Sandra‘s Closet

When I spotted René’s jacket that he wore for the launch event of Kenzo x H&M in NYC, I was immediately drawn to it. The collar was divine and it drove me nuts that I didn’t get which designer it was. It looked a little Gucci… when I asked, he revealed the secret: those embellishments were earrings by H&M that he had just sewn on to it. What a great idea! The same goes for his ribbon tie. It is a silk band with one sparkling H&M earring attached to it.

This is what I call creativity! Bravo, René! Follow him on instagram @monsieurené or @rené_zibold.

TO SHOP THE LATEST H&M EARRINGS, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

One word: amazing! This is what describes Kenzo x H&M best. Last week, I was in NYC to attend the party of the year with a fashion show directed by fashion legend Jean-Paul Goude at Pier 36 that was as spectacular as the collection itself.

With Jean-Paul Goude at the after party.

To the rhythm of a customized remix of «Express Yourself» by Sam Spiegel, we were able to watch the vibrant and playful energy of the pieces that were designed by Kenzo’s Creative Directors, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon on models, that were actually dancers, beatboxers, whistlers and musicians.

Front row? Chloë Sevigny, Iman, Lupita Nyong’o, Sienna Miller, Elizabeth Olsen and many more…

Elizabeth Olsen, Lupita Nyong’o, both wearing Kenzo x H&M.

Bethann Hardison, Jean-Paul Goude, Iman, Chloë Sevigny, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim.

Joe Jonas and Charli XCX looking great in the new collection.

Front row power: Charli XCX, Chance the Rapper, Halsey, Chloë Sevigny, Rosario Dawson and Suboi.

Sienna Miller

With Chloë Sevigny at the show.

The choreography was created by Kenzo collaborator, Ryan Heffington and transformed us into something very special, not a stiff runway presentation but an energized dance show that Carol Lim and Humberto Leon described as «a celebration of everything we love about Kenzo x H&M – it was a fun, vibrant and unexpected celebratory mix of different worlds coming together. It was a show we will never forget.»

With my dear colleague Kerstin Netsch, Editor in Chief Friday Magazine waiting for the show to begin!

Happy about their show: Jean-Paul Goude and Carol Lim.

As the show finished the fun continued and the models came to ask us to join them on the runway which became immediately a dance floor. I didn’t wait a second to jump up and move to the sound as the whole performance had transported me already in such a fun state of mind.

Chance the Rapper and Iman dance at the show finale…

… that also made Lupita Nyong’o move her body with a full smile.

Ice Cube performs at Kenzo x H&M after party.

Later, after we went shopping in the pop-up store next door, a surprise performance by rapper and surprise guest Ice Cube took place and we partied late. I am very thankful that I was able to experience this inferno of playfulness.

Having always the best time with those guys: Caroline Piccinin, Le Matin and René Zibold, PR and Communication Manager at H&M Switzerland (@monsieurené). Isn’t her skirt the best? The fabric is from Ikea and she tailored it herself. René was also very creative. His collar embellishments are divine and I will reveal his secret to you soon!

The Kenzo x H&M collection will be available in over 250 H&M stores worldwide, as well as online, from November 3. Stay tuned for an amazing interview with Carol Lim and Humberto Leon as well as a close-up look on the collection coming up shortly.

LoL, Sandra

Photos by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for H&M, Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for H&M and © Sandra Bauknecht

What a night in NYC! I am still overwhelmed by this glam and fun event where the fashion and Hollywood elite joined forces on Wall Street to celebrate the launch of the amazing collaboration between Balmain and H&M. More is more is definitely something that goes for the Parisian Maison and yesterday was proof for it!

”Tonight has been a dream come true for me. The energy and vibe are unbelievable.” – Olivier Rousteing

Olivier Rousteing with me last night

Just like the opulent collection designed by Creative Director Olivier Rousteing, the party in the Big Apple was extra everything. Rousteing, who is bringing the brand’s DNA of music, couture, luxury and pop culture – he is the designer with the biggest instagram follower ship – together, said: ”Tonight has been a dream come true for me. The energy and vibe are unbelievable.” He created the hashtag #HMBalmaination where people could follow live the best moments of the night.

When I arrived at 23, Wall Street, I entered the highly secured venue over the stairs and found an ambiance similar to a subway system, referencing the campaign film – where Kendall Jenner, Olivier’s muse and friend, stars as the leader of a dance crew. While enjoying champagne, I mingled with the A-list crowd of top models, celebrities and Hollywood actors.

Singer Ellie Goulding with me

After the cocktail reception, I entered the next hall where the runway was built over two stories. Before the show actually started, a live dance performance took place as well as an exclusive sneak peek of the campaign music video. The guests were truly cheered up when Kendall Jenner opened the  catwalk, followed by some of the hottest models in the industry right now.

Swiss front row power: Kerstin Netsch, Editor in Chief Friday Magazine and Caroline Piccinin, Le Matin with me in the middle.

Kendall Jenner opening the runway

Jourdan Dunn

Alessandra Ambrosio wearing Olivier Rousteing’s favorite piece from the collection: the pearl-embroidered jacket.

Gigi Hadid

Karlie Kloss was my favorite on the runway.

Toni Garrn

The collection is all about affordable luxury. Olivier Rousteing took some of his best creations he designed over the past seasons and made them into one collection. Compared to other designer collaborations H&M did in previous years, the pieces are more expensive but I am still pretty amazed how this craftsmanship is possible for that amount of money. The collection is truly beautiful with lots of items you can enjoy for a very long time.

The Backstreet Boys

After the show, it was all about the music and energy. A live concert by the Backstreet Boys took guests back in time, especially my humble self as over 20 years ago, I was with them on a Germany tour with my own band. Personally speaking, the Balmain x H&M launch party was one of those nights you never want to end!

Olivier Rousteing and his friends, among them Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Alessandra Ambrosio, cheered to the Backstreet Boys.

The Balmain x H&M collection features fashion and accessories for both men and women, and will be available in selected stores and at hm.com starting November 5.

Now have fun to scroll through some more impressions of the night and check back in for more updates as I just uploaded my own photos today. The internet is too slow… there is much more coming up. Now I have some appointments in NYC before I am heading back home!
Talk to you when I am in Europe…

LoL, Sandra

René Zibold, PR and Communication Manager at H&M Switzerland (@monsieurené), is looking good in my marabou stole.

Guests being crazy about the red carpet arrivals.

German actress Diane Kruger

Amazing ambiance.

We couldn’t get enough of the Backstreet Boys!

Always a lot of fun with my colleague Caroline Piccinin from Le Matin in Geneva.

The normal craziness at the pop-up store late at night.

The clothes come well-protected in plastic hangers.

Olivier Rousteing even joined in the shopping fun late at night.

All Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Ladies and Gentlemen, don’t forget that this week on the 6th of November the Alexander Wang x H&M collection will hit the stores. To get you in the shopping mood, I would love to show you all the impressions of the amazing launch event that took place at the Armory on the Hudson, an indoor track and field stadium in New York City Mid October. When H&M celebrates a designer collaboration, it means that VIP’s from the worlds of entertainment, fashion, and Hollywood, follow the invitation with pleasure. This year, I spotted for example Jessica Chastain, Dakota Fanning, Justin Theroux, Mary J Blige, Kate Mara and many more.

H&M approached Wang a year and a half ago, and the designer immediately knew he wanted to take things in a different direction than anything they’d tried in the past. “They’ve done such an incredible job with the previous projects, everything from Versace and the archival Margiela,” he said. “But the approach had to be different for this one, both for me and for H&M.”

Alexander Wang is the first American to partner with the company whose designer collaboration program is in its tenth year. He mixed sports and performance for everyday life by capturing the speed of the city. Using technical details and functional fabrics, Wang created the perfect versatile performance wear wardrobe for both, men and women, a collection to be worn on the street, in the gym, at the club – the way we live our lives today.

After a men’s and women’s full speed runway fashion show, the doors of a pop-up store opened where we could shop the collection first hand (click here to see what I got myself). The evening culminated when Sharaya came on stage as the opening act before the rare performance by Missy Elliott took place. She was so fantastic that even Alexander Wang, who had said earlier during the press conference that he doesn’t do sports, jumped on stage and danced crazily to her vibes. The party continued with music by DJ’s Diplo and Jesse Marco. It was again one of those magic nights with a gazillion of highlights that I will treasure forever.

Let me show you more impressions of that fantastic event:

Me arriving at the event location in a Moschino S/S 2015 look (the outfit post will come up tomorrow).

Dakota Fanning rushing to her seat.

The Armory on the Hudson from the inside.

Actor Justin Theroux…

… was extremely charming. Now, I understand Jennifer Aniston.

A redhead seldom comes alone: Jessica Chastain…

…and Eddie Redmayne.

Glamourous front row: Actors Dakota Fanning, Eddie Redmayne and Kate Mara.

An energetic acrobatic performance before the runway show…

… that captured the speed of the city.

Mary J Blige seemed to like it a lot.

A confetti rain was the perfect backdrop…

… for a happy Alexander Wang running around the catwalk.

Me taking the provided boxing gloves to get ready for the fight…

… in the pop-up store.

I was in the first slot. Therefore it still looks pretty quiet.

Even the supermodels went crazy for the collection, here you see Karlie Kloss.

Swiss girls: Barbara and Karo with me.

Before the runway show, I caught singer Sharaya…

… who was the opening act that night.

The highlight of the event was the performance of…

… Missy Elliott…

… who rocked the stage…

… that even Alexander Wang couldn’t stop dancing.

Party time…

… that the Swiss crowd didn’t need to be told twice. Being the only rooster in the yard, René Zibold, PR and Communication Manager for H&M Switzerland, surrounded by the Swiss girls (check out his travel tips for Paris here) going crazy.

Thanks H&M for taking me on this amazing adventure, to be continued next year…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of H&M, Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for H&M

RENE ZIBOLD

The PR and Communication Manager for H&M Switzerland has great style and many loyal followers on instagram (@monsieurené) who enjoy his daily fashion updates. Being fluent in four languages, he loves to travel. Other places inspire him, with the City of Light leading the way.

Your favourite city? La merveilleuse ville lumière: PARIS!
It’s the most beautiful city in the world, where I can find everything I really love!

Your favourite hotel? HOTEL ATHÉNÉE, a small, romantic and very elegant boutique hotel in the center of Paris. If you love Jacques Garcia’s interiors, you’ll adore it!

Your favourite restaurant? The CAFÉ RUC, in the beautiful neighborhood of Saint Honoré. The interior is also made by Jacques Garcia. The Suprême de volaille “minute” with “purée maison” is a must have! Dessert? Of course the Gâteau au chocolat!

Your favourite bar or nightclub? The GEORGES at the Centre Pompidou, also excellent for dinner. The view over Paris by night is breathtaking!

Your favourite sightseeing spot? The LOUVRE. I can spend hours in front of each masterpiece of Eugène Delacroix!

Your favourite park? The JARDIN DES TUILERIES next to the Louvre and after a walk I always enjoy a coffee and the delicious “tarte fine aux pommes“ at CAFE MARLY.

Your favourite shop? The DRIES VAN NOTEN men’s store at the Quai Malaquais. I just love the interior of the store and of course Van Noten’s beautiful men’s collections. Can’t wait to buy there the Fall 2013 collection!!!

Your must-have accessory? No matter if it’s summer or winter and where I am… I usually wear ETRO SCARVES. They really are my must-have accessory!

The best soundtrack for this destination? Jean-Claude Pascal: PARIS AU MOIS DE SEPTEMBRE. I’m in love with this song!

The best book to read while being on vacation there? I always buy ART or FASHION BOOKS in Paris. The BOOKSHOP at the PALAIS DE TOKYO has a fantastic selection.

Thank you, René, for sharing your insider scoop on Paris with us!

LoL, Sandra

Last night, Zurich’s first Fashion Night Out took place, so-called “Die lange Nacht der Mode”. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound so fashionable in German. But I had a lot of fun at three different events that I am showing you below:

First Stop: Jelmoli
Press conference with Ilaria Venturini Fendi

Founded in 2006 by Ilaria Venturini Fendi, who is part of the Fendi family empire, Carmina Campus is the brand that focuses on handbags, jewels and furniture out of reused materials. Each handcrafted item is a unique one of a kind piece. All of Illaria’s sustainable creations are made with care and consideration for the environment. The designer used her natural aversion to waste and her innate understanding of fashion to start an eco conscious label with a distinctive style. Therefore she is only working with already-existing materials either living their second life or unused but out of production.

Ilaria Venturini Fendi with me

With projects in Kenia addressing poverty, she helps women to start their own business, proclaiming: “It’s not charity, it’s work.” I was truly impressed by her spirit and creativity, she designs bags made out of trash bags, shower curtains, old school uniforms and so on. She even collaborated with Mini for a collection made out of color samples, material offcuts, and other castoffs from the production of the British-built convertible. Under Fendi’s direction, 50 one-of-a-kind bags were manufactured.

Carmina Campus is available at Jelmoli in Zurich. You can also shop the collection online here.

Second stop: H&M Showroom
Presentation of the new fall 2013 collection

The lovely H&M teamed welcomed me to their new showroom. On display was the beautiful runway collection that had been presented during Paris Fashion Week. Dubbed “Modern Drama,” the color palette was mainly about black and white with a few vibrant key pieces, like this bright red dress, very much reminiscent of the ’70s, edgy and feminine in one.

René Zibold, PR and Communication Manager H&M Switzerland, with me outside on the balcony…

…overlooking the fashion parade.

Third stop: Vestibule
Late night shopping

At Vestibule, fashionistas mingled to shop the new season must-haves to the sound of DJ Annina Frey. I fell in love with this amazing faded botanical printed canvas Polly small flap clutch by 3.1 Phillip Lim and the Donna hobo bag in vine green by Alexander Wang.

What a great night!

LoL, Sandra

Laurence Antiglio, owner of Vestibule, with me
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht