Sandra‘s Closet

These photos were taken on my way to the Akris S/S 2013 show at the famous Place du Trocadéro, site of the Palais de Chaillot in the 16th arrondissement, where you are having a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower.

My look: Suzu wool-blend crepe dress by Roksanda Ilincic (for a previous post on this beautiful collection, please click here), lace sleeves by Chanel, cadillac sunglasses by Prada, Muse Two bag by Yves Saint Laurent, cutout patent-leather ankle boots and Swarovski crystal necklace, both by Lanvin.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Thursday night, during Paris fashion week, an extravagant party launched the AdR at H&M collection with theatrical flair. Hosted by H&M together with fashion icon Anna Dello Russo, the Paradise Ball took place in Paris famed cabaret nightclub Paradis Latin.

The glitzy party married fashion, performance and a live showcase by music star Azealia Banks. Staying true to AdR’s belief that fashion is something that makes you dream, the eccentric party was all about fantasy and decoration.
“Excess for me means success”, said the fashion icon.

Caroline Piccinin (Le Matin), René Zibold (H&M) with me

Wigs and paper masks transformed the fashionable crowd all into Mini-Annas.

Cabaret-style “vogueing performances” as Anna described them, presented the collection in a very distinctive truly Parisian way.

My look: Powder gun dress by Mary Katrantzou, head piece by Christian Dior, pink bag by Lanvin and Tribtoo textured leather pumps by Yves Saint Laurent.

Friends and fashionistas, including Olivier Theyskens, Rachel Zoe, Poppy Delevingne, and super models Karlie Kloss, Constance Jablonski, and Liya Kebede among many others gathered to celebrate. There were so many famous people at the Paradis Latin as you can see below:

Renzo Rosso and Anna Dello Russo in a dress by Fausto Puglisi

Thomas Hayo (Germany’s Next Topmodel) and me

My beloved Mary Katrantzou

Fashion designer Jeremy Scott with me

Peter Dundas, Creative Director of Emilio Pucci, with me

It was a very fun night, the Paradise Ball was such a glamorous way to launch such an eye-catching collection. The playful line of jewelry, shoes and accessories that Anna Dello Russo designed for H&M, will be on sale from October 4, 2012, in 140 stores worldwide and online. Below are some of my favourite pieces.

LoL, Sandra

Photos in the first and last collage: Courtesy of H&M – All other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

During the recent fashion weeks, you couldn’t help but notice the common thread literally popping up for F/W 2012: Chunky knit sweaters paired with gorgeous statement necklaces. This combination has the right twist to jazz up the cozy winter staple. Click here to see me wearing it.
Enjoy shopping some of my favourite looks:

1 Chunky-knit wool-blend turtleneck sweater by Chloé and crystal ribbon necklace by Lanvin
2 Blue bobble knit sweater by Carven and crystal and bead necklace by J.Crew
3 Knitted wool and cashmere-blend sweater by Nina Ricci and chain and bead necklace by Assad Mounser
4 Zesty lime cable-knit wool and cashmere-blend sweater by Joseph and Riri painted Swarovski crystal necklace by Tom Binns
5 Multicoloured sweater by Closed and embellished bib necklace by Lanvin
6 Striped chunky-knit sweater by Missoni and chain and bead necklace by Assad Mounser

LoL, Sandra

Great news! Lanvin is collaborating with Ladureé and Alber Elbaz has art directed a special bubble gum-flavoured macaroon set. The designer stirs our imagination, arouses our fantasies and now, plays to our weakness for sweets.

It is this whimsical spirit that inspired the lovely faces of playful women on Ladurée boxes containing eight pink bubble gum-flavoured macaroons.
The delicacies will go on sale on Sept. 25 in France, in time for Paris Fashion Week’s. The U.K., U.S. and Japan will follow on Sept. 28.

Lanvin are not the first fashion house to team up with the famous French salon de thé – other designers to have collaborated include Matthew Williamson, Christian Louboutin, Sonia Rykiel and many others.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lanvin

Yesterday, I flew for one day to Paris for the launch of a beautiful new fragrance which will be launched officially in September. Stay tuned as, of course, I will tell you all about it in the next days to keep you ahead of the game.

Unfortunately, the weather was not so good with some scattered showers during the day. The event took place at the Louvre and before that I had some coffee with other journalists at the charming Hotel Regina across.

My look: Pink rain coat by Chloé, Mathilda wool-twill blazer by Stella McCartney, rosette-embellished silk top by Lanvin, stretch-leather leggings by Gucci, Crossword tote bag by Fendi, Daisy necklace by Dior Haute Joaillerie, cowboy ankle boots and thin red patent leather bow belt by Prada.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Yolanda Di Mambro – © Sandra Bauknecht

The S/S 2012 collections deliver us explosions of prints and ladies, get ready to throw any sort of caution to the wind. Your summer pants should be all about wild prints in bold colours, in cuts from slim to palazzo. 
Here are the best ones to shop at the moment, directly from the runway:

1 Printed stretch-silk straight-leg pants by Roberto Cavalli
2 Paisley-print silk pants by Stella McCartney
3 Printed wool and silk-blend straight-leg pants by Prabal Gurung

In the the ’80′s wearing floral print trousers was absolutely trendy. This summer, the floral fashion legacy is leading the runways and the streets. Designers plunged into a garden of Eden and have started to infiltrate our wardrobes with the most beautiful flowers.

1 Floral print cropped pants by H&M
2 Printed silk crepe de chine tapered pants by Gucci
3 Printed silk straight-leg pants by Tucker
4 Floral cotton pants by Céline

During fashion weeks, silk print pants have already been seen on the most stylish fashionistas all around the globe. Punchy prints rendezvous with standout shades this season.

1 Printed satin-jersey harem pants by Balmain
2 Sequin-print silk tapered pants by Lanvin
3 Pressage floral-print twill tapered pants by Sandro
4 Printed stretch silk crepe de chine pants by DKNY

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Tommy Ton, net-à-porter and style.com

With this cold weather outside, I just can’t get enough of spring’s vibrant bold colours. I am absolutely crazy for this neon lace-sleeve wool-blend crepe dress by Christopher Kane. It is such a great investment piece that you could wear for many different occasions.

Work the neon trend by adding the studded neon pink leather pumps by McQ Alexander McQueen and the contrast leather-trimmed neoprene clutch by Pierre Hardy. This is colour blocking par excellence.

You can achieve a completely new look just by changing the accessories. Here are some ideas how to combine the gorgeous dress:

1 CONCERT IN THE PARK
Frayed tweed shoulder bag by Miu Miu and leather and crochet-knit platform sandals by Missoni.

2 SUMMER NIGHT 
Leather and woven straw charm bag by Lanvin and python pumps by Alexandre Birman.

3 FIRST DATE
Happicolo leather shoulder bag by Lanvin and colour-block patent-leather sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti.

4 COCKTAIL PARTY
Sweet Charity python and leather shoulder bag by Christian Louboutin and Claudia embroidered suede pumps by Brian Atwood.

5 LADIES LUNCH
Madeleine patent-leather duffle bag by Chloé and Yolanda 100 patent-leather pumps by Christian Louboutin.

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Here is what I wore to the Stéphane Rolland Haute Couture S/S 2012 show last week in Paris:

Ribbed wool-blend and silk-gazar dress by Lanvin (on sale 50% off), red suede belt by Yves Saint Laurent, mustard-coloured ’40s style coat and suede booties by Miu Miu and animal-print Boston bag by Céline.

LoL, Sandra

Last week, I went to the presentation of the 15th annabelle Prix de Beauté which was held at the Dolder Grand in Zurich. The presentation could be best described as the “Swiss Beauty Oscars”. I felt very honoured because I was asked to be in the jury.

The highly coveted “Anna” trophy.

My task? Test 100 beauty products in the category facial care. No problem at all!

For my Swiss based readers: All the winners of the different categories will be published in the annabelle 04-2012 magazine which will be available starting February 22, 2012. From March 2-17, 2012 all the awarded products will be displayed at Manor in Zurich.

Some of the winners were already featured on Sandra’s Closet such as the Diorskin Forever Foundation or the Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator by Estée Lauder.

Below you can see what I wore to the event. I hope that you will like it.

LoL, Sandra

My look: Bouclé-tweed mini dress by Alexander McQueen (40% off on sale), lace-appliquéd mesh knee boots by Valentino (70% off on sale), pearl necklace by Lanvin, lace-print bag by Prada (from a previous season) and Lady Exalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

Photos: ©Sandra Bauknecht

OMG… it feels like in the 80’s! The crazy colours are back. Resort 2012 is full of neon brights with acid rainbow prints at Christopher Kane to elegant shift dresses at Michael Kors.

From fluorescent pinks to electrifying neon-greens here are the hottest pieces to wear this season. My suggestion: Team neon pieces with neutral hues or classic shades such as camel. Another way to work the trend is to add a bold accessory or some statement neon heels.

LoL, Sandra

1 Neon-pink stretch wool-crepe dress by Michael Kors
2 Neon-yellow jersey T-shirt by Christopher Kane
3 Rainbow cotton and silk-blend dress by Christopher Kane

1 Poncho-effect cashmere sweater by Michael Kors
2 Neon-green stretch wool-crepe dress by Michael Kors
3 Neon wool-blend crepe biker jacket by Christopher Kane
4 Printed modal and cashmere-blend scarf by Christopher Kane
5 Neon-green tweed mini skirt by Lanvin

1 Neon-clasp python belt by Roberto Cavalli
2 Neon-orange python box clutch by Emilio Pucci
3 PS1 neon leather tote by Proenza Schouler
4 Python-effect neon-yellow leather waist belt by Marc by Marc Jacobs
5 Neon-pink neoprene and patent-leather sandals by Pierre Hardy
6 Bob’s Memphis two-tone leather shoulder bag by Marc by Marc Jacobs
7 Messenger patent-trimmed leather tote by Jason Wu
8 Alima neon patent-leather pumps by Brian Atwood