Spotted on Valentino’s F/W 2013 runway, this new calf leather clutch is the ultimate statement accessory. It features a front strap detail that is as functional as it is fashionable. You might imagine my excitement when this beauty arrived personalized with my initials and a handwritten note from the house’s designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, at my doorstep. Thank you, Valentino, for one of the best gifts ever!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Let me show you my favourite collection for the new season: VALENTINO. Watching this runway show in Paris along with celebrities such as Jessica Alba and Nicole Richie, my heart was beating faster and I was thinking: those pieces have to find a way into my closet!
Inspired by the paintings of Flemish Old Masters (Vermeer in particular), Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli‘s latest collection is absolutely exquisite.
Of course, punk is the trend of the season, but my heart beats for those little white collars and the amazing feminine dresses. The outstanding embellishments are blended with materials: carpet textures, embroidery inspired by Delft ceramics, and chiné and jacquard motifs that reproduce them on knitwear.
And to live my grunge moment, I will invest in the famed rockstud accessories to match.
Valentino’s ad campaign for F/W 2013 was shot by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin and shows how fashion meets art in perfection: striking portraits set against ornate still life images of flowers, food and accessories.
Framed by the lovely designer duo, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli.
I was so happy to visit the Valentino showroom the next day after the show to explore this amazing collection up close. The moment I saw and felt the details, the outstanding craftsmanship and beautiful designs, I have been even more in love with the collection, if that is anyway possible… Great news is that most of the pieces are hitting the stores now.
To shop, just click on the highlighted text below! Have fun!
LoL, Sandra
Leather-trimmed wool-blend dress
Beaded tulle-detailed wool and cashmere-blend sweater
Embroidered plastron bonded nappa leather dress
Scalloped wool and silk-blend coat
Beaded tulle and wool-blend crepe mini dress
Patent-leather and velvet T-bar pumps
Patent-leather and velvet T-bar pumps
Rockstud mink and leather clutch
The Rockstud leather trapeze bag
Runway and ad campaign photos: Courtesy of Valentino, all other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
After all those posts from China in my sneakers, I thought that it is time again for some sophistication. Here is the first post about my Firenze4Ever Style Lab for F/W 2013 with Luisaviaroma. Since one of my favourite designers, Fausto Puglisi (click here for a previous post), has taken up the reigns at Emanuel Ungaro last year, I am in love with the collection.
All items can be ordered by clicking on the highlighted text below.
My look: Printed cady single button jacket and matching polka dot draped skirt, both by Emanuel Ungaro, waxed heavy lycra sweatshirt by MSGM, Rockstud black nappa leather bag
by Valentino and star studded suede cage sandals
by Giuseppe Zanotti.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Tommaso Fontanella
My dear readers, I just wanted to give you a quick notice that NET-A-PORTER’S INTERNATIONAL SALE is launching this morning. There are some great products marked down up to 50% off. Have fun!
Below are some of my favourites that would be perfect for the new season.
LoL, Sandra
Crystal-studded suede pumps by Valentino (30% off)
Silk-georgette and cotton top by Giambattista Valli (30% off)
Wool mini skirt by Saint Laurent (50% off)
Two-tone silk sweater by Jil Sander (50% off)
Photos: Courtesy of net-à-porter.com
Yesterday, Princess Madeleine of Sweden married her American love Chris O’Neill in a beautiful and moving wedding ceremony at the glorious Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace of Stockholm. The bride was breathtakingly stunning in a pleated silk organza gown with ivory-coloured Chantilly lace detailing created by Mr. Valentino himself.
The waist was emphasized by small vertical pleats that opened and spread out on the full skirt with a 4-meter long train. The six metre long silk organdie veil was edged with tulle “point d’exprit” with an application of Chantilly lace flowers. The royal tiara was decorated with fresh orange blossoms.
“Working with Princess Madeleine has just been so easy,” said Mr. Valentino. “She is very lovely girl. She is modern, fun, full of energy and enthusiasm, and she is so beautiful! It has been a pleasure and an honor.”
Mr. Valentino, a master couturier, officially retired from fashion in 2008, though most recently, in 2012 he created the wedding dress for Anne Hathaway. Throughout his career he has created wedding dresses for aristocrats and royals, most notably including Jacqueline Onasiss, Queen Maxima of Holland and Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece’s gown.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Via kungahuset.se, Getty
Meet my friend Rose, Styling Director of MYTHERESA.COM, who always puts a cool twist to every outfit. Today, she is casual and ultra stylish in one.
Get her look: Printed cotton tee and mini skull bracelet, both by Alexander McQueen,
maxi skirt by Haider Ackermann,
snake print clutch by Lanvin, golden sandals by Valentino.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of mytheresa.com
Hey lovely ladies! Just a quick note to let you know that NET-A-PORTER‘s semi-annual US sale has gone live! Save up to 50% on designers like Valentino, Jimmy Choo, Carven, Chloé, Lanvin and many more! Great news is that the US site also ships to Europe and Asia, just change your country preference to United States.
Check out a few of my favorite sale picks in the list below:
1 Falabella convertible faux brushed-leather shoulder bag by Stella McCartney (40% off)
2 Jovanna faded stretch-denim biker jacket by Karl Lagerfeld (50% off)
3 Studded leather and elaphe flats by Valentino (30 % off)
4 Rose gold-plated tiered clip earrings by Oscar de la Renta (50% off)
5 Tasseled leather belt by Saint Laurent (30% off)
6 Cosmic leather pumps by Jimmy Choo (30% off)
7 Two-tone silk collar by Carven (50% off)
8 Polka-dot tulle and woven silk top by Valentino (30% off)
9 The Happy grosgrain shoulder bag by Lanvin (40% off)
I always recommend looking for basic pieces on sale. Have fun shopping!
LoL, Sandra
Each year, the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art holds the Met Gala, the fashion event of the season and the party of the year, to celebrate the newest the exhibition. This spring, it will be about PUNK: Chaos to Couture, on view from May 9 through August 14, 2013, will examine punk’s impact on high fashion from the movement’s birth in the 1970s through its continuing influence today. “Since its origins, punk has had an incendiary influence on fashion,” said Andrew Bolton, Curator in The Costume Institute. “Although punk’s democracy stands in opposition to fashion’s autocracy, designers continue to appropriate punk’s aesthetic vocabulary to capture its youthful rebelliousness and aggressive forcefulness.”
If you want to find out more about the exhibition, please click here.
Enjoy the best looks from the red carpet of the Costume Institute Benefit last Monday. On top, you can see Sarah Jessica Parker who took the night’s punk theme to heart, and went for this stunning Giles Deacon dress, combined with a Philip Treacy punk hat and plaid Christian Louboutin boots. Madonna understood the invitation well and showed up in Givenchy.
Anne Hathaway had the most surprising look with her bleached blond hair which I loved. Of course, the vintage Valentino gown was the perfect match.
And here is an amazing opportunity, you can PRE-ORDER those extremely sexy couture red carpet looks (all F/W 2013) below directly now for seven days. How cool is that?! Just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly.
Emma Watson in a matte black crepe crossover tie strap gown with high slit by Prabal Gurung.
Kate Bosworth in a short body-conscious dress with 3/4-length sleeves and diamond embroideries on pink lurex jacquard by Balmain Atelier.
Anja Rubik in a lambskin and macrame dress by Anthony Vaccarello.
Gisèle Bündchen in a bonded crepe and macrame one sleeve halter dress by Anthony Vaccarello.
Taylor Swift in a black silk crepe gown with black lace inserts, black chiffon sunburst pleated back and silver-gold embroidered crystal neckline by J.Mendel.
Kate Mara in a short dress with woolen crepe base, heart-shaped neckline and architectural modules by Delpozo.
Christina Ricci in a turquoise silk taffeta McAndrew tartan corset gown by Vivienne Westwood Couture.
And don’t miss Moda Operandi‘s amazing punk pop-up store where you can find all those must-have pieces. Mmh, Hedi Slimane was obviously not so wrong with his F/W 2103 collection…
LoL, Sandra
As with any royal occasion, I am always curious about the outfits. Today, Dutch King Willem-Alexander took the oath next to his wife Queen Máxima during a religious ceremony at the Nieuwe Kerk church in Amsterdam, marking the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the investiture of her eldest son. He became the first king of the Netherlands since 1890.
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands wore for the inauguration of her husband, a custom royal-blue gown by Dutch designer Jan Taminiau. Her floor-sweeping lace embellished dress was combined with a matching floor-sweeping cape, which reminded me a lot of Gwyneth Paltrow’s 2012 Tom Ford Oscar gown appearance.
But I couldn’t take my eyes of Willem-Alexander’s royal mantle, decorated with silver lions and ermine fur, it is a piece of art. The original dates to 1815, but it has been repaired and altered over the past century, and had been also worn for the investitures of his mother and grandmother.
I would love to have such an outerwear and thought immediately of Valentino‘s beautiful F/W 2013 collection where I spotted something similar on the runway, like a modernized version of the royal coat, made of red mink with an ermine collar.
I am sure that I would feel like a real princess in it. More of Valentino will be coming up soon, so please stay tuned. It has been one of my favourite collections for the next season and I took some great pictures in the showroom in Paris as you can see in this little preview below.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: REUTERS/Lex Van Lieshout/Pool, Valentino and © Sandra Bauknecht
For S/S 2013, the designers have come up with some outstanding accessories. The ones I put together for you are like pieces of art, highly collectibles that probably belong more in a vitrine than to be worn. At least, it is fun to look at them.
THE SEASON OF EYE-CATCHING CLUTCHES
Lego clutch by Chanel
Butterfly clutch by Bottega Veneta
Clutch bag with Madonna print by Givenchy
Enameled resin perfume clutch by Lanvin
Jewel plexiglass butterfly clutch by Valentino
THE SEASON OF THE STATEMENT SHOE
Mink pumps by Céline
Magic square slingback pump by Louis Vuitton
Cherie poodle patent sandals by Charlotte Olympia
Strappy sandals by Alexander Wang
Patent-leather ankle-cuff sandals by Gucci
THE SEASON TO INVEST IN FASHION JEWELRY
Necklace by Christian Dior
Ruthenium-plated Swarovski crystal flamingo necklace by Roberto Cavalli
Metal circle earrings by Balmain
Large pom pom and raffia earrings by Dolce & Gabbana
Cuff by Erickson Beamon
I hope that you have enjoyed my little accessory report for S/S 2013.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of the brands
