Sandra‘s Closet

During Paris Fashion Week, the fashion industry has been mourning the loss of French-Japanese designer Kenzo Takada, who died yesterday at the age of 81 from complications from COVID-19 in a hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris.

«It is with immense sadness that KENZO has learned of the passing of our founder,» the fashion house said in a statement. «For half a century, Mr Takada has been an emblematic personality in the fashion industry — always infusing creativity and color into the world.»

KENZO S/S 2021 with designer Felipe Oliveira Beptista in the middle

It was only days ago that the Kenzo fashion house unveiled its bee-themed collection for S/S 2021. «His amazing energy, kindness and talent and smile were contagious,» said KENZO’s artistic director, Felipe Oliveira Beptista, who released the new range to us fashion editors. «His kindred spirit will live forever.»

The Kenzo F/W 1982 collection was a huge inspiration for the Kenzo x H&M collaboration.

Kenzo Takada brought Japanese fashion to the world, he planned to stay in Paris for six months but stayed 56 years. Born in 1939, he grew up with six siblings near the Japanese city of Himeji where his parents owned a hotel. His love for fashion developed at an early age, particularly through reading his sisters’ magazines. He studied at Tokyo’s Bunka College of Fashion, which had then just opened its doors to male students. After that he had a brief stint working in Japan before relocating to France in 1965.

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, tweeted that the city was «morning one of its sons,» saying the designer had given space to color and light in fashion.

KENZO collections from the ’80s and early ’90s

When I think of KENZO, I think of happy fashion with his colorful graphic and floral prints, jungle-infused designs and free-spirited aesthetic that channeled global travel. He was hugely popular, both for his high fashion and luxury day-to-day streetwear.

KENZO street style hype in 2012

The designer sold his brand to LVMH back in 1993 and stepped away from the brand 6 years later to pursue a career in art. «Kenzo Takada has, from the 1970s, infused into fashion a tone of poetic lightness and sweet freedom which inspired many designers after him,» said LVMH chief, Bernard Arnault.

«My work was always about freedom and harmony,» Kenzo Takada once said. «I’d like to be remembered as a designer who crossed boundaries.» Rest in Peace – you will surely be remembered like this!

LoL, Sandra

Sporting KENZO in 2016, click here for the outfit post.

Photos: © KENZO and © Sandra Bauknecht

Whenever I get back from Paris Fashion Week, I am filled with amazing memories and captivating encounters that I cannot wait to share with you. Here you see me after a fabulous lunch at Le Girafe , located at Place du Trocadéro. Always with me my LA MER Concentrate…

Great news for my Swiss followers. The promo code sandralamer has been extended until April 30, 2019 due to popular demand. If you spent more than CHF 150, you will receive a LA MER Pouch with a Deluxe Soft Cream 7ml (CHF 45.00) and a Deluxe Cleansing Foam 30ml (CHF 30.00). PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE ONLINE SHOP DIRECTLY.

My look: Manray leather-trimmed shearling jacket by Altuzarra, cropped jacquard-knit cardigan, and striped pink bow tie blouse, both by Balenciaga, stretch-knit mini skirt by Alaïa, stretch-suede over-the-knee boots, patchwork belt with snake head buckle, and crystal-embellished cat-eye acetate sunglasses, all by Saint Laurent, «Paris Cosmopolite» Pré-fall 2017 Métiers d’Art Gabrielle bag by Chanel, diamond earrings by Cartier and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

During Paris Fashion Week, I attended the launch of Valentino‘s newest scent: VALENTINO DONNA. Dressed in a bottle adorned with iconic Rockstuds, it embodies all that is at once classic and contemporary.

On my way to the fragrance presentation in Valentino dots.

Luminous and sensual, the scent, features a contrast of subtle ingredients that, when combined, create something that is truly unique. Created with old oriental techniques and comprising top notes of bergamot with middle notes of rose essence and iris, the perfume finishes with the lasting aroma of leather, patchouli, vanilla and a white musk accord.

Antoine Maisondieu and Sonia Constant explain their inspiration for Valentino Donna.

Created by perfumers, Sonia Constant and Antoine Maisondieu, VALENTINO DONNA is mysterious, exquisite and timeless, like a couture object, making it the perfect addition to your fragrance wardrobe for the season.

The rose, that is especially Sonia’s fingerprint, is used as three different extracts. Rose Absolute, the purest quality of Rose Oil and natural Rose Water Extract, which is created with the help of a new technology at Givaudan. It is the first time it is used in a fragrance.

Eau de Parfum 100 ml (165 CHF), 50 ml (115 CHF) and 30 ml (82 CHF)
Shower Gel 200 ml (57 CHF), Body Lotion 200 ml (64 CHF) and Deodorant 100 ml (54 CHF)
In stores now.

Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey during the presentation at the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild in Paris.

The face of the campaign is French actress Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, who embodies the Valentino Donna in the film, directed by Louis Garrel. Italy’s cinematic history has played an important role in the creation of the movie. Inspired by films like ‘Roma’ and ‘La Notte’, the commercial is shot very well. Rome is the source of inspiration and the historic home of the House of Valentino. Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli design for a modern, but traditional woman, strong and sensitive, determined and caring. Have fun watching it below!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino and © Sandra Bauknecht

Paris Fashion Week is always fun, but of course also very tiring and as you might have realized I get barely time to blog. During the day, you attend many runway shows, visit showrooms, have meetings and run from one place to the other. But don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining, I absolutely adore my job.

At night, the fashion crowd doesn’t stop. Events, launches and after show celebrations take place, such as the Valentino Tribe Party on Tuesday at the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild in Paris.

The beautiful location was decorated with all sorts of tribal elements and Monsieur Valentino himself along with Alber Elbaz, Creative Director Lanvin, showed up during the night.

With Mister Valentino Garavani himself...

… and with lovely Alber Elbaz of Lanvin.

Later, I went to Raspoutine where L’Officiel Russia celebrated their new social editor, Kisa. It was great to see many familiar faces such as Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld, Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman, Jean-Thierry Besins of Bulliony, Natasha Zinko, Lorenzo Giove of Repossi and of course, Benjamin Eymère of L’Officiel Paris… and more!

Enjoy some of the impressions below!

LoL, Sandra

Lisa Feldmann of L’Officiel Germany, my humble self, Alexander Fedotov and Xenia Sobtchak

Lorenzo Giove framed by Fiammetta Cicogna to the right and me to the left.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Natasha Zinko and Kisa

Finally, I have made it to Paris for Fashion Week. Today, two blockbuster shows will take place, Chanel this morning and Valentino this afternoon. For those, who are at home, here is your chance to follow everything real time via app or livestream here on Sandra’s Closet.

So excited for Chanel Airlines, sounds very promising as a theme. The only bummer today is the weather here in Paris. It is raining cats and dogs…

You can discover the Chanel S/S 2016 Ready-to-Wear show on the House’s new fashion mobile application. Fully implicated in the digital world, the Chanel has revised its app, already adopted by two million users. Developed in thirteen different languages, the Chanel Fashion application is free to download and available for iOS and Android mobile phones.

Below, you can watch the Valentino live this afternoon. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

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When I saw today’s pictures of the Valentino F/W 2015 show, I was really sad that I had to skip Paris Fashion Week due to other events. What an amazing finale at Valentino! Zoolander’s Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson took over the runway in a headline-grabbing stunt to announce the decision to make ‘Zoolander 2‘ which will open in theaters in the U.S. on February 12, 2016.

The two Hollywood stars reprised their roles as male models Derek Zoolander and Hansel, immortalized in the hugely popular 2001 movie. And I have to say, they did a great job for this real-life runway walk-off.

The Valentino F/W 2015 was also stunning, rich fabrics, amazing craftsmanship, big drama – it included everything we love about the Maison. But again, the finale topped off everything!

TO SHOP VALENTINO, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © 2015 Getty Images, Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images For Paramount Pictures, AP Photo/Christophe Ena, Kevin Tachman

After one month of fashion craziness, I have to admit that I was pretty relieved when the last day of Paris Fashion Week had finally arrived. No time to change in between, I was running from one show to another, followed by several showroom appointments. So I had to choose one outfit to wear all day…

My look: Jacquard jacket, cady top, leather mini skirt, Swarovski crystal-embellished fringed leather clutch and crystal embellished biker boots, all by Miu Miu. Rockstud Rouge crystal acetate sunglasses by Valentino and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

Front row at the Miu Miu show

Mirror selfie at the Louis Vuitton show…

… where I ran into Sofia Coppola.

From left to right clockwise: at the Louis Vuitton show, Hermès invite with my fringed Miu Miu bag, Miu Miu invite and me running to the Moncler Gamme Rouge show at Grand Palais.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe

Paris Fashion Week was awesome, filled with many magical moments that I will share with you constantly during the next weeks. Here you see me running from one show to another at the corner of Rue de Castiglione and Rue du Faubourg Saint- Honoré wearing the season’s optical trend. Aren’t graphic stripes so much fun?!

My look: Mixed-stitch V-neck cardigan and matching drop waist skirt, both by Prabal Gurung, bow collar blouse by Saint Laurent, silk scarf by Alexander McQueen, crystal embellished biker boots by Miu Miu and tweed multicolored beaded fringe bag by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Be part of Paris Fashion Week and watch the Valentino F/W 2014 runway show live here on Sandra’s Closet. Here is your front row invite, enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

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The last evening of Paris Fashion Week, Veuve Clicquot hosted a toast-worthy event with its Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award 2013, held at the iconic Place Vendôme. The room was filled with amazing women and it was a true pleasure listening to their passions and inspirations.

For 2013, Veuve Clicquot recognized the achievements and contributions of such inspirational businesswomen as Hélène Boulet-Supau, Co-director of the e-commerce site Sarenza (France).

Bea Petri (Swiss winner, Schminkbar) framed by Christelle Huwiler (PR Manager at Moët Hennessy Suisse S.A.) to the right  and me to the left.

Celebrating trailblazing winners from 9 countries (France, UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Finland, Holland, Canada, Germany and Australia) around the world, the celebration went on the next day at Reims, the capital of Champagne, nestled in this region, amidst the champagne vineyards.

The Widow Clicquot spent her life on these lands, taking the reins of the champagne company after her husband’s early passing in 1805. As the “original businesswoman,” she brilliantly built Veuve Clicquot into a champagne brand of international renown and success. Respectfully referred to by her peers as “La Grande Dame de la Champagne,” she has inspired subsequent businesswomen for generations.

Originally intended as a homage to Veuve Clicquot when it was first conceived forty-one years ago, the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award has since grown both in scope and size.

Delphine Arnault and Inés Sastre with me to the left.

Drinking champagne and meeting the most amazing women in such a beautiful ambiance – the perfect night to finish off Paris Fashion Week!

And here I go again… I landed this morning in Paris to attend the Isabel Marant for H&M launch party. I am super excited. Do you remember the Versace for H&M (2011) and the Maison Martin Margiela with H&M (2012) events in NYC?! Always superlatives… follow me on instagram (@sandrascloset) for live updates.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht