Sandra‘s Closet

Another great talent has left us. French fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier (21 August 1943 – 31 March 2022) has died today. His imagery helped write the history of 1990s fashion.

Born near Paris in 1943 to a modest family, Demarchelier spent his childhood in Le Havre, Normandy, with his mother and four brothers. His profession was self-taught. For his seventeenth birthday, his stepfather bought him his first camera. Demarchelier learned how to develop film, retouch negatives and began photographing friends and weddings.

Natalia Vodianova in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci.
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue, October 2008

In 1975, Demarchelier left Paris for New York City, United States to follow his girlfriend. He discovered fashion photography by working as a freelance photographer learning from, and working with photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Terry King, and Jacque Guilbert. Since the late 1970s he shot the covers for nearly every major fashion magazine including American, British and Paris Vogue, as well as Harper’s Bazaar. He also shot international advertising campaigns for Dior, Louis Vuitton, Celine, TAG Heuer, CHANEL, Donna Karan, Yves Saint Laurent, Tommy Hilfiger, Carolina Herrera, Moschino, Vera Wang, Elizabeth Arden, H&M, Sam Edelman, Zara, Max Azria, Express, Longchamp, Blumarine, Lacoste, Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren.

Lady Diana photographed by Patrick Demarchelier in 1990

However, he is perhaps best known for his intimate portraits of Princess Diana that helped establish her popularity and accessible public image.

In 2007, Christine Albanel, French Minister of Culture, honoured Demarchelier as an Officer in l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Literature), the same year that he received the CFDA Founder’s Award in Honor of Eleanor Lambert. Demarchelier also appeared in the film «The September Issue» and can be glimpsed in «The Sex & the City movie».

With his son Victor, who works also as a photographer.

Despite a rich and deep legacy, in 2018 amidst the #MeToo reckoning, Demarchelier was accused by seven models who worked with him of sexual harassment. In response to the allegations, Condé Nast announced: «We have informed Patrick we will not be working with him for the foreseeable future. Demarchelier denied the allegations.» However, he had never been charged and denied the allegations.

Demarchelier is survived by his wife Mia, his three sons, and three grandchildren.

LoL, Sandra

30 years later, still one of my favorite Vogue covers of all times, famous supermodels on the magazine’s 100th anniversary cover. Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue US, April 1992

Christy Turlington in Azzedine Alaïa.
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue US, May 1991

Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Harper’s Bazaar US, May 1998

Christy Turlington 
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Harper’s Bazaar US, July 1999

Photos: Via Vogue Harper’s Bazaar, Sothebys © Patrick Demarchelier

Not sure what to do over the weekend. Here is an idea. Start watching the new Netflix series «EMILY IN PARIS» that launched last Friday. I swear, you will be daydreaming about living in France, eating chocolate croissants, and falling in love. I have become immediately addicted. Thank God, my fiancé is half Parisian, haha. I know the reviews are not the best, ranking from «too cliche» to «embarrassing series, completely wrong image of Paris», but honestly I am absolutely loving it!

Left: Lily Collins Emily in Paris – Right: Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City

No other than Darren Star, who was also in charge of our favorites such as «Beverly Hills, 90210» (1990–2000), «Melrose Place» (1992–1999), and «Sex and the City» (1998–2004) created this American comedy-drama web television series. It stars Lily Collins as the titular character, Emily, an American woman moving to Paris for a job opportunity and better life. There she struggles to succeed in the workplace while searching for love and experiencing culture clash wth her «boring» Midwestern upbringing.

«You look American. Are you from Indiana?» asks Mindy (Ashley Park, right), when she first meets Emily, who has lunch alone in the park, wearing a fabulous Ganni silk top and dress, a Rag & Bone belt , combined with a Patricia Field Canary Bag.

Personally speaking, I have so many reminiscences with Emily. I used lived in Chicago, where she is from, and my first job experience was also in Paris. I worked at Sonia Rykiel at their ready-to-wear design department where I also experienced some funny moments and cultural clashes.

On her first day at the office in Paris, Emily wears an Alice + Olivia Eiffel Tower shirt, a Re/Done crop top,  snakeskin-print Ronny Kobo miniskirt, an Aldo bag and Christian Louboutin Gorgona booties, emblazoned with «Paris» and airmail stickers.

Emily in a green CHANEL (her favorite French brand) jacket from the Cruise 2020 collection combined with a checked Kangol hat.

The best about «EMILY IN PARIS» are the costumes. Behind them is my favorite stylist, Patricia Field, who became famous for her work at the set of «Sex and the City». We owe all those iconic Carrie Bradshaw fashion moments to her. Emily is like the Carrie Bradshaw for the next generation, with a wardrobe you wish you had yourself, and a growing Insta account you’d love to emulate.

An homage to Audrey Hepburn: Emily in a Christian Siriano dress, vintage fur and purse, La Compagnie du Costume jewellery and Cosmoparis shoes.

Don’t blame me, if you won’t leave your apartment this weekend and will be binge-watching all 10 episodes. And here are some Instagram accounts, you might one to follow after to get the details of the looks: @emilyinparis, and @emilyinparisfashion.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Netflix

History does repeat itself, and so do trends. Here’s another throwback to ’90s hair must-haves (after the revival of the barrettes) that is celebrated this S/S 2018 season: SCRUNCHIES.

Sarah Jessica Parker with a perm and a scrunchie in 1988.

It was no other than Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City who sentenced scrunchies in one episode to the purgatory of style faux pas with her portentous proclamation to her boyfriend Berger for mentioning a scrunchie in his novel, claiming that no New Yorker in her right mind would ever wear one. Love them, hate them, but you cannot ignore them, scrunchies were making a comeback even on the catwalk, and funkier than the ones we had been wearing decades ago.

Times change. Would it be controversial to say that now looking at those fabulous Balenciaga leather ones, I actually disagree with Carrie Bradshaw and totally think that they really are rather fabulous?!

YOU CAN SHOP THE BALENCIAGA SCRUNCHIES IN DIFFERENT COLOURS AT BROWNS FASHION AND NET-A-PORTER. FOR AROUND €150 EACH.

Styling tip: Because those leather scrunchies tend to keep sliding down your hair, I recommend giving it a good grip by applying SACHAJUAN’s Hair Powder to the part where the base of your ponytail will be. This will give your hair texture, fullness and help keep your scrunchie stay in place without adding any weight to your tresses.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balenciaga and © Getty Images

Something for my Swiss based readers today, especially for those who are looking for some cute Christmas gifts that you cannot find anywhere else. Let me introduce you to one of my dear friends Nina who started her business «Nina and the City» formerly known as «Kids and the City» 10 years ago as she was giving birth to her second child and the series «Sex and the City» was at its peak popularity. At the time, the focus was on personalized accessories for urban babies as the original name of the company indicated. My avid readers might still remember, for all others have a look at previous posts from 2010 and 2013.

Nina is a great business woman combining motherhood and her pop-up store in an amazing way. Her concept grew quickly and over the years the scope of the business broadened by including accessories for urban mothers being it textile or jewelry.

Today, «Nina and the City» distributes over 80 brands from all over the world. The differentiation lies in the uniqueness and the smaller scale productions of the products that range from fully affordable to more exclusive. The secret is in the discovery of unknown brands around the world in which Nina – the «truffle dog» as her friends call her – excels.

As every year, Nina and the City will soon open its doors again for a traditional
Private Christmas Sale.

Dates
Oct 31 – Nov 3 : 9 am – 7 pm
Nov 4: 9 am – 2 pm
Nov 6-7 : 9 am – 7 pm

Address
Binderstrasse 61, 8702 Zollikon, Switzerland

For us, she gave us a sneak preview about what to expect and told us about her favorites that will be available for sale next week:

These rings look so adorable stacked! Wear the initials of your family…

Rings – diamond rings with initials that are made out of 18 kt solid yellow, white or rose gold. The diameter of the circle is 8mm and the initial is surrounded by 0,17-0,21 kt (depends on which initial) white (F-VS), brown or black diamonds. This gives an amazing sparkle. To top it off a black rhodium can be added. The rings are stackable for those who have more loved ones to honour with initials. The rings are fully tailored for a very affordable price.

A beautiful look from Manidou

Fashion – cashmere from la Capra, women fashion from Ann&Line, scarves from Manidou (all Swiss brands!) and capes from the Capemädchen.

A personalized bangle

Personalized jewelry – broad variety of personalized jewelry from bangles to bracelets or necklaces in different gold tones, plated or solid, with diamonds or without and for every budget.

With plenty of unique gift ideas and Christmas around the corner, it’s definitely an event not to be missed! See you there!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands via Nina and the City

Me in the Haight area wearing black leggings by BLUMARINE, military shirt by BALMAIN, top and pink-khaki scarf by LOUIS VUITTON and suede clogs by MIU MIU

Last week, I spent a few days in San Francisco. Haight Ashbury is the famous intersection in the area that gets its notoriety from the “psychedelic” culture and the 1968 “Summer of Love”. Today, you can still feel the hippie vibe with its fragments of flower-power.

When I was walking around the district, I got so inspired by the gorgeous bright coloured houses, so-called Painted Ladies. The term refers to Victorian and Edwardian buildings painted in three or more colours that embellish their architectural features.

Adopting that idea and transferring it to fashion, I styled some beautiful outfits in different colour combinations. You will see how stunning some shades can look together. Most people tend to wear a more neutral palette along with black. There is nothing against this. But today, I want to challenge you a bit and demonstrate how wonderful a little mix with some bolder tones can appear without looking like a clown.

It is again all about that special twist. Carrie in Sex and the City might be the perfect example: Patricia Field, the show`s stylist, opts very often for something that looks kind of strange in the beginning, but then so surprising and interesting that you cannot take your eyes of it.

Experiment with your own style! That is the thing that is so hard to copy and will earn you lots of admiring glances.

Spare for a little hug?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Sex and the City 2 hits the theaters next week on May 27. Enjoy my insight into the much discussed, long-awaited movie that is a must for every fashionista.

What happens if you say yes? It is two years later, Carrie is living the life with Big which lost a little its sparkle, Samantha has become a pill-addicted, Charlotte is struggling with the pressure she is experiencing as a mother of two, only Miranda seems to cope with her life as a  mom and a professional woman. Still all girls look fantastic in their to-die-for outfits once again put together by famous stylist Patricia Field. Guest stars are Penelope Cruz, Liza Minelli and “Hannah Montana” actress Miley Cyrus.

A little excitement comes in when the girls jump at a chance for an all-expenses-paid trip to Abu Dhabi. The glamorous, sun-drenched adventure surprises with some mysterious coincidences like Carrie bumping into her ex Aidan. The desert looks are so vivid, luxurious and divine. Fashionistas, grab your turbans!

Last week, the book to the movie “Sex and the City 2 – The Stories. The Fashion. The Adventure” was released. It is a great buy as you can find most of the foursome`s outfits with detailed descriptions.

The new must-have accessories will be sweatbands, preferably in neon colours. As spotted on Sarah Jessica Parker – just gorgeous!
Moreover for your evenings out, Skyy Vodka offers “cocktail couture” with a special designed SATC 2 bottle designed by Patricia Field.

The hype has no end in sight. Bergdorf Goodman asked Patricia Field to style the windows of their department store on 58th street. Each of them celebrates a familiar Sex and the City moment. That is New York City!

The four actresses are the cover girls for the recent June edition of American Marie Claire magazine. Get your issue now.

One last anecdote. The buzz began last summer when tons of fans followed the crew around the city to get the best views on the first location shoots. Rumors had it quickly that Samantha will tie the knot in the sequel after her appearance in a bridal gown. There had been many memorable weddings on the show. Think about Charlotte and Trey in the kilt, or that beautiful little ceremony between Steve and Miranda, not to forget Mr. Big and Carrie.

In case you thought Samantha would be the last girl to put the ring on it, you got duped. Kim Cattrall who plays the maneater Samantha had the devious idea to set the fans on the wrong track. There is going to be a ceremony indeed, but it will be a gay one between Stanford and Anthony. Carrie will wear a smoking, don`t you think that this is probably a little too cliché?!

If you cannot get enough of Carrie, I recommend Candace Bushnell`s newest book. “The Carrie Diaries” is about the young protagonist as a high-school senior. A nostalgic look back, an addictive story and a nice way of getting to know our iconic “Sex and the city” fashionista a little better.

Get carried away!

LoL, Sandra