collection!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Balmain #BALMAINxBARBIE
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Earlier this year, Balmain‘s creative director Olivier Rousteing revamped Mattel‘s Barbie for the Maison’s Paris Fashion Week presentation in house pastel tones, donning peaked pagoda-shoulder suits – posing in front of the same jetliners that were used as props for Rousteing’s aviation-inspired  F/W 2021 collection.

Two Balmain barbies, and one Balmain Ken, all three dolls embrace Olivier’s vision on inclusivity. «I’m happy to see that these new-generations Barbies truly reflect the diversity of our Balmain Army,» he said.

The original sets for Théâtre de la Mode were destroyed, but new ones were created to display the figurines, which can be seen at Maryhill Museum of Art.

This collaboration between Mattel and the French house is a tribute to Pierre Balmain, who in 1945, after WWII, contributed along other designers such as Balenciaga, Carven and Lulien Lelong, to the «Theatre of Fashion» to present their latest creations. It was a traveling spectacle made of dolls, started by the School Of Chambre Syndicale De La Couture Parisienne. Pierre Balmain dressed over 200 dolls with outfits specifically created for the occasion.

Now, the first must-have piece of this collaboration has hit the shelves. Ski season styling is given a cute update with the After Ski Tundra boots from Balmain x Barbie®. They’re designed with the label’s monogram in pink and are accented with bows.

To shop the After Ski Tundra boots, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Balmain
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Do you enjoy skiing in the most luxurious and sought-after resorts in Switzerland? The dilemma of whether to go to Gstaad, or St. Moritz comes down to personal preference. I used to spend my winters in St. Moritz for many years but today I prefer Gstaad.

The beautiful Gstaad Palace is my home away from home and those photos were taken inside the La Fromagerie restaurant that offers delicious cheese treats and other Swiss specialities. The Alpine resort’s blend of glamour, lifestyle, sport and pristine nature outshines everything. However you are far more certain of getting snow in December in St Moritz than Gstaad. Both have a high profile social scene. St. Moritz, touted as the ski resort «on top of the world,» and Gstaad advertises with «come up and slow down». The choice is yours and the look would work for both.

My look: Argyle-pattern rollneck jumper and matching argyle jacquard midi skirt, both by Balmain, St. Moritz Voyage appliquéd embroidered canvas clutch by Olympia Le Tan, Alminette red suede pumps by Christian Louboutin, and classic large Impatiens earrings by Oscar de la Renta.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Contrary to popular belief, rubber boots can be fashionable and are ultra trending this F/W 2021 season. Waterproof and stylish, these pairs of boots below are the ultimate investments to stay chic in the rain. Forget the traditional Wellington boots (named in honor of Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington), and update your wardrobe with one or two of those stylish options.

LoL, Sandra

Chain metallic-rubber boots by JW Anderson

Puddle glittered rubber ankle boots by Bottega Veneta (my choice)

Julian matelassé and rubber boots by Cecilie Bahnsen x Diemme

Betty knitted-cuff rubber ankle boots by Chloé

Atelier Shoes 03 Rose Edition 3D rubber knee boots by Valentino (my choice)

Horsebit rubber boots by Gucci

Tess rubber boots by Balmain

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and via Net-à-Porter
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

During Paris Fashion Week, I had the chance to visit the L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped – a temporary artwork for Paris, that was on view for 16 days from September 18 – October 3, 2021. As I was extremely busy those days, I only went on the last Sunday.

In between shows, I put on this comfy look (my kind of tourist look) and explored this incredible installation. That evening, the light was absolutely magical, showing the Arc de Triomphe wrapped in 25,000 square meters of recyclable polypropylene fabric in silvery blue, and with 3,000 meters of red rope, in all sort of shades.

With my friend, Berlin artist Johanna Keimeyer, who invited me to this beautiful terrace overlooking the Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped.

In 1961, three years after they met in Paris, Christo and Jeanne-Claude began creating works of art in public spaces. In 1962, he made a photomontage of the Arc de Triomphe wrapped, seen from the Avenue Foch and, in 1988, a collage. 60 years later, the project was finally concretized, an homage to the late artists and to the city of Paris.

My look: Two-tone intarsia wool-blend cardigan by Balmain, Relax mesh-trimmed tech-jersey leggings, and Relax cropped mesh-trimmed tech-jersey top, both by Alaïa, leather exaggerated-sole sneakers by Alexander McQueen, Lou mini quilted textured-leather shoulder bag by Saint Laurent, and grey pearl necklace with gold and green metal glass charm by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Nadia Krawiecka
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.