Sandra‘s Closet

I would love to be a New York City Girl. Living in this vibrant city that has so much energy and that offers so many things to do, sounds too good to be true. Whenever I am there, I am truly enjoying my time. But I have to admit that I also like to come back to my very picturesque and calm Switzerland where I can always recharge my batteries before leaving for new adventures.

Those photos were taking on the terrace of Mondrian Soho‘s penthouse suite.
My look: Printed silk crepe de chine shirt by Miu Miu, Jessica flared crepe mini skirt by Stella McCartney, Rockstud ankle boots by Valentino, black leather bag by Prada, earrings by Dolce & Gabbana and cocktail ring by Roberto Cavalli.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This was my look that I wore to the Valentino S/S 2013 show:

Silk shirt and cadillac sunglasses, both by Prada, floral-print stretch-crepe skirt by Dolce & Gabbana, PS11 Mini Classic textured-leather shoulder bag by Proenza Schouler, earrings by Chanel and Red on Red Rockstud kitten heels by Valentino.

Outside I ran into Holli Rogers, Net-à-Porter’s Buying Director, who looked absolutely stunning in her leather and brocade dress by Christopher Kane along with the patent-leather pumps by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Romantic gowns, clear accessories, Rockstud revisited and a feminine allure, Valentino‘s Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli rediscover their Roman heritage for S/S 2013. The beautiful collection looks to neo-realist Rome for inspiration.

The slip dress is the new silhouette, sensual yet elegant. Summer cotton is treated as a couture fabric and a new print on silk chiffon dresses skim the body. The 1940’s inspired shape suggests seduction with a modern twist on couture details.

“The final interpretation is left open, however: each woman’s personality is the defining trait.”

Below are my personal must-haves of the collection. To die for!

The transparent Rockstud bag and the matching raincoat along with a pair of crystal Rockstud heels will definitely make their way into my closet. The red leather coat is also on my wish list for the next summer. Stunningly beautiful.

An absolute bestseller will be those embellished plexiglass wedge heels.

My seat at Valentino was amazing. In the middle second row behind Carine Roitfeld and across from Anna Wintour. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Thank you so much!

Of course, I was wearing my gorgeous limited edition Red on Red Rockstud heels. There are only a few left, don’t forget to order yours by clicking here! And stay tuned for a detailed outfit post and many many more…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino, Style and © Sandra Bauknecht

This month, House of Valentino launches its new fragrance Valentina ASSOLUTO created by the master perfumer Olivier Cresp.
The blend of noble ingredients creates a magical formula that comes to life on the skin and transforms it into an unmistakable and necessary final touch: a designer fragrance.

Valentina Assoluto is the first flanker on the theme of Valentina perfume from 2011. It deviates from the floral scent family of the original and offers instead an intense olfactory chypre character, “deeper and more sensual”.

Top notes: Bergamot, peach and white Alba truffle.
Middle notes: Tuberose, jasmine and vanilla.
Base notes: Cedar, oak moss and patchouli for the chypre effect.

Available as Eau de Parfum ASSOLUTO 80ml (CHF154.-) and 50ml (CHF 121.-)
Available in Switzerland end of September 2012.

Intriguing, magnetic, and unpredictable, Valentina plays with seduction as the protagonist of a story full of exciting, quintessential sensations. A mosaic of architectural views, stylistic touches, and period ornamentation. Sensual glimpses of skin and lace, body and couture.

Valentina has a favourite stage. It is Rome at night, full of secret passages for escape and the exclusive private world of brightly lit ancient aristocratic palazzos. This Eternal City full of artistic treasures has also given birth to her innate sophisticated elegance.

What would a modern Valentina wear for a night out during a weekend in Rome?

Lace and cable-knit wool and cashmere-blend sweater, cotton-blend lace skirt, jewel-clasp watersnake clutch, satin and lace pumps, all by Valentino and of course her signature fragrance Valentina ASSOLUTO.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino

This late afternoon, I came back from my trip with Piaget to Paris for the 26th Biennale des Antiquaires. I had four amazing days and have so much to show you.

When I arrived at my house, a very special gift from Valentino waited for me that left me speechless: RED ON RED ROCKSTUD kitten heels designed by the house’s Creative Directors, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli for the upcoming launch of the ultimate on-line shoe shopping experience, SHOE ROOM. Stay tuned as I will keep you posted once it is live.

I will be leaving tomorrow for London Fashion Week and those beauties will definitely be in my suitcase. Thank you, Valentino, for letting me be part of this awesome project!
I love my new shoes!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The hype started two years ago, when Valentino designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, presented their first Rockstud heels. For the designer duo, contrast is the essence of contemporary life. Their stylistic approach, however, aims at blending antithetical elements – for example, Valentino’s proverbial grace and bold metal studs – in a distinct, timeless image. This season, the fashion house celebrates the new classic with the Noir capsule collection of Rockstud shoes, bags and accessories in edgy black with ruthenium studs. Rock on with this clean yet strongly evocative design.

I am convinced that the streets during Fashion Week will be filled with those new icons. Fashionistas everywhere, better start hoarding these limited edition pieces and see the dark side of the stud!

To shop, click on the highlighted product descriptions below.

LoL, Sandra

Rockstud leather tote

So Noir studded leather tote

65mm Rockstud patent So Noir pumps

Studded cuff

Studded So Noir ballet flats

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino

Red is such a big trend for F/W 2012 and there is no other colour that has such a “wow”-effect! In every holiday season, the eye-catching red dress is always in the forefront of the fashion trend and celebrities know use the vibrant, powerful shade to their advantage. A lady in red is such a head turner wherever she goes. It makes her instantly stand out in the crowd.

When it comes to red carpet glamour, Kate Perry, Claire Danes and Reese Witherspoon show us how it works. Shop their amazing gowns now, just click on the highlighted text below.

Kate Perry wowed in this stunning strapless intense-red velvet dress by Dolce & Gabbana.

The flow of Claire Danes‘s lace and ruffled silk-organza gown by Valentino is extraordinary.

Reese Witherspoon radiates Old Hollywood glamour in this strapless crimson silk-taffeta gown by Zac Posen.

Are you RED-dy?

LoL, Sandra

This week, I was in Munich for work. I absolutely love the Bavarian city in which I had lived for 8 years. The most important events of my life took place there: My studies, my engagement and wedding, the birth of my daughter, my first job as an editor for Marie Claire magazine and so on. Therefore great memories are around every corner.

As I haven’t been very active on instagram so far, I thought it would be a great way to get started by sharing some of my favourite places with you.

Follow me on instagram: @sandrascloset

Rhubarb tart at my favourite place for lunch: Schumann’s Tagesbar

Lodenfrey is prepared for the upcoming Oktoberfest season with beautifully decorated windows and the new Wiesndirndl 2012.

Spotted at Theresa: My beloved Irma (Do you remember my fabulous T-shirt? )
You can shop all of the shop’s treasures online at mytheresa.com.

Residenzstreet

Marion Heinrich‘s new shopping temple carrying Tom Ford, Chloé and Céline among others.

Munich Opera

Can you guess what I was wearing? 
Dress and jacket by Stella McCartney (I sported that look for the event with Kaufmanfranco in London. Click here for the outfit post.), python Boston bag by Céline (Close-ups here) and my new Rockstud ankle boots by Valentino (Fall’s It-booties).

My Diorette ring by Dior Joaillerie. On my nails: 563 Vertigo by Chanel.

Kusama windows at Louis Vuitton

In stores now: Louis Vuitton‘s amazing F/W 2012 runway bags. My personal must-have: The sequined North South bag in Monogram Sunshine Express (see photo).

Very funny, this is how Munich policemen are giving parking tickets. Real horse power!

The Michael Jackson Memorial is still in front of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, where the famous scene took place when the King of Pop held his son out of the window.

I hope that you have enjoyed those little moments via instagram.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week, the Haute Couture presentations for F/W 2012 took place in Paris and they have brought along some adorable and stunning looks. From Christian Dior to Stéphane Rolland, from Versace to Valentino, enjoy the best of the best.

GIVENCHY HAUTE COUTURE:

Personally speaking, Givenchy Haute Couture F/W 2012 is my favourite. It is so modern, edgy and cool. This fringed top above or the long embellished cape with fur details are both to die for! If I could wear couture every day, how I would long for it to be Givenchy Haute Couture…

STÉPHANE ROLLAND HAUTE COUTURE:

Stéphane Rolland is always one of the highly anticipated presentations during Haute Couture fashion week in Paris, and this time was no exception. His couture designs are modern and sexy, more of a “Hot Couture”.

Do you remember when supermodel Yasmin Le Bon closed the show in a gigantic red gown last season? Click here for the previous post. This time, it was actress Fan Bingbing, whom I had met at the Trophée Chopard party in Cannes in May, who wowed the guests in a striking sleeveless gown with a cape that took over the entire runway.

CHANEL HAUTE COUTURE:

Two contradictory words on the invitation: “New Vintage”. At Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld returned to the essence of the fashion house and delved into the past with a collection of bouclé jackets and feather-trimmed gowns. His bridal look left me speechless.

ZUHAIR MURAD HAUTE COUTURE:

Opulence is what Zuhair Murad is all about. Haute Couture how you imagine it.

VALENTINO HAUTE COUTURE:

Valentino‘s embroidered and hand-painted looks were proof that couture’s artistry and craftsmanship are higher than ever. Absolutely breathtaking!

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, who have been helming the famous label since 2008 following Mr Valentino’s retirement, did a wonderful job.

CHRISTIAN DIOR HAUTE COUTURE:

Raf Simons’s debut collection for Christian Dior was probably one of  the most refreshing couture show. Clean but masterfully tailored, those strapless embroidered mini gowns over pants, all free from fuss, looked like contemporary couture should look like.

ATELIER VERSACE:

Donatella Versace returned to the Ritz Paris for the presentation of her Atelier Versace F/W 2012 collection. 
The famous hotel had hosted many Atelier Versace shows before. Donatella was paying homage to her late brother Gianni with a collection that encapsulated the best of the iconic Versace looks.

ARMANI PRIVÉ:

Those sultry veils seen at Armani Privé were outstanding.

JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER HAUTE COUTURE:

Speaking of Hot Couture, Jean-Paul Gaultier served up a good dose of sexiness with his creations. Gaultier at his best!

I hope that you have enjoyed my little Haute Couture report.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, © Getty Images

The iconic glamour of Valentino and the rock-chic attitude of creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli are a match made in fashion heaven, and these leather and suede ankle boots are my latest obsession from the storied fashion house.

A beautiful silhouette toughened with pyramid studs, these shoes are an elegant way to add city edge to polished looks. Valentino’s rockstuds have been a must for fashionistas since quite a while, have a look at a previous post by clicking here.
Now you just have to choose if you prefer them in black or powder.

Studded suede and leather ankle boots in black by Valentino

Studded suede and leather ankle boots in powder by Valentino

LoL, Sandra