Sandra‘s Closet

«Style is about self-expression and, above all, attitude.»

She is my muse, my idol – Iris Apfel is a true inspirational fashion icon and she just turned 100. Reason enough for H&M to collaborate with the birthday girl, who belongs to the world’s 50 best-dressed women. What better way to make a memorable celebration than creating a collection filled with eclectic garments and loud accessories?!

The upcoming collection, which will hit the shelves in the beginning of 2022, got a head start this week as the Swedish fashion giant celebrated and hosted her 100th birthday during New York Fashion Week 2021, cementing her status as a long-time fashion muse.

Imagine that you enter a room filled with eternal flair and a century’s worth of moments: you hear laughter, and chandeliers glitter; you see magnificent shapes and colors as if lifted from an artist’s palette — the smell of summer flowers and citrus fruits gives you goose bumps. That’s how I believe it feels entering Iris Apfel’s wardrobe.

A little preview of the upcoming Iris Apfel x H&M collection.

Iris was born in 1921 in the concrete jungle of New York. She studied art and fashion at prominent universities in the US, and her career is as inspirational as her style. She is a self-made businesswoman, style icon, fashion designer, and interior decorator. She has always succeeded on her different career paths with her oh-so-famous «why be boring?» attitude. If you happen to visit the Big Apple, you will quickly recognize «the Big Apfel.» Her esthetic of bright clothing, layers and layers of fun accessories, and thick, round, oversized glasses are just Iris dressing for herself and herself only. This has inspired people worldwide to create and celebrate their own style that they feel good in.

«Style is not about spending a lot of money. It’s not about what or who you wear, but how you feel when wearing something. Style is about self-expression and, above all, attitude,» says Iris Apfel.

Iris represents the notion that style and inspiration can come from anywhere and anyone, regardless of the price. «I think that H&M is a fabulous outfit worldwide and absolute pioneers in their field — which I love! I love doing high style at affordable prices, which H&M has mastered!» says Iris.

«With this collaboration, we are celebrating a unique and extraordinary woman and her creative and audacious style,» says Ann-Sofie Johansson, creative advisor at H&M. «She shows that style is ageless and keeps encouraging people to show who they are with fashion — and to have fun at the same time.»

The Iris Apfel x H&M collection will include an assortment of clothing and accessories created with Iris’ bold sense of style, designed for all ages and sizes.

«The collection is playful, opulent and rich with vibrant colors, vivid prints and opulent fabric choices. The look is indulgent with a more-is-more attitude and crowned by over-the-top jewelry, which is very much a signum for Iris,» says an excited Ann-Sofie Johansson.

The collection launches at the beginning of 2022.
I hope that you will enjoy all of my favorite Iris Apfel quotes…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © H&M / Iris Apfel

Another New York Fashion Week look that works great for day and night.

My look: Rys multi-texture jacket by Hervé Léger, Night knitted dress by Temperley London, large classic flap bag in caviar leather by Chanel, black suede knee boots by Prada, and embellished square butterfly sunglasses by Celine.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Hello from New York Fashion Week that has officially kicked off last night with the highly acclaimed amfAR Gala. The black tie event honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS. It starts with a cocktail reception, followed by a seated dinner (don’t come for the food, it was horrendous), a live auction of luxury items, musical performances, and a special tribute to amFAR’s honorees.

Wearing Balmain at the amFAR 2019 Gala in NYC.

My favorite encounter of the night: Milla Jovovich, such a sweetheart!

This year, the foundation for AIDS and HIV research was honoring actress Milla Jovovich, auctioneer Simon de Pury and photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.

Heidi Klum with me

Since 1998, the amfAR Gala New York has become one of the city’s most successful and high-profile AIDS benefit events and consistently attracts some of the biggest names in entertainment, fashion, art, and AIDS advocacy. With that said, last night was no different: Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, as well as supermodels Heidi Klum, Lily Aldridge, Alessandra Ambrosio and Karolina Kurkova, were present among others.

Heidi came with two girls from her casting show «Germany’s Next Topmodel»: Cäcilia (18) and Vanessa (21). The first episode aired today but did we already see the winner here?

The Chainsmokers live on stage.

The amfAR Gala culminated with a performance by The Chainsmokers. Talk about a star-studded event! Below you can enjoy more impressions of the night…

LoL, Sandra

The gorgeous event location at Cipriani Wall Street.

With my beloved Tiffany Dowd of Luxe Tiffany.

My favorite auction piece: a photograph of Kate Moss shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott went for $100.000 thanks to Karen Elson’s and Simon de Pury’s great performance.

With Kevin Frost, CEO amFAR

Photos: © amFAR (in collages) – all others: © Sandra Bauknecht

Breaking news that disturbed my detox time: Heidi Klum collaborates with Lidl. No, I am not dehydrated or out of my mind. It is true. The famous blonde is launching a clothing collection with the German grocery store, called «Esmara by Heidi Klum: Heidi and the City».

The line was created with low price points and high fashion in mind, in order to bring Klum’s aesthetic to Lidl’s 114 Swiss stores on September 18. Altogether, it will be available in a total of 28 countries in over 10,000 stores.

“I wanted to create fashion with a wow effect that is easy to combine and makes every woman look fantastic – and all at an unbeatable price.” – Heidi Klum

The 18-piece collection features a leopard-print camisole, bomber jackets, skinny jeans and vibrant hues, as well as a real leather jacket in cognac already looking to be the collection’s hero piece. And of course Heidi models her styles herself in the #LETSWOW campaign. And if this was not enough… Klum brings the collection to New York Fashion Week where it will be revealed in it’s entirety on September 7th before going on sale on September 18th.

Even if you are not a big Heidi fan, you will have to admit, this lady is a business woman in every bone. Thumbs up!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lidl

Today, I want to share with you something very special. For the first time, you can enjoy a catwalk show at 10.000 meters being on route to New York Fashion Week with Lufthansa on February 8, 2017 on board a Boeing 747-8.

Up in the air, New York based fashion designer Rubin Singer, who began his career at Oscar de la Renta, is offering a preview of his women’s collection before the actual fashion show in the Big Apple. And the best is… on a catwalk high above the Atlantic Ocean.

Moreover, air hostesses’ uniforms are also influenced by fashion trends. Therefore, in another fashion show the Lufthansa crew will model the looks of the past 60 years. And in tune with this retrospective, the jumbo jet has had a 70s-style facelift. Every passenger on flight LH 400 from Frankfurt/Main to New York on 8 February 2017 is invited to take part in this unique event – irrespective of booking class.

I am loving it! What a great idea!
TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHT, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lufthansa and Rubin Singer

While the looks and not to forget the accessories are always amazing at 3.1 Phillip Lim, the same can be said about the beauty. NARS and Phillip Lim have a long standing relationship as the beauty brand has been responsible for the makeup at the designer’s New York Fashion Week shows for the past 14 seasons, and now they’re finally teaming up for a limited edition nail polish line.

The collection that will hit the counters on August 1, 2014 includes nine limited edition nail shades inspired by the “colors that exists in the shadows“.

Shades include: Anarchy (Angora), Wrong Turn (Graphite), Shutter (Black Sea Green), Other Side (Bitter Chocolate), Gold Viper (Champagne), Crossroads (African Violet), Hell-Bent (Lacquer Red), Dark Room (Blue Denim) and Insidious (Black Bronze).

TO SHOP THE 3.1 PHILLIP LIM F/W 2014 COLLECTION, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of NARS and 3.1 Phillip Lim

Estée Lauder has launched a new fragrance, so-called MODERN MUSE. It is the first major perfume launch in a while and the brand’s attempt to get back to the top of the perfume houses.

MODERN MUSE stands for the contemporary woman, who is independent, self-confident and sure of her style. Model Arizona Muse is the face of the new fragrance and her name fits obviously perfectly. During New York Fashion Week, the launch of this new fragrance was celebrated with an amazing party at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in NYC (post coming up shortly), where both, the print and TV campaign for Estée Lauder’s new fragrance, were shot.

Before the event took place, I had the honour to meet and interview Arizona herself. There is something undeniably charming about her… enjoy her answers!

Your name is already telling it. You are a muse to many women around the globe, a modern women – a single mother and a famous model. How do you manage both parts of your life successfully?
I would like to ask this question to all the other mums. I am lucky to have the most amazing help, great nannies and my mum, even that she is not living like me in London, she is extremely close to me. I used to take my son on my business trips when he was smaller. He is now 4 years old, in school, so he stays in London.

Your secret to success?
(Laughs). I don’t see myself that successful. Everyone is so much more successful than me. I look up and admire so many people. There is a lot more to climb. I still feel so young, I am 24 now, but feel younger now than I did when I was 16.

Have you ever felt pressure to inspire people? To be a role model?
I start beginning to feel that. I look to everyone else around me. So it is interesting to feel that other people look at me. I hope that I am setting a good example.

Do you think that your beauty helps you in daily life?
I am a model. So yes, it kind of helps. But I don’t notice things like that. Maybe I should use it more often. (She smiles and asks me the same question. How can I not love her?!)

How did you get your amazing body back after your pregnancy?
I would tell other mothers not to rush it, take one year, be relaxed about it. Breastfeeding helps to burn a lot of calories.

What exercise do you do to stay in shape?
I love yoga. It is more than just physical fitness. It is about balance in your emotional life as well.

Which ones are your favourite fashion designers?
Right now, Louis Vuitton! And also Tregar Delaney. They are an English duo who are friends of mine and they design beautiful clothes with high quality fabrics. They have such great integrity.

Arizona Muse in three words.
Curious – shy – warm-hearted.

Are you nervous before the big event tonight?
Yes, I am nervous. I am even nervous now…

One last question. What do you think of MODERN MUSE?
I love the fragrance because it has a duality to it. It is feminine yet strong. The woods give it a richness, but it also has a lightness with the florals. It is now my signature scent – of course!

Thank you, Arizona!

MODERN MUSE
FLORAL WOODY MUSK

Top notes: Mandarin orange
Middle notes: Tuberose, fresh lily, honeysuckle, dewy petals, Sambac jasmine and Chinese Sambac jasmine absolute
Base notes: Patchouli, Madagascar vanilla, amber wood and soft musk

Available as 30, 50 and 100ml Eau de Parfum.

The fragrance has an innovative ‘dual-impression’ structure of a jasmine and a wood accord. The flowers are most noticeable but not as prominent as you might imagine. The scent is very soft and develops in a very nice and musky way. Personally speaking, MODERN MUSE is an easy-to-wear scent, extremely pleasant and sophisticated. In stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder and © Sandra Bauknecht

Something for my Swiss and German based readers: 
The November issue of SI Style magazine featuring my monthly column is available now. This time, I am telling you more about my trip to New York Fashion Week. If you like my outfit, have a look at this previous post.
Happy Sunday evening!

LoL, Sandra

This outfit that I wore to the Tommy Hilfiger S/S 2014 show in NYC created a huge buzz among the street style photographers as you can see at the end of this post.

My look: Teleport raffia double layer dress by Mary Katrantzou, green suede sandals and Rasoir sunglasses by Miu Miu, Bamboo leather shopper tote by Gucci, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès, Atlas silver bangles by Tiffany & Co., Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring, both by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht (Thank you, Silvia, for taking them!)

Flying, time difference, being sleep-deprived, and not eating the healthiest food is stress for your body which shows in your face. But it is common practice during NYFW. Due to the weight limit for the luggage on the plane, I like to take as less as possible with me. Here are some beauty products that work their magic instantly to make sure you look like coming from a spa treatment, nothing more needed.

RODIAL Glam Balm™ Hand

This innovative cream gently repairs, protects and moisturises skin. It is wonderfully scented, reminiscent of almonds and coconuts, like a mini holiday at the beach. Perfect to comfort you if you cannot fall asleep because of your jet-lag. Exclusively available in Switzerland at Marionnaud. CHF 63.00

CLINIQUE Moisture Surge Overnight Mask

Drinking lots of water is indispensable for a radiant complexion. But you can also replenish lost moisture (perfect after a long flight) by using this creamy, oil-free, penetrating night mask which helps skin drink deep to build reserves for the next day. All night long, it soothes and nourishes  so that you wake up with soft, dewy, glowing skin. CHF 52.00 (100ml)

SISLEY Eau Efficace Démaquillant Doux

This product is perfect for travelling as it combines three cleansing steps in one. You can remove your face and eye make-up, cleanse and tone the skin in one single sweep. CHF 105.00 (300ml)

SHISEIDO Bio-Performance Advanced Super Restoring Cream

A powerful time-fighting cream for day and night that is formulated with Rose Apple Leaf Extract to protect skin from harmful environmental aggressors and maintain youthful looking skin. Super Bio-Hyaluronic Acid N supplies a high level of moisture which helps maintain a positive cycle in the skin. Perfect for travelling! CHF 152.00 (50ml)

This post is available in German and French on the Marionnaud blog.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of the Brands