Sandra‘s Closet

Today, I also went to see the Ermanno Scervino S/S 2012 show which took place at la Scuola Militare, the military school. The scenery was quite impressive and a wonderful juxtaposition to the very romantic and feminine collection.

With the next summer collection, Ermanno Scervino takes us on a voyage across India of Rajasthan and of the Maharajas. The Florence based designer is constantly melting different worlds and different materials, combining sportswear and couture by playing with unexpected combinations, such as geometric jackets over light ruffled dresses.

In the front row (so-called “frow” now), I spotted Alice Dellal (model and sister of shoe designer Charlotte Olympia) who is the new advertising face for the Ermanno Scervino F/W 2011 campaign, in the amazing black overall from the winter collection. Alice with her edgy look adds the right twist to those soft and playful creations.

Great choice! I have loved the S/S 2012 show and you? You can watch it at the end of this post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Campaign Photos: Courtesy of Ermanno Scervino

On the S/S 2011 runways, there was an Yves Saint Laurent mood in the air. Many designers got inspired by the late master of colour and the father of the trouser suit.

Yves Saint Laurent

The reason for this was probably the beautiful first posthumous retrospective of Yves Saint Laurent’s career with an exhibition of over 300 garments that took place last year at the Petit Palais museum in Paris. On display were his creations from his debut at Dior in 1958 up to the sumptuous evening dresses of 2002.

In 40 years of being a fashion designer, YSL revolutionized the female wardrobe by borrowing the tuxedo, the trouser suit and the safari jacket from men’s clothing in order to dress women, thereby transferring the symbols of power from one sex to another.

In 1961 Yves Saint Laurent decided to create his couture house. Just under 50 years ago, in January 1962, at the age of 26, he created a cultural shockwave by opening his first haute couture show with a caban jacket and trouser ensemble directly inspired by a fisherman’s pea coat.

The era in particular that was referenced for S/S 2011 was the 1970’s when Saint Laurent spent a tremendous amount of time at his second home in Marakkesh in his beautiful Majorelle botanical gardens. While being there he was greatly influenced by traditional Morrocan dressing and the gardens. His ashes were scattered there when he died in 2008.

I am in love with all those collections that are paying tribute to one of the greatest fashion designers of the 20th century and took the runways by storm. Therefore I put some collages for you together. I included photos of the exhibition of his previous creations to demonstrate the versatile references.

Enjoy this feast for the eyes.

LoL, Sandra

Just in case you have just warmed up yesterday at your Lanvin for H&M shopping tour, more is to come. Another interesting designer collaboration will hit the stores this Saturday, November 27: Valentino for Gap.

Unfortunately, it will only be available at a few locations in Europe: Gap’s new Milan store, Colette in Paris, in London at Gap’s flagship store on Oxford Street (from 9.30am) and at Dover Street (from 11am).

Due to the limitation, it is a great chance to invest in special-edition Valentino at a high-street price.

Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli said: „We love mixing different cultures and we have been excited to mix Gap’s timeless essentials with our Roman culture of couture.“

The small capsule collection is all about ruffles meet khaki. A signature Valentino bow is also seen on a cute skirt. I like the idea of utilitarian basics such as cargo pants and parkas reinterpreted with a romantic twist.

LoL, Sandra

My gorgeous press kit

Today, I was lucky to attend the Lanvin for H&M press preview. The line created by Alber Elbaz is breathtaking. Beautiful materials, well-tailored cuts, it seemed to me almost like a best of Lanvin collection, a playful take on his favourite pieces.

Please find herewith some impressions from the lookbook and more pictures of the ad campaign plus my personal photos that I took today in the showroom. They show the beauty of the clothes and accessories perfectly. I have also included the complete price list with all upcoming items, in Swiss Francs.

“What does luxury mean today? Can luxury be exclusive and democratic at the same time? How can we translate the essence 
of luxury to a wider audience? The world around us is changing rapidly and I find myself asking these questions more and more. 
Designer’s work is usually tailored to a very small group of people, but the collection for H&M was about trying to translate the dream 
of luxury to the masses. It was almost like going back to school for me.” Alber Elbaz, artistic director of Lanvin. Well done, Mr Elbaz!

Ladies, I will see you on November 23, 2010 because I want Lanvin…not flowers!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M
Lookbook, Photographer: Stéphane Gallois, Models: Irina Lazareanu and Vincent Olivieri
Campaign, Photographer: David Sims, Models: Natasha Poly, Hannelore Knuts, Tati Cotliar, Simon Nessman, Jane Schmitt and Garance Dumont

In the showroom.

I am totally in love with this dress and necklace.

The clothes come with the beautiful hangers.

Feminine dresses.

The fake fur looks a little like Chanel's fantasy fur, amazing!

Vibrant flower prints worn with pearls.

The illustrations by Alber Elbaz are fantastic.

I adore the T-shirts.

Leopard print and lipsticks.

Cute little clutches.

Love those men shoes!

This 50s inspired dress from Prada’s F/W 2010 collection is a key item for next season combining different trends perfectly. The emphasis on the bust is an ode to the womanhood, the length and the petticoat-style give it the perfect feminine allure. It is a very fashionable piece that will make heads turn. There is a reason that it has appeared in the Prada F/W 2010 campaign, in many editorials and on worldwide magazines covers.
Combine it with kitten heels, a top handle bag and a pair of sharp cat-eyes sunglasses for full-on glamour.

As for me, one of my must-haves this season!

LoL, Sandra