Sandra‘s Closet

The party platform is back in vogue and we couldn’t be happier. Effortlessly add inches and be able to dance all night in crystals and stars. All the gain, none of the pain – see you on the dancefloor.

LoL, Sandra

Embellished lamé platform sandals by Dolce & Gabbana

Velvet platform sandals by Prada

Baba Plateau metallic cracked-leather platform sandals by Aquazzura

Heloise 120 glittered velvet platform sandals by Jimmy Choo

Lavinia mirrored-leather platform sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti

Flocked metallic canvas platform sandals by Dolce & Gabbana

Rising Star Swarovski crystal-embellished suede platform sandals by Charlotte Olympia

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

LVMH has appointed Off-White designer Virgil Abloh, who came to prominence as Kanye West’s creative director, to lead men’s design at Louis Vuitton. His first show for one of the oldest and most powerful European houses in the luxury business will take place in June during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris.

The appointment, widely rumoured in recent months, follows the departure of Kim Jones, Abloh’s predecessor at Louis Vuitton, in January. Last week, it was announced that Jones would become the men’s designer at LVMH-owned Christian Dior, replacing Kris van Assche.

Kim Jones, Abloh’s predecessor at Louis Vuitton is now at LVMH-owned Christian Dior.

“Having followed with great interest Virgil’s ascent since he worked with me at Fendi in 2006, I am thrilled to see how his innate creativity and disruptive approach have made him so relevant, not just in the world of fashion but in popular culture today. His sensibility towards luxury and savoir-faire will be instrumental in taking Louis Vuitton’s menswear into the future,” said Michael Burke, Louis Vuitton’s Chairman & CEO.

Virgil Abloh with Naomi Campbell at his Off-White™ S/S 2018 show.

“It is an honor for me to accept the position of Men’s Artistic Director for Louis Vuitton. I find the heritage and creative integrity of the House are key inspirations and will look to reference them both while drawing parallels to modern times,” stated Virgil Abloh.

Who is Virgil Abloh?

Born in Rockford, Illinois in 1980, Virgil Abloh is an artist, architect, engineer, creative director, and designer. After earning a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin Madison, he completed a Master´s Degree in Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology in a curriculum founded by Mies van der Rohe. It was here that he learned not only about modernist design principles but also about the concept of multi-disciplinary working.

Virgil Abloh’s brand Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh™ was started in 2012 as an artwork titled “PYREX VISION.” In 2013, the brand premiered a seasonal men’s and women’s fashion label showing runway collections during Paris Fashion Week since 2015. Abloh has also presented his work at major design institutions around the globe by the likes of Harvard Graduate School of Design, Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and the Rhode Island School of Design.

In 2019 he will have a major exhibition of past and current work at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Chicago, Illinois. In 2015, Virgil Abloh for Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh™ is among the finalists of the LVMH Prize. He has been awarded various prizes, most recently winning the British Fashion Awards Urban Luxe award and International Designer of the Year at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in 2017.

Off-White™ S/S 2018

 For Off-White™ ‘s S/S 2018 collection, Virgil re-imagines what Princess Diana’s wardrobe would look like if she were alive today – right down to the much-anticipated shoe collaboration with Jimmy Choo, which is available to shop here.

Plastic-covered stilettos:  Jimmy Choo x Off-White collaboration campaign image.

Get the look: Crepe blazer, crepe mini skirt, Diana silver-tone crystal clip earrings, and C/O Jimmy Choo Anne 100 PVC-wrapped satin pumps, all by Off-White™.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton, © Fabien Montique, Courtesy of Pyrexforsale and Off-White™

If there’s one night to go all out and turn on the flash, it’s undoubtedly New Year’s Eve. But some of us are challenged throughout the whole festive season with specific dress code for special parties. Personally speaking, I will attend the 8th annual ASW Winter Weekend Mid December at the fabulous Gstaad Palace in Switzerland and for Friday night’s dinner «La Vie en Or» the dress code says asks for «glamorous, with a touch of gold». This is great! I love any reason to wear sparkle, but such an occasion is the perfect time to shine. And gentlemen, you are in this, too!

«Golden Girl» or just a little golden accessory – you decide how much you would like to shine.

From full-on sequin dresses to just the right gold accessory, there isn’t one right way to fulfill the dress code. The golden rule is you have to feel comfortable, in every tailored sense of men’s style, is purchase clothing that fits you properly. Nothing destroys an outfit – whatever the dress code and no matter how expensive the clothes are – like an ill-fitting jacket, shirt or trousers.

In general, gold is the perfect color to lift an all-black or an all-white outfit to something glamorous and fun. Perfect for all festive occasions!

To make your life a little easier, I put together a fun guide for all budgets so that you don’t need to worry about anything and can focus entirely on celebrating the start of the winter season in style!

HIGH END BUGDET – Full Looks

Get his look: Metallic jacquard dinner jacket by Dolce & Gabbana, shirt gold detail shirt by Comme des Garçons, turn-up hem wool-blend tailored trousers by Prada, ruler cufflinks by Paul Smith, skull and polka dot tie by Alexander McQueen and leather embroidered loafers by Gucci.

Get her look: Racko open-back sequined cady mini dress by Rachel Zoe or wondering lace-paneled fil coupé georgette blouse by Temperley London and sequined wool mini skirt by Marc Jacobs, Anya d’Orsay metallic patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent, Celeste sequined canvas clutch by Jimmy Choo and Roma gold-tone earrings by Annie Costello Brown.

HIGH END BUDGET – Great Accessories

Stand out with a statement headpiece with a touch of gold and be the queen of the night: embellished satin headband by Dolce & Gabbana.

Lifting every basic look to new heights: Candy box by Jimmy Choo.

LOW BUDGET – A touch of Gold

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on your outfit, I recommend getting some fabric with golden sequins. Those accessories will have a great effect on your outfit and can be combined with all sorts of colors. Moreover they are less expected than some golden shoes or a handbag. I still love the mixture between gold and black the best.

You don’t need to be an expert in tailoring to do some cuffs or a belt. If you get a stretchy material, you can even glue it together instead of sewing it. In case you are to lazy for some DIY, you can order them directly here:

Cuffs with gold sequins

Sequined belt

The perfect touch of gold for a man: the right colored pocket square.

LOW BUDGET – Taking the Dress Code Literally up a Notch

Zara has some cool pieces in gold. Minimal investment for a maximum effect.

Be the star of the night: golden bomber jacket for men by Zara.

The perfect touch of gold for women and great for dancing: shorts in gold combined with a black top by Zara.

And don’t forget… you want to start the New Year with something new for good luck, it’s a great excuse to add a new piece to your wardrobe.

Happy Shopping! And I am looking forward to seeing some of you in Gstaad…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, Gstaad Palace and © Sandra Bauknecht

Even Cinderella would be jealous of the shoe of 2017, mules of all shapes and sizes have been spotted allover. My new favorite? A version that’s been reinvented with a vintage Barbie feel in gorgeous nude hues. The stiletto mule can be styled for both casual and dressy moments, worn from brunch to dinner and everything in between.

1 Myla satin mules by Jimmy Choo
2 Birdie cutout metallic leather mules by Sophia Webster
3 Embellished knotted satin mules by No. 21
4 Andrea patent-leather mules by Giuseppe Zanetti
5 Embellished satin mules by Miu Miu
6 Keely knotted satin mules by Jimmy Choo

Or shop the modern transparent Cinderella mules (that still look completely nostalgic) here:
Transparent mules (SEASON 4) by Yeezy

Happy Shopping! Don’t forget…
Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Jimmy Choo‘s printed ‘Candy‘ clutch bags demonstrate the brand’s playful approach to cult classics. The interior is perfectly proportioned to house just your essentials. Conceal the silver chain strap inside to carry it as a clutch. The slogan will be statement enough!

Bags in collage: Candy Box Clutch «I Want Choo» in pink, Candy Box Clutch «Choos Me» in blue and Candy Box Clutch «Only Choo» in lilac.

My favorite is this one: Candy Box Clutch «You Are What You Wear» in yellow.

It’s no news that your wardrobe says a lot about you, so choos(e) wisely…
Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jimmy Choo, © Sandra Bauknecht

On Thursday night, the 67th Berlinale International Film Festival officially started in Berlin, Germany. For the ‘Django‘ premiere at Berlinale Palace, German actress Alina Levshin showed up in one of my favorite Resort 2017 dresses by Fendi. Probably not my favorite look for the red carpet, but I am absolutely in love with this piece. Can you picture it with cute little beach sandals and no tights… it is divine!

Get her look: Off-the-shoulder bow-embellished striped cotton-poplin mini dress by Fendi,
Celeste embellished suede clutch and Rosa 100 satin pumps with clip-on fur pompoms, both by Jimmy Choo.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Getty Images

If you are asking yourself what is the furse? It is this season’s fashion curse!

A marriage of fur and a purse. First furry shoes stormed the runways, now it is time for the bags to get in action. These must-haves will vamp up even the most modest of your looks. And moreover they feel like a cuddly toy in your hands.

1 Box fur-embellished leather cross body bag by Christopher Kane
2 Fur shopper by Marni
3 Love Power shearling and textured-leather shoulder bag by Diane von Fuerstenberg
4 Fur bag by Alexander Wang

I love fur bags especially in colourful shades. I think that they look the most fun:

Lockett Envelope Mini fur shoulder bag by Jimmy Choo

Lock Mini mink fur and leather shoulder bag by Valentino

Badia fur and leather cross body bag by Salvatore Ferragamo

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Over-the-knee boots have become a fashion mainstay and this F/W 2016 season, they look amazing in burgundy. Most designers are going for suede whereas Roksanda‘s take is all about the season’s ultimate trend material: velvet.

 Ashlyn velvet over-the-knee boots by Roksanda

Other great models are the following:

1 Highland stretch-suede over-the-knee boots by Stuart Weitzman
2 Tasseled suede over-the-knee boots by Aquazzura
3 BB stretch-suede over-the-knee boots by Saint Laurent
4 Maira paneled suede over-the-knee boots by Jimmy Choo
5 Kent stretch-suede over-the-knee boots by Sam Edelman

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Clutches are small, fine and compliment every feminine outfit just perfectly. This season, a statement bag gets a whole new meaning and can be taken literally. Only your personal taste and your style decide, which one will be your favourite. With these quotes, the stage is all yours and you set a point right from the start.

LoL, Sandra

Dolce embellished printed leather shoulder bag by Dolce & Gabbana (my favorite)

Speech Bubble embroidered leather clutch by Sophia Webster

Iconic Print leather clutch by Givenchy

Love Pill confetti Perspex clutch by Sarah’s Bag

Superstar Vanity croc-effect leather clutch by Charlotte Olympia

Flavia Gangster glittered acrylic box clutch by Edie Parker

Leather and fabric embellished pouch by Gucci

Wifey For Lifey beaded cotton clutch by Sophia Webster

Candy printed acrylic clutch by Jimmy Choo

Everything I Do Makes Me book clutch by Olympia Le-Tan

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Today, is August 1st, Swiss National Day. It has been an official national holiday since 1994, although the day had been suggested for the celebration of the foundation of the Swiss Confederacy as early as 1889. This day was chosen because August 1st 1291 was the date on which three Alpine cantons swore the oath of confederation, an act which later came to be regarded as the foundation of Switzerland.

I have been living in Switzerland now for over eleven years and I feel absolutely at home. I love the mountains, the lake of Zurich, the people, the food and of course the Swiss textiles which are famous around the world. Therefore I thought that I dedicate today to the «Swiss Dots».

«Dotted Swiss», also known as «Swiss Dot», is a sheer cotton fabric that is embellished with small dots. The dots can be applied in a number of different ways and colors. The design is said to have originated around 1750 in St. Gallen, Switzerland, which emerged as a textile center in the 15th century.

I love this fabric especially in white on long maxi dresses. In combination with red accessories, it  can take you everywhere from weekend brunch to evening events.

First collage:
1 Holzer lace-paneled fil coupé silk-voile maxi dress by Temperley London (30% off)
2 Belle Web Swiss-dot and lace silk top by Zimmermann
3 The Rockstud leather pouch by Valentino

Second collage:
4 The Garden Swiss-dot cotton maxi dress by The Great (50% off)
5 Belle Swiss-dot and lace silk midi dress by Zimmermann
6 Swiss dot tulle-paneled cable-knit sweater by REDValentino
7 Ren cutout suede sandals by Jimmy Choo

My absolute favorite of all:
Good Times lace-paneled Swiss-dot silk-georgette maxi dress by Zimmermann

To all my Swiss readers: Happy National Day!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via ZSG