Sandra‘s Closet

On Friday evening, I celebrated International Women’s Day among my beloved girlfriends at the St. Gotthard Hotel in Zurich where Ljuba Manz and Raquel Marquard hosted an event with Jelmoli filled with everything you can dream of, shoes, a runway show, champagne and laughter.

With Raquel Marquard to the left and Ljuba Manz to the right.

Silvia Affolter moderated the night in a very fun way. First, we all had a closer look at a selection of shoes that would make every girl’s heart leap with joy. Brands such as Alexandre Vauthier (one of my favorites at the moment), Sophia Webster and Charlotte Olympia were on display as well as jewelry by Austrian jeweler A.E. Köchert.

The fashion show – inspired by St. Tropez – included a lingerie part in collaboration with Beldona. Beautiful lace ensembles – one in combination with a lace mask – got the audience in awe.

A young label from Switzerland, only 3 years old, Ina Kess was introduced. Two beautiful sisters, Katharina and Isabelle Staub, who both studied economics, launched the label in order to fulfill their own need. They design pieces that work for the office, for a night out and in which you can also attend your yoga class. Katharina explained how annoyed she was to carry around a bag of clothes to have everything she needed with her.

Katharina and Isabelle Staub of Ina Kess with Silvia Affolter

Ljuba entertained us amazingly with some fun statements how to treat men well.

Jelmoli presented also looks from renowned designers such as Moschino, Missoni, Peter Pilotto and 3.1. Phillip Lim. The so-called «House of Brands» really shifted during the past years under the helmet of CEO Franco Savastano and has transformed itself into a true luxury haven. Soon, the whole beauty department on the ground floor will also go through renovation. Ladies, no need to fly to London or Paris any longer… we will soon have our own little «Harrods» or «Galeries Lafayette» in Zurich.

Franco Savastano, CEO Jelmoli, had every reason to smile that night, being one of the only men allowed in the room enjoying the fabulous show.

Guests of the night were invited after the fashion show to the presidential suite where they were able to shop everything that was presented on the runway. If you like any look or shoe below, just show the photo to a sales person at Jelmoli. They will happily help you.

I am so in love with these Alexandre Vauthier sandals.

The only recommendation I have and this comes on a very personal note, please include also smaller sizes in your buying, as well as half sizes for shoes!

By the way, the gentlemen enjoyed a great dinner and a Patoro cigar at the iconic Hummerbar next door…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sanjeev Velmurugan Photography

Happy 6oth Birthday, Barbie! Time flies…  Today, every passing minute sees more than 100 dolls sold worldwide, with 58 million sold every year. The iconic plastic doll has been a surgeon, a pilot, a singer and a president. She has been in a wheelchair and has a prosthetic leg. She’s been the Duchess of Cambridge, several characters in «Mad Men» and every member of Destiny’s Child.
But on her debut at the New York Toy Fair on March 9, 1959, she was just a doll in a swimsuit and ponytail, with white sunglasses in her hand.

First Barbie in 1959

Barbie’s success has remained as she continues to reflect culture and the world girls see around them.
Her evolution has been crucial, but never was easy. Created by Ruth Handler, who owned the toy company Mattel with her husband Elliot. She was inspired by the paper dolls her daughter Barbara played with, as well as a German doll named Bild Lilli.

Did you know that the inspiration for Barbie came from German BILD Zeitung? A doll called Lilli that was created in 1955.

Immediately, Barbie had a lot of success. She was an «adult», different to the baby dolls of the time. By 1960, Barbie was gainfully employed, as either a nurse, fashion editor, or flight attendant. The next year, she had a boyfriend, Ken, and the year after that, her first car and a pink dream house.

Lately, new additions to the «Barbie Fashionistas» line included a doll using a wheelchair and another with a prosthetic leg. For International Women’s Day 2018, Mattel released a new batch of dolls based «real-life role models» (for the previous post, click here please), among them aviator Amelia Earhart and artist Frida Kahlo.

This year, more than 20 new «Sheroes» will be immortalized as Barbies: among them, supermodel and activist Adwoa Aboah, and gymnast Dipa Karmakar, the first female Indian gymnast to qualify for the Olympics.

Me dressed in the Moschino x Barbie collection (for the post, click here).

Barbie did many designer collaborations such as an amazing shoe collection with Charlotte Olympia, was dressed by the likes of Moschino, Lagerfeld, or Christian Louboutin among others.

Margot Robbie will portray Barbie in upcoming movie about the child’s toy.

At 60 years old, Barbie stars in a Netflix series, «Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures,» and has almost 40 animated films to her name. In January, it was announced that Margot Robbie will play Barbie in a live-action movie. With 2 million followers on her instagram @barbiestyle, she’s one of of the big social media influencers and shares her outfits, and street-style shots.

I have been a Barbie fan since my early childhood and am proud of my pretty impressive collection. In my daughter’s old playroom, we still kept the Barbie corner. Happy Birthday, Barbie! Thanks to you, I feel sometimes like a little girl again…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Barbie and © Sandra Bauknecht 

The party platform is back in vogue and we couldn’t be happier. Effortlessly add inches and be able to dance all night in crystals and stars. All the gain, none of the pain – see you on the dancefloor.

LoL, Sandra

Embellished lamé platform sandals by Dolce & Gabbana

Velvet platform sandals by Prada

Baba Plateau metallic cracked-leather platform sandals by Aquazzura

Heloise 120 glittered velvet platform sandals by Jimmy Choo

Lavinia mirrored-leather platform sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti

Flocked metallic canvas platform sandals by Dolce & Gabbana

Rising Star Swarovski crystal-embellished suede platform sandals by Charlotte Olympia

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Don’t want to go the whole Halloween costume hog? To be honest, I hate real costumes, it is a waste of money for me. I am not in the mood of applying fake blood and spending five hours getting all costume-ready. I always try to create something out of my closet. Pieces that are fun, honor the ocassion and can be worn all year around. So if you are like me, don’t panic about Halloween, these pieces are all you need… perfect for the lazy girl in all of us!

To shop, just click on the highlighted text. And don’t forget to scroll until the end of this post. The probably most expensive designer look inspired by Halloween is waiting for you…

Halloween-print silk scarf by Vetements

Caterina embellished wool-felt hat by Eugenia Kim

Cashmere skeleton gloves by Saint Laurent

Jacquard knit skeleton sweater by Saint Laurent

GucciGhost G-Timeless watch by Gucci

Montana Pony clutch by Mara & Mine

Lou crystal-embellished velvet mask by Maison Michel

Kitty leather-trimmed velvet slippers by Charlotte Olympia

Night Fairy embroidered wool-blend scarf by Alexander McQueen

Queen and King skeleton earrings by Alexander McQueen

Fringed printed silk-blend jacquard scarf by Alexander McQueen

Reverse opening cardigan jacket in crystal skeleton embroidery by Thom Browne

Trouser length cardigan skirt in crystal skeleton embroidery by Thom Browne

Perspex and crystal clip earrings by Miu Miu

Happy Halloween 2018!

LoL, Sandra

Photos/Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

To be honest, nobody actually needs an excuse to head to Ladurée and grab some perfectly yummy macarons. Now, you have one reason more to go. A limited edition box and a sophisticated tea tin, emblazoned with the label’s signature motifs, such as the golden spider’s web and the tiger, is the latest outcome of the collaboration between the Maison’s new brand T by Ladurée Paris and English designer Charlotte Olympia.

«It was a fantastic experience going through the process of creating my unique tea and macaroon and I look forward to indulging in my dream teatime collaboration.»
Charlotte Olympia​

Charlotte Olympia has chosen an elegant and surprising gourmet tea to go with the tin. Composed of a subtle blend of Indian and Chinese black teas and flavoured with bergamot, almond and chocolate, it’s a truly delectable treat.

Leaf tea (100g): 30€
Gift Box (8 Macarons): 21.50€

Window display on 56, Maddox Street in London W1S 1AY

Available now at Thé&Beauté store 232 rue de Rivoli – Paris 1er, in Charlotte Olympia’s store on 56, Madddox Street in London and online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Charlotte Olympia and La Durée
© Sandra Bauknecht

If some trips are in your horizon, it’s time to finally put aside your old suitcase and invest in some new luggage. Traveling can be stressful enough without having to consider what might happen when a zipper breaks or that tiny hole in the bottom suddenly becomes massive. New luggage that is coordinated and sleek might not upgrade you to first class, but it sure will help you feel like you’re already there. And with these colors, you will never loose your luggage again.

1 Horizon 50 Trolley in Monogram Canvas by Louis Vuitton
2 Leather Trimmed Carry-On Suitcase by Gucci
3 Medium Quilted Nylon Trolley by Moschino
4 Majolica-Print Leather Suitcase by Dolce & Gabbana
5 Metallic Calfskin Trolley with Gold-Tone Metal by Chanel

«For me, beautiful luggage is synonymous with the golden era of travel; the sophisticated voyage to an exotic destination should be a journey of refinement and elegance.» – Charlotte Olympia

My absolute favorite is Charlotte Olympia‘s collaboration of fantastic luggages with a vintage feel with Globe-Trotter, the British brand that specializes in leather travel goods. A globetrotter’s dream collection.

TO SHOP CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA X GLOBE-TROTTER ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

While you are reading this, I am on my way to the Oktoberfest in Munich with HUBLOT for an exclusive «Wies’n Gaudi» at the one & only Käfer’s-Wies’n-Schänke. The dress code? Of course «Traditional Bavarian»!

Is any other traditional dress as feminine, elegant and downright sexy as a «Dirndl»?
Any man or woman alive who has visited the Munich Oktoberfest would have to answer with a resounding no! As many other Germans, I am always looking forward to the festival season rolling around, to wear my «Trachten» and «Lederhosen» to celebrate in style.

From left to right top: Breakfast at Tiffany’s –  Dirndl Time – Oh Deer!
From left to right bottom: Pucci Goes Wies’n – Tyrolean Love

From time to time, I like to play around with the outfits and don’t opt for the traditional «Dirndl» but look for designer pieces in my closet that are inspired from Tyrolean or Bavarian styles.

Finding the right Dirndl can be quite expensive and choices are versatile. You can certainly look for less expensive ones at regular department stores, but then you’re quite likely to run into other women wearing the same style around town. In case it bothers you spending so much money on this occasion, I would like to inspire you with these designer pieces that you can wear all year long.

DAYTIME TRACHT: Misha embroidered velvet-paneled gabardine jacket by Vilshenko, crochet-trimmed lace-up broderie anglaise cotton blouse by SEA, velvet shorts by Pierre Balmain, appliquéd leather Chelsea boots by Charlotte Olympia, embellished wool-blend socks, Lucia watersnake-trimmed embellished brocade shoulder bag, crystal-embellished round-frame gold-tone sunglasses and gold-tone crystal clip earrings, all by Dolce & Gabbana.

DIRNDL CHIC: Lace and velvet-paneled pleated crepe mini dress by Elie Saab, faux pearl-embellished velvet headband and velvet shoulder bag, both by Miu Miu, velvet and gold-tone multi-stone choker by Etro, Elliot floral-print matelassé over-the-knee boots by Altuzarra.

BAVARIAN QUEEN: Embroidered cotton-velvet tuxedo jacket by ALEXACHUNG, Adriana lace-up velvet-trimmed crepe dress by Altuzarra, Klara lace-up suede ankle boots by Tabitha Simmons, Padlock small appliquéd studded leather shoulder bag, metallic crochet-trimmed embroidered cotton-blend socks and frayed grosgrain, bead and faux pearl brooch, all by Gucci.

O’zapft is! Happy Wies’n Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, I have a very special offer for you at MODA OPERANDI that will last until November 20, 2016. As a dear Sandra’s Closet reader, you will get 50% off during this special and very exclusive Friends & Family Sale featuring must-have F/W 2016 pieces by Burberry, Mary Katrantzou, Giuseppe Zanotti and many more.

Just use the promo code FRIENDS at checkout! There are so many beautiful pieces waiting for you here. Here are my personal favorites.

Get the look with 50% off: Suede trench coat by Red Valentino, lace dress by Temperley London, leather crossbody bag by Delpozo, Karlie embroidered suede pumps by Aquazzura.

More amazing F/W 2016 pieces on sale are:

Grey sail cape by Temperley London

Velvet top by Dolce & Gabbana

Coline cutout suede sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti

Galactic Penelope clutch by Charlotte Olympia

CLICK HERE TO BROWSE THE FULL SELECTION THAT IS 50% ON SALE.
Don’t forget to use the promo code FRIENDS at checkout!

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Moda Operandi

Clutches are small, fine and compliment every feminine outfit just perfectly. This season, a statement bag gets a whole new meaning and can be taken literally. Only your personal taste and your style decide, which one will be your favourite. With these quotes, the stage is all yours and you set a point right from the start.

LoL, Sandra

Dolce embellished printed leather shoulder bag by Dolce & Gabbana (my favorite)

Speech Bubble embroidered leather clutch by Sophia Webster

Iconic Print leather clutch by Givenchy

Love Pill confetti Perspex clutch by Sarah’s Bag

Superstar Vanity croc-effect leather clutch by Charlotte Olympia

Flavia Gangster glittered acrylic box clutch by Edie Parker

Leather and fabric embellished pouch by Gucci

Wifey For Lifey beaded cotton clutch by Sophia Webster

Candy printed acrylic clutch by Jimmy Choo

Everything I Do Makes Me book clutch by Olympia Le-Tan

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Life in plastic — it’s fantastic! British accessories designer Charlotte Olympia, known for her fun patterns and cheeky designs, brings our childhood dreams to life with this pink-tastic collection of clutches and shoes in collaboration with Barbie®.

Personally speaking, the greatest Barbie® collaboration ever!

LoL, Sandra

Vanina textured-leather box clutch

Pomeline patent-leather and mesh sandals

Barbie Girl platform sandals

Barbie World Perspex box clutch

Kitty embroidered leopard-print velvet slippers

Collection doll

Photos: Courtesy of Mattel and Charlotte Olympia