Sandra‘s Closet

This week, THE KARL LAGERFELD MACAU in the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau officially opened its doors, an opulent five-star hotel designed by the fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, combining immaculate interiors with unrivaled hospitality.

Created with a bold vision for iconic accommodations and aesthetics, and as the world’s first and only hotel entirely designed by and named after the late fashion legend, the designer’s imaginative, inimitable style and ethos are infused into its very DNA, from its architectural elements to the specially commissioned furniture and art.

Each of the hotel’s 271 rooms and suites, as well as its Spa, Gym and pools feature Karl Lagerfeld’s bold, inspired blend of rock-chic aesthetics and elegant Chinoiserie elements. The signature restaurant, Mesa by José Avillez, translates his iconic tastes into an exquisite chic setting, while The Book Lounge is inspired by his home library in Paris. Discover fashion, luxury and beauty, fused together into a one-of-a-kind reflection of the world of Karl.

Pier Paolo Righi, CEO of Karl Lagerfeld, said, «It’s incredible to see Karl’s vision translated into reality at THE KARL LAGERFELD MACAU. It is truly a unique and immersive experience into Karl’s world. He often spoke about his fascination for Chinese culture and Karl has seamlessly combined elements from both East and West with his unique style and creative expression. In Karl’s own words, let’s “embrace the present and invent the future.»

Karl Lagerfeld’s design concept for THE KARL LAGERFELD MACAU stemmed from a sophisticated reimagining of modern Chinoiserie fused with traditional craftsmanship, bold colors and patterns meet tailored silhouettes.

All rooms and suites showcase influences of both classic Chinese design and contemporary Western aesthetics: custom-created headboards were inspired by auspicious Chinese coins that represent good fortune, while porcelain vases were handmade in Jingdezhen and circular room dividers were inspired by traditional Chinese moon gates.

Reflecting Karl Lagerfeld’s passion for collaboration, specially commissioned furnishings include exquisite sculptures by Dutch artist Marcel Wanders and French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel, and Terzani chandeliers.

For information about THE KARL LAGERFELD MACAU and to book your stay, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © The Karl Lagerfeld Macau
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Furthering the House’s connection to Saint-Tropez, Gucci also announces its collaboration with Loulou Ramatuelle Beach Club, which was home to Burberry last year. For the previous post, click here please. This season until the end of September, the renowned beach club undergoes a captivating transformation, immersing visitors in the world of Gucci.

In occasion of this exclusive partnership Gucci introduces its unique aesthetic to every aspect of the Loulou Ramatuelle Beach Club experience. Umbrellas, sunbeds, towels, cushions, and more are adorned with the House’s signature Interlocking G logo, stripe patterns and a fresh palette creating the ultimate luxury destination for the summer.

The space also hosts a temporary Gucci pop-up allowing visitors to discover the exclusive capsule collection envisioned for Saint-Tropez directly at the picturesque location along with pieces from the Summer Stories collection. For an all-round experience, the bar offers a special a selection of cocktails and menus curated by Giardino 25, the House’s all-day café and cocktail bar in the heart of Florence.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci
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Gucci announces the reopening of its newly renovated boutique in Saint-Tropez. Located at 72, rue François Sibilli, between the port and the place des Lices, the space spans over 200 square meters across two floors and carries a wide array of pieces comprising ready-to-wear and accessories for both men and women. Guests are welcomed to discover the House’s signature handbags lines including the Jackie 1961, the Bamboo 1947 and the Horsebit 1955 along with a curated selection of precious jewelry pieces. In addition, the boutique showcases items from the Gucci Valigeria collection envisioned for the perfect get-away.

Situated in a classic Saint-Tropez house characterized by the typical green shutters that define the surrounding landscape, the boutique is crowned by a private garden designed around an old well providing guests with a space to relax, enjoy the greenery and immerse themselves in the beautiful atmosphere of the French Riviera.

The design of the interiors complements the outdoors evoking the unique beauty of the Cote D’Azur through light-toned hues and the implementation of local materials and finishes. Floors are adorned with Liberty style mosaics recreating curved volutes designs typical of the early 20th century. Natural oak panels found across walls harmoniously complement woven rattan finishes in a nod to local craftmanship traditions.

Envisioned to make guests feel at home, the store is framed with newly designed racks inspired by classic brass designs associated with drawers reminiscent of hard sided trunks inspired by the House’s luggage offer. Carpets and curtains match the boutique’s sophisticated palette evoking the light-hearted spirit of warm summer days. Ensuring the most comfortable and intimate shopping experience, guests may reserve a dedicated room within the store to enjoy privacy and special services tailored to their specific needs.

As part of Gucci’s commitment to implement and enhance eco-friendly initiatives and energy-efficient technologies in the House’s stores worldwide, the new boutique is designed using LEED guidelines and principles; monitor and promote energy efficiency.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci
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My stay in Athens with THEMIS Z started already with a brilliant night at THE ISLAND, a landmark for more than thirty years when it comes to partying at the Athens Riviera. The dinner took place at the Gallery, one of the Island Art and Taste‘s private event spaces.

Friend of the designer, American actress Kelly Rutherford, who had flown in from L.A. for the event.

Offering the pleasures and privileges of a luxurious private estate on the coast, Themis hosted us in style with the most beautiful table setting.

Entering through exceptionally pretty bougainvillea-framed gates, the space with its extensive gardens is styled in the tradition of a classic Greek island house. The stone terrace, served by an open kitchen, leads to lawns framed by fragrant eucalyptus and chic box hedges planted with rosemary, lavender and aromatic flora.

The garden is cascading down to a picturesque chapel overlooking rocky coves so these landmark moments can be accompanied by the sound of waves on the shore below.

We indulges the the most amazing traditional Greek food, while being entertained by a local guitar player. I enjoyed spending time with old friends while making new ones.

With our lovely host Themis Zouganeli in one of her beautiful designs.

More to come… TO SHOP THEMIS Z, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Next level of style: Ester is matching her outfit to the tableware.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 
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Hello from Greece! I arrived in Athens for a very special celebration. My friend Themis Zouganeli is opening her new THEMIS Z flagship store in the Greek capital. Fond memories of her childhood in Athens and summers spent in Mykonos inspire her eponymous label.

Themis with me last January at The Gstaad Palace.

Each piece is conceived to reflect the relaxed yet sophisticated nature of Greek culture and handmade by artisans from the finest materials, which are sourced locally and under responsible conditions. Contemporary separates are showcased with clean lines and printed with geometric motifs and symmetrical patterns reminiscent of antique tile designs, translating the beauty of traditional Grecian dress into the everyday.

Don’t miss out on her tableware collection. Her unique creativity lies in the simple, clean lines she applies to her designs and patterns. It makes you feel like being on vacation at your own home.

At the Blue Palace, Resort and Spa at Elounda in Crete where I went last August, you can find a bespoke fine porcelain tableware adorned with individual hand-painted motifs reminiscent ent of the crystal hues of the Aegean Sea and inspired by the name of the hotel itself.

I am really looking forward to spending the next two days in Athens.

TO SHOP THEMIS Z, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / © Themis Z
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Christian Dior was particularly fond of lily of the valley, a symbol of the fine weather heralding the arrival of spring and the haute couture season. It was his good luck flower. A magical thinker, he would sew a sprig of it into the hem of each of his dresses.

As a tribute to this fascination, Dior Maison unveils the Lily Sauvage collection. These delicate creations are adorned with a unique motif featuring lily of the valley flowers intertwined with the House’s graphic Cannage motif, which is reinterpreted via a series of bamboo-inspired lines. Welcome spring with this poetic collection inspired by the warmer days ahead. I am so in love, especially with this extremely beautiful tray below (available for CHF 550 here).

Wishing you a wonderful lily of the valley season! If you would like to find out more about this First of May tradition, click here please for a previous post!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior Maison
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Fashion designer Paul Smith and my favorite place to stay in London, the Brown’s Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel in Mayfair, joined forces and unveiled the Sir Paul Smith Suite.
Designed by Paul himself in collaboration with Olga Polizzi, Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, the new suite features a range of custom and vintage furniture, hand-picked artworks, brand collaborations and soft furnishings from the debut Paul Smith home collection.

Drawing on Brown’s Hotel’s history as a favoured residence for literary greats, the suite is designed as a space not only for rest and relaxation, but to spark inspiration and creativity through art and interesting objects, with every detail of the room, from the rugs to the individual art works carefully considered.

The suite features furniture and art that resonates with the designer and his eclectic taste. Several pieces can be found in Paul’s office at his Covent Garden HQ, such as Christopher Simon Sykes’ impressive photograph of Chatsworth House library and, notably, his 1970s leather desk chair by Mario Bellini. As another personal touch, Paul has also selected a small library of art and design books for the room.

Paul Smith says: «Being asked to design a space for such an iconic Mayfair institution is a great privilege – and I’ve had a great deal of fun in the process! Just like Browns does with its rooms, we design every Paul Smith shop differently to celebrate the area’s individuality, which is just one of the reasons the project appealed to me. On a more personal level, I’m so pleased we’ve been able to include objects that inspire me personally and I hope, in turn, they’ll inspire the suite’s guests.»

Several of Paul Smith’s notable collaborations feature heavily in the room, including sofas, tables and leather goods from his recent ‘Everyday Life’ collection with Italian luxury furniture company DePadova; Type 75 lamps from the longstanding partnership with British lighting brand Anglepoise; and checked wool blankets designed by Paul for design company Maharam.

The partnership came about naturally, through Rocco Forte Hotels’ Director of Design Olga Polizzi, who is responsible for the design of each of the individual rooms at Brown’s Hotel and is a long-time visitor to Paul Smith’s Albemarle Street shop.

Further references to the Albemarle Street flagship shop, which is located just metres away from the hotel, are dotted about the room. They include custom Paul Smith + The Rug Company rugs and a Maharam headboard, both of which feature a geometric pattern inspired by the building’s iconic iron façade.

Uniquely quirky details, such as the banana door handles, the fire ‘dogs’ (which have been custom made to resemble Homer, Paul’s first canine shopkeeper), a robot figurine made from a vintage camera, and the striped fireplace tiles, are abundant in the room, a reflection of Paul’s ‘classic with a twist’ philosophy and his trademark whimsical sense of humour.

The Paul Smith Suite starts at £5,500, to book, please click here for more information.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Brown’s Hotel
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A collaboration between Andrea Gullo, Director of Officine Gullo, and Edgardo Osorio, founder and Creative Director of the Italian luxury footwear brand Aquazzura, unites the world of fashion with that of design.

At Palazzo Corner Spinelli, in the San Marco district of Venice, on the Grand Canal, Edgardo resides in a beautiful residence that dates back to the end of the fifteenth century and is characterized by architecture that is representative of the transition from the Gothic to the Renaissance in Venetian art, evidenced by the façade on the canal.

Officine Gullo installed for the famous designer a kitchen in turquoise and nickel finishes in a kitchen environment, characterized by a striped painted parquet floor and hand-decorated walls. Exotic animals, flowers and brightly colored trees recall motifs of fine 18th-century Chinese porcelain and transport the observer to an exotic garden and to distant places.

Appliances
Hob with 4 burners and a coup de feu. One gas and one electric oven, fridge-freezer and dishwasher.

Colours and finishings
Turquoise & Satin Nickel.

I absolutely adore this kitchen. As I am in the process of furnishing my new home, I cannot wait to show you my new kitchen very soon… it turned out so beautifully.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Officine Gullo
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Are you still looking for a great gift idea? I recently came across those limited edition pieces by DIPTYQUE that I absolutely adore. They are not only beautiful on display, but also help to spread the beautiful scent of the candle in your room. Rotating gently, the golden lantern, a refined accessory on top of a candle, or the carousel’s golden charms, both revolve around the flame, like a fairytale to enchant the winter.

Snow Candle 190g
In midnight blue, this limited-edition scented candle is adorned with white, gold and silver stars plucked out of Diptyque’s map of stars to enhance the intense color of the wax.

Perfumed Bird Brooch Eau Rose
Inspired by Renaissance perfume jewelery, a scented ceramic slips behind the brooch and diffuses the intensely floral notes and fruity accents of Eau Rose.

Carousel Set with Candle Berries 190gr
Like stars around the sun, the carousel’s golden charms enchant the emblematic Berries (Baies) candle.

Lantern for Candle
A myriad of ovals adorns the Diptyque lantern. Its delicate openwork, projects graphicand infinitely poetic reflections all around.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Diptyque and © Sandra Bauknecht
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Gucci Paradiso reopens for the Winter Season 2022/2023 at the Paradiso Mountain Club in St. Moritz. Mountain Club members have exclusive access to the Gucci Paradiso lounge.

With a look that invites guests to feel welcome and relaxed, members are swept away with spectacular mountain views. The interior design remains discreet in keeping with the elegant and contemporary eclecticism that characterizes the leading luxury fashion brand. Sumptuous velvet chairs and sofas from the House’s Décor collection provide with a place to dine, drink and relax while the tartan carpet adds to the space’s cozy atmosphere.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci by Pamela Bargnesi – #GucciParadiso #GucciParadisoStMoritz
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