Sandra‘s Closet

«Every trip is experienced three times: when you dream it, when you live it and when you remember it.»

Last week, I attended the FALCONERI show in Verona, which took place at the Calzedonia Headquarter. The group auditorium turned into a real airport for the event, transporting us – the audience – into the waiting atmosphere of the departure.

Amazing atmosphere before the show.

Front row with my German colleagues: Annette Weber and Viktoria Rader, both of Glamometer.

The music started and the models walked, some accompanied by dogs, next to treadmill baggage, suitcases trolleys and chairs reminiscent of a boarding situation. A beautiful journey through the new F/W 2018 color palette of the brand which goes from neutral beige and grey to colorful hues of pink, lilac, sky blue and turquoise. The collection is perfect for travelling and everyday life, comfortable but stylish, modest but luxurious. Perfect looks to fly to the destinations where FALCONERI is present today, such as Milan, Rome, Moscow, Athens, Munich, Vienna, Bern and now opening Lisbon.

The collection is divided in three parts:

• «Natural Performance» is dedicated to sportswear, as cashmere meets the active world.
• «Knitwear Lovers» is for the customer who is looking for warmth and softness in comfortable sweaters and coats to wear both, day and night.
• «Orient Express» celebrates Asian elegance by presenting coats and jackets with natural textures and kimonos in precious paisley fabrics. The most trending part of the collection.

On the men’s runway, there were lots of noble and sophisticated materials for sweaters and warm, enveloping jackets – a modern and dynamic look for today’s jet-setting connoisseur, a new concept of clothing created for all situations from daily commitment to leisure time.

Located in Avio, Trentino region, FALCONERI was acquired in 2009 by the Calzedonia Group. In 2013, the production has been brought back to Italy. Since 2014, thanks to the cutting-edge Shima Whole Garment technology, the brand can directly produce a complete item without seams.

For more information about FALCONERI, I invite you to visit the brand’s homepage.

After the show, lovely Elena Ciuprina sketched me in my FALCONERI outfit. What a beautiful and fun memory. Then, it was time to kiss and fly back home to Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Falconeri and © Sandra Bauknecht 

Yesterday morning, I received a package with a new scent by Kilian that made me very excited as it is so extremely yummy. To attract a more youthful audience, the handsome perfumer (for his travel tips for Paris, click here please) created MY KIND OF LOVE, an entire new fragrance collection for young lovers: four scents—Princess, Kissing, Adults, and Boys—for flirty fun and free play, each is an audacious statement, a truth or dare to love in your very own way, conveying each its own message.

“I wanted this collection to have the multi-layered notes and accords that I’m known for, but built around a key ingredient that’s unusual, surprising, and instantly recognizable.”—Kilian Hennessy

Expect the unexpected at all points of the game, as even the bottle is more than meets the eye. A little bomb of seduction inspired by contemporary art, it is both a mini sculpture and a bold declaration. Grab its weighted sphere on top, turn tradition upside down, and remove the bottom square pedestal for spritzing instant sex appeal. On the black bottle’s pedestal, each playful phrase is put on graphic exhibition in glossy lipstick red and gold.

Princess is a divine scent, you just want to eat it up with its warm and sweet gourmand ingredients of Ginger, Green Tea, and Marshmallow!

“I wanted to amp up the girl power with a unique scent calling out all fierce females. Gourmand with a kick, Princess is like sipping on a green tea matcha with a tip of ginger on the nose for sassy spice.”—Kilian Hennessy

In Switzerland available at Manor for CHF 90.00 (30ml), CHF 125.00 (50ml) and CHF 190.00 (100ml). TO SHOP BY KILIAN ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © By Kilian #MyKindofLove

“I was thinking a lot about journeys as I started putting together my first Burberry collection. From my personal journey back to London 20 years after I showed my graduate collection here, to how far I have come. I was also inspired by how much London – the city that made me dream to become a designer – has evolved. This show is a celebration of the cultures, the traditions and the codes of
this historic fashion house and of the eclecticism that makes up the beautifully diverse United Kingdom.”
Riccardo Tisci, Burberry Chief Creative Officer

Yesterday evening, Riccardo Tisci presented his much-anticipated debut collection for BURBERRY with a show – of course live streamed on Instagram – that paid homage to the individuality, eccentricity and inimitable attitude of Britain with 134 looks.

The collection
In front of an audience of creative industry, friends and family, the S/S 2019 collection for men and women, called «Kingdom», was unveiled at a new show venue in Vauxhall, South West London. The new collection celebrates the diversity and the heart of England – the melting pot of creativity and style traditions from the punk and rebellious, to the formal and refined, all co-existing together.  It serves for all, grandparents, parents and the kids. Capturing the breadth of what British culture represents today, the collection defines the visual language and lexicon for Burberry through new house codes and accessories.

The space
As the first model took to the runway the previously dark space was flooded with light, symbolising a new chapter for the fashion house. British materials and textures including concrete, mahogany wood and critter glass transformed the interior with moving walls in tonal brand colours forming small intimate view points for the audience.

The music
Models including Kendall Jenner, Irina Shayk, Stella Tennant, Jourdan Dunn, Lily Donaldson, Freja Beha Erichsen, Natalia Vodianova, Anok Yai and Cat McNeil walked to an exclusively designed soundtrack by Robert Del Naja from Massive Attack.

24-hour capsule drop
Pieces from Riccardo’s first collection for BURBERRY are now available to buy for 24 hours exclusively on Instagram, WeChat and physically at BURBERRY’s London flagship store, 121 Regent Street.

Personal opinion
I had been very curious about Tisci’s approach to BURBERRY and think he had a good start with the focus on tailoring. Although he has not fully arrived yet. Probably because he tried to cater for every taste, many looks were definitely on the commercial side and too much of a mixture between Prada, Céline, and of course Givenchy during his era.

I spotted a detaching waist on a couple of outfits which I quite like. The fabric combination of flowing materials with leather for skirts was definitely amazing. Many details were outstanding, like the umbrella harness or tie fixture. It is a collection where you have to look twice.

But personally speaking I preferred the second part of the presentation as it showed what Tisci can do best, mixing high and low. The print, that is echoing a Sex Pistols song, reading «why did they kill Bambi?» is fun as well as the portraits on pants and dresses.

Am I the only one or did anybody else see a resemblance between these lamp shade-inspired fringe- and crystal-adorned evening looks and Mary Katrantzou‘s designs?!

Nevertheless, as I am a dedicated fashion collector, I will surely get some pieces from this collection. But not from the 24h Instagram sale, as I find the choice pretty disappointing. Too commercial for my taste.

Enjoy my favorite looks below…

I like this combination of different animal prints.

The sleeves are divine, the tailoring immaculate.

The Burberry stripes newly interpreted.

I like this one but somehow it has a little Vuitton touch for me.

Love this skirt!

My favorite look!

This shirt has a really cool twist. A real Tisci signature piece.

Not the biggest Kendall fan, but this Trench is amazing.

Cool umbrella harness

The fixture of the tie is totally great.

Favorite men’s shirt. I adore this pocket detail.

Such a cute dress.

Even though this could have been a typical Givenchy/Tisci look, I adore it for Burberry.

A must for every Swiss :-).

Second favorite look!

My next travel outfit.

Last look of the show – very elegant.

Looking forward to the next seasons to come! The more I look at the outfits, the more I like them. What about you?

TO SHOP BURBERRY ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Burberry

«The story of La Mer is one of hope, healing, and one man’s deep respect for the power of the living sea.»

Dear readers, let me invite you to my home to discover the hero, the icon, the original moisture miracle by LA MER.

In the beginning of September, I hosted a lovely intimate dinner with LA MER at my house for my dear friends. The evening was filled with everything we as women like – from discovering skincare products to sharing beauty secrets, from great conversations to playing games. Under the eye of a sea god with great abs, real mermaids were swimming in the pool while we enjoyed lots of PERRIER-JOUËT bubbly and a four-course gourmet meal.

A huge thank you the LA MER team – pure women power!
From left to right: Quynh Arguello, Jasmin Aziz and Maike Kiessling with me.

During dinner, Quynh and Jasmin gave us a lovely insight into the journey of the famous cream that began when Dr. Max Huber suffered burns in an experiment gone awry. Scientist by day, star-gazer and dreamer by night, he hoped to unlock the legendary healing powers of the sea he held so dear.

Living by the ocean, he was constantly inspired by marine life, especially the extraordinary, self-regenerating properties of giant sea kelp. Eventually he created his own method of unlocking potent activity from such pure ingredients, using the power of fermentation, an art that works like alchemy. Perfected over 12 years, after nearly 6,000 experiments, this transformative process finally produced the iconic cell-renewing Miracle Broth™ by using light and sound energies to amplify activity. The elixir that soothed his skin still flows through every LA MER product today.
Every time the Miracle Broth™ is created, it all begins with a starter drop from the previous batch – the unbroken link to Dr.Huber’s very first Crème de La Mer.

I am truly a LA MER fan. I like that the fact that I don’t need to worry about finding the right product. It is one cream, available in different textures and accompanied by additional products such as body care must-haves, serums, masks and more. Here I am explaining my addiction to the brand’s self-tanning lotion.

As I am having very dry skin, I love to indulge in the original texture of the Moisturizing Cream. For those who will try it for the first time, don’t forget to warm the product between your fingers before you apply it. If you prefer a lighter texture, I recommend using the Moisturizing Cool Gel Cream or the Moisturizing Soft Lotion.

During dinner we were able to try many different LA MER products and even enjoyed a fish sabayon served in the famous white jar.

On display was a preview of this month’s launch: to celebrate Crème de la Mer’s transformative touch, a vintage edition is available now featuring one of the brand’s earliest jar designs.

After dessert, the ladies were invited around the pool to chance their luck by playing «Message in a Bottle». Our lovely sea god fished them for us. Each of us was gifted with a little note and three even got some extra surprises.

It was a beautiful summer night filled with laughter and fun. A huge thank you to LA MER for this beautiful idea and to all my lovely girlfriends for coming!

LoL, Sandra

All Photos: © André Hengst – www.on-eyes-photography.ch
#LoveLaMer www.lamer.ch

«After women, flowers are the most lovely thing God has given the world.»
– Christian Dior

Bouquets of flowers are always a special and thoughtful gift. Now you can take the message «Say it with Flowers» to the next level and wrap yourself in this beautiful dress which is patterned with coated red blooms and the iconic slogan. The print is inspired by flower wrappers you’d come across in your local bodega. Isn’t it so cute? Combined with some leopard heels which are trending this upcoming season it is the perfect way to transition into fall.

My look: Waiting For Godet belted coated cotton-blend poplin maxi dress by Rosie Assoulin, white Duffle 6 bag by Saint Laurent, leopard-print calf hair sandals by Miu Miu, bear necklace and banana leaf print sunglasses, both by Dolce & Gabbana, Tonda Métropolitaine watch by Parmigiani Fleurier and rose diamond ring by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The wildness of honeysuckle, winding through the English countryside. Climbing. Twisting. Ever more alluring after dark. Fresh with rose and the aromatic, fruity twist of davana. Woody with moss. Warmed by sunshine.

Florescent and sunny – today I would like to introduce JO MALONE‘s happy new floral to you: Honeysuckle & Davana Cologne. A great scent to take a little summer to fall.

Top Note: Davana – A green plant with hints of liquorive, brings vibrancy to the fragrance and a touch of a fruity note.

Middle Note: Honeysuckle – With its radiant floralcy, it brings a rich character to the heart of the fragrance. Imbued with accents of honey.

Base Note: Moss – Evocative of underground damp with fresh rain, the verdancy of moss cushions the base of the fragrance in earthy, woody warmth.

Céline Roux, Head of Fragrance Development, recommends combining Honeysuckle & Davana with the following: «I love it with Oud & Bergamot. It’s great for both men and women – it gives it an elegant woody twist. For women I would say Peony & Blush Suede. It makes it very sensual and feminine at the same time. Pretty and addictive with the freshness of flowers, but totally warm with suede, moss and patchouli.»

Anne Flipo, Master Perfumer, who created Honeysuckle & Davana adds: «I would say Dark Amber & Ginger Lily – the freshness of the honeysuckle makes it even more sensual and warm.»

HONEYSUCKLE & DAVANA
Cologne 30ml / CHF 69.- Cologne 100ml / CHF 130.-
Home Candle 200g / CHF 82.-

In stores now. In Switzerland at Jelmoli Zurich, Globus Zurich, Globus Glatt, Globus Bellevue, Globus Luzern, Globus Genf and Globus Lausanne.

TO SHOP JO MALONE ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone
@JoMaloneLondon #HelloHoney

This summer I have been going bold. More specifically, I have been reaching for the brightest and the most eye-catching stripes I could find. The glamour and thrill of retro moment feels right again this season: let stripes meet their match with transparent pieces and punk details, and feel instantly more trendy. Moreover, nothing transcends seasons – or decades – more seamlessly than stripes.

My look: Rio Grande asymmetric ruffled striped linen blouse by Johanna Ortiz, striped bodysuit «J’Adior» by Dior, lace-trimmed Swiss-dot tulle midi skirt, pencil box clutch, and cherry earrings, all by Dolce & Gabbana, embellished metallic leather sandals by Gucci, Mitza ring by Dior Fine Jewellery and Lady Exaclibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A few days ago, Burberry announced the launch of limited edition products through a series of 24-hour releases across its Instagram and WeChat channels, as well as in-store at its flagship on 121 Regent Street, which will be the only physical place in the world to house this collection.

The move is to mark the inaugural S/S 2019 collection for Burberry from new chief creative officer Riccardo Tisci which he will show on the 17th of September 2018 at 5pm as part of London Fashion Week. Surprisingly, Riccardo Tisci has announced this morning via an Instagram post that the first piece will be already dropping today – a black Thomas Burberry Monogram logo T-shirt which Riccardo wears in the post himself along with other celebs (see below).

It’s a new step in the see-now-buy-now era and it will be the first time the brand has created a bespoke digital selling experience for their social channels. This kind of «drop» culture is similar of the strategy applied in the streetwear market, whereby new pieces are released on given days, mostly for a short amount of time. The reason behind it is to drive hype around their exclusivity. Nowadays, the luxury industry is trying to jump in this same direction in order to increase the consumer appetite.

For Burberry, the initiative also marks another step towards a complete brand remake under Tisci’s fashion sense. The Italian designer has also recently introduced a modernized logo.

121 Regent Street reimagined:
Opening Saturday 15 September, Burberry’s London flagship store will be completely reimagined by Riccardo Tisci. In addition to the ephemeral, limited-edition product releases, the store will also be home to individually themed rooms which collectively celebrate the past and future of Burberry through product.

At the heart of the newly transformed space, will be «Sisyphus Reclined», a three-floor scaffold immersive and interactive commissioned art installation by British artist Graham Hudson. The Installation will remain in store until the beginning of October.

The #ThomasBurberryBear at Marble Arch, London

Last week, Burberry also confirmed that it will no longer use real fur starting with Riccardo Tisci’s debut runway collection for Burberry. The fashion house also announced that it will stop the practice of destroying unsaleable products, with immediate effect as part of its five-year responsibility agenda.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Burberry
#ThomasBurberryMonogram #TheBSeries#mytshirt

Combining leather craft and watchmaking skills, HERMÈS has recently launched ARCEAU Cavales and SLIM D’HERMÈS «Les Zèbres de Tanzanie» wristwatches that are so beautiful I have to share them with you!

For these new must-haves, the animal motifs much beloved by the French Maison are expressed in colourful artisanal style through leather marquetry. An equestrian profile and zebra stripes form vivid leather patchwork patterns, meticulously assembled on the dial of the two models. Within the confines of this incredibly small space, the refined composition of tiny calfskin tesserae is a true work of miniaturisation. Hermès Red, Malta Blue or Graphite: the chromatic signatures of the Maison suffuse this combination of leather craft and watchmaking skills. These inherently rare white gold models are issued in limited series.

On an inch-perfect dial, the Hermès leather artisans compose a variegated work depicting a horse or zebra. Reduced to the format of a round case, these creations flaunt the radiant colours of slim leather fragments carefully selected, cut out and juxtaposed with all the skill and expertise of saddle-making and leather craftsmanship.

The leather marquetry technique calls for a meticulous approach extremely similar to that of assembling a watch movement. Made from full grain calfskin, the leather pieces are split to a thickness of around 0.5 mm, before each element composing the motif is accurate cut to its appointed size and shape. One by one, the artisan picks up these fragments and fits them on the dial to form the design. The ARCEAU Cavales and SLIM D’HERMÈS watches set the stage for the art of leather miniature work.

ARCEAU Cavales

«Hermès Red» and «Indigo Blue» are two iconic colours of the Maison interpreted through subtly varied leathers lit up by Capucine or Agate Red touches. After six hours of patient assembly by the artisan, the many-hued pieces form a patchwork reminiscent of slim poppy petals for one model, and a stylised camouflage pattern for the other.

A closer look shows the «Cavales» motif symmetrically revealed in the dial centre. Swept over by slender leaf-type hands, this micro-leatherwork creation forming the watch face is framed by a 41 mm-diameter white gold ARCEAU case. Its asymmetrical stirrup-shaped lugs secure a smooth calfskin strap matching the dial colour. These two six-piece limited series are powered by a mechanical self-winding Manufacture Hermès movement driving hours and minutes hands.

SLIM D’HERMÈS
Les Zèbres de Tanzanie

The aura of refined understatement that is the Slim d’Hermès signature magnifies the striped coat of the zebra, in a creation adorned with leather marquetry as well as champlevé and miniature enamelling techniques. Framed by the ultra-thin case with its right-angled lugs and beautifully open dial, «Les Zèbres de Tanzanie» motif designed by animal artist Yves-Marie de Malleray in 2010 takes on a whole new dimension. Colourful stripes, composed of hand-fitted leather inlays, enhance the profile of the miniature-painted creature. The previously hollowed dial is filled with several layers of white enamel, interspersed with drying periods and firings in the oven. It is then hand-polished before the stripes are applied using an extremely fine brush and enamel powders mixed with natural essences. After 26 hours of enamelling and leather marquetry, the motif with its «Étoupe» and «Graphite» tones takes shape in contrasting matt and shiny surfaces. Slender baton-type hands sweep across this work of art, in step with the cadence set by the Manufacture Hermès H1950 ultra-thin movement with its micro-rotor. A matt alligator leather strap matches each of these three white gold variations, issued in 12-piece limited series.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hermès / David Marchon

Scarf addicts silk it out loud. Keep the carrhythm…
HERMÈS takes its theme of the year «Let’s Play» literally and invites you to play your favorite song and enjoy carréoké-ing in an Hermès F/W 2018 silk scarf (don’t miss the video at the end of this post…).

Scarf dressing has been spotted in all ways on the F/W 2018 runways…

With scarf dressing and revival of the ’80s being major fashion trends, it is absolutely worth checking out the French Maison’s new collection of must-have silk accessories that you can tie as you like for example as bag straps; purse accessories; nontraditional ankle straps or just wrapped around the head.. the creativity is all yours.

And moreover who does silk scarves better then HERMÈS –  the honest answer? Nobody!

Great news is that after Madrid, Rome, New York City, Brussel and Munich, on October 26, 2018, HERMÈS will open the SILK MIX pop-up store in Zurich, which will be inspired by the look of a record store to house the Maison’s men’s silk, presenting a great variety of shawls, scarves and ties along with the power of color that Hermès is so famous for. Carré motifs decorate album covers, tie designs dress cassettes. It is an invitation to let the beats and melodies drive you. Each disc – or cloth – is associated with a part from the soundtrack of the Prêt-à-Porter men’s runway shows of the past eight years.

Silk Mix Pop-Up-Store
October 26 until November 3, 2018
Galerie Nadja Brykina, Sihlstrasse 91, 8001 Zurich / Switzerland

Music is everywhere. For exploring, dancing and singing along.

LoL, Sandra

Photos and Video: © Hermès