Sandra‘s Closet

At the moment I am in London where I met the lovely dynamic designer duo Kaufmanfranco at the net-à-porter offices yesterday. The New York label’s signature is dazzling evening wear that’s delicately embellished, plus modern day wear with an urban twist.

Isaac Franco to the left and Ken Kaufman to the right with me

Their sleek American style have landed them a stockpile of fans in every age group, spanning Taylor Swift to Jennifer Aniston. Calling themselves “the New Sensualists”, their designs are pure sophistication.

Taylor Swift and Jennifer Aniston in Kaufmanfranco (Photos: Getty Images)

It was lovely talking to the charismatic designer duo who answered openly my questions.

Ken Kaufman and Isaac Franco met over 25 years ago. FIT-alumni Ken offered Isaac his first job who at that time had just finished his studies at Parsons School of Design. Since then, the two have been working constantly together for the likes of Valentino or Emanuel Ungaro, just to name a few. In 2004, they decided to launch their own label.

You two seem like yin and yang, same vision, different approach but complementing each other perfectly. Who designs which part of the collection?

Me, Isaac, I take care in general of the day wear styles and Ken is more into eveningwear.

How can I imagine your creative process?

Each of us designs and does sketches that we present each other. We then sometimes change what the other came up with which makes our designs better and special.

Whom would you like to dress? This could be also a person in history.

I think Madonna. But I have recently been asked whom I would like to invite for dinner and I thought Moses and Madonna would make a great combination at the dinner table.

Why don’t you do a runway show?

We are still a small label and prefer putting all the money into the clothes.

Last night, I got a wonderful preview of the Kaufmanfranco F/W 2012 collection that is full of sophisticated cocktail looks and all the fall coats and dresses you need. The colours are dark, from black to silver and rust. The materials are luxurious with lots of embellished pieces, Kaufmanfranco’s signature style. Enjoy the photos that I took for you:

If I have whetted your appetite for some Kaufmanfranco shopping, I would like to invite you to explore their S/S 2012 collection which is in stores now by clicking here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Kaufmanfranco and © Sandra Bauknecht

Happy New Year to you, my dear readers, may all your dreams and resolutions come true.

I started 2011 in St. Moritz, the glamorous place in the Alps that calls itself „the Top of the World“. The Swiss mountain village has been home to the jet set since many years, attracting celebrities, princesses and socialites from everywhere. When it comes to fashion, luxury is the keyword.

Last night, I went to the traditional New Year’s Eve cocktail reception hosted by well-known publisher Jürg Marquard and his wife Raquel.
The party always takes place in their amazing apartment located in the tower of the famous Badrutt’s Palace hotel overlooking the lake of St. Moritz. Previous tenant until the early ninties was gentleman-playboy Gunter Sachs.
My German based readers might recognize some of the faces below… Enjoy all those photos of beautiful people in beautiful outfits!
That is St. Moritz!

To a wonderful 2011!

LoL, Sandra

Hostess Raquel Marquard in a gorgeous gown by Dolce & Gabbana with her daughter, model Bianca Gubser to the left

Sophie Hermann wore one of the nicest dresses of the evening by Atelier Versace

Rebecca Schmid Robinson with me, both in sequined dresses

Dorothea Mühlemann in Alaia

Fabienne Bratschi in Dolce & Gabbana and Radio 24-host Elena Bernasconi, "The Redhead"

Nina Riegel and Alexandra Knapp Voith in Roberto Cavalli

Inga Jacobi in Valentino

From left to right: Hotelier couple Gigi and Andrea Kracht, me and Inga Jacobi

Andreas Knapp Voith with turquoise nail polish matching Raquel Marquard's dress

Gentleman with style: Andreas Knapp Voith wore the most extraordinary pair of shoes by Prada

Badrutt's Palace New Year's Eve decoration

Meet fantastic L’Wren Scott, the brainchild behind the eponymous label. Born 1967 as Luann Bambrough in Utah, the former model is noted for her height of 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters) and a frequent companion of Mick Jagger.

L'Wren Scott and Mick Jagger, Photo: Kevin Mazur

As a tall teenager, she took her first steps in making clothes. Later, she worked as a stylist and a costume designer before starting her own line that has become quickly a favourite among red carpet celebrities.

Her F/W 2010 collection, Tuxedo Terrace, presents a modern take on tuxedo dressing with great pieces for cocktail and black tie attire. Available at NET-À-PORTER.

Another gorgeous collaboration will hit the counters in November. The leggy designer teamed up with Lancôme to create an exclusive make-up look for the upcoming holiday season.

The slate gray nail polish had already been on the models’s nails during L’Wren Scott’s F/W 2010 runway show. Must-haves will also be Hypnôse Drama Mascara in a limited-edition shimmery silver and the sultry red shade for lips.

A classic look that will work perfectly this upcoming season.

LoL, Sandra

A dear subscriber of Sandra`s Closet asked for help. She is going to a wedding which will take place in a beautiful garden of a winery in Napa, California and wants to look stunning. Her request was that the outfit should be around $1000.- max.

I put some gorgeous styles together in different colour combinations. Let’s start with something classy in beige and gold for approximately $800.-. Contrast the polished look with a pair of cut-out booties and a hat for an über-stylish statement. (Dress by Karen Millen).

Soft pink is an exquisite colour to wear for a wedding party. The shift dress by D&G Dolce & Gabbana is a fabulously feminine choice. Complement the delicate pastel tone with suede pumps and a golden clutch.
The pochette by Anya Hindmarch is a little pricey at 525.- but an investment piece for many occassions to come.
I totally adore the hat clip for only $10.-. This modern and stylish take on the traditional wedding accessory will make you stand out of the crowd.

A contemporary choice for day and night is this purple halterneck dress for $355.- by Halston Heritage. The brand carries a lot of gorgeous dresses for less money.
Cinch this sculpted style at the waist with the self-tie belt and wear it with understated jewelry and strappy sandals for first class cocktail chic. A feather hair clip for only $27.- could give you that Blair Waldorf attitude. The whole outfit is $745.-. You can add a stylish leopard cardigan for $350.- if it gets chilly.

I love this vibrant asymmetric dress by Halston Heritage. The bright hue will look awesome on brunettes and dark haired ladies. Sharpen the playful rose detail with stunning lace booties and a beaded clutch. Bangles are always a fabulous finish. The complete look is without the jewelry around $850.-.

But careful, it is hard not to steal the show in those gorgeous outfits.
To a great wedding party!

LoL, Sandra

Rohmir was founded by former model and psychologist Olga Roh in 2007 and means in Russian Roh`s universe. The ready-to-wear line offers women a wardrobe in which luxury, elegance, glamour and intellectuality reign supreme. I especially like her cocktail couture. The prices are reasonable between CHF 500.- – CHF 1000.- for an evening dress. The blonde designer herself hails from Russian nobility and is now a resident of Monaco. It might be her own lifestyle that influences her creations, a mixture between Parisian chic and Slavic refinement. Her label is on the rise, inspired by the French 1920s and 1930s fashion, a culturally rich era and also a liberating time for women.
This spring, Rohmir`s first London boutique opened in Mayfair. The launch was attended by many UK-celebrities including TV-psychologist  Linda Papadopulos, Britain`s Next Top Model presenter Lisa Butcher and well-known models Olivia Inge and Zoe Hobbs.

Last week Cartier hosted an event in Zurich to present their new Trinity collection with all models dressed in Rohmir creations. What a lovely match! Please see for yourself:

Trinity Sautoir – Vincent Wulveryck © Cartier 2010

Trinity Ring – Vincent Wulveryck © Cartier 2010

Trinity Ear Pendants – Vincent Wulveryck © Cartier 2010

Left to right: Claire Treuer (Une Fille en Ville), me and Olga Roh (Rohmir)

In Zurich, Rohmir will be available at Une Fille en Ville (Augustinergasse 34, 8001 Zurich, +41 43 497 34 00, ).
For all other store locations please visit their homepage.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Claudia Lang

Meet Pascal Millet and his first collection for F/W 2010 in his own name. Contemporary, modern with a couture allure- that would be the perfect description.
The designer began his career as the assistant to Michel Goma at Balenciaga, stylist with Givenchy, then continued to work with John Galliano and Alexander McQueen, before taking over as artistic director of Carven in 2001.

Now he has fulfilled his dream and opened his house in Paris. “La Parisienne” in all her splendor is anyway his greatest source of inspiration. The style is evening cocktail. I love the colour combination of blue and black in particular.

Available at Galeries Lafayette in Paris or for more information visit his homepage.

LoL, Sandra