My Look: We Should All Be Feminists

On the streets of Paris in one of my favorite outfits of the season. I am so in love with Dior’s must-have pieces combined with a silk robe. Such a cool trend!

My Look: Contrast piping silk robe iconby Balenciagaslogan tee «We Should All Be Feminists» and J’adior patent leather pumps, both by Dior, heart-appliquéd jeans by Stella McCartney, pearl embellished sunglasses and classic bag in white with black piping, both by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Red Alert

Siren call: a fire-engine-red ankle boot is an instant fall upgrade. Step to it.

Robin buckled leather ankle boots by Gianvito Rossi
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Stretch-jersey sock bootsicon by Balenciaga

Downtown 85 suede boots by Aquazzura

Ellipse velvet ankle boots by Tom Ford

Loulou velvet ankle boots by Saint Laurent

I am such a big fan of red booties. If you would like to see my complete look, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

An Exceptional Trip to Paris with Sisley

My avid reader know how much I love Sisley products. Without my beloved Black Rose Cream Mask and  or the So Intense Mascara my life would definitely not be the same. Therefore, I was all over the moon to be invited to Paris to visit their newest spa and boutique which marks the first in Paris for the upscale French beauty brand and to finally meet Sisley co-founder Mrs Isabelle d’Ornano in person.

Having beautiful skin is a state of mind, it helps lift the spirits and improves the deep sense of self.” – Isabelle d’Ornano

The 360 m2 space is situated on 5, Avenue de Friedland, in the centre of Paris’s 8th district off the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Divided into four areas, it is the perfect place to unwind after a busy week.

The beauty salon houses five treatment rooms - including one double treatment room and offers a menu of facials as well as body treatments for every age and skin type. I had a facial that was truly special as Sisley has developed exclusive “rituals” designed to combat the effects of urban life.

It is one of the most tasteful places I have seen, a haven of good taste inspired by Isabelle and Christine d’Ornano’s love for a quirky mix of interesting furniture and designer pieces, sourced from both flea markets and luxury brands.

There’s for example a «Jetlag» sofa by India Mahdavi and framed sketches by Marc Chagall in the lounge area where pre-treatment consultations take place.

The bathrooms have wallpapers that are made from magazine articles featuring Sisley.

The «secret» café is exclusively reserved for clients and invites them with tribal elements to relax and have a drink. This house is also home to the first Sisley Boutique in Paris where you can buy all the products the brand has to offer.

Traditional and modern touches mingle in this space where painted woodwork and mouldings exist alongside an animated, luminous wall display. Isabelle d’Ornano’s niece Elzbieta Radziwill painted the central lampshade, and the walls are covered with hand-painted wallpaper from 1874 called “the Cells” by Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, which was remodelled, reproportioned, and recoloured specifically for the space. I especially adore the handpainted sofas.

Sisley, 5, avenue de Friedland, 8th arrondissement. Phone: +33 1 86 21 11 11.
www.sisley-paris.com

From left to right: Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream, Black Rose Cream Mask and Black Rose Precious Face Oil.icon

On display of course the newest addition to the Sisley Black Rose family: The Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream iconfor plumbing and radiance (Baume-En-Eau à la Rose Noire). Infused with soothing rose and magnolia essential oils, this nourishing cream absorbs deep into the skin for a plumper, fresher complexion. Black rose combats free radicals, while red vine extract evens tone, leaving a glowing more radiant finish. Its texture is absolutely different from what you might have ever experienced due to an exceptionally sensorial application as it transforms into micro-droplets of water and permeates into the heart of the epidermis. Hydrated, the skin is infused with moisture, as if rejuvenated.

After this beautiful experience in the spa, I was fully of energy the next day and so much looking forward to finally meet Mrs Isabelle d’Ornano which is not only a style icon for me but whom I also admire for her way of combining work, motherhood and success.

In 1976 she launched Sisley with her husband Hubert d’Ornano who headed the company for over thirty years as a visionary creator and daring entrepreneur until his death at the age of 89 in 2015. He believed in aromatherapy and phytotherapy as one of the first ones in the cosmetic industry. Until today, the brand is family owned, distributed in over 90 countries with 4000 employees worldwide. Mrs d’Ornano, President of the Supervisory Board, is chiefly in charge of creation and advertising, while her son Philippe d’Ornano is President and directs the company’s International development. Her daughter, Christine d’Ornano is Global Vice President, also heading one of the group’s subsidiaries in Britain.

Mrs d’Ornano is truly amazing. I learnt from her employees that until this day she reads all the sales reports personally to understand how her customer tick. Sisley is a brand that launches a product when it is ready and not when a line has to be completed.

Above the new Maison Sisley, on the top floor, Mrs d’Ornano has furnished a private apartment overlooking the rooftops of Paris that is quite stunning. Here we chatted about the brand she built up, life and faith.

Mrs d’Ornano, I read once that your key to a strong marriage, family, work, and a happy life in general is your faith. Can you explain this a little further please?

I believe in God. The world has been created by God. We all have a special mission. I pray. The more comfort you need, the more you pray. I was born in Poland that had a difficult history in the 19th century. Therefore Christianity played an important role. Personally speaking, I don’t understand people who don’t believe in anything.

Together with your husband you have built up this beauty empire. Your whole family is involved in the business. How can we imagine your daily life? Were you able to leave the business behind to a certain point when being on vacation for example?

For years, we never left the business behind. One of our daughters who was not involved in the company would point it out when it was too much. On the other side, we always had something to speak about. When we had ideas, we could express them immediately. Sisley became my 6th child.

What do you think about this century?

I am happy. It is not on me to judge. We are experiencing an acceleration in daily life, so much more is possible. On the other side, I am sometimes worried that humanity will be lost in this digitalized world. I think for the younger generations it is not always so easy. Of course, there are more possibilities, but on the other hand, they are asked so much more. Men seem to have less work as women are capable of doing the same things.

Your own beauty regime?

I try to walk every day and do gymnastics. In general, I have a healthy taste in terms of eating. But most importantly, I like people, I am always curious and enjoy meeting new people. In my age, that changes a lot.

You in three words.

Loyal, efficient and fun!

Thank you Mrs d’Ornano for this interview and to the whole Sisley team for this beautiful experience in Paris!

TO SHOP SISLEY PARIS ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.
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LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Twilly d’Hermès

Today, I would like to present you the new scent TWILLY D’HERMÈS by Hermès, designed for Generation Y, the millennials. Young women that are free, bold, connected, mischievous and impulsive, they turn expectation on its head, swim against the tide, impose their own rhythm, invent a brand new tempo.

The desires that nourish them, the ideals that inspire them and the stories that make their hearts skip a beat… What do young women dream of when they think of a fragrance?

It is with these young women in mind, by observing their lives, smiling at the fun they have, that Christine Nagel, Hermès’ perfumer-designer, has created TWILLY D’HERMÈS. Conceived in a spirit of absolute freedom, this fragrance in its joyous, impish bottle, plays with today’s feminine.

Aimed at young women, and named for the brand’s narrow Twilly scarves, TWILLY D’HERMÈS plays with a twist of three materials: ginger, tuberose and sandalwood. Freshness, mystery and wood. Spice, sunlight and tenderness. Three classic materials which, combined differently, become something special. The cute bottle shows its inspiration with a silk ribbon-tie that is knotted like a scarf around the cap.

A joyful transposition, a playful twist, everything upside down and back to front, TWILLY D’HERMÈS dances to the vibrant and passionate beat of youth.

Even the press release had a new interesting touch. First I had to download an app, put my phone over the twilly that accompanied the new launch to see an interactive animation that was truly something.

TWILLY D’HERMÈS, Eau de Parfum
is available in Hermès stores, department stores and authorised perfumeries from today.
30 ml (CHF 80.00) • 50 ml (CHF 119.00) • 85 ml (CHF 165.00) spray

LoL, Sandra

First two photos and still: © Hermès – all other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My Look: Pucci at the Pool

Still looking for some glamorous daytime beachwearEmilio Pucci’s instantly recognisable kaleidoscopic designs have always been favoured by those in the know, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon, making any Pucci printed piece an intelligent buy – whether it’s one of the brand’s iconic bikinis or a chic cover-up. For me, it truly is the ultimate luxe swimwear brand.

My look: Fiore Maya asymmetric printed silk-chiffon dressicon, Fiore Maya printed triangle bikini and Fiore Maya printed cotton-gauze pareoicon, all by Emilio Pucci, Candy metallic elaphe platform sandalsicon by Saint Laurent, embroidered brocade drawstring backpack by Gucci, woven straw visor by Stella McCartneyAudrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline and pearl necklace by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
A huge thank you to my daughter for taking the pictures!

White Boots and Booties

After this week’s post about the must-have glitter boots, see today what else is trending in footwear for F/W 2017. As seen on the runways (from left to right in collage: Victoria Beckham – Marc Jacobs – Narciso Rodriguez), white ankle boots and booties are the preferred choice to due their versatile nature and nonchalant aesthetic.

This season, we are spoiled for choice — more so than ever before — when it comes to interesting white styles that will give your cold weather wardrobe that extra element of cool. Please find herewith the tip of the iceberg.

1 Buckled ankle boots by Derek Lam
2 Levy leather ankle bootsicon by Gianvito Rossi
3 Eri embellished leather ankle boots by Alexander Wang
icon4 Faux leather ankle bootsicon by Stella McCartney
5 Leather ankle boots iconby MM6 Maison Margiela
Leather ankle bootsicon by Balenciaga
7 Plume patent-leather ankle boots iconby Laurence Dacade
For Walking printed leather over-the-knee boots by Off-White

My favorite pair are those versatile Laura 85 leather boots by Gianvito Rossi.

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

My Look: Always a Bridesmaid

Being a bridesmaid is a huge honor as you are asked to play an important role in your friend’s special day. Two years ago, one of my closest sweethearts asked me to be her bridesmaid. She was dreaming of this celebration for a long time and had a clear vision as she wanted all of us to wear a different pastel shade.

A rainbow of colors

So first, we divided the different hues among us bridesmaids and each of us got her own dress (fabulous idea – I hate these typical bridesmaid dresses in polyester that force you to wear something you would never ever touch otherwise). The only promise we had to give was to look for a flowing fabric like chiffon.

My look: Embellished pleated silk-chiffon gown by Matthew Williamsonlaser-cut leather and suede platform sandals by Alaïa, diamond necklace and ring, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

A true friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words and who carries you back to dinner when your Alaïa heels would be ruined otherwise… and I will always be a bridesmaid for her in my heart!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © Jan Geerk/Kantlicht.ch

Gucci or Mutti?

Browsing through Instagram, I saw a picture of my dear friend Yasmin von Schlieffen, that gave me a big smile and made my day. On the photo, the Hamburg based owner of the PR agency «Mrs Politely» and mother of three boys wore a T-shirt reminiscent of the GUCCI TEEicon everyone is craving at the moment but instead of the iconic label it said MUTTI. (For my readers who don’t understand German, this is a word for mummy that you would use for an old-fashioned mum but in a kind of cute way – still my daughter is not allowed to use it and the same goes for me with my mum. If I called her Mutti, she would be freaking out. We call our German chancellor Angela Merkel «Mutti», I think now you finally got what I mean).

This T-shirt is a must for me. It is available at shop-hellolove.de (E-mail: contact@shop-hellolove.de, Phone: +49 40 33450933, Address: Eppendorfer Weg 283
20251 Hamburg/Germany).

Yasmin’s look: «Mutti» Tee by Hello Love, jeans by Zara, pearl necklace by Gabriele Frantzen, shopper by ChanelY charm by Iphoria and Princetown embroidered slipper by Gucci. Let’s admit completely without Gucci is difficult these days :-).
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To all the Muttis out there, have a lovely day!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Instagram @yasmin_von_schlieffen and @hellolovehamburg

Montblanc Celebrates Adventure in Florence

It is always a pleasure to be invited by Montblanc to one of their special events. This summer, it was Florence calling for the launch of the new 1926 Montblanc Heritage Collection which takes its inspiration from safari travel and exploration.

With this beautiful vegetable-tanned leather collection that is finished with vintage gold hardware for the modern adventurer, Montblanc continues their story of innovation.
So gentlemen, whether you plan an excursion to the sandy dunes of Sahara or a safari to the plains of East Africa, this line is for you.

If you are rather an urban nomad, you will love those 1926 Montblanc Heritage piece as well as they offer an extremely chic and stylish way to carry personal items or technology around the city.

Ladies adventurers: Divine Bonga, PR Montblanc, and my humble self, exploring the launch event.

I am absolutely convinced that many ladies will fall for its vintage feel and the earthy, easy to combine desert hues, too. At the latest, when they spot the bright red printed lining that is inspired by the vibrant fabrics worn by the regal Maasai tribe.

Dubbed the Heritage 1926 collection in recognition of the year Montblanc added leather goods to its business with a small collection of pen cases, the new range features backpacks of different sizes, portfolios, document holders and brief cases, as well as a mid-size weekender and some fine stationery.

Hugh Jackman with me

The launch party took place at Europe’s largest private garden. Italian hospitality at its best with great music, fine food, beautiful displays to create a whole world around the new collection and a special guest that is a true adventurer: Montblanc ambassador Hugh Jackman who had flown in for this special occasion.

An Italian worker explaining how the tanning process of the leather works.

Montblanc’s Creative Director, Zaim Kamal explained to me that for the first time, Montblanc has been using traditional Tuscan vegetable-tanned leather that will take on a patina with age. An early trend for next summer has been spotted at Pitti Uomo, the biannual menswear and accessories trade fair in Florence: Seventies-style bohemianism that plays exactly with that vintage feel that makes the products genuinely personal.

At Montblanc’s manufacture in Tuscany where the leather goods are produced.

The morning after the launch party, I visited the Montblanc manufacture in Tuscany and saw with my own eyes the leather craftsmanship that goes into each of those pieces. I was extremely impressed by the different steps that have to be applied in order to achieve the antique gold color finishing of the metal fittings or the bridge and clasp closing systems.

I am sure that the new 1926 Montblanc Heritage Collection will be a full success among all gentlemen and ladies adventurers. Below you can enjoy some more of my impressions of this fantastic event in Florence …

LoL, Sandra

At the launch event in Florence dressed in Gucci.

The evening started with a cocktail reception in the largest private garden in Europe.

Every little detail was perfect.

Mr Hugh Jackman had fun as we did!

On our way inside the tent where dinner was served, we felt like adventurers on a safari.

You could feel the mood behind the collection perfectly.

Seated dinner

Beautiful ambiance

Pieces from the 1926 Montblanc Heritage Collection on display.

Photos in Collage/Still: © Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Montblanc
All other photos from the event: © Sandra Bauknecht

Steppin’ Up the Game With These Cult Boots

Hot off the runway, these glitter must-haves are the absolute cult boots this season!

Saint Laurent‘s latest Creative Director, Anthony Vaccarello, created those slouchy, knee-high boots covered in sparkle, that catch the light in all the right ways and grounded most of the looks on the fashion house’s F/W 2017 runway.

Like a disco ball for your feet, the ultimate show-stopper, they have been handcrafted in Italy and encrusted with 3000 Swarovski crystals that cover even the signature cone heel. Needless to say, they’ve taken over social media since they first appeared and dominated many Instagram feeds.

TO SHOP THE NIKI CRYSTAL-EMBELLISHED BOOTS, CLICK HERE PLEASE.
iconHurry up, despite their expensive price tag, they are selling out like crazy…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Vogue.com and Saint Laurent