Sandra‘s Closet

Yesterday Meghan Markle, now to be known as the Duchess of Sussex, enjoyed her big day as she married Prince Harry in a lovely ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. Fashionistas all over the world had been waiting eagerly for her wedding dress to be revealed. And it was surprisingly Givenchy. Clare Waight Keller, who designed the dress, became the first female artistic director of the French Maison last year after a long time at the helm of Chloé.

Per the official statement from the Palace:

«Ms. Markle and Ms. Waight Keller worked closely together on the design. The dress epitomises a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy and showcasing the expert craftsmanship of its world-renowned Parisian couture atelier founded in 1952.
True to the heritage of the house, the pure lines of the dress are achieved using six meticulously placed seams. The focus of the dress is the graphic open bateau neckline that gracefully frames the shoulders and emphasises the slender sculpted waist. The lines of the dress extend towards the back where the train flows in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. The slim three-quarter sleeves add a note of refined modernity.»

The gown was surprisingly simple, but elegantly classic, with a bateau neckline, long sleeves, a drop waist and a stunning monarch-length veil which some may found quite unusual considering Meghan’s strong feminist views.

However, the five-meters long silk tulle veil had a special, symbolic meaning behind it that relates to Prince Harry’s appointment as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador and featured a unique flora from every Commonwealth country with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers.

Moreover the bride opted for a filigree tiara with a center stone for her wedding day which originally belonged to Queen Mary. It is a classic, antique piece that has long been a part of the royal collection.

For all future brides, click on the highlighted text to get her look:
Crystal and faux-pearl embellished gown by Givenchy, Rosita crystal headband by Jennifer Behr, Marie embroidered tulle veil by Needle & Thread, and
Portrait of a Lady crystal-embellished grosgrain slingback pumps by Aquazurra.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Getty Images, Courtesy of Givenchy

The legendary Vienna Opera Ball, that started in 1877 under Emperor Francis Joseph, is considered as the highlight of the social calendar in the Austrian capital and usually takes place on the last Thursday of the carnival season. The city of waltzes celebrates more than 450 balls each year but as far as glamour goes, the Vienna Opera Ball is up there with the BAFTAs and the Met Ball. For the event, the State Opera is transformed into the most festive, imposing and high-profile ballroom in the world where important politicians, entrepreneurs, royals, artists, and well-known celebrities from all over the world dance the night away.

 Each year, around 5.500 guests attend. Renowned designers are regularly involved in running the show: this year, Dolce & Gabbana designed the tiara for the around 300 debutantes, that will kick off the Opera ball. After they have finished, the master of ceremony announces: Alles Walzer! (All waltz!). When you hear this and Johann Strauss’ waltz «On The Beautiful Blue Danube», you know that you are allowed to enter the dance floor.

Nevertheless when it comes to the dress code, there is a huge difference. It is much stricter and more old-fashioned than compared to other galas.

The following dress code applies to the Vienna Opera
Ladies: Long Evening Gown
Gentlemen: Tailcoat

What sounds simple at first, is associated with some pitfalls, because if you do not follow the dress code, the access to the ball will be denied.

For the ladies:

long gown (at least ankle length)
no cocktail dress
wide skirt – no body-con dresses (very important)
cleavage: not too deep
no wristwatch – only a jewelry watch

For the men:

tailcoat (elegant evening suit with waist-short jacket and «swallowtail»)
no tuxedo, no simple suit
no tie
«Mascherl» bow tie (white)

I am so excited to attend this amazing event on the 8th of February this year and will practice my Vienna waltz dancing skills. Therefore I need a gown in which I will be able to move and which honors the dress code. Not so easy…

Here are my favorite choices, which one do you prefer?

Lace-insert pleated georgette gown by Elie Saab

Glen sleeved embroidered dress by Temperley London

Graphic floral-print organza-silk gown by Dolce & Gabbana
Draped front strapless fil-coupé and tulle gown by Delpozo

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Vienna Opera Ball, APA, © Swarovski

Making childhood dreams come true. In February next year, I will be attending the Vienna Opera Ball and I couldn’t be any happier about it especially because one of my favorite designer duos, DOLCE & GABBANA, has collaborated with SWAROVSKI to create a richly detailed and precious tiara to be worn by the debutantes at this prestigious event.

Dolce & Gabbana

It took 702 Swarovski crystals to create this richly detailed headpiece that is inspired from Mozart’s opera «Le nozze di Figaro», in particular, the words sung in the eighth scene of the first act: «Giovani lieti – fiori spargete!» («Happy maids, scatter flowers!»).

This image has been poetically reflected in the floral design of the tiara, where delicate blossoms meet organic curved leaves.

Each year, Swarovski works with a different international designer to impart the debutantes’ tiaras with extraordinary brilliance. In 2017, it was for example Karl Lagerfeld who created a dream-like piece (for the previous post click here please).

Swarovski’s collaboration has existed since the 1950s. Organized by the Vienna State Opera, the event is the cultural highlight of the Viennese ball season and I cannot wait to experience it myself.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Swarovski / Dolce Gabbana

Ballet goes fashion – the dancer trend is officially in full swing. Many designers have drawn inspiration from the aesthetics of graceful ballerinas. Since sporting a tulle skirt and a jumpsuit around the city might not feel like the most natural thing in the world, it is still absolutely up-to-date. And at least you can bring designer fashion to your next ballet class.

My look: Jersey jumpsuit by Valentino, Saffiano double handle mini satchel by Prada, lace-up leather ballet flats by Miu Miu, tiara and tulle mini skirt, both by Saint Laurent, cuff by Chanel and Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This look makes me feel like a princess. It is amazing how Mary Katrantzou expertly placed the vivid prints on her Harp Hazzard dress from the S/S 2012 runway. You can wear the floor-sweeping floral-print train with bare legs and elegant sandals, or detach it to transform this patterned piece into a thigh-grazing mini.
Louis Vuitton‘s tiara from the S/S 2012 fashion show complements the outfit perfectly. You can wear it over the hair to give it more volume (as seen on me) or under.

My look: Harp Hazzard printed silk-twill dress with detachable train by Mary Katrantzou (also available without train), Tribute chain-detailed suede sandals by Yves Saint Laurent and tiara by Louis Vuitton.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The windows of the Louis Vuitton store on New Bond Street in London looked so beautiful this week that I had to photograph them for you. Filled with the most beautiful objects of desire for the summer season, it was a true pleasure looking at them. I am in love with pastels and the feminine eyelet lace.

My absolute must-have is the tiara that will be in stores this month…

… along with the bi-colour pointed-toe mules (see photos below).

Happy window shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

This was my look on the last day of Paris Fashion Week. I started off at the Louis Vuitton F/W 2012 show with a ponytail. Later at the Miu Miu F/W 2012 show, I opened my hair and wore my little tiara.

You might recognize the dress from a previous post. As you see, I am following my own recommendations.

My look: Floral leather biker vest and matching tote bag, both by Céline, neon lace-sleeve wool-blend crepe dress by Christopher Kane, coat, suede booties, earrings and tiara headband, all by Miu Miu.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Can you guess where we are in time-travelling after my lastet posts about lace and rocking hot black leather? Yes, we have arrived in the `80s. For some people, the golden decade was the worst one fashionwise but since a few seasons designers have relied on some of the worth recycling styles. The leggings  and skinny jeans came back around 4 years ago and who would have ever imagined their ongoing success?! They have definitely conquered my closet and I never want them to vanish again as the modernized versions are stylish and comfy in one.

Designers have returned 20 years this F/W 2010 to find the `80s ma-ma-material beauty and so can you. Let`s begin!

You might feel like a virgin in a sharp leather pencil skirt, sequined blazer and fishnet stockings. Add lots of accessories like the iconic safety pins, stacked bracelets and big cross pendants for the ultimate killer look!

Balmain launched a real boom with the return of the shoulder pads. The last seasons, fashionistas have crazed all over the world for the must-have blazers and jackets. The hype is definitely not over yet! Party like it`s 1982 in those brocade and patchwork nightclub nostalgia pieces from the F/W 2010 runways. Absolutely screaming hot are red leather leggings, another must for this winter!


The `80s encouraged self-expression with eyecatching neon colours and rainbow dyes. I would not do the complete look but you can easily embed one sparkling bright piece into your daily wear. One thing I am not so sure is about the über-teased hair…. probably a little too much retro-style. But nevertheless the point of fashion is that girls just wanna have fun! So let`s start experimenting….

In case that you are looking for your personal Jesus, try black leather and fringes. So hot! Sequined leggings combined with a denim jacket would turn you also very fast back to the `80s without looking disguised.

If you want to find the fashion cure for this winter`s style heritage, you could opt for a goth look with an asymmetrical cropped sweater or some cut out off-shoulder-tops. And I am sure that this Friday, you will be in love.

My personal `80s-inspired object of desire is this gorgeous suede buckled V-neck dress by Balmain. Available from today at net-à-porter. This is rock glam chic at its best! Hard to beat it.

LoL, Sandra