Sandra‘s Closet

For its upcoming highly anticipated ‘fashion meets art’ collaboration, Louis Vuitton has teamed up with avantgarde painter, pop art artist, fashion designer, sculptor, street performer and poet, Yayoi Kusama. At the age of 82, she is an artist of many talents.

The preview is not even on the official website, the Louis Vuitton press offices keep everything secret. But thanks to WWD and Stylerumour, the first photos have emerged.

Here is your very exclusive and so exciting preview of what the Japanese dot-enthusiast and Marc Jacobs have come up with. Personally speaking, I am crazy for those polka dots, especially the red and white ones that remind me so much of Minnie Mouse. Also included in the collection are wave prints. The colours are yellow, red, black and white.

The collection will be unveiled Mid July 2012 in Louis Vuitton stores around the globe, with a second wave of goods arriving in October.

Ladies, get yourselves on the wait lists now!

LoL, Sandra

Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton Pump Monogram Nylon Dots Infinity black

Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton Monogram Shawl Dots Infinity black

Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton Sunglasses Waves Rond White

Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton Pareo Monogram Waves white

Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton Lockit GM Monogram Nylon Dots Infinity yellow

Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton Cuff Dots Infinity yellow

Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton Lockit MM Monogram Vernis Dots Infinity yellow

Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton Pump Monogram Vernis Dots Infinity yellow

Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires Monogram Vernis Dots Infinity red

Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton Ballerina Monogram Nylon Dots Infinity red

Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton Montre Tambour Dots Infinity 28 mm

Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton Bangle GM Dots Infinity red

Photos: Via Stylerumour and Franck Mura via WWD

On Wednesday evening, the opening night of the 65th Cannes Film Festival (May 16  to May 27, 2012), I was invited by Chopard to this year’s first “Montée des Marches” at the Palais des Festivals. (Each night there is the legendary black tie “Montée des Marches”, the famous red-carpet, by invitation only, where the 22 films in competition are screened.)

It is an amazing feeling to climb up those famous steps, the stairway to heaven. There are hundreds of people waiting behind the barriers to spot their favourite celebrities. The minute I got out of the limousine, I was absolutely speechless and full of emotions.

My look: Gown by Roberto Cavalli, fur stole by Blumarine, Pyramide bag by Prada (In case you are wondering why I didn’t choose a little clutch, I wanted to take my big camera with me.), earrings by Chanel, ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

This year, the Cannes Film Festival kicked off with the screening of Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom.

Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, the movie centers around two young kids (Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) who fall in love, and run away together into the wilderness, but the adult cast is pretty well-stacked in the acting department, featuring Hollywood stars like Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Jason Schwartzman.

Personally speaking, I am not the biggest Wes Anderson fan, but I have truly liked that movie. It is different and moving, featuring the best of Anderson’s iconic comedy whimsy. Moonrise Kingdom will be released later this month.

Bérénice Béjo, the Artist star, hosted the opening ceremony in a stunning gown by Louis Vuitton that blended in well with the red carpet. She introduced the audience to this year’s president Nanni Moretti and his A-list jury that includes Diane Kruger, Jean Paul Gaultier, Alexander Payne, Ewan McGregor, Raoul Peck, Hiam Abbas and Emmanuelle Devos.

During the 12-day movie marathon, they will choose from 22 competition titles to give out the coveted Palme d’Or prize on May 27.

Beth Ditto opened the festival with an amazing performance of ‘Candle In The Wind’.

Very funny, the famous singer was hurrying to get a photo with the jury:

Stay tuned for my best-dressed list of this night!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This summer is all about print, preferably from head to toe. Print silk pants are among the season’s must-haves and I recently combined those two trends in one very comfy look:

Blue leo print top, matching pyjama silk pants, scarf, slippers and bag, all by Louis Vuitton, ring “Diorette” by Dior Haute Joaillerie and watch “Lady Excalibur” by Roger Dubuis.

Do you remember the bag? It was a gift from my girlfriends for my birthday. I think the coral is the perfect addition to the blue – a wonderful colour combination.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This look makes me feel like a princess. It is amazing how Mary Katrantzou expertly placed the vivid prints on her Harp Hazzard dress from the S/S 2012 runway. You can wear the floor-sweeping floral-print train with bare legs and elegant sandals, or detach it to transform this patterned piece into a thigh-grazing mini.
Louis Vuitton‘s tiara from the S/S 2012 fashion show complements the outfit perfectly. You can wear it over the hair to give it more volume (as seen on me) or under.

My look: Harp Hazzard printed silk-twill dress with detachable train by Mary Katrantzou (also available without train), Tribute chain-detailed suede sandals by Yves Saint Laurent and tiara by Louis Vuitton.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Louis Vuitton is revealing a new interpretation of its famous Monogram flowers. Each motif has its own corresponding colour of gold —rose, yellow or white, brought to life with the sparkle of a diamond. A precious matrix and a fundamental equation at the heart of a jewel, to be worn in infinite ways.

Monogram Idylle offers an invitation to play with bracelets and necklaces to be linked together, stacked up, mixed up or changed around. Individual earrings for a deliberately mismatched look and a triple ring for a collection of contrasts, the lightweight design and purity of the gold combine to give a fun, ultra-feminine collection of talisman jewellery.

I absolutely adore the idea of mixing and matching those beautiful jewelry pieces.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Those intricate eyelet lace dresses seen on the Louis Vuitton S/S 2012 runway (see photo to the left) that are in stores now cost a fortune unfortunately.

In case that you don’t want to miss the trend, I recommend a visit to the Zara store nearest to you where you can find some beautiful and similar pieces at the moment.

From left to right (photo above):
Top CHF 59.-, Sequined Skirt CHF 119.-, Shirt CHF 59.- and Peplum Skirt, CHF 59.-, all by Zara.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

The windows of the Louis Vuitton store on New Bond Street in London looked so beautiful this week that I had to photograph them for you. Filled with the most beautiful objects of desire for the summer season, it was a true pleasure looking at them. I am in love with pastels and the feminine eyelet lace.

My absolute must-have is the tiara that will be in stores this month…

… along with the bi-colour pointed-toe mules (see photos below).

Happy window shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

After over one week in bed sick, I have been ready for some vibrant colours to embrace spring.
I really like the colour combination of orange and turquoise blue.

My look: Wool jacket with lamé trimand embellished wool-cashmere cardigan, both by Marc Jacobs, ballet flats by Dolce & Gabbana (similiar to the leather ballerina by Repetto), straight-leg pants by Stella McCartney, orange-coloured Birkin bag by Hermès, earrings by Christian Dior and striped scarf by Louis Vuitton.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last night, I went to the Zurich Opera Ball. This is a black tie event taking place once a year at the opera house which marks a highlight on Switzerland’s event calendar.

My look: Cobalt blue silk-crepe gown by Stella McCartney, silk-organza floral collar (such a versatile piece that instantly transforms even the simplest of looks) and Angelica silk-satin appliquéd clutch, both by Gucci, Tribute violet suede sandals by Yves Saint Laurent, statement bracelet by Louis Vuitton, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis and Diorette ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

I truly like those colours, cobalt blue mixed with different berry shades, together.
What do you think?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday morning in Paris, I attended the Louis Vuitton F/W 2012 show which was the best I have ever seen (It even topped Chanel’s Paris – Bombay…).

When I arrived, I found myself inside a 1920’s inspired train station with a huge Louis Vuitton station clock hanging from the ceiling. And what looked like the runway in the middle, was actually something else…

The show started on time as usual and a gigantic gate opened, there was steam. All of a sudden, I saw rails…

…and an amazing old-fashioned train with a lot of steam rolled inside the hall. The crowd cheered and applauded. Believe me, it takes something to charm the fashionable audience.

Inside the wagon, the models were seated. You could already see the gigantic hats. The ambiance reminded me immediately of the Titanic era. The ladies looked like belonging to the upper class de-boarding the “Vuitton Express”.

THE BAGS

Each lady had a her own porter helping her to carry the oversized bags which were absolutely divine. Hat boxes, vanity cases, weekend bags and petites valises all make an appearance for everyday use. The traditional canvas Monogram finds itself trimmed in real crocodile or embroidered in sequins on a blanket wool, trimmed with box calf. The Speedy has an intense reworking this season, based on and featuring a round signature buckle.

Mink makes its way into Vuitton baggage, utilising vibrant colours to accompany its rich, sumptuous texture.

THE LOOKS

Marc Jacobs played with proportions and this collection seems to be for the tall ones among you. It is all about elongation. The clothing is layered in rich, sumptuous fabrics; long skirts over cigarette pants, long coats over all, each look topped by a tall hat. There is a certain, simple geometry to this elongation, an extended A-line to engulf the entire body.

The normal sized porters seemed tiny in comparison to the tall models. Marc Jacobs did it on purpose to reinforce the point of his towering female silhouette; the men are merely added accessories.

The materials are rich, from kangaroo leather that is patch-worked and bejewelled with plastics to heavy metal yarns replicating Afghan blanket fabrics and brocades and jacquards.

I loved Marc’s thinking about the company’s nineteenth-century origins and travel heritage. Can you believe that he started Louis Vuitton’s Prêt-à-porter collection fifteen years ago… time flies!

Marc after the show in the train

The “Vuitton Express” from inside

Me in front of the train

Bryan Boy with me, isn’t his Jil Sander hat too cute?!

Anna dello Russo

Famous guest: Sarah Jessica Parker

Another reason for my enthusiasm for this amazing, outstanding Louis Vuitton F/W 2012 show might be that it reminded me so much of a collection inspired by the Titanic era that I created during my fashion design studies.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht