Sandra‘s Closet

Most of you know that I am a Louis Vuitton aficionado. Therefore I am always looking forward to the LV show that with its beautiful stunning decor surprises each season. Yesterday, it was a gigantic carrousel with models riding on it in pastel-coloured clothes, leaving quite another impression after Marc’s fetish-like creations for F/W 2011.

The S/S 2012 collection is sweet, full of rich details and materials, from matte crocodile jackets, coats and skirts to laser-cut tops and 3-D floral embellishments and plastic paillettes. I am completely taken by the tweed fabrics that are adorned with marabou feathers. The craftmanship that went into this collection is truly outstanding.

The last look was presented by Kate Moss, same as last season. But instead having her smoke on the runway in hot pants, she appeared in a light white floral dress like an innocent bride. I was wondering if she might be pregnant. Rumours are going around those days, same as the fashion crowd is wondering if Marc Jacobs will leave for Dior. The Louis Vuitton S/S 2012 collection looked like a slight approach. Let’s see in which direction fashion’s merry-go-round will be turning…

Below you can see some photos of the front row action!

LoL, Sandra

Caroline Sieber, Claire Courtin Clarins, Antoine Arnault, Virginie Courtin Clarins

Dasha Zhukova, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Carine Roitfeld, Marie-Amélie Sauvé, Rachel Zoe, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Peter Marino

Natalia Vodianova, Uma Thurman

Best friends: Marc Jacobs and Kate Moss

Alexa Chung in a Louis Vuitton dress from the F/W 2011 collection.

Question of today is: What is in the bag?

It is Dior…

…Dior Joaillerie.

It is the most beautiful ring in the world: The Diorette created by my favourite jewelry designer Victoire de Castellane.

Such a piece of art and like this you have a bouquet of flowers every day.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Parfums Christian Dior is introducing a new version of its J’adore eau de toilette.
The floral perfume was initially released in 2002 and has been a bestseller since then.

Perfumer François Demachy signs the new variation that benefits from a higher quality of orange blossom sourced from Tunisia, as well as a greater quantity of the ingredient entering the formula. Other notes include mandarin, Damascus rose, tuberose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, sambac and vanilla.

Available from August 29, 2011, CHF 104.50 / 50ml, CHF 149.50 / 100ml

On September 4th, 2011, a new advertising campaign will debut with spokesperson Charlize Theron who was photographed by Patrick Demarchelier in the Hall of Mirrors at the Château de Versailles. Jean-Jacques Annaud directed the 90-second commercial. Enjoy the little teaser, it is absolutely stunning!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior

Welcome to Ulus 29! The trendy restaurant with its bar and nightclub is an Istanbul classic. Located between the first and second Bosphorus bridges, overlooking the Anatolian side with one of the most beautiful Istanbul Strait views, it combines contemporary and traditional interiors.  The menu is a mix of both as well, from a wide sashimi selection to mini pita, Turkish pizza and yoghurt kebab.

My makeup: Eyeshadow Palette in Baby Nu and Mascara Hypnôse Doll Eyes by Lancôme, New Lip Gloss in Buff by Bobbi Brown and Wanted Blush in 01 Glowing Peach by Helena Rubinstein.
On my finger nails: Pure Colour Nail Lacquer in Berry Hot, on my toes: Pure Colour Nail Lacquer in Purple Passion, both by Estée Lauder.

My outfit: Strapless Dress (with cut-outs at the back) and Sandals by Gucci (Resort 2011), Foldover Falabella Bag by Stella McCartney and Daisy Necklace by Christian Dior.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Fashion repeats itself and designers love to seek inspiration from previous decades. For F/W 2011, there were lots of 1940s-themed references. The best approach to reinvent this fashion era has been realized by Miu Miu, as well as by Gucci, Christian Dior, and Jonathan Saunders.

What do the `40s stand for in fashion? The world was at war which meant that resources were restricted everywhere. Fashion had to be more practical. Function was more important than form. Women’s skirts became much shorter and much simpler, but as seen today on the F/W 2011 runways, the basic A-line frame or slight flare of many of the skirts tends to flatter many figures. Floral prints seem to dominate the early 1940’s and have been lovely interpreted by Miuccia Prada for Miu Miu this season.

Women’s chunky heeled shoes were one of the marvels of 1940’s fashion along with stylish accessories such as gloves and feodora hats. Those must-haves for F/W 2011 are absolutely stylish and best of all, will make you instantly look mysterious like you are coming out of a spy movie.

LoL, Sandra

As you already know, it was the weekend of weddings. Kate and Charlene tied the knot and two of my girlfriends as well. This was my outfit for Friday’s wedding reception and cocktail party that took place in Zurich.

Dress by Stella McCartney, Boots by Gucci, (both now on sale, to shop just click on the tiny photos), Gold Clutch by Chanel (the one that Carrie wore in Sex and the City 2), Wide Bracelet and Earrings by Christian Dior, Snake Bracelet by Roberto Cavalli, Watch by Roger Dubuis.

I hope that you like it!
Happy 4th of July to my US readers! Would love to be there…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Christian Dior admired his beloved muse, Mitzah Bricard, as much for her refined and distinguished taste as for her mysterious personality that inspired him throughout his career.

Legend has it that Mitzah used to wear a panther print chiffon scarf at her wrist to hide a scar. Fascinated by her elegance, Mr Dior decided to include this magnificent Jungle motif in his collections from 1947 onwards.

“Madame Bricard is one of the rare people for whom elegance is their sole reason for living,”
Christian Dior.

The Jungle panther print corresponded perfectly to the world of Haute Couture. It was reproduced numerous times in chiffon, taffeta and silk and as become an emblematic House reference.

In 2011, Dior presents the famous print in a limited edition make-up collection composed of a limited edition numbered eyeshadow palette and two shades of nail varnish (912 Ebony – 622 Camel). Thus the Mitzah legend lives on at Dior.

Discover below how to apply the Mitzah palette eyeshadows:

1. The camel shade emphasises eye colour. Apply to the lower eyelid then blend gently upwards. Apply also to the lower lash line.

2. The Ebony shade intensifies  the eyes. Apply it along the upper and lower lash lines. Blend with the camel shade.

3. The Nude shade brightens  and opens the eyes. Apply to the inner corner of the eye.

Photos: © Courtesy of Dior, © Sandra Bauknecht

In Switzerland the collection will launch Mid April.
The limited Mitzah palette is CHF 135. The two limited nail polishes are CHF 37 each.

LoL, Sandra

Yesterday, despite all the horrible incidents that happened to the famous French fashion house during the last seven days, the Dior F/W 2011 show took place inside the tent situated in the gardens of the Musée Rodin – just without its designer John Galliano who got fired after his anti-Semitic assaults.

But before the models appeared on the catwalk, Dior CEO Sidney Toledano made a speech onstage about the values that Christian Dior has represented for more than six decades. With no word he mentioned John Galliano by name.

In the end of the défilé, the seamstresses and craftsmen who had been working for Galliano over the past 14 years showed up on stage and the audience cheered and clapped.
Isn’t it on one side such a sad ending for such a talented designer as Galliano is and on the other hand so unbelievable that it took an heinous act like that to finally thank the people in the ateliers for their amazing work!

I have absolutely loved the collection, the rich colours, lush textures and the bohemian theme. Romantic and edgy, quintessential pillars of the Galliano woman. The buckled knee boots worn with a sweeping cashmere cloak, mmh, just love that! And our Swiss supermodel, Julia Sahner, looked so pretty in the long ruffled chiffon gown, blowing kisses.

It was completely wrong and despicable what Galliano did but let’s see if he will have a comeback one day. People forget and time changes everything. Did you know that Coco Chanel experienced an exile from the fashion world for nine years after having been denunciated as a Nazi collaboratrice? I detest Galliano for his behaviour but I absolutely love his talent.

LoL, Sandra

It is official: John Galliano has been fired from Christian Dior. After the fashion house had suspended their designer last Friday following the arrest at a Parisian bar for allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks and assault, a new complaint was filed on Saturday when a video surfaced of Galliano saying how much he loves Hitler.

Suzy Menkes, editor for the International Herald Tribune, wrote, “Friends of Mr. Galliano, who would speak only on condition of anonymity, say that they have finally persuaded the troubled designer to go immediately into rehab – and that the pace of fashion today, and particularly the rigorous structure of a corporate fashion house, broke the fragile, artistic creator.”

Now that Dior was forced part ways with Galliano, the question of his successor is keeping the fashion world busy. Rumours are out that Yves Saint Laurent designer Stefano Pilati, Dior Homme designer Hedi Slimane and Givenchy Creative Director Riccardo Tisci are among the favourites.

The Dior show will take place this Friday in Paris and Galliano’s own show is still on the Fashion Week schedule for Sunday but the Galliano office is still investigating who would be attending the défilé. So let’s see…

Nicole Kidman in Dior

At the Oscar’s night in the beginning of this week, only two actresses stood up to the house of Dior: Nicole Kidman and Sharon Stone.

Both were voted among the worst dressed. This is fashion, the hype can be over fast and a straw shows which way the wind blows.

LoL, Sandra

Sharon Stone in Dior

John Galliano has been suspended from Christian Dior following his arrest for allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks towards a couple at a Paris cafe.

The fashion house said he would be asked to stay away from work pending the outcome of the police investigation, raising doubts over the Christian Dior fashion show planned for next Friday. Christian Dior president and CEO Sidney Toledano emphasized that Dior has a zero-tolerance policy against racism and anti-Semitism.

The 50-year-old was arrested in the bar La Perle situated in the French capital’s Marais district, which has always been the traditional home of the city’s Jewish community. He is believed to have been drinking heavily on Thursday evening when he launched the alleged attack.

Witnesses said he swore heavily, using anti-Jewish insults, before attacking a couple and therefore they called the police. Galliano, who was born in Gibraltar and then brought up in South London, has been chief designer at Christian Dior since 1996, and was the only person arrested in connection with the incident.

There is only one week to go before the Christian Dior show scheduled for next Friday, March 4, at Paris’s Rodin Museum. John Galliano, meanwhile, is due to present his eponymous F/W 2011 prêt-à-porter collection two days later.
What a story… but isn’t he fashion’s enfant terrible?!

LoL, Sandra