Sandra‘s Closet

Here is your exclusive preview of Mulberry‘s F/W 2014 ad campaign that has been released this morning. The British fashion house returned to its roots in the countryside with a blast of fresh air to invigorate its new and very British winter collection through the lens of one of my favorite photographers Tim Walker. Cara Delevingne is once more the face of the campaign and presents the Mulberry Cara Delevingne Collection, which is infused with her own style.

Mulberry has designed a beautifully classic and very elegant collection for F/W 2014 with argyle and arran-inspired knitwear and iconic Houndstooth and check, all influenced by traditional British tailoring, textures and prints. Even the footwear references two key British styles – the all-purpose rain boot, beloved by country-dwellers and city-commuters alike, and the quintessential lace-up brogue.

The F/W 2014 bags were inspired by the brand’s interpretation of how to make everyday life feel more beautiful, and how to make beautiful things practical. The new Tessie embodies the mood of simple, unfussy elegance and is among my new season’s must-haves.

The team stayed in a Scottish lodge and woke up every day to early morning mists, huge breakfasts, homemade shortbread and wild Land Rover rides across rushing rivers and up off the beaten track, arriving to a place of serenity and calm at the location for the shoot, with no phone signal, miles from anywhere and with not a soul in sight apart from the local gamekeepers’ dogs and a flock of sheep. One little lamb quickly became Cara’s favourite!

So cute! Such a great campaign and lovely collection…
TO SHOP THE NEW MULBERRY COLLECTION, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mulberry

I am wishing you all a very happy and relaxing Easter weekend with this cute bunny and the must-have Lily leather shoulder bag in ballet pink by Mulberry. It’s time for candy (at least in terms of color) and this will be my Easter treat. Good news is that it comes with zero calories…

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Mulberry

There are some press releases that get me overly excited. This is one. Shu Uemura ‘Art of Hair’ launches a new product so-called TEXTURE WAVE, a dry workable spray for buildable grip, fuller touch and moveable texture.

The wave effect was key on the runway for S/S 2014, comprising lightly airspun texture right through to sensual, volumised curls. Texture Wave is the perfect product for recreating these styles with a no-shine finish.
CHF 45.00 (250ml)

The new styling innovation is insipred by one of the most famous Japanese works of art – the Great Wave of Kanagawa. It dates back to the 1830’s as the first print in Katsushika Hokusai’s series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. Caught in movement, the wave composition is dynamically extending, about to break.

In the mood for volumised, sensual curls? Why not try a look called WINDY WAVES (see cover photo)?
Step 1: Form curls using a wide-barrel curling iron, working sections in interchanging directions, inwards and outwards.
Step 2: Loosen curls with fingers and apply Texture Wave while tousling layers. Hair is left with texture and shape, but still free to move, like the waves it is inspired by.

To create on-trend, TOUSLED WAVES on shorter hair, begin by lifting sections and spraying Texture Wave through the roots, lengths and ends. Ruffle and scrunch with fingers to achieve un-done movement.

Create an effortless DISHEVELLED PONY by following these few simple steps:
1. Section the front of the hair by parting down the middle. Lift hair at the back and apply Texture Wave whilst tousling.
2. Gather the hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck, spraying Texture Wave through the lengths for a mussy finish.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Shu Uemura and Style.com

Meet my new companion: The DORSET TOTE by Mulberry. Made from vibrant green leather that softens beautifully with wear, its spacious design has ample room for my daily essentials, plus a detachable pouch to keep valuables close at hand. Finished with the signature pale-gold Postman’s lock, this style is ideal for everyday use.

The new DORSET TOTE looks even great on display. Available in different colors, I went for this green hue that is nice and fresh for the spring season. Enjoy its little diary below:

SATURDAY: The perfect bag to go shopping due to its spacious design.

SUNDAY: Enjoying a yoga class and afterwards a coffee at Le Pain Quotidien, one of my favorite places in Zurich for brunch.

MONDAY: Off to the L’Officiel Switzerland editorial office to finish the second edition. In my DORSET TOTE is everything I need for today.

I hope that you have liked this little diary and I am wishing you a great start into the new week.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht – A special thank you to Liebestier Stuttgart, City-Baumarkt Stuttgart and Iyengar Yoga Center Zurich.

Hot off the presses (or rather, email transfers), Mulberry has announced an amazing collaboration with British model-of-the-moment Cara Delevingne.

Cara worked closely with the brand’s design team to create a collection of bags. She visited the archives, chose leathers, sketched ideas, talked shop, discussed customers’ practical needs and the trend for understated elegance.

The Mulberry Cara Delevingne Bag is a three-in-one style. It can be worn on the back: for running from the gym to the office, from meeting to meeting, from train to plane. It can be worn on the shoulder: to take you from work to dinner or from town to country. It can be hand-held: for maximum elegance at all times or when you need to rise to an occasion.

Whatever it is that you do, this bag will come with you.

The new collection features three sizes in three different finishes all made in England at the brand’s Someset ateliers; classic Natural Leather, Quilted Nappa Leather and innovative Camouflage Haircalf with an extra limited edition version inspired by Cara’s lion tattoo.

Made in England is also part of Cara: she has it tattooed on the bottom of her foot. In tribute, the Mulberry Cara Delevingne Collection has it stamped on the bottom of each bag.

I love this collection and cannot wait to get my hands on it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mulberry and via Cara Delevingne Instagram

MULBERRY has released its S/S 2014 ad campaign starring once more Brit model Cara Delevingne. One word that describes it all: Adorable! Celebrating tea time, the It-girl and her little animals friends were shot by no other than Tim Walker.

Enjoy some exclusive behind the scenes photos from that fantastical afternoon party, starring ponies, cockatoos, pelicans and puppies of all sizes, the new season must-have bags such as the fiery red striped BAYSWATER or the new KENSAL in cream, along with a beautiful Cara who seemed to have a grand time on set.

TO SHOP MULBERRY ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mulberry

As seen at the label’s F/W 2013 show, Mulberry‘s has a new member joining the iconic ‘Bayswater’ family: the BAYSWATER SHOULDER.

This structured style is topped with a handle for the larger version and is conveniently divided into separate compartments, each with a secure zipped pocket. The signature postman’s lock hardware has been updated in a smaller size, holding the layered strap detailing in place. Attach the optional shoulder strap to go hands-free or wear it cross-body.

TO SHOP THE LARGE BAYSWATER SHOULDER BAG, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

My favorite is the MINI BAYSWATER SHOULDER BAG in red.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mulberry

Last Wednesday, Mulberry hosted together with American Express Centurion an intimate event at the store in Zurich. Listening to the sounds of a harp player, guests were invited to observe the exquisite detail and craftsmanship that goes into creating an iconic ALEXA bag.

On display was the British brand’s newest family member that is part of the F/W 2013 collection: the PRIMROSE, a new take on heritage Mulberry detailing.

Inspired by a vintage bag shape, this softly-rounded satchel is a contrast to the other satchels in the Mulberry collection, yet still loaded with the house’s DNA. It has a structured top handle, cross-body strap and postman’s lock closure – updated exclusively for the Primrose. As opposed to the classic postman’s lock, this one has a side-opening hinge, adding a touch of newness to an iconic piece of Mulberry hardware.

YOU CAN SHOP A LARGE SELECTION OF MULBERRY BAGS HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Mulberry – Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Monday fashion shuffle: the carrousel is turning again. This morning, New York-based designer, and Michelle Obama favourite, Jason Wu has been named artistic director of HUGO BOSS womenswear. The 30-year old Taiwan born will oversee his team at the headquarters in Metzingen, Germany, and also open a design studio in New York. He will continue to grow his own namesake label that he founded in 2007. The first HUGO BOSS collection under Jason Wu’s artistic direction will debut in New York during Pre-Fall 2014 and he will stage the first runway show during the New York F/W 2015 Fashion Week in February 2014.

In the meantime, MULBERRY has announced that its creative director of six years, Emma Hill, will step down in the coming months. Rumours are that she is now in the running to succeed Reed Krakoff at Coach, when he is stepping down to focus on his eponymous label in June 2014.
Let’s see who will be replacing Hill at Mulberry… such a pity that the talented designer will be leaving the British brand.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the brands

Last Saturday, I spent a beautiful day in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. The sun was shining and I enjoyed exploring the city very much. Below you can enjoy some of my impressions.

My look: Bouclé tweed jacket and matching Lily bouclé tweed shoulder bag, both by Mulberry, stretch-leather skinny pants by Gucci, suede boots by Balmain, Sandra two-tone stretch-cady top and printed scarf, both by Stella McCartney and Portrait sunglasses by Prada.

I stayed at the NOBIS HOTEL, a luxury design hotel, located in two historic late 19th-century buildings on Norrmalmstorg square in the city centre of Stockholm. I have liked its contemporary design very much. Here you see me sitting in the so-called lounge, a quite spectacular room with a ceiling height of 28 meters.

When staying at Nobis Hotel, you have to try their house cocktail, so delicious.

In the bathroom of my hotel room, I was overly happy to find the complete body range of one of my favourite scents: BLANCHE by Byredo.

As I was at the very center of what’s going on in Stockholm in every sense, I had everything I wanted to explore within walking distance. Above you see the Royal Opera House.

Lunch at T-Bar that belongs to the Diplomat Hotel, an iconic Art Nouveau palace by the shore of Strandvägen, another great place to stay at.

My favourite Swedish dish: Löjrom (Bleak Roe or Kalix Caviar), such a delicacy.

A little shopping tour around the famous department store NK.

I had such a wonderful time in Stockholm and will surely be back. Stay tuned for one more sightseeing post coming up soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht