Sandra‘s Closet

Here is your sneak preview of the Versace for H&M resort line that will only be available online starting January 19th already. The fanfare that surrounded the launch of the first Versace for H&M line will surely continue.

Expect lots of phone calls from friends that are living for example in Switzerland or the United States where H&M’s online shopping has not been launched yet!

More exciting news at the end of this post…

And of course, some must-haves for the men won’t be missing either:

News are out this morning that Sofia Coppola, Academy Award and Golden Globe winner, will direct the campaign film to support the launch of Marni at H&M on March 8, 2012!
Love her!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M

Just recovered from the Versace for H&M mania, no time to relax, there is more to come.
To get started, here is a sneak preview of the next designer collaboration with the Swedish fashion house: MARNI FOR H&M.

Famed for its original prints and inventive spirit, Marni is one of fashion’s most-loved labels, and its Founder and Creative Director Consuelo Castiglioni has created for H&M a spring collection for both women and men which capture its essence perfectly.

Available from March 8, 2012 in around 260 stores worldwide and online, the collection features both clothing and accessories all at H&M’s prices, meaning everyone will have the chance to enter Marni’s world.

Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director Marni and Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor H&M

“I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints. As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colours, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic adding sporty utilitarian elements”.

– Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director

“We all love the collection here at H&M and we believe that our customers will do the same. Marni has such a modern touch with everything they do, mixing prints and accessories in a playful but chic way. It’s fantastic to see how Consuelo Castiglioni coordinates her designs, matching new combinations of print and colour, with such incredible craftsmanship behind every piece. The collection will arrive in stores at just the perfect time, as a lovely statement for spring“.

– Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor H&M

Marni is a label that sticks to its own path, setting its own trends for print, cut and silhouette that are always playful and elegant. Marni has remained a family owned-business as it has grown to become an international luxury brand with stores around the world.

Marni’s collection for H&M has all the freedom and experimentation for which the label is renowned, with all-over prints in strong colours all intended to be worn together in layers that both match and clash.
For women, the colours are vivid and the prints are bold, be they African inspired or simpler colour blocks. The silhouettes are all Marni staples, with full pleated skirts, dresses, cropped trousers and jacquard knit, and fabrics range from silk to crisp cotton poplin. To finish the complete look the collection also includes jewellery, shoes, bags and scarves.

For men, the colours and fabrics are softened for a relaxed take on menswear staples that is truly Marni. The use of print is subtle, often as a lining or as a contrast detail for shirts, the silhouette a modern and relaxed take on masculine classics.

Photos: Courtesy of H&M, © Magnus Magnusson

Bored of queuing? Here is your fashionable surprise!

There will be also a Versace for H&M S/S 2012 collection, exclusively available in countries with H&M online sales from January 19, 2012. The colourful capsule line will feature fruit prints and lots of Versace glamour. Unfortunately, bad news for Switzerland and the United States. Where are our European friends when we need them?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Mirror UK

Tata, we have a lucky winner for the amazing one-of-a-kind purple dress by Versace for H&M. As I told you there are only two in the world.

I wore mine to the Versace for H&M pre-sale last Wednesday with a black blazer by Stella McCartney, “Opaque” tights by Fogal, suede pumps by Yves Saint Laurent, “Nightingale” bag with panther print by Givenchy and my beloved “Diorette” ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

And the winner is… Courtney from Ancaster, Canada who will rock that dress with golden high heels and accessories to a holiday cocktail party. She will hopefully send me some pics along to feature her look here.

Thank you to my dear subscribers from everywhere in the world for participating! The winner of this prize draw was chosen at random. Stay tuned as there will be another exciting competition coming soon on Sandra’s Closet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Streetstrut

Tomorrow, the Versace for H&M collection will officially hit 300 stores worldwide (in the US on November 19th), so ladies and gentlemen be prepared to line up in the morning.

Last week in NYC, I got the pleasure to meet Donatella Versace and H&M’s creative advisor Margareta van den Bosch who sat down for a chat with Tim Blanks, Style.com’s editor-at-large, at the top floor of the Dream Downtown hotel.

Find out a little bit more about the collection and which one is Donatella’s favourite look. Believe it or not…Donatella even revealed that she likes shopping at H&M.

Margareta van den Bosch, Donatella Versace and Tim Blanks

What does this collaboration mean to you?

D.V.: It was very emotional for me to go through the archives to explore all the looks that Gianni created. It is an amazing way to reach the younger crowd. I am working closely with Lady Gaga or Nicki Menaj. It is great to collaborate with such dedicated artists who have so many followers. Gianni would be so proud to see his clothes worn by younger kids. This is an homage to Gianni.
I was scared to take over the reins from him when he died. I had to gain the credibility from the rest of the world.

Looking at your own shows, you are reenergized creatively. You are working with the Fringe London, Lady Gaga? Calling this a Versace moment, why do you think this was all coming together now?

D.V.: For me it is a fantasic moment. I talk and follow young designers. I am very interested in them and they are very interested in me. A house like Versace has a lot of history they can profit from but I am learning a lot, too. I am open to different opinions. Fashion is every day an exam. After all those years of minimalism, Versace and its luxury are back!

Margareta, did you feel a Versace moment as well?

M.v.d.B.: Yes, definitely. This is a different collaboration from what we did before with all those colours and prints, leather and studs. The essence of the house Versace was truly there.

Donatella, were you surprised when you went through your archives even that you know them well?

D.V.: I was amazed to see how Gianni did everything – I am sorry to say – before everybody else. I see a lot of homage to Versace today as for example young designer Riccardo Tisci did for the Givenchy F/W 2011 collection (looking at me as I was wearing a dress from this collection). But this is enough now. It is my turn, this is my homage to Versace!

Didn’t you have to make a concession?

D.V.: This was the best thing to work with H&M, there was no concession. There are fantastic people in this company. They said yes to everything, I never got a no. It has been a fantastic liberating moment. Just the amount of sketches surprised the team. 
31 looks were asked and I created 43 looks for the runway, from the chokers and the bracelets with the Medusa, flowers from Miami, printed jeans and skirts, leather, the high heels, nothing is missing.

Margareta, what are the criteria for a collaboration? Isn’t H&M and Versace at two comletely different ends? And how do you get started?

M.v.d.B.: It is very much a feeling that we discuss in-house. If we agree, we go for it. We had the first meeting and talked about the collection. We decided something little. When the second meeting took place with the teams around the products, like buyers, people for the packaging and many others, I expected some sketches but Donatella had everything ready. It was fantastic as we always have a lack of time.

Margareta, you said the time was right for Versace, what do you mean with that?

M.v.d.B.: Fashion should be something that makes you happy. This collaboration is about a dream, to give people the spirit of luxury. We try to make it as close to the brand as possible. Maximalism, colours, prints, everything is back. It is an optimistic upbeat collection even that you see all the bad news in Europe.

And how about you, Donatella? What do you think?

D.V.: It is a dream of luxury, for example when you touch the studded leather coat from the Versace for H&M collaboration or the original from the archives, you don’t know which one is the real one.

Donatella Versace with me

What is this collaboration about? Which impact will the collection have on H&M or Versace? Will it change your own work?

D.V.: I had that clear idea what to do, of the look that young people want. Fashion is freedom today. Technology plays a fantastic role and H&M uses it in an amazing way. It is interesting to see how young people put things together and that everything goes.

M.v.d.B.: Fashion is about expressing your individuality. This collaboration is about giving the customers something new and showing that you don’t need a huge budget to look good. We are very professional and have all the knowledge. We included for the first time homewear because it is part of the Versace look, as well as jewelry. I mean there is no Versace collection without jewelry. We have two different cushions, a blanket and many different jewelry pieces.

Which one is your favourite piece in the collection?

D.V.: I have 43 favourite babies.

M.v.d.B.: The studded leather dress and the rings.

________________

If I were you, I would definitely get a piece with the tropical print as this is a huge trend among the upcoming Cruise 2012 collections from the likes of Stella McCartney, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Givenchy.

And don’t forget to enter the contest to win the amazing purple one-of-a-kind Versace for H&M dress! Deadline is tonight! Good luck!

And rumours are out that the next collaboration might be with Tom Ford, OMG!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This was my look for the Versace for H&M fashion show last week in NYC. The fabric pays tribute to the iconic Versace prints and as you know I love Mary Katrantzou’s designs! This dress with its wide bell skirt is truly a piece of art for me.

My outfit: Kite Runner dress by Mary Katrantzou, necklace by Prada, sparkling booties by Chanel, tights by H&M and cocktail ring”Diorette” by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

My make-up: Eyeshadows “Vanilla”, “Electric Eel” and “Atlantic Blue” by MAC, Blue Instant Definition Mascara by Clarins, Blush “Orgasm” by Nars and Lipgloss “Buff” by Bobbi Brown.
On my nails: “Graphite ” by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

As promised, here is the exclusive Versace for H&M giveaway for one of my dear subscribers. This amazing purple dress was specially made for the Versace for H&M fashion show last week in NYC and there are only two of those in the whole world!!! One is in my closet and the other one will go to you. The purple dress will not be sold in stores, only the black version as pictured above will hit the shelves.

Here is what you have to do to win this one-of-a-kind stunning piece:

– To enter the contest, you have to be subscribed to my newsletter (which you can do to the left)

– Send me an e-mail to with your name and mailing address

– Include a comment how you would rock that purple dress and for which occassion you would wear it.

Only one entry per person! The winner will be chosen randomly.

The contest runs from now until Nov. 16, 2011 at 11:59pm CET (before the Versace for H&M collection launches officially) and the dress is an European size 38. It will be shipped internationally to the winner directly by H&M.

Have fun and good luck!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Talking in superlatives! OMG – what a night! Tuesday evening, I attended the fashion show and after party for the launch of Versace for H&M in New York City. The venue was decorated in true Versace style in a specially designed building on the Hudson River. I was entering the world of Versace from the moment I set foot on the red carpet and so were the famous guests such as Uma Thurman, Blake Lively, Chace Crawford, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Hudson and Selma Blair. Enjoy all my photos from this Versace for H&M extravaganza and see who performed live on stage! Stay also tuned for an interview with Donatella Versace to be posted soon.

Famous guitarist and music producer Mark Ronson in the hot pink Versace for H&M suit.

Sweet Jessica Alba in a studded Versace for H&M dress with me.

Uma Thurman looked so stunning when she said: “I think it is so exciting for Versace to made available to everyone. The collection is cool, colourful, young and very hip. I can’t wait to see the show.”

British model and TV presenter Jade Parfitt with me.

The other way around: Renowned photographer Bruce Webber in front of the camera.

Blogger love: Bryanboy and me

As for me, the sexiest shoe designer on earth: Brian Atwood.

American actress and niece of Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts in Versace for H&M florals.

Another well-known face: Photographer Terry Richardson

Girlfriends: Jade Parfitt having fun with German model Christina Kruse.

Let the show begin: The catwalk was paved with gold, the perfect environment in which to preview the Versace for H&M collection. The iconic looks, including some unique special pieces created for this exclusive event, were worn on the catwalk by top models such as Abbey Lee, Daphne G, Natasha Poly, Sean O’pry and Lindsay Wixson. The collection that will hit the shelves in 300 stores worldwide on November 17th, 2011.
For a closer view on the amazing pieces, I recommend this previous post.

When the show was finished, Donatella Versace appeared on the runway and two gigantic gates opened. She invited the fashionable crowd to follow her to the next hall where the after party took place.

Donatella Versace

The first act was a live performance of rap and pop superstar Nicki Minaj, dressed head to toe in Versace for H&M.

Later on, Nicki Minaj joined famous host Donatella to enjoy the show of Prince which was truly unbeatable. He is such an artist and musician. The way he sings, dances and moves captivates you from the first moment. When he started the chords of Purple Rain, the audience went crazy.

In case you think that Prince was the culmination of the night, you are mistaken. After he was finished, another gate opened, the one to shopping heaven. Behind those doors, a gigantic H&M pop-up store was located where the guests could buy the new Versace for H&M collection and all the celebrities joined in the fun. What a night!

This is probably my longest post ever, but this night is just unforgettable. Thank you H&M for letting me be part of it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Hello from New York! It is 6am in the morning and I just woke up from a lovely dream in the lovely Dream Downtown hotel where all the journalists and bloggers are staying.

Below you see some photos of my room and more goodies that waited for me with the press kit. Tonight, the Versace for H&M fashion show will take place and rumours are out that rap and pop superstars Nicki Menaj and Prince will be performing at the after party… so please stay tuned for more to come!

Have a lovely day!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I am so happy! Today I am heading to New York City to attend the Versace for H&M Fashion Show tomorrow evening as the only Swiss blogger. Can you imagine how excited I was when this beautiful box arrived with the invitation and a scarf?!

So please stay tuned for an exclusive preview, an amazing contest and so much more.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is your heads-up on the upcoming Versace for H&M collection (in stores November 17, 2011). I thought that you might like a closer view on the very vibrant and colourful pieces.
The creations are definitely not for the faint-hearted and minimalists among you. For all others, enjoy this crazy mix! And gentlemen, get your pink suits for the next “Pink Party”, no more excuses please!

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of H&M