Sandra‘s Closet

Here is my fifth and final look from the LuisaViaRoma Total Styling Lab. This time I focused on the maxi trend and gave my look some romantic touches by adding a bow belt that I tied around my waist and the cute straw hat.

Nothing epitomises chic summer dressing like a ground skimming dress paired with flat sandals.

Chiffon Blouse: Chloé – Maxi Dress: Semi-Couture – Hat: Lanvin – Belt: Valentino – Gladiator Sandals: Chloé – Bag: Marc Jacobs

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LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Happy New Year to you, my dear readers, may all your dreams and resolutions come true.

I started 2011 in St. Moritz, the glamorous place in the Alps that calls itself „the Top of the World“. The Swiss mountain village has been home to the jet set since many years, attracting celebrities, princesses and socialites from everywhere. When it comes to fashion, luxury is the keyword.

Last night, I went to the traditional New Year’s Eve cocktail reception hosted by well-known publisher Jürg Marquard and his wife Raquel.
The party always takes place in their amazing apartment located in the tower of the famous Badrutt’s Palace hotel overlooking the lake of St. Moritz. Previous tenant until the early ninties was gentleman-playboy Gunter Sachs.
My German based readers might recognize some of the faces below… Enjoy all those photos of beautiful people in beautiful outfits!
That is St. Moritz!

To a wonderful 2011!

LoL, Sandra

Hostess Raquel Marquard in a gorgeous gown by Dolce & Gabbana with her daughter, model Bianca Gubser to the left

Sophie Hermann wore one of the nicest dresses of the evening by Atelier Versace

Rebecca Schmid Robinson with me, both in sequined dresses

Dorothea Mühlemann in Alaia

Fabienne Bratschi in Dolce & Gabbana and Radio 24-host Elena Bernasconi, "The Redhead"

Nina Riegel and Alexandra Knapp Voith in Roberto Cavalli

Inga Jacobi in Valentino

From left to right: Hotelier couple Gigi and Andrea Kracht, me and Inga Jacobi

Andreas Knapp Voith with turquoise nail polish matching Raquel Marquard's dress

Gentleman with style: Andreas Knapp Voith wore the most extraordinary pair of shoes by Prada

Badrutt's Palace New Year's Eve decoration

Today, the official engagement photos of Kate and William shot by Mario Testino were released to the public.

The future bride stayed down to earth and wore two pieces out of her own closet, a simple belted Nanette gown by Reiss with ruffle detail across the front.
Since this dress is last season, there is no rush to get your hands on it. But Reiss would be foolish not to start remaking the dress and so the British high street brand announced that it will be re-leased and available beginning January 2011, as part of the Reiss S/S 2011 collection.

Kate’s white embroidered blouse worn for the more intimate photograph from Whistles is also to be reissued to allow customers to emulate Kate Middleton’s engagement outfit.

If I were Kate’s stylist, I would have gone for a more de luxe option. What do you think about this beautiful ruffled Valentino gown and embroidered Chloé blouse?
Both available at net-à-porter.
Aren’t those so much more glamorous?

LoL, Sandra

Valentino Woll-crepe mini dress

Chloé Silk knife-pleated blouse

Just in case you have just warmed up yesterday at your Lanvin for H&M shopping tour, more is to come. Another interesting designer collaboration will hit the stores this Saturday, November 27: Valentino for Gap.

Unfortunately, it will only be available at a few locations in Europe: Gap’s new Milan store, Colette in Paris, in London at Gap’s flagship store on Oxford Street (from 9.30am) and at Dover Street (from 11am).

Due to the limitation, it is a great chance to invest in special-edition Valentino at a high-street price.

Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli said: „We love mixing different cultures and we have been excited to mix Gap’s timeless essentials with our Roman culture of couture.“

The small capsule collection is all about ruffles meet khaki. A signature Valentino bow is also seen on a cute skirt. I like the idea of utilitarian basics such as cargo pants and parkas reinterpreted with a romantic twist.

LoL, Sandra

Spotted everywhere during Paris Fashion Week, the It-shoe of the season: Valentino’s most fierce kitten heels. Editors, stylists and celebrities have been rocking these pumps lately.

The studs and the straps make this kitten heels sizzling hot, adding this touch of sexyness most 3-inch heels are missing. Even the flat version seen on Alexa Chung is amazing.

The most popular shoe of Paris Fashion Week comes in different material and colour combinations and is still available at NET-A-PORTER.COM. But hurry, they are selling out fast.

LoL, Sandra

... they are stylish and comfy in one!

I love mine...

Thanks to the remaining lingerie trend, lace is the connecting thread from boudoir to the office to the dance floor. The most oustanding lace designs were seen on the F/W 2010 runways with black being the dominant colour. The return of womanhood is one of the biggest themes this season and the delicate, sensual fabric is the perfect addition. It makes women feel and look very ladylike and sexy.

No worries, it does not mean that you need to go half-naked. Inject new season`s attitude into your wardrobe with just one ultra-feminine piece. A lace blazer like the D&G one for example makes a fabulous addition to your basics collection. Combine it with a pair of jeans for instant cool chic.

Those lace dresses are cut to create a defined silhouette and will make heads turn after you. These elegant cocktail and black tie pieces are an investment in timeless style. Wear one thing lace and accessorize minimally.

Accessories are always a great way to make a fashion statement. But just one or two at a time, do not overdo the lace addition. Too much is too much!
Stockings, leggings or gloves in the trend material are super hot. I am crazy for the handmade cuffs by Aurélie Biderman. They are made of vintage lace dipped in blackened silver or gold. So beautiful!

LoL, Sandra

During the next week, we will do some time-travelling through different decades and their impacts on the F/W 2010 collections. One of the most important ones to influence your fall wardrobe, is the era of the late fifties. It is a celebration of women with the return of the curvy silhouette. Forerunner of the mid-century modern look is Miuccia Prada that surprised once more with her first time focus on the breasts with ruffled  pointy-bra tops. But there is nothing vulgar about her designs. When nostalgia catches up, Marc Jacobs cannot be far away. In the same vein as Prada this season, his collection for Louis Vuitton accented the womanly figure via corsets, belted wasp waists, petticoated skirts, fitted tops and deep cuts.

The looks could have come straight out of the most popular American TV show of the moment, Mad Men. The Emmy and Golden Globe winning series is set in the late fifties/ beginning of the sixties in the world of New York advertising. Its visual style is highly acclaimed and has inspired many designers for fall.

The mood is very fresh feminine with an uptight but sexy secretary note. The full skirt that had reigned until the early 1960s as the emblem of the 1950s woman celebrates its comeback with a charming Frenchified accent.

The hair is scraped back into high, bouncy sort of Brigitte Bardot ponytails or preferably worn in high chignons, held by tight headbands. The make-up is very Dita Von Teese, sort of clean and all about eyeliner. If you like, you can add a red pout. This look will stay for Resort 2011 as seen beautifully at Dior.

To accessorize your Stepford Wives look, here is what you need:

First a pair of spiked little kitten heels, Those very pointed shoes are comfy and because of their short height, you can still look up to the stronger sex.

Secondly, a top handle bag that shows discreet elegance.

And last but not least, a pair of cat-eye sunglasses. You can choose from sharply exaggerated to sweetly retro, just unleash your feline side.

Can you write in shorthand “chic”? I am convinced that now you can…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

To all of my viewers around the world: Happy New Year to you and thank you for being  so lovely and faithful to Sandra`s Closet! May 2010 be sparkling, vibrant and joyful, bringing along many reasons to celebrate. And celebrations need fantastic outfits! So enjoy those stunning looks I put together for all of my fabulous cosmopolitan readers.

Let`s make a resolution for the New Year to experiment more and to enjoy unleashing our inner fashionistas.

May all your dreams come true!

LoL, Sandra

Designers made colour one of the essential elements for their spring/summer collections. Turquoise, fuchsia, apple green and pale pink are at the top, all with a little touch of the 70`s.

Colourful accessories with beautiful details are a great way to turn up the va-va-voom factor as they will make an outfit look ultra-fashion forward and you will need just one single piece for that effect.

LoL, Sandra