Sandra‘s Closet

Just recovered from the Versace for H&M mania, no time to relax, there is more to come.
To get started, here is a sneak preview of the next designer collaboration with the Swedish fashion house: MARNI FOR H&M.

Famed for its original prints and inventive spirit, Marni is one of fashion’s most-loved labels, and its Founder and Creative Director Consuelo Castiglioni has created for H&M a spring collection for both women and men which capture its essence perfectly.

Available from March 8, 2012 in around 260 stores worldwide and online, the collection features both clothing and accessories all at H&M’s prices, meaning everyone will have the chance to enter Marni’s world.

Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director Marni and Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor H&M

“I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints. As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colours, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic adding sporty utilitarian elements”.

– Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director

“We all love the collection here at H&M and we believe that our customers will do the same. Marni has such a modern touch with everything they do, mixing prints and accessories in a playful but chic way. It’s fantastic to see how Consuelo Castiglioni coordinates her designs, matching new combinations of print and colour, with such incredible craftsmanship behind every piece. The collection will arrive in stores at just the perfect time, as a lovely statement for spring“.

– Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor H&M

Marni is a label that sticks to its own path, setting its own trends for print, cut and silhouette that are always playful and elegant. Marni has remained a family owned-business as it has grown to become an international luxury brand with stores around the world.

Marni’s collection for H&M has all the freedom and experimentation for which the label is renowned, with all-over prints in strong colours all intended to be worn together in layers that both match and clash.
For women, the colours are vivid and the prints are bold, be they African inspired or simpler colour blocks. The silhouettes are all Marni staples, with full pleated skirts, dresses, cropped trousers and jacquard knit, and fabrics range from silk to crisp cotton poplin. To finish the complete look the collection also includes jewellery, shoes, bags and scarves.

For men, the colours and fabrics are softened for a relaxed take on menswear staples that is truly Marni. The use of print is subtle, often as a lining or as a contrast detail for shirts, the silhouette a modern and relaxed take on masculine classics.

Photos: Courtesy of H&M, © Magnus Magnusson

Bored of queuing? Here is your fashionable surprise!

There will be also a Versace for H&M S/S 2012 collection, exclusively available in countries with H&M online sales from January 19, 2012. The colourful capsule line will feature fruit prints and lots of Versace glamour. Unfortunately, bad news for Switzerland and the United States. Where are our European friends when we need them?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Mirror UK

Here are some photos of the beautiful hiking tour I did last week. I love Bavaria and wanted to share those very picturesque photos with you. Religious symbols (see below) are everywhere in the South of Germany, even in the woods.

My hiking outfit: Leggings and top by American Apparel, cotton parka by Balmain, zebra-print calfskin hiking boots by Prada, watch by Roger Dubuis and sunglasses by Marni.

My foreign readers might understand why the dirndl (traditional costume in Bavaria) is very popular here. It just fits in so perfectly with the landscape and the cozy way of living.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Ladurée is worldwide known for their double-decker macaroons which come in various flavours and seasonal specials. Founded in Paris by Louis-Ernest Ladurée, in 1862, the famous luxury pastries shop and café is always worth a visit. Today, the brand can be found all over the world and has even opened its doors in Zurich last winter.

Even if you are not into caloric treats, you should pay the shop a visit. The interior itself is overly stunning and inspiring, definitely nothing for minimalists.
Remember my friend, I wrote about, that built her dream closet in the famous Ladurée green.

The Ladurée universe includes much more than sweets. They sell the most beautiful gifts you can imagine from scented candles to shower gel, from ruffled printed umbrellas to tea degustation sets. All gorgeously wrapped and packed in their signature boxes in pastel colours.

Many designers got together with the famous French patisserie for the best fashion/food collaborations ever. Names like Christian Lacroix, Christian Louboutin, Marni, which are making our hearts go all aflutter with their designs, have created adorable macarons gift sets.
In the end of October, John Galliano will be decorating his special edition for Ladurée: The rose-ginger macaroons.

While the sweets inside may not last long, the fashionable packaging will be worth keeping it forever.

LoL, Sandra

So long, miniskirts! Say hello to longer hemlines as they swing their way back into our closets this fall.

Interesting to know is the hemline theory which says that when hemlines go up, it is a sign that stock prices rise. When the knees are seen, it is a bull market. When the skirts get longer, it is a bear market, and prices will fall. Is the longer hemline an indicator for a global recession? Can fashion explain today’s erratic swings in the stock market? Will see…
Probably the reason is that during bad economy, ladies do not want to spend their money on cellulite cream and hair removal. The longer hemline works then to their advantage and so the theory would be correct.

During F/W 2010 fashion weeks last spring, editors were almost tripping on their skirts, taking boho to the max and they were absolutey right.

Inside on the runways, the long skirts made their comeback to daily life, from floor-sweeping to still showing a bit of leg, but most importantly keeping it well below the knee.

Above, you will see my pre-selection of gorgeous long skirts that are all available at the moment.

Love this look: Skirt and scarf by LOUIS VUITTON, worn with a coat by CELINE, a belt by HERMES and boots by FENDI. Photo by Phil Poynter for German Vogue September 2010.

If you go for the trend, I will recommend pairing it with a cropped jacket, tucked in blouse or a belted-top for a nice silhouette. Especially if you are small-framed, you have to make sure that you are not swallowed by the floor grazing skirt. If you like you can also opt for the “Olsen Twins look” with a long knitted cardigan on top, but still try to get the proportions right.

I hope that you have enjoyed seeing the economy through the eyes of a fashionista!

LoL, Sandra

Our time machine is moving further. After the glam references of the past decades, some designers also saw the impact of architectural purity during the 90s and there is something intrinsically cool about today’s new minimalism.

The creations are great investment pieces, very versatile, less extreme and more functional. You could go through decades wearing the same thing and looking great.

If you want to add some 90’s minimalist sophistication to your wardrobe, think more about tailored silhouettes in superb quality. Draping, asymmetry and unusual fabrics give maximum choice for minimal style.

The colour palette is mostly muted with a lot of white, camel, grey and black. But if you love the bright hues, it does not mean that you cannot buy into minimalism. There were lots of beautiful choices on the runways.

To conclude our trip through time, those pure outfits have more longevity than any other seasonal looks. But wether or not, trends never really go out of fashion, it just takes a while for them to resurface and each decade has the same key factor, the need to be fashionable.

With this in mind, enjoy the comeback of 90’s great fashion moments!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Battle fall`s chill in the must-have fabric of the season: shearling. The natural sheepskin has been highly popular on the F/W 2010 runways and designers have come up with some pretty amazing warm and stylish fashion items from trapper hats to cozy coats. And even Hermès’s famous Kelly bag won`t be freezing this season…. love that fur version!

The It-piece of the season is definitely the cropped shearling jacket. Burberry Prorsum did best with the combination of leather and shearling for their aviator versions. These pieces with oversized collars make fashionistas drool all over the continents for their Top Gun moment.
And ladies, you will get a workout in those. They are very cozy and warm, but also sooo heavy which is actually kind of great, lifting weights and being fashionable in one! Believe me, I tried them on!

There are many models to select from this season, but not all are spectacular. The colour, the trim and the style make a world of a difference so take a peek at my pre-selection above. Those cropped shearling jackets work great with this season`s maxi skirts.

If you are petite shaped, you could get swallowed up, so toughen up the look with some tight pants and stiletto boots.

Especially luxe is shearling when fused with shoes. Ohmygod, finally I will have warm feet during winter and high heels on! Yippie!
I am so longing for those Marni clogs….

Give shearling a warm welcome!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

During the next week, we will do some time-travelling through different decades and their impacts on the F/W 2010 collections. One of the most important ones to influence your fall wardrobe, is the era of the late fifties. It is a celebration of women with the return of the curvy silhouette. Forerunner of the mid-century modern look is Miuccia Prada that surprised once more with her first time focus on the breasts with ruffled  pointy-bra tops. But there is nothing vulgar about her designs. When nostalgia catches up, Marc Jacobs cannot be far away. In the same vein as Prada this season, his collection for Louis Vuitton accented the womanly figure via corsets, belted wasp waists, petticoated skirts, fitted tops and deep cuts.

The looks could have come straight out of the most popular American TV show of the moment, Mad Men. The Emmy and Golden Globe winning series is set in the late fifties/ beginning of the sixties in the world of New York advertising. Its visual style is highly acclaimed and has inspired many designers for fall.

The mood is very fresh feminine with an uptight but sexy secretary note. The full skirt that had reigned until the early 1960s as the emblem of the 1950s woman celebrates its comeback with a charming Frenchified accent.

The hair is scraped back into high, bouncy sort of Brigitte Bardot ponytails or preferably worn in high chignons, held by tight headbands. The make-up is very Dita Von Teese, sort of clean and all about eyeliner. If you like, you can add a red pout. This look will stay for Resort 2011 as seen beautifully at Dior.

To accessorize your Stepford Wives look, here is what you need:

First a pair of spiked little kitten heels, Those very pointed shoes are comfy and because of their short height, you can still look up to the stronger sex.

Secondly, a top handle bag that shows discreet elegance.

And last but not least, a pair of cat-eye sunglasses. You can choose from sharply exaggerated to sweetly retro, just unleash your feline side.

Can you write in shorthand “chic”? I am convinced that now you can…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Statement necklaces have been seen in abundance on the F/W 2010 runways and believe me those pieces make a great addition to your wardrobe as they can definitely turn on the wow factor. Wear a simple outfit and let your statement necklace do its job. It is supposed to make a statement! Do not be afraid to push fashion boundaries, there are so many different options to choose from. From ethnic inspired to boho chic, from chunky and bright to multi-strand pieces, all of them have serious longevity.

Stephanie Thonet

To find one that suits you should not be difficult, especially if you have a look at www.thonetjewelry.com.
Stephanie Thonet creates amazing statement necklaces that will put you immediately in the style spotlight. She achieves unusual designs and colour combinations by artfully mixing a large variety of beads and stones as nature provides; such as coral, wood, shells and freshwater pearls with semi-precious stones.
I am totally in love with her works that are still budget-friendly. Which of those stunning statement necklaces that will not diminsh your bank statement will be dangling down your sternum?

Have a look below at my favourites from her collection that also includes earrings, bracelets and elegant objects d`art. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact Stephanie Thonet.

LoL, Sandra

Necklaces between € 215.- and € 325.-

Red and white necklaces between € 75.- and € 165.-, coral necklace € 245.-

Moonstone necklace € 235.-

Faux-pearls necklace with brooch € 235.-

Mother of pearl, shells and flowers € 255.-

Necklace € 155.-

Knee high socks tend to be a necessity rather than a fashion trend. This is going to change for F/W 2010. They were spotted all over the runways, some even thigh high. Thick knitted versions are among the must-haves for the cooler months.

But please be careful, they tend to make your calves look enormous. If you style them up right, they will compliment your leg shape. Pair them with a short casual dress showing off some skin and wear them with a pair of killer pumps.

The pre-fall 2010 looks are already available, so better start investing.

For the first time in years, granny`s boring gifts for Christmas will make decent fashionistas go all starry eyed.

LoL, Sandra

When Fashion meets Art, the outcome is mostly promising. Fashion is like art a medium for interpretation and expression. As for me, my body is my very own canvas that serves as a communication tool. Every day, I can express myself new and seek out what suits my personal taste. Clothing sends a message and communicates emotions. It can be your vision of the world.

Therefore the union between art and fashion is in particular very interesting. The possibilities are versatile. Miuccia Prada`s Fondazione Prada has supported many ambitious artists in their creative process and enjoys an international reputation in the art scene.

Supermodels become life models and pose for painters. Famous example is Lucian Freud`s portrait of a pregnant Kate Moss.

Other luxury brands had famous artists contribute to their collections in particular.  The numerous successful collaborations between Louis Vuitton and artists like Takashi Murakami, Stephen Sprouse and Richard Prince serve as a good example and show the French house`s commitment to the arts.

Zaha Hadid, the Pritzker Price winning architect, who is known for her highly futuristic and curvaceous designs has joined many of those interesting projects as well.  She created the Icone Bag out of moulded plastic for Louis Vuitton and teamed up with Karl Lagerfeld for the 50th anniversary of the Chanel handbag to develop the Chanel Mobile art container, “a museum that can travel”. Her architectually inspired shoes for Melissa and jewelry for Swarovski have already become collectors`pieces.

Last week, it was a busy and important time for all art lovers as the 41th Art Basel took place. Before the opening of the famous art fair, I was very lucky to attend two amazing events in Zurich that inspired me to write this post.

Art in the Park

First, the opening of the fifth annual “Art in the Park” outdoor exhibition that will go through August 1st, this time devoted to Pop Art. If you are living in Zurich, I truly recommend a visit to the beautiful garden of the hotel Baur au Lac where Gigi Kracht, the show`s creator and curator, shows in cooperation with Zurich`s Galerie Gmurzynska many impressive works, including the famous “Lucky Numbers One through Zero” by Robert Indiana, gigantic installations of cereal boxes with interesting insinuations by young and hyped Finish artist Jani Leinonen and sculptures by Allen Jones and Rotraut, the widow of Yves Klein and sister of Günther Ücker, just to name a few of the oustanding pieces. At the dinner I was sitting next to Jani Leinonen who gave me an impressive insight into his works and we had a great conversation about fashion and art.

Jani Leinonen next to his work

Art in the Park`s curator Gigi Kracht with Rotraut to the left and Jani Leinonen to the right

Allen Jones in front of his sculpture

Jani Leinonen with me in Prada in front of Zaha Hadid`s amazing installation

On Sunday, I saw Jani again when Galerie Gmurzynska opened the exhibition Zaha Hadid and Suprematism. Drawing on Zaha Hadid`s formative inspiration from the masters of the Russian Avant-garde, the famous architect both curated and designed this historical exhibition. I loved the unbelievable installation in which the exhibition is taking place. The works of the recently named one of the 100 Most Influential of People of 2010 by TIME Magazine come in a variety of mediums. Enjoy the photos. The exhibition at the Galerie Gmurzynska will go through September 30th.

Hadid Installation and Malevich

Interior Design

Objects

Zaha Hadid at the exhibition with Chanel`s turquoise nail polish Nouvelle Vague on her toes. I wonder if she reads Sandra`s Closet?!

At previews, I always love to observe what people are wearing. To borrow the cliché, Marni, Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons and Prada are loved by the art crowd. Said to be intellectual fashion.

As I just met Allen Jones, Jani Leinonen and Zaha Hadid, I got inspired by their works to put together some great oufits. Have a look below. I hope that you will like them.

LoL, Sandra