Sandra‘s Closet

Close is a collection of visual studies on the theme of proximity, in which each photographer has created a series of visual statements on the unique and intimate relationship they share with their subject. It highlights the significant role that personal distance plays in an image-maker’s treatment and understanding of what and who they are photographing.

As one of those models in the show, Gigi Hadid enjoyed the greatest access and freedom of movement in the backstage environment that any photographer could possibly have. Her work documents the experience of preparing a Miu Miu collection for the catwalk in an unprecedentedly honest and thorough way.

Lila Moss is photographed at home by Nikolai von Bismarck, imbuing the images with an affinity only achievable within a familial context; the Polaroid format highlights the informal candour of the setting. Kate Moss offers a personal perspective on the Miu Miu collection, styling the looks with Katie Grand.

With a particular focus on accessories, Steve Mackey shot London model Kasper Kapica wearing the collection on both film and Polaroid on location in a local public park. The Polaroids have been given a hand-painted treatment by Patrick Waugh, the signature of his brushstrokes evident in the texture of the paint.

Backstage at the show where the collection was presented, Liz Collins captured the character of the models in her close-up portraits, taken in private moments as they prepared to set forth on the catwalk.

For digital media, Amber Pinkerton photographed young Londoners on the day they reemerged to engage with the physical social space after a period of withdrawal, while Douglas Irvine was given exclusive access to Miu Miu’s F/W 2020 set, where he shot individual models dressed in the looks they wore for the show.

Finally, Anthony Turner, Luella Bartley, Silvia Prada and Chantal Stracey express their personal interpretations of both the mood and detail of the collection through distinctive hand-drawn illustrations and animations.

The result is a collective effort from a broad range of creatives working across various media. Their work has been assembled in collages using physical techniques of cut and paste – the touch of human hand at play in their production, proposing an intimacy that is all the more precious in a time of increased separation and isolation.

Everyone participating in this project is already a part of Miu Miu’s extended family. The participants’ familiarity both with their subjects and with the broader world of Miu Miu
gives Close a profoundly personal and proximate quality at a moment in history that has required us to reevaluate our understanding of personal distance.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Miu Miu

We believe in the Easter Bunny all year around as those amazingly cute pieces would be a shame not to be worn more than one weekend. Kate Moss knows how to do it!

Get the bunny look in style here:

1 Printed cotton-jersey sweatshirt by McQ Alexander McQueen
2 Bunny leather clutch by Hillier Bartley
3 Flocked glittered cotton-jersey T-shirt by McQ Alexander McQueen
4 Swarovski crystal-embellished tulle bunny ear headband by Fleur Du Mal + Playboy
5 Satin and patent-leather sandals by Gianvito Rossi
6 Bunny ponte bodysuit by Fleur Du Mal + Playboy
7 Heidi patchwork cotton bunny ears headband by Maison Michel

Enjoy your Easter weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via Playboy January/February 2014

Strong, powerful and so Versace, the Italian house’s new F/W 2013 ad campaign shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott has been released.

“The Versace campaign for Autumn/Winter 2013 is stripped back to the raw power of the clothes and models. There’s no set, no distraction, just the provocation, glamour and attitude of our fashion. Mert & Marcus genius transformed Kate and Saskia into these strong Versace characters.” – Donatella Versace

Photographers: Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
Art Direction: Giovanni Bianco
Female Models: Kate Moss – Saskia de Brauw
Women’s Stylist: Melanie Ward
Male Models: Travis Smith – Dominik Bauer – Matt Trethe
Men’s Stylist: David Bradshaw
Hair: Garren
Makeup: Lucia Pieroni
Location: Studio in London

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versace

Great news for my Swiss readers, Notting Hill-based label Happycoat will come to Switzerland for an exclusive VIP sale at Kids and the City from September 12-14, 2012.
(For details, please see invitation below).

This is your chance to meet the designer, Tilla Lindig, and to explore her collection of timeless outerwear, from sophisticated capes to chic coats and fitted jackets such as the “Kate” which is named after the Duchess of Cambridge, of course.

Tilla, who was born and raised in Germany, lives today with her husband and three kids in London. She knows exactly what women want: Looking stylish while being comfortable. Her pieces work for all occasions, bringing the kids to school or having lunch in the city. She even has started to do bespoke pieces.

Her fan base is huge. Many celebrities have been spotted in Happycoats, among them Claudia Schiffer, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Kate Moss. Last month, Lindig was voted Best German Brand Abroad 2012 by German Bunte, Elle and Instyle magazines. Congrats, Tilla, well done!

If you would like to have more information and see some of the styles, please click here for a previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tilla Lindig, Happycoat and © Birgit Klemt

When I stumbled across the new US April Vogue and this amazing editorial featuring Kate Moss showcasing the most beautiful of January’s couture collections at the hotel Ritz in Paris, before closing its doors for renovation, I had to share this with you.

Lensed by one of my favourite photographers Tim Walker and styled by Grace Coddington, this is a feast for your eyes! Enjoy!

My Bleu Heaven
A cornflower-blue dress by Sarah Burton, reminiscent of 1950s couture, plays on proportion and contrast: nipped-in waist and voluminous skirt; flat jacquard against exploding lace. Alexander McQueen lace bustier jacquard dress.

At First Blush
Moss, in the bathroom of the Coco Chanel Suite, wears a petal-like cocktail dress and cape, inspired by a 1960 design, from a pink-and-silver cloque lamé created by Cristóbal Balenciaga.

Life Imitates Art I
Like the neoclassical crimson satin sofa, a dramatic tiered evening dress (Dior’s finale look) adds a jolt of brilliant color to the hushed palette of an Imperial Suite salon. Dior Haute Couture silk dress.

Life Imitates Art II
Bellhop Nicolas Deschamps balances a Roger Vivier silk-and-feather pump on his cap.

Sleeping Beauty
For three decades, Coco Chanel called the hotel her home. Here, the bedroom of the suite named for her. Armani Privé sequined embroidered flared bustier dress.

Boxed Out
Karl Lagerfeld took over the first-floor-spanning Imperial Suite, seen here, for his 1996 couture collection. Chanel Haute Couture embroidered organza flower coat and pumps.

Cocktail Hour
“I drink the French 76: vodka, sugar, lemon juice topped up with champagne; it’s the best drink ever, but it only tastes like that in the Hemingway Bar,” says Moss, here in L’Espadon. “Colin [Field, Ritz Paris head bartender] made it for my wedding. It doesn’t taste at all strong—and then, whoa, whoops-a-daisy!” Alexis Mabille Haute Couture burnished lamé dress and hat.

Light Show
“When I was with Johnny Depp, he always stayed there. I had an apartment in Paris at the time, but he said, ‘No, we’re staying at the Ritz,’ so he came by and swept me up to the Ritz—he didn’t want to slum it in my apartment!” Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci.

Room Service
“Gianni’s [Versace] shows were amazing—and sooo convenient. Walk downstairs, go to work: Love that!” says Moss, with housekeepers Khadidja Fakri and Lollie Bacete (standing). Dior Haute Couture embroidered silk dress. Headpiece created by Julien d’Ys.

View From the Top
Giambattista Valli sent out a cinched draped-shoulder goddess dress in “a color so deep, so intense, you can almost smell it—like bougainvillea on the Mediterranean coast.” Giambattista Valli Haute Couture silk dress and necklace.

Special Delivery
In the Flower Room, a team of five florists overseen by floral designer Djordje Varda is charged with, among other things, selecting and arranging 10,000 blooms for the hotel each week.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Vogue, Tim Walker

The reason for my fairytale-like trip to Paris was the launch of Dior Addict Extrême, the new lasting fashion lipstick. For the official photos, please click here. Today, I would like to give you more information on the new season’s must-have beauty product.

In 2011, an addict fashion story came to life when Dior launched Dior Addict, the house’s first fashion lipstick in 44 easy-to-wear and playful colours with spectacular glossy shine and ultra-comfort. For last year’s post, please click here.

In 2012, Addict becomes Extreme, edgy and sophisticated. The new black case makes it a fashion statement already.
Available in 12 new pure luminous colours, starting in Switzerland Mid March for CHF 46.-.
(There will be 4 new nail polish shades complementing the look for CHF 37.-.)

The star ingredients of the lipsticks are 4 expert waxes with extreme opposite actions for a breakthrough combination of lasting comfort in an ultra-thin veil. Dior added the most thin and radiant oils for a luminous shine and radiant shades. Hyaluronic microspheres provide ultra-comfort and an immediate plumping result.

Below you can explore the 4 “It“– shades  and their 4 iconic styles.
I also created some fashion looks complementing the new lip colours. To shop the outfit, just click on the highlighted texts.

LUCKY
Audacious Pinks – Fashion Dress-Code

Inspired by Lucky, one of Dior’s most famous models, who was an icon on the catwalks in the `50s, this shade is for a woman who explores her inspirations and plays with her style.

Wrap-effect crepe dress by Vanessa Bruno, Masako silk-satin pumps by Charlotte Olympia and Mini Loubi Lula printed silk-twill frame clutch by Christian Louboutin.

Dior Addict Extrême 536 Lucky and Dior Vernis 659 Lucky

INCOGNITO
Beige Elegance – Minimal Chic

Inspired by the allure of Parisian women, this shade is synonymous for timeless sophistication.

Wool-twill blazer and shirt dress with star buttons, both by Miu Miu and snake-effect leather pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti.

Dior Addict Extrême 316 Incognito and Dior Vernis 257 Incognito

RIVIERA
Sunny Shades – Cruise Aura

This coral tone stands for the elegance of the Riviera and the fascination of St. Tropez.

Printed silk-georgette top by Roberto Cavalli, silk-trimmed brushed-twill shorts by Elizabeth and James,leather ballerinas by Repetto, PS1 Small leather satchel by Proenza Schouler and enameled gold-plated cuff by Yves Saint Laurent.

Dior Addict Extrême 639 Riviera and Dior Vernis 537 Riviera

PLAZA
Depth & Intensity – Extreme Glamour

Inspired by the iconic Plaza Athénée hotel on Avenue Montaigne, this velvety pink is for all divas and the special moments in your life.

Strapless cotton and silk-blend faille gown by Prabal Gurung, neon python snake-clasp clutch by Roberto Cavalli and Tippi snake-effect leather pumps by Jimmy Choo.

Dior Addict Extrême 476 Plaza and Dior Vernis 579 Plaza

Which one is your favourite?

LoL, Sandra

The last days have just been amazing. My blog has taken me on such a wonderful journey that I sometimes think it must be a dream. After getting back from NYC Fashion Week on Wednesday, I had a little time to pack a new suitcase. Thursday morning, I flew to Paris for a fairytale-like event hosted by Dior.

Together with other bloggers from all over the world, I was invited to explore the Dior Addict Extrême experience. The new nail polish and lipstick collection which is taking the iconic Dior Addict to a new “extreme” level will be available in Switzerland from the second half of March. As you can see, Kate Moss is again the face of the advertising campaign.

I stayed in an awesome suite at the Plaza Athénée which is just across from 30, Avenue Montaigne, the home of the house Dior.

Arriving at the Dior Haute Couture Salons felt like “Sandra in Wonderland“, no wonder looking at the gigantic chair and all those dreamlike Haute Couture creations. This place is full of magic and the people working at Dior are all extremely lovely.

Love for detail: Even the sweets came in the shades of the four new must-have lip colours.
Below from left to right: Lucky (coral pink) is the “It”-colour (on Kate Moss), Riviera (orange), Incognito (nude beige) and Plaza (creamy pink).

A detailed post on the amazing make-up I wore for the shoot and the official photos will follow soon! In the meantime, enjoy this little teaser below.

Thank you, Dior, for letting me be part of this fairytale!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

At the moment, I am in Paris for many exciting events and I have so much to show you. Let me get you started with this:

Welcome to Prada’s “24 h Museum“, designed by Francesco Vezzoli with AMO, Rem Koolhaas‘ think tank. It has been open in Paris for 24 hours only, from yesterday till today in the historic Palais d’Iéna, the building designed by Auguste Perret between 1936 and 1946, today home of CESE (Conseil Economique, Social et Environnemental), the French ‘third Chamber’.

Miuccia Prada & Francesco Vezzoli

AMO’s installation for the “24 h Museum“ is divided in three sections, each inspired by a particular type of museum space: historic, contemporary and forgotten. The three sections are instrument to the sequence of events that take place during 24 hours in different areas of the ground floor of the Palais d’Iéna. The central space is a large metal cage made from grills and neon lights that encloses the work by Francesco Vezzoli.

In the three sections – historic, contemporary and forgotten – Vezzoli is creating a “non-existent museum“ where he shows his personal tribute to the eternal allure of femininity through interpretations of classical sculptures that make reference to contemporary divas.

At the top of the stairway, epicentre of the building, Vezzoli is placing a majestic sculpture of a female, reinterpreted with the features of a mysterious goddess. Vezzoli’s vision is of a museum that exists for just 24 hours and which is also a celebration of a collective rite that mixes visitors, red-carpet, Oedipus’ complex and night visions.

Yesterday night, the museum turned into a disco-club where I spotted Kate Moss who was djing and Dita von Teese who was rushing through the exhibition. Different events will be following the next few hours.

LoL, Sandra

Kate Moss

Don’t we just love Caroline Issa’s Prada earrings?!

A very special moment: A happy Anna Wintour with Jonathan Newhouse and Franca Sozzani.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Courtesy of Prada

Most of you know that I am a Louis Vuitton aficionado. Therefore I am always looking forward to the LV show that with its beautiful stunning decor surprises each season. Yesterday, it was a gigantic carrousel with models riding on it in pastel-coloured clothes, leaving quite another impression after Marc’s fetish-like creations for F/W 2011.

The S/S 2012 collection is sweet, full of rich details and materials, from matte crocodile jackets, coats and skirts to laser-cut tops and 3-D floral embellishments and plastic paillettes. I am completely taken by the tweed fabrics that are adorned with marabou feathers. The craftmanship that went into this collection is truly outstanding.

The last look was presented by Kate Moss, same as last season. But instead having her smoke on the runway in hot pants, she appeared in a light white floral dress like an innocent bride. I was wondering if she might be pregnant. Rumours are going around those days, same as the fashion crowd is wondering if Marc Jacobs will leave for Dior. The Louis Vuitton S/S 2012 collection looked like a slight approach. Let’s see in which direction fashion’s merry-go-round will be turning…

Below you can see some photos of the front row action!

LoL, Sandra

Caroline Sieber, Claire Courtin Clarins, Antoine Arnault, Virginie Courtin Clarins

Dasha Zhukova, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Carine Roitfeld, Marie-Amélie Sauvé, Rachel Zoe, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Peter Marino

Natalia Vodianova, Uma Thurman

Best friends: Marc Jacobs and Kate Moss

Alexa Chung in a Louis Vuitton dress from the F/W 2011 collection.

No, this is not the newest Tom Ford advertising campaign. It is part of the amazing pictures taken by Mario Testino during the recent wedding of Kate Moss with rocker Jamie Hince for the September issue of American Vogue. The newly weds channel a modern-day Mick and Bianca Jagger, re-creating the couple’s 1971 backseat wedding portrait by royal photographer Lord Lichfield
On Kate: Tom Ford velvet-and-fur coat. On Hince: Tom Ford red velvet jacket.

Kate Moss graces also the cover of the fashion bible. Mario Testino captured the famous  party guests plus the beautiful decorations and details so wonderfully that I wanted to share these with you. What a great inspiration for your own big day, don’t you think?

LoL, Sandra

Lara Stone with her husband

Paul McCartney with his daughter Stella

Naomi Campbell and Marc Jacobs

Like mother, like daughter: Kate Moss with Lila Grace
Photos: via Vogue