Sandra‘s Closet

Another great talent has left us. French fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier (21 August 1943 – 31 March 2022) has died today. His imagery helped write the history of 1990s fashion.

Born near Paris in 1943 to a modest family, Demarchelier spent his childhood in Le Havre, Normandy, with his mother and four brothers. His profession was self-taught. For his seventeenth birthday, his stepfather bought him his first camera. Demarchelier learned how to develop film, retouch negatives and began photographing friends and weddings.

Natalia Vodianova in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci.
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue, October 2008

In 1975, Demarchelier left Paris for New York City, United States to follow his girlfriend. He discovered fashion photography by working as a freelance photographer learning from, and working with photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Terry King, and Jacque Guilbert. Since the late 1970s he shot the covers for nearly every major fashion magazine including American, British and Paris Vogue, as well as Harper’s Bazaar. He also shot international advertising campaigns for Dior, Louis Vuitton, Celine, TAG Heuer, CHANEL, Donna Karan, Yves Saint Laurent, Tommy Hilfiger, Carolina Herrera, Moschino, Vera Wang, Elizabeth Arden, H&M, Sam Edelman, Zara, Max Azria, Express, Longchamp, Blumarine, Lacoste, Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren.

Lady Diana photographed by Patrick Demarchelier in 1990

However, he is perhaps best known for his intimate portraits of Princess Diana that helped establish her popularity and accessible public image.

In 2007, Christine Albanel, French Minister of Culture, honoured Demarchelier as an Officer in l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Literature), the same year that he received the CFDA Founder’s Award in Honor of Eleanor Lambert. Demarchelier also appeared in the film «The September Issue» and can be glimpsed in «The Sex & the City movie».

With his son Victor, who works also as a photographer.

Despite a rich and deep legacy, in 2018 amidst the #MeToo reckoning, Demarchelier was accused by seven models who worked with him of sexual harassment. In response to the allegations, Condé Nast announced: «We have informed Patrick we will not be working with him for the foreseeable future. Demarchelier denied the allegations.» However, he had never been charged and denied the allegations.

Demarchelier is survived by his wife Mia, his three sons, and three grandchildren.

LoL, Sandra

30 years later, still one of my favorite Vogue covers of all times, famous supermodels on the magazine’s 100th anniversary cover. Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue US, April 1992

Christy Turlington in Azzedine Alaïa.
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue US, May 1991

Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Harper’s Bazaar US, May 1998

Christy Turlington 
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Harper’s Bazaar US, July 1999

Photos: Via Vogue Harper’s Bazaar, Sothebys © Patrick Demarchelier

“Behind the symbol of travel, we find Christian Dior’s star and the idea of a good luck charm, but also the rose, his favourite flower.” – Victoire de Castellane

From Christian Dior’s garden at Granville to the discovery of faraway lands, with Paris’ 8th arrondissement cropping up along with way, the Rose des Vents collection from Dior Joaillerie, designed by Victoire de Castellane, is a voyage on the four winds through the House’s history. It features Christian Dior’s good-luck star and the rose, his favorite flower.

The new campaign, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, reveals a Dior woman with a natural, timeless beauty wearing the Rose des Vents creations.

This year, the medallion comes in versions with a pavé of diamonds, as well as rose gold and onyx, and has been joined by four pendants and five rings embellished with a little rope of gold that twists around the finger and follows the outline of the jewel. Being reversible, they can be worn either star or stone side out.

I love this fine jewelry collection. It is so much fun to mix and match them… and I really appreciate the craftsmanship behind that you can explore below.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht

When Tommy Hilfiger approached me to work together on this special project, I was immediately hooked. The American brand’s continued support of Breast Health International for the eight consecutive year marks the launch of a new limited-edition handbag. As my own mum suffered from breast cancer and fortunately fought this horrible disease, I know how hard this phase of life can be for the patient but also for her family. Buying this fantastic bag means: “Building awareness, raising funds and making a positive impact on the lives of women who are affected by breast cancer around the world,” as Tommy Hilfiger states.

The limited-edition handbag will retail for €299, and €100 of each sale will go directly to the Fund for Living. This global BHI initiative assists women with breast cancer by covering costs or addressing unique problems associated with their care that are not commonly covered by health insurance programs, such as transportation to a medical appointment or childcare during treatment.

The 2014 BHI campaign features no other than award-winning actress Naomi Watts photographed by Patrick Demarchelier. The handbag is available exclusively on tommy.com and in select Tommy Hilfiger stores around the world starting today.

For the social media campaign, I was asked to show the content of my bag. I truly love the different very useful features of this versatile fashionable companion such as many pockets, a keychain with red, white and blue tassels, a detachable tan strap that allows for use as a shoulder bag.

Here is what I in general carry around with me on a daily basis: Something to read like L’Officiel Switzerland, my iPad and iPhone (don’t you love my new Vanity mirror iPhone 5 cover by Moschino?!), a notebook by Smythson and my pen by Montblanc, a pair of sunglasses, credit cards and some cash, my make-up pouch filled with lipgloss, blush and a powder for quick retouches and of course my little Leica with which I capture all those moments I share with you on my blog.

I was asked to donate one item from the content of my bag and I would like to give this beautiful necklace with a key charm by Patrizia Pepe as a mojo. In the end of the social media campaign, one breast cancer patient gets the bag filled with little surprises from all around the globe.

Shopping for a good cause. Ladies, I am asking you what can be better?! Please help to support Tommy Hilfiger’s wonderful initiative and let’s all walk around with this must-have bag!
TO SHOP, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger and © Sandra Bauknecht

Forty internationally renowned experts from the world of fashion (among them Jefferson Hack, Katie Grand, Natalie Massenet, Carine Roitfeld and Patrick Demarchelier to name a few) are to meet thirty applicants to the LVMH Prize during Paris Fashion Week.

They will select a short-list of ten young designers who will go forward to present their work to the jury in May 2014. Entries have already been received from all over the world, including Asia, Africa and South America as well as the United States and Europe, with many more anticipated before the closing date of February 2nd, 2014.

The members of the jury for the first edition of the prize in 2014 are eight creative directors from LVMH Fashion Houses including: Nicolas Ghesquière (Louis Vuitton), Marc Jacobs (Marc Jacobs), Karl Lagerfeld (Fendi), Humberto Leon and Carol Lim (Kenzo), Phoebe Philo (Céline), Raf Simons (Dior) and Riccardo Tisci (Givenchy).

The designers will be joined by Delphine Arnault, Jean-Paul Claverie (advisor to Bernard Arnault and head of corporate philanthropy for LVMH) and Pierre-Yves Roussel (Chairman and CEO of the LVMH Fashion Group).

YOU CAN APPLY HERE! Good luck!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Thursday night in New York City, Sofia Coppola, Andie MacDowell, Emma Roberts, Anna Sui, Tory Burch and Alexander Wang, among other guests, came out to celebrate the collaboration of the Lanvin for H&M collection and to enjoy show stopping designs by famed Lanvin artistic director, Alber Elbaz, at The Pierre hotel.
The haute couture creations, which were customized pieces from the Lanvin for H&M collection, made their way down the catwalk with the help of famed models Asia Chow, Pixie Geldof, Dree Hemnigway and Anna dello Russo.

The looks from the haute couture show along with five original sketches from Alber Elbaz went up for auction on www.lanvinforhm.com. All proceeds will be donated to UNICEF. The online auction will end on November 26th at midnight CET.
I especially adore the sketches.

Below you can see some photos from this amazing night (Photos: Courtesy of H&M).

LoL, Sandra

I am in Paris for the Fashion Week at the moment.

This morning, I went to see Stella McCartney’s S/S 2011 show which I have absolutely loved.

The first looks were iconic, confidently masculine tailored in fresh pastels. Further on, Stella tried a new take on denim and gave it a modern feel by playing with proportion and volume. My absolute favourites were the printed long silk dresses with box pleats and slit legs. Understated seduction in perfection.

Another must-have is definitely the sleeveless trench coat. If you like it bold, you will adore the symmetric botanical citrus prints. Everyone can find something in this collection, very versatile with signature looks and a new foray into sexiness.

Enjoy all my impressions, the celebrities, famous stylists, and for sure all the beautiful new looks for next summer. As you see, I had a blast.

LoL, Sandra