Sandra‘s Closet

Personally speaking, one of my favorite S/S 2021 collections is ZIMMERMANN titled «Wild Botanica». Inspired by Nicky Zimmermann‘s native flora and fauna of her home country, Australia, the designer translated these references into bold floral and bird prints and playful 3D flower and butterfly appliqués. Furthermore, she looked at the turn-of-the-century artwork of painter and explorer Ellis Rowan.

Inspiration behind the Zimmermann collection: Australian artist and botanical illustrator Ellis Rowan (1848 – 1922).

Favorite looks from the Zimmermann S/S 2021 runway.

Breezy dresses, stunning shorts and vibrant blouses set the scene for sunny romance. The long gowns with butterfly embroidery or the billowing floral waterfalls in the back stood out for their interesting textures for me.

On Mother’s Day I wore the amazing Botanica wattle-print linen-blend organza dress that was the first Zimmermann S/S 2021 runway look. The outfit post will be coming up tomorrow.

Liya Kebede stars in the S/S 2021 campaign. In front of Benny Horne‘s lens, she poses on location in St. Barths. A picturesque setting complements dreamy silhouettes as well as painterly prints.

You can shop the beautiful S/S 2021 collection at NET-À-PORTER, MATCHESFASHION and MYTHERESA.

Such beautiful butterfly applications on my Botanica floral linen-blend organza maxi dress. This outfit post will also coming up shortly.

Photos: Courtesy of Zimmermann, © Sandra Bauknecht, © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

While you are reading this post, I am on my way to Cuba as guest of CHANEL. I am totally excited about this trip as the Maison’s highly-anticipated Cruise 2017 collection will be presented in Havana on El Paseo del Prado upcoming Tuesday,  May 3rd, 2016.

As part of the month of the French culture in Cuba, the House of CHANEL is also presenting the exhibition “Obra en Proceso / Work in Progress” by Karl Lagerfeld at the Factoría Habana in Cuba, from April 28th to May 12th 2016. The opening reception will take place this Sunday.

This exhibition, divided into three sections representing the designer’s main interests – fashion, architecture and landscapes – brings together more than 200 of Karl Lagerfeld’s photographs. It explores the great diversity of subjects, approaches and techniques that define the very personal and subtle interpretation that makes his photography. For him, a photo is not just an image but also a unique visual object.

It’s no secret that the travel media and fashion houses are thrilled about the loosening of restrictions between Cuba and the United States. Dubbed a “trend” for Resort and S/S 2016, Cuba was the theme of other collections as well: Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler and Temperley London among others.

Stella McCartney for example transformed her Resort 2016 presentation in NYC into a Havana-inspired scene, complete with chocolate cigars, cocktails, street performers, a live band and caricatures of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.

Cassie tiered silk gown by Stella McCartney
(inspired by the Bata Cubana or traditional rumba dress)

The clothes were of course also inspired by the Cuban theme: models donned citrus-hued gowns, wildflower prints, ruffled hemlines, and even an updated version of the Bata Cubana or traditional rumba dress.

Proenza Schouler’s Resort 2016 collection also referenced the culture of the Caribbean nation, an homage that came from a recent trip to the country that designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez did. The latter is of Cuban-American origin and saw his relatives for the first time.

Drop-waist printed silk-crepe mini dress by Proenza Schouler

The collection was subtle with its references to Cuba. Ruffles and floral prints were reminiscent of the native costumes.

The vivacious spirit of Havana, Cuba underpinned also Temperley London‘s S/S16 runway collection which is filled with an exuberant sense of colour, pattern and rhythm. The mood reflects Cuba and the forbidden yet tempting fantasy of island life – its decadent cultural heritage and the nonchalant and mysterious attitude of its capital city Havana.

Arabelle wrap-effect embroidered cotton dress by Temperley London

This is a collection that encompasses day to evening in a vivacious and animated manner whilst being confident, joyful, and ultra feminine.

As internet is said to be very slow in Cuba, I hope that I will be able to post live on here on my blog and on instagram (@sandrascloset) but it is not sure. Those are the two hashtags to follow: #ChanelCruiseCuba, #FactoriaHabana.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: J Grassi/PatrickMcMullan via AP Images, Courtesy of the Brands, © Chanel

Amsterdam has so much more to offer than its famous Red Light District. With over one million residents, it’s the largest city in the Netherlands and a creative, cultural hub. The Stedelijk Museum for example is absolutely worth a visit with its great exhibition of modern and contemporary art as well as design from the early 20th century up to the 21st century. It features artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Wassily Kandinsky, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Karel Appel, Andy Warhol, Willem de Kooning, Marlene Dumas, Lucio Fontana, and Gilbert & George.

Me in front of the Stedelijk Museum

The Stedelijk is located at the Museum Square in the borough Amsterdam South, where it is close to the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Royal Concertgebouw, that are all must-sees when being in the Dutch metropole.

My look: Floral print long cardigan and matching floral print T-shirt, both by Givenchy, Le Skinny De Jeanne mid-rise jeans by Frame Denim, biker boots by Miu Miu, Boy bag with chains by Chanel, diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery, hoop earrings by Dior, rose diamond ring and Limelight Gala watch, both by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is the outfit that I wore to the wonderful dinner hosted by Net-à-Porter on Wednesday in London to celebrate Mary Katrantzou. To honor her and as I am a huge fan of her work, I wore one of her uber-fabulous designs from her S/S 2014 collection.

My look: Cropped printed satin-gabardine top and structured printed satin-gabardine skirt, both by Mary Katrantzou (great news, both pieces are now on sale), suede platform sandals and embellished python bag, both by Prada, Apophis cuff by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Nothing creates more impact than flowers as they are timelessly filled with the spirit of spring and romance. I love wearing floral prints because they make me feel ultra feminine. Here you see me wearing such an outfit. It was the perfect choice to attend the Art in the Park event in Zurich’s Baur au Lac gardens two weeks ago.

My look: Floral jacket with embellished buttons,floral print dress, earrings and cuff, all by Dolce & Gabbana, ring by Etro, wedges by Valentino and oversized clutch by Miu Miu. Tank Américaine watch in yellow gold with diamonds by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is Bottega Veneta‘s S/S 2013 ad campaign shot by Peter Lindbergh on location at Universal Studios in Los Angeles in October 2012. The internationally renowned German photographer and filmmaker has been a hugely influential figure in fashion photography since he first began working for Italian Vogue in the late 1970’s. Known for his narrative sensibility, he has a direct, minimalist approach that captures the individuality of the subject. His images, often in black-and-white, are instantly recognizable for their spontaneity and intimacy.

Bottega Veneta‘s S/S 2013 collection centers on a subtle and complex individuality. A palette of dusty, saturated shades of peach, yellow, blue, red, gray, and plaster is anchored in black and brown. Those butterfly embellished accessories are absolutely on my wish list for summer.

The mood is both tough and sweet, starting with unexpected mixes of materials and prints, mostly florals, and surface embellishments of exceptional quality and varied provenance.
What a beautiful collection inspired by the `40s, Tomas Maier is back in the fore!

TO SHOP BOTTEGA VENETA, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta

Stella McCartney‘s extremely beautiful Resort 2013 collection has just hit the shelves. Don’t miss those vibrant colours, head-to-toe wallpaper prints and feminine florals. Be one of the first ones to own a fashionable piece for the next season.

For the next three days, Mytheresa is hosting a Stella McCartney Resort 2013 pre-shopping event. Shop those must-haves before they are available to all customers by clicking here.

Some of my favourites are:

Bright yellow Romilly cady top

Croco-embossed-sling-backs

Fletcher flower jacquard dress

Striped cashmere sweater

Taylor cady tapered pants

Falabella small python print shoulder bag

LoL, Sandra

The S/S 2012 collections deliver us explosions of prints and ladies, get ready to throw any sort of caution to the wind. Your summer pants should be all about wild prints in bold colours, in cuts from slim to palazzo. 
Here are the best ones to shop at the moment, directly from the runway:

1 Printed stretch-silk straight-leg pants by Roberto Cavalli
2 Paisley-print silk pants by Stella McCartney
3 Printed wool and silk-blend straight-leg pants by Prabal Gurung

In the the ’80′s wearing floral print trousers was absolutely trendy. This summer, the floral fashion legacy is leading the runways and the streets. Designers plunged into a garden of Eden and have started to infiltrate our wardrobes with the most beautiful flowers.

1 Floral print cropped pants by H&M
2 Printed silk crepe de chine tapered pants by Gucci
3 Printed silk straight-leg pants by Tucker
4 Floral cotton pants by Céline

During fashion weeks, silk print pants have already been seen on the most stylish fashionistas all around the globe. Punchy prints rendezvous with standout shades this season.

1 Printed satin-jersey harem pants by Balmain
2 Sequin-print silk tapered pants by Lanvin
3 Pressage floral-print twill tapered pants by Sandro
4 Printed stretch silk crepe de chine pants by DKNY

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Tommy Ton, net-à-porter and style.com

S/S 2012 is all about print, especially floral and ikat print, but how far are you willing to go?

Think head-to-toe as seen at the Matthew Williamson S/S 2012 show and add a colourful standout clutch for the ultimate fashion statement. 
If you nod to the look confidently, the compliments will be all yours.

Shop the look:
Floral ikat print blouse and floral ikat print trousers by Matthew Williamson, Falabella fold-over clutch by Stella McCartney and textured-leather platform sandals by Rochas.

The perfect outfit for a nice spring day.

LoL, Sandra

Here are finally the photos of the Polyvore Live Runway Show presented by Covergirl during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC that was only modelled by bloggers. It was such an amazing experience to meet all the other bloggers and to be on the catwalk myself. The minute I spotted style icon Giovanna Battaglia front row, my heart beat went up immediately!

For more information on the four designers, I recommend my previous post by clicking here.

The show started off with the elegant, very feminine designs of Vengsarkar Budhu for his label Gavaskar. Lace dresses and floral prints in white and red were the highlights on the runway. In a recent interview, the New York based designer said: “Passion is the only element that keeps me going everyday because I know I was born to design. You have to believe in yourself, your work and never give up.”

I was so honoured to present the final look for Lauren Bagliore. Her edgy designs are absolutely amazing. The so-called Teofilia dress on me can be worn in many different ways. This is her signature: She is the ultimate draper by using fabrics that just fall in the right way and that can be tied easily for a new look. Her eclectic pieces are tailored to make women feel sexy and fierce.

Sweet Lauren told me that her S/S 2012 collection titled “Le Strade della Decostruzione” was inspired by her recent trip around the world in literally 30 days.

We really experienced the daily life of a model with not even five minutes time to get changed into the new outfit and to get a different hairdo for the very romantic vintage-inspired collection by Dana-Maxx. I absolutely adore her designs and was so happy to wear the red chiffon Eliza “La Costa” dress.

The lovely redhead told me that her beautiful S/S 2012 collection was inspired by the vibrant colors and beautiful floral architecture seen in Barcelona, Spain.

The last designer on the Polyvore Live catwalk was Sergio Guardarrama and his Celestino collection. His S/S 2012 collection was inspired by porcelain dolls. Sergio wanted to take women back to a time when anything was possible, to make them feel youthful and beautiful. He absolutely succeeded and came up with a chic couture-like collection.

Here are some photos of the front row guests:

Giovanna Battaglia

Riccardo Pozzoli, Angelo Tropea, and Chiara Ferragni of the Blonde Salad

Stephanie Horton, Head of Global Communications, SHOPBOP and Megan Salt, Director of Communications, VOGUE

And here is the video of the show, enjoy!

Stay tuned for a backstage post to follow…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Polyvore, © Anna Webber