Sandra‘s Closet

Last night, Zurich’s first Fashion Night Out took place, so-called “Die lange Nacht der Mode”. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound so fashionable in German. But I had a lot of fun at three different events that I am showing you below:

First Stop: Jelmoli
Press conference with Ilaria Venturini Fendi

Founded in 2006 by Ilaria Venturini Fendi, who is part of the Fendi family empire, Carmina Campus is the brand that focuses on handbags, jewels and furniture out of reused materials. Each handcrafted item is a unique one of a kind piece. All of Illaria’s sustainable creations are made with care and consideration for the environment. The designer used her natural aversion to waste and her innate understanding of fashion to start an eco conscious label with a distinctive style. Therefore she is only working with already-existing materials either living their second life or unused but out of production.

Ilaria Venturini Fendi with me

With projects in Kenia addressing poverty, she helps women to start their own business, proclaiming: “It’s not charity, it’s work.” I was truly impressed by her spirit and creativity, she designs bags made out of trash bags, shower curtains, old school uniforms and so on. She even collaborated with Mini for a collection made out of color samples, material offcuts, and other castoffs from the production of the British-built convertible. Under Fendi’s direction, 50 one-of-a-kind bags were manufactured.

Carmina Campus is available at Jelmoli in Zurich. You can also shop the collection online here.

Second stop: H&M Showroom
Presentation of the new fall 2013 collection

The lovely H&M teamed welcomed me to their new showroom. On display was the beautiful runway collection that had been presented during Paris Fashion Week. Dubbed “Modern Drama,” the color palette was mainly about black and white with a few vibrant key pieces, like this bright red dress, very much reminiscent of the ’70s, edgy and feminine in one.

René Zibold, PR and Communication Manager H&M Switzerland, with me outside on the balcony…

…overlooking the fashion parade.

Third stop: Vestibule
Late night shopping

At Vestibule, fashionistas mingled to shop the new season must-haves to the sound of DJ Annina Frey. I fell in love with this amazing faded botanical printed canvas Polly small flap clutch by 3.1 Phillip Lim and the Donna hobo bag in vine green by Alexander Wang.

What a great night!

LoL, Sandra

Laurence Antiglio, owner of Vestibule, with me
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

It might not be for everyone, but if you like Versace, you are going to fall in love with this S/S 2012 collection. It was truly sexy. Short mini dresses and hot pants were all over the runway. If you were looking for pants, no chance! Pastel colours gave a very feminine approach and even made the studded materials look soft. Of course, there was leather and lots of beautiful embellished  evening gowns. The final look resumed the beginning having a sparkling coral on the belly. And with the help of the Neptune-like prints showing sea shells and corals, Donatella has whetted our appetite for the next summer already.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht