Sandra‘s Closet

The 69th Annual Golden Globes awards took place in Beverley Hills last night and for us it is a pleasure to see who wore which designer. Unfortunately, Madonna (in Reem Acra), Kelly Osbourne (in Zac Posen) and Sarah Michelle Gellar (in Monique Lhuillier) are NOT on my best dressed list. Please see who is below!

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

Elle MacPherson in a stunning gown by Zac Posen

Nicole Kidman in Versace

Zooey Deschanel in Custom Prada

Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture

Natalie Portman in Lanvin

Evan Rachel Wood in a stunning Gucci Première gown.

The award for cuteness goes definitely to the dog from the “The Artist”. The movie that won BEST PICTURE. He was the top dog and certainly stole the show…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Getty Images, © WireImages, @ AP

The new Roberto Cavalli advertising campaign for S/S 2012 revolves around the iconic beauty of 4 excellent top models: Naomi Campbell, Karen Elson, Kristen McMenamy and Daphne Groeneveld are the Florentine designer’s muses, as he chose to represent the collection through women who embody the standards of a modern appeal.

Steven Meisel shot the photos that are reminiscent of the Versace campaigns in the ’90s. The Cavalli S/S 2012 collection is very glamourous and opulent. Those beaded embellished dresses in daring gold will surely be seen on the red carpets of the season.

In this image, you see Naomi Campbell with the Florence bag, which is considered to be the new ‘It’ bag of the Maison.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roberto Cavalli

In the mood to shop the floral trend for S/S 2012?
Here are the best pieces available at the moment.
Just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly! Happy Shopping!

DRESSES

1 Floral-print silk crepe de chine dress by Dolce & Gabbana
2 Floral-print silk crepe de chine dress by Sonia Rykiel
3 Floral-print silk-chiffon dress by Jason Wu

SKIRTS

1 Floral-print silk-georgette skirt by Proenza Schouler
2 Embroidered tulle skirt by Marc Jacobs (my personal must-have)
3 Floral-print ruched silk-chiffon skirt by Jason Wu

TOPS

1 Floral-print jacquard blazer by Etro
2 Rose-print silk blouse by Prabal Gurung
3 Shay floral-print silk scarf by Jimmy Choo

GOWNS

1 Lucietta floral-print silk crepe de chine gown by Erdem
2 Draped floral-print silk-chiffon gown by Roberto Cavalli

LoL, Sandra

Good news for S/S 2012, everything’s coming up roses (and orchids, and daffodils, and daisies). Head to toe floral prints are one of the season’s biggest trends and were seen all over the runways.

My all-time favourite Mary Katrantzou who is known for her bold prints and vivid colors, showed this trend in perfection, flowers and print – the perfect combination of her strengths. Her runway was divided by a field of carnations. Please click here for the previous post.

Take a peek at the most fun garden party of the season! Floral prints, extreme edition!

The colours range from fabulous bright colours reminiscent of a tropical vacation to soft neutrals and stunning pastels. Lilac and light green are among summer’s favourites.

As if the floral prints weren’t enough, the designers went and attached 3-D flowers and embellishments to the fabrics. A season’s must! Best collection: Louis Vuitton!

I’m betting it won’t be long before a style icon like Alexa Chung is spotted in this cool Chloé or Prada outfit!

If you didn’t think you could wear a head to toe look printed with multi-coloured florals and still look cool, Erdem just proved you totally wrong.

From the necklace, to the shoes, to the bags, to the earrings, this S/S 2012 trend is a complete floral explosion!
Stay tuned for more to complement this look…

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Markus Kehl

This was my look for the “40 years, 40 hours” party in Venice: Overall, bustier and hat by Tom Ford, clutch bag by Chloé, pumps by Yves Saint Laurent, ring by Roberto Cavalli, watch by Roger Dubuis, earrings and necklace by Prada.

This night was truly outstanding with amazing food by Käfer (which means in German “bug” and we got some real insects as an entrée … just for fun to scare the ladies), live performances by different artists like the famous mentalist Jan Becker and a real tiger in the garden that we could pet. We danced until dawn and I cannot wait to celebrate “80 years, 80 hours”!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

“For the first time in my life I chose a man”, said Italian designer Roberto Cavalli when he proudly presented the winner of the 8th annabelle award last night in Zurich: 25-year-old Maxime Rappaz from Geneva. The young designer stood out with his innovative designs, the biggest eyecatcher: A bag that has its handels inside.

Each of the five young designers was asked to show two of their designs. Below you can see the creations of the other competitors who were all female. Maxime, the winner, has received a one-year internship with Roberto Cavalli in Florence.

Roberto Cavalli, who came directly from Japan, was completely jetlagged. I felt the same having just arrived from New York in the morning.
During the second night of the Fashion Days Zurich, he also presented his S/S 2012 Just Cavalli collection which I had seen already in Milan when I did the interview with him. The looks are powerful and if you like the style, you will be in love with these pieces. My favourite is the “Pocahontas” style dress with feathers worn by Leona Sigrist last night.

The evening was also dedicated to our national fashion designers. During the Swiss Fashion night, the well established labels Little Black Dress, Aziza Zina, Javier Reyes and Van Bery presented their collections. Please enjoy my photo coverage below. For more information on the designers, just click on the highlighted name.

Designers Joanna Skoczylas and Eliane Diethelm created a very colourful look for next summer even that the name of their label Little Black Dress suggests something else. But the classy and feminine approach paid a wonderful tribute to the iconic LBD.

Morena Gonzales and Moritz Stoll of AZIZA zina paid homage to the Roaring Twenties (as also seen on the Gucci S/S 2012 catwalk). Some of the looks were reminiscent of Giorgio Armani‘s beautiful forays into women’s suiting. Swiss model Anouk Manser convinced the audience in a pretty cool turquoise dress.

Javier Reyes presented a well-crafted, beautiful collection, very wearable and feminine. Absolute eyecatchers were the fabrics that the Mexican-born designer chose for his S/S 2012 designs.

Van Bery is the label created by Berivan Meyer in association with Marie Tournant. Their joyful looks for S/S 2012 were colourful and sweet but not as strong as the other collections presented last night.

Below you can see some more impressions! Have fun! I am on my way to the Mercedes Benz Fashion Show…

LoL, Sandra

Lisa Feldmann, editor-in-chief of annabelle magazine, in Just Cavalli and killer heels…

…by Barbara Bui.

Me front row…truly loving the attention…

My look: Dress by Antonio Berardi, boots by Givenchy, bag by Céline and earrings by Chanel.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Happy Halloween 2011 – it is time to be bewitched! For all fashionistas around the globe, add a little humour and carve your pumpkins with your favourite logo or dress up as your beloved designer.

In a season of dark glamour, gothic looks make an impression wether you wear them at night or during the day. Just change the accessories and off you go. My absolute favourite is this knit dress by Lanvin with puff sleeves below.

LoL, Sandra

The German GQ Men Of The Year awards 2011 took place last night in Berlin. As I had told you already yesterday morning, it was Daniele Cavalli who walked away with GQ’s Man of the Year award in the category “fashion”, handed over officially by his father Roberto Cavalli. The laudatory speech was held by Elisabetta Canalis.

For the interview with Daniele Cavalli, please click here.

Daniele and Roberto Cavalli

Roberto Cavalli, Elisabetta Canalis and Daniele Cavalli

Jared Leto

While Jared Leto was awarded Most Stylish Man of the Year, it was model Daisy Lowe, daughter of Bush-frontman Gavin Rossdale, who led the women in style stakes, rocking a red, voluptious gown. She was also the „First Lady“ of the night and won the GQ’s Woman Of The Year award which was introduced by fashion designer Wolfgang Joop.

Wolfgang Joop

Daisy Lowe

Dionne Bromfield

Musical highlight of the event was the performance of 15-year-old Dionne Bromfield who dedicated her song to her late godmother Amy Winehouse.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Fuhr für GQ, © Tinnefeld für GQ

Daniele Cavalli with me, Photo: Olivier Zahm

Meet the Man of the Year: Daniele Cavalli. The 25-year-old son of fashion designer Roberto Cavalli who is in charge for the Italian house’s men’s line, is not only an extremly interesting person, but also highly intelligent, down to earth, beautiful from the inside and outside, with a wonderful vision of life. I met with him recently in Milan and he told me some very interesting things, enjoy the interview.

After the huge success of your S/S 2012 presentation, which inspiration do you have for your next menswear F/W 2012 collection?

It will be an evolution, not a revolution, but totally different in the concept. The last two collections I did were connected with the same concept made in different ways. This is going to change for F/W 2012.

Summer gave me lots of inspirations. I turned off the phone and went to Africa. I started in Morocco and from there through the Sahara, where I met pythons and scorpios.
We went with camels, which was pretty adventurous. If something bites you, you die. You don’t have time to go to the hospital. We, my friend and I, travelled with Tuaregs. I love the nature and the adventure. And if you are respectful to death, nothing happens.

In the desert, you can’t have a fire. Fire would help you to scare away the animals. The gas lights we had were even worse as they attract the animals. At one point, I stood up, looked under my matress and found five scorpios. The Turag took a piece of a dry plant, and killed them like with it. Done! You have to know nature to survive. We slept in the dunes, totally covered because of the wind and the sand.

I know that you love music. Did you bring an instrument to the desert?

I brought a small guitar, a sort of mandolin.

What do you think about the relaunch of the Just Cavalli brand, of the S/S 2012 collection?

I liked the Just Cavalli show, strong and a very good way to relaunch the brand.

Do you prefer the main line Roberto Cavalli or Just Cavalli?

It depends on the show. The S/S 2012 Just Cavalli show was really good and it is great to see that the Just Cavalli brand is coming back. It is perfectly coordinating with the soul of the brand.

How would you dress women? Sexy like your father or more covered?

Both ways. I have my own vision of women. It would be really smart, chic and elegant. But believe me, I am telling you the truth,  I have never really thought about it. I think that I would do it the same as for the men, I would work on the tailoring, on the colours, on the  fabrics, always in a very chic way.

Yes, I would cover, but in the right way. I like to imagine. I love the dream. When the things are too obvious, it is less tempting. As a man, I like to use my imagination.

Have you studied fashion design?

I am lucky that I didn’t do it. I learnt everything from scratch.

Your father is Italian, your mother Austrian. What are you, more Italian or more Austrian?

I am really Italian, I am not Austrian. Actually, I am Florentine. My hometown is a historical, charming city, that sees the future, but keeps its treasure. Gardens, flowers, nature… Florence is a Rennaissance city. There is also something really dark. It is the contrast. My dark side is my blues side, meaning the music. I always like to work with opposite things and make them happen. Princess meets the bohemian women for example. I do it with everything in my life. The fusion is the most interesting part.

How is your German doing? Does your mum speak German with you?

No, my German is bad and whenever I saw my grandparents in Austria, it was pretty tough to understand them.

Was it a curse or a blessing to be Roberto Cavalli’s son?

Of course, a blessing! When I grew up, my father wasn’t popular at all. He was a pirate of the sea. We were riding in the summer times on small boots and he was protecting his family in the cabin when the weather and the waves were getting too tough. I like to see him like that. He is my father. The rest is part of the game.

Do all your siblings work in the company?
(Roberto Cavalli has two kids, Cristiana and Tommaso, from a previous marriage and three children, Rachele, Daniele and Robin with his wife Eva.)

My first sister Cristiana has a baby now and enjoys being a mom. She works just a little. My brother Tommaso takes care of the vineyards and trains the horses. Rachele designs the bags and has a little baby, too. My youngest brother Robin is still very young.

Would you like to move to another city? Or do you prefer staying in Florence?

Not to a big city like New York City. As for me, the horizon is so important, meaning it metaphorically, as a strong point of view. To live in a big city, it is always hard to see the horizon.

I am attracted to Asia. Moving for me would have more the impression of escaping. Maybe a girl would make me move (smiles).

Are you a heartbreaker?

Always, I live my life to break my heart. To be conscious, I fall in love with everything. What scares me in Milan sometimes is the following: I was at a friend’s party, where I said  hello to a lot of people. So many of them were asking me if I will be in Paris next week. And I was thinking why do they do that? People are working for Milan fashion week all year, and then they don’t even enjoy it because they are thinking already of the next thing. People are not appreciating what is in front of them. Florence saved me from such an attitude! I love Rome as well!

Do you like to do sports?

I was a sporty person. Until I was eigtheen, I was a soccer player, and I was a pretty good one. One day, I just put my shoes on the hook and stopped.
But I like sports. Your mind and your sould can only be powerful in a healthy body.

How do you see yourself in 25 years?

In the music industry. That is my biggest dream! I will do something important for myself in the music industry. I am ambitious. A great album would be amazing, producing, doing it by myself, but just if I am convinced of it. If I opened a music label, it wouldn’t be connected with the Cavalli universe, it would be mine.

Thank you, Daniele!

The photos are taken by André Saraiva for l’Offciel Hommes September 2011. The editorial is called “After Hours” and shows Daniele Cavalli in is his own collection of  S/S 2012. Tonight he will receive the GQ Man of the Year Award in Berlin and I am sure that for him there will be so much more to come…

LoL, Sandra

Roberto Cavalli, the “King of Bling” and the “Godfather of the Animal Prints” (as he quoted himself), will be soon coming to Switzerland for the Fashion Days Zurich. He will attend not only to present his latest relaunched Just Cavalli S/S 2012 collection, but also as a guest judge for the 8th annabelle award which will take place on November 10th, 2011. The lucky winner will receive a one year internship with the Florence based house.

Wild animal prints, floral embellishments and leather patches? It is surely no other than Roberto Cavalli.
His flamboyant iconic mix is seen everywhere on the red carpet and not only on celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Madonna and Lenny Kravitz. Last year, he celebrated his fashion house’s 40th anniversary. During Milan Fashion Week, I was able to meet with the Italian designer (who gives his nationality a lot of credit, believe me!). Please enjoy the interview where he explains his secret of success and why the Swiss women love Italian men.

You will be coming soon to Switzerland for the Fashion Days Zurich. Have you ever been to Zurich? Or will it be your first time in November?

Oh I have of course been to Zurich, many times! What a fantastic city, with a great energy. I love Switzerland, my wife Eva and I have a beautiful boutique in Saint Moritz, the nature is really stunning, it offers up a lot of inspiration.

What do you expect from the Fashion Days Zürich?

I’m really looking forward to taking part in Fashion Days Zürich, it’s a wonderful project. I expect to see new ideas from young, passionate people. I’m always curious about young talent and emerging designers, they are the people who will enter the industry with a fresh mind and new ideas, it’s essential to keep fashion alive!

One contestant will receive an internship with you in Florence. What are the main qualifications you are looking for?

The person will have to be positive, to come with a smile on their face and be driven by a strong desire to learn. I’m looking for raw talent that can be drawn out, and the curiosity of a young person. It’s so important that they are curious to learn!

Do you have an idea how your Swiss customers look like?

It’s not about how my customers look, the Cavalli world is not about looking a certain way! It’s about an attitude, it’s about personality, emotions! I think that my Swiss fans share in these beliefs the same way as my fans in Italy, China or Brazil do!

And oh yes, I had many Swiss girlfriends. The Swiss women are wonderful. They like the Italian men because we appreciate them. The Swiss men are sometimes too dry.

You have many different labels, from the main Roberto Cavalli line to Just Cavalli and Class by Roberto Cavalli, all three in different price levels. Dolce & Gabbana will be stopping their D&G brand and integrate it in the main line because they experienced that consumers didn’t understand the difference.
What about you? Is there a risk of confusion that costumers don’t understand why they should pay more for the Roberto Cavalli runway collection.

No, there is no risk of confusion. Obviously there are a lot of similarities, aesthetically speaking, between Just Cavalli and my main line Roberto Cavalli, because they are both part of the same Cavalli world and vision. But there are very basic and obvious differences too—Just Cavalli has a very young mindset— youthful, free-spirited, carefree! It’s an experimental line, and it obviously has a lower price point, so it’s more accessible than Roberto Cavalli mainline, whereas Roberto Cavalli is more formal and is taking the direction of demi-couture, the artisanship, the attention to detail—this is the fundamental difference.

What is your main target group for Just Cavalli? What is for you the big difference compared to the runway label?

Firstly, Just Cavalli is also a ’runway’ brand! We always have a fashion show, equally as beautiful as for the first line Roberto Cavalli. It may be the second line, but it is my baby! I love designing for Just Cavalli, because for me it’s a world of experimentation, researching and discovering new shapes, styles, materials! Just Cavalli has a ‘younger’ target, I don’t mean ‘younger’ as defined by an age bracket, but a younger philosophy—it’s very free-spirited and carefree and is highly competitive in the market segment known as “designer contemporary”. Roberto Cavalli is obviously accessible to a narrower target, it’s more exclusive of course, but I put the same amount of love and thought into each line.

The Just Cavalli line will not lose its distinct style codes, which have led to its success over the years, but will however evolve.

Is Just Cavalli your favourite son? Speaking in a metaphor.

I have three sons and two daughters. So yes, probably Just Cavalli is my fourth son. He is a little son but he grows very fast. But for a few seasons he was making me a little nervous, he was not good in school. But now, we have changed school and it is fantastic. And I enjoy teaching my son Just Cavalli. The DNA Cavalli is definitely there. He is a good son. He made so much progress.

Which do you think was the most important advice you have given your children? Did you expect them to work for you? Or did it happen naturally?

I got to where I am by believing in myself and following my heart, so I encourage my children to do the same! I’m proud to say that despite leading a very hectic life, I’ve always been very present in my children’s lives and I love having them around me in the work-place…but! If one day they decided “Papà, I want to leave the company to follow a different dream“, they would be leaving 100% with my blessing!

What was the most important thing you have learned from your father?

Sadly, I lost my father when I was very young, four years old. Luckily for me I had my outstanding mother! What a fantastic, marvellous person, a very brave woman … she was also present, by my side, in every phase of my life. She encouraged me to always carry on in the face of difficulties.

Please describe yourself in three words.

Passionate, curious, optimistic!

The secret of your success.

Self-belief and passion.

What makes a woman irresistible and sexy?

It’s not just how a woman looks but how she feels. I design my clothing so that the woman wearing my dress feels confident and believes in her beauty … it empowers her and this makes her fascinating. And last but not least the eyes. They are the soul of a woman!

Who is the most beautiful woman in the world? The sexiest woman alive?

Oh! What a question, there are too many beautiful women to name! Honestly I think that the sexiest woman alive is someone with great personality and strong character, a woman who knows who she is and what she wants! And, of course, she is even more beautiful if she is wearing a Roberto Cavalli dress, no?

Please tell us something about your iconic printed photographs on your materials!

Absolutely. That is my style. This makes the difference. Therefore they all like to copy me. I am the designer of the animal prints. Why? I remember one night in Kenia. I took a photo of a leopard. When you look at my prints, you can see the hair on it. Today, all the other designers copy me and do it my way. Two days ago, they opened a new store on Via della Spiga. So I thought: Ohmygod a new Cavalli store? It was no Cavalli, it was another designer but it looked completely Cavalli. My style is my style! This makes me nervous.

You have so many different projects and licenses, like the Just Cavalli restaurant in Milan, the Caffè Giacosa In Firenze, your own chocolats, vodka, wine, eyewear, clothes for dogs, childrenswear.
You have created a Cavalli universe? Where does the inspiration come from? Where are the limits?

Limits? This word is not in my vocabulary! The inspiration comes from everywhere, when you are a curious person you find everything you look for and more. I travel a lot, I’m a lover of the outdoors, of nature—my creations always have a connection to nature! What a beautiful world we live in!

Thank you Mr. Cavalli!

My dear readers, I hope that you have liked the interview!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht