Sandra‘s Closet

Greetings from Madrid where I spent the most amazing weekend one week ago! On Saturday the sun was shining and we went on an interesting sightseeing tour through the city visiting the Royal Palace, the Museo del Prado and all the must-see places of the Spanish capital.

My look: Shearling and leather coat by Balmain, kickback trousers by Alexander McQueen, cream white wool sweater by Givenchy, Susanna leather ankle boots by Chloé, fringed checked cashmere scarf by Burberry Prorsum, Linda sunglasses by Tom Ford, necklaces and quilted lambskin mini 2.55 vintage classic flap bag, both by Chanel.

You have heard it a gazillion times from me, but I would like to emphasize it again. If you have enough space to store your pieces, keep them, there will always be a time again. Speaking about my mini 2.55 vintage flap bag by Chanel for example, this size was discontinued. I got mine from my parents when I turned 18 (Thank you for always spoiling me!). The bag is still sold on the internet in pre-owned conditions and in very high demand. Some consignment stores will even put you on a long waiting list.

The name of the 2.55 classic flap bag refers to February 1955; the month and year in which the style was introduced. This mini one is made from lambskin and has a single flap with a double C turnstile lock. A single chain strap can be worn either on your shoulder or in cross body. Talking about vintage… it looks like it just has hit the shelves.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

MIU MIU’s woven basket bag is the perfect summer companion. Classic with a little retro touch, it’s embroidered with the label’s logo, topped with vibrant red, blue and black-striped grosgrain handles, and fitted with a zipped pocket at the canvas-lined interior.

My own limited edition woven basket from Cannes (there was only one, sorry :-)!).

If you want to prove your true jet-setting spirit, look for one of the limited edition versions that MIU MIU has launched in small quantities for some of their shops around the globe. A red tag is attached to the bag that indicates the location where you bought it.

Limited edition woven basket that is still available in MIU MIU’s newly opened St. Tropez boutique.

Those limited editions are available at the following MIU MIU stores around the globe: Madrid, Barcelona, Capri, Porto Cervo, Forte dei Marmi, Cannes, St. Tropez, Miami and Hawaii.

My personal summer essentials: Woven basket bag, frayed St. Tropez embroidered straw sunhat, and suede platform sandals, all by MIU MIU.

The perfect pieces to breeze effortless style from town to beach and back again.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: first one courtesy of Matchesfashion, all others © Sandra Bauknecht

Jaume Plensa was born in Spain in 1955, and shares his residence between Paris and Barcelona. Between his first exhibition in his hometown in 1980 and today, he has been living and working in Germany, Belgium, England, France and the US. Also, teaching at the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where we celebrated recently his artwork for Ruinart. Today, he shares with us his favorite spots in Spain, his home country.

Your favourite city?
BARCELONA. It is my city where I found home, a place where I could develop my work. It has the perfect size, it is not too big and not to small. It is right in front of the sea which is important for me.

Your favourite hotel?
VILLA REAL in MADRID. I feel at home. I could never separate a place from the people and I love the ones that are working there. They have taken me as a friend. I always stay there when I am in Madrid. It is a very charming place right in front of the congress.
Plaza de las Cortes, 10, 28014 Madrid, Phone: +34 914 20 37 67

Your favourite restaurant?
There is a beautiful restaurant in BARCELONA near my studio that has become like my office where I meet my friends, LA PART DELS ANGELS. The name stands for this little quantity in the wine that evaporates in the barrel, it is the angel’s share. For me, it is such a beautfiul name as I am always working with invisible emotions.
Passeig Bertrand, 27, 08980 Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Barcelona, Phone: +34 936 66 66 44

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
I love the little city of SITGES, little town nearby Barcelona, right in front of the sea. It is the perfect place to spend the afternoon, very picturesque.

Your favourite museum?
The MUSEO DEL PRADO in MADRID because they have something fantastic collection, they have art works from Velázquez, Goya and Hieronymus Bosch, which belong for me to the most important artists of all times.
Paseo del Prado, s/n, 28014 Madrid

Your favourite piece of art?
LAS MENINAS, a 1656 painting in the Museo del Prado in MADRID, by Diego Velázquez, the leading artist of the Spanish Golden Age. It is the first time in history that somebody had the capacity to paint space, just the emptiness. It is a remarkable piece of art.

Your favourite shop?
L’ILLA DIAGONAL – it is a small commercial center where you can find a little bit of everything.
Avinguda Diagonal, 557, 08029 Barcelona, Phone:+34 934 44 00 00

Your must-have accessory?
When you come to Spain, the best you can bring is an OPEN MIND and to be completely free of prejudices. We are very welcoming, we love to share. It is a great place for conversation.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
FLAMENCO, it is important for my country, a very emotional way to express especially in the South of Spain.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
DON QUIJOTE by Miguel Cervantes Saavedra. Last year was the Cervantes year as we celebrated 400 years since he died in 1616. It is a key book for Spain, a concept of our history, Cervantes is equivalent to Shakespeare.

Thank you, Jaume Plensa, for sharing your insider scoop on Spain with us!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Locations, © Sandra Bauknecht