Breaking news today. Roberto Cavalli (November 15, 1940 – April 12, 2024) has died at age 83. The «King of Bling», who has been synonymous with vibrant animal prints and sand-blasted denim, has died in his hometown Florence.

«Surround yourself with love, because love will be the beacon of your life.» – Roberto Cavalli

Roberto Cavalli launched his eponymous label in 1970 after his textile print studies and presented his first prêt-à-porter collection at age 30. He rose to fame extremely fast thanks to a revolutionary printing procedure on leather that he patented. He went on to open his first boutique in Saint-Tropez in 1972, and was soon after invited to present at the Sala Bianca in Florence.

With Roberto Cavalli in 2011.

Throughout his career, Roberto Cavalli created very sexy clothes in bright and bold colors. Animal prints were in his DNA as well as a very innovative approach to fabrics. He went on to introduce additional lines, including RC Menswear, Just Cavalli, which was marketed to a younger consumer, and a children’s collection. The brand also expanded into hospitality, opening its Cavalli Café in Florence in 2002, a concept it eventually brought to other cities, including Milan, Ibiza and Miami.

According to BoF, his company has faced a series of challenges in the last decade: In 2014, it began posting annual losses. In 2015, the Cavalli family sold 90 percent of the business to private equity firm Clessidra Capital Partners. In 2019, it closed its US stores and laid off 93 employees. It filed for bankruptcy in Italy in March 2019. The company went on to be acquired by Dubai-based real estate devloper Vision Investment Co. LLC later that same year.

With Fausto Puglisi in Café Cavalli in Milano in 2012.

The Cavalli collections are currently designed by Fausto Puglisi.

At the home of Roberto Cavalli were lots of animals.

Personally speaking, I met Roberto on several occasions and was invited to his house several times in Florence. He loved animals and was a very kind man who loved to host. RIP, Roberto, you will be missed and I feel privileged to have so many beautiful outfits from you in my closet.

In Roberto’s living room in his house in Florence.

If you are interested, I invite you to read an interview with him from 2011 here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Roberto Cavalli
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I will be off to the Salon del Mobile in Milano this week. As I am in the process of furbishing our new home, this is something very exciting and fun for me. Something that has caught my eye are the 20 limited-edition pieces from Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors, the so-called QUEEN OF CAVALLI CHAIRS, designed by my lovely Fausto Puglisi, the Italian brand’s Creative Director.

Fausto Puglisi with me at the Cavalli Club in Milan a few years ago.

The chair’s neoclassical structure is sculpted out of carved wood with a matt black finish and upholstered in fabrics printed with the artwork, focus on recent collections.

Animal print motifs representt the United States of Cavalli, celebrating the brand’s DNA alongside prints that explode with bright hues of sunshine yellow, fiery red, deep purple, the indispensable black and white, and a striking emerald.

Behind the backrest, a metal plaque with a brushed gold finish carries the name and series number of the chair, marking an extraordinary item that straddles the boundaries between art and design. The limited edition brings the synthesis of classic rigor and irreverence to the finest in Italian furniture, conveying the maximalist yet multifaceted style that disguises the brand collections.

The QUEEN OF CAVALLI CHAIRS will be officially presented as part of the Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors stand at the Milan Salon del Mobile. The limited edition may also be admired at the Roberto Cavalli Boutique in Via Montenapoleone, where it will star sth the centerpiece of a special installation.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Roberto Cavalli, © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise

The Met Gala is an annual fundraising event for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art‘s Costume Institute in New York City and marks the grand opening of its annual fashion exhibit. Celebrating this year’s theme “China, Through The Looking Glass”, it seems to be one of the most challenging yet. See below who honored China’s heritage and its present culture on the red carpet best.

This year’s award to best dressed of the night goes to:

Rihanna wearing Chinese designer Guo Pei

The butt girls:

Jay Z and Beyoncé in Givenchy

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West in Roberto Cavalli

Donatella Versace and Jennifer Lopez, both in Atelier Versace.

Best Chinese inspirations:

Zendaya Coleman in Fausto Puglisi

Karolina Kurkova in Tommy Hilfiger

I am always looking forward to seeing Sarah Jessica Parker‘s outfit because she has never let us down in pulling off the best looks. And let’s just say the headpiece combined with her H&M dress is divine.

Georgia May Jagger in Gucci and Alessandro Michele

Chloë Sevigny in J.W. Anderson

Very sophisticated: Tom Ford and Rita Ora in his design.

Alexa Chung in Erdem

George Clooney and Amal Clooney in Maison Margiela

Not so inspired by the Chinese theme… but great to watch:

Jeremy Scott kissing Kate Perry‘s hand who is wearing Moschino.

Also Madonna wore Moschino.

Stella McCartney framed by Cara Delevingne, Sofia Richie, and Zhu Zhu, all dressed in her designs.

Alexander Wang kissed by Lady Gaga in Balenciaga

Miley Cyrus and Zoë Kravitz dressed in Alexander Wang.

Kendall Jenner in Calvin Klein Collection

Robert Pattinson and FKA twigs in Christopher Kane (definitely not my favorite gown of the night).

Supermodel Joan Smalls arrived at the Met Gala in a black tulle and purple silk one-sleeved Roberto Cavalli gown with cutouts and sheer paneling. Her date was the newly appointed designer of the Italian fashion house Peter Dundas. Isn’t this gown to die for?!

Anna Wintour in Chanel

LoL, Sandra

Photos via: Alessandro Garofalo / Indigitalimages.com, Moschino, Vogue and Style.com

As always, I would like to keep you ahead of the game and put together the most important S/S 2015 runway trends! Scroll through my forecast to see what will stay and which styles will be on everyone’s shopping list next season.

S/S 2015 TREND 1
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER
Tom Ford – Saint Laurent – Louis Vuitton

Sequins and metallics are here to stay and will surely make you feel sexy under the disco ball next summer.

S/S 2015 TREND 2
PRIMA BALLERINA
Valentino – Giorgio Armani – Vionnet

Soft and pastel, the long tutu tulle skirts and dresses seen gracing the runways were inspired by ballerinas. A must for your next red carpet moment.

S/S 2015 TREND 3
LUXURIOUS HIPPY 
Chloé – Emilio Pucci – Etro

70s inspired looks seemed like a common theme throughout the fashion weeks. Long, light and flowing dresses or lace materials are the way to work the luxury bohemian trend. My favorite!

S/S 2015 TREND 4
JUMPSUITS 
Christian Dior – Céline – Sonia Rykiel

Fashion-forward utilitarian looks, the jumpsuit might not be the most comfortable piece of clothing but next summer definitely the the most up-to-date one.

S/S 2015 TREND 6
KIMONO GIRLS 
Gucci – Marni – Alexander McQueen

Ethnical prints and long silhouettes tied at the waist, the kimono was a huge source of inspiration for a number of fashion houses this season.

S/S 2015 TREND 7
KHAKI – THE HUE TO STAY 
Chanel – Marc Jacobs – Ralph Lauren

Call it haute safari gear for the wilds of the shopping streets. Khaki has become a fashion classic and is here to stay. It is up to you if you opt for for a safari-style or military-inspired look.

S/S 2015 TREND 8
DENIM – HEAD TO TOE 
Prada – Burberry Prorsum – Fendi

It is all about denim head to toe. Next season the beloved fabric is reinvented in in all sorts of blues and with eye-catching stitchings.

S/S 2015 TREND 9
POP ART
Peter Pilotto – Balmain – Junya Watanabe

Some of the world’s leading pop-artists, such as Roy Lichtenstein, Mondrian and Sonia Delaunay were the force behind a lot of collections. Circle motifs, bright colors and bold, intersecting stripes gave the runway an energetic vibe.

S/S 2015 TREND 10
POLKA DOTS
Marc by Marc Jacobs – Moschino – Dolce & Gabbana

A simple and extremely joyful print, the polka dot, hasn’t lost its impact over the last seasons.

S/S 2015 TREND 11
ANDROGYNOUS & ASYMMETRIC TAILORING
Anthony Vaccarello – Jean Paul Gaultier – Maison Martin Margiela

Conquering the male wardrobe, the designers used the codes of masculine suits, but added a touch of sexy. The trend reveals itself in the asymmetric cuts which are a must next summer.

S/S 2015 TREND 12
PATCHWORK BABYDOLLS
Rodarte – Stella McCartney – Mary Katrantzou

The babydoll makes its comeback in an array of fabrics and lace patterns. Patchwork is the key to success!

S/S 2015 TREND 13
BLACK MESH
Balenciaga – Akris – Proenza Schouler

Worn all-over or a as a single piece, mesh is next summer’s answer to sportswear. The sheer fabric works day and night and has been spotted all over the catwalks.

S/S 2015 TREND 13
BLACK AND WHITE
Narciso Rodriguez – Givenchy – Thakoon

Black and white – the probably most classic color combination. This season, designers set about experimenting with the codes of femininity through black and white suits and used this ultra-refined palette for maximum optical effects.

S/S 2015 TREND 14
MIX AND MATCH
Giambattista Valli – Fausto Puglisi – Prabal Gurung

Conceptual and experimental, the next season silhouettes take center stage with pieces in an array of different colors and all sorts of materials. The probably most modern trend of all.

S/S 2015 TREND 15
HEMLINES
Matthew Williamson – Versus Versace – Elie Saab

Business in the front, party in the back, the new hemlines play with length.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Style.com

Here is the second look from my Firenze4Ever style lab with Luisaviaroma, shot at the Helvetia Bristol hotel in Florence. This one is actually my favourite outfit. I adore this amazing custom-made gown by Fausto Puglisi. The thigh-high slit is so sexy, revealing a lot of leg and combined with the headpiece, that you have to carry gracefully, it is all about drama.

To order just click on the highlighted text below:

My look: Embroidered tartan and wool crepe gown by Fausto Puglisi, ultra high suede platform pumps and red jeweled nappa leather clutch, both by Giuseppe Zanotti, mask with feathers by Idriss Guelai Atelier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Tommaso Fontanella

After all those posts from China in my sneakers, I thought that it is time again for some sophistication. Here is the first post about my Firenze4Ever Style Lab for F/W 2013 with Luisaviaroma. Since one of my favourite designers, Fausto Puglisi (click here for a previous post), has taken up the reigns at Emanuel Ungaro last year, I am in love with the collection.

All items can be ordered by clicking on the highlighted text below.

My look: Printed cady single button jacket and matching polka dot draped skirt, both by Emanuel Ungaro, waxed heavy lycra sweatshirt by MSGM, Rockstud black nappa leather bag by Valentino and star studded suede cage sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Tommaso Fontanella

LUISAVIAROMA‘s Firenze4Ever was once again an outstanding experience. The sun was shining, blue sky over Florence and I enjoyed every single minute of it. Below are some backstage impressions and a little teaser of my photo shoot with Tommaso Fontanella.

A goody bag filled with amazing products from the likes of MCM and Sisley (my favourite mascara) among others waited for me.

LUISAVIAROMA goes punk!

Being interviewed by the lovely Kelly for Glamour and Vogue Italia.

My F/W 2013 selection: Fausto Puglisi, Emanuel Ungaro and Givenchy…

Tommaso showing me the first pics.

Very happy with the result of the shoot: Tom, Anna and me.
Stay tuned for the style labs coming up soon! Missing Florence already…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, three years ago, I published my first post and Sandra’s Closet was born. My blog has taken me on such a beautiful adventure. I would like to thank you all for following me and supporting my work. Without you, the success wouldn’t have been possible.

This year was so exciting for me, I walked in my first runway show during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week, designed a T-shirt in collaboration with Closed and hosted a beautiful dinner at my house for the new Caviar & Oyster collection by Bobbi Brown. There were so many other highlights, it would take too long to name them all. A very big one will follow this year, stay tuned for an event with Montblanc in December to celebrate the launch of something truly amazing. To whet your appetite, there has never been anything like it…

Below are some press features of me during Paris Fashion Week that I have meant to show since a pretty long time. Enjoy!

Featured in Marie Claire: Me in Mary Katrantou’s beautiful Ivory dress.

Featured in Marie Claire: Me at the last day of Paris Fashion Week.

This look was also seen in Harper’s Bazaar.

French Vogue showed some details of my look that I wore to the Valentino S/S 2013 show.

Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis wrote in her column for American Vogue about our fun trip to Mary Katrantzou’s showroom (all the details to be posted soon).

The gang: Eugenie Niarchos, Sandra Bauknecht, Elena Perminova, Miroslava Duma, Mary Katrantzou, Tamu McPherson, Elisa Nalin, Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis and Viviana Volpicella.

Featured on Treetslook at the Stella McCartney S/S 2013 show.

OMG! On Fausto Puglisi’s website, I am featured among celebrities such as Beyoncé, Katy Perry and Madonna. Scroll through!

This weekend, I will publish some amazing contests. Please stay tuned to find out more about the great prizes that you can win during the next two days.

LoL, Sandra

Thursday night, during Paris fashion week, an extravagant party launched the AdR at H&M collection with theatrical flair. Hosted by H&M together with fashion icon Anna Dello Russo, the Paradise Ball took place in Paris famed cabaret nightclub Paradis Latin.

The glitzy party married fashion, performance and a live showcase by music star Azealia Banks. Staying true to AdR’s belief that fashion is something that makes you dream, the eccentric party was all about fantasy and decoration.
“Excess for me means success”, said the fashion icon.

Caroline Piccinin (Le Matin), René Zibold (H&M) with me

Wigs and paper masks transformed the fashionable crowd all into Mini-Annas.

Cabaret-style “vogueing performances” as Anna described them, presented the collection in a very distinctive truly Parisian way.

My look: Powder gun dress by Mary Katrantzou, head piece by Christian Dior, pink bag by Lanvin and Tribtoo textured leather pumps by Yves Saint Laurent.

Friends and fashionistas, including Olivier Theyskens, Rachel Zoe, Poppy Delevingne, and super models Karlie Kloss, Constance Jablonski, and Liya Kebede among many others gathered to celebrate. There were so many famous people at the Paradis Latin as you can see below:

Renzo Rosso and Anna Dello Russo in a dress by Fausto Puglisi

Thomas Hayo (Germany’s Next Topmodel) and me

My beloved Mary Katrantzou

Fashion designer Jeremy Scott with me

Peter Dundas, Creative Director of Emilio Pucci, with me

It was a very fun night, the Paradise Ball was such a glamorous way to launch such an eye-catching collection. The playful line of jewelry, shoes and accessories that Anna Dello Russo designed for H&M, will be on sale from October 4, 2012, in 140 stores worldwide and online. Below are some of my favourite pieces.

LoL, Sandra

Photos in the first and last collage: Courtesy of H&M – All other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is my second look from the LuisaViaRoma Styling Lab. I called it “Modern Princess” and believe me I felt like one in this stunning extraordinary gown on the streets of Florence when people were starring at me. It was a very funny situation, especially when Bryan Boy and I were standing together (see photos at the end).

You can shop the look by clicking on the highlighted text:

Embroidered silk duchesse and crepe dress by Fausto Puglisi, Mini Loubi Lula silk clutch and Lady peep leather pumps, both by Christian Louboutin and head piece by Atkinson.

LoL, Sandra