Sandra‘s Closet

Reminiscent of a 16th century Italian palace, Palazzo Versace Dubai, a Neoclassical masterpiece with subtle traces of Arabian architecture and the most luxurious hotel the Middle East has ever seen, has opened its doors this November. Artistic director Donatella Versace has exclusively designed the interiors and furniture for each of the 215 rooms, bringing the opulent universe of Versace truly to life.

Grande Suite

Every detail is exquisite, from the ceilings hand-detailed in gold, to the finest marbles and mosaics.
Throughout the design run the iconic motifs of the Italian fashion house, such as the Medusa head, the Greek Key and the legendary prints, with many designs created exclusively for the Palazzo Versace Dubai.

The impressive lobby.

The grand lobby features an extraordinary 1000sqm marble mosaic floor, with bespoke furniture and textiles decorated with peacocks, falcons and horses.

Vanitas restaurant

For all-day dining, the Giardino has marble flooring and columns, with the walls decorated in a special edition of the iconic Jungle print from Versace Wallpaper collection. Meanwhile the Vanitas restaurant is like a classical Italian palace, with handmade wall decorations featuring the Grottesche Italiane.

Residence Living Room

Palazzo Versace Dubai will also be home to 169 residences, ranging from one to six bedrooms, each decorated and furnished in the true Versace style.

The pool

Situated in the heart of the city, Palazzo Versace Dubai is at the centre of the new Culture Village, located on a prime waterfront plot with unobstructed views of the Dubai Creek.

Palazzo Versace Dubai Executive Suite

This is the second Palazzo. The first, on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, is the world’s first fashion branded hotel concept. Following the opening of Palazzo Versace Dubai, the next Palazzo will be built in Macau.

Cannot wait to stay there the next time I will be in Dubai.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versace

The encounter between MSGM and Toiletpaper has inspired a limited edition collection of unisex sweatshirts, with a mix of surrealism and bright colours in an unmistakable style. The inspiration, passion for music and the digital world of Massimo Giorgetti, creative director of MSGM fashion brand, blend with the distinctive spirit of provocation of Toiletpaper, the independent image-only magazine founded by artist Maurizio Cattelan and photographer Pierpaolo Ferrari. A surprising, dynamic and sometimes irreverent world which celebrates the fusion between fashion and contemporary art.

Lipstick, eyelash curlers and a new take on ‘I heart you’… which one is your favorite?
The limited edition collection is available at Farfetch, Luisaviaroma and Matchesfashion.

LoL, Sandra

Reminiscent of a soccer team group shot, the new Prada S/S 2014 ad campaign shot by  Steven Meisel reflects the fierce and independent spirit of the collection. Teams of models hold us in their collective gaze, looking forward in a united vision.

The only thing missing is the football… but I am sure that most of us will be ready for the fashionable battle in Prada’s sporty tube socks and striped details. Personally speaking, I am crazy for those giant mural prints of female faces on the dresses, fur coats and bags. Those will definitely score a goal in my closet!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada

Since the 1st of December, ORLEBAR BROWN has been travelling around the world with 24 bloggers counting down the holiday season. I was also invited to create my own gift guide choosing 3 items from the new Cruise 2014 collection dedicated to different recipients: 
‘For him, for her and for you’.

GIFT FOR HIM – BULLDOG for my husband
The print is absolutely divine and I am sure that he will love those shorts. Personally speaking, I am having an agenda – I would like to borrow them from time to time.

GIFT FOR HER – HAMPTON for my sister
She is leaving to the Maledives with her boyfriend. I am sure after seeing her in this gorgeous red bikini, he will finally propose to her.

GIFT FOR ME – SANREMO for me
This is the perfect stylish cover-up for the beach that you can also wear with high heels at night.

ABOUT ORLEBAR BROWN
Founded by photographer Adam Brown in 2007, London-based label Orlebar Brown has become the go-to brand for smart tailored shorts in a variety of bold colours and graphic patterns for men and the welcome addition to the female swimwear closet.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SHOP ORLEBAR BROWN FOR WOMEN and MEN.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Orlebar Brown

I spent the last days in London –  a city that I love very much. The double decker buses, the black cabs, and the red telephone boxes, some of the iconic sights on the streets of the British metropole, symbolise gorgeous design while fulfilling their purpose with efficiency. The same goes for my Givenchy sweater – it’s comfy and stylish in one. You need one of those printed must-haves in your closet this season!

My look: Black double-breasted wool coat with gold bars and printed cotton sweatshirt, both by Givenchy, black pants by Alexander McQueen, textured-leather tote by Gucci, Susanna studded leather ankle boots by Chloé and rose ring by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Paris Fashion Week has started off for me with the Akris S/S 2014 show yesterday evening. I have to admit arriving at my seat is always a treat at this presentation, some yummy chocolate is waiting and the press kit is just perfect.

A sketch by Albert Kriemler with a piece of real fabric pinned to it, plus the inspiration laid out in a moodboard (sandstone lines, algae, honeycombs in the sand, and granite curves) along with a list of all the upcoming looks make my work so much easier.

This eye for detail could also be seen in the stunning collection. Nature was Albert’s main inspiration (something that has been spotted quite a lot here in Paris). “It’s a dream of fabrics and nature – moved forward through technology,” he wrote.

The show started off with some very strong prints on cotton voile, plissé chiffon and leather, inspired by sandstone lines. I loved the see-through and asymmetrical details of the collection and the amazing St. Gallen embroideries in honeycombs of lace, reminiscent of algae. The last pieces in black and gold wave jacquard will surely fly off the shelves.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Akris and © Sandra Bauknecht

Tibi or not Tibi, nobody will be posing this question after they have seen Amy Smilovic’s (see photo above with me) unpretentiously cool designs for Pre-fall 2013. Paying homage to the city that never sleeps with a lineup of silhouettes emblazoned with the Empire State Building and Lady Liberty, Smilovic has an impressive knack for defining exactly what women want to wear. Dress code: Urbane chic. True to theme, we’ll be tossing and turning until this collection of New York City-centric separates arrives safely in our closets. Bright lights, big city, forever Tibi.

If you cannot wait, shop Tibi’s amazing S/S 2013 collection at matchesfashion.com and net-à-porter.com. I am such a Tibi fan and you will be seeing me in lots of Amy’s designs soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tibi

“90 looks, exceptionally once, for the 90th anniversary in a Roberto Burle Marx inspired garden. The Brazilian landscape architect, plantsman and painter invented a new language for modern landscape design. He abandoned the tradition of the straight line and cultivated a passion for curved and sensual lines. His work is, in the detail and as a whole, always one and the same. Inimitable!”

AKRIS is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. A wonderful reason for Albert and Peter Kriemler to throw a party after the presentation of the S/S 2013 collection during Paris Fashion Week. 90 looks were shown on the runway of which many were noticeably transparent. Sexy without being vulgar – Albert Kriemler is one of the rare designers who can make this work in an elegant and sophisticated way. The collection was inspired by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx and the prints as well as the setting of the show resembled a beautiful greenhouse. Tailoring is the soul of Akris and played a huge role as usual. The colour palette developed from black to basic shades such as white and beige to vibrant hues of green, yellow and fluo coral pink. The only look that was a little too extravagant for me was the shift dress with a gigantic organza leaf appliqué (see collage above). Personally speaking, I like Albert Kriemler’s modern jungle chic, a worthy jubilee collection!

Have a look at the collection below and see which celebrity attended the show:

TRANSPARENCY

PRINTS and LEATHER

COLOUR

“Style is all about the woman; it’s about her personality. You should notice the woman first, and what she is wearing follows.” – Albert Kriemler

Albert Kriemler, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Valerie Steele and Peter Kriemler

Princess Charlene of Monaco, who is a huge fan of  the Akris brand, attended the show and listened to the very emotional speech given by Peter Kriemler, Global President of Akris, in honour of the house’s 90th anniversary. Later, she joined the after party.

At the party: Nora Baldenweg, Kim Dang (NZZ) and Sara Allerstorfer (Bolero Magazine) with me.

« AKRIS » by Valerie Steele 11 x 14 in – 28 x 35 cm |192 pages | 150 illustrations | Hardcover
available in English and German $125 – €100 – £80

Limited Edition of 90 11 x 14 in – 28 x 35 cm |192 pages | 150 illustrations | Hardcover with Horsehair bag
Available in English and German $1922 – €1922
Fall 2012, Assouline

A great book that maps the rich heritage of Akris and its dynamic evolution in the recent years.

Akris is available in Zurich at Gassmann.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Akris and @ Sandra Bauknecht

Wolfgang Joop is back on the Paris Fashion Week calendar with his label Wunderkind. Yesterday, the German designer presented his beautiful S/S 2013 collection to the fashionable guests.

After the show, he was talking about how the world will change in the next years and that we should be prepared for it. He said that “at times of change, we look for new directions – earthly heaven and paradise. Grace and gravity is the theme of the collection: effortless but understated and circumspect.”

Wolfgang Joop with me

Personally speaking, I have liked the collection a lot, especially the second part of it. The prints and soft feminine colours were so pretty. Paradiso and Heaven are the centerpiece prints and iconic drawings by Wolfgang Joop, along with Butterfly and Tipsy dots in light coloures shades.

The soft fluid tailored coats, jackets and dresses in crêpe du chine, silk gabardine, silk georgette, cotton batiste and coarse-meshed linen in taupe and chalk, azure, peppermint, lotus, watermelon and yellow interplayed between multiple combinations and layering. Cartridge folds, facings and organza ribbons tuck the light falling fabrics.

Below are some of my favourite looks. Hope you like them, too!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday was just the perfect day. It was Swiss National Day, which is a public holiday and my parents were visiting from Germany. We were all enjoying the beauty of the garden and of course, I blogged a little in my beloved corner protected by the shade of a magnolia tree before dancing around the pool in my new clogs. Personally speaking, it doesn’t get much better than being in your own little paradise, nothing is so peaceful and relaxing.

My look: Tiered printed silk maxi dress from D&G‘s final collection, Stetson straw hat by Peter Grimm (Souvenir from Club 55 in St. Tropez), bangles by Sal y Limon, silver earrings by Gucci and my new Candy Block clogs by Lulu Vibes (If you would like to find out more about the cute brand, visit the homepage or have a look at this previous post.)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht