Sandra‘s Closet

Yesterday, despite all the horrible incidents that happened to the famous French fashion house during the last seven days, the Dior F/W 2011 show took place inside the tent situated in the gardens of the Musée Rodin – just without its designer John Galliano who got fired after his anti-Semitic assaults.

But before the models appeared on the catwalk, Dior CEO Sidney Toledano made a speech onstage about the values that Christian Dior has represented for more than six decades. With no word he mentioned John Galliano by name.

In the end of the défilé, the seamstresses and craftsmen who had been working for Galliano over the past 14 years showed up on stage and the audience cheered and clapped.
Isn’t it on one side such a sad ending for such a talented designer as Galliano is and on the other hand so unbelievable that it took an heinous act like that to finally thank the people in the ateliers for their amazing work!

I have absolutely loved the collection, the rich colours, lush textures and the bohemian theme. Romantic and edgy, quintessential pillars of the Galliano woman. The buckled knee boots worn with a sweeping cashmere cloak, mmh, just love that! And our Swiss supermodel, Julia Sahner, looked so pretty in the long ruffled chiffon gown, blowing kisses.

It was completely wrong and despicable what Galliano did but let’s see if he will have a comeback one day. People forget and time changes everything. Did you know that Coco Chanel experienced an exile from the fashion world for nine years after having been denunciated as a Nazi collaboratrice? I detest Galliano for his behaviour but I absolutely love his talent.

LoL, Sandra

It is official: John Galliano has been fired from Christian Dior. After the fashion house had suspended their designer last Friday following the arrest at a Parisian bar for allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks and assault, a new complaint was filed on Saturday when a video surfaced of Galliano saying how much he loves Hitler.

Suzy Menkes, editor for the International Herald Tribune, wrote, “Friends of Mr. Galliano, who would speak only on condition of anonymity, say that they have finally persuaded the troubled designer to go immediately into rehab – and that the pace of fashion today, and particularly the rigorous structure of a corporate fashion house, broke the fragile, artistic creator.”

Now that Dior was forced part ways with Galliano, the question of his successor is keeping the fashion world busy. Rumours are out that Yves Saint Laurent designer Stefano Pilati, Dior Homme designer Hedi Slimane and Givenchy Creative Director Riccardo Tisci are among the favourites.

The Dior show will take place this Friday in Paris and Galliano’s own show is still on the Fashion Week schedule for Sunday but the Galliano office is still investigating who would be attending the défilé. So let’s see…

Nicole Kidman in Dior

At the Oscar’s night in the beginning of this week, only two actresses stood up to the house of Dior: Nicole Kidman and Sharon Stone.

Both were voted among the worst dressed. This is fashion, the hype can be over fast and a straw shows which way the wind blows.

LoL, Sandra

Sharon Stone in Dior

John Galliano has been suspended from Christian Dior following his arrest for allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks towards a couple at a Paris cafe.

The fashion house said he would be asked to stay away from work pending the outcome of the police investigation, raising doubts over the Christian Dior fashion show planned for next Friday. Christian Dior president and CEO Sidney Toledano emphasized that Dior has a zero-tolerance policy against racism and anti-Semitism.

The 50-year-old was arrested in the bar La Perle situated in the French capital’s Marais district, which has always been the traditional home of the city’s Jewish community. He is believed to have been drinking heavily on Thursday evening when he launched the alleged attack.

Witnesses said he swore heavily, using anti-Jewish insults, before attacking a couple and therefore they called the police. Galliano, who was born in Gibraltar and then brought up in South London, has been chief designer at Christian Dior since 1996, and was the only person arrested in connection with the incident.

There is only one week to go before the Christian Dior show scheduled for next Friday, March 4, at Paris’s Rodin Museum. John Galliano, meanwhile, is due to present his eponymous F/W 2011 prêt-à-porter collection two days later.
What a story… but isn’t he fashion’s enfant terrible?!

LoL, Sandra

Kate Moss is the new face of Dior Beauté, specifically Dior Addict Lipstick. The English supermodel is proving that at 37, the girl’s still got it.

Dior Addict Lipstick N°578 Diorkiss

The advertising campaign will include a very cool TV-spot that shows Kate during Paris Spring Fashion Week last October, applying Dior Addict Lipstick in Diorkiss N° 578. She was spotted front row at Dior wearing already the new make-up look.

Therefore the fashion world had begun speculating about Kate’s possible advertising contract with the luxury fashion house months ago. What a clever idea, well done, Dior!

The Dior Addict Lipstick collection will hit the shelves on March 1st in a revised look. I was lucky to try them out. The new texture is amazing. Aside from the iconic lipstick, the high shine will offer more translucent shades. 
Creamy, opaque but still very shiny and light. So modern. I am in love with them. Below you can find my favourite shades for summer.

LoL, Sandra

N°745 New Look

N°881 Fashion Week

N°762 Paris

John Galliano has drawn a portrait of his muse, Kate Moss, on a limited series, collector’s edition T-shirt, designed exclusively for the launch of the Dior Addict lipstick. My gift from Dior, thank you!

John Galliano has done it again and designed for the second year running the Christmas tree for London’s famous hotel Claridge’s. This time, he drew inspirations from the ocean.
„I wanted to create an underwater fantasy and have mixed pink corals, seahorses, anemones and jellyfish, all glinting like gem stones, swimming amidst the silver leaves,“ said Galliano, Christian Dior’s creative director.
As for me, I preferred last year’s installation, as the frozen theme looked more wintery.
The tree is on display in the lobby until January 5th, 2011.

LoL, Sandra

Ladurée is worldwide known for their double-decker macaroons which come in various flavours and seasonal specials. Founded in Paris by Louis-Ernest Ladurée, in 1862, the famous luxury pastries shop and café is always worth a visit. Today, the brand can be found all over the world and has even opened its doors in Zurich last winter.

Even if you are not into caloric treats, you should pay the shop a visit. The interior itself is overly stunning and inspiring, definitely nothing for minimalists.
Remember my friend, I wrote about, that built her dream closet in the famous Ladurée green.

The Ladurée universe includes much more than sweets. They sell the most beautiful gifts you can imagine from scented candles to shower gel, from ruffled printed umbrellas to tea degustation sets. All gorgeously wrapped and packed in their signature boxes in pastel colours.

Many designers got together with the famous French patisserie for the best fashion/food collaborations ever. Names like Christian Lacroix, Christian Louboutin, Marni, which are making our hearts go all aflutter with their designs, have created adorable macarons gift sets.
In the end of October, John Galliano will be decorating his special edition for Ladurée: The rose-ginger macaroons.

While the sweets inside may not last long, the fashionable packaging will be worth keeping it forever.

LoL, Sandra

For all my male readers who have been asking for this frequently, here is my Menswear Trend Report for F/W 2010.
And Ladies, please stay tuned as you never know when this will come in handy. Your hubbies, daddies and boyfriends will love you even a little more for your fashion knowledge. Moreover the menswear trends are very similiar to the female ones. Have fun and get inspired! Even the classic pieces are definitely not boring this season…but see for yourself:

The end `50s and early `60s inspired many designers for their F/W 2010 collections. The well-tailored suit makes its return into the gentleman’s closet. Imagine Don Draper, the main character of Mad Men, shopping on Savile Row and there you go! Back to the basics, black, all shades of grey and camel welcome elegance as the new dress code.

Also back is the 3-piece suit. I like Costume National’s modern interpretation in grey worn with a turtleneck.

Anyway, turtlenecks were seen everywhere on the runways and seemed to have replaced the shirts. Those cozy pieces worn with a suit have this wonderful `70s vibe that is so up-to-date.

Camel is the new black! The camel coat has been a wardrobe staple of almost every fashionable era. This season, there are many different updated models in well-designed silhouettes, dynamic volumes and distinct cuts. A great investment for many years to come!

A vest or a jacket in velvet is a must this season. Beautiful shades make those It-pieces even more desirable.

Added to these revisited classics making them part of the modern times, were narrow tight leather or cropped pants.

The new hemline goes hand in hand with another rising trend for men. Pants were tucked into boots and it looked so hot! So guys, be brave and try it out!

If you like it more bright, you could add just a hint of colour, preferably in royal blue or a berry tone.  A little sweater like the Prada one will be a perfect eyecatcher.

Or you could opt for the total look. Tone on tone, from head to toe, dressed in the same colour family or matching fabrics give this creative concept a new take on the masculine dress code.

If it gets really cold, men will have a lot of stylish options this season. Fur was seen along with must-have shearling jackets. I adore the Burberry Prorsum ones very much.
Rustic sweaters evoking a winter sports atmosphere let us dream of after ski and evenings in the chalet.

So Gentlemen, I never want to hear again that you are indifferent to fashion! Enjoy your new look and the world will be your oyster!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Last weekend I went to London and had a fab time. I stayed at the Claridge`s in Mayfair which turned out to be a fantastic choice.

After having entered the lobby, I was completely in love with their Christmas tree installation by John Galliano for Christian Dior. The innovative design gives the impression of being frozen and is a twist on tradition due to its tropical elements like dragon flies, parrots and leopards. Well done, John!

LoL, Sandra