Sandra‘s Closet

“No matter your origin, no matter your tribe. Come together, be seen, be heard. Because we are all worth it.”
Olivier Rousteing, Creative Director, Balmain Paris

Two years ago, Balmain already made a foray into the world of affordable luxury with its H&M designer collaboration. This fall, the #BalmainArmy will find new members of the tribe as L‘Oréal Paris has joined forces with Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing for a collection of twelve limited COLOR RICHE couture lipsticks. One shade more beautiful than the other.

Olivier Rousteing with me

Needless to say that Olivier Balmain’s knows how to run a social media hype. For the launch of the French house’s first lipstick, he is accompanied by twelve model muses that each has inspired one of the dozen shades.

This collaboration with L’Oréal is the perfect fit to provide customers with access to the bejeweled splendor of the long-established fashion house that was founded by Pierre Balmain in 1945 who defined France’s fashion renaissance after World War II. Continuing in the trailblazing spirit of the brand’s founder, Olivier Rousteing is inspired by the confident style of modern women and incorporates the maison’s mastery of embroidery and embellishment into his collections. His love for detail can also be seen in the amazing packaging of the lipsticks: a decadent ode to precious materials, such as emerald-green malachite, blue lapis lazuli, and onyx.

Three colour collections embody three femininities:

SAFARI TRIBE (Green Case)
905 BALMAIN INSTINCT: Ysaunny Brito (Star Shade)
647 URBAN SAFARI: Alexina Graham
648 GLAMAZONE: Luma Grothe
469 FEVER: Maria Borges

ROCK TRIBE (Blue Case)
467 FREEDOM: Soo Joo Park ( Star Shade)
650 POWER: Valentina Sampaio
902 LEGEND: Neelam Gill
901 REBELLION: Grace Bol

COUTURE TRIBE (Black Case)
356 CONFIDENCE: Doutzen Kroes (Star Shade)
355 DOMINATION: Lara Stone
468 LIBERATION: Cindy Bruna
256 CONFESSION: Ming Xi

I was over the moon when this exclusive box arrived at my door step a few weeks ago so that I could test each one of the shades. Being a huge Balmain fan as you know, this is a collector’s piece that I will keep forever.
(The golden clutch is a vintage Balmain piece.)

My favorite shade of all? 256 CONFESSION. It is the perfect nude shade.
(Metallic jacquard jacket by Balmain.)

Time to have a piece of Balmain on your lips. The L’Oréal Paris x Balmain Paris capsule lipstick collection launches today September 20, 2017 for CHF 21.90 each, in Switzerland at Coop and Manor.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balmain and © Sandra Bauknecht

While you are reading this, I am on my way to the Oktoberfest in Munich with HUBLOT for an exclusive «Wies’n Gaudi» at the one & only Käfer’s-Wies’n-Schänke. The dress code? Of course «Traditional Bavarian»!

Is any other traditional dress as feminine, elegant and downright sexy as a «Dirndl»?
Any man or woman alive who has visited the Munich Oktoberfest would have to answer with a resounding no! As many other Germans, I am always looking forward to the festival season rolling around, to wear my «Trachten» and «Lederhosen» to celebrate in style.

From left to right top: Breakfast at Tiffany’s –  Dirndl Time – Oh Deer!
From left to right bottom: Pucci Goes Wies’n – Tyrolean Love

From time to time, I like to play around with the outfits and don’t opt for the traditional «Dirndl» but look for designer pieces in my closet that are inspired from Tyrolean or Bavarian styles.

Finding the right Dirndl can be quite expensive and choices are versatile. You can certainly look for less expensive ones at regular department stores, but then you’re quite likely to run into other women wearing the same style around town. In case it bothers you spending so much money on this occasion, I would like to inspire you with these designer pieces that you can wear all year long.

DAYTIME TRACHT: Misha embroidered velvet-paneled gabardine jacket by Vilshenko, crochet-trimmed lace-up broderie anglaise cotton blouse by SEA, velvet shorts by Pierre Balmain, appliquéd leather Chelsea boots by Charlotte Olympia, embellished wool-blend socks, Lucia watersnake-trimmed embellished brocade shoulder bag, crystal-embellished round-frame gold-tone sunglasses and gold-tone crystal clip earrings, all by Dolce & Gabbana.

DIRNDL CHIC: Lace and velvet-paneled pleated crepe mini dress by Elie Saab, faux pearl-embellished velvet headband and velvet shoulder bag, both by Miu Miu, velvet and gold-tone multi-stone choker by Etro, Elliot floral-print matelassé over-the-knee boots by Altuzarra.

BAVARIAN QUEEN: Embroidered cotton-velvet tuxedo jacket by ALEXACHUNG, Adriana lace-up velvet-trimmed crepe dress by Altuzarra, Klara lace-up suede ankle boots by Tabitha Simmons, Padlock small appliquéd studded leather shoulder bag, metallic crochet-trimmed embroidered cotton-blend socks and frayed grosgrain, bead and faux pearl brooch, all by Gucci.

O’zapft is! Happy Wies’n Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

Since 50 years, Grosscouture has been located at Bahnhofstrasse 22 in Zurich. After six months of refurbishment, the store’s massive renovation is now finished and it celebrated its new look with an opening cocktail last Thursday.

The new store harnesses sophisticated design cues inspired by the brands displayed. From Elie Saab to Versace, from Oscar de la Renta to Roland Mouret, many prestige houses are available at this shopping haven as well as the eponymous designs by owner Roberto Quaglia.

On the ground floor, you can find a large variety of evening gowns (Gross Couture is definitely the place to go if you are looking for your next black tie outfit…) as well as the new menswear section that offers bespoke tailored garments.

«With our three floors directly at Zurich’s Paradeplatz, we have all the top Iabels to offer you. We are proud to present you with fashion which lives up to the highest demands of luxury and lifestyle.

We live fashion – for you.» – Corina and Roberto Quaglia

Enriching the Bahnhofstrasse and supporting the retail business in Zurich is very dear to Robert Quaglia. His eyes glow with passion when he tells me about his vision while we are browsing through the beautiful selection. I really like the spacious store with its classy and warm interior design. Absolutely worth a visit…

Gross Couture AG, Bahnhofstrasse 22, CH-8001 Zürich
E-mail: – Phone :+ 41 44 750 9090.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gross Couture and © Sandra Bauknecht

Gucci‘s Alessandro Michele has truly set a trend by embellishing his designs in all sorts of ways.
Many designers are following his playful approach to fashion. Featuring embroideries, patches, slogans on all sorts of classic silhouettes, this lovely outerwear will keep you warm and chic this fall.

Calf hair-paneled embellished denim jacket by Gucci

Painted metallic leather biker jacket by Mira Mikati

Cityscrape embroidered leather and satin jacket by Coach

Embellished leather-trimmed shell bomber jacket by Opening Ceremony

Embellished appliquéd wool-felt bomber jacket by Miu Miu

Embellished silk-satin bomber jacket by Valentino

Leather biker jacket with appliqués by Saint Laurent

Enjoy your Sunday!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

«All Art is Erotic» –  Gustav Klimt

KILIAN HENNESSY celebrates ten years of redefining the art of modern perfumery and invites us into a new Golden Age, inspired by the sensual glamour and sumptuous luxury of fin de siècle Vienna, and its most subversive artist, Gustav Klimt.

Kilian Hennessy with me

«Klimt is the authority when it comes to gold artwork, gold leaf,» says Kilian. The universe he created full of seduction and opulence represents «a cultural reference, a touchstone – more than just decoration.»

Two new fragrances, each of which experiments with dualties: darkness and light, feminity and masculinity, modernity and proud tradition. Let me introduce you to WOMAN IN GOLD and GOLD KNIGHT, one more beautiful than the other. Launching in the end of September 2017, I don’t want you to miss those richly textured and mysterious scents.

«It doesn’t interest me to provoke just to provoke. I need artistic reasoning,» Kilian goes on. «The idea was to play on the contrasts between shadown and light, to express that we are all made of good and bad – but within light and dark there are a myriad of facets. I wanted to achieve this duality with perfume.»

WOMAN IN GOLD

Inspired by the 1907 portrait of Leading Viennese art patron and taste-maker Adele Bloch-Bauer, the only woman Klimt painted twice.

Top Notes: Bergamot
Middle Notes: Rose, Vanilla Absolute
Base Notes: Akigalawood, Patchouli

GOLD KNIGHT

Inspired by the dashing, gold-armored chevalier in Klimt’s 1902 Beethoven Frieze.

Top Notes: Anise, Bergamot
Middle Notes: Honey, Vanilla
Base Notes: Patchouli

The extremely beautiful cases are inspired by Klimt’s works and are inspired by the Byzantine mosaics the Viennese painter saw at the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy.

«True luxury is meant to last» – Kilian Hennessy

The faceted flacon, inspired by the timeless cognac carafe, is an object of uncompromising elegance and artisanship. The 250-ml bottles are refillable and accompanied by a black travel spray.

Mini Carafe 250ml (CHF 720)
Refillable Spray 50ml (CHF 335)

TO SHOP KILIAN ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Kilian Hennessy and © Sandra Bauknecht

Are you one of those who think fashion is superficial? Sorry, you are absolutely wrong. First of all you cover what most likely means a lot to you, your body, second of all, fashion has power. People are judging you during the first seconds they meet you. So choose your outfit wisely. Now, it is time to set a statement!

Here are some sweaters that are embellished with great essential quotes. Your turn to choose your mantra!

«IT SEEMED TO BE THE END UNTIL THE NEXT BEGINNING»

Beaded intarsia wool and cashmere-blend sweater by Valentino

«WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH ALL THIS FUTURE»

Embroidered metallic-trimmed wool sweater by Gucci

«DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE»

Embroidered cashmere sweater by Lingua Franca

«THE EARTH HAS ITS MUSIC FOR THOSE WHO WILL LISTEN»

Wool intarsia sweater by Etro

«COUTURE IS AN ATTITUDE. IT’S NOT A PRICE POINT»

Loose fit jumper by Moschino

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

What do you wear on a cruise? Comfy swimwear and nice tunics are all you need. Enjoying the wind, the sun, the sea and visiting different spots each day. A great place to see is the Amalfi Coast in Italy with its picturesque towns like Positano and Sorrento as well as the beautiful islands of Capri and Ischia.

My look: Embellished printed cotton-voile kaftan by Tory Burch, cutout bandage bikini by Hervé Léger, crochet-knit and printed silk-chiffon headband by Missoni, embroidered brocade drawstring backpack by Gucci, beaded necklace by Etro, and DiorOrigins1 round sunglasses by Dior.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This fall, open frames are set to become this season’s must-have style when it comes to sunglasses, creating the illusion of more defined cheekbones.

1 New Wave 197 LouLou heart-shaped silver-tone mirrored sunglasses by Saint Laurent

2 Poppy octagon-frame acetate and gold-tone sunglasses by Chloé

 3 Love Punch aviator-style gold-tone sunglasses by Gentle Monster

4 Poppy cat-eye acetate and gold-tone sunglasses by Chloé

5 DiorOrigins1 round sunglasses by Dior

6 So Real sunglasses by Dior
7 Believer round sunglasses by Dita Eyewear

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Today I have got very good news to nurture your latest Gucci obsession! Now, you can take it one step further and not only fill your closet but make it also look nicer. Presenting Gucci Décor designed by Alessandro Michele, an eclectic collection of furniture and decorative pieces for the home adorned with House motifs, patterns and codes.

My favorite piece of the collection is this amazing pink velvet three panel screen. How gorgeous would this look in my closet… but also the wallpapers, chairs, cushions and plates are to die for.

Below you can enjoy more impressions of the new launch for the home.
TO SHOP THE FULL LINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Illustrations by artist Alex Merry for Gucci. Photos: Courtesy of Gucci and via Instyle.

A pair of loafers can elevate the simplest of looks. Live the loafer life.

Monana leather loafers by Christian Louboutin

Casati pearl-heeled calf-hair loafers by Nicholas Kirkwood

Rockoko sock-lined leather loafers by Fendi

Crystal and fur-embellished leather loafers by Prada

Feather-trimmed leather loafers by Rochas

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands