Sandra‘s Closet

There is no doubt that the vanity bag – preferably in burgundy – is the F/W 2024 staple in the wardrobes of those in the know. While the rich burgundy hue appears every fall and winter to replace summer’s brights and pastels, the shade has gotten new life.

Rising designer prices had been prompting Gen Z to repurpose vanity bags as clutches. I mean for a modest cost, you can buy beauty products and receive a complimentary designer vanity bag, enjoying the same luxury experience. High end designer brands transform these shapes now into the new must-have handbags, needless to say for a higher amount, as demonstrated by iconic designs such as the Loro Piana Pouch Bag and Bottega Veneta’s latest Bang Bang style.

This is how a trend is born, these bags perfectly combine style and utility. Below are the best ones available at the moment.

LoL, Sandra

Gaby Vanity leather shoulder bag by Saint Laurent

Bang Bang Vanity mini intrecciato leather tote by Bottega Veneta

Mini pouch bag by Loro Piana

Mini camelia shoulder bag by Furla

Burgundy velvet vanity bag by Roger Vivier

Shoulder bag in GG leather by Gucci

Photos: © Courtesy of the Brands
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With fall coats this cute and versatile, we dare you to pick just one. Sounds difficult, not this time! With these reversible options, you are getting two for the price of one. So you can stay ahead of the fashion game and coat up in style. Furthermore I have always loved the idea of reversible items,  they take up less space in your wardrobe and you can inconspicuously wear the same thing two days in a row.

Here are my favorite options available at the moment, just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly to the shop:

Pegli reversible coat by Weekend Max Mara

Reversible belted camel hair-blend coat by Brunello Cucinello

Reversible belted cashmere coat by Loro Piana

Lyonia belted two-tone wool and cashmere-blend coat by Veronica Beard

Rach reversible wool-blend coat by Rag & Bone

Reversible belted coat by Givenchy

Happy Halloween!

LoL, Sandra

Photo in Collage © Peruvian Connection – Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

Discover fashion’s new rules for keeping warm in this week’s sophisticated knitwear post. Your new approach to dressing? Wear a long cardigan or cardi coat – it’s all about being a little unpredictable. In cream hues with a bohemian vibe, those pieces will ensure you’re never having a dull dressing moment again this season. Perfect on those days when there’s a chill in the air but you don’t quite need a heavy coat.

1 Striped ribbed wool-blend cardigan by Chloé
2 Naido brushed cashmere-blend cardigan by The Row
3 Wool fringed cardigan by Chloé
4 Long belted cardi coat by Loro Piana
5 Cable-knit cotton and linen-blend cardigan by Maison Margiela
6 Gunnersbury cashmere and silk cardigan by Gabriela Hearst

A great investment for the season: Hallia long-line silk-blend cardigan by The Row.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

It was an amazing trip to the 2014 edition of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta, as Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda served up with perfect conditions to experience days filled with sun, sports, fun and beautiful boats. First launched in 2008, this is the regatta that opens the Mediterranean superyacht calendar. Being on sea and watching the breathtaking fleet of sailing yachts crossing the emerald waters of Porto Cervo, I have immediately become a huge fan of this sport and the Loro Piana brand. Combining fashion, lifestyle and sailing, the core value they share is the search for technical perfection in harmony with nature.

Like every year, the race provides a great opportunity for Loro Piana to test the new line of clothing especially designed for this competitive sport. The Italian brand stands for uncompromised quality and is extremely strong with 6 generations of know-how in the high-end fabrics production, a field in which it continues to be market leader. With textures ranging from linens, cottons to cashmere, vicuña and wools, it offers everything for the distinguished costumer. In December 2013, the Loro Piana family sold a majority stake (80 percent) of their family business to the LVMH Group for over 2 billion euros.

The beautiful Costa Smeralda from above

My Song is Pier Luigi Loro Piana’s 25-metre yacht that also participated in the race and won on the final day. Below are some impressions of what I was able to watch and experience during the last days. I hope that I can transport you the beauty of this sport.

Saturday evening, the prize giving ceremony took place followed by a private dinner party hosted by Loro Piana. I ran into many friends from all over the world.

My friends from Zurich, Marco Vögele and Franziska Rickenbach (here with Pier Luigi Loro Piana in the middle), owners of the most flamboyant yacht that participated in the race, Inouï, also won a prize. I love the eye-catching green color of their sailing boat mixed with the pink cushions and the elegant interior design.

Thanks to Loro Piana, I have beome totally hooked to sailing and cannot wait to be back to experience another regatta.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Loro Piana and © Sandra Bauknecht

Greetings from Sardinia! I am here at the famous Costa Smeralda for the 6th edition of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2014. Enjoying the glistening waters of Porto Cervo, I am guest of Loro Piana. During the last two days, I have already experienced some outstanding moments, indulding into the world of the Italian brand and their longstanding passion for sailing. I had the opportunity and honor to interview Mr Pier Luigi Loro Piana, who takes part in this major sailing event with his own 25-metre yacht My Song. Here you see me at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Stay tuned for more photos coming up soon!

My look: Vintage striped dress by Missoni, turquoise suede sandals by Prada, Marion quilted leather backpack by Tory Burch, sunglasses by Tom Ford and Amulette necklace by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Upcoming Thursday, March 17th, at 6.30pm, Swiss company Schild will open its new five-storey department store at the Lintheschergasse 7 in Zurich with an extraordinary fashion show and cocktail party.

1000 special guests will experience window and night shopping in a new way. Brands like Hallhuber, s.Oliver, René Lezard, Mango or Navyboot will be presented by famous models like Anouk Manser and Tanja LaCroix who will perform in translucent glass cubes.

The new made-to-measure lounge for ladies so-called “Savile Row” will also celebrate its premiere that night. Customers can choose for their tailor-made outfit among 300 luxurious fabrics from well-known labels like Loro Piana, Zegna or Scabal. This service is also available for men of course.

New at Schild is the possibility to order Mango online, exclusively in Switzerland. Please visit schild.ch for further information.

Great news for Sandra’s Closet’s subscribers: You have the chance to win two tickets to attend this amazing party with all the ViPs. All you have to to is send an e-mail to with the header “Schild” until Thursday morning at 10 am. The winner will be drawn randomly.
And by the way during the opening night, one of the guests will win a new Jaguar XK Convertible. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Good luck!

See you there!

LoL, Sandra