Sandra‘s Closet

British luxury automaker Aston Martin has debuted the Dragon 88 range of automobiles (DBS Volante, Virage Coupe and V8 Vantage S) at the Beijing Motor Show.

My favourite is the DBS Volante special edition “Year of the Dragon” that features bespoke details that pay tribute to the dragon, a creature that represents power and fortune in Chinese folklore. They take the form of 24-carat gold wing badges, embroidered headrests and commemorative sill plates. Just 88 examples were produced for each model and will only be available in China.

One of the exclusive colour options selected “to chime with traditional Chinese art and imagery” is burgundy in combination with bright red which I absolutely adore. And below you can see that this colour combo would look also stunning on you, ladies!

Burgundy collarless blouse by Miu Miu, red stretch pencil skirt by Diane von Furstenberg, red Tribtoo suede pumps by Yves Saint Laurent and small flap bag by Chanel (Vintage).

LoL Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Aston Martin

Land Rover unveiled a Range Rover Evoque Special Edition with Victoria Beckham in Beijing, China this week. The exclusively designed four-seat coupe Special Edition is the result of a collaboration with Land Rover Design Director, Gerry McGovern, and Victoria Beckham.

This special edition comes with the hand-finished matte gray paint, unique 20″ gloss black forged alloy wheels and rose-gold details. Inside, there are dark mohair carpets combined with tan leather, bold baseball-style stitching chosen by Beckham and matching luggage. It is powered by a 2-liter turbocharged engine producing 240 horsepower with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Range Rover Evoque Special Edition with Victoria Beckham will begin deliveries in October.

Victoria Beckham has been surprising us with new jobs continuously, international pop star, award-winning fashion designer, style icon, supermom, and luckiest wife in the world. She can now add automobile designer to her list.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Land Rover

Looking for some attention on the street? This limited edition bicycle will surely be helpful. Designed by Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana it celebrates their passion for the athletic and healthy lifestyle. Applying their magic touch this time to a bicycle, Dolce & Gabbana swathes the frame in their iconic leopard print which is hand-finished.

The Animalier bicycle aims to impress with fine detailing, such as the Dolce & Gabbana signature logo on the back of the saddle and on the bell. Once again, the love for Italy and its traditions have inspired the designers in the choice to design their first bicycle.

The bicycles will be available from this month for €1700.- at select Dolce & Gabbana boutiques worldwide: Milan, Florence, Rome, London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Munich, Berlin, Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai.

Call it exercise couture!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

Yesterday, we had the most beautiful weather in Zurich. The sun was the perfect background for the baptism of one my best friend’s little baby girl. I chose a quite extreme coloured outfit and as I always say, don’t take fashion too serious, have fun and experiment. So my friends came up with some interesting associations like a Stabilo pen or one even knew the matching Mercedes car for me.

Jessica Lace Dress and Keke Lace Jacket by Christopher Kane, Bag and Shoes by Miu Miu, Tulle Necklace by Lanvin and Hat by Chanel.

I loved the flowers and cake so much that I added some photos to this post.

Have a lovely Sunday!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Signature White Gold: 34.000€

Last week, I met Perry Oosting, President of Vertu. During the lovely press dinner, I have learnt a lot about the phone that is truly more than just a phone. I have to admit that I was pretty impressed.
I am familiar with the concierge service you get once you own an American Express Centurion Card but that something like this exists also when buying a phone, I didn’t know.

Perry Oosting (Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht)

„Vertu was born from a simple question: why would someone not wish to enjoy the same quality in their mobile phone as they did in their grand complication watch, fountain pen, luxury car or any other premium product? Luxury experience and enrichment was foremost in the minds of that team; every customer touch point was to be attended to and the experience was to be something truly special. What came of this was something that has become Vertu’s unique differentiator, and something for which it has become renowned: a dedicated concierge service, available at the touch of a button. This service grew into something much more: a full suite of luxury services, partnerships, benefits and opportunities, channeling relevant, tailored information, sourced independently by Vertu for its customers. The luxury of time really is something precious, and for the Vertu user, these dedicated services that are delivered to the phone help them to maintain a life that is beautifully arranged.“

- Perry Oosting, President of Vertu

Signature Red Gold: 34.000 €

Here are some of the other lifestyle services offered by Vertu:

- Vertu City Brief which is a highly curated and independent global digest of information covering more than 200 cities and destinations worldwide.

- Vertu Select that delivers original articles selected to inspire, inform and entertain based on a user‟s region, preferences and passions.

- Vertu Remote Assist that is currently available with Constellation Quest. Vertu Remote Assist is dedicated to providing technical assistance 24 hours a day and is a unique offering in the mobile phone market.

- Vertu.me which was introduced with the launch of Constellation Quest in October 2010. Vertu.me is a service that provides the user with a Vertu email account and effortless harmonisation of the device‟s lifestyle and business tools.

Those very luxurious fashionable mobile phones can be embellished with diamonds, made of pure gold depending on your budget. One thing is for sure, those lifestyle services coming with the Vertu will help you live your life beautifully arranged. For further information, please visit their website.
Stay tuned for Vertu’s new smartphone launch this fall.

LoL, Sandra

Constellation Quest: 7.700€

In case that you don’t want to miss the big event, you can enjoy the royal wedding at a royal location and book Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park’s wedding tour.

With special access and hosted tours by first-hand family members and associates of the royal family to Kensington Palace, Chartwell, Spencer House, Althorp and Westminster Abbey, all venues which members of the public have not had access to before, this promises to be the truly majestic stay. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park also boasts the only private Royal Entrance from Hyde Park.

This exclusive itinerary for the Royal Wedding Tour at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is as follows:

Tuesday 26 April

Check in to the hotel. Pre dinner drinks and a welcome dinner, before retiring to a deluxe room.

Wednesday 27 April

A tour of Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s family home in Kent since 1924, with a special greeting from a member of the Churchill family and lunch at the nearby private family home.

That evening guests depart for Spencer House, the home of the Spencer Family, for drinks on the terrace overlooking Green Park followed by a private tour and dinner in The Great Room designed by James Athenian Stuart.

Thursday 28 April

The morning begins with a visit to The British Museum followed by lunch at The Wallace Collection with a special visit with the Director Dame Ros Saville.

Dinner will take place at the home of a member of the royal family, at their private London townhouse.

Friday 29 April

Visit the Institute of Contemporary Art with exclusive use of the venue and roof terrace overlooking The Mall. Guests will have unrestricted views of the royal wedding parade, nestled above the crowded streets and hustle below. Toast the happy couple with a glass of champagne before a sumptuous three course lunch served in the gallery.

After returning to the hotel, guests will then depart for Kensington Palace where the evening will begin with drinks in the sunken garden, followed by a tour by esteemed curator Nigel Arch and dinner in the newly restored Kings Gallery.

Saturday 30 April

Begin the day with a visit to the setting of the royal wedding, Westminster Abbey, with the Dean. This senior church in London is where great coronations, weddings and burials take place, and is an historic Royal Peculiar (a church whose jurisdiction falls directly under the monarch).

The afternoon allows time for a leisurely roam around London or perhaps a visit to The Spa at Mandarin Oriental to soothe aching muscles and unwind tired minds, followed by dinner at one of the hotel’s celebrated restaurants, Bar Boulud, London or Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Sunday 01 May

The day starts with a trip to Northamptonshire for lunch at Althorp, the ancestral home of Diana Princess of Wales’ family since 1508.  A private visit and lunch will be hosted by a member of the Spencer family.

That evening, guests can enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel before departing on Monday morning in majestic triumph.

The Royal Wedding Tour package is priced from GBP 11,300 for one person and GBP 18,800 for two people sharing the same accommodation.  Valid between 26 April and 01 May only, inclusive of Full English Breakfast, exclusive of VAT at 20% and 5% discretionary service charge, subject to availability.  Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly on +44 (0) 207 201 3618, on email or through the direct on-line reservations service, www.mandarinoriental.com/london.

And if you cannot get enough to commemorate this momentous occasion or you are a little insane, I recommend this fancy product: A refrigerator is being unveiled in tribute to the century’s super wedding. GDHA, a distributor for GE appliances in the UK, has launched a 5’9” side-by-side fridge freezer emblazoned with one of the official engagement photographs of the couple.

This is your chance to keep the royal romance fresh! And it is not an April Fool’s joke!

LoL, Sandra

LoL, Sandra