Sandra‘s Closet

In celebration of their tenth anniversary, Italian fashion brand Forte_Forte presented their luxurious highly limited edition capsule collection “10″ at Vestibule in Zurich last week.

Forte_Forte  is designed by Paolo and his sister Giada Forte, who is the soul of the label and had come all the way from Italy for this special event (see photo above with me). It was a true pleasure to meet the lovely designer who is expecting her first child in July.

Giada, who studied knitwear design, is in charge of the creative part and her brother Paolo, who worked in the family knitwear company before, looks after the financial aspects.

Forte_Forte offers delicate, feminine pieces that are rich in special finishings and impress with lovely hand-made details, such as precious embroidered labels and small beautiful perfumed bags in which they are sold.

A very special and beautiful collection!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Forte_Forte, Vestibule and © Sandra Bauknecht

In January 2013, CHANEL opened at Hysan Place, the new luxury temple located at the centre of the island, its largest boutique in Hong Kong. To celebrate the event, CHANEL presents the exclusive limited edition HONG KONG COLLECTION. The uniquely modern elegance and glittering beauty of the Chinese metropole inspire a luminous colour palette. Exclusive creations for eyes and nails are infused with a metallic glow, evoking the lights of the city as they reflect in the waters of the China Sea.

OMBRES MATELASSÉES
The elegant rectangular case reveals an original combination of five shadows embossed with the iconic quilted motif of CHANEL. Like the shimmering light on water, the PEARL RIVER palette offers a harmony of golden white, a vintage gold nuance and intense peach for a soft, radiant effect on eyelids. Ideal for sculpting the eyes in a natural or more sophisticated makeup look, intense brown is paired with a very luminous silver white shade that makes eyes look bigger and illuminates the entire face.

LE VERNIS
Two contrasting nail colours echo the extremes of the eye palette. Elegant and modern EASTERN LIGHT is a luminous, very opaque white enamel. Deep and intense WESTERN LIGHT is a chocolate brown glowing with a pearly red heart.

Like a city combining multiple influences, the two nail colours can be worn together for an original effect. To reinterpret the elegance of a French manicure, apply the light colour to the bottom edge of the nail and apply the dark colour from the centre to the tip of the nail.

Great news for my Swiss readers, the collection is now available exclusively in Switzerland at Jelmoli in Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

In the beginning of January, a few days after I came back from Qatar, I had the chance to meet the lovely Eduardo Ferreira, International Artistic Director for Bobbi Brown, who was in Zurich to present the newest launches personally. What an honor!

We got together at the Grieder Bar and bonded immediately. He is not only extremely charming, fun and witty, but also highly professional and interesting to talk to.

Being in his element to create makeup looks that every woman will adore, he suggested that he tries out the newest products right away on me. I am sure that you can imagine the looks I got from the other guests. Very funny!

Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks are my new best friends after Eduardo explained me how to use them. I have to admit that I had always found the application of this kind of stick pretty difficult but their texture is amazing.

These creamy eyeshadows have just hit the shelves in eight highly pigmented shades, they are easy to use thanks to their do-it-all formula which glides on tug-free and can be used to shade, define, smoke up and highlight eyes. In subtle to eye-popping shades that last for up to 8 hours without creasing, flaking or fading, it’s a stroke of genius. Just swipe on and go.

LONG-WEAR CREAM SHADOW STICK by Bobbi Brown
Available in Vanilla, Golden Pink, Sand Dune, Iced Blue, Forest, Shadow, Bark and Violet Plum.
(Eduardo used Vanilla, Bark and Violet Plum on me, like on Katie Holmes who is the face of the campaign and Bobbi Brown’s first celebrity testimonial).
CHF 40.00 each

“Confidence is everything, but a little makeup can’t hurt.”

Launching in Switzerland this month, Bobbi Brown’s newest compact foundation will surely be a bestseller . Imagine your can’t-live-without liquid foundation in a fuss-free compact. Thanks to the twenty different shades, it can be perfectly matched to your skin tone and texture, it never looks fake or makeup-y, just like smooth, even skin. With 12 hours of flawless, oil-free wear, all you see is your skin – at its best. Plus, it’s completely portable, too – with a hidden sponge applicator right in the compact – so you look polished wherever you go.

LONG-WEAR EVEN FINISH COMPACT FOUNDATION by Bobbi Brown
Available in 20 different shades. CHF 65.00 each.

Eduardo finished off my look with some products from the new LILAC ROSE COLLECTION which is absolutely amazing. Don’t miss out those must-haves in stores now:

SPARKLE EYE SHADOW by Bobbi Brown (Limited Edition)
Lilac Sparkle, CHF 40.00

LIP GLOSS by Bobbi Brown (Limited Edition)
Pink Lilac, CHF 35.00

For my Swiss based readers, I have some amazing news. The lovely Eduardo Ferreira will be in Zurich from April 8-13, 2013 and you can meet him at the Bobbi Brown counter at Globus (Phone 0800 820 823). Don’t miss this chance!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bobbi Brown and © Sandra Bauknecht

“Dior is this agile genius of our times whose magical name contains Dieu (God) and or (gold).”
- Jean Cocteau

When I was with Marionnaud in London for the Rodial Beautiful Awards (post coming up in the beginning of next week), I had the chance to take a glimpse at the So Dior exhibition at Harrods, showcasing artists reinterpreting some of Dior’s most famous codes.

The Brompton Road store windows are transformed into Dior’s iconic colours of grey and white, featuring the complete product palette of the French Maison.

Inside the department store, on the fourth floor, I entered “the ultimate Dior experience”, from the house’s Lady Dior handbag to its instantly recognisable scent, J’Adore.

To celebrate the exhibition, Harrods has launched a set of limited edition Dior cupcakes. If you are unable to make it to the store, then fear not, as you can purchase them online HERE.

The Harrods Dior takeover will run until April 14, 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Dior

While being in Paris, I couldn’t resist this beautiful trio from Dior’s Cruise 2013 nail lacquers collection. Setting the right tone for summer, the three shades, inspired by fresh fruits, Mango 438, Lime 602 and Pastèque 658, would compliment the gorgeous Dior S/S 2013 dresses perfectly. Just beautiful!

The nail polishes are available exclusively at the Christian Dior boutique, 30 avenue Montaigne and Bon Marché in Paris. Enjoy your tutti-frutti!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Runway photos: Via style.com

I am so tired of winter. Spring fever is in full swing and what better way to greet this eponymous season than with some whimsical butterflies, cute little ladybugs and some vibrant colors.

Butterfly print duchess satin dress by Marc Jacobs, two-tone leather bag by Miu Miu,Botanica Pam platform pumps with rose applications by Charlotte Olympia, Lady Bug leather coin purse by Gucci and Ladybug enameled 18-karat gold ring by Solange Azagury-Partridge.

The perfect scent for spring: CLINIQUE HAPPY IN BLOOM 2013

Clinique has been launching a limited edition every year since quite a while loved by fans of their fragrances all around the world. The latest one for 2013 – Clinique Happy in Bloom arrives in a new flacon with an illustration of cheerful flowers and ladybugs and is reminiscent of a dewy morning. In Switzerland in stores beginning of March 2013.

Top notes: Apricot and frozen fruit
Heart notes: Freesia, mimosa and incense
Base notes: Woody notes and blond wood

CHF 79.00 (50ml) and CHF 59.00 (30ml)

LoL, Sandra

To celebrate 60 years of design, Chloé is releasing a capsule collection of its most popular styles. Founded in 1952 by Gaby Aghion and Jacques Lenoir, the label has seen many famous designers creating some of the iconic fashion styles, such as Karl Lagerfeld’s Galaxie dress, Violon dress and Eventail clutch, Phoebe Philo’s Camera bag, python boots, Silverado bag, paisley-print silk scarf, and wedge sandals, Stella McCartney’s Ananas pineapple T-shirt and Hannah MacGibbon’s shorts and cape.

Available online exclusively at net-à-porter, the anniversary heritage collection is also sold in a pop-up shop in the atrium of Paris department store Printemps.

Below you can explore the complete limited re-edition collection. If you like something, just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly.
Personally speaking, I can only say how happy I am that I have kept all my fabulous Chloé pieces over the years… no need for me to go shopping!

Silk-crepe blouse by Gaby Aghion - Chloé F/W 1960

The Galaxie dress by Karl Lagerfeld - Chloé S/S 1978

The Éventail clutch by Karl Lagerfeld – Chloé F/W 1979 – a limited re-issue of 60.

The Violon dress by Karl Lagerfeld - Chloé S/S 1983 – a limited re-issue of 60.

The Pineapple top by Stella McCartney – Chloé S/S 2001.

The Camera bag by Phoebe Philo - Chloé S/S 2004.

Python boots, Silverado bag and paisley-print silk scarf by Phoebe Philo – Chloé F/W 2004.

Broderie anglaise blouse and wedge sandals by Phoebe Philo – Chloé S/S 2006.

Cape and leather shorts by Hannah MacGibbon – Chloé F/W 2009.

In honour of Chloé’s 60th anniversary, net-à-porter is giving you the chance to share your favorite Chloé moments (e.g. street style shots, favorite products, campaign imagery etc.) to be in with a chance to win a camera bag by Phoebe Philo. All you have to do is share your moments using the #ilovechloe hashtag on Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest. Net-à-porter then shares an edit of their favourite entries on their #ILOVECHLOE pinboard.

Have fun and good luck!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of net-à-porter, Printemps and Chloé

This was my outfit that I wore to the Pre-Oscar Charity Brunch hosted by Montblanc and UNICEF to celebrate the launch of their new ‘Signature For Good 2013‘ initiative with special guest Hilary Swank at Hotel Bel-Air Saturday morning.

Of course, the sun was shining in Los Angeles but temperatures were quite chilly so that I was very thankful to have brought something warm.

My look: Pale pink mink fur coat with flower intarsia, black satin bag with floral embellishments, both by Prada,dress with leather and lace appliqué, bow-embellished patent-leather pumps, both by Saint Laurent, 4810 hoop earrings in pink gold with diamonds, Princess Grace de Monaco limited edition (8 pieces) watch, both by Montblanc.

Stay tuned for the upcoming post of the brunch…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht,
Photos of me (collage): © Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Montblanc

Are you a hopeless romantic? Then I have something for you.
Calida is launching a re-edition of their first lingerie set from 1941, a must for all retro fans. The nostalgic can houses the limited edition cute set of a lace-embellished tank top and matching French knickers. Available in white, pink and light blue for CHF 59.80 in Calida stores and online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Calida and © Sandra Bauknecht

Estée Lauder has launched the limited-edition makeup collection for spring 2013 PRETTY NAUGHTY. Optimistic yet not overly sweet, the world of watercolor pastels is taken to new heights by infusing an urban synthetic vibe for a youthful and modern twist. 
All products are in stores now.

PURE COLOR SHEER MATTE LIPSTICK
Naked, Rock Candy, Rebel and Demure – CHF 40.00
Skip the lip liner. Shape lips with the slim edge of Pure Color Sheer Matte Lipstick in Rock Candy instead. Apply the Naked shade for a soft matte mix.

PURE COLOR ILLUMINATING POWDER Tease - CHF 58.00
Start blushing slightly below the highest point of cheek and blend down and away.
PURE COLOR FIVE COLOR EYESHADOW PALETTE Pretty Naughty – CHF 72.00
Play with the five shades that work for day and night.
PURE COLOR SHEER NAIL LACQUER Insatiable – CHF 34.00

Be creative with your nails. Here are some inspirations:
The spring nail pairings techniques combine 2 or more shades to the most stylish newest looks. Nail colours are from the Pretty Naughty and the Heavy Petals collections.

SKINNY DIPPER
Brush nails with Absinthe. Brush Dilettante over it, from mid-nail to tips. With a toothpick, draw 3-4 thin horizontal stripes of Blue Blood, as fine as you can make them, across the nails.

PRETTY NAUGHTY
Paint nails with Insatiable from the Pretty Naughty Collection. Then add Chaos in a half “moon” on the right and left sides of each nail, base to tip.

I’M WITH THE BAND
Brush nails with Coral Cult. Add a broad horizontal stripe of Absinthe across middle of nails.

PURPLE MOON
Stroke Lilac Leather on nails. Brush Smashed on moon area only.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder