Sandra‘s Closet

Following the great success of the past years, LuisaViaRoma and UNICEF Italia announce the fourth exclusive edition of the charity gala event LuisaViaRoma for UNICEF.

The event will be held at the historic La Certosa di San Giacomo in Capri on Saturday July 31st, with the mission to raise funds to support UNICEF charities and projects around the world.

All funds raised during the event will support UNICEF’s Italia work in providing care and protection to vulnerable children across the globe. Despite the global challenges brought on by the pandemic, UNICEF Italia continues to fight on a daily basis for the rights of children in need — providing safe shelter, nutrition and protection from conflicts, natural disasters and inequality.

Rita Ora at the LuisaViaRoma 2020 edition.

The unforgettable evening will feature live acts by global pop superstar Katy Perry and Grammy-winning singer John Legend.
In addition to the musical performances, the gala will include a cocktail reception and a star-studded exclusive dinner, followed by a live auction of luxury items and experiences conducted by Harry Dalmeny of Sotheby’s.

Always breathtaking: Mathilde Gøhler with her husband Remee Jackman last year.

The auction will include incredible items such as Steve McQueen’s own 1961 Cooper Formula Junior race car; a rare «Astronomia» watch by Jacob & Co.; fine artworks by the likes of Andy Warhol, Alex Israel, and Richard Orlinski; and one-of-a-kind experiences such as a voyage on the «Extreme E» ship. In past editions, LuisaViaRoma helped raise an astonishing total of 8 million Euros to support UNICEF Italia. This year, a part of LuisaViaRoma’s contribution will facilitate the restoration of La Certosa in Capri, with the aim to maintain and protect the local institution.

Special scarf edition for the 2020 event by LuisaViaRoma x 100% Capri

LUISAVIAROMA’s CEO, Andrea Panconesi, UNICEF’s Italia Executive Director Paolo Rozera, and UNICEF Fundraising Chairman Tommaso Chiabra will be hosting the charitable event alongside Event Chairs: Vanessa Hudgens, Heidi Klum, Natasha Poly, Jon Kortajarena, Cindy Bruna, Jasmine Sanders, Mariacarla Boscono, Maria Bakalova, Frida Aasen and Karolina Kurkova.

Coming back to Capri for the event: beautiful Natasha Poly

«Throughout the years, our partnership with UNICEF has centered around the mutual objective of providing help to children in need. The global challenges of the past year have strengthened our commitment. We, as a company, need to raise awareness of these social issues and contribute to making as much positive impact as possible. I am honored to find myself surrounded by a collective effort to support this vital cause.» Andrea Panconesi – CEO of LuisaViaRoma.

With Andrea Panconesi in 2013 at a LuisaViaRoma event in Tuscany.

«We are deeply grateful that this year LUISAVIAROMA has chosen to be at our side again for this important event. One year ago, at the 2020 Gala, we were in the midst of a new global pandemic and our goal was to protect all children as much as possible from the effects of COVID-19. Behind us, we have a year of hard work to deliver on that promise, a year that has seen UNICEF more committed than ever to facing the emergency through the COVAX project, which aims to distribute 2 billion of doses of vaccine in low- and middle-income countries. Thus, I want to thank Andrea Panconesi and all people involved in this event for their invaluable contribution and support in reimagining a better future for children.» – Paolo Rozera – UNICEF Italia Executive Director.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © LuisaViaRoma / UNICEF

When it comes to lingerie, I absolutely adore La Perla. Therefore I couldn’t have been more excited when I received the invitation to join the Italian lingerie brand’s first haute couture runway show for the S/S 2015 season, presented in the intimate salon setting of Paris’s Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild.

Bridging the gap between haute lingerie and ready-to-wear, Creative Director Emiliano Rinaldi created a collection that couldn’t have been more beautiful. Highlights were the precious allure of an “impossible lace”, exclusively revived from a pattern of the early 1900s by a master lacemaker from Calais or the evolution of iconic La Perla designs, incorporating feathers, crystals, metallic elements and pure gold thread that offer a fresh expression of its fundamental characteristics: silk and floral motifs embroidered using the “frastaglio” technique.

Famous models such as Izabel Goulart, Natasha Poly, Lindsey Wixson looked gorgeous on the runway but the model who closed the La Perla’s debut couture show was definitely the sexiest. At the age of 44, Naomi Campbell proved that she is even more seductive than her  fellow model colleagues that are half her age.

TO SHOP LA PERLA, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Perla

Greetings from New York City where I am at the moment for the launch event of Alexander Wang x H&M. The highly anticipated collection which had been announced back in April, will finally hit H&M stores around the world on November 6, 2014.

While I am writing this post, I am enjoying the view from my room at the Soho Grand hotel.

The invitation says it all. Tonight, the cocktail reception will start at 7.30pm, followed by the show, a pop-up store where we can buy the collection first hand and a live performance which I am absolutely convinced will be amazing.

Do you remember Nicki Minaj and Prince playing at the Versace x H&M launch in 2011 or the amazing party to celebrate Maison Martin Margiela x H&M two years ago in NYC? We always talk superlatives. Be sure to follow me tomorrow on instagram @sandrascloset for live updates.

By now you might have seen some sneak previews of the very sporty collection. The press release reveals that Alexander Wang X H&M captures the speed of the city, mixing sports and performance of everyday life. The pieces are meant to be worn on the street, in the gym, at the club – the way women and men live their lives today.

Rihanna led the way and was already spotted in a look from the collection: a stretchy crop top and leggings emblazoned with Wang’s blocky logo.

In addition to apparel for both women and men, the collection includes shoes and bags, as well as “objects,” a selection of everyday items that are infused with a sense of humor and irony, as for example mini sized boxing gloves as key-rings or a whistle on a two-finger ring and for the victor, a magnetized Alexander Wang trophy cup.

Below you can enjoy a sneak preview of the advertising campaign shot by Mikael Jansson for Wang’s one-off collaboration with H&M that features sports gear like a hockey stick and boxing gloves plus real athletes, soccer player Andy Carroll and kickboxer Rivaldino dos Santos.

The female models are Joan Smalls, Raquel Zimmermann and Isabeli Fontana.

“We wanted to take certain elements of each sport and portray the ultimate warrior,” Wang told WWD. “The girls had to feel big and heroic, and Mikael used sunlight glares to heighten that effect against a stark white backdrop.”

I am truly excited for tonight’s event! Stay tuned for more!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of H&M

Last weekend, famous supermodel Natasha Poly, who is ranked N°2 on Models.com, got a head start on all the bridal madness when she tied the knot with Dutch businessman Peter Bakker. The beautiful Russian got married in an intimate three day ceremony at Hotel Byblos in St.Tropez.

Riccardo Tisci, Creative Director of Givenchy, had the honour of dressing the bride for her big day and Leona Lewis gave a private concert for the 200 guests. I especially loved the lace sleeves and Natasha’s romantic hair style with white flowers accentuating her blonde waves.

Lara Stone, who is by the way the N°1 ranked model on Models.com had also worn a custom Givenchy bride dress last year at her wedding. And we will never forget how gorgeous Audrey Hepburn looked in Hubert de Givenchy’s bridal creation for the movie Funny Face in 1957…

LoL, Sandra

My gorgeous press kit

Today, I was lucky to attend the Lanvin for H&M press preview. The line created by Alber Elbaz is breathtaking. Beautiful materials, well-tailored cuts, it seemed to me almost like a best of Lanvin collection, a playful take on his favourite pieces.

Please find herewith some impressions from the lookbook and more pictures of the ad campaign plus my personal photos that I took today in the showroom. They show the beauty of the clothes and accessories perfectly. I have also included the complete price list with all upcoming items, in Swiss Francs.

“What does luxury mean today? Can luxury be exclusive and democratic at the same time? How can we translate the essence 
of luxury to a wider audience? The world around us is changing rapidly and I find myself asking these questions more and more. 
Designer’s work is usually tailored to a very small group of people, but the collection for H&M was about trying to translate the dream 
of luxury to the masses. It was almost like going back to school for me.” Alber Elbaz, artistic director of Lanvin. Well done, Mr Elbaz!

Ladies, I will see you on November 23, 2010 because I want Lanvin…not flowers!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M
Lookbook, Photographer: Stéphane Gallois, Models: Irina Lazareanu and Vincent Olivieri
Campaign, Photographer: David Sims, Models: Natasha Poly, Hannelore Knuts, Tati Cotliar, Simon Nessman, Jane Schmitt and Garance Dumont

In the showroom.

I am totally in love with this dress and necklace.

The clothes come with the beautiful hangers.

Feminine dresses.

The fake fur looks a little like Chanel's fantasy fur, amazing!

Vibrant flower prints worn with pearls.

The illustrations by Alber Elbaz are fantastic.

I adore the T-shirts.

Leopard print and lipsticks.

Cute little clutches.

Love those men shoes!

When I wrote in the beginning of September about the upcoming Lanvin for H&M collaboration, I promised to keep you posted once the first look has been revealed.
Et voilà, here it is!

The ad campaign, which stars from left to right, Hannelore Knuts, Jane Schmitt, Tati Cotliar and Natasha Poly, was shot by David Sims and styled by Camille Bidault Waddington .

The clothes will hit the stores on November 23rd. I am completely in love with the sleek, classy black looks and the beautiful details.
If the quality delivers what the photo promises, then this collection will be a huge success!

LoL, Sandra