Sandra‘s Closet

This Christmas, Harrods and Disney are celebrating a glamorous collaboration with a pop-up boutique and exciting in-store events. The exclusive 7,000 square-foot boutique is open on the Fourth Floor at Harrods until January 2012. Housing an array of Disney products, it will also include bespoke limited-edition items, collectables and show-stopping dress-up pieces.

For truly royal treatment, visit the Disney Princess Parlour dress-up area and try on iconic costumes. Plus, for £19.95, visitors will have the opportunity to have a 15 minute photographic experience against an enchanting Disney backdrop and take home mounted photographs (by appointment only).

There will also be a Cinderella Slipper Salon offering replica glitter-embellished glass limited-edition slippers, ranging from £24.95 to £34.95; with limited stock available be sure to stop by early to guarantee your purchase.

To celebrate this pink and sparkly paradise, leading fashion designers including Versace, Valentino, Elie Saab and Roberto Cavalli were invited by Harrods to create a special interpretation of one of 10 Disney Princesses animating the store’s Christmas project.

An here is your exclusive first look at the beautiful gowns that will be unveiled in the famous Harrods Christmas windows on Thursday November 1, 2012. I love!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP DISNEY AT HARRODS.

LoL, Sandra

Pocahontas by Roberto Cavalli

Aurora by Elie Saab

Cinderella by Versace

Snow White by Oscar de la Renta

Belle by Valentino
Photos: Courtesy of Harrods

Another blockbuster fashion event took place this week in NYC. One evening after the Maison Martin Margiela with H&M launch party, Donatella Versace hosted a cocktail party to celebrate the opening of her new Versace boutique in Soho on 160, Mercer Street followed by a dinner at the Waldorf Towers.

A huge variety of celebrities chose to attend both events, with everyone from Gerard Butler and Kanye West to supermodel Linda Evangelista and close friend of the House Lady Gaga.

Carrying both menswear and womenswear ready-to-wear collections in addition to accessories, the store will also house special collaborations.

Kicking off the shop’s opening, Donatella Versace tapped Christopher Kane, who also creates the Versus line, to design a capsule collection of tees and other items with iconic Versace images pulled from the archives, which will be sold exclusively at the Soho store. With printed T-shirts being so à la mode, be sure that those tops will activate another fashion hype!

Below, find a complete list of celebrities who chose to wear Versace:

Donatella Versace entered the cocktail party at the boutique in a Fall 2012 black corset top with a Swarovski encrusted jewelled cross emblem on the front with a velvet pencil skirt (see photo below with Princess Charlene of Monaco).  She changed later for the dinner into another look from Fall 2012 (as you can see above with Lady Gaga) – she was perfect in a black Versace leather top with crescent-shaped neckline with Swarovski crystal details and Versace leather pants, completely embedded with Swarovski crystal details from the knee down.

Princess Charlene of Monaco wore a chic black Versace cocktail dress paired with thigh-high leather Versace runway boots with a gold capped-toe. She finished her look with a black Versace cashmere waistcoat with leather inserts.

Linda Evangelista wore a black velvet Versace coat from the Fall 2012 runway enriched by Swarovski crystal crosses.

Doutzen Kroes wore a Versace Fall 2012 black coat with flared skirt covered entirely in Swarovski crystals.

Bar Refaeli looked amazing in a fitted black leather cocktail dress with Swarovski crystals detailing with a matching leather jacket and black Versace booties.

Coco Rocha wore a black dress with metallic detailing from Versace Fall 2012 paired with black Versace Fall pointed toe pumps.

Alexa Chung here with Christopher Kane wore a look from the Versus Fall 2012 runway: a burgundy knit turtleneck top paired with a matching leather miniskirt.

Karolina Kurkova wore a black leather bomber jacket with intricate floral detailing with a pencil skirt with a matching pattern, paired with black Versace pumps and a black Versace clutch.

Leigh Lezark sporting a yellow cocktail dress with leather cutouts at the hem and on the side with a modern crescent shaped neckline. She completed her look with black Versace shoes.

Tali Lennox, daughter of Annie Lennox, wore a full look from Versus Fall 2012 – she looked fabulous in a fuchsia top, miniskirt, and huge fur coat. She completed her outfit with blue booties with fuchsia inserts.

Hunger Games star Alexander Ludwig chose a Fall 2012 look – he wore a blue floral printed suit with matching tie. He completed his look with Versace Fall boots with gold buckles and a black Versace belt with a medusa buckle.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versace

I know it is not even summer yet, but in fashion you are always thinking ahead. The first pre-fall pieces have been arriving in stores and Versace is the first of the major ad campaigns for F/W 2012 to be revealed.

Shot by photographer duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott in a studio in London, it features model Elza Luijendijk with the same blunt razored bangs and bleached eyebrows that were present at the runway show, very gothic and dark. The men’s campaign shows male models Philipp Schmidt, Dmitriy Tanner and Kacey Carrig.

“I’m really thrilled with our new campaign. The result is bold, strong, iconic and perfectly conveys the sexy rock vibe of our Fall/Winter collection.”

– Donatella Versace

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versace

It was an Underwater World at many of the S/S 2012 shows. Many of the designers took inspiration from the deep blue and created one of the most important fashion trends for the summer season.

I have outlined the most anticipated collections and pieces for you below, enjoy!

Karl Lagerfeld took the underwater trend to a complete new level with his S/S 2012 collection for Chanel. The scenery of his runway show looked like a stage setting for Ariel’s World. Some of the fabrics shimmered like fish scales.

As usual at Chanel, the accessories played a big role, such as beautiful shell clutches (unfortunately extremely expensive) and wonderfully designed coral-shape heels plus sea world inspired fashion jewlery.

Mary Katrantzou showcased a stellar take on the trend from under the sea with her scene-stealing prints, as seen on the Fishtank dress. Swarming with tropical fish and colorful coral reefs, this punchy piece is a fabulous way to play out your fashion fantasies.

The Versace S/S 2012 collection was all about starfish and seashell embellishments and studded seahorse shapes. The look was a mixture of sweet pastels, ladylike elegance  and studded biker pieces. Those glittering sea goddess gowns will surely be seen on the red carpet.

A great low-budget way to get started on the look is this fun statement starfish gold-tone ring by Versace.

Gigantic shark tooth necklaces were seen on the Givenchy S/S 2012 runway as well as many jellyfish inspired jackets and dresses. One of my favourite collections of the summer season.

You can shop a large selection of Givenchy at Matches and Farfetch.

There are many wonderfully designed blue coloured pieces in stores now that really represent the fairytale world of the deep blue. Stella McCartney drew inspiration from the sea waves for her S/S 2012 collection.

Here are some of best pieces to buy for the upcoming summer (from top left to bottom right):

Candy printed acrylic clutch by Jimmy Choo
Printed scuba-style top by McQ Alexander McQueen
Joan silk crepe-de-chine and lace dress by Stella McCartney
Printed silk kimono maxi dress by Issa
Paillette-embellished silk-georgette dress by Roberto Cavalli
Fish-charm corseted strappy sandals by Tabitha Simmons

LoL, Sandra

Do you remember the fabulous studded Versace leather pieces I wore for annabelle magazine’s photo shoot in February? For the previous post, please click here.

The look is in stores now: Studded leather biker jacket, studded leather pencil skirt and embroidered leather box clutch, all by Versace and studded suede platform sandals by Yves Saint Laurent.

And don’t forget, citrus colours are a must this season, outshine the sun with lemony yellows!

LoL, Sandra

Photo of me: © Gregory Derkenne for annabelle

The beautiful sunny spring weather has put me in such a good mood and inspired me to wear bold prints and vibrant colours.

My look: Salamandra printed silk-crepe dress by Mary Katrantzou, neon-pink wool-blend crepe biker jacket by Christopher Kane, blue scarf by Gucci, lace pumps by Christian Dior, bracelet by Anselm Reyle for Dior, handle bag by Versace and statement necklace by Gabriele Frantzen.

The  neon-pink wool-blend crepe biker jacket by Christopher Kane is such a versatile piece, one of my season’s favourites.

I am in love with Gabriele Frantzen‘s statement jewelry pieces that take every outfit to a new level of style. Her creations are now available at Saks Fifth Avenue and in Zurich at Gassmann among others.

Tropical fish, fields of flowers and crushed car sculptures were the inspirations behind Mary Katrantzou‘s highly acclaimed S/S12 collection, which took her signature aesthetic to new fashion heights. This precision-cut Salamandra printed silk-crepe dress is the perfect canvas for the designer’s explosive and unforgettable prints. Don’t you agree?

This bracelet is a collector’s piece. Designed by Berlin artist Anselm Reyle for Dior.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Something for my Swiss readers: The annabelle magazine features in their recent issue the newest fashion trends presented by “creative people of Zurich”. If you are curious who was photographed for this project, have a look at annabelle’s backstage report by clicking here.

Needless to say, I was very honoured to be part of this wonderful shoot which they named “We are trend!”. The two ladies in charge, Daniella Gurtner and Monica Pozzi along with photographer Gregory Derkenne did an amazing job. The only downer is that they have retouched my beauty mark, which is my signature feature!

My look: Studded leather jacket, skirt and top, all by Versace and my own studded suede platform sandals by Yves Saint Laurent.

Below are some of the behind the scenes shots. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of annabelle and © Sandra Bauknecht

The 69th Annual Golden Globes awards took place in Beverley Hills last night and for us it is a pleasure to see who wore which designer. Unfortunately, Madonna (in Reem Acra), Kelly Osbourne (in Zac Posen) and Sarah Michelle Gellar (in Monique Lhuillier) are NOT on my best dressed list. Please see who is below!

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

Elle MacPherson in a stunning gown by Zac Posen

Nicole Kidman in Versace

Zooey Deschanel in Custom Prada

Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture

Natalie Portman in Lanvin

Evan Rachel Wood in a stunning Gucci Première gown.

The award for cuteness goes definitely to the dog from the “The Artist”. The movie that won BEST PICTURE. He was the top dog and certainly stole the show…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Getty Images, © WireImages, @ AP

Here is my first look from the LuisaViaRoma Styling Lab: GYPSY VIBE and I can finally reveal the secret which pug dog I have adpoted: It is the cute Emilio Pucci one which is inspired by the house’s iconic Marquise bag.

You know already that I am a huge fan of the Florentine house and the Pucci S/S 2012 collection is definitely on my shopping list.

To shop the look, just click on the highlighted text:

Printed lace top and long organza skirt, both by Emilio Pucci, platform sandals by Versace, neon-coral PS1 small leather satchel (amazing colour) by Proenza Schouler, straw hat by Borsalino and Mirador crochet earrings by Carolina Bucci.

I hope that you like it as much as I do!

LoL, Sandra

Donatella Versace called Givenchy’s F/W 2011 collection an homage to Versace and she is definitely not mistaken with her statement. I truly love the panther and floral prints reminiscent of Gianni’s early patterns.

My look: Flower print sheath dress by Givenchy, stretch-jersey thigh boots with hoop detail by Givenchy, “Nightingale” bag with black panther print by Givenchy and glitter sunglasses by Miu Miu.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht