Sandra‘s Closet

For the Hermès’ theme of the year «Lets’ Play» celebration in Paris, I took the «overdressed with a sense of humor» dress code literally and went for this Dolce & Gabbana look. The designer duo takes their inspirations seriously, so it’s no surprise that my gown is stacked with Queen of Hearts-prints. The playing card figure appears also bedazzled on my headpiece while little cars on my earrings finish of the fun ensemble.

My look: Queen of Hearts gown (Look 16 from the S/S 2018 runway), clip earrings with cars and flowers, matching headpiece with veil, and Dolce Box embellished croc-effect and textured-leather clutch, all by Dolce & Gabbana, and red Janis pumps by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Breaking news! CHANEL launches its first men’s make-up line, BOY DE CHANEL.
First available in Korea on September 1, 2018, it will be available in the rest of the world from November 2018 online, and from January 2019 in CHANEL stores.

By creating BOY DE CHANEL, CHANEL reaffirms the ever-changing codes of an unchanging vision: beauty is not a matter of gender; it’s a matter of style.
With its sleek blue night packs, the BOY DE CHANEL line consists of three essential products: a foundation, a lip balm and an eyebrow pen. Three make-up enhancers, to erase imperfections with accuracy, undetectably. Each offers textures for instinctive use, imperceptible formulas and a long, infallible hold for a natural result.Why shouldn’t men start to do the same efforts we take every morning! To more gender equality – be only you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel
#BOYDECHANEL #BEONLYYOU #CREATEYOURSELF

Let’s Play!

Yes, play! Because playing means being together, because it’s a way of learning about ourselves and others, a way of letting chance have its say, of both controlling and letting go. Because it is joyous, jubilant even. Because play reshuffles the pack. Because play is movement, freedom, imagination, fantasy, seduction, lightness. Where there’s play, there’s hope! But yes! After all, don’t players form a kind of alternative society? Doesn’t play itself form the outline of an utopia? Could we create, could we invent, could we even just imagine if we didn’t play? Certainly not at Hermès in any case, where our first comrade in play was the horse. Who knows, maybe that is the secret of our longevity. For a hundred and eighty years, this house has never stopped playing.

Pierre-Alexis Dumas
Artistic Director of Hermès

Mid June, I flew to Paris as guest of HERMÈS (those who have been following me on Instagram have already seen many photos and impressions), to celebrate the Maison’s theme for 2018 which is «Let’s Play», evoking emotions of whimsicality and playfulness. Each year has a theme that celebrates the French iconic brand’s vision and creative direction. As Pierre-Alexis Dumas said: «This year, Hermès is inviting you to play. It is meant to encourage people to break down barriers, let loose and have fun.»

With Pierre-Alexis Dumas, artistic director of Hermès. Under his direction, the firm has seen its biggest growth in decades, with sales of 4 billion euros in 2014.

The story of HERMÈS’ year themes started in 1987 with the «Year of the Fireworks» to celebrate the brand’s 150th anniversary and was conceived by the late chairman and chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas. Since then, it has been a consistent feature of the brand and each year, new amazing themes take place.

Past Year Themes:
2012: The Gift of Time
2013: The Sporting Life
2014: Metamorphosis, an Hermès Story
2015: Flâneur Forever
2016: Nature at Full Gallop
2017: Le Sens de l’Objet

The concierge was announcing my arrival at the festivities.

When I was in Paris, HERMÈS turned the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild into a «Play House» and  interpreted the game in all its forms: board games, optical illusions, televised games, charade games, casino, and a musical quiz, just to name a few things that played with our senses that night.

When I arrived, I was greeted by my name by the concierge in the courtyard. Two sphynx-inspired ladies portraying the famous woman-headed lions of greek mythology were guiding us through the hallway up to the playrooms.

The dress code said «overdressed with a sense of humor» and everyone came up with the most amazing, hyper-elegant, extravagant, quirky looks.
It was definitely worth putting some effort in your outfit as the French brand spared no expense in showing its company theme «Let’s Play» by transforming the location into an immersive fun fair. Games were everywhere besides champagne and yummy food, both in the living rooms on the ground floor and the first floor. At each game, there were actors to explain the rules, to bring them to life, to hand out little nuts…

This Hermès Fantasy was equipped with all of the elements you could possibly imagine: from a wheel of fortune to roulette, from an area where you could play «sit and run» to skittle dog.

«We are a traditional company of craftsmanship and a creative company of today,» noted Hermès CEO Axel Dumas. Even he – a sixth-generation scion of Hermès founder Thierry Hermès – isn’t immune to the brand’s playfulness.

With Axel Dumas, CEO Hermès

Stay tuned for the detailed outfit post to follow about my playing cards-inspired look and enjoy more impressions of this fantastic night below.

LoL, Sandra

Time to play…

Get lucky or die trying

Skittle Dog!

Spin the wheel!

So much fun to play musical quiz.

Closet life: posting live from the event.

A huge thank you to Françoise Garnier, Hermès Switzerland, for inviting me and for taking all the photos! We had such a great time together.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Hermès

Remember the iconic puka shell necklace – when it was absolutely so cool to come back from your tropical vacation with a plastic flower in your hair and a shell choker around your neck? I am talking about this ubiquitous beachy accessory of the late ‘90s, that was loved by tween girls and surfer guys alike.

Puka shell necklace of the ’90s

You are lucky if you kept one in your jewellery box like I did. If not, it is time to get one. Only this time you can opt for a luxier, infinitely more grown up vibe.

Prada F/W 2017

Seen already at the Prada’s F/W 2017 show – as usual Miuccia knows how to set a trend – the chunky shell necklaces made an appearance layered over hefty coats and sweaters. So ladies, this piece can be taken to the winter season.

Shells are back but they’re literally cooler than ever before. Here some amazing pieces available now:

Large Puka natural shell necklace by Tohum

Eloise shell-embellished necklace by Heimat Atlantica

Sybile shell choker necklace by Heimat Atlantica

Cauri 9-karat rose gold, diamond and porcelain necklace by Pascale Monvoisin

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, via Instagram Gilda Ambrosio

Bucket bags are perfect for vacation but can still be used back in the city, too. The perfect pieces to take a little summer feeling to fall. With each model, you can pull the drawstring top tight to keep your cell phone and sunglasses secure.

1 Cleo woven leather bucket bag by Loeffler Randall
2 Lunchpail leather-trimmed woven sisal bucket bag by Cesta Collective
3 Linea Cestino leather-trimmed wicker bucket bag by Gucci (my favorite)
4 Seau straw and striped cotton-canvas bucket bag by Muuñ
5 Colada leather-trimmed wicker tote by Kayu

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands, Collage: © Sandra Bauknecht

Your home interiors say as much about you as your wardrobe does, so they deserve just as much attention. So you’re happily adding another Dolce& Gabbana dress and Chloé bag into your shopping basket, about to click pay and – then, what’s that? There it is! Dreams come true – aA new homewear at Matchesfashion.com. Now, I am definitely damned – another reason for infinite midnight scrolling. Who needs sleep anyway when you can be covered in some Preen by Thornton Bregazzi eiderdown?!

Floral-print silk eiderdown by Preen by Thornton Bregazzi

Head HERE to the new Homeware Studio for exclusive ceramics, objets, throws and more by labels including Peter Pilotto, Luke Edward Hall and Maison Margiela. The fashion platform has got it all! From to-die-for Gucci cushions to Fornasetti candles, here are just a few of my favourite things…

Cushions by Gucci
A must for every fashionista’s home!

Sigmund throw by Missoni Home
A stylish way to get cozy while reading a book at home.

Star Eye porcelain vase by Gucci
Love it so much! Wouldn’t it bring such a whimsical touch to the home decor?! 

Monocle magnifying glass and ostrich feather pen, both by Maison Margiela
Beautiful accessories for every desk.

Painted ceramic plate by Peter Pilotto
Lunch in style with designer duo Peter Pilotto…

Herbarium porcelain set by Gucci
… while enjoying tea time with Gucci.

Anagram wool-blend blanket by Loewe
Love this blanket for a night in front of the TV.

Scented candles by Fornasetti
Statement pieces that will bring eye-catching effects to your coffee table.

Happy Weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Matchesfashion.com

On Saturday, the Street Parade took place in Zurich. The sun was shining and I enjoyed a great afternoon at the Baur au Lac hotel. The Boom-Boom au Lac party is the best way to have a front row seat at the iconic music parade while enjoying the serenity and space of the hotel’s beautiful park. Dancing with my little sister and my friends to the techno beats in a fun outfit was just amazing!

My look: Plunging neck metallic bodysuit and Candy embellished suede and leather platform sandals, both by Saint Laurent, lace flared pants by Givenchy, GG Marmont leather belt bag by Gucci, feather, crystal and bead earrings by Oscar de la Renta, Linda sunglasses by Tom Ford, Diorette daisy necklace and Rose des Vents bracelets in turquoise, pink, green and orange, all by Dior Joaillerie, and Amulette necklace by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Those shoes are dope. Finally I feel like hiking gets more fun with GUCCI‘s new FLASHTREK SNEAKER.

Sparkling crystals are embroidered onto a removable elastic strap, wrapping around the sneakers and resulting in an amazing effect. Inspired by the hiking world, this shoe line combines an oversize design with dream-like details.

Featuring a vibrant mix of leathers in different colors, the accessory is defined by the Gucci patch with the graphic font of SEGA – a fixture in the colorful arcades and coin-op game rooms of the ’80s.

TO SHOP THE NEW GUCCI FLASHTREK SNEAKERS ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Keep your eyes open, those shoes will be all around town…
Also available for men HERE (with less sparkle see photo below).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci

SUSANNE KAUFMANN comes from Austria‘s beautiful Alpine valley, the Bregenz Forest, where knowledge of the healing powers of nature is passed down from generation to generation. From an early age, she was fascinated by the idea of creating a holistic skincare range inspired by the intensive and effective properties of the Alpine plant world. She began fulfilling her dream at a very special place: the Susanne Kaufmann Spa at the Hotel Post Bezau. Together with a team of pharmacists and dermatologists she developed result-driven products for spa treatments followed by the launch of SUSANNE KAUFMANN ORGANIC TREATS which now encompasses more than 60 functional products, in Switzerland available at Spitzenhaus in Zurich. Today, she gives us some amazing travel tips for her home country AUSTRIA.

Your favourite city / region?
The BREGENZERWALD (Bregenz Forest)- it is very traditionel but the local people are very open-minded. Besides that the air smells like perfume.

Your favourite hotel?
In Austria I really like the RITZ-CARLTON in Vienna. Within the four 19th-century palaces the hotel now calls home, you get a very authentic feel of the city known for its beauty and culture.
Schubertring 5-7, 1010 Vienna, Phone: +43 1 31188

Your favourite spa?
Definitely our SUSANNE KAUFMANN SPA in Bezau. It stands for everything I love, a place of beauty, relaxation, and holistic well-being.
Brugg 35, 6870 Bezau, Phone: +43 5514 22070

Your favourite restaurant?
STEIERECK in Vienna – they have an exquisite cuisine and a concept that reflects my belief in high quality ingredientes and local products.
Am Heumarkt 2A, 1030 Vienna, Phone: +43 1 7133168

Your favorite local dish?
WIENER SCHNITZEL with POTATO SALAD.

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
It‘s definitely the WERKHAUSRAUM in Andelsbuch, designed by architect Peter Zumthor, is a distinctive mark in the Bregenzerwald and highlights the culture of craftsmanship and artisanal work.

Your favourite park?
The whole BREGENZERWALD (Bregenz Forest) is like a huge park with wild animals and a beautiful fauna and flora.

Your favourite shop?
ROOM SERVICE CONCEPT STORE and SAGMEISTER.
I really like these two shops for their exclusive selection and personal touch.

Your must-have accessory?
Besides a good skin condition, my SMYTHSON CALENDAR.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
I’ve been passionate about music since childhood. Luckily my husband, Alfred Vogel, is Jazz musician and brings year by year wonderful artists to BEZAU BEATS in Austria.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
OSKAR LEO KAUFMANN: 69 PROJEKTE 2012–1996 – my brother recently gave me his book. You can see how the architecture in the Bregenzerwald has shaped the landscape.

TO SHOP SUSANNE KAUFMANN ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Thank you, Susanne, for sharing your insider scoop on Austria with us!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Susanne Kaufmann, the different locations and Voralberg Tourismus

Are you ready for this? Let’s get the week started with a naughty vibe and have a look at ASHISH‘s hilarious hint at thoughtless consumerism as well as cheap high street fashions that appeared on the designer’s F/W 2018 show: American Excess, Masturbate, and Viva(L’Amore) were all in sequin logo hacks of famous credit card brands.

Playing with consumerism: ASHISH‘s sequined shopping bags.

Being a big fan of how Ashish Gupta used his runway presentation to comment on consumer culture, drawing inspiration from his roots making patterns in a clothing factory in Delhi at 16, I definitely want to get my hands on one of those tongue-in-cheek phrasing like the ‘American Excess’ lettering on these tops below.

What a bummer – I have just got the news that the Masturbate sweater didn’t go into production due to copyright issues with Mastercard. So excess it is – but I have to hurry, they are selling out fast. In Switzerland the tops will also be available at Trois Pommes.

LoL, Sandra

Sequined cotton-jersey top

American Excess sequin embellished cotton hoodie

Photos: Courtesy of ASHISH