Sandra‘s Closet

There is no doubt that the vanity bag – preferably in burgundy – is the F/W 2024 staple in the wardrobes of those in the know. While the rich burgundy hue appears every fall and winter to replace summer’s brights and pastels, the shade has gotten new life.

Rising designer prices had been prompting Gen Z to repurpose vanity bags as clutches. I mean for a modest cost, you can buy beauty products and receive a complimentary designer vanity bag, enjoying the same luxury experience. High end designer brands transform these shapes now into the new must-have handbags, needless to say for a higher amount, as demonstrated by iconic designs such as the Loro Piana Pouch Bag and Bottega Veneta’s latest Bang Bang style.

This is how a trend is born, these bags perfectly combine style and utility. Below are the best ones available at the moment.

LoL, Sandra

Gaby Vanity leather shoulder bag by Saint Laurent

Bang Bang Vanity mini intrecciato leather tote by Bottega Veneta

Mini pouch bag by Loro Piana

Mini camelia shoulder bag by Furla

Burgundy velvet vanity bag by Roger Vivier

Shoulder bag in GG leather by Gucci

Photos: © Courtesy of the Brands
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All good things come wrapped in bows, and Roger Vivier‘s «Jewel Box» is a real treat to open. The red grosgrain ribbons unravel to reveal a thoughtfully curated selection of accessories, including a pair of gold-tone crystal earrings, a velvet headband topped with bejeweled buckle and a sparkly acrylic hair clip detailed with the brand’s logo. The lucky recipient can admire themselves and their new gifts using the mirror inside. I am in love. Valentine’s Day is coming up and this would be the perfect surprise.

TO SHOP THE JEWEL BOX GIFT SET, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Roger Vivier
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

When the holiday season rolls around, everybody needs a cozy yet stylish pair of warm slippers or slides. Ladies, don’t fight what’s warm and fluffy! This winter, for all the time we spend at home, complete your loungewear look, head-to-toe, with a warm and toasty slip-on.

Whether it’s Christmas morning, a Zoom call, or just a lazy weekend day, you might consider snagging one of these stylish pairs for yourself or as a gift to your loved ones ahead of the holiday.

Channel your inner cozy girl.

LoL, Sandra

FF-logo shearling slippers by Fendi (my choice)

So Dream shearling slides by Aquazzura

Fria shearling-lined houndstooth tweed slippers by Gucci

Berkley daisy-appliqué shearling-lined slides by Fabrizio Viti

Hotel Vivier Strass satin slippers by Roger Vivier

Doris shearling and suede slides by Net-à-Porter x ATP Atelier (worn in cover collage)

Homey flat mules by Louis Vuitton

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and Net-à-Porter x ATP Atelier
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

«You can’t let someone else lower your self-esteem, because that’s what it is – self-esteem. You need to first love yourself before you have anybody else love you.»
– Winnie Harlow

Today is International Women’s Day (IWD) and we celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of inspirational women such as Winnie Harlow. I admire the Canadian fashion model, spokesperson, and activist who shows us to love ourselves with all our little imperfections.

Role model Winnie Harlow posing naked on her Instagram @winnieharlow

She was diagnosed with vitiligo, the chronic skin condition, characterized by depigmentation of portions of the skin, at the age of four. Harlow was a victim of bullying by other children and was reportedly called a «cow, zebra, and all manner of other disparaging slurs» throughout her childhood. The verbal harassment led to her changing schools numerous times and dropping out of high school, after which she contemplated committing suicide.

Her life changed when Tyra Banks discovered her for the twenty-first cycle of the U.S. television series America’s Next Top Model. Winnie gained easily prominence as a contestant despite her skin condition and finished sixth place. From then, she has worked as a successful model and was the face for several campaigns.

Get her look she wore on the streets of New York City recently: Custom Crystal fox fur coat by M.A Skinz, feather-trimmed embellished printed crepe blouse and cropped chain-trimmed printed crepe straight-leg pants, both from Prada‘s Resort 2018 collection and D’orsay Marlene heels in petal by Roger Vivier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roger Vivier (Photo by Gotham/GC Images), via Winnie Harlow and stills courtesy of the brands

The «ugly-chic» footwear aka pool slide trend is major this S/S 2018 season. I have to admit that I haven’t arrived there yet… I mean I am talking about the plastic slip-ons first made popular by Adidas (in German we called them «Adiletten» and they were a no-go) that are now popular like hell. This season almost every designer has given them an upgrade from embellishments to crystals, from mink to feathers, just get your wallet ready!

LoL (Laughing out Loud literally), Sandra

Daisy appliquéd glittered rubber slides by Marc Jacobs

Crystal-embellished slides by Gucci

Faux leather star slides by Stella McCartney

Bon Bon embellished slides by Aquazurra

Slidy Viv’ calf hair slides by Roger Vivier

Hellea leather slides by Isabel Marant

Velvet slides by Prada

Embossed leather slides by Loewe

Calypso logo-embossed leather slides by Balmain

Joan embellished leather slides by Saint Laurent

Leather slides by Fendi

Pursuit horsebit-detailed perforated rubber slides by Gucci

Checked rubber slides by Burberry

Fur slides by Givenchy

Fur slides by Dolce & Gabbana

Feather slides by Valentino

Jeanne fur slides by Moncler

Cindi fringe slides by UGG Australia

Mink fur slides by Valentino

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Casual days at the pool, comfy evenings at home, today I would like to present you the most exquisite versions of the basic slip-on sandals.

1 Embellished slip-on sandals by Chloé
2 Ode embellished slip-on sandals by Fendi
3 Slidy Viv leather slip-on sandals by Roger Vivier
4 Kerenn flat shearling mule by Chloé
5 Egg shearling and mink fur slip-on sandals by Anya Hindmarch
6 Velvet slides by Dolce & Gabbana
7 Beth slip-on sandals by Ganni
8 Isle Slide embellished slip-on sandals by Tory Burch
9 Printed slides by Givenchy
10 Embellished slip-on sandals by Fendi

Aren’t those Dolce & Gabbana velvet hotel slides hilarious? A funny sense of humor…

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

A new trend, yet so old. The traditional Moroccan slippers has taken the runways. So it’s without a doubt that the pointed-toe babouche is the new It-shoe of 2016. Shown in Céline’s Resort 2016 and already in many other Pre-fall 2016 collections, the style comes with an elongated toe and easily slips on.

Worn by the French nobility in the 16th century, as well as by bedouins, this traditional footwear can still be found today in many North African markets in bright colors with ornaments and embellishments. So it might be worth investing in a quick trip to Morocco.

The must-have version is Céline‘s babouche slipper with a single buckled strap across the neck of the foot. In stores now for CHF 660.00.

Or choose from this amazing selection below:

1 Jacno leather slippers by Pierre Hardy
2 Sabine suede and leather slippers by Rag & Bone
3 Lynda embellished slippers by Oscar de la Renta
4 Embellished raffia-trimmed leather slippers by Toga
5 Louie leather slippers by 3.1 Phillip Lim
6 Horsebit-detailed goat hair slippers by Gucci
7 Tian Princetown horsebit-detailed printed coated canvas slippers by Gucci
8 Embellished velvet slippers by Dolce & Gabbana
9 Chips embellished satin slippers by Roger Vivier

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

For the F/W 2015 collection, ROGER VIVIER launches a limited edition of the Belle Vivier Trompette Pump, exclusively available at the Geneva Store.

The iconic pump is made up of an all-over glen check print pony effect leather, embellished with the golden signature buckle.

The edition is limited to 8 pairs, available in-store from September 2015:
Roger Vivier, 21, rue du Rhône, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
Phone: +41 22 310 43 33 (I would suggest to call the store now to reserve your pair…).

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Roger Vivier

Monday, I attended during Paris Fashion Week the Roger Vivier Cocktail to celebrate the launch of the book ‘Roger Vivier’, held at the boutique on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The tome will be available from April 2nd in the Roger Vivier boutiques and in fine bookstores.

Among the guests was Inès de la Fressange (see photo with me above), a French model, aristocat, designer of fashion and perfumes, and former muse for Karl Lagerfeld (Inès walked in the Chanel S/S 2011 runway show at the age of 54.). She has a very cute section on the Roger Vivier homepage, called “Ines’ Little Diaries”. Personally speaking, she looked absolutely stunning and was very lovely to talk to.

Inès de la Fressange and Bruno Frisoni

Today, designer Bruno Frisoni is at the helm of Roger Vivier. He’s one of the most charming designers in fashion and his witty humor can be seen perfectly in the picture I took of him at the event. He knows well how to design shoes in which ladies feel elegant.

Roger Vivier himself (1907–1998) was a French fashion designer who specialized in shoes and became famous for his stiletto heel. He was called the “Fragonard of the shoe” and many critics compared his creations to Fabergé. He designed the footwear for Queen Elizabeth II that she wore to her coronation in 1953 and the famous “buckle” shoes, Catherine Deneuve sported in the iconic French movie “Belle de Jour”, together with Yves Saint Laurent clothing.

Blogger girls from left to right: Me, Elisa Nalin, Tamu McPherson and Eleonara Carisi.

When we left the event, every guest got this cute little iPhone cover.

YOU CAN SHOP A LARGE SELECTION OF ROGER VIVIER AT LUISAVIAROMA AND MYTHERESA.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of Roger Vivier

When I stumbled across the new US April Vogue and this amazing editorial featuring Kate Moss showcasing the most beautiful of January’s couture collections at the hotel Ritz in Paris, before closing its doors for renovation, I had to share this with you.

Lensed by one of my favourite photographers Tim Walker and styled by Grace Coddington, this is a feast for your eyes! Enjoy!

My Bleu Heaven
A cornflower-blue dress by Sarah Burton, reminiscent of 1950s couture, plays on proportion and contrast: nipped-in waist and voluminous skirt; flat jacquard against exploding lace. Alexander McQueen lace bustier jacquard dress.

At First Blush
Moss, in the bathroom of the Coco Chanel Suite, wears a petal-like cocktail dress and cape, inspired by a 1960 design, from a pink-and-silver cloque lamé created by Cristóbal Balenciaga.

Life Imitates Art I
Like the neoclassical crimson satin sofa, a dramatic tiered evening dress (Dior’s finale look) adds a jolt of brilliant color to the hushed palette of an Imperial Suite salon. Dior Haute Couture silk dress.

Life Imitates Art II
Bellhop Nicolas Deschamps balances a Roger Vivier silk-and-feather pump on his cap.

Sleeping Beauty
For three decades, Coco Chanel called the hotel her home. Here, the bedroom of the suite named for her. Armani Privé sequined embroidered flared bustier dress.

Boxed Out
Karl Lagerfeld took over the first-floor-spanning Imperial Suite, seen here, for his 1996 couture collection. Chanel Haute Couture embroidered organza flower coat and pumps.

Cocktail Hour
“I drink the French 76: vodka, sugar, lemon juice topped up with champagne; it’s the best drink ever, but it only tastes like that in the Hemingway Bar,” says Moss, here in L’Espadon. “Colin [Field, Ritz Paris head bartender] made it for my wedding. It doesn’t taste at all strong—and then, whoa, whoops-a-daisy!” Alexis Mabille Haute Couture burnished lamé dress and hat.

Light Show
“When I was with Johnny Depp, he always stayed there. I had an apartment in Paris at the time, but he said, ‘No, we’re staying at the Ritz,’ so he came by and swept me up to the Ritz—he didn’t want to slum it in my apartment!” Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci.

Room Service
“Gianni’s [Versace] shows were amazing—and sooo convenient. Walk downstairs, go to work: Love that!” says Moss, with housekeepers Khadidja Fakri and Lollie Bacete (standing). Dior Haute Couture embroidered silk dress. Headpiece created by Julien d’Ys.

View From the Top
Giambattista Valli sent out a cinched draped-shoulder goddess dress in “a color so deep, so intense, you can almost smell it—like bougainvillea on the Mediterranean coast.” Giambattista Valli Haute Couture silk dress and necklace.

Special Delivery
In the Flower Room, a team of five florists overseen by floral designer Djordje Varda is charged with, among other things, selecting and arranging 10,000 blooms for the hotel each week.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Vogue, Tim Walker