Sandra‘s Closet

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

Yesterday, the ‘Schiaparelli & Prada: Impossible Conversations’ exhibition has been unveiled during a dedicated press conference at the Costume Institute’s The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The exhibition will be open to the public from May 10 to August 19, 2012.

The Met’s Spring 2012 Costume Institute exhibition explores the striking affinities between Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, two Italian designers from different eras. Inspired by Miguel Covarrubias’s “Impossible Interviews” for Vanity Fair in the 1930s, the exhibition features orchestrated conversations between these iconic women to suggest new readings of their most innovative work.

Iconic ensembles are presented with videos of simulated conversations between Schiaparelli and Prada directed by Baz Luhrmann, focusing on how both women explore similar themes in their work through very different approaches.

The exhibition showcases approximately ninety designs and thirty accessories by Schiaparelli (1890–1973) from the late 1920s to the early 1950s and by Prada from the late 1980s to the present. Drawn from The Costume Institute’s collection and the Prada Archive, as well as other institutions and private collections, signature objects by both designers are arranged in seven themed galleries: “Waist Up/Waist Down,” “Ugly Chic,” “Hard Chic,” “Naïf Chic,” “The Classical Body,” “The Exotic Body,” and “The Surreal Body.”

Schiaparelli, who worked in Paris from the 1920s until her house closed in 1954, was closely associated with the Surrealist movement and created such iconic pieces as the “Tear” dress, the “Shoe” hat, and the “Bug” necklace. Prada, who holds a degree in political science, took over her family’s Milan-based business in 1978, and focuses on fashion that reflects the eclectic nature of Postmodernism.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Prada

Yesterday, after having arrived in New York City, I went straight to the IFB conference and later on to the 3rd annual Fashion 2.0 Awards that took place at the SVA Theatre. It was an amazing night where I ran into many familiar faces.

The Fashion 2.0 Awards, launched in 2010 by Style Coalition, are designed to recognize and honor the most innovative fashion brands in the online community. (The Europeans can learn a lot here!)

DKNY took the top honours at the Fashion 2.0 Awards.
Please see below the list of last night’s winners:

Best Twitter: @DKNY

Best Facebook: Bergdorf Goodman

Best Blog by a Fashion Brand: DKNY PR Girl

Best Website: Marc Jacobs

Best Mobile App: Tiffany & Co. Engagement Ring Finder

Best Online Video: Prada S/S 2011 Video Campaign

Next Big Thing in Tech: Instagram

Top Innovator: Kate Spade

Online media expert and entrepreneur Yuli Ziv who founded Style Coalition in 2008 with me.

The lovely Oscar de la Renta PR-Girls, Erika (@OscarPRGIRL) and Martha, with me.

My look last night: Fuchsia wool coat by Balenciaga (50% off now), lurex-weave silk crepe vest by Balmain (70% off now), cropped crepe pants by Vanessa Bruno, Laurent studded bag by Yves Saint Laurent, resin bead necklace by Marni, silk crepe de chine blouse and studded leather ankle boots, both by Chloé.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Sian Oflaherty, © Sandra Bauknecht

As you already know, I am a huge fan of Matthew Williamson. So of course, I paid a visit to his NYC store in the Meatpacking District on 14th street during my last visit.

The shop’s bridal section is just so wonderful. If I weren’t married already, it would be my absolute dream to wed in one of those gowns. If you are based in Europe, I recommend a visit to the London store.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Just around the corner of the Dream Downtown hotel in the trendy Meatpacking District is the beautiful Bond N. 9 store on Washington Street. In case that you are not familiar with the brand, Bond N. 9 is a major, full-blown fragrance collection that was launched as an homage to New York City. The name is also the address of its headquarters boutique at 9 Bond Street in NoHo.

The Bond No. 9 collection of women’s, men’s, and unisex eaux de parfum has a dual mission: To restore artistry to perfumery, and to mark every New York neighborhood with a scent of its own. Each fragrance represents a specific downtown, midtown, or uptown locale or a city-wide sensibility. With new introductions in the coming seasons, Bond N. 9 infuses the island of Manhattan with scents.

Also available are scented body creams and candles.

One of my favourite Bond N.9 fragrances is Chinatown with notes of peach blossoms, gardenia, tuberose, patchouli, and cardamom.

A new addition to the Bond N°9 New York Midtown family is New York Amber with notes of bergamot, saffron, nutmeg, white peppercorn, magestic rose, jasmine, osmanthus, oud, amber, sandalwood, musk, myrrh and benzoin tears. 
This eau de parfum has a different, interesting twist to the classic note of amber. I absolutely love it. To be launched in Switzerland this December.

Another new eau de parfum is I LOVE NEW YORK which exists for her, for him and in an unisex version. I LOVE NEW YORK for Her is an easy-to-wear; easy to love pastry gourmand fragrance with notes of mandarin zest, spicy nutmeg, blueberry accord, roses, pink peonies, patchouli, musk, vanilla, sandalwood and leather accord. So yummy!

Outside of the store, you can see the I LOVE NEW YORK car! Pretty cool, isn’t it?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Talking in superlatives! OMG – what a night! Tuesday evening, I attended the fashion show and after party for the launch of Versace for H&M in New York City. The venue was decorated in true Versace style in a specially designed building on the Hudson River. I was entering the world of Versace from the moment I set foot on the red carpet and so were the famous guests such as Uma Thurman, Blake Lively, Chace Crawford, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Hudson and Selma Blair. Enjoy all my photos from this Versace for H&M extravaganza and see who performed live on stage! Stay also tuned for an interview with Donatella Versace to be posted soon.

Famous guitarist and music producer Mark Ronson in the hot pink Versace for H&M suit.

Sweet Jessica Alba in a studded Versace for H&M dress with me.

Uma Thurman looked so stunning when she said: “I think it is so exciting for Versace to made available to everyone. The collection is cool, colourful, young and very hip. I can’t wait to see the show.”

British model and TV presenter Jade Parfitt with me.

The other way around: Renowned photographer Bruce Webber in front of the camera.

Blogger love: Bryanboy and me

As for me, the sexiest shoe designer on earth: Brian Atwood.

American actress and niece of Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts in Versace for H&M florals.

Another well-known face: Photographer Terry Richardson

Girlfriends: Jade Parfitt having fun with German model Christina Kruse.

Let the show begin: The catwalk was paved with gold, the perfect environment in which to preview the Versace for H&M collection. The iconic looks, including some unique special pieces created for this exclusive event, were worn on the catwalk by top models such as Abbey Lee, Daphne G, Natasha Poly, Sean O’pry and Lindsay Wixson. The collection that will hit the shelves in 300 stores worldwide on November 17th, 2011.
For a closer view on the amazing pieces, I recommend this previous post.

When the show was finished, Donatella Versace appeared on the runway and two gigantic gates opened. She invited the fashionable crowd to follow her to the next hall where the after party took place.

Donatella Versace

The first act was a live performance of rap and pop superstar Nicki Minaj, dressed head to toe in Versace for H&M.

Later on, Nicki Minaj joined famous host Donatella to enjoy the show of Prince which was truly unbeatable. He is such an artist and musician. The way he sings, dances and moves captivates you from the first moment. When he started the chords of Purple Rain, the audience went crazy.

In case you think that Prince was the culmination of the night, you are mistaken. After he was finished, another gate opened, the one to shopping heaven. Behind those doors, a gigantic H&M pop-up store was located where the guests could buy the new Versace for H&M collection and all the celebrities joined in the fun. What a night!

This is probably my longest post ever, but this night is just unforgettable. Thank you H&M for letting me be part of it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Time is flying and I still have to show you so much from all my recent travels. While being in New York, I went to lunch with my sweet girlfriends from San Fransisco who were also in the city for Fashion Week.

From left to right: Taylor, me, Nadia, Katherine (from NYC) and Eugenia

Are you curious how the West Coast style looks like? Cool, stylish and spiced up with some beautiful details such as leopard print and stripes. Eugenia, Nadia and Taylor rock the trends.
You can shop their looks by clicking on the little photos.

LoL, Sandra

Eugenia’s look

Nadia’s look

Taylor’s look

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

„When I am doing a little California dreamin’, I am in a beautifully appointed Mid-century home, like the Kaufmann house in Palm Springs, by Richard Neutra. The clean minimal interior, the wide open desert landscape, the informality of living in nature yet also sheltered in rational and soul warming architecture; that is my mind wandering to a place of salubrious comfort. But it’s not all strict lines and raw space. Somewhere, there is Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack crooning by the piano and Angie Dickenson is lounging by a crystal blue pool. Mid-century louche and luxury, in my dreams.“

– Derek Lam

Last Sunday in New York was a very touching day marking the 10-year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center. While the city was filled with ceremonies commemorating this tragic event, the fashion world was looking ahead.

Derek Lam showed his S/S 2012 collection that day and went from East Coast to West Coast for inspiration. The designer, who had grown up in California, came up with a crisp, sharp tailored look. Very American, very preppy with a slight retro touch. The prints added a resort feeling. One of my favourites was the white linen trench coat with the shiny black leather trim. I am sure that this collection will be loved especially by business women all around the world. Anna Wintour seemed to like it a lot, but see for yourselves…

I was invited to go backstage before the show and enjoyed exploring the clothes in advance. Please stay tuned as I interviewed Tom Pecheux, Estée Lauder’s Creative Director for Makeup, who had created the makeup look for Derek Lam’s S/S 2012 show. I have got some beautiful behind the scenes shots of which some are already included here. Hope that will like it.

By the way, I spotted some German celebrities front row. Don’t miss the end of this post to see who was there!

LoL, Sandra

Derek Lam

Stephanie zu Guttenberg in a red Prada dress

Lilly & Boris Becker

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Remember last year’s hype about Chanel’s three limited edition nail polishes Les Khaki de Chanel that the French house released for Fashion’s Night Out.

This year for FNO 2011, it is going to be Les Jeans de Chanel, a collection of three über-cool blue shades: Blue Rebel, Coco Blue and Blue Boy.

NY’s Fashion’s Night Out is September 8th and luckily it looks like I will be there. If you are not around, check out if retailers in your city or country are participating here, and look up the list of online retailers here.

LoL, Sandra