Sandra‘s Closet

Natalie Massenet, founder of Net-à-porter, looked so über-stylish at London’s V&A museum for the evening with Christian Louboutin that I had to share it with you.
Take inspiration from her amazing look with a printed top, statement heels and a standout skirt for outstanding evening chic.

Her look: Feather and sequin-embellished silk skirt by Matthew Williamson, printed silk-satin top by Theyskens’ Theory and Wales python lace-up pumps by Christian Louboutin.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Recently, I was invited to an evening at the V&A museum in London with legendary French shoe designer Christian Louboutin, whom I had met earlier this year at La Soirée Monégasque in Monaco, and Net-à-porter founder Natalie Massenet. The event was linked to the launch of his first book and the 20th anniversary of the Louboutin empire.

On Nov 21st, 1991 Christian Louboutin opened his first store at the age of 27. Now 20 years later, he still lives his passion for shoes.  Louboutin is a very interesting man and a true latitudinarian.

He was expelled from 3 schools, he ran away from home at the age of 12 and grew up in a household with many women, 4 sisters and his mom who gave him a lot of support and encouraged him to follow his dreams. At an early age, he had already developed an obsession for burlesque clubs and showgirls that has inspired him all his life.

Christian Louboutin with me…

…signing the book with a personal dedication for me.

Meet Christian Louboutin and enjoy this insight into his world and life.

On happiness

“I don’t know how to be unhappy in life. This is a natural element that I have. For me, it helps me with my work. This is the great thing about designing, it should bring happiness.”

On destiny

“I don’t believe in destiny. I have loved drawing shoes from an early age but never thought that this would become my job.”

On his childhood

„I learned a lot from my sisters and my mum. Women behave differently when they are by themselves and when there is no man around. I never thought that I had a special childhood but I had. My mum was very supportive and gave me complete freedom. She believed that it is important to be brought up in love. She was beautiful, even though her shoes weren’t. She was definitely not a shoe person!“

On shoes

“A shoe has so much more to offer than just to walk. Shoes are bringing posture to the whole body. They change the way you are walking, standing, behaving. They give you confidence. A customer once said while trying on a pair of my heels: ‘Look, I’m completely transformed and it’s cheaper than a facelift!’ “

On his first success

“It was a flat shoe, the Love shoe”. Like the love birds that cannot be separated, I designed them. Only if you put the two shoes together, they are complete. I only sold those shoes in the first season and they were a huge success.”

On his favourite heel height

“Ain’t no high heel high enough!” (started singing)

On his favourite shoe

“If there was only one shoe to be made, it would have to be a pump. It is like a beautiful face without make-up. If you have a good pump, the rest is make-up.”

On Princess Caroline of Monaco

“Caroline is the second fairy in my life. Caroline came in my store at a very early stage in December 1991. A journalist who did a story on new shops was by coincidence there and when she spotted Caroline, she wrote a huge article that brought me many buyers and sales went up.”

On Folies Bergère

“I love Burlesque dancers. At the Folies Bergère, I saw all the shows, knew all the girls. So I decided to design for them. At one stage, I was even an intern at the Folies Bergère.”

On the importance of the red sole

“It is my signature, it is clear how important it is. But now I don’t even think about it anymore. It is a funny story how it started. During my designing process for my third collection, I was thinking a lot of Andy Warhol, pop art, bright colours. The first prototype arrived and I was very happy with it, with the heel proportion, a Mary Jane with a big huge flower. Still, I was looking at the drawing and at the shoe, and something was missing. Looking at the sole, it was all black which was not on my drawing because you didn’t see the sole. Sarah, a model, was sitting on the floor and painted her nails in red. I grabbed the polish from her and started to paint the soles. The magic took place. The sole is like a message, the red a signal.”

On sex

“You really need to be a criminal or a pervert to shock me! It is sad but you can even be sexy in bad shoes. Sexy is coming from a certain attitude.”

On independence

“I am very happy to not be a part of a big luxury company and do not plan to change it, because I enjoy my freedom very much. Freedom means a lot to me.”

On toe cleavage

“It is one of the important aspects of my designs, mainly because it gives the impression of longer legs. While working with the show girls, I learnt a lot. They are very specific with their shoes. Good balance is indispensable and to be able to dance while having the longest legs possible. This inspired me to create more toe cleavage.”

On his favourite thing to do

“Working.”

On his favourite colour

“Red.”

On his favourite quality in a person

“Tolerance and enthusiasm.”

On his nick name

“Laporo, Loubi, Bottinos or Los Bottinos which I hate.”

If I whet your appetite for a little Sunday shopping, you will find a great wish list below (just click here to be transferred). Channel Christian’s joie de vivre and enjoy your new shoes!

LoL, Sandra

The perfect gift for all shoe lovers and Christian Louboutin aficionados: Delving into the designer’s imagination, this beautiful tome – created to celebrate the brand’s 20th Anniversary – contains over 300 pages of stunning photography, inspiration, biographic detail and even some pop-up art. Featuring a fold-out cover and with exclusive insight into his personal archives, this is a real collector’s item and will look fabulous on your coffee table or as a gift. Available at net-à-porter (“Christian Louboutin” by Christian Louboutin; foreword by John Malkovich, contribution by Eric Reinhardt, photographed by Philippe Garcia and David Lynch).

LoL, Sandra

Starting from today, I would like to make the run up to Christmas even more exciting with my fashion advent calendar. Each day, I will show you something special that might be a great gift for you or your beloved ones. For all fashionistas that found opening their chocolate-filled advent calendar this morning a little disappointing. Let’s make the festive season even more sparkling…Yes, December 1st has arrived!

Have a look at this cute Miniature Barbie Shoes Set by Christian Louboutin. In 2009/2010, the three limited edition dolls were introduced (just click on the photos below for the previous posts), this December you can add some accessories! Available among other stores at Selfridges (please click on the tiny pic above to be transfered directly).

LoL, Sandra

I just spent 48 hours in London that were filled with many interesting events, parties and meetings. Let me get started with the launch party for the ‘Cabinet de Curiosites de Thomas Erber’ 2011.

After his successful collaboration with Parisian concept store Colette in 2010, fashion consultant and former journalist Thomas Erber has brought his cabinet to Browns in London. Showcasing a very interesting selection of pieces including everything from fashion and furniture design, to travel packages, art and photography, Erber has gathered many internationally renowned artists and designers to fill his cabinet with their most unique creations.

My key to “Le Cabinet de Curiosités de Thomas Erber”

Thomas Erber with me

„My quest, has always been to push the limits of creativity, to me it is the only thing that feeds the dream living in each of us. Browns, since the beginning, has been the coolest place in the city to me, it has always defended elegance and most importantly independent designers more than anything or anyone else in London.“

– Thomas Erber

Designer Christopher Kane with me (Love his designs! Click here for a previous post)

Here are my favourite curiosities:

FASHION

Rodarte – The Piece

In 2011, the Rodarte sisters, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, joined with two of the world’s most highly acclaimed photographers, Catherine Opie and Alec Soth, to create the first publication to explore and examine the world of Rodarte.

For Thomas Erber’s cabinet at Browns, Rodarte have collaborated with artist Rebekah Miles on a one of a kind book cover, hand painted with an image from the book.

£ 250

Lulu Guinness – The Piece

Designed to befit the expression, “Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder”, this bespoke bag is characteristic of Lulu’s wit and charm. The cubic evening bag is covered in black satin with a wrist strap and is presented in another larger cube which is hand-embroidered with the designer’s iconic handwriting.

£ 1995

 

Manolo Blahnik – The Piece

“Albero” – an exquisitely delicate shoe. Crafted in crocodile, silk satin leaves encase the ankle, while the foot rests on orange satin lining.

£ 3850 (size 37)

 

Melinda Gloss – The Piece

Melinda Gloss is the in 2006 established label by childhood friends Rémi de Laquintane and Mathieu de Ménonville.

High quality meets high fashion, as a traditional tweed overcoat is given a modern dressing-down by a hooded inner-layer. Raw edging gives the reassuringly weighty material a sense of lightness without compromising its warmth.

The three coats are available in size 50 for £ 1750 each.

CURIOSITIES & ART

I-Woodesign

A unique jewelry box and watch box in Tamo Ash, one of the rarest and most reasured woods in the world. Sleek and sophisticated by design, the rich finish of the wood results in a piece which is strikingly superior in every sense.

Jewelry Box £ 7200, Watch Box £ 6300

Hungarian-born artist Kata Legrady is a very interesting woman to talk to. She has attracted international fame for her iconic series “Guns & Candies”. A former child soldier, she draws inspiration from her childhood memories.

While we were talking, this bag by Christian Louboutin caught her eyes. It reminded her of a bomb, funny enough!

Kata Legrady – The Piece

‘A 47 Kalashnikov, multicolour original gun with applicated “Smarties” covered with Plexiglass’

The internationally celebrated series, “Guns and Candies” was started in 2008, and is a set of colourful and oversized pieces exploring Legrady’s double fascination with war arms and candies. The Smarties are simultaneously enigmatic, alluring and scary, and appear to leave a residual trace on the retina, like a persisitent dream or a meditative vision. Truly popular art in the very Warholian meaning of the word, these images and artifacts are universally accessible and immediately identifiable. They demand only a little empathy from the viewer’s part, therefore investing each beholder with a power to reveal both their symbolic and artistic qualities.

£ 25000

London based designer Paul Kelley

Paul Kelley – The Piece

A stainless steel polished desk/dressing table with a mirror and a blue acrylic lined interior. The handsome yet elegant work boasts solid brass-plated drawers and solid teak interiors.

£ 54000
All photos above: © Sandra Bauknecht

 

TRAVEL

“Riders”, 40 x 60 cm, Silver gelatine print, fiber paper, B & W, argentic print, single copy. Especially made for the Cabinet Of Curiosities of Thomas Erber, 2011 edition at Browns by Elina Kechicheva, £ 1840.

LES VOYAGES DE THOMAS BY KUONI

The Road Trip

A mesmerizing and romantic road trip leads to Uruguay, to the edge of the end of the world, just between the “elder brothers” of Brazil and Argentina, and along the Uruguayan coast – which will slowly unveil its mysteries and wonders in a land that is yet to be fully discovered.

A ten day trip will start approximately at £2150 per person (without flights).

Photographs by Elina Kechicheva also available, £ 1840

The Family Safari

A magical, adventurous family trip to the heart of rugged but soulful Namibia, the “king country”, a jewel located on the west coast of southern Africa. Travelers will venture away from the famous Skeleton Coast to the untouched Namib Desert, where safaris are still real and wild – and will be accompanied by dedicated and knowledgeable local people who will help them to experience the real Namibia.

A ten day trip will start approximately at £ 4285 per person (without flights).

 

The after party took place in London’s newly opened up hot spot: Le Baron.
Here are some photos of the night:

Mark van Huisseling with me

Christian Louboutin and Henry Holland

Mickey got all excited seeing…

…a half naked beauty. 
Photos: © Jean Picou

A real cabinet of curiosties!

LoL, Sandra

“Inspired by the glittering realm of Monaco’s legendary Monte Carlo Casino, La Monégasque collection is crafted with the Player in mind—the passionate, elegant, audacious individual who has mastered the high-stakes world. The timepieces in this daring collection utilize Roger Dubuis’ latest generation of cutting-edge movements, each respecting the brand’s grand aesthetic traditions while fulfilling the exacting standards demanded by the Poinçon de Genève. On each watch’s face, a dramatic and stimulating world artfully takes shape. And within each casing, a gorgeously calculated mechanism comes alive. Venture where captivating horology meets a flamboyant, bold lifestyle … where the gamer presides at the head of life’s table.”

The amazing invitation with a countdown clock.

To celebrate the launch of its new collection „La Monégasque“, Roger Dubuis had the pleasure to welcome more than 200 guests from all over the world in Monaco at the famous Hotel de Paris on Thursday night. The beautiful watches are inspired by Monte Carlo’s elegance and style so that the luxurious Swiss brand could not conceive any better place than the glamourous Mediterranean seaside resort.

Georges Kern, CEO of Roger Dubuis, greeted on the red carpet  international style icon Daphne Guinness, gallery owner Alex Dellal and renowned shoe designer Christian Louboutin among others.

When Haute Horlogerie meets glamour, it surely evokes a night of magic. For more information on the collection including 8 pieces of which some are limited, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Alex Dellal and Georges Kern

Christian Louboutin framed by Daphne Guinness to the right and me to the left

Christian Louboutin sported his new shoe collection for men

One of the evening’s highlights was the outstanding performance of Curtis Stigers.

Alberto Cibrario, Leona Sigrist and Suryia Hill with me

Photos: © Tony Barson/Getty Images for Roger Dubuis and © Sandra Bauknecht

Fash Friday, it is time to shop! I am completely taken by this Emilio Pucci dress. The Italian fashion house’s whole F/W 2011 collection is divine, so sexy, feminine and different.
If you like to have more information, please click here.

Together with the Christian Louboutin shoes and the studded bag by Etro, you will make a stunning entrance. Mine is on its way…

Have a lovely weekend!

LoL, Sandra

When I received Christian Louboutin’s new F/W 2011 lookbook, I could barely resist writing about it the same moment.

Photographer Peter Lippmann and Christian Louboutin, who previously worked together nearly two years ago, seeked inspiration from classic portrait paintings where in each of the pictures one new Louboutin item is featured.

Fashion meets art, a truly beautiful and different idea to present the new collection.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Christian Louboutin, © Peter Lippmann

During London Fashion Week, I was photographed by Marie Claire Brazil. I am showing you this to demonstrate how one pair of bright patent pumps can change a whole outfit. This season, those vibrant coloured heels are a must and absolutely worth the investment.
Mine are by Miu Miu. Coat – Etro, Scarf – Alexander McQueen, Cardigan – Miu Miu and Boston Bag – Céline.

Please enjoy the nice selection of the best pumps available at the moment, from YSL to Brian Atwood to Miu Miu and Christian Louboutin. Happy shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Chunky heels and wedges, this is what the summer 2011 is all about . Being more comfortable than high heels (especially if you live like me in a city plastered with cobblestones) and giving you a more casual and effortless look, those shoes will be surely bestsellers.

Enjoy those creations for this summer that are bold, daring and definitely different.

The footwear innovation for S/S 2011 is the flatform – a ballet flat elevated on a high platform heel, that gives you extra hight. Kind of reminiscent of summer espandrilles, but only higher. Designers are loving them at the moment.
And what about you? Are you a brick-like shoe lover?

LoL, Sandra