Sandra‘s Closet

For the past couple of seasons, niche bag brands have been on the rise. Hot new brand to know WANDLER is guaranteed to be a regular fixture on your Instagram feeds and in street style galleries. Amsterdam-based founder Elza Wandler wanted to create bags that are beautiful yet simple including her must-have trapeze-shaped ‘Hortensia’.

Pre-order now Wandler‘s Hortensia trapeze leather shoulder bag in cognac.

After launching in 2017, Wandler was picked up by many influential stockists including Net-à-Porter, MatchesFashion and Browns. Towards BoF Elza Wandler said: «I think the brand has created a maturity around itself which has a certain luxury appeal attached to it that you don’t see with many contemporary bag brands. Personally, I’m not attracted to super clean, but equally I don’t gravitate towards a total Versace look. However, the mix of these two is what excites me and I don’t feel like you see that a lot in fashion today.»

Elza Wandler

Her fashion and branding studies at Amsterdam Fashion Institute provided Wandler with a solid foundation to balance design and commerce. «There I learned that the business doesn’t stop after you make a product. There is a lot that comes with it like branding, image-making and social media,» she continued. And I couldn’t agree more…

I am sure we will see a lot more of Wandler in the future…

LoL, Sandra

So beautiful: Pink Hortensia Mini Leather Shoulder Bag

Trending in pastel: Green Miles Leather Cross Body Bag

Photos: Courtesy of Wandler, © Leonardo Scotti

Thursday night, I attended Breitling‘s red-carpet event at Zurich’s Hallenstadion. The innovative Swiss watch brand celebrated the debut of its new Navitimer 8 collection and Breitling’s new global CEO, Georges Kern introduced his brand’s next chapter. The event was the European stop on Breitling’s international tour, which debuted in Shanghai in late January and which will move on to New York City at the end of February.

As 2018 marks the Year of the Dog, I’ve chosen an offbeat ode to one of my favorite four-legged friends with this dog print gown and hope that you will like it as much as I do.

My look: Dog print silk chiffon gown by Dolce & Gabbana, classic Paris D’Orsay pumps with bow and metallic-trimmed leather clutch, both by Saint Laurent, necklace by Dior, and Mitza ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Georges Kern, CEO Breitling, introducing his brand’s next chapter.

With Patrick Liotard-Vogt

Always fun talking to former soccer player Günter Netzer and his lovely wife Elvira.

Walking into a #legendaryfuture…

Exploring Breitling’s versatile history and the new Navitimer 8 collection…

My Dolce & Gabbana gown is an ode to the Year of the Dog.

Having fun on the dance floor with Barbara Becker.

Thank you, Georges Kern, for this fantastic night!

Photos: © David Biedert Photography, Courtesy of Breitling © Alexander Scheubel, © Harold Cunningham, © Hervé Le Cunff for Blick, © Sandra Bauknecht

Nowadays, there is a new style that utilizes angel wings as a fashion statement most likely thanks to the Victoria’s Secret Angels who are sporting their wings on the famous lingerie runway.
Personally speaking when it comes to an angel-wing piece, I feel a terrible obsession to go for it… it is somehow innocent and seductive at once.

1 Evangeline wing leather sandals by Sophia Webster
2 Wings heart leather shoulder bag by Niels Peerarer
3 Wing ring by Garrard
4 Winged ballerina bustier dress by Moschino
5 Wing 18-karat gold, agate and diamond earrings by Noor Fares
6 Wings ring by Elise Dray
7 Samotresse 100 metallic leather sandals by Christian Louboutin

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

I love Valentine’s Day and always enjoy prepping the ultimate outfit. While classic reds and pinks are a quintessential choice, I’m loving the subtle hearts and little pops of color. The unexpected message on the Dolce box bag will definitely steal your heart!

My look: Perfecto leather biker jacket and Janis leather platform pumps with chains, both by Saint Laurent, vintage heart print chiffon dress by Moschino Cheap & Chic, printed metallic leather box clutch by Dolce & Gabbana, heart shaped earrings by Chanel and rose diamond ring by Piaget.

Don’t forget to enter the Valentine’s Day contest with Dyson!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

WIN a limited edition DYSON Supersonic™ Iron/Red

Happy Valentine’s Day! As February, 14^th is regarded as the day of love where you make an effort to express your feelings through various gestures or gifts, I would like to show my gratitude for your support with a Valentine’s gift you’ll love and you’ll definitely can’t live without once you have tried it. In collaboration with DYSON three lucky readers have the chance to win a limited edition Dyson Supersonic™ Iron/Red with red case worth CHF 479.00.

Getting ready for Valentine’s Day: printed metallic leather box clutch by Dolce & Gabbana, earrings by Chanel, embellished satin pumps by Prada and my beloved Dyson Supersonic™.

This hair dryer has made my life so much easier. It not only looks different, it works and behaves also differently than everything you have been used to. I have slightly curly hair but with this it looks smooth and shiny in an instant – I cannot recommend it enough, such a great gift idea!

Here are the key facts about this hair drying wonder:

It helps prevent extreme heat damage to protect natural shine.
Air temperature is measured 20 times every second, keeping the temperature under control.

Extremely fast drying
Drying shouldn’t take forever. For fast drying you need controlled, high velocity airflow.

Engineered for balance
Convention is turned on its head by putting the motor in the handle which is completely rebalancing the dryer’s weight and shape.

Three different styling attachments with magic magnetic holding
1. The Dyson Smoothing nozzle dries hair gently using smooth, wide air.
2. With the Dyson Styling concentrator, you can shape your hair one section at a time – without worrying about disturbing the rest.
3. The Dyson diffuser disperses air evenly around your curls, helping to reduce frizz and improve definition.

Cool to touch
With Heat Shield technology, the surfaces of the attachments stay cool. Even during close-up styling.

Controlled by just four buttons
3 precise speed settings (Fast drying, Regular drying and Styling)
4 precise heat settings (100°C Fast drying and styling / 80°C Regular drying / 60°C Gentle drying
and 28 °C Constant cold)
Sliding on/off switch

Easy to clean
Simply twist and release to clean the filter.

To participate in the contest, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header «Dyson» to . All entries must be received until February 20, 2018. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules.
The winner has to have a Swiss address.

For more information or to shop the limited edition Dyson Supersonic™ Iron/Red, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dyson and © Sandra Bauknecht 

My avid readers know how much I love London. Personally speaking, a weekend trip to the British metropole is one of my favorite things to do, as the city offers everything you can dream of, culture, shopping, nightlife, and great restaurants.

Happy me at The Lanesborough wearing Mary Katrantzou .

One of my favorite hotels to stay is THE LANESBOROUGH that belongs to the Oetker Collection. Perfectly positioned between Knightsbridge and Mayfair, just a short walk from Harrods, Harvey Nichols and London’s exclusive Sloane Street, this grand mansion overlooking Hyde Park Corner has undergone an inspired renovation by the famed interior designer Alberto Pinto. The hotel is home to 93 luxurious suites and bedrooms, Michelin-starred Céleste restaurant, the vibrant Library Bar and Garden Room and the magnificent Lanesborough Club & Spa.

About the latter I would like to tell you a lot more as this is one of the many reasons to stay at this hotel! It is a true sanctuary of health and relaxation in the city and was crowned the World’s Best New Hotel Spa 2017 at the World Spa Awards™. This private 1600 m² members’ fitness and health clubs and spa with its divine interior, is offering members and hotel guests access to internationally recognised experts in the fields of fitness, beauty and wellness.

The spa’s hydro pool area

A must for all spa lovers: the steam room and sauna.

Beautifully designed: the ladies’ changing room

A sanctuary of relaxation in the city: the private area for spa members

The so-called «Painting Room» serves for manicures and pedicures.

You can enjoy some of the finest spa therapy treatments with products from much-loved spa and beauty brands ila and La Prairie, as well as the expertise of facial and beauty expert Anastasia Achilleos. Good to know is that for non-members, day passes can also be combined with treatment bookings for access to the exceptional facilities.

The restaurant and bar of the Lanesborough Club & Spa

Moreover, The Lanesborough Club & Spa has its own restaurant, offering all-day healthy dining, developed by Michelin-starred Chefs Eric Frechon and Executive Chef Florian Favario in collaboration with Clean & Lean nutritional guidance from Bodyism founder James Duigan. High-protein snacks, smoothies and juices are available throughout the day, and all personal training sessions will finish with a bespoke blended drink to complement each members’ workout.

The hotel’s exquisite rooms and suites, are all uniquely refurbished with stylish, luxurious interiors and responsive technology seamlessly interwoven, including in-room tablets and powerful WiFi. Each room, not only suites, has a round-the-clock, dedicated butler service so that you can be assured that your needs are well served.

The seven-bedroom Royal Suite is a residence fit for a king, queen or head of state.

If you love food, you will enjoy the hotel’s Michelin-starred Céleste restaurant (see photo below) with its richly decorated dining room in light blue and yellow hues, naturally illuminated during the day by a domed glass roof.

Beautiful ambiance at the Michelin-starred Céleste restaurant

Moreover, I recommend the award-winning afternoon tea service, the seductive Library Bar and for the cigar aficionados among you one of London’s best cigar and Cognac lounges – The Garden Room. You see that THE LANESBOROUGH caters to all tastes…

I love having breakfast in the room… the first thing that makes my day…

One of my favorites in London is tea time which is served at the hotel’s «Withdrawing Room».

I am a big fan and hope that you will enjoy your stay at THE LANESBOROUGH as much as I do!

And if you become a fan, I recommend getting this beautiful Globe Trotter The Lanesborough Suitcase, that is only available at Eden Being.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of The Lanesborough Hotel and © Sandra Bauknecht

Dress up for date night, unwrap luxury or gift someone gorgeous this Valentine’s Day with this beautiful selection of gifts and outfit inspirations. I have even thrown in an idea «for him»…
The heart wants what the heart wants…

LoL, Sandra

1 Confetti Heart knitted sweater by Chinti and Parker
2 Heart cut-out babydoll dress by Chloé (60% off)
3 Embellished merino wool sweater by Oscar de la Renta
4 Sequined silk bustier top by Oscar de la Renta
5 Carry Secrets heart clutch by Valentino
6 Sicily leather shoulder bag by Dolce & Gabbana

1 Gabby lace-trimmed embroidered tulle underwired bra and matching thong, both by Agent Provocateur
2 Heart-print button-down dress by Alexander McQueen
3 Love letter print T-shirt by Gucci (FOR HIM)
4 New Wave 196 Loulou heart-shaped silver-tone sunglasses by Saint Laurent
5 Pierced-heart straw hat by Gucci
6 Crystal-embellished clutch by Gucci

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via Harper’s Bazaar, © Sandra Bauknecht

Greetings from beautiful and very cold Vienna where I spent the last days and attended the famous opera ball. More coming up soon… here you see me strolling through the city in some of my favorite pieces since many seasons on my way to the Sacher hotel for some culinary Austrian treats such as Viennese Schnitzel and the famous Sacher cake.

My look: Belted shearling coat, floral-appliqué striped wool-blend cardigan, and scarf, all by Gucci, dress with leather and lace appliqué by Saint Laurent, Rockstud leather-trimmed knee boots by Valentino, «Paris Cosmopolite» Pré-fall 2017 Métiers d’Art Gabrielle bag by Chanel, T Wire Narrow 18-karat rose gold bracelet by Tiffany & Co, and Tonda 1950 Galaxy by Parmigiani Fleurier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Presented at SIHH 2018, the new Révélation d’une Panthère watch is a true piece of art and deserves its own post. The iconic Cartier panther is revealed in an instant in a feat of watchmaking magic that conjures the hourglass, an eternal allegory of the passage of time.

Distort time. Disrupt it. Give it a form, trace its outline, and make it appear and disappear at leisure.
At a flick of the wrist, tiny gold beads map a meticulous trajectory across the surface of the dial, gradually revealing a powerful presence.

The magnificent head of a panther emerges, her golden outline illuminating the dial, her stark, stylised motif arresting the gaze. An ephemeral work of art for art’s sake, this timepiece offers the rare spectacle of light, luminous hours which promise their return.

Available in three versions with a choice of a black, green or red dial, the 37mm watch features a pink gold case, a bezel paved with diamonds, and a winding crown set with a diamond, an emerald or a ruby. The two colored versions in green and red are both limited editions of 100 individually numbered pieces each.

LoL,Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Cartier

Who would have thought that the ugly shoe trend will be so successful over several seasons that it will be reaching its peak for S/S 2018. While Christopher Kane was the first designer to collaborate with Crocs for S/S 2017 – Balenciaga is taking the ubiquitous gardening shoe to new heights this season.

Christopher Kane S/S 2018

If you have kids, you have been there and surely decorated the iconic rubber shoes with princesses or or other little gadgets. For S/S 2018, Christopher Kane wants to prove his love for Crocs again and re-upped his own commitment by making shoes out of the rubbery material and adorning them with Swarovski crystal embellishments.

Balenciaga S/S 2018

For Balenciaga, Demna Gvasalia made a Croc version definitely a standout one with a 10 cm foam platform that is branded with Demna’s newly redesigned Balenciaga logo. But will this design change the world’s problem with Crocs? As he said at Vogue’s Forces of Fashion conference, “I think it’s very interesting, the definition of ugly. I think it’s also very interesting to find this line where ugly becomes beautiful or where beautiful becomes ugly. That’s a challenge I like. I think that’s a part of what fashion stands for and I like that people think my clothes are ugly; I think it’s a compliment.”

Balenciaga S/S 2018 Runway

Do both designers, Kane and Gvasalia, just hate feet? Or did they legit think that glitter and a gigantic platform take the prize. I mean, all of these shoes are probably comfortable to wear, but when it comes to looks, you have to admit they hardly have the refined elegance of a pair of high heels. Anyway, I am sure that I will go for them in the end… or not, we’ll see! If I buy them, I will definitely get a nasty bashing from my daughter who had to convince me over months many years ago to get her a pair of Crocs… haha, and now Mummy is considering them. How twisted it this?

Crystal embellished Crocs by Christopher Kane
New customers get 10% off with this CODE: 10FF18. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balenciaga and Christopher Kane