Sandra‘s Closet

A splash of colour, a wave of iridescent light, a breath of fresh air, the joy of sunrays caressing one’s skin. From bright to pastel, a portfolio of Malibu sunrise yellows make up the Sunbathing collection, while Riviera blues embody the Morning Swim pieces. A place in the sun.

Beachwear prints, gradient Monogram, Damier motifs – Louis Vuitton icons play with colour. Going from day to night, sorbets to cocktails, the collection draws inspiration from fizzy red and parasol stripes, features raffia and embossed leather. Silk twill pyjamas, bobs, bag charms, small leather goods, a beach towel and sarong, sandals and sneakers – a burst of colour under the summer sun.

A sporty parka in gradient nylon, the brilliance of a sequined dress, a Capucines, NéoNoé and the multipocketed Papillon – twists on House classics brush the skin and awaken desires. Shine, dance, dream of an endless summer, feeling relaxed, fresh in carefree attire for summer 2021.

Available in all Louis Vuitton stores from March 19th.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Vuitton

It is always a pleasure to be invited by Montblanc to one of their special events. This summer, it was Florence calling for the launch of the new 1926 Montblanc Heritage Collection which takes its inspiration from safari travel and exploration.

With this beautiful vegetable-tanned leather collection that is finished with vintage gold hardware for the modern adventurer, Montblanc continues their story of innovation.
So gentlemen, whether you plan an excursion to the sandy dunes of Sahara or a safari to the plains of East Africa, this line is for you.

If you are rather an urban nomad, you will love those 1926 Montblanc Heritage piece as well as they offer an extremely chic and stylish way to carry personal items or technology around the city.

Ladies adventurers: Divine Bonga, PR Montblanc, and my humble self, exploring the launch event.

I am absolutely convinced that many ladies will fall for its vintage feel and the earthy, easy to combine desert hues, too. At the latest, when they spot the bright red printed lining that is inspired by the vibrant fabrics worn by the regal Maasai tribe.

Dubbed the Heritage 1926 collection in recognition of the year Montblanc added leather goods to its business with a small collection of pen cases, the new range features backpacks of different sizes, portfolios, document holders and brief cases, as well as a mid-size weekender and some fine stationery.

Hugh Jackman with me

The launch party took place at Europe’s largest private garden. Italian hospitality at its best with great music, fine food, beautiful displays to create a whole world around the new collection and a special guest that is a true adventurer: Montblanc ambassador Hugh Jackman who had flown in for this special occasion.

An Italian worker explaining how the tanning process of the leather works.

Montblanc’s Creative Director, Zaim Kamal explained to me that for the first time, Montblanc has been using traditional Tuscan vegetable-tanned leather that will take on a patina with age. An early trend for next summer has been spotted at Pitti Uomo, the biannual menswear and accessories trade fair in Florence: Seventies-style bohemianism that plays exactly with that vintage feel that makes the products genuinely personal.

At Montblanc’s manufacture in Tuscany where the leather goods are produced.

The morning after the launch party, I visited the Montblanc manufacture in Tuscany and saw with my own eyes the leather craftsmanship that goes into each of those pieces. I was extremely impressed by the different steps that have to be applied in order to achieve the antique gold color finishing of the metal fittings or the bridge and clasp closing systems.

I am sure that the new 1926 Montblanc Heritage Collection will be a full success among all gentlemen and ladies adventurers. Below you can enjoy some more of my impressions of this fantastic event in Florence …

LoL, Sandra

At the launch event in Florence dressed in Gucci.

The evening started with a cocktail reception in the largest private garden in Europe.

Every little detail was perfect.

Mr Hugh Jackman had fun as we did!

On our way inside the tent where dinner was served, we felt like adventurers on a safari.

You could feel the mood behind the collection perfectly.

Seated dinner

Beautiful ambiance

Pieces from the 1926 Montblanc Heritage Collection on display.

Photos in Collage/Still: © Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Montblanc
All other photos from the event: © Sandra Bauknecht

After or – of course before – your visit to the Gucci museo, you can enjoy a nice lunch at the restaurant that is located on the museum’s ground floor.
And here the logomania is to be taken literally, see for yourselves:

Aren’t those little sugar “cubes” just too cute?!

This happens when you are having lunch with bloggers…

Right next to the restaurant is the museum shop that offers a large selection of art, fashion and photography books plus all sort of Gucci-labelled goodies, from chocolates to Caran d’Ache pencils and small leather goods.

In a seperate room, so-called “Icon Store”, you can find all sorts of special edition bags and scarfs, made for the museum. These pieces are only available here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Chanel small leather goods are enjoying a new design with the Palette line, a collection of wallets, a coin purse, card holders, key holders, make-up bags, an iPhone case and an iPad clutch.

True to Chanel’s signature aesthetic, all pieces are covered in aged calfskin, the legacy of the iconic 2.55 bag, distinguished here by flat lozenge quilting. Available in metallic gold or silver tones with pastel-toned linings in white, dusty pink, grey and beige.

This generous range of sixteen pieces – each one as practical as it is desirable – will be available in Chanel boutiques from late September 2011.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chanel