Sandra‘s Closet

Tata! Here are the first pics of of the highly-­anticipated collector toy, Barbie Lagerfeld, a collaboration between Mattel, Inc. and KARL LAGERFELD.

Taking inspiration from the the designer’s signature style, Barbie Lagerfeld is dressed in his likeness with accents taken from the real KARL LAGERFELD line. Borrowing from Karl’s iconic silhouette, the doll wears a tailored black jacket, white high-collared men’s shirt with French cuffs and black satin cravat finished off with fitted black jeans featuring the iconic all-over head print. The exclusive doll is adorned in accessories that include black fingerless gloves, sunglasses, black ankle boots and a leather purse with silver metallic accents.

The worldwide launch is set for Monday, September 29, 2014 during Paris Fashion Week. The Platinum-label Barbie Lagerfeld doll will be available in limited quantities (only 999 dolls will be produced) for approximately $200 USD or €200 Euro through exclusive retail channels including; NET-A-PORTER, select KARL LAGERFELD retail stores, TheBarbieCollection.com, and Colette in Paris.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld and Mattel, Inc.

This week, Aspen in Colorado, one of the world’s most famous mountain resorts, plays host to the first ever CHANEL pop-up store in the USA. The ephemeral boutique, which is located at the Casa Tua, the classic mountainside restaurant and private club, presents the Métiers d’Arts Paris-Dallas collection, which Karl Lagerfeld showed in Texas last December.

Celebrating the virtuosity of the House’s ateliers and their specialized know-how, the pop-up store showcases the Wild West-inspired collection in a modern yet rustic environment that is a nod to Aspen. On the terrace, guests can take in the stunning, panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and immerse oneself in the rugged luxury of the stunning surroundings.

The CHANEL at Casa Tua Ephemeral Boutique will be open until July 6, 2014.

CHANEL Casa Tua Ephemeral Boutique
403 South Galena Street – Aspen, Colorado / USA – +1 (970) 544-2077

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel, © Getty

Those who have been following me on instagram have got already an impression how fabulous my trip to Dubai was this week. Karl Lagerfeld had chosen the Emirates destination as the place to present the Chanel Cruise 2015 collection. You would imagine that past presentations in St. Tropez, Dallas and the Palais de Versailles among others would be hard to top. Think again. It’s Karl Lagerfeld. It was a feast for the eyes, an amazing experience, like the fairytale of One Thousand and One Nights.

The guests, among them celebrities such as Dakota Fanning, Vanessa Paradis, Freida Pinto and Tilda Swinton, were brought by junks to a manmade island off the coast of Dubai where an enormous golden hangar covered in an interlocking double C’s lattice awaited us. From far away it looked like traditional Islamic fretwork.

We were asked to wear flat shoes (even that flats are trending at the moment, this was a challenge for me) as we walked through the sand. With an outdoor temperature of around 36°C, it felt like a beautiful evening in the desert. We were greeted in the souk tents with refreshing lemonades and Arabic coffee while enjoying the Dubai skyline.

Inside comfy, cushioned seating around the catwalk, yummy hors d’oeuvres, champagne and gigantic fake palm trees awaited us.

In the middle of the location, the food was on display that we enjoyed after the show, from mini pita-shawarmas and falafel with date chutney to pistachio baklava.

The show was beautiful, Karl Lagerfeld dreamed up his “idea of a romantic, modern Orient, a new One Thousand and One Nights.” He mixed precious and costume jewelry and played with the sickle-moon motif. Those pearl crescent-moon hair pieces and Bedouin-inspired cuffs are divine. Aladdin’s slippers, harem pants, ghutra-pattern-inspired jackets, mosaiced skirts, necklines and embroidered leather camellias bring the Arabian culture into the Chanel style in a respectful and culturally sensitive way.

It wouldn’t be Karl Lagerfeld though if he didn’t add some humor to his collection. I adore the tunic tops hemmed in a sequined version of the Dubai skyline and the golden jerrycan bag will surely be on many shopping lists.

After the dinner, we enjoyed a private concert by Janelle Monáe.

Vanessa Paradis with me after the show

Sweet Dakota Fanning

Tilda Swinton giving an interview outdoors

When we walked back to the boats through the candle-lit sandy path, it felt like a million-and-one Arabian nights. Thank you, Chanel, for this beautiful night. In the September issue of L’Officiel Switzerland, you will find an exclusive report and some amazing pictures. Stay tuned!

While you are reading this, I am already on my way to the next adventure. For one evening, I fly to Shanghai with Omega for an exceptional dinner with George Clooney.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Chanel

Sportswear is a huge trend this S/S 2014 season and its stroke of sheer genius is mesh, wether it is seen on a sporty top, a sultry dress – or a sophisticated pair of heels. Nothing seems quite as fresh as a this airy material that is revealing parts of your skin. You can dress it up or keep it simple –  yet you will be sure to turn fashion heads this season.

Here are some suggestions for you to shop:

1 Leather, suede and mesh sneakers by Karl Lagerfeld
2 Dunstable techno-mesh coat by Belstaff
3 Bandage and mesh dress by Hervé Leger
4 Mesh-paneled stretch-jersey top by McQ Alexander McQueen
5 Embellished cloqué and mesh top by 3.1 Phillip Lim
6 Suede and mesh ankle boots by Alaïa
7 Embroidered honeycomb-mesh skirt by Lela Rose

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

This summer, you should take inspiration from sportswear for your beach attire and spice it up with some tribal details. Just make sure that your approach is completely luxurious. I recommend straps wrapped around your waist and vibrant prints. Accessories such as sunglasses, hats or embellished hair slides take your day in the sand to the next level of style. Use some bronzer for a sun kissed glow and add texture to your beach waves. Below is your shopping list:

1 Wings printed jersey maxi dress by Matthew Williamson
2 Leopard-print bandeau bikini by Matthew Williamson
3 Cat eye filigree gold-tone sunglasses by Dolce & Gabbana
4 Surf Bomb sea salt spray by Original & Mineral
5 Printed flip flops by Givenchy
6 Mesh bra top by Gucci
7 Gold-tone and tortoiseshell-effect hair slide by Dolce & Gabbana
8 Shell Shocked gold-tone clutch by Charlotte Olympia
9 Mesh-trimmed silk crepe de chine dress by Gucci 
10 Spotlight Groupie macramé-trimmed swimsuit by Eres
11 Number 7 cotton-terry beach towel by Karl Lagerfeld
12 Straw hat by Mulberry
13 Matte Radiance Baked Powder by Laura Mercier

LoL, Sandra

To front the CHANEL S/S 2014 eyewear collection, Karl Lagerfeld chose his muse Alice Dellal and showed a much softer side of the famous model and punk rocker.

No more half-shaved head and ripped tights – those details are replaced by baby pink Chanel boucle jackets and flowers in her hair. The new campaign, photographed by Lagerfeld himself in an intimate, youthful and mischievous atmosphere, evoking a student’s bedroom, shows the House ambassadress posing nonchalantly.

In this post you can discover the campaign and the exclusive behind the scene shots.

The visuals, with their edgy yet gently romantic energy, present Alice Dellal as part rebel, part blossoming young girl, revealing another of her facets for a collection that’s both feminine and in tune with the zeitgeist.

The sunglasses focus on contemporary and stylised shapes, the cat eye, butterfly, round and XXL square, while the optical glasses prefer more classical frames including the pantos, square and oval.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chanel 2014

This was my outfit I wore to the opening of Switzerland’s first Karl Lagerfeld store last week in Zurich. Sass and class I called it.

My look: Tuxedo jacket, Agnes leather-trimmed washed-twill jumpsuit and Kuilted leather backpack, all by Karl Lagerfeld, suede ankle boots by Saint Laurent, diamond rose necklace, diamond rose ring and Limelight Gala watch, all by Piaget, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès, Atlas silver bangles by Tiffany & Co. and leather bracelet by Miu Miu.
Mr UK diamanté-embellished figurine by Karl Lagerfeld + tokidoki.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week, the first Karl Lagerfeld shop in Switzerland opened its doors at Jelmoli in Zurich with a fun party and I had the honor to unveil it. On the ground floor, you can find all accessories, bags and other fun gadgets. On the second floor of the famous department store, you can shop the prêt-à-porter collection.

The lovely Karl Lagerfeld team had flown in for the event.

Raquel Marquard and my humble self had fun trying some hats by Karl Lagerfeld.

Stylist Clifford Lilley with me

Monique Hollinger framed by Sonja Hog to the right and me to the left

Dusa Bibus to the left and Yvonne Bieri (Womenswear Buyer at Jelmoli) to the right.

The unveiling ceremony was fun. I gave a short speech and told a little anecdote about the first contact I had with Karl Lagerfeld many years ago as an assistant at Marie Claire magazine. As I am huge fan of him, I felt very honored to cut the ribbon of his first store in Switzerland.

Karl Lagerfeld on display for your home as part of a capsule range produced in collaboration with Manga-inspired brand tokidoki. He says: “I am very flattered that I became a ‘tokidoki’! I always loved them and I am very happy to be one of them”.

It was a great night surrounded by amazing people! Stay tuned for the outfit post coming up soon! Happy Weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert, © Karl Lagerfeld and © Sandra Bauknecht

Sometimes, I am proud of myself, especially if I spot immediately an object of desire for the next season. In this case it has been CHANEL‘s amazing to-die-for backpack for S/S 2014 (see previous post from last November 2013 here please) which Karl Lagerfeld has transformed into a backboard for creativity, turning it into an arty and luxury accessory.

Playing with conventions the famous designer has personalised the backpack and given it an authentic and worn appearance: graffiti, tags, splashes of paint and colours, added details like scoubidous, snap hooks and luggage tags.

Every motif was specially conceived and reproduced thanks to a specific printing procedure which allows for a wide variety of shades and several colour effects. “There’s a certain lightness and a certain kind of humour in all this,” Lagerfeld declared.

Available in two sizes (as well as a third tote-shaped version) and three colours, the CHANEL backpack is available in the CHANEL boutiques, and also for a limited time at Colette, from now to March 8th 2014, where it is adorning the windows at the moment during Paris Fashion Week.

Colette – 31, rue Cambon 213, rue Saint-Honoré – 75001 Paris – France

A veritable reflection of Karl Lagerfeld’s endlessly renewed creativity, the CHANEL S/S 2014 backpack symbolises the instantly recognisable quintessence of the Maison: the union of luxury and fashion. A collector’s piece and THE bag of the season!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Today, I have some fun news for you. The famous Crazy Horse Paris is coming to Switzerland as part of their Forever Crazy World Tour. On Friday, 7th March 2014 the 10 Crazy Girls from the classic Parisian revue theatre are to hold two performances in Badrutt’s Palace Hotel of their show with unique and sensuous choreography. Combined with stunning lighting effects, original music and daring outfits, you can expect a show that has no equal.

ABOUT CRAZY HORSE PARIS
60 years ago, the founder of the Crazy Horse cabaret, Alain Bernardin, was fascinated by American show girls and women in general. He was driven by a single idea – to make feminine beauty and artistic creation his focus. Over the years he developed his own particular style. This includes the tradition upheld to this day that each dancer is christened with her own unique stage name before her first Le Crazy performance. So the troupe is made up of names such as Shiny Shadow, Loa Vahina and Lila Magnetic.

CRAZY FACTS & FIGURES
• It takes a dressmaker on average one week to make a single costume
• Each dancer has at least six pairs of specially made shoes
• Each dancer uses 500 litres of body make-up, 300 lipsticks in Crazy Red, 720 pairs of false eyelashes and 2,500 pairs of stockings every year
• It takes three months of intensive training for a classically trained dancer to be ready to slip into the role of a Crazy Girl
• World renowned fashion designers such as Paco Rabanne, Loris Azzaro, Karl Lagerfeld, Emmanuel Ungaro and Azzedine Alaia have designed Crazy costumes
• Christina Aguilera drew inspiration for her music video »Hurt« from the Crazy dancers
• Christian Louboutin designed various shoes for the shows
• Dita Von Teese became the first guest star at Le Crazy in October 2006 in Paris, followed amongst others by Pamela Anderson in February 2008

Performances on 7th of March, 2014 begin at 7.30pm and 10pm in the ›Embassy Ballroom‹. 
Tickets from CHF 220.00 – To book and for further information please call:+41 (0)81 837 2659 or
send an e-mail to: .

If you cannot make it to St. Moritz, I recommend anyone in Paris to go see it. The show is absolutely amazing.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Crazy Horse Paris