Sandra‘s Closet

While being with Net-à-Porter at the new One&Only Kéa Island Resort, I discovered an interesting Greek London-based jewelry brand, called YSSO, which is celebrating craft, design and heritage.

Founded in 2020 by the mother-daughter duo, Alexia and Stalo Karides, who share the vision of modern jewlery with ancient beginnings. Combining their unique experiences — Stalo is an archaeologist and art historian with over 30 years experience in jewellery making and Alexia is an ex-corporate lawyer turned brand creative director — the two creatives tap into their Greek heritage to design organic and sculptural pieces, each handcrafted and completely unique.

«I AM PROUD TO WORK EXCLUSIVELY WITH ARTISANS IN ATHENS, GREECE WHO USE AGE-OLD JEWELLERY MAKING TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICES TO BRING OUR DESIGNS TO LIFE.» – ALEXIA KARIDES

MODERN GREEK DESIGN
YSSO is a celebration of balance and harmony; ancient and modern. Their work is defined by the rich history and natural beauty of Greece. Drawing inspiration from the home country’s diverse landscape — they are incorporating elements from the sea, mountains, and flora — and partner exclusively with Athenian workshops in order to highlight traditional Greek jewlery making and goldsmithing techniques.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN PRACTICES
Craftsmanship is at the very heart of the brand. They work exclusively with a workshop in Athens dedicated to preserving Greece’s goldsmithing and traditional jewlery making techniques. By taking a more considered approach, they aim to reduce the significant risks and challenges posed by mass production to the survival of artisanal skills and to the planet. YSSO jewellery carries on the stories of craftsmen and the knowledge passed down for generations. Each piece is as unique as the hands that made it. They also prioritize the use of recycled and locally-sourced materials in addition to employing environmentally conscious production techniques.

With Alexia Karides inside the shop at the One&Only Kéa Island

One&Only Kéa Island partnered with YSSO on an exclusive jewlery collection, paying tribute to Kéa’s rich heritage and landscape. Taking design inspiration from the island’s reverence for acorns, a symbol of fertility, renewal, and new beginnings; with elements of rope motifs, a nod to nautical lifestyle, and «tetras» coins representing the four ancient city-states of Ioulida, Korissos, Karthaia and Piiess.

A limited-edition collection handcrafted at YSSO’s Athens workshops and sold at the hotel’s boutique.

YSSO NOTTING HILL
If you are in London, you can discover YSSO at a 3-week summer pop-up on Ledbury Road.
79-81 LEDBURY ROAD, W11 2AG
4 JUNE – 24 JUNE, 2024

You can shop YSSO online at Net-à-Porter here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © YSSO
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As part of its partnership with UNICEF*, Louis Vuitton presents its new 2024 Silver Lockit collection, created in collaboration with House Ambassador, Millie Bobby Brown, who is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. She models the designs from this year’s collection, which once again illustrates Louis Vuitton’s tireless commitment to this global humanitarian organisation in its efforts to help the world’s most vulnerable children.

As with earlier editions, this collection features the emblematic miniature Lockit engraved with the word ‘LEARN’. This term is particularly meaningful to Millie as it shines a light on her actions to raise awareness of children’s rights and well-being, always advocating for a better world where children can grow, learn, be protected and thrive. For the first time, a full collection is proposed, consisting of an individual earring, a bracelet, and a pendant. The bracelet comes in four colours this year: red, blue, pink and black, and the pendant is redesigned with a longer chain. All products of this 2024 collection are engraved with the word ‘LEARN.’ The Silver Lockit, silver bracelet and necklace, from the permanent collection are still available.

«I am very proud to be a part of this project and to contribute through the design of this new Silver Lockit collection, which also supports an organization that’s incredibly dear to my heart. It’s my wish to ensure all children are provided access to an education.»

– Millie Bobby Brown

Louis Vuitton has raised more than $22 million for UNICEF since 2016 through sales of the Silver Lockit collection, which features new editions every year. For every Silver Lockit bracelet purchased, $100 is donated to UNICEF, and $200 are donated to UNICEF for every Silver Lockit earring and new pendant purchased.

The new edition will be available in stores worldwide as of 30th May 2024. The campaign for this new Silver Lockit collection will be revealed on the Louis Vuitton social channels starting 31st May 2024.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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*UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.

Tiffany & Co. announces the launch of its latest high jewelry capsule collection: Rainbow Bird on a Rock. The creations are bold expressions inspired by Jean Schlumberger’s iconic Bird on a Rock brooch, first introduced in 1965. Its timeless design is reinterpreted with a curated selection of colored gemstones, diamonds and pearls accented by rare paillonné enamel. Each exceptional work of art captures the personality and whimsical nature of the original brooch, highlighting the House’s artistry and extraordinary savoir faire, which continue to be the essence of Tiffany High Jewelry.

The unique brooches feature exceptional gemstones and craftsmanship, resulting in one-of-a-kind designs with intricate and unexpected details, embodying the essence of Jean Schlumberger’s legacy. Notable codes include Jean Schlumberger’s iconic 18k gold wirework beautifully integrated into the designs, as well as archival references with gemstone drops set en tremblant appearing to be suspended from the bird’s head.

Tiffany & Co. will debut its first eight Rainbow Bird on a Rock creations this spring. Among the unique designs is a brooch showcasing a rare black opal of over 35 carats featuring an exceptional play-of-color with flashes of red, orange and purple, and another with a stunning champagne yellow zircon of over 66 carats. Other designs playfully feature turquoise accents on the bird, one of which is set with a striking rubellite of over 68 carats and another with a blue tourmaline of over 56 carats, evoking a tropical ocean. Paillonné enamel details, also seen throughout the designs, are a tribute to Jean Schlumberger and his love of the material. During his time, the designer revived this 19thcentury technique, a complex process whereby layers of translucent colored enamel are fired over 24k gold foil, resulting in translucent, vivid hues.

The capsule collection is a tribute to Jean Schlumberger’s enduring vision. It celebrates and uplifts the expert craftsmanship and extraordinary design sensibility that continue to drive Tiffany High Jewelry.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Tiffany & Co.
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Where selfcare meets diamonds…

Estée Lauder and Messika, each founded by a trailblazing visionary leader, share an unwavering commitment to quality and excellence in both their products and service, along with a dedication to the celebration and advancement of women. The remarkable journeys of Mrs. Estée Lauder and Valérie Messika, both entrepreneurial pioneers in their respective industries, serve as inspiration to women leaders everywhere. Both brands, fueled by a determination to serve and elevate women, lay the groundwork for a formidable collaboration.

Reveal your inner diamond

The Estée Lauder x Messika collaboration represents a modern expression of the elevated glamour for which Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv is known. The partnership is based on a shared inspiration with diamonds, a key symbol both in the Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Collection, and Messika Paris’ unique craftsmanship. Diamonds symbolize great strength, power, and longevity – a flawless radiance personified by the two brands, invoking a sense of unparalleled luxury. Just as diamonds hold their value forever, Re-Nutriv’s patented technology empowers skin to look and act younger for longer, visibly reversing skin cell aging and delivering a radical blueprint for recapturing time.

A women diamond jewelry box just as precious

Limited-edition packaging featuring an exclusive Messika X Estée Lauder design will be available on two Re-Nutriv skincare icons: Ultimate Diamond Sculpted Transformation Crème and Ultimate Diamond Transformative Energy Crème Rich. A special edition women luxury gift box that doubles up as a jewelry case for diamond jewelry, housing a selection of the Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond collection products.

Channel your luck, win a diamond

As part of this collaboration, Swiss consumers can go on a Diamond Quest for this unique prize: Spread over 500 limited edition Messika x Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Sculpted Transformation Creams there will be a radiant 1-carat Messika diamond worth worth CHF 15,000. The winner winner will have the chance to meet Valérie Messika in person at the Messika Atelier in Paris to receive the diamond diamond, mounted on a necklace from the iconic Messika Emotion collection.

Available in Switzerland from January 15th, 2024 exclusively at all Estée Lauder counters at Globus and on globus.ch.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Estée Lauder / Messina
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Tiffany & Co. today announces the debut of its latest jewelry collection: Tiffany Forge. Crafted from sterling silver, Tiffany Forge celebrates the unique path that every individual creates. With a design that showcases links that are not closed; rather, they are open and unrestricted, the collection symbolizes a sense of openness to the twists and turns of life.

Tiffany Forge pays tribute to the House’s long tradition of crafting sterling silver masterworks, a metal that is deeply engrained in in the House’s heritage. Over a century ago, Tiffany & Co. set the U.S. standard for sterling silver purity (9.25 parts per 1,000 parts silver) and Tiffany Forge honors this legacy. When conceptualizing the collection’s signature open-link motif, Tiffany & Co. designers reimagined archival designs, including a pocket watch from the 1880s, a bracelet from Blue Book 1958 and a necklace from Blue Book 1975–76.

«Tiffany Forge and the collection’s signature open-link motif proudly honor our exceptional craftsmanship and showcases our hollowware workshop capabilities,» said Alexandre Arnault, Executive Vice President, Product and Communication, Tiffany & Co. «Each design has a bold look and feel. The silver collections have always been an integral part of our legacy and we are excited to expand our silver offering to include Forge.»

The full suite of the new Forge creations is featured in multiple expressions of an open-link motif with bold designs, offered in either high-polished or blackened sterling silver. The collection will include both narrow and wide chain iterations in necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings that play with scale and dimensionality.

The collection will be available at Tiffany & Co. stores globally, as well as on Tiffany.com, in October.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Tiffany & Co.
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From a coffee bean, Cartier has created a solar collection of absolute elegance. Yellow gold creations that combine the glamour of the 1950s French Riviera with the radiant beauty of Grace Kelly. Inspiration drawn from the heart of the Maison’s stylistic vocabulary, based on two cherished elements at Cartier: flora crafted in yellow gold and the ordinary made precious.

The creations in the Grain de Café collection—rings, pendants, earrings and brooches—enhance the skin like summer heat. Arranged in clusters, the coffee beans stir with the slightest movement in a precious rustle. Their sensual curves, studded with fiery diamonds set in white gold, radiate infinite delicacy.

In a luscious interpretation, Cartier studs a ring and a bracelet with rubellite beads. Half-flower, half-fruit, these scattered berries studded with a gold nail or a diamond appear in an assortment of beans, engraved gold hemispheres and diamonds set in platinum. Even more radical, Cartier pulls out all the stops with a necklace made up of two rows of gold beads topped with coffee beans and gold-studded rubellites.

This year, the Maison is also reissuing a necklace originally dating from 1955, in homage to the creative history of Grain de Café and the world of Jeanne Toussaint.

«Grain de Café creates a new preciousness by playing with light, finishes and volumes… The result is a versatile collection with added spirit. A symbol of the creative freedom of the Maison, Grain de Café transcends a literal translation of nature and results in a multi- sensory design.»
Marie-Laure Cérède, Creative Director of Jewellery and Watchmaking.

Playing with the pendants, multiplying radiance and shimmer: for the jewellers, the objective was to combine mobility and sensuality. The movement of endlessly sparkling clusters. The sensuality of materials that are an invitation to touch. The jewellers have created hollow grains composed of two parts, assembled to avoid impact between them: one part is curved and the other is arched, while the surface is smooth or gadrooned. All the elements are polished one by one thanks to a steel brush that enhances the finish. 30 craftsmen participated in the creation of this collection and more than 60 prototypes were required.

The «coffee bean» motif, which first appeared at Cartier in 1938, was a huge hit in the 1950s and 1960s. Two extraordinary women contributed to its fame: Jeanne Toussaint and Grace Kelly.

Jeanne Toussaint, Creative Director from 1933, was a woman of style. Her intuition was unfailing, and she saw in this motif the wealth of a universe to be explored. Most often made of yellow gold, or sculpted from a noble material such as coral, the first coffee beans were sometimes studded with diamonds or coloured stones.

Grace Kelly, the actress turned Princess with a truly charismatic aura, could not resist this inspiration. It was for her wedding to Prince Rainier III of Monaco that she received a Grain de Café set, which she embraced with the same ease as other Cartier creations, from the most intimate to the most prestigious. She remains the most alluring expression of this creation that links Monaco, the French Riviera and the chic opulence of the 1950s.

To pay tribute to Grace Kelly, the iconic Hollywood star, Cartier turned to American director Alex Prager whose sensitivity resonates with the codes of the collection. Thanks to her work with light, she was able to bring a decisively contemporary tone to the glamorous spirit of the 1950s.

The result? A 45-second trailer in which we follow an elegant and mysterious woman through a sequence of shots. It is the same woman we find at the end of a screening in a cinema, suspended in time where past and present become one.

To play the part of this woman, the Maison called upon the American actress Elle Fanning, whose starring role in Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere earned a Critics’ Choice nomination and launched a career that continues to span genres through both independent and blockbuster productions. A Global Ambassador of the Maison, she is now the face of the Grain de Café collection.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Cartier
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Gucci presents new Horsebit jewelry and watches, as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of this iconic emblem. Bold designs feature classic Horsebit motifs intertwined with minimalist links to create striking geometric chains with seamlessly integrated closures.

First conceived by Aldo Gucci as a loafer embellishment in 1953, the Horsebit reflects the House’s historical links with the equestrian world. A stylized version in miniature of the double ring and bar metal clamp in a horse’s bridle, it has been a signature symbol for Gucci ever since. As a signifier of the community embodied by the House, it has been interpreted over seven decades in hardware and motifs across accessories, jewelry and ready-to-wear.

In this occasion, the House presents several new jewelry pieces, entirely crafted in yellow gold, including a ring, a necklace and two bracelets – one single row and one double row. The contemporary chain design alternates the classical Horsebit signature with a more minimalist pattern, creating a captivating contrast.

A necklace and two bracelets in single and three-row designs, with diamond baguettes and vivid green enamel embellishment, complete the collection. Two new watches also highlight the iconic Horsebit. One has a delicate double row chain with a multifaceted lozenge case; the other has a bolder, three-row chain. Both designs feature a yellow gold case, bracelet and a golden-colored brushed dial.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci
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In 2020, tweed entered the world of CHANEL jewelry: a first collection of 45 exceptional pieces dedicated entirely to this fabric, reproducing its suppleness and subtleties through the skilful use of articulations. With «TWEED DE CHANEL», inspired by the richness of the tweed weaves and transforming tweed into a precious fabric, Patrice Leguéreau, Director of the CHANEL Fine Jewelry Creation Studio, opened up a new chapter in CHANEL High Jewelry.

In 2023, Patrice Leguéreau returns to the magic of tweed for a second time, with the audacious creation of 64 new High Jewelry pieces. «For this new High Jewelry collection dedicated to Tweed, I wanted to go further in the interpretation by creating a veritable fabric of precious stones that is light and supple.»

Centerpiece of the collection is the «Tweed Royal» necklace. The yellow gold weave of the plastron necklace, intricately crafted and trimmed with a chain, is set with diamonds and a magnificent ensemble of 37 rubies. The lion’s head at its centre can be worn as a brooch or as a necklace on the plastron, while the magnificent 10.17 carats D FL Type IIa pear-cut diamond that adorns it, can be detached to be worn as a ring.

The «Tweed Royal» truly expresses the expertise, creativity and excellence of CHANEL High Jewelry. A true feast for the eyes. Below you can enjoy the making of photos to see all the amazing craftsmanship behind.

LoL, Sandra

Step 1 – Making a resin maquette to create the full shape of the «TWEED ROYAL« necklace.

Step 2 – Positioning of the pavé-set elements on the design for the «TWEED ROYAL» necklace, followed by polishing.

Step 3 – Checking and adjusting the articulations with set elements and resin rubies on the design for the «TWEED ROYAL» necklace.

Step 4 – Final assembly and positioning of the center stone on the «TWEED ROYAL» necklace.

Step 5 – Dismantling and polishing of the «TWEED ROYAL» necklace.

Step 6 – Making, pinning and assembling the lion motif on the «TWEED ROYAL» necklace, transformable into a brooch or ring.

Step 7 – The finished «TWEED ROYAL» necklace.

Photos: © CHANEL #TweedDeCHANEL #CHANELHighJewelry
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This week, I was invited by BVLGARI to celebrate the history and evolution of the Maison’s icon, Serpenti at Zurich’s Mascotte Club. Continually changing its skin through the creativity and vision of the master Roman jeweler, Serpenti has unfolded its transformative nature over the past 75 years. Always ready to take a hypnotic new form, the icon forever remains an emblem of eternal rebirth and bold metamorphosis.

Introduced in 1948 as jewelry-watches to be wrapped around the wrist, Serpenti creations made their debut with a supple, stylized body crafted with the iconic Tubogas technique. In the ’50s, the Bulgari serpent began to embrace a more realistic style, an evolution that culminated in the ’60s when its distinct turned into a canvas for creative experimentation sporting gemstones and colored enamels. Moving from one mesmerizing form to the next, Serpenti has offered stunning interpretations of its hexagonal scale motif, various levels of preciousness and unique combinations of exquisite gems, captivating design and creative craftsmanship.

Photo top right: Kristina Bazan and Photo bottom right: Christa Rigozzi

From left to right: Alex Lambrechts, Nicole Boghossian, Zoë Pastelle, my humble self, Kevin Lütolf and Jaz Brunner.

In the last 75 years, women have affirmed the right to be independent, cultivate their talents, pursue their dreams and live a life that aligns with their desires. From the red carpet to the office, Serpenti has been their faithful ally, evolving side by side with confident women proud to reveal their magnetic charm.

With Monica Brannetti who had flown in for the night from Rome.

We started the evening with a very interesting conversation between Christa Rigozzi, who lead through the evening, and Monica Brannetti from the Bvlgari Heritage Team about the amazing stories that have been told in the past decades through Serpenti jewelry and watch pieces.

The amazing Dora Live Band performed on stage and made sure that nobody stood still in the room. The final culmination of the night was the big birthday cake, followed by the sounds of DJ Tanja La Croix.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography, Bvlgari, Jaz Brunner
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First unveiled in June last year, Louis Vuitton’s Spirit high jewelry collection continues its odyssey into the next and final chapter, featuring 30 unique pieces that pulse with a distinctive graphic energy and the iconic codes of the Maison, embodying the emanating strength of the Louis Vuitton woman.

Spirit is the fourth high jewelry collection designed by Francesca Amfitheatrof, the Maison’s Artistic Director for Watches and Jewellery. Francesca Amfitheatrof has always believed that jewellery and its wearer are inextricably linked. «I don’t think anything else in the world has the power to hold the spirit of the person so much as jewellery does,» she said.

Destiny Bracelet and Ring

That ethos continues in Spirit Chapter II, where masterfully executed creations channel the singular design codes of the Maison – and which, like Chapter I, are set across four universes that reflect the values of the house: Destiny, Liberty, Fantasy and Radiance.

Destiny Necklace

Destiny is an ode to the ruby, in the most luminous, perfect red hue, with stones that seem to emit their own special power. The Destiny universe is anchored in the geometric energy and symbol of the Louis Vuitton V, which channels the dynamism of the Maison, propelling its legacy and vision into the future.

Liberty Medaillon and Ring

Freedom to explore and discover. To travel and to open up to new horizons and to venture into unknown territories both physically and metaphorically. The Liberty theme embodies the desire for freedom that has always guided Louis Vuitton like a light.

Fantasy Necklace and Earrings

The world of Fantasy embodies the imagination of Louis Vuitton and evokes the pioneering spirit of the founder of the House; the creative genius and the creative genius and vital force of a man who never stopped innovating, dreaming and pushing back the boundaries.

Radiance Necklace

Since her very first Louis Vuitton Haute Joaillerie collection, Francesca Amfitheatrof has imagined her creations as armor, a second skin that protects a woman’s identity and soul as she courageously moves forward in her journey. The new Radiance necklace exudes a bold energy highlighted by mirror yellow gold triangles that set the stage for a geometry of pyramids and diamond-paved Vs.

My personal favorite: The Liberty Trunk Pendant

Made exclusively in the House’s Parisian workshops, Louis Vuitton’s Spirit Chapter II Haute Joaillerie collection is the latest in a series of striking pieces that are both singular and unique.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton – Laziz Hamani /Solve Sundsbo
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