Sandra‘s Closet

It is August and the majority of fall campaigns can be seen now in the new fashion magazines, ads just keep coming out of the woodwork and so I wanted to give you a brief summary of the most important ones and by whom they were shot.
It is funny to see that this world in particular is pretty small and some photographers are ahead of the game.

My personal favourite is Bottega Veneta`s strong expressive F/W 2010 campaign. Shot by the godfather of energetic graphic photography himself: Robert Longo. The artist has became famous in the late 1970s and early 1980s with his series „Men in the Cities“ that depicts men and women in business attire contorted in extreme positions.

The winner this season seems to be renowned Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott. The dream team that has defined the look of the past decade, shot the most campaigns. Enjoy my preview:

The American photographer and long-time protégé of both Franca Sozzani and Anna Wintour, editors-in-chief of Italian and American Vogue is also a big shot in the world of fashion photography. No wonder, Steven Meisel shot all those gorgeous campaigns.

Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinood Matadin, a fashion photographer duo that is well known for their independent art work. Most of their photographs are both critical and slightly disturbing as you can see in the campaigns they shot for F/W 2010.

Italian-born Mario Sorrenti is a photographer and director best known for his spreads of nude models in the pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

Peruvian fashion photographer Mario Testino has shot many fashion stories and celebrities. His work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums.

Hermès has come up with another really beautiful advertising campaign shot by Paolo Roversi. I love his romantic, vintage looking photos that always seem to tell a story. To me, a perfect choice for the French house!

Bruce Weber is a well-known face in the world of advertising photography. His career really took of in the late 1980s and early 1990s with his famous advertising images for Calvin Klein.

Juergen Teller‘s work is extraordinary and with a distinctive design. His raw style makes him one of the most influential fashion photographers working today.

Multi-talent Karl Lagerfeld likes to keep everything in his own hands. So no wonder that he shoots the advertising campaigns for his own collections for Chanel and Fendi.

Steven Klein is an American photographer that shot many high-profile advertising campaigns for various clients. This season he was hired by Dolce & Gabbana to capture a close knit Italian family with Madonna as the matriarchal figure through his lens.
Great job!

LoL, Sandra

Battle fall`s chill in the must-have fabric of the season: shearling. The natural sheepskin has been highly popular on the F/W 2010 runways and designers have come up with some pretty amazing warm and stylish fashion items from trapper hats to cozy coats. And even Hermès’s famous Kelly bag won`t be freezing this season…. love that fur version!

The It-piece of the season is definitely the cropped shearling jacket. Burberry Prorsum did best with the combination of leather and shearling for their aviator versions. These pieces with oversized collars make fashionistas drool all over the continents for their Top Gun moment.
And ladies, you will get a workout in those. They are very cozy and warm, but also sooo heavy which is actually kind of great, lifting weights and being fashionable in one! Believe me, I tried them on!

There are many models to select from this season, but not all are spectacular. The colour, the trim and the style make a world of a difference so take a peek at my pre-selection above. Those cropped shearling jackets work great with this season`s maxi skirts.

If you are petite shaped, you could get swallowed up, so toughen up the look with some tight pants and stiletto boots.

Especially luxe is shearling when fused with shoes. Ohmygod, finally I will have warm feet during winter and high heels on! Yippie!
I am so longing for those Marni clogs….

Give shearling a warm welcome!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

During the Paris Fashion week last March, they were already dangling from the editor`s shoulders: The small frame bags. This is quality in a square! Those simple and cute accessories have mostly a long strap with a 70s feel to them. Called box bags, the elegant and chic models are on the rise to become true classics if they are not already like the Constance by Hermès. Here are my favourites for F/W 2010:

A small frame bag is very comfortable and stylish to wear. If you do not want to spend too much or try it out first (believe me after years of gigantic models you have to get used to it…), H&M offers a pretty nice one.

Your back will love the new It-pieces…!

LoL, Sandra

There was a lot of movement in the fashion world during the last days, some very interesting announcements were made. The probably most unexpected one is Jean-Paul Gaultier`s departure from Hermès seven years after his jump-start of the house`s ready-to-wear line in 2003. If the reason was the  seven-year itch or the death of former president and chief executive, Jean-Louis Dumas a few weeks ago, we will never find out. Fact is that Christophe Lemaire, the designer behind the resurgence of Lacoste, is headed to Hermès and will present his first collection for F/W 2011 next spring.
Gaultier is reportedly leaving to focus on his own collection of which 45%  is still owned by Hermès. Like a real divorce… somebody is always keeping a stake.

The second news was not so surprising for me. After different speculations over the future of the Alexander McQueen brand, the creative director has officially been named. Sarah Burton, who had worked alongside McQueen for sixteen years and oversaw the completion of the F/W 2010 collection after the designer`s death in February will definitely keep his spiritual heritage.
The first McQueen underwear collection for men will launch in June. Might be a nice gift for your boyfriend or hubby.

Finally we have two more designers who landed themselves a job. First, former wunderkind Olivier Theyskens, who worked for Rochas and Nina Ricci, will design a capsule collection for Theory that will be released next spring.
And last but not least, Alessandro Dell`Acqua is making a return to fashion with a new collection dubbed N°21( his lucky number), after having lost trademark rights to his namesake line last year. Moreover he will take reigns at Brioni and design their womenswear.

Somebody else seems also ready for a fresh start: Giles Deacon has been confirmed as Emanuel Ungaro`s new creative director. After tumultous times and the Lindsay Lohan episode, the French fashion house will try to skyrocket right up to the point where Balmain and Balenciaga already are. One thing is certain, Ungaro has a fancy name and a lot of potential. Let`s see if Deacon along with the help of his stylist friend Katie Grand can come up with some zesty ideas.

LoL, Sandra

Some of the most memorable looks on the runways for F/W 2010 impressed with the comeback of the season: Fur in all variations. From Karl Lagerfeld`s take on the full faux fur polar bear look to Versace`s colourful interpretations to shearling lamb footwear.

The emphasis was one the most luxurious finishing details you can imagine. The designers were using more fur than ever. I am wondering why PETA was so absent during the fashion weeks. They could have totally made an example.

Herewith you will find a gallery of the most desirable shoes and bags for the upcoming season. I am crazy for Chanel `s Nanook of the North fake fur boots with the icicle heels and the matching chain strap bag. Totally stylish are also the fur-trimmed boots like the ones by Hermès or YSL.

Another must-have for winter is a thick fur-covered tote, for example by Dolce & Gabbana or Christian Dior to name a few.

Love it or hate it, fur is one of the biggest trends.

LoL, Sandra

My favourite “Desperate Housewife” Eva Longoria Parker arrived at the Côte d`Azur last Wednesday to celebrate the 63rd Cannes Annual Film Festival in great style. No doubt was she aware of the many photographers awaiting her touchdown at Nice Airport when she tottered on her blue suede “Tribtoo” pumps by Yves Saint Laurent out of the gate, well accessorized with her Hermès bangles and Birkin bag. Her assumingly travel-weary eyes covered with a pair of Ray-Ban wayfarer sunglasses.

At the opening night premiere of “Robin Hood”, Eva caused a stir in a white silk chiffon gown by Emilio Pucci. Her long train added the right amount of red carpet drama. A silver Swarovski clutch and coral jewelry by De Grisogno completed her breathtaking look. Absolutely gorgeous was that she kept the make-up natural and her updo classy-elegant. She looked so radiant without trying too hard.

The next day, Eva went shopping swarmed by paparazzi and fans. When it is time to pose and show, Eva delivers. The petite actress was very fashion-forward and enhanced her toned small body in a gray Hervé Léger by Max Azria F/W 2010 bandage dress with beautiful details like peplums on the hips and a lace-up neckline. Her Birkin bag and her YSL pumps that she had already worn upon her arrival, along with classic aviator-style shades topped off her look perfectly.

In the evening, the lovely Mrs. Longoria Parker wowed again at the “On Tour” Premiere at the Palais des Festivals in a nude crystal-encrusted gown by Indian-born designer Naeem Khan. Eva is known to be a huge fan of his ornate, intricately detailed works.

To me, Eva was one of the best dressed actresses at the opening days of the Cannes Film Festival. But not only the stunning outfits made me think that as they would look probably great on others as well. It was more her pose and striking attitude that demonstrated her powerful allure. My Fashion Award goes to little Eva!

LoL, Sandra

There has been a talk about the Fendi Peek-A-Boo bag since a few seasons, but all of a sudden it comes out of hiding and has reached the It-bag status. Created by Karl Lagerfeld and shown for the first time at the Fendi S/S 2009 runway, it has appeared in every Fendi show since then in different materials and colours. For the opening of their prestigious new shop in Las Vegas at the MGM Hotel, Fendi launched a limited Peek-A-Boo edition in 24 carats gold leaves (see picture above) for approximately $36.000. Spotted on many celebrities in various sizes, the shape of the bag is very Birkin-esque but with only one handle like the famous Kelly bag. It has a “kangaroo pouch” that can be draped open. The tote is very sophisticated but not looking to bourgeois like his Hermès forerunners plus the prices are far more attractive.

I am totally in love with them. Especially the unclasped look gives the bag a kind of sloughy cool appearance. My only problem is to decide which one I prefer as there are sooooo many beautiful versions out there. This summer my favourite model is the tapestry one but probably it is worth waiting with a view to the stunning yellow leopard version from the upcoming winter collection, see below.

For my Swiss based readers, Bongénie Grieder carries those bags.
Have you decided yet?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Fendi

Today I would like to show you the ultimate dream closet. Before moving to Switzerland, I lived for 2 years in the States. This was when I met my lovely friend Yoanna, the owner of this amazing house in the Chicago area. The former Miss Poland with an incredible taste built the mansion with her husband around 6 years ago. Her dressing room is not only enormous, but it also includes a wet bar, a sitting area and has the same wall colour like Ladurée in Paris. It is the perfect place to store all her designer pieces.

Yoanna with me

I guess you are wondering now how the rest of her home looks like. So I won`t withhold that from you. Please have a little tour and start dreaming. Probably you will find some inspirations for your own house. I am totally in love with her boudoir-style very feminine bathroom. Good luck convincing your husbands!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

LoL, Sandra

Next season you should invest in something that is very à la mode but will always be in style: exotic leather! Snakeskin was seen everywhere on the runways and there are especially many beautiful bags to dream of. You could think about a classic piece like the python model by Devi Kroell, or get one of those amazing big clutches by Nancy Gonzalez. These will accent your outfit perfectly and will be a companion for many years. My favourite one is this incredible Alexander McQueen clutch. I love the shape, the colours, the design…. it is just perfect!

If you want to take it a step further, go crocodile! The price might be breathtaking but envision it as the foundation of your outfit. Sometimes it is better to prioritize and invest in one timeless piece to make you feel instantly fabulous.

Kristin Davis was spotted at the set of the new Sex and the City movie carrying this stunning croc tote by Nancy Gonzalez (who is by the way one of the most celebrated handbag designers in the world and a great address to get high-quality precious skin models). The bag – that also comes in black – can accessorize every outfit perfectly. I would opt for a bold colour as this will enlighten everyday basics immediately and will make you look so stylish! Always keep in mind the only limit is your creativity!

LoL, Sandra