Sandra‘s Closet

Now that you know all about the S/S 2022 bag trends, I put together for you a list to shop each trend immediately off the runway. Just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly to the respective online shop. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

BOWLING BAG
Logo-print bowling bag by Diesel

BOXY
Small leather shoulder bag by Jil Sander

FANTASY
Bottle-shaped crossbody bag by Moschino

HEART
Heart biker leather crossbody bag by Moschino

MINIATURE
Hourglass mini crocodile-effect leather bag by Balenciaga

MULTIPLE
Esme small suede and leather pouch and Esme small suede and leather shoulder bag, both by Ulla Johnson

SLOUCHY
Luna Anagram-strap leather shoulder bag by Loewe

SQUARE
Medium Carolyn tote bag by Prada

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
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DIESEL honors Genoa, the birthplace of jeans, and celebrates Made in Italy by presenting a reproduction of the oldest jeans fabric ever documented in history.

Dating back to 1760-80, local townspeople and laborers in Genoa were first seen (and depicted) wearing jeans as part of their daily wardrobes. Colors ranged from standard indigo to brown to white. A nativity figurine by Pasquale Navone (1746-1791), shows a man with denim trousers (woven diagonally, 2 to 1, in a blue cotton weft and white linen warp) that appear remarkably similar to iterations from the modern era. This sculpture represents the oldest historical instances of jeans; it may be viewed at Museo Giannettino Loxoro, which is situated in Genoa.

DIESEL has replicated the original fabric and garment as they existed three hundred years ago. It was done by using handmade Italian textiles and workmanship. The re-creation was exhibited this week at Genova Jeans fair in Genoa, where DIESEL was invited to celebrate the heritage of Made in Italy jeans. As to the accuracy of the denim’s reproduction and integrity, the fabric and garment are certified and verified by the art, textile and costume historian Marzia Cataldi Gallo.

The inaugural edition of the fair brings to life the history, evolution and innovation of jeans-making in a multifaceted showcase that, additionally, emphasizes sustainability; a series of immersive, informational experiences were on display. This includes a multi-part exhibition from DIESEL that centers on the heritage of its jeans, its journey towards a more sustainable denim product and practice, and how the company has utilized jeans to help transform the world of advertising.

Ultimately, this initiative serves as another spoke in DIESEL’s For Responsible Living strategy, which is a company-wide mandate to continuously shift its culture, business practices and footprint into a more sustainable arena. By participating in Genova Jeans, DIESEL further demonstrates its commitment to promoting and pushing for increased sustainability in the world of jeans.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Diesel

Yesterday, Italian fashion entrepreneur, also called the «Jeans Genius», Renzo Rosso, was spotted during Paris Haute Couture Week wearing a T-shirt with cryptic wording on it. A mistake, or a purposeful provocation? It was both—a mistake on purpose.

Me with Renzo Rosso at Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbombastic Party during Paris Couture Week.

DIESEL founder Rosso definitely doesn’t make a mistake. This move is a marketing strategy par excellence. The President of OTB Group, the parent company of Diesel, Maison Margiela, Marni, Paula Cademartori, Viktor & Rolf, Staff International (manufacturer and distributor of DSquared², Just Cavalli, Maison Margiela, Marni and Vivienne Westwood), and Brave Kid (manufacturer and distributor of Diesel Kid, Dsquared², John Galliano Kids, Marni and Trussardi Junior) knows how to get attention and make a statement in the right way.

His message?
Anything you do online, whether you are famous or not, will get judged. Hate brews on the internet; angry, bitter people are able to hide behind the anonymity of their screens. At one point or another, everybody receives hate on social media. He wanted to provoke his audience with an intentional misspelling in public and on Instagram. As expected, tons of comments appeared in his feed over the next few hours, giving more proof that conflict and hate are inescapable online.

DIESEL once again taps into current social issues in a very personal way, starting with self-mocking. The brand’s Haute Couture will be a bold message towards haters worldwide—and an invitation for everyone to step up, face and own the negative messages we receive every day.
The complete reveal of this new communication ‘adventure’ will occur at the end of summer—so, now more than ever, stay tuned. Bravo!

In the meantime, I will be on vacation wearing this shirt :-).
Swarovski crystal-embellished cotton-jersey top by Ashish

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Diesel and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last night, I arrived in Cuba and was greeted by CHANEL in my hotel room with a lovely surprise: a very cute straw hat created in collaboration with Maison Michel, the famous hat-maker and milliner that was acquired by the House of CHANEL as one of its specialty ateliers.

The first thing popping up in my mind was, how is this shape called? Is it a Panama or a Havana hat, a feodora or a trilby…? Here is a little guide for you so that you will become a real insider.

The easiest thing to remember is that the rim of a fedora curls up while the rim of a panama hat is straight. A trilby is a narrow-brimmed type of hat which in shape resembles the Tyrolean hat.

Straight rim: straw Panama hat by Rag & Bone.

The rim curls up: grosgrain-trimmed woven paper fedora by Melissa Odabash.

Narrow-brimmed: gradient trilby hat by Diesel.

Trendy, the floppy brim: sunny sequined straw sunhat by Eugenia Kim.

Straw hats in all shapes have already become a must-have accessory for fashionistas everywhere as they are the perfect addition to a summery look. So ladies, hold on to your hats, many exciting things are waiting for you during the next days!

Ernest Hemingway wears the look of the successful novelist in Paris, in 1927, just after his book, “The Sun Also Rises,” hit the bestseller list. (AP Photo/Charles Scribner Sons)

I am leaving now an a Hemingway tour which will take me on a journey, following the footsteps of one of the worlds greatest writers here in Cuba. In 1940 Hemingway, with his new wife Martha, purchased a home outside Havana where he would live for the next twenty years. Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

Hell, yes! Diesel ignites yet another firestorm by appointing Nicola Formichetti, (Do you remember his first Mugler collection for F/W 2011 where Lady Gaga appeared on the runway?), to be the commander-in-chief of the brave army that will spread Diesel’s marching orders far and wide. Starting with F/W 2013, the multifaceted, volatile, OTT stylist, designer and social media star will become the new artistic director of the lifestyle brand.

“I finally met somebody as crazy as I am,” said Renzo Rosso, founder of Diesel. “Nicola shares my vision and I find it incredibly inspiring to work with him: two creative planets are colliding to generate fresh, mad, insane ideas. With his help, I want to break more rules and bring the real Diesel to a new generation.”

Nicola Formichetti will start his new role with the DIESELREBOOT project now. He plans to mobilize an emerging global creative community to collaborate with him. Check out www.dieselreboot.tumblr.com.

Nicola will also oversee all creative activities of the main line, including the areas of product, communications and interior design. He will bring his own interpretation to the brand’s way of living – unpredictable, original, fun – coordinating the existing Diesel Creative Team and his new fresh recruits from different fields.

Sounds pretty promising to me…

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Diesel

Sometimes you have to be lucky… and in this case it was me. Coming pack from Los Angeles to repack for Paris Fashion Week, I had the chance to attend the opening party of the new Diesel Black Gold shop-in-shop at Jelmoli which is the biggest one in Europe. Especially for the night, Andreas Melbostad, Creative Director Womenswear, had flown in from New York. I was very honoured to be among the guests invited to an intimate dinner at Clouds afterwards where I got the chance to talk to the designer of Norwegian origin who had worked for the likes of Calvin Klein, Nina Ricci and Yves Saint Laurent before.

Andreas Melbostad with me

The new shop-in shop at Jelmoli

Dinner at Clouds

One day after I got back from Paris Fashion Week, just one week after the amazing dinner party, Diesel celebrated its recently opened shop on Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse.
And some famous guests came …

Two great parties in one week! Thank you, Diesel!

LoL, Sandra

For the outfit post, please click here.

Actor Adrien Brody with me

Joseph Fiennes, framed by his wife Maria Dolores Diéguez to the left and me to the right

Photos: © David Biedert, © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Diesel

Continuing the theme of ‘portraits for successful living’, Diesel’s Screen Test F/W 2012 ad campaign puts fashion and strong personalities together to create a set of highly stylised performances to camera.

Iconic fashion photographer Steven Meisel creates the series of modern Screen Tests, featuring some of the most exciting contemporary models – Karen Elson, Hanne Gaby Odiele, Jamie Bochart, Fei Fei Sun, Coco Rocha, Mirte Maas, Sid Ellisdon, Ethan James, Yuri Pleskun, Sallieu Jalloh and Dae Na – inviting each character to enter his frame and role-play to the camera.

Each subject is engaged in a creative, playful act, expressing their individuality with confidence and attitude; props swiped from a dressing up box provide the riff for each invented persona. On digital screens the incorporation of animated cinemagraphs allows each image to come alive with the slightest movement.

In an irreverent grid layout, the characters become inadvertently connected and we see an accidental social network develop. A mix of styles and identities play against each other to create a singular, defiant, ‘Diesel attitude’.

In a global age of instant communication, Diesel presents a campaign beyond genre conventions. Taking cues from sophisticated high fashion as well as street style, the campaign mixes codes and references without fear or rules.

It is this ‘anything goes’ attitude to fashion that underpins this provocative and playful campaign, which will come to life in F/W 2012 with a 360° media approach, which will include print and online implementations, and a strong approach on social networks.

I like and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Diesel

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, I would like to show you the best new scents for men. Don’t undervalue the way you smell! Gentlemen, whether you are on a date, a business meeting, a party or just doing your daily chores, the first impression is the most important. The best men deserve the best men’s fragrance. Here we go! The new spring scents are vibrant, energetic and mostly fresh.

LoL, Sandra

CAROLINA HERRERA 212 GLAM MEN

Inspired by NYC, the city that never sleeps.
212 Glam Men is a limited edition summer fragrance that is vibrant and energetic.

Top notes: Chocolate and cocoa beans
Middle notes: Tobacco leaves and tonka beans 
Base notes: Musk and woods

Limited edition 212 MEN GLAM Eau de Toilette is available for CHF 102.00 (100ml),
in Switzerland exclusively at Import Parfumerie.

DOLCE & GABBANA – THE ONE SPORT

An homage to sports
After the original The One for Men from 2008 and The One Gentlemen from 2010, Dolce Gabbana launches the third fragrance from The One masculine line, lighter and fresher The One Sport. As it should, the campaign is represented by a man symbol, Adam Senn who is showing off his worked-out body.

Top notes: Aquatic notes and rosemary
Heart notes: Cardamom and sequoia
Base notes: Patchouli and musk

The One Sport EdT is available now for CHF 76,00 (30ml), CHF 98,00 (50ml) and CHF 135,00 (100ml). After Shave Lotion CHF 97,00 (100ml), After Shave Balm CHF 71,00 (75ml), Shower Gel CHF 45,00 (200ml), Deodorant Spray CHF 45,00 (150ml) and Deodorant Stick CHF 45,00 (75gr).

DIESEL – ONLY THE BRAVE TATTOO

I like the idea of “signing“ one’s body … – Renzo Rosso
The designer had his motto, “Only The Brave”, tattooed just above his ankle. The phrase is synonymous with success and, above all, evokes the boundless conviction of a fulfilled, self-made man. “The phrase is part of me. It stands for what I am and have always wanted to be.” Fragrance and tattoo are both “a trace” left on the skin… This is a new, fresh, mysterious sensuality around a water-pipe tobacco accord.

Top notes: Granny Smith Apple
Middle notes: Sage and Bourbon pepper
Base notes: Amber wood, benzoin, tobacco and patchouli

Diesel Only The Brave Tattoo EdT is available now for CHF 79.90 (50ml).

CHRISTIAN DIOR – EAU SAUVAGE PARFUM (my favourite)

Variations of a legend
Christian Dior’s Eau Sauvage, introduced in 1966, revolutionized men’s perfumes of that era. In May 2012, Dior will relaunch its famous scent, which was created by Edmond Roudnitska.

Top notes: Bergamot
Middle notes: Vetiver 
Base notes: Myrrh

Eau Sauvage Parfum EdP will be available from May 16, 2012 for CHF 98.50 (50ml) and CHF 134.50 (100 ml).

GANT

Water and sky have a fragrance.
Throughout the years, the New England coast has been a constant source of inspiration for GANT. The new scent captures the very essence of the relaxed lifestyle lived on and around the water in this area.

Top notes: Calabria lemon, coriander, Madagascan cinnamon bark
Middle notes: Provence lavender, White Virginian cedar, marine accord
Base notes: Suede accord, Australian sandalwood, North African cypress, black amber

Sold exclusively at GANT stores worldwide for CHF 59.50 (50ml) and CHF 89.50 (100 ml).

A*MEN PURE SHOT

Pure Shot – a fresh, aromatic, spicy, woody scent.
In time for the Olympics later this year, Thierry Mugler is launching a new limited edition flanker scent to its A*Men men’s fragrance, called A*Men Pure Shot. It’s is inspired by Oscar Pistorius, the 25-year-old South African 400-metre runner who has been called “the fastest man on no legs.“ Pistorius was born without a fibula in either leg; his lower legs were amputated when he was 11 months old and he’s been using prostheses since his childhood. Pistorius’ carbon-fiber prostheses look very futuristic, and they play a big part in the A*Men advertising campaign.

Top notes: Icy mint and juniper berries
Heart notes: Cardamom and white pepper
Base notes: Sequoia and patchouli.

Limited edition, available end of March 2012, Eau de Toilette CHF 87.- (100ml).

Diesel has unleashed a possible new trend with the launch of “Jogg-jeans”. This new killer product is a mutant of denim and sweatpants, allowing you to sport your jogger bottoms out to do your groceries without looking like a slob.

The woven and knitted fabric has the look of a jersey weaving, giving the garment 360° elasticity, and is dyed in indigo and laundered to create a beautifully realistic denim pant effect. Jogg-jeans are available in three styles for women and in four styles, including one jacket, for the male collection.

I was able to explore Diesel’s latest innovations in the showroom. The fabric is really soft to touch, not as soft as typical sweatpants but much softer than jeans. I know that I will definitely get a pair of them. As for me, they are the best travel companions, perfect on an airplane.

Already available at Selfridges, in Switzerland starting from August 1, 2011 in all Diesel stores.

LoL, Sandra

Below (first 4 photos): Tintsie for Women

Above: Krooley for Men

Photos: © Diesel

For F/W 2011 Diesel is introducing its most iconic bag: the Divina bag. Available in three variations, the premium denim bags are manufactured in the same manner as the denim lines, going through the same washing process as 5 pockets do.
The result: shaded color effects and a worn naturally used look. Personalized with the Diesel flag and enriched with black leather handles and trims, the Divina expresses Diesel’s DNA in every aspect.

The dirty sand treated denim and leather Divina, aka the supreme bag, is defined by treatments that create uneven and unique products, making each bag is different from one another. The dirty wash process gives the bag its ‘rusted’-like color. The handmade application of resin on some parts of denim result in a contrasting shaded color effect, while the shade treatment enhances the shaded color effect and gives it a peculiar dirty sand nuance. CHF 449.-

The grey embossed denim and leather garment washed Divina has a particular treatment. A silicone pattern that is placed under the denim gives the material its decorative element: fake croco. The pumice stone wash creates a natural vintage effect. CHF 529.-

The blue denim and leather garment washed Divina with rivets and embroidery is handscratched and manually treated with sand paper, while the golden spray treatment oxidizes and bleaches the denim, giving the bag its Diesel character. CHF 449.-

To come to a conclusion: It is big and very versatile. An oversized bag that is adaptable to all day long situations, whether you go to work, on a shopping spree or off to a weekend trip.

And here come the good news: The bags are available in the Diesel stores in Geneva and Zurich from now on, whereas all other countries will have to wait until September 2011. But nothing like a thrill of anticipation!

LoL, Sandra