Sandra‘s Closet

Once a year, the Wiener Staatsoper turns into the world’s most beautiful and elegant ball room for the Vienna Opera Ball: a glamorous gala of unique splendour and allure, the ball of all balls, much-copied around the world. It had been on my bucket list since a long time, it is something you should have experienced once in your life.

My dear friend Ljuba Manz invited me for this spectacular night where around 300 debutantes make their dream come true and dance the first polonaise on this unique ballroom floor. After that, it’s Alles Walzer or “Let the waltz begin!“. For more information about the history and the strict dress code, click here for a previous post.

My look: Glen sleeved embroidered dress by Temperley London, cropped shearling jacket with mink and embellishments and Saffiano double handle mini satchel, both by Prada, leather platform pumps by Gucci, diamond ring and diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery, rose diamond ring by Piaget and Tonda 1950 clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier.

Music and dance all over the opera building, sumptious floral decorations, ladies in elaborate gowns, and gentlemen in elegant tailcoats, made the Vienna Opera Ball an unforgettable event for me!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Some of the photos were taken before the gala at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton Vienna.

Last season, in a project looking back to the untold story of Gucci’s ‘British roots’, Globe-Trotter has produced a collection of distinctive luggage for the Italian fashion house.

In the Gucci Garden museum in Florence, there is a gallery called Cosmorama. Here visitors will find displays of luggage and travel paraphernalia going back to the founding of the House in Florence in 1921. Part of this exhibition is an exploration of a distinctive emblem that Gucci has used over time of a bellboy wearing a pillbox hat and carrying luggage.

The origins of this peculiar motif lie in the history of the House itself, when founder Guccio Gucci worked as a porter at London’s prestigious Savoy hotel. The story goes that he was so inspired by the beautiful luggage of the hotel’s distinguished guests that he moved back to his hometown to start making leather travel bags and accessories under the Gucci name.

Globe-Trotter GG carry-on

Now, almost a century later, Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele revisited the brand’s British connection. The designer has for many years travelled the world with his trusty Globe-Trotter which inspired him to create a collection of luggage in several different styles and sizes that incorporates signature Gucci motifs such as the double-G supreme pattern and the famous green-red-green web stripe as well as bold new prints in collaboration with the English luggage brand.

This must-have carry-on suitcase is expertly handcrafted from fiberboard and leather in the heritage brand’s Hertfordshire, England atelier, it’s printed with painterly blooms, dainty stars and the Italian house’s signature red and green stripes.

It has a canvas-lined interior that’s perfectly sized to stow weekend essentials. Boarding your flight will be a breeze, thanks to the 360-degree wheels.

YOU CAN SHOP THE CARRY-ON SUITCASE FROM TOMORROW HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci

Chinese New Year officially begins today on February 5th, 2019, and ends on February 19th. Also known as the «Spring Festival» in modern Mainland China, it is the country’s most important traditional festival and beginning of a new Chinese animal zodiac cycle: the year of the Pig.

Those born during the Chinese zodiac year of the pig are pleasant, polite and have good taste. They are perfectionists that appreciate the most beautiful things, they help others and are great companions as long as you don’t cross them, so be careful! They are smart, always on the search for knowledge and exclusivity. Unfortunately, pig years are also believed to be the most unlucky for people born in previous years of the Pig.

Prada presents Prada Wonderland, a new and exclusive pop-up installation at the prestigious Galaxy Macau, open until 10 March 2019 on the occasion of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

 Luxury brands are all on board for Lunar New Year. The festivities rank high in China – a market where consumers still pay full price for expensive wares. According to a report by Bain & Company, China represents «32% of the global luxury consumption.»

Here are the best limited edition collections by the big names of the luxury industry to celebrate Chinese New Year:

DODO
This new limited edition piglet charm is just too cute. For a limited time only, you can shop the pig-shaped pendant in 18kt yellow gold and red enamel with black cord included.

DIESEL
To celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, Diesel introduces a 9-piece premium limited edition capsule collection that is sold globally.

MOSCHINO
Porky Pig and Petunia Pig are the stars of a fun and glamorous limited edition, created especially for one of the most important traditional Chinese festivities.

LANVIN
For the S/S 2019 Pre-Collection, Lanvin is paying tribute to the Lunar New Year with an exclusive capsule collection. Lanvin is celebrating the year of the pig, a cute and curvaceous mascot, with a selection of lucky charm accessories adorned with «pig» embroidery studded with dazzling jewels, perfect for gifting and collecting alike.

GUCCI
The Italian fashion house celebrates the Year of the Pig with a special collection of ready-to-wear and accessories featuring three playful designs including a print of Walt Disney’s cartoon characters, the ‘Three Little Pigs’. Shot by Frank Lebon, a special editorial shoot features tiny piglets with their human friends captured inside richly decorated apartments and walking the streets of New York City.

LOUIS VUITTON
Inspired by the Chinese zodiac, the Superstition square features these twelve symbols playfully illustrated with iconic House motifs. The center is decorated with a large LV Circle, layered over Monogram Flowers and surrounded by the creatures.

MARNI
The small piglet, symbol of the new Marni Capsule Collection, comes from an imaginary universe dedicated to the Chinese New Year: a range of accessories for her and a new original version of Big Foot sneakers pay homage to the twelfth protagonist of the Chinese horoscope, as well as the sign’s cheerful and dreamy character.

PANERAI
For the Chinese Year of the Pig, Panerai presents an 88-piece limited edition Luminor Sealand. The cover is hand-decorated by master engravers using the sparsello technique.

VACHERON CONSTANTIN
For its Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Pig Watch in 18K Pink Gold, the Swiss watchmaker uses enameling, gems-setting and other artistic aspects of watchmaking.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Finally, the weather in Gstaad got colder and I saw the drops of snow falling, so it was time to cuddle up on top of the mountain in this warm, winter wonderland inspired, layered outfit.

My look: Floral oversized down jacket by Balenciaga, reversible intarsia wool-blend and jacquard jacket by Etro, wool turtleneck bodysuit by Alaïa, printed low-rise skinny jeans by Givenchy, embroidered brocade drawstring backpack and studded wool-silk shawl, both by Gucci, Croco Tail sunglasses by Fendi, and black fur snow boots by Prada Linea Rossa.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A must-do while visiting Gstaad is having lunch at Wasserngrat Restaurant on a beautiful sunny day. It is always Saturday’s highlight during the ASW Winter Weekend in December. Once you are on the sun deck, you will understand the Swiss ski resort’s slogan: «Come up and slow down».

My look: White mink coat with floral intarsia, intarsia jacquard flowers cardigan, and rose print silk shirt, all by Gucci, paneled leather and jersey leggings by Givenchy, vintage white mink ear muffs and 2.55 quilted bag with attached hanger, both by Chanel, fur snow boots by Prada Linea Rossa, white leather gloves by Prada and Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography

This year Olivier Rousteing launched a new BALMAIN eveningwear collection, called 44 François Premier, named after the Paris address of Pierre Balmain’s original atelier. It pays homage to couture and the house itself. The label is white and bigger than the usual Balmain tag. The gowns are delivered in a beautiful white box. Here you see me wearing one with a beautiful train from the F/W 2018 capsule collection for the ASW Winter Weekend charity gala dinner in Gstaad Mid December. The report will follow shortly.

My look: Off-the-shoulder button-embellished grain de poudre wool gown by Balmain, leather platform pumps by Gucci, vintage eagle clutch and matching earrings, both by Chanel. Rose diamond ring by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography

A wonderful walk along the beach, from Santa Monica to Venice Beach, is something you have to do once in your life. Embark on a stroll in the California sunshine as you explore those iconic seaside communities filled with tarot card readers, sand sculptors and collage artists, performance artists, street hustlers, and bodybuilders. It’s definitely one of the best places in Los Angeles for people watching. I started from my favorite hotel «Shutters on the Beach» and went all the way to Muscle Beach.

My look: Appliquéd wool-blend and ribbed crochet-knit coat by Mira Mikati, appliquéd distressed printed cotton-jersey T-shirt, Ace embroidered low-top sneakers, and Linea G 2 leather-trimmed canvas shoulder bag, all by Gucci, printed low-rise skinny jeans by Givenchy, and Vogue Tribute sunglasses by Versace.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Saturday, I attended the Kispiball 2018 (Kispi is an abbreviation for Kinderspital which means children’s hospital in German) that always takes place at the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich. It is one of my favorite charity events of the Swiss social calendar that raises money for the city’s children’s hospital that celebrates its 150 anniversary this year.

My look: Velvet-trimmed embroidered tulle and satin maxi dress by Diane von Furstenberg, Patsy textured-leather tote by Gabriela Hearst, leather platform pumps and floral silk pin, both by Gucci, Mitza ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie, vintage collier by Dior, and Tonda 1950 Galaxy by Parmigiani Fleurier.

That night, the nightmare for every fashionista came true, someone was wearing the same gown as me. But to be honest, it’s not the disaster you think it is. We had accessorized it completely differently, I had attached a floral pin. So, we both laughed about it, because that’s pretty much all you can do if you don’t want to grab a pair of scissors to alter the dress.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
A few photos in the collages © Sandra Bauknecht

Don’t want to go the whole Halloween costume hog? To be honest, I hate real costumes, it is a waste of money for me. I am not in the mood of applying fake blood and spending five hours getting all costume-ready. I always try to create something out of my closet. Pieces that are fun, honor the ocassion and can be worn all year around. So if you are like me, don’t panic about Halloween, these pieces are all you need… perfect for the lazy girl in all of us!

To shop, just click on the highlighted text. And don’t forget to scroll until the end of this post. The probably most expensive designer look inspired by Halloween is waiting for you…

Halloween-print silk scarf by Vetements

Caterina embellished wool-felt hat by Eugenia Kim

Cashmere skeleton gloves by Saint Laurent

Jacquard knit skeleton sweater by Saint Laurent

GucciGhost G-Timeless watch by Gucci

Montana Pony clutch by Mara & Mine

Lou crystal-embellished velvet mask by Maison Michel

Kitty leather-trimmed velvet slippers by Charlotte Olympia

Night Fairy embroidered wool-blend scarf by Alexander McQueen

Queen and King skeleton earrings by Alexander McQueen

Fringed printed silk-blend jacquard scarf by Alexander McQueen

Reverse opening cardigan jacket in crystal skeleton embroidery by Thom Browne

Trouser length cardigan skirt in crystal skeleton embroidery by Thom Browne

Perspex and crystal clip earrings by Miu Miu

Happy Halloween 2018!

LoL, Sandra

Photos/Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

If you are following me on Instagram, you know already that I spent the last week in South Korea. It was an amazing trip and I am filled with great memories that I cannot wait to share with you. Here you see me on the streets of Seoul in an ensemble by my friend Ukrainian-born, London-based designer Natasha Zinko that I adore a lot.

My look: Zip front hooded jacket, matching track pants, and plaid and denim bustier top, all by Natasha Zinko, ribbed stretch-cotton jersey tank by Les Girls Les Boys, graffiti-print backpack by Chanel, baseball cap with NY Yankees™ patch and aviator-style metal sunglasses, both by Gucci, Cloudbust logo-embossed rubber and leather-trimmed mesh sneakers by Prada, and teddy bear necklace by Dolce & Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht