Sandra‘s Closet

I am in Istanbul at the moment filming a new TV show about fashion for German and Swiss TV, but I don’t want you to miss out on the big news. It’s official: Hedi Slimane is exiting Celine after seven years, owner LVMH confirmed in a statement. The star designer is departing the Parisian fashion house after months of thorny contract negotiations according to BoF. During his tenure, Slimane more than doubled Celine’s annual sales to €2.5 billion.

One thing is for sure Hedi, who is known for his trademark skinny silhouette has transformed Celine. He added menswear for the first time in the brand’s 79-year history to the portfolio, as well as expanding into high perfume and beauty. In womenswear, Slimane reconnected Celine to its historic identity as a purveyor of leather goods that incarnate Parisian bourgeois style and took the accent aigu of the e, which means it is Celine and not Céline anymore.

«Celine has experienced exceptional growth and established itself as an iconic French couture house,» LVMH said in a statement. «The holistic vision of Hedi Slimane, his exigence and rigour have made it possible to redefine the codes of Celine whilst reaffirming its feminine and Parisian roots.»

Mere hours after the official exit of Hedi Slimane, Michael Rider has been named artistic director of Celine. Rider was a top design deputy during Phoebe Philo’s tenure at Celine and left his role at Ralph Lauren earlier this year. Before that Rider worked under Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga.He will oversee all collections at the LVMH-owned house from early 2025.

CHANEL has not named its new designer yet. I guess that Hedi is heading there … what is your take on it?

LoL, Sandra

PHOTOS: Courtesy of Celine
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Celine is a brand synonymous with minimalist luxury. Under the creative direction of Hedi Slimane, the brand has embraced a refined aesthetic that resonates with fashion-forward individuals, making the Triomphe sunglasses a must-have item. Trending among all generations, many celebrities and influencers have been spotted wearing the IT-sunglasses of summer 2024, which has significantly boosted their popularity.

Featuring the iconic Celine Triomphe logo – a design inspired by the historic Arc de Triomphe in Paris – they come with an elegant crossbody bag in brown leather for elegant storage.

Oval-frame gold-tone and tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses by Celine

In case you don’t want to wear the pair that everyone is sporting at the moment but want to wear oval-frame sunglasses, I recommend getting one of the options below. I promise you won’t regret it!

LoL, Sandra

Oval-frame gold-tone sunglasses by Saint Laurent

Oval-frame sunglasses Medusa ’95 by Versace

Oval-frame gold-tone sunglasses by Ray-Ban

Oval-frame crystal-embellished gold-tone sunglasses by Fendi

Oval-frame silver-tone sunglasses by Jean Paul Gaultier

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

Classy and fabulous – this is how I feel in SAINT LAURENT. After this week’s IG Live Beauty Talk for Mother’s Day with Yves Saint Laurent Beauty (owned by L’Oréal, which holds exclusive licenses for the name), this post is an other homage to the French Maison. Shot at the Zaha Hadid exhibition at Galerie Gmurzynska – I am wearing pieces from the brand’s beautiful Resort 2021 and S/S 2021 collections.

SAINT LAURENT, that is today owned by the Kering Group, is one of the most iconic brands of the 20th Century. Founded by legendary designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé in 1961, it quickly revolutionized the way fashion and society intertwine with the launch of its iconic «Rive Gauche» collection just five years later, becoming the first couture house to launch ready-to-wear. Today, Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello, who was appointed in April 2016 after Hedi Slimane left the company, continues to honor the label’s trailblazing spirit with his empowering, dynamic and boundary-pushing designs.

My look: Two-tone ribbed wool jacket, pussy-bow ruffled silk crepe de chine blouse, cotton-blend satin shorts, Jodie rose-embellished white leather platform sandals, Cassandra medium YSL-plaque dark green leather cross-body bag, gold-tone, enamel and faux pearl clip earrings, all by Saint Laurent, JUSTE UN CLOU bracelet in rose gold with diamonds by Cartier, and Carrera Automatic Chronograph by TAG Heuer.

LoL, Sandra

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

Yesterday, in 16 Celine stores around the world a true object of desire arrived for a few chosen fashion lovers and I am one of them.

It is Slimane’s «16» bag (it is called the «Seize» which stands for sixteen in English, the latter a language you should not use to pronounce the new It-piece). The name derives from the address of the Maison’s headquarters and atelier on 16, Rue Vivienne in Paris.

The boxy, top-handle style was first spotted on Lady Gaga in August and caused a frenzy on Instagram right before Slimane’s debut show for Celine which took place in September during Paris Fashion Week. A runway presentation that was endlessly discussed and divided the fashion world into two camps, «Old Céline» and «New Celine».

But coming back to this beauty, the design features discreet gold hardware and the new accent-less Celine logo (don’t forget, there is no more Céline as Hedi took the «accent aigu» ( acute accent) away in the beginning of September). Officially it will hit the shelves in January/February 2019 and will be available in three sizes as well as a range of colors and leathers, including exotic skins.

I am so happy to have this holy grail of fashion already in my closet… stay tuned for my first outfit post with it! Cannot wait to sport this must-have piece on my arm. And yes, I am a committed fashion addict… and that is ok!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

How do fashion dreams come true in our days? Forget ad campaigns, press releases, fashion magazines, samples and announcements. You just take an It-bag and let it “unexpectedly” dangle from the arm of a celebrity. That is modern advertising and just happened when Lady Gaga sported Hedi Slimane’s first piece for Céline.

A preview for all fashionistas that will surely hit the runway as part of the designer’s inaugural collection for the brand during Paris Fashion Week next month. Slimane was announced as the new artistic, creative, and image director of the French fashion house back in February, succeeding Phoebe Philo.

While visiting Paris, the singer wore the structured bag that is personalized with Lady Gaga’s initials and features gold clasp.

Probably your next Birkin or Kelly bag will be the «Gaga» instead… I am already loving it and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Instagram/@sarahtannomakeup (Lady Gaga’s makeup artist Sarah Tanno)
Instagram/ @ladygaga

This breaking news for all fashion lovers. One of the industry’s leading image-makers and trendsetters, Hedi Slimane, was announced by LVMH today as Artistic, Creative and Image Director of Céline with effect from February this year. He will direct all Céline collections, extending to men’s fashion, couture and fragrances.

Hedi Slimane rose to fame during his tenure as the Creative Director for Dior Homme (also under the helmet of LVMH) in the mid-2000’s. You could say that he invented the skinny suit. A decade later and maybe most notoriously, he went to Yves Saint Laurent and rebranded the label simply Saint Laurent. Its entire visual identity was reengineered by moving the design studio to Los Angeles and showing revamped rocker looks each season. Hedi Slimane’s talent and his remarkable ability to anticipate and express in a unique way the evolutions and desires of his age, will ensure a further era of exceptional growth and development for the House of Céline.

Bernard Arnault commented: “I am particularly happy that Hedi is back within the LVMH Group and taking the reins of our Céline Maison. He is one of the most talented designers of our time.  I have been a great admirer of his work since we collaborated on Dior Homme, which he launched to global critical acclaim in the 2000s. His arrival at Céline reinforces the great ambitions that LVMH has for this Maison. Hedi will oversee and develop all creativity for both women’s and men’s fashion, but also for leather goods, accessories and fragrances. He will leverage his global vision and unique aesthetic virtuosity in further building an iconic French Maison”.

Hedi Slimane said: “I am delighted to join Bernard Arnault in this all-embracing and fascinating mission for Céline. I greatly look forward to returning to the exciting world of fashion and the dynamism of the ateliers”.

LoL, Sandra

Photo of Hedi Slimane | Y.R.

Having been a huge Saint Laurent fan over the past seasons, I was curious how Anthony Vaccarello’s debut at the French Maison would be. Obviously, it was ’80s glamour for the party girls. For the show, blazing against the night sky, was the famous YSL logo with a Y back at home that went missing under Hedi Slimane.

S/S 2017 runway

The logo is back…

Vaccarello even took the logo into the fabulous stiletto heels (love those). Cathy Horyn of NYMag made me laugh, she said that in this case YSL stands for Young Parisian Designer’s experiment.

The new must-have heels this S/S 2017 season.
To pre-shop those beauties, click HERE please.

You definitely cannot go wrong with the brand’s Spring 2017 makeup collection, so-called «The Street and I». A piece of YSL and definitely lighter on your wallet. As you might have already guessed from the mood photos, this collection is inspired by graffiti, music, Los Angeles, New York, London, Shanghai and Paris. The colors are vibrant, modern. If you are loving orange than you definitely can’t miss out on this collection. Take a closer look! It is in stores now.

TO SHOP THE READY-TO-WEAR COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

STAR PRODUCTS
Face Palette Collector The Street and I – Limited Edition – CHF 75.00
Couture Palette Collector The Street and I – Limited Edition – CHF 100.00

LIPS
Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Duo  Stick– New – CHF 45.00
01 From Marrakesh to Paris – bright coral / intense fuchsia
03 From Cute to Devilish – gentle coral / warm orange
04 From Me to You – pale rose / blush pink
07 From Mild to Spicy – cherry red / plum brown

Rouge Volupte Shine – CHF 50.00
57 Rouge Spencer (new)
58 Orange Tournon (new)
59 Fuchsia Jumpsuit (new)
60 Rose Marceau (new)

Gloss Volupté – CHF 48.00
211 Acrylic Pink (new)
212 Orange Granite (new)

EYES
Dessin du Regard Eye Pencil – CHF 36.00
08 Blanc Arty – white
09 Pink Graffiti – pink / black
10 Orange Graffiti – orange / black

La Lacque Couture – Limited Edition – CHF 38.00
80 Blanc Arty (will stay)
81 Vandal Orange
82 Asphalt Grey

Photos: Courtesy of YSL

This is the ultimate showstopper. My object of desire. The everything. The heart shaped cape that Hedi Slimane presented as a tribute to the late designer at his last show (F/W 2016) for the brand. Yves Saint Laurent had reinvented endlessly the symbol of the heart and created endless love stories with it.

TO SHOP THE HEART SHAPED FUR CAPE, VISIT LUISAVIAROMA OR MYTHERESA.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Saint Laurent and Vogue.com

Rumors had been going on already, but only last week we got the confirmation that Hedi Slimane is leaving Saint Laurent. It was only a four-year tenure, but the designer wove a serious fashion tale, definitely in my closet. I went crazy when his first collection (Cruise 2013) for the French Maison hit the shelves.

In 2012, when Slimane started, he first changed the name YSL to a simple Saint Laurent and ushered in rock ‘n’ roll influences. He included menswear into the women’s runway shows and created iconic pieces such as biker jackets, the Janis heels, the Sac de Jour bag that he presented every season in other shades. Due to this, he designs never went out of style but on the other hand, it got a little boring after a while.

Saint Laurent is under the helmet of the Kering giant and to add fuel to the fire, a likely successor might have been already chosen: Anthony Vaccarello, who was handpicked by Donatella Versace to spearhead the Versus brand, and was named its creative director last September.

French Fashion carrousel is turning as Raf Simons (Dior), Alber Elbaz (Lanvin) and Alexander Wang (Balenciaga) had left their posts last year.

Below you can enjoy some of my favourite outfits that I wore during the last years designed by Hedi Slimane for Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

March 2013: At the Valentino S/S 2013 Fashion Show

September 2013: Piaget Movie Night in Zurich

October 2013: Tartan

November 2013: Driven By Something

December 2013: It’s a Plaid, Plaid World

December 2013: I See You in the Stars

January 2014: Place Vendôme

January 2014: Sense on the Edge

January 2014: Birthday Girl

May 2014: Vampires Everywhere

May 2014: Dressing in Black and White

July 2014: Party Time in Marrakesh

October 2014: Leather Rebel

October 2014: Into the Wild

November 2014: Milan

November 2014: Glitz and Glam

December 2014: Wherever You Go

December 2014: Clash of the Tartans

January 2015: Is It Friday Yet?

February 2015: Shoot for the Moon

April 2015: Oh La La

April 2015: Leo

May 2015: Everyone Is Fighting a Battle

August 2015: At the Alpina Gstaad

August 2015: Rive Gauche Summer Party

November 2015: Acid Leopard

March 2016: Spring Picnic

Photos: Courtesy of Saint Laurent and © Sandra Bauknecht

One week ago, David Bowie died at age 69, just two days after his birthday. As tributes flood the media, the fashion world mourns the star who had the power to express himself through versatile ways of dressing, hairstyles, makeup, and performance. His shape-shifting styles inspired generations of teenagers and adults, especially in the ’70s and ’80s. He was the one who first empowered gender-bending androgyny and was a huge inspiration for the world of music and fashion. In 2013, the V&A Museum opened the “David Bowie Is” exhibition with great success, which toured the world.

Enjoy this little tribute and see some looks inspired from his quirky and amazing style:

Aladdin Sane, 1973

US Vogue reports: «The Ziggy red mullet that launched a million imitators was inspired by a fashion shoot on the cover of Honey magazine of a model wearing Kansai Yamamoto. Bowie went around to his mother’s hairdresser, Suzy Fussey, who worked in a salon on Beckenham High Street, to do the cut and color. He was wearing it the day he walked into Brian Duffy’s studio to shoot the cover of the Aladdin Sane album in 1973. Celia Philo (Phoebe Philo’s mother), who was art directing, remembers the spontaneous moment when Bowie conspired with his favorite makeup artist, Pierre La Roche, to paint on the lightning flash.»

David Bowie dressed by Kansai Yamamoto, 1973

Bowie on tour in 1973, from The Rise of David Bowie 1972-1973.

And here is how the fashion world got inspired by the musical genius in many ways:

Kate Moss‘ covers for Vogue U.K. in 2003 (right) and Vogue Paris in 2011 (left).

Jean-Paul Gaultier S/S 2013

Hedi Slimane said once to AnOther magazine: «I was literally born with a David Bowie album in my hand.» Here some looks inspired by David Bowie from his men’s S/S 2014 collection.

To the right, you can see one of the geometrically striped black and white outfits from Givenchy‘s S/S 2010 collection. It looked like a rendition of the one Bowie wore in 1973 during his Aladdin Sane phase.

Candice Swanepoel on the Victoria’s Secret catwalk in 2009 in an asymmetrical jumpsuit reminiscent of the infamous Ziggy suits designed by Kansai Yamamoto for David Bowie who was one of the first ones to collaborate with fashion designers to create his costumes.

Miuccia Prada‘s F/W 2012 collection for Miu Miu was basically a remake of the 1971 music video “Life On Mars?”.

The same could be said for Gucci‘s S/S 2016 collection. I am convinced that the new Dionysus bag would have been loved by the legendary David Bowie.

Here is a funny one: there’s a website of cult fans that believe Tilda Swinton and Bowie are the same person. Check out Tilda Stardust, it is hilarious.

David Bowie print T-shirt by R13

Jeremy Deller God Bless David Bowie tote by House of Voltaire

His legend lives on in both industries, music and fashion, as David Bowie himself does today, in immortality. Rest in peace and thank you for all your inspirations!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Vogue Paris, Vogue UK, Mick Rock/Taschen, Brian Duffy / David Bowie Archive, Getty Images