Sandra‘s Closet

Recently I was invited by Net-à-porter to London for an intimate evening with A-list style icons Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen to preview their beautiful S/S 2014 collection. Named after London’s historic Savile Row, THE ROW delivers a directional take on tailoring with a focus on clean lines and refined cuts.

For the new season, the twins were inspired by travels around the world and imagined a modern, well-dressed nomad woman. There were references of Arabia in the long layers and the models’ veils, Northern Africa in the printed djellaba, a fishing village in the macramé sweater and matching cross-body hobo bag, and some Siberian influences in the dense outerwear.

It’s the first time Ashley and Mary-Kate are offering shoes, and they’ll be sold in limited editions. The Row’s fans would be wise to put their names on the list now.

Mary-Kate to the left and Ashley to the right with me

YOU CAN SHOP THE ROW ONLINE HERE. The best address to get an elegant downtown mix of superbly crafted wardrobe staples.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via style.com and © Sandra Bauknecht

Estée Lauder unveiled Modern Muse, the new fragrance inspired by the intriguing duality of today’s woman, with a spectacular muse-themed party held at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum during New York Fashion Week.

The glamorous event was attended by fashion, art, design, media, and film industry luminaries and their muses and I felt very honored to have been invited.

The highlight of the evening was a performance by The Dolls: Mia Moretti and Margot, who curated an unforgettable musical experience, in celebration of all modern muses, with live vocals by Margot and the debut of their new single “Southern Swing (Ft. The Original Pinettes).”

Enjoy my photos from this amazing night and see all the celebs which were there!

The face of the campaign:

Gorgeous Arizona Muse (Click here to read the interview I did with her).

Designer Olivier Theyskens and his muse Anouck Lepère.

Estée Lauder’s spokeswomen: Hilary Rhoda and Joan Smalls.

Carolyn Murphy

Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director for Estée Lauder, with Carine Roitfeld and the Olsen Twins.

Actress Drew Barrymore

Linda Evangelista

Joan Smalls with me

Talking to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen whom I just saw again in London for an event with net-à-porter. The post will be coming up shortly. So please stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The Met Gala is the party of the year, like the Oscars in fashion. It is also the opening night of the annual fashion exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. After last year’s posthumous Alexander McQueen retrospective “Savage Beauty”, the “Schiaparelli & Prada – Impossible Conversations“ is now on show.

With the met gala being one of the biggest red carpet events, it is quite a task narrowing down the many fabulous gowns to choose my absolute favourites. The ones in the collage above are on my best-dressed list, with the following three being at the top:

Dreamlike: Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada…

…with beautiful jewels by Anna Hu

A piece of art: Elizabeth Banks in Mary Katrantzou F/W 2012

Soulmate: Lizzy Tisch in Mary Katranzou‘s stunning Harp Hazzard dress from S/S 2012

But it wouldn’t be fun if I didn’t point out the more questionable fashion moments or let’s say to show you the most daring appearances. Enjoy!

Bird of Paradise: Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen

Too much bronzer: Leighton Meester in Marchesa

Scene-stealer: Marc Jacobs in Comme des Garçons with Lorenzo Martone

Booty Call: Beyoncé in Givenchy Haute Couture

Unlikely couple: Karolina Kourkova with tiny Rachel Zoe, the designer of her space-like gown

The new Anna? Giovanna Battaglia in Dolce & Gabbana with Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld

The Jolie-leg effect: Anja Rubik in a scary hip-slit gown by Anthony Vaccarello

Daughter of Daphne Guiness? Mary-Kate Olsen in The Row

Which one is your favourite or which one don’t you like at all? You can comment on Sandra’s Closet’s facebook page here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Getty Images and © Rex Features

While Dior still hasn’t officially announced Galliano’s successor (and they won’t probably until September), the suspicion hardens that Ricardo Tisci, Givenchy’s Creative Director, will be the one. Since John Galliano’s unpleasant exit, Dior’s dresses have been stigmatised on the red carpet. In return, we have been spotting much more Givenchy lately. Might be a sign…

Liv Tyler, Mary-Kate Olsen and Alicia Keys wore Givenchy Haute Couture to the Met Gala in New York this month.

Naomi Campbell was a fringed beauty in an embroidered evening gown at the amfAR 2011 Fight Against Aids party in Cannes last Thursday. Photo: © PacificCoastNews

For the same gala, Courtney Love chose an absolutely spectacular Givenchy Couture gown with a plunging neckline and a sheer tulle-and-feather skirt.
Photo: © Francois Durand/Getty Images Europe

Beyoncé wore Givenchy for her video for her single Run The World (Girls)

As for me, Ricardo Tisci would be a great choice. I have been a big fan of his creations for a long time. He will surely infuse more gothic appeal to Dior but that doesn’t need to be bad, doesn’t it? And when Tisci leaves Givenchy, Haider Ackermann could succeed. I think I like that idea very much!

LoL, Sandra

Thank you to all of you who were sending me such sweet e-mails regarding my outfit that I wore to the Chanel show in Paris last month (see photo in the middle below). Some of you were curious about the colourful fur stole, so let me tell you more about it.

The fashion world has declared Prada’s hot accessory from the S/S 2011 runway show as the must-have item. Just look at who’s already been spotted with it.

First on the scene with the stole was no other than ueber-stylish editorilista herself, Anna Dello Russo.

Marc Jacobs wore it casually draped around his neck to party with Kanye West while Mary-Kate Olsen was trying to hide from the paparazzi with it. It has appeared in many editorials and Rihanna sported the stole in her latest music video for her single “S&M”.

It comes in an array of vibrant colours and is perfect to work this season’s colour block trend.

As it is mostly sold out worldwide, I have some exciting news for you. There are three pieces left in Switzerland. For further enquiries and the colour combinations available, please contact this number: +41 43 2110943.

Below you can enjoy some close-up shots of my “baby”. Aren’t those colours divine?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The PS1 bag was launched in 2008 as the first bag of the New York based designer duo Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough for their label Proenza Schouler (their mothers’ respective maiden names). Since then, it has been seen on the arms of the most fashionable people in the world. It comes in three different sizes, large, medium and as a clutch.

My own PS1 obsession!

Its hype seems to have no end. Probably because it is a very practical and stylish bag in one. The medium and the large size have a handle and a detachable knotted shoulder strap, compartments at front, inside and at the back, plus a foldover flap with lock.

The favourite of editors, stylists and A-listers alike, Proenza Schouler’s satchel is a must-have style. Available among others at net-à-porter and Barneys.

For Resort 2011, the duo gave their bestseller a little make-over and called it the Weekender. It will be released in two different sizes medium and large.
Moreover the iconic PS1 will get a little sister: The Mini PS1 bag.

For this F/W 2011 Proenza Schouler introduced the PS11, the more structured take on the PS1, let’s say the sophisticated sister that will also be staying for Resort 2011.

PS11 for F/W 2011

PS11 for Resort 2011

One thing is for sure, those bags update every look with downtown cool!

LoL, Sandra

American actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen launched their hip ready-to-wear and accessories label in 2007.
The brand’s name The Row derives from London’s historic Savile Row which has inspired their line: Traditional tailoring with a strong focus on clean lines, ultra-refined silhouettes and figure-flattering fit. I am completely in love with the leather mini skirt and long cashmere cardigan.

So good news is that the famous twins started their e-commerce business today. With worldwide shipping, the cult label is available to fashionistas everywhere.

The F/W 2010 collection is an understated and classic take on everyday’s wear with an edgy twist to it. The luxurious fabrics underline the effortless chic. This is minimalism at its best.

LoL, Sandra