Sandra‘s Closet

Long expected! This fall, MIU MIU begins the sales of their first perfume Miu Miu. Miuccia Prada is a master of the counterintuitive, she mixes the common and the ultra-refined to create something surprising and knowing yet never contrived. Drawing on Prada’s inspiration, perfumer Daniela Andrier creates a study in contrasts. The focus is on lily of the valley flowers supported with floral notes of jasmine, rose absolute and synthetic green notes, as well as a special ingredient created by Givaudan, akigalawood, which develops the scent of patchouli, notes of pepper and woody aromas of oud. Unique, youthful and sophisticated, the new scent will surely be a bestseller.

Trapeze mini matelassé leather shoulder bag by Miu Miu

The flacon of the first Miu Miu fragrance is inspired by the special material characteristic of the brand’s iconic matelassé leather bags.

The face of the advertising campaign, shot by Steven Meisel, is actress Stacy Martin.

Miu Miu Fragrance Collection
Eau de Parfum 30 ml CHF 84,00
Eau de Parfum 50 ml CHF 110,00
Eau de Parfum 100 ml CHF 150,00
Available in Switzerland at Marionnaud from September 14, 2015.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

Prada’s latest fragrance evolved from the concept of an imaginary flower created especially for Candy. Of course, Candy cannot simply have any flower. Her flower has to be wondrous and sophisticated, unlike any other. One that is simply unique.

Prada Candy Florale is the third fragrance from the Prada Candy collection. The original Candy was launched in 2011, followed by Candy L’Eau in 2013

PRADA CANDY FLORALE
FLORAL FRUITY GOURMAND
Top note: Sorbet of Limoncello
Middle note: Peonies
Base note: Musks, Benzoin and Caramel

Available in perfumeries and selected warehouses by the end of April 2014 as Eau de Toilette Spray 30ml (CHF 74.00), 50ml (CHF 99.00) and 80ml (CHF  127.00).

Steven Meisel captures Léa Seydoux as Candy at her most sensual and uplifting for the new ad campaign, with the fragrance transporting her into a dreamlike state. Just beautiful!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada and © Sandra Bauknecht

Reminiscent of a soccer team group shot, the new Prada S/S 2014 ad campaign shot by  Steven Meisel reflects the fierce and independent spirit of the collection. Teams of models hold us in their collective gaze, looking forward in a united vision.

The only thing missing is the football… but I am sure that most of us will be ready for the fashionable battle in Prada’s sporty tube socks and striped details. Personally speaking, I am crazy for those giant mural prints of female faces on the dresses, fur coats and bags. Those will definitely score a goal in my closet!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada

Marc Jacobs dedicated his final collection for Louis Vuitton to the women who inspire him. In the same spirit, the S/S 2014 advertising campaign is devoted to a series of portraits of the designer’s muses.

Catherine Deneuve, Sofia Coppola, Gisele Bündchen, Fan Bingbing, Caroline de Maigret and Edie Campbell, the model hand-picked by Marc Jacobs to open his final runway show, are photographed by Steven Meisel.

The simple studio backdrop and restrained color palette turn the spotlight on the personality of each, as well as on the season’s variations on the iconic Noé bag – embroidered with feathers, crystals, alligator or Sprouse sequins, in supple calfskin, or in Monogram canvas trimmed with black leather.

Just as Marc Jacobs’ valedictory show was intended as a celebration, so this, his final campaign for Louis Vuitton, offers a vibrant homage to women and to enduring style.

On the S/S 2014 runway, a single bag appeared in a myriad different guises, the NN14 – the season’s statement update of the iconic Noé bag, famously designed by Gaston-Louis Vuitton in 1932 in response to a request from a champagne producer for an elegant way of carrying five bottles of fizz.

The limited-edition NN14 was created through what Marc Jacobs described as a “cleaning” of the original design – smaller, more streamlined, but still recognizable as a “bucket” for champagne. In addition to Les Extraordinaires, the extremely rare and precious editions whose extravagant embellishments – feathers, crystals, sequins, studs, alligator appliqués – testify to Louis Vuitton’s exceptional savoir-faire, several simpler versions of the NN14 bag will set the tone of the next season.

All share the NN14’s distinctive details: a hand-pleated leather tassel closure, a Louis Vuitton-embossed leather handle, and the emblematic LV padlock and key bell. Inside the bag, a matching removable zippered pocket is perfect for stowing valuables.

The NN14 in Monogram Idole combines canvas with calfskin trim in black, dark red or deep blue. The bag comes in two sizes: small for elbow and hand carry (also available in classic Monogram canvas with natural cowhide trim), and large, which can additionally be worn on the shoulder.

This bag will surely fly of the shelves… question is which one is your favorite?! I am crazy for this embellished one…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Sophistication and raw sensuality come together in Prada’s F/W 2013 campaign, shot by Steven Meisel in New York.

A stellar ensemble of fresh new faces such as Amanda Murphy and Kristine Froseth star alongside iconic, era-defining stars like Christy Turlington and Freja Beha. They inhabit seductively stark scenes, the pivotal characters in an enigmatic portrait of femininity.

Photographer: Steven Meisel

Models: Amanda Murphy, Catherine McNeil, Kristine Froseth, Christy Turlington, Caroline De Maigret, Cameron Russell, Fei Fei Sun, Rachel Williams, Malaika Firth, Freja Beha, Sophia Ahrens

Location: New York, studio, April 15th-20th 2013

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada

I have just received the new Prada Resort 2013 ad campaign photographed by Steven Meisel in New York City in the beginning of September and featuring model Sasha Pivovarova. Pretty cool, isn’t it? I am so ready for the new season…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada

Continuing the theme of ‘portraits for successful living’, Diesel’s Screen Test F/W 2012 ad campaign puts fashion and strong personalities together to create a set of highly stylised performances to camera.

Iconic fashion photographer Steven Meisel creates the series of modern Screen Tests, featuring some of the most exciting contemporary models – Karen Elson, Hanne Gaby Odiele, Jamie Bochart, Fei Fei Sun, Coco Rocha, Mirte Maas, Sid Ellisdon, Ethan James, Yuri Pleskun, Sallieu Jalloh and Dae Na – inviting each character to enter his frame and role-play to the camera.

Each subject is engaged in a creative, playful act, expressing their individuality with confidence and attitude; props swiped from a dressing up box provide the riff for each invented persona. On digital screens the incorporation of animated cinemagraphs allows each image to come alive with the slightest movement.

In an irreverent grid layout, the characters become inadvertently connected and we see an accidental social network develop. A mix of styles and identities play against each other to create a singular, defiant, ‘Diesel attitude’.

In a global age of instant communication, Diesel presents a campaign beyond genre conventions. Taking cues from sophisticated high fashion as well as street style, the campaign mixes codes and references without fear or rules.

It is this ‘anything goes’ attitude to fashion that underpins this provocative and playful campaign, which will come to life in F/W 2012 with a 360° media approach, which will include print and online implementations, and a strong approach on social networks.

I like and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Diesel

A virtual labyrinth of fantasy and reality is the set for Prada’s F/W 2012 campaign, photographed in New York by Steven Meisel. Models are arranged in careful poses in the futuristic enclosure, the precise angle of an arm and an elegant neck echoing the geometry of the scene. Shifting camera angles and an endless depth of field create a playful illusion of perspective and proportion, recalling the setting for a videogame.

Blocks of coordinated colour created by clothing, dip-dyed hair and furniture produce a chromatic architecture for our fashion avatars. Structure and play is reflected in clothes and accessories, where plexi and sequin embellishments are constructed to look like embroidery and flirtatious daisy appliqués are arranged into formal repeating motifs. Manmade linear furnishings in orange, purple and monochrome accentuate the gem-coloured prints of suiting and accessories.

So beautiful!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada

Tomorrow, May 14, “Kaiser Karl” will reign over the world of fashion once more. Lagerfeld will show his Resort 2013 collection for Chanel at Versailles. Of course, it will be a big production, but all details are still under wraps. Past Chanel Resort shows have been presented at the Lido in Venice (Resort 2010), and one of my favourites, in St. Tropez (Resort 2011). Their locations usually bewray the inspiration for the collection.

Versailles was the famous place where the French royal family ruled in extravagance for 100 years before the French Revolution. What does come to your mind? As for me, I could only think of excess, rich fabrics, opulence.

 I am truly curious what Karl Lagerfeld has been thinking of.  If anyone is up to the task to pay tribute to Marie Antoinette or to revive those decadent moments in time, it is definitely him. I am sure that he will surprise us as the setting has to be different from his S/S 2011 Chanel show that was based on Versailles’s extensive gardens (see above).

If you look in fashion history, this won’t be the first time Versailles has been used for a show.

In 2007, John Galliano rented out the palace for a huge spectacle – Dior‘s 60th anniversary couture show.

In 1973, five upcoming US-designers, Anne Klein, Stephen Burrows, Halston, Bill Blass, and Oscar de la Renta faced off against French couturiers Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, and Emanuel Ungaro in a runway spectacle that became known as the Battle of Versailles.

The French designers were certain of victory, due to their long tradition and know-how. But the Americans had a secret weapon; a vibrant group of eight African-American models plus the wish to conquer the European world of fashion. And the celebrity-packed audience of 800, including a tiara-wearing Princess Grace cheered to their performance. It was that chilly night changed the face and colour of fashion forever.

There have also been numerous fashion editorials photographed at Versailles over the years.

Above:
1 Shalom Harlow by Steven Meisel for Vogue October 1994
2 Diane Krüger by Gilles Marie Zimmerman for Paris Match March 2012
3 Trish Goff by Steven Meisel for Vogue October 1994

Please enjoy this little summary of some of the most beautiful ones, along with other palace-set shoots by Karl Lagerfeld himself.

Jessica Stam and Snejana Onopka by Karl Lagerfeld for Harper’s Bazaar Romania November 2007

Gisele Bündchen by Karl Lagerfeld for Harper’s Bazaar June 2007

Vanessa Paradis by Karl Lagerfeld for Tatler Russia July 2012

Stay tuned for the photos of the Chanel Resort 2013 show.

LoL, Sandra

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