Sandra‘s Closet

In the end of last week, it was announced that Maria Grazia Chiuri had left Valentino, where she was co-creative director with partner Pierpaolo Piccioli. One day later, we knew where she would head to. It is quite breaking news: she will be the new artistic director at Dior, which marks the first woman in the fashion label’s 59 year history to take this position. Chiuri takes the place of Raf Simons who departed in October (for the previous post, click here please).

Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri take a bow after the Valentino couture show on Wednesday.

Somehow, it feels quite sad. Chiuri worked with Piccioli for 25 years, first at Fendi then behind the scenes at Valentino. In 2008, they were named creative directors in 2008 and brought the label into a new era.

Rockstud embellished leather sandals

Think of all the famous «Rockstuds» that gained a huge following… romance with a twist of coolness, that is what there collections have been made of. The Valentino sales rose constantly, in the first quarter of 2016, already by 9%.

TO SHOP VALENTINO PRE-FALL 2016, CLICK HERE PLEASE.


It is sure that LVMH, Christian Dior’s parent company, is hoping for Chiuri bringing the same success there. She beat other contenders for the highly prized job, including Alexander McQueen designer Sarah Burton and ex-Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz.
Her first ready to wear collection will take place on September 30 in Paris.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino, © Sandra Bauknecht and SIPA/REX/Shutterstock

Here’s a trend that has been taking flight for some time now: butterflies! Embroidered onto outerwear at  Valentino and stitched on a Gucci sweater, the butterfly is about everywhere this fall.

1 Butterfly embellished wool sweater by Gucci for Net-à-Porter
2 Butterfly-embroidered canvas guitar strap for handbag by Valentino
3 Fil coupé silk-blend scarf by Alexander McQueen
4 Butterfly crocodile small clutch bag by Nancy Gonzalez
5 Appliquéd stretch-suede over-the-knee boots by Valentino
6 3D Glitter Butterfly Sunglasses by Anna-Karin Karlsson
7 Chiara metallic patent-leather platform sandals by Sophia Webster

A piece of art: the embroidered cotton coat by Valentino.

I am literally dying for those appliquéd stretch-suede over-the-knee boots by Valentino, aren’t they to die for?

Many designers have seeked inspiration from the beautiful world of the butterflies for pre-fall 2016, from left to right: Gucci, Giamba, Valentino and Philipp Plein.

Are you having butterflies in your tummy now like me?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Iconic superhero characters from the world’s most popular comic books have inspired many designers, this season it is – very unexpectedly – the house of VALENTINO.

Wonder Woman Sweater by Valentino

In December 2015, the French Maison had already launched a Wonder Woman inspired small capsule collection in collaboration with Gwyneth Paltrow that was sold over her website Goop. However these 25 pieces were only the preview of a much larger selection that has been released this month.

Last Friday, you could see Italian street artist, Solo, in action, painting a mural at the brand’s Fifth Avenue New York flagship store. Great news is, that you can shop the superhero iconic pieces from now through the summer. The amazing collection – Wonder Woman Valentino — “pays tribute to all women” and features a whimsical explosion of patterns, colors and silhouettes.

And if you are not so into Wonder Woman, you can look for the Spiderman inspired pieces which are also pretty cool. I am totally sold on those fun pieces and you?

Spiderman Sweater by Valentino

It is time to be the super heroine of your own style!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino

Fashionistas head to the tropics this summer with the latest Hawaiian trend. Inspired by the island’s lush landscape, the must-have pieces are decorated with palm trees and floral prints perfect for the S/S 2016 season.

1 Silk bomber jacket by Valentino
2 Monogramme fringed leather and jacquard clutch by Saint Laurent
3 Printed cotton-jersey T-shirt by Mikoh
4 Printed satin bomber jacket by Saint Laurent
5 Printed backpack by Valentino
6 Pineapple box clutch by Valentino
7 Lock Small embellished shoulder bag by Valentino
8 Palm tree earrings by Saint Laurent

At Mytheresa.com, Valentino‘s amazing Hawaiian capsule collection is exclusively available online.
It is time to get an Hawaiian shirt in style!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mytheresa.com, Valentino, Saint Laurent and Mikoh

«Believe you can and you are halfway there.»
– Theodore Roosevelt

I wore those Chloé pieces to the PKZ party last Thursday in Zurich. You can call them already vintage as they are from 2007. Wine improves with age and some clothes do as well. I remember buying them on a trip with a girlfriend to Paris before I started my blog. I believed I could and I did. Never give up, be kind and always believe in yourself, that’s the recipe! And of course don’t be stuck, always add something new… in this case the bag and the boots.

My look: Curry colored short jacket, ruffled white blouse and jumpsuit, all by Chloé, Rockstud leather-trimmed knee boots by Valentino and Soho mini textured-leather shoulder bag by Gucci and earrings by Miu Miu.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Last picture at the PKZ event: © David Biedert Photography 

Get the look: Ruffled off-the-shoulder dress by Alexander McQueen, Colorado suede sandals by Aquazzura and Rockstud leather pouch by Valentino.

A softer take on color for 2016: For the first time, the blending of two shades – Rose Quartz and Serenity are chosen as the PANTONE Color of the Year.
As consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent. Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.

Nail Polish – Bloomsbury Way Blossom by Nails Inc

The prevalent combination of Rose Quartz and Serenity also challenges traditional perceptions of color association. In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design. This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumer’s increased comfort with using color as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage.

LoL, Sandra

Ermanno Scervino S/S 2016

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and via Pantone

Fashionistas love fashionable and oh-so practical tote bags. Whether classic or reinvented, this handbag shape should be atop your must-have accessory wish list. A keeper forever!

1 Monogramme Cabas medium leather tote by Saint Laurent
2 Bamboo Shopper medium textured-leather tote by Gucci
3 Liberty leather tote by Victoria Beckham
4 Paloma small spiked leather tote by Christian Louboutin
5 Le Dix Cabas textured-leather tote by Balenciaga
6 Intrecciato leather tote by Bottega Veneta
7 Joy medium textured-leather tote by Tod’s
8 The Rockstud medium leather tote by Valentino

My avid readers have seen me a gazillion times with my Bamboo Shopper large textured-leather tote by Gucci. I adore this bag, so practical, stylish and easy to carry. Perfect for travelling!

More than 30 years after it was introduced, it is still one of the most exclusive tote bags in the world: the Hermès Birkin Bag, a true classic.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Give your wardrobe a new season update with a denim bag. An array of different choices is waiting for you. I am in love with those classics that are re-interpreted with embroidered butterflies or flowers. For a night out, denim clutches are perfect when you only want to carry your essentials.

1 Natalia medium leather-trimmed denim shoulder bag by Tom Ford
2 Monogramme medium denim shoulder bag by Saint Laurent
3 The Falabella mini embroidered denim shoulder bag by Stella McCartney
4 My Rockstud embroidered denim and textured-leather tote by Valentino (my favourite!)
5 The Pashli mini denim and textured-leather trapeze bag by 3.1 Phillip Lim
6 Milla denim clutch by Jimmy Choo

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Oversized sweaters worn as dresses add a certain coolness to your look. I couldn’t resist Christopher Kane’s “Lovers’ lace” – entwining bodies in coral and cream lace, that are inspired by life drawing lessons. Worn on the F/W 2015 runway, this oversized style is woven from a luxurious blend of wool and cashmere guaranteed to keep me warm when the weather cools here in Zurich.

My look: Hooded camel-wool wrap coat with belt by Chloé, lace-paneled wool and cashmere-blend sweater dress by Christopher Kane, fringed checked cashmere scarf by Burberry Prorsum, leopard-print Boston tote by Céline, Rockstud leather-trimmed knee boots by Valentino and Linda round-frame acetate sunglasses by Tom Ford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This week, I flew to Munich and spent an amazing time in my old hometown. It was Indian summer in the city – a phenomenon of sunny and clear weather conditions that I experienced a lot when living in Chicago. There was no coat needed and I just enjoyed the colors of fall here at Lenbachplatz.

My look: Tulip-jacquard mini dress by Alexander McQueen, Rockstud leather-trimmed knee boots by Valentino, 2Jours medium calf hair, mink and leather shopper and textured-leather and fox monster bag charm, both by Fendi, necklace by Chanel and Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht (Thank you Maria from Loews for taking them!)