Sandra‘s Closet

Yesterday Meghan Markle, now to be known as the Duchess of Sussex, enjoyed her big day as she married Prince Harry in a lovely ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. Fashionistas all over the world had been waiting eagerly for her wedding dress to be revealed. And it was surprisingly Givenchy. Clare Waight Keller, who designed the dress, became the first female artistic director of the French Maison last year after a long time at the helm of Chloé.

Per the official statement from the Palace:

«Ms. Markle and Ms. Waight Keller worked closely together on the design. The dress epitomises a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy and showcasing the expert craftsmanship of its world-renowned Parisian couture atelier founded in 1952.
True to the heritage of the house, the pure lines of the dress are achieved using six meticulously placed seams. The focus of the dress is the graphic open bateau neckline that gracefully frames the shoulders and emphasises the slender sculpted waist. The lines of the dress extend towards the back where the train flows in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. The slim three-quarter sleeves add a note of refined modernity.»

The gown was surprisingly simple, but elegantly classic, with a bateau neckline, long sleeves, a drop waist and a stunning monarch-length veil which some may found quite unusual considering Meghan’s strong feminist views.

However, the five-meters long silk tulle veil had a special, symbolic meaning behind it that relates to Prince Harry’s appointment as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador and featured a unique flora from every Commonwealth country with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers.

Moreover the bride opted for a filigree tiara with a center stone for her wedding day which originally belonged to Queen Mary. It is a classic, antique piece that has long been a part of the royal collection.

For all future brides, click on the highlighted text to get her look:
Crystal and faux-pearl embellished gown by Givenchy, Rosita crystal headband by Jennifer Behr, Marie embroidered tulle veil by Needle & Thread, and
Portrait of a Lady crystal-embellished grosgrain slingback pumps by Aquazurra.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Getty Images, Courtesy of Givenchy

On August 23rd 2014, Angelina Jolie married Brad Pitt in a secret ceremony in the South of France wearing a stunning Atelier Versace creation designed by Donatella Versace. The first photos are out and here is even the sketch of the amazing gown.

The white silk-satin gown was gathered at the bust with an elongated train, detailed with the embroidered drawings of her children that got reproduced also on the silk veil. Donatella Versace accessorised her creation with a pair of white Versace silk satin pumps. “Beauty, class and brain. That’s you Angelina. I wish all the best and happiness to you and your wonderful family. Love, DV“

To the newly weds, all the best! They are really an amazing couple and it was a true pleasure meeting them. Enjoy some of their best moments below…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Hello Magazine, Bunte, People Magazine, US
© Sandra Bauknecht, Sketch: Courtesy of Versace

Today, net-à-porter has released a gown almost identical to Pippa Middleton’s bridesmaid dress that she wore to her sister Kate’s royal wedding to Prince William on April 29 this year.

The cowl-neck dream designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is not exactly the same and comes with minor differences to the original gown. It has for example a covered zip at the back instead of fabric buttons and the sleeves and neck seams have been alternated. Pippa’s version was made of heavy ivory silk and a customized order.

In the mood for pulling a Pippa? I just couldn’t resist…

LoL, Sandra

Yesterday, Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert of Monaco made it official with a religious ceremony at the main courtyard in the palace in front of 4000 invited guests.

The bride looked stunning in a breath-taking custom-made Armani Privé (the haute couture line of Giorgio Armani) silk duchesse off-the-shoulder ivory gown with subtle pearl and gold-tinted Swarovski crystal embellishments and an amazing train.

A long off-white silk tulle veil was placed on top of her chignon which had quite a very beautiful diamond encrusted floral accent.

Photos: © Getty Images

For the evening reception and gala, Charlene wore another fantastic Armani Privé gown. The newlyweds looked much more relaxed than during the religious ceremony and had definitely the world’s largest wedding cake ever.

LoL, Sandra

The new SI Style is available now for my Swiss based readers featuring my fourth fashion column. The global wedding fever inspired me to tell you all about my very own big day that took place in Marbella, Spain. I am actually celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary this summer.

Here is a photo that I couldn’t show in the magazine. My bridal gown was made in the couture atelier of Christian Lacroix in Paris. Everything that was lace like the train, the veil and the long sleeves could be removed for the evening.

I was so scared to loose my dress that I even bought a flight ticket for it. The name it was issued to was Mr Kontrabass and it was sitting next to me in the plane. Isn’t that hilarious?

One of the cutest gift was a special edition of Marie Claire magazine dedicated to me by my colleagues (I was a fashion editor for German Marie Claire at that time) that you can see at the end of this post.

LoL, Sandra

In case that you don’t want to miss the big event, you can enjoy the royal wedding at a royal location and book Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park’s wedding tour.

With special access and hosted tours by first-hand family members and associates of the royal family to Kensington Palace, Chartwell, Spencer House, Althorp and Westminster Abbey, all venues which members of the public have not had access to before, this promises to be the truly majestic stay. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park also boasts the only private Royal Entrance from Hyde Park.

This exclusive itinerary for the Royal Wedding Tour at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is as follows:

Tuesday 26 April

Check in to the hotel. Pre dinner drinks and a welcome dinner, before retiring to a deluxe room.

Wednesday 27 April

A tour of Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s family home in Kent since 1924, with a special greeting from a member of the Churchill family and lunch at the nearby private family home.

That evening guests depart for Spencer House, the home of the Spencer Family, for drinks on the terrace overlooking Green Park followed by a private tour and dinner in The Great Room designed by James Athenian Stuart.

Thursday 28 April

The morning begins with a visit to The British Museum followed by lunch at The Wallace Collection with a special visit with the Director Dame Ros Saville.

Dinner will take place at the home of a member of the royal family, at their private London townhouse.

Friday 29 April

Visit the Institute of Contemporary Art with exclusive use of the venue and roof terrace overlooking The Mall. Guests will have unrestricted views of the royal wedding parade, nestled above the crowded streets and hustle below. Toast the happy couple with a glass of champagne before a sumptuous three course lunch served in the gallery.

After returning to the hotel, guests will then depart for Kensington Palace where the evening will begin with drinks in the sunken garden, followed by a tour by esteemed curator Nigel Arch and dinner in the newly restored Kings Gallery.

Saturday 30 April

Begin the day with a visit to the setting of the royal wedding, Westminster Abbey, with the Dean. This senior church in London is where great coronations, weddings and burials take place, and is an historic Royal Peculiar (a church whose jurisdiction falls directly under the monarch).

The afternoon allows time for a leisurely roam around London or perhaps a visit to The Spa at Mandarin Oriental to soothe aching muscles and unwind tired minds, followed by dinner at one of the hotel’s celebrated restaurants, Bar Boulud, London or Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Sunday 01 May

The day starts with a trip to Northamptonshire for lunch at Althorp, the ancestral home of Diana Princess of Wales’ family since 1508.  A private visit and lunch will be hosted by a member of the Spencer family.

That evening, guests can enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel before departing on Monday morning in majestic triumph.

The Royal Wedding Tour package is priced from GBP 11,300 for one person and GBP 18,800 for two people sharing the same accommodation.  Valid between 26 April and 01 May only, inclusive of Full English Breakfast, exclusive of VAT at 20% and 5% discretionary service charge, subject to availability.  Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly on +44 (0) 207 201 3618, on email or through the direct on-line reservations service, www.mandarinoriental.com/london.

And if you cannot get enough to commemorate this momentous occasion or you are a little insane, I recommend this fancy product: A refrigerator is being unveiled in tribute to the century’s super wedding. GDHA, a distributor for GE appliances in the UK, has launched a 5’9” side-by-side fridge freezer emblazoned with one of the official engagement photographs of the couple.

This is your chance to keep the royal romance fresh! And it is not an April Fool’s joke!

LoL, Sandra