Sandra‘s Closet

Last Wednesday, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich 2013 officially started with the opening gala. More than 26 designers from America, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Switzerland presented their collections from November 13 – 16, 2013 at the Schiffbau in Zurich.

I started the night with an event for American Express Centurion where I gave the exclusive clientele an insight into the world of fashion and catwalk shows. Before the runway presentations started, we enjoyed a gorgeous dinner in the VIP tent, prepared by no other than Frank Widmer from the Park Hyatt, one of the official partners of the MBFDZ.

The first designer to present that night was Gabriele Colangelo, who is said to probably succeed Jil Sander after her  recently-announced departure from her namesake label. The charming Italian, who had worked for Roberto Cavalli and Versace, has a minimalist aesthetic which could be quite a nice fit for Jil Sander. For this season, he was inspired by Japan, Samurai trousers and sandals. If you look close, his devotion to texture can be seen in many details.

Gabriele Colangelo with me backstage

The Swiss designers Eliane Diethelm and Joanna Skoczylas presented their bridal collection LBD White, romantic creations for the most beautiful day in your life.

Polish designer Maciej Zień launched his first collection at the age of 17 and has made a brilliant career during the last 15 years. In Zurich, he presented his S/S 2014 collection with interesting details that showed a lot of skin.

The German twins Daniela and Annette Felder who are based in London immersed the Swiss fashion crowd in a watery-themed S/S 2014 collection for their eponymous label Felder Felder. Models appeared on the runway with damp skin and slicked-back hair giving the impression they had just emerged from the waves.

The Felder twins with me and below with Lena Gercke.

It was a great night and I had a lot of fun. Stay tuned for the upcoming posts about the other three events.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich,
A huge thank you to © Andrea Monica Hug and © David Biedert for those lovely pictures of me

“For the first time in my life I chose a man”, said Italian designer Roberto Cavalli when he proudly presented the winner of the 8th annabelle award last night in Zurich: 25-year-old Maxime Rappaz from Geneva. The young designer stood out with his innovative designs, the biggest eyecatcher: A bag that has its handels inside.

Each of the five young designers was asked to show two of their designs. Below you can see the creations of the other competitors who were all female. Maxime, the winner, has received a one-year internship with Roberto Cavalli in Florence.

Roberto Cavalli, who came directly from Japan, was completely jetlagged. I felt the same having just arrived from New York in the morning.
During the second night of the Fashion Days Zurich, he also presented his S/S 2012 Just Cavalli collection which I had seen already in Milan when I did the interview with him. The looks are powerful and if you like the style, you will be in love with these pieces. My favourite is the “Pocahontas” style dress with feathers worn by Leona Sigrist last night.

The evening was also dedicated to our national fashion designers. During the Swiss Fashion night, the well established labels Little Black Dress, Aziza Zina, Javier Reyes and Van Bery presented their collections. Please enjoy my photo coverage below. For more information on the designers, just click on the highlighted name.

Designers Joanna Skoczylas and Eliane Diethelm created a very colourful look for next summer even that the name of their label Little Black Dress suggests something else. But the classy and feminine approach paid a wonderful tribute to the iconic LBD.

Morena Gonzales and Moritz Stoll of AZIZA zina paid homage to the Roaring Twenties (as also seen on the Gucci S/S 2012 catwalk). Some of the looks were reminiscent of Giorgio Armani‘s beautiful forays into women’s suiting. Swiss model Anouk Manser convinced the audience in a pretty cool turquoise dress.

Javier Reyes presented a well-crafted, beautiful collection, very wearable and feminine. Absolute eyecatchers were the fabrics that the Mexican-born designer chose for his S/S 2012 designs.

Van Bery is the label created by Berivan Meyer in association with Marie Tournant. Their joyful looks for S/S 2012 were colourful and sweet but not as strong as the other collections presented last night.

Below you can see some more impressions! Have fun! I am on my way to the Mercedes Benz Fashion Show…

LoL, Sandra

Lisa Feldmann, editor-in-chief of annabelle magazine, in Just Cavalli and killer heels…

…by Barbara Bui.

Me front row…truly loving the attention…

My look: Dress by Antonio Berardi, boots by Givenchy, bag by Céline and earrings by Chanel.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht