Sandra‘s Closet

After the fabulous and already iconic Knife boots and sequin-embellished satin pumps, Demna Gvasalia looks to Balenciaga‘s archives for inspiration for Pre-fall 2017, sifting through 30 years’ worth of founder Cristóbal‘s imagery. Exploring the link between couture and fetishism and set on a slanted kitten heel, these sharply pointed mules have been crafted in Italy from smooth satin and topped with a bow. The plunging vamp creates the illusion of longer, leaner legs. I prefer them in vivid jewel-tone colors.

Be fast as they are selling out like crazy and opt for one of the season’s most iconic silhouettes:

Emerald green satin mules (the ones I could NOT resist!)

Sky blue satin mules
Hot pink satin mules
Black satin mules

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balenciaga

Today marked the end of an era. Nicolas Ghesquière, Creative director of Balenciaga since 1997, has announced that he will be leaving the company at the end of this month. Abrupt and surprising for the fashion world. Nicolas Ghesquière has been given the label a new lease of life over the last 15 years and is considered one of the most talented designers of his generation.

ABOUT BALENCIAGA
Cristobal Balenciaga presented his first collection in 1937. He opened his doors in Paris, at 10 avenue George V, having an instant success. In 1946, he launched his “tonneau” (barrel-shaped) line, set off with an embroidered bolero. In 1952, the first non-fitted suit. In 1969, the puffball dress…

The years passed and the fashion house forgot the sublime outline invented by its founder. Since his arrival at Balenciaga in 1995, Nicolas Ghesquière has been working to revive the brand. He has invented a style inspired by science fiction. Over the seasons, his designs – a meeting between sensuality and futurism – set the trend.

In 2000, the Gucci Group bought Balenciaga. Consulting the company archives, Nicolas Ghesquière has taken his inspiration from these treasures, reinterpreting them in the ready-to-wear line. He conceived Balenciaga Edition, a collection that draws on original creations from 1930 to 1968. And he has reissued six to eight of these pieces every year. The visionary genius of Cristobal lives once more. Let’s see who will succeed…

Personally speaking, I am even more curious about Ghesquière’s next move!

TO SHOP BALENCIAGA, CLICK HERE!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balenciaga and via style.com

When I stumbled across the new US April Vogue and this amazing editorial featuring Kate Moss showcasing the most beautiful of January’s couture collections at the hotel Ritz in Paris, before closing its doors for renovation, I had to share this with you.

Lensed by one of my favourite photographers Tim Walker and styled by Grace Coddington, this is a feast for your eyes! Enjoy!

My Bleu Heaven
A cornflower-blue dress by Sarah Burton, reminiscent of 1950s couture, plays on proportion and contrast: nipped-in waist and voluminous skirt; flat jacquard against exploding lace. Alexander McQueen lace bustier jacquard dress.

At First Blush
Moss, in the bathroom of the Coco Chanel Suite, wears a petal-like cocktail dress and cape, inspired by a 1960 design, from a pink-and-silver cloque lamé created by Cristóbal Balenciaga.

Life Imitates Art I
Like the neoclassical crimson satin sofa, a dramatic tiered evening dress (Dior’s finale look) adds a jolt of brilliant color to the hushed palette of an Imperial Suite salon. Dior Haute Couture silk dress.

Life Imitates Art II
Bellhop Nicolas Deschamps balances a Roger Vivier silk-and-feather pump on his cap.

Sleeping Beauty
For three decades, Coco Chanel called the hotel her home. Here, the bedroom of the suite named for her. Armani Privé sequined embroidered flared bustier dress.

Boxed Out
Karl Lagerfeld took over the first-floor-spanning Imperial Suite, seen here, for his 1996 couture collection. Chanel Haute Couture embroidered organza flower coat and pumps.

Cocktail Hour
“I drink the French 76: vodka, sugar, lemon juice topped up with champagne; it’s the best drink ever, but it only tastes like that in the Hemingway Bar,” says Moss, here in L’Espadon. “Colin [Field, Ritz Paris head bartender] made it for my wedding. It doesn’t taste at all strong—and then, whoa, whoops-a-daisy!” Alexis Mabille Haute Couture burnished lamé dress and hat.

Light Show
“When I was with Johnny Depp, he always stayed there. I had an apartment in Paris at the time, but he said, ‘No, we’re staying at the Ritz,’ so he came by and swept me up to the Ritz—he didn’t want to slum it in my apartment!” Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci.

Room Service
“Gianni’s [Versace] shows were amazing—and sooo convenient. Walk downstairs, go to work: Love that!” says Moss, with housekeepers Khadidja Fakri and Lollie Bacete (standing). Dior Haute Couture embroidered silk dress. Headpiece created by Julien d’Ys.

View From the Top
Giambattista Valli sent out a cinched draped-shoulder goddess dress in “a color so deep, so intense, you can almost smell it—like bougainvillea on the Mediterranean coast.” Giambattista Valli Haute Couture silk dress and necklace.

Special Delivery
In the Flower Room, a team of five florists overseen by floral designer Djordje Varda is charged with, among other things, selecting and arranging 10,000 blooms for the hotel each week.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Vogue, Tim Walker