Dive into the Colorful Magic of Kawaii Art

Caran d’Ache unveils «Kawaii Sweetness», a new online creative course with Geneva based artist, freelance children’s illustrator and graphic designer Katia De Conti. Mix and layer textures and colours using Gouache paints and Neocolor™ II pastels. This workshop offers enthusiasts the opportunity to discover the basics of the kawaii style, which originated in Japan.

Discover all the secrets of bringing objects to life by transforming them into cute characters (Kawaii in Japanese) using illustrative methods that are both simple and fun. In this class, Katia will take you step by step through the key principles of the Kawaii style and encourage your personal expression. Arm yourself with your Neocolor™ II gouache and wax pastels, and let yourself be guided into the sweet and colourful world of Katia’s studio. The creative online course «Kawaii Sweetness» is available on the Creative Class platform. For more information and to register, visit creativeclass.carandache.com.

Creative Class: An International Creative Hub
Since its launch in June 2023, Creative Class has attracted many colour enthusiasts. With online creative classes available in 3 languages (French, German, and English), Creative Class caters to hobbyists and enthusiasts by offering various online workshops led by illustrators, teachers, or artists. It offers a relaxed and accessible approach for those who wish to enjoy a moment of relaxation and unleash their creativity. This new course continues Caran d’Ache’s commitment to inspire and cultivate creativity for all generations.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Caran d’Ache
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Connected Object: The LV Nanogram Speaker

Louis Vuitton’s collection of beautifully crafted connected objects continues its journey with the introduction of the new portable LV Nanogram Speaker, designed to travel with today’s adventurers in self-expression. Developed in three crafted declinations, including a limited ‘Damoflage’ edition conceived by Louis Vuitton’s Men Creative Director, Pharrell Williams. A lightweight, portable fashion accessory that’s packed with features and delivers breathtaking sound, the LV Nanogram Speaker was concepted and designed in the same spirit that has guided the Maison’s creativity for generations.

The LV Nanogram Speaker is fitted with a natural cowhide leather handle pointing back to those trunks and finished with yellow stitching and a red-dyed edge. This is tethered to the speaker with Louis Vuitton engraved steel studs, evoking memories of the fixings that held wooden reinforcement batons in place on the Maison’s early trunk designs. The detail is a melody of elegant, understated touches.

The body carries debossed Louis Vuitton Monogram flowers; the perforated aluminium speaker grille is laser-cut to reveal the LV initials; the rubber ring is decorated with 12 letters spelling out the name of the Maison, each of which is backlit by an LED when the speaker is activated; and the steel buttons are all gently engraved with an icon to indicate their function.

The LV Nanogram Speaker will come in three colourways: essential, timeless «Silver»; soft, natural «Copper»; and statement khaki green «Damoflage». The latter  debuted at Louis Vuitton’s Men’s S/S 2024 show. This exclusive animation takes elements of French camouflage and Louis Vuitton’s emblematic Damier motif and fuses them together in a striking, digitised pattern.

Speaker LV Nanogram Copper: CHF 2’040.-

Speaker LV Nanogram Silver: CHF 2’040.-

Speaker LV Nanogram Damoflage: CHF 2’360.-

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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Pantone Color of the Year 2024

Not quite pink, not quite orange; Pantone’s color of the year has been announced for 2024. The gentle hue — «whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul,» according to a statement by the company — is officially named PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz.

Subtly sensual, this beautiful shade is a heartfelt peach hue bringing a feeling of kindness and tenderness, communicating a message of caring and sharing, community and collaboration. A warm and cozy color highlighting our desire for togetherness with others or for enjoying a moment of stillness and the feeling of sanctuary this creates, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz presents a fresh approach to a new softness. Capturing our desire to nurture ourselves and others, it inspires belonging, recalibration, and finding peace from within, impacting our wellbeing. An idea as much as a feeling, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz awakens our senses to the comforting presence of tactility and cocooned warmth. Sensitive but sweet and airy, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz evokes a new modernity.

Why Was Peach Fuzz 13-1023 selected to be the Pantone Color of the Year 2024?

At a time of turmoil in many aspects of our lives, our need for nurturing, empathy and compassion grows ever stronger as does our imaginings of a more peaceful future. We are reminded that a vital part of living a full life is having the good health, stamina, and strength to enjoy it. That in a world which often emphasizes productivity and external achievements, it is critical we recognize the importance of fostering our inner selves and find moments of respite, creativity, and human connection amid the hustle and bustle of modern life.

The Pantone Color of the Year 2024 expresses the desire to want to be close to those we love and the joy we get when allowing ourselves to tune into who we are and just savor a moment of quiet time alone. Its gentle lightness and airy presence lifts us into the future.

«In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless
Leatrice Eiseman – Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute™

PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz in Apparel and Accessories

Visually arresting and inviting, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz is a nurturing peach tone that inspires us to instinctively want to reach out and touch. Conveying a message of tactility that comes through in sueded, velvety, quilted, and furry textures, luxuriously soothing and soft to the touch, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz is an enveloping peach hue that awakens our senses to the comforting presence of tactility and cocooned warmth.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
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Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2023

My apartment in London is just across from one of my favorite hotels in the city, the Claridge’s Hotel. Each year, the hotel collaborates with a fashion house to decorate their Christmas Tree. This year’s installation by Louis Vuitton brings together two illustrious names who have long celebrated the Art of Travel, and crossed paths throughout their respective histories after both being founded in 1854.

This magnificent sculptural creation is immersed within two large open, emblematic wardrobe trunks towering on top of each other at the height of 5.2 metres. Each signature trunk is adorned with Claridge’s travel stickers of yesteryear and an oversized Louis Vuitton luggage tag.

Exuding a festive charm, the tree is composed of 15 vertically placed chrome trunks of varying heights that tower to create the silhouette of a traditional Christmas tree. Scattered atop the silver trunks and amidst the snowy landscape of the tree are 21 Louis Vuitton Vivienne mascots, all found within the hotel’s distinguished black and white marbled lobby.

The hotel’s Louis Vuitton trunk envelopes the magical Claridge’s Christmas Tree, just as the Maison’s iconic Malle Vestiaire or «Wardrobe Trunk», a hard-sided case created in 1875, was dedicated to transporting one’s most personal and precious effects.

«What an honour it is to welcome such a legendary house as Louis Vuitton to design our Claridge’s Christmas Tree this year. Christmas is the most magical time of year for us here at the hotel and we look forward to welcoming guests and seeing visitors immerse themselves in Louis Vuitton’s world.» – Claridge’s General Manager Paul Jackson

With my Louis Vuitton outfit, I couldn’t have blended in better … all details coming up shortly.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 
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The AI Yearbook Trend

You might have seen the trend on social media where lots of celebrities and influencers have been posting ‘90s-inspired AI-generated yearbook photos using the Epik AI photo editing app lately. I got curious and wanted to try it myself. Yearbook photos are often looked back at with embarrassment, cringing over the awkward stages of our teenage years. But thanks to artificial intelligence, you have the opportunity for a redo.

The app’s AI Yearbook feature delivers you 60 different images using eight to 12 of your submitted selfies, showcasing different hair styles, outfits and poses. While the app is free to download, it costs between $5.99 to $9.99 (but as of now, it is discounted at $3.99 and $5.99) to access the photos. It’s become the latest AI trend to captivate the internet.

Curly long hair and denim – me in the ’90s…

Once you downloaded the app, you can upload your selfies into the program, select the gender and pay for either «standard» or «express» delivery. Standard wait times are up to 24 hours, while the express option delivers the photos in under two hours. Some are being prompted to try using the app later, due to the high volume of people trying out the feature.

Personally speaking, even that I tried the app myself, AI stuff is getting too crazy for me. I mean people, including me, are paying to train AI with own own pics. If you think about it, there are serious legal and ethical concerns. Especially the younger generations are growing up with a distorted self-image. The app seems preoccupied with giving huge boobs to every woman who uses it. AI is still now perfect. If you look closely at some of the images, you can see that the AI-generated art produces too many fingers or soulless eyes.

Look at the fingers holding the cup or the hands in the pocket below …

«AI Won’t Replace Humans — But Humans With AI Will Replace Humans Without AI, » emphasized Karim Lakhani, a professor at Harvard Business School who specializes in workplace technology and particularly AI.

The dress is not perfectly defined…

Artificial intelligence has been a hot topic in the world of science fiction for decades, and the idea of machines becoming self-aware and taking over the world has been a recurring theme in countless movies. Think about Blade Runner, Matrix or Terminator. Right now, AI can help with a variety of tasks, but it cannot replace human intelligence, creativity, or decision-making abilities. But one day, I am sure it will and then we might be in a scene of Terminator.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Laurastar x Germanier

Last week, I flew to Paris for a special event to celebrate the reunion between Swiss family-owned company Laurastar and Swiss fashion designer Kévin Germanier. This exclusive capsule collection is available now in a limited edition of 100 pieces. The launch took place during the 2023 Paris Fashion Week at Kévin Germanier’s own fashion show.

With Kévin Germanier backstage before the show.

COOPERATION BETWEEN TWO SWISS ICONS

As a privileged partner of haute couture for several years, Laurastar’s mission is to sublimate all textiles, even the most precious. As I studied fashion design, I know why ironing is so important in sewing.  Seams simply will not lie flat unless pressed, and you cannot achieve clean lines if your seams and hems are bubbling. Not ironing your fabric before cutting can result in inaccurate cuts, and as a result affect the overall fit and of course appearance of the garment. The same goes for your daily outfits. If they are not ironed well, they loose their sophistication.

Driven by the same quest for excellence and innovation, Laurastar and Kévin Germanier have chosen to collaborate to express a common ambition to create beauty while preserving the world around us. Kévin Germanier emphasizes: «Laurastar and I share Swiss origins and common values: a love for beauty, excellence, sustainability and the importance of family. Working together is an obvious choice for me.»

Trying the Laurastar Smart Germanier

A CAPSULE COLLECTION WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY 

By combining Kévin Germanier’s creativity with Laurastar’s expertise, each numbered piece in the collection is an embodiment of a shared vision and seamlessly blends both artistically and functionally. The multichrome color nuances of the collection, which change depending on the angle of ambient light, make the products unique. They are hand-painted in a studio specialized in luxury cars. The ironing board cover, inspired by ‘Fluid Art‘ design, is also hand-stitched in Italy.


As an exclusive addition to the collection, each product is accompanied by a heart-shaped Swarovski crystal jewel crafted from upcycled materials, symbolizing the connection between the two Swiss brands. Kévin Germanier drew his inspiration from the memory of the very first Laurastar product, the iconic ‘Asse di Cuore,’ used by his mother to create the heart symbol of the collaboration.

I am in love with the Laurastar Lift Germanier

The capsule collection features cutting-edge technology, specially developed by Swiss engineers at Laurastar. It includes two unique models carefully assembled by hand of which 90% are from upcycled parts. These products are an ironing system (Laurastar Smart Germanier), a steam generator (Laurastar Lift Germanier), and also available is a unique-designed cover (Universalcover Germanier) that fits most ironing boards on the market.
The collection is now available on laurastar.com and in selective department stores across the world.

A PRODIGIOUS TALENT IN COUTURE

Hailing from Valais, Kévin Germanier is now an iconic figure in both the Swiss and international fashion scenes. His journey has always diverged from conventions. From the outset, the designer disrupted the norms of the fashion industry. He positioned himself as a pioneer of upcycling, breathing new life into materials and fabrics.

Today, he creates dazzling collections and sets new standards in couture through his ethical and daring approach.

LAURASTAR AND SUSTAINABILITY

Since its creation, Laurastar has dedicated itself to innovation and excellence in the pursuit of beauty and durability. With its certified 10-year repair warranty ensuring the longevity of all its products, and its exclusive 100% natural Dry Microfine Steam (DMS) technology that restores the original beauty of fabrics, Laurastar extends the lifespan of your clothes. As a result, Laurastar is committed to a more sustainable fashion alongside brands and designers.

Still family owned: Michael Monney and his sister Julie manage the family business today.

ABOUT THE LAURASTAR GROUP

For the past 40 years, Laurastar has been relentless in its pursuit of innovation, developing products centered around the use of its exceptional steam. The Swiss group’s expertise in this field now extends from ironing and fabric care to hygienic steam systems aimed at protecting users and their loved ones. Its headquarters are located in Switzerland, and with its subsidiaries in Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Hungary, it employs approximately 250 employees.

I had a fantastic time in Paris with Laurastar and Germanier and cannot wait to show you the photos of the runway show. Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Laurastar / Germanier and © Sandra Bauknecht / Nadia Krawiecka
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Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled the amazing Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail to the commissioning client, their family and friends at a private event at Gstaad Palace in Gstaad, Switzerland – a region of particular significance for the patron. The car is a breathtaking coachbuilt masterpiece that celebrates its commissioning client’s cultural heritage, family legacy and personal passions.

One of four unique expressions of the Rolls-Royce Droptail, Amethyst Droptail is a truly elevated expression of applied art, commissioned by a patron whose family business has grown from a gemstone boutique to a multinational corporation with diversified interests. Exceptionally well-travelled, internationally educated and truly global in their inspirations, the client is an established patron of the arts, whose collection of precious jewels, significant motor cars and contemporary artworks are housed in a specially commissioned private museum.

The patron tasked Coachbuild designers to create an elegant expression of Droptail inspired by the amethyst gem – the birthstone of their son and an enduring symbol of purity, clarity and resilience; themes that are explored throughout this exceptional motor car in extraordinary depth. The client’s passion for quiet artistry and subtle flourishes is what defines Amethyst Droptail – a projection of true connoisseurship that rewards those who study it with beguiling details.

A FLOWER IN THE DESERT

The patron and co-creator of Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail expressed a profound desire to celebrate the cultural heritage of their home region. Rolls-Royce Coachbuild designers responded with an inspiration point that would define this Droptail’s exterior treatment: the Globe Amaranth wildflower, which blooms in the desert near one of the client’s homes.

The duotone exterior paint finish captures multiple stages of the flower’s bloom. The main body colour is a soft purple hue with a delicate silver undertone, named Globe Amaranth in tribute to the flower, and is enhanced with fine flecks of powdered aluminium that reflect the light and create a captivating iridescent finish. A deep purple Amethyst contrast paint, which is used on the motor car’s upper coachwork, contains a blend of red, blue and violet mica flakes that together create a unique mauve colour with a subtle metallic sheen.

In sunlight, the motor car also reveals a gentle hint of mauve paint on the inside of the 22-inch wheels, providing a subtle but elegant contrast to the mirror-polished aluminium surface; a touch that the client compared to the colourful lining of their favourite bespoke jacket.

The exterior is finished with a subtle but highly complex treatment to the carbon fibre used to construct the lower sections of the motor car. The result of two years of development, the marque’s craftspeople created a chevron pattern book-matched along two axes, which adds geometric decoration to Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail’s technical exterior surfaces. The carbon fibre itself is finished with a fine layer of lacquer tinted with Amethyst pigment, which in most lights reads as body colour. This intricate and technically demanding detail is hidden until the motor car is closely scrutinised, speaking of the client’s passion for subtlety and restraint.

DEPTH OF DETAIL

The client’s trust in Rolls-Royce’s artisans to execute the most challenging flourishes is expressed in the Pantheon grille treatment. The exterior grille surround and ‘kinked’ vane pieces are partially hand-brushed and partially hand-polished with a precise line demarking each finish – a surface treatment that had never been attempted on this scale before. The concept was suggested by the commissioning client’s son, a collector of haute horlogerie who was inspired by the brushed hands of an historically significant piece in his archive. Achieving the perfect uniformity in the finishes, as well as the sharpness of contrast between the finish types, was the result of more than 50 hours of collective work.

Beneath this extraordinary expression of contemporary craftsmanship is an intricate lower front air intake. This highly detailed piece was digitally designed and ‘printed’ in a lightweight composite and incorporates 202 hand-polished stainless-steel ingots, each of which has been painstakingly painted by hand in the Globe Amaranth hue.

The front end is resolved with a Spirit of Ecstasy figurine surrounded by amethyst cabochons. The cabochon treatment, whereby a gemstone is shaped and polished into a rounded form rather than faceted, was requested by the client in order to avoid a conspicuous sparkle. This subtle detail recalls the client’s early enterprise in the precious gemstone business.

CELEBRATION OF MATERIALS

Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail celebrates the materials and crafts personally curated by the commissioning client and his family. The material selection began with a sample of wood offered by the client – a stunning Calamander Light open-pore wood, which has a complex texture and long bands of colour.

The colours of the client’s initial wood sample served as the inspiration for the motor car’s leather treatment – the gently contrasting leather, in the aptly named Sand Dunes hue, was developed to perfectly match the caramel strands on the Calamander Light open-pore wood. Following this, wood specialists were challenged to source material with bands in precisely the same colour as the leather, a task that took more than six months to resolve, requiring specialists to review more than 100 logs before the perfect piece was discovered.

The primary leather hue, named Amethyst, complements the exterior surface and is finished with a subtle pearlescent lacquer, reminiscent of the brilliance of the precious gemstone after which the motor car is named.

For Amethyst Droptail, Rolls-Royce has created the most extensive wooden surface area in its history, with the material extending from the motor car’s fascia and doors to the shawl panel, cantilevered ‘plinth’ centre armrest and onto the aft deck.

In applying wood to the aerodynamically functional aft deck, the marque’s aerodynamicists and wood specialists worked closely together to experiment with not just the form of the panel, but with different wood-grain textures and the precise angle of the placement of the veneer itself. The result is both an extraordinarily artistic piece and the world’s only ‘raw’ wooden surface that produces downforce on a new roadgoing motor car.

A completely new veneering process was developed specifically for Amethyst Droptail, with each veneer sheet placed upside down to expose the raw wood texture. Two techniques are combined: ‘bookmatching’ at 55 degrees, in which the sheets of wood mirror each other, and ‘slip-matching’, in which the sheets of wood are aligned side by side in sequence, to create a repeating grain pattern for an organic, natural effect that gives the illusion of a single piece of wood.

To ensure Amethyst Droptail can be enjoyed by its commissioning client in a variety of climates around the word, the interior wood parts were tested to meet the same rigorous endurance standards as the exterior parts. Prior to its final construction, more than 150 samples underwent over 8,000 hours of testing. This included a full sunlight exposure simulation and rainfastness assessment, as well as testing for durability in temperatures ranging from +80°C to -30°C. The deck’s protective coatings, developed specifically for Amethyst Droptail, have been granted their own patent.

To complete the interior treatment, the client requested an elegant addition: the adornment of the rotary dials with rare amethyst gems. As with the gems at the base of the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine, they too are shaped in a convex cabochon style rather than faceted. The stunning depth and clarity of each stone is of a standard usually reserved for fine jewellery. Each stone was examined by experts within the client’s organisation before they were personally and individually approved by the client. The interior suite is resolved with woven leather floormats – a subtle tribute to the traditional weaving crafts found for centuries in the souks of the client’s original home region.

BESPOKE, ELEVATED

A removable hard top has been designed to give Rolls-Royce Droptail two distinct characters: without its roof, Droptail is a lithe, open-top roadster; with the roof installed, it is a formidable and dramatic coupé.

The roof incorporates electrochromic glass that allows the surface to change colour and transparency instantly. The client challenged Coachbuild designers to develop a glass that would alter its hue in order to correspond with the colourway of Amethyst Droptail. In response, the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective developed a unique chameleon effect for its electrochromic glass: when deactivated, it is completely opaque and has a subtle purple tint, mirroring the motor car’s Amethyst exterior finish. Once the glass is activated at the touch of a button, it becomes translucent with a hue that matches the Sand Dunes leather colour used in the interior suite. The realisation of this extraordinary flourish required specialists to experiment with 60 iterations of glass colouring before a perfect match was found.

A SINGULAR TIMEPIECE

Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail fascia is graced with a unique timepiece commissioned by the client from the renowned Swiss haute horlogerie maison, Vacheron Constantin. Handmade in Geneva, the piece, named ‘Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon,’ has an intricate hand-wound movement and is securely housed in a specially designed holder, enabling it to be removed and stored separately from the motor car if desired. The timepiece features a bi-retrograde display with instantaneous return of the hours and minutes as well as a bi-axial tourbillon.

Vacheron Constantin and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars worked closely together to ensure the forms, materials and colours of the timepiece were in perfect harmony within the motor car. The instrument dials combine amethyst-coloured inserts with the partially brushed and polished finish of the timepiece’s hands. The timepiece is affixed to a white-gold baseplate with a hand-crafted sunburst guilloché pattern.

AMETHYST DROPTAIL: A PERSONAL PLACE IN ROLLS-ROYCE HISTORY

This extraordinary expression of Rolls-Royce Droptail is a testament to the commissioning client’s passion for quiet detail, playfully but meticulously incorporated into one of the most historically significant Rolls-Royces ever built. It also represents the marque’s capabilities, not just in realising such a clear vision, but in artfully harmonising heritage, modernity and soul.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Rolls-Royce and © Vacheron Constantin
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Ibiza Dinner

Ibiza is a very special place. It is my happy place. A special, even sacred island where you can feel free to be yourself, to express yourself. People who come to the island love this indescribable energy, this freedom. It is a place to heal, to take decision, to relax, to recharge your batteries or just to have a good time.

Yesterday, I was invited at my friend’s stunning house for a beautiful Spanish dinner among dear friends. With breathtaking views over the bay, we enjoyed sunset drinks. The intensity of the island heightens at sunset as heat and energy radiate from the rock and you get to experience something special.

With my beautiful hostess Ana-Karina de Paula Allen

AK has immaculate taste, no wonder she is Communications Director Head of Jewellery at British Vogue, Tatler and Vanity Fair London and a patron of British Fashion Council. Her beautiful  villa boasts a mix of contemporary architecture keeping touches of Moroccan influence within the classy decor.

With London based jewelry designer Sabine Römer, who is also from Frankfurt originally like me.

For dinner, AK and her husband treated us to some amazing Balearic Island seafood and Spanish fusion delights. Enjoy some of the impressions. All details of my outfit will follow shortly.

Thank you so much for having me and for being part of my journey!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Bea Bermejo
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Hello From Greece with Themis Z

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

iconPhotos: © Sandra Bauknecht / © Themis Z
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Merging Fashion and Culture

HENNESSY X.O UNVEILS MASTERPIECE COLLABORATION WITH KIM JONES

In a first for the Maison, the acclaimed fashion designer transcends couture and cognac in a special collection featuring a collectible sneaker, Masterpiece decanter, and Limited Edition bottle.

Hennessy is pleased to announce a collaboration with the world-renowned British Artistic Director Kim Jones. In an audacious meeting of two icons, the Hennessy X.O x Kim Jones collection bridges street and luxury in a unique celebration of the legendary blend’s impact on culture. Interweaving the richness of Hennessy X.O’s 150-year heritage with Kim Jones’ creative vision, the collaboration features the Hennessy X.O Masterpiece designed by Kim Jones, the Hennessy X.O Limited Edition bottle by Kim Jones, and in a first for the brand, the HNY Low by Kim Jones. This also marks the first time Maison Hennessy has partnered with a fashion designer, and that Kim Jones collaborates with a spirits brand.

HNY Low by Kim Jones

«We are thrilled to embark on a new odyssey blending cognac-making and couture with Kim Jones, a creative master of our time,» said Laurent Boillot, Hennessy CEO. «Inspired by the emblematic personality of Hennessy X.O, Kim has developed a resolutely contemporary collection that is destined to make an impact on culture today and in the future.»

For Hennessy X.O, Kim Jones pays tribute to cognac-making and couture, two processes that touch on an understanding of science and the natural world as well as artisanal craftsmanship and savoir-faire. He follows in the footsteps of a formidable lineage of great masters who have helped cement Hennessy X.O’s cultural resonance over the years, including Frank Gehry, Cai Guo-Qiang and Ridley Scott.

«I’m fascinated by the rich heritage of Hennessy, a household name behind which artisans have spent hundreds of years creating this special cognac,» says Kim Jones. «Storytelling is very important for me regardless of what I’m designing or who I’m collaborating with – I want my designs to educate and inspire people through the stories they tell.»

WHERE COGNAC MEETS COUTURE: THE HENNESSY X.O MASTERPIECE AND HENNESSY X.O
LIMITED EDITION DESIGNED BY KIM JONES

Designed exclusively for Hennessy by Kim Jones, produced using 3D printing technology, and finished by hand, the sculptural Hennessy X.O Masterpiece has been produced in a limited edition of just 200 examples. The decanter demonstrates how humanity and technology can work together to create something unique, «like a piece of bespoke couture for a bottle,» the designer notes.

The Hennessy X.O Masterpiece

The Hennessy X.O Masterpiece draws inspiration from the making of Hennessy X.O, an art perfected by eight generations of Master Blenders. A specially developed titanium casing entirely encapsulates the bottle like an architectural second skin. Its twisting folds evoke both the couture technique of draping and the way in which, at the turn of the 20th century, Hennessy bottles were carefully hand-enveloped in tissue paper as a way of protecting their fragile parchment paper labels. Its base, an undulating oak plateau, nods to the barrels used to age eaux-de-vie that would eventually be blended to create Hennessy X.O.

While the bottle is entirely obscured from view, the cognac can be extracted using the fusil designed by Kim Jones, an elegant and playful ritual to serve a glass of the Hennessy X.O blend. As a finishing touch, the decanter itself has been dipped in gradient colors, an effect inspired by the shades of the different eaux-de-vie selected by the Master Blender to compose Hennessy X.O.

Says Kim Jones: «When I saw how the vintage Hennessy bottles were wrapped, it spoke volumes to me about how precious each one is, and how they were handled. I was particularly touched by their history, and the sense of how generations have dedicated their time to making each step of the process better and better. That same process also holds true with fashion

The Hennessy X.O Limited Edition

The third element of the collaboration is the Hennessy X.O Limited Edition ‘ready-to-wear’ version of the decanter specially imagined by Kim Jones. The Hennessy X.O bottle is encased in an aluminum second skin, its structure showcasing the signature shape of the bottle while evoking a couture silhouette. A true representation of the merger of fashion and culture with excellence and legacy, the limited edition bottle is the final piece of the Hennessy X.O x Kim Jones partnership.

The Hennessy X.O Limited Edition by Kim Jones is available exclusively at Globus for CHF 241.50 now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hennessy
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