Sandra‘s Closet

During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin in July, one designer caught my eye: IRENE LUFT. I have loved almost every single piece she sent down the S/S 2015 runway. Airy, light, feminine, her designs made of PLAUEN LACE are breathtaking.

Based in Munich, Russian-born Irene Luft followed her mother’s tracks, a master tailor, and did her apprenticeship as a couture artisan. She graduated with distinction from the renowned German Master Craftsmen School for Fashion (Deutsche Meisterschule für Mode) and later from the Akademie für Mode & Design in Munich.

The most stunning detail of her work is the use of the famous PLAUEN LACE, a product of Saxon textile art, which has become a crucial part of every collection. The beautiful material was at its best in 1900, when it won the Grand Prix at the World Exhibition in Paris but fell into a deep slumber during the world economic crisis in the late 1920ies. As the first high fashion designer she revived and thereby somehow inherited the spirit of Plauen Lace, the tradition and know-how of a seemingly already lost part of fashion.

TO FIND OUT WHERE TO SHOP IRENE LUFT, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
I definitely want one of her amazing lace dresses!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here are finally the photos of the Polyvore Live Runway Show presented by Covergirl during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC that was only modelled by bloggers. It was such an amazing experience to meet all the other bloggers and to be on the catwalk myself. The minute I spotted style icon Giovanna Battaglia front row, my heart beat went up immediately!

For more information on the four designers, I recommend my previous post by clicking here.

 

The show started off with the elegant, very feminine designs of Vengsarkar Budhu for his label Gavaskar. Lace dresses and floral prints in white and red were the highlights on the runway. In a recent interview, the New York based designer said: “Passion is the only element that keeps me going everyday because I know I was born to design. You have to believe in yourself, your work and never give up.”

 

I was so honoured to present the final look for Lauren Bagliore. Her edgy designs are absolutely amazing. The so-called Teofilia dress on me can be worn in many different ways. This is her signature: She is the ultimate draper by using fabrics that just fall in the right way and that can be tied easily for a new look. Her eclectic pieces are tailored to make women feel sexy and fierce.

Sweet Lauren told me that her S/S 2012 collection titled “Le Strade della Decostruzione” was inspired by her recent trip around the world in literally 30 days.

 

We really experienced the daily life of a model with not even five minutes time to get changed into the new outfit and to get a different hairdo for the very romantic vintage-inspired collection by Dana-Maxx. I absolutely adore her designs and was so happy to wear the red chiffon Eliza “La Costa” dress.

The lovely redhead told me that her beautiful S/S 2012 collection was inspired by the vibrant colors and beautiful floral architecture seen in Barcelona, Spain.

 

The last designer on the Polyvore Live catwalk was Sergio Guardarrama and his Celestino collection. His S/S 2012 collection was inspired by porcelain dolls. Sergio wanted to take women back to a time when anything was possible, to make them feel youthful and beautiful. He absolutely succeeded and came up with a chic couture-like collection.

 

Here are some photos of the front row guests:

Giovanna Battaglia

Riccardo Pozzoli, Angelo Tropea, and Chiara Ferragni of the Blonde Salad

Stephanie Horton, Head of Global Communications, SHOPBOP and Megan Salt, Director of Communications, VOGUE

And here is the video of the show, enjoy!

Stay tuned for a backstage post to follow…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Polyvore, © Anna Webber

Thanks to the remaining lingerie trend, lace is the connecting thread from boudoir to the office to the dance floor. The most oustanding lace designs were seen on the F/W 2010 runways with black being the dominant colour. The return of womanhood is one of the biggest themes this season and the delicate, sensual fabric is the perfect addition. It makes women feel and look very ladylike and sexy.

No worries, it does not mean that you need to go half-naked. Inject new season`s attitude into your wardrobe with just one ultra-feminine piece. A lace blazer like the D&G one for example makes a fabulous addition to your basics collection. Combine it with a pair of jeans for instant cool chic.

Those lace dresses are cut to create a defined silhouette and will make heads turn after you. These elegant cocktail and black tie pieces are an investment in timeless style. Wear one thing lace and accessorize minimally.

Accessories are always a great way to make a fashion statement. But just one or two at a time, do not overdo the lace addition. Too much is too much!
Stockings, leggings or gloves in the trend material are super hot. I am crazy for the handmade cuffs by Aurélie Biderman. They are made of vintage lace dipped in blackened silver or gold. So beautiful!

LoL, Sandra

Ladies, learn your fashion math! What equals a must-have? One dress on three covers  would be a good answer! Every season has a few iconic looks that appear over and over again.
So one important piece for fall is the `60s inspired Miu Miu dress that comes in bright orange or lavender lace. Worn by Eva Mendes on the July cover of W, by Lily Allen for British Elle and Freja Beha for Vogue UK, both for their August covers. That is an unusual coincidence because editors do not like to share their lead picture. But some clothes have that certain something that makes everybody crazy for them. In this case, it is for sure not only the great cleavage!

In Miu Miu stores this fall.

LoL, Sandra