Sandra‘s Closet

RENE ZIBOLD

The PR and Communication Manager for H&M Switzerland has great style and many loyal followers on instagram (@monsieurené) who enjoy his daily fashion updates. Being fluent in four languages, he loves to travel. Other places inspire him, with the City of Light leading the way.

Your favourite city? La merveilleuse ville lumière: PARIS!
It’s the most beautiful city in the world, where I can find everything I really love!

Your favourite hotel? HOTEL ATHÉNÉE, a small, romantic and very elegant boutique hotel in the center of Paris. If you love Jacques Garcia’s interiors, you’ll adore it!

Your favourite restaurant? The CAFÉ RUC, in the beautiful neighborhood of Saint Honoré. The interior is also made by Jacques Garcia. The Suprême de volaille “minute” with “purée maison” is a must have! Dessert? Of course the Gâteau au chocolat!

Your favourite bar or nightclub? The GEORGES at the Centre Pompidou, also excellent for dinner. The view over Paris by night is breathtaking!

Your favourite sightseeing spot? The LOUVRE. I can spend hours in front of each masterpiece of Eugène Delacroix!

Your favourite park? The JARDIN DES TUILERIES next to the Louvre and after a walk I always enjoy a coffee and the delicious “tarte fine aux pommes“ at CAFE MARLY.

Your favourite shop? The DRIES VAN NOTEN men’s store at the Quai Malaquais. I just love the interior of the store and of course Van Noten’s beautiful men’s collections. Can’t wait to buy there the Fall 2013 collection!!!

Your must-have accessory? No matter if it’s summer or winter and where I am… I usually wear ETRO SCARVES. They really are my must-have accessory!

The best soundtrack for this destination? Jean-Claude Pascal: PARIS AU MOIS DE SEPTEMBRE. I’m in love with this song!

The best book to read while being on vacation there? I always buy ART or FASHION BOOKS in Paris. The BOOKSHOP at the PALAIS DE TOKYO has a fantastic selection.

Thank you, René, for sharing your insider scoop on Paris with us!

LoL, Sandra

GABRIELE FRANTZEN

The charming German fashion jeweler shares her time between Munich and New York City, a place that inspires her a lot for amazing creations that were seen at this year’s Oscars. Below you will find her tips for the Big Apple’s best places to visit.

Your favourite city? NEW YORK CITY

Your favourite restaurant? LA ESQUINA, 114 Kenmare Street New York, NY 10012, USA, +1 (646) 613-7100
Market fresh authentic Mexican food in 3 distinct spaces at one location.

Your favourite sightseeing spot? The EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, 350 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10118, USA, +1 (212) 736-3100
At 8am when the city wakes up.

Your favourite district? ELIZABETH STREET / NoLIta
New York City’s North of Little Italy, or NoLIta, is a must visit. Elizabeth Street is packed with upscale & trendy shops.

Your favourite place for breakfast? CAFÉ GITANES, 242 Mott Street, New York, NY, USA, +1 (212) 334-9552

Your favourite walk? Starting in SOHO at WEST BROADWAY over to BLEECKER STREET to PASTIS in the MEATPACKING DISTRICT.
Pastis, 9 Ninth Avenue,  New York, NY 10014, USA, +1 (212) 929-4844
I love the street musicians, the small cafés and all the extraordinary fashion stores.

Your favourite hotel? MERCER KITCHEN, 99 Prince Street,  New York, NY 10012, USA, +1 (212) 966-5454

Your favourite beach? SHELTER ISLAND

Your favourite season in NYC? WINTER
I love the blizzards, when the snow is blowing through the urban canyons. I love to walk through Central Park when all flags are hanging crosswise. The lights are phenomenal then and the windows have beautiful ice crystals.

Your favourite cultural spot? FIT MUSEUM, Seventh Avenue at 27 Street,  New York City, +1 (212) 217-4558
I love fashion and photography exhibitions.

Your favourite store? SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

They sell a large selection of my jewelry pieces.

Your favourite beauty spa? The SPA AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL, 80 Columbus Circle New York, NY 10023, USA, +1 (212) 805-8880
Book an apointment with the „beauty fairy“ Fini. She is amazing.

Your favourite treatment? 80 minutes MANDARIN ORIENTAL SPECIAL FACIAL TREATMENT
They use the Somme Insitute products which I adore . The American NYC-based label is dedicated to the science of skin perfection and uses Molecular Dispersion Technology which is the most significant advancement in skin care, a non-prescription synthesis of five highly-engineered vitamin compounds, designed to treat specific areas within the skin.

Your travel in style tip? I love to wear STRETCH JEANS by Closed, ANKLE BOOTS that are easy to take off or New Balance shoes (Store: 150 5th Avenue New York, NY 10010, USA +1 (212) 727-2520), such as my custom-made sneakers that say I LOVE NY.
I never fly without a CASHMERE SCARF to keep me warm, LA MER EYE CONCENTRATE, an eye cover and ear plugs. Moreover, I always pack two of my NECKLACES to change my look.

Your favourite book to read on a flight? ANNA KARENINA by Leo Tolstoi

Thank you, Gabriele, for sharing your insider scoop on New York City with us!

LoL, Sandra

GABRIELLA SCARPA

The CEO and President of Acqua di Parma, Country General Manager for LVMH Italy Perfumes and Cosmetics and Dior Couture lives in Milan and travels a lot. Her favourite destination, of course, her home country: Bella Italia
“Wherever you are, the lifestyle is there.”

Your favourite region: TUSCANY
It is one of the most beautiful places in the world. There you have everything you want: The wonderful panorama with stunning hills, flowers and colours. You breathe good air and have fantastic restaurants, trattorias and nice people.

Your favourite restaurant: DA CAINO, Via della Chiesa, 4, Montemerano, 58050 Manciano (GR), + 39 3273594882
I love to go to Da Caino in South Tuscany, which is close to the Hotel Terme di Saturnia. It is rated two Michelin stars and very famous. It is in Montemerano, a pictoresque old little town where you can also find fantastic family-managed trattorias.

Your favourite place to stay in Italy: RELAIS TENUTA PALAZZACCIO, Asciano, +39 0577 718600
It is an old, recently restored tower of the fifteenth century, managed by a family with only few rooms that offer all the modern comforts without missing the charm and magic of its secular history. The panorama is to die for with the unique contour of the Crete Senesi embracing you. The best is to go there with friends and to take all the place. Moreover you have fantastic places to eat being in the midst of the Chianti and Montalcino area, the home the best red vines.

Your favourite souvenir: LOCAL PRODUCTS like red vine, prosciutto and olive oil

Your must-see in Italy: CAPRI
It is very fascinating.When you visit this small, beautiful island, you are going to live an experience. It’s different from other places, there is no mass tourism.

Your favourite hotel in Capri: HOTEL QUISISANA CAPRI SPA RESORT, Via Camerelle, 2, Capri, +39 081 837 0788

Your favourite city in Italy: ROME
It has so much culture and an inspiring atmosphere.

Your favourite travel accessory: An ACQUA DI PARMA BAG, of course!
Those luggages are so easy to use, very practical, of great quality while being very elegant.

Thank you, Gabriella, for sharing your insider scoop on Italy with us!

LoL, Sandra

STEPHEN WEBSTER

The famous jeweler lived in many different countries, among them Canada and the United States. Till this day, he enjoys travelling very much, but always comes back happily to his hometown: London. Below you will find his tips for the best places to visit in Great Britain’s capital.

Your favourite city in the world: 
LONDON

Your favourite restaurants: I am actually in this business as well and own three restaurants. 

HIX, 66-70 Brewer Street  City of Westminster, W1F 9UP,
+44 20 7292 3518
(Favourite dish: Webster’s fish fingers, fish & chips)
HIX BELGRAVIA, Pont Street, London SW1X 9EJ, +44 20 3189 4850
TRAMSHED, 32 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3LX, +44 20 7749 0478
It’s just opened in Shoreditch, which is the real trendy place for London. The menu primarily focuses on steak and chicken items. Greeting guests and reminding them of this fact is the spectacularly placed Cock and Bull piece from Damian Hirst created specifically for us.

Your favourite hotel: 
CLARIDGE’S, 49 Brook Street, Mayfair, London, +44 20 7629 8860.

Your favourite shop: SELFRIDGES
I especially love the food department.

Your favourite nightclub: 
THE WELLINGTON, 116A Knightsbridge  London SW1X 7PL, 
+ 44 20 7823 8211
I don’t hardly ever go to nightclubs anymore. If I do go to a nightclub, I go to the Wellington, which it’s the place where I know everybody, I know the DJ, and that’s probably what I’m looking for right now.

Your favourite art gallery: TATE MODERN, Bankside London SE1 9TG, +44 20 78878752

Your favourite park: HYDE PARK
I live right next to it and walk across it nearly every morning.

Your favourite transportation in London: THE TUBE
I use the tube, because if you don’t you’re going to get very frustrated. My motorbike, I keep at the country.

Thank you, Stephen, for sharing your insider scoop on London with us!

LoL, Sandra

ROJA DOVE

The famous haute perfumer shares his tips for the best places to visit in Great Britain’s capital. He commutes between London and Brighton.

Your favourite city in the world: 
LONDON
There is no better place on earth.

Your favourite restaurant: 
THE WOLSELEY, 160 Piccadilly London, +44 20 7499 6996.

Your favourite hotel: 
CLARIDGE’S, 49 Brook Street, Mayfair, London,  +44 20 7629 8860.

Your favourite shop: HARRODS
Be sure to visit the Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie on the fifth floor.

Your favourite bar or nightclub: 
THE COBURG BAR @ The Connaught Hotel in Mayfair Carlos Place, London, +44 20  74997070.
I am not so into nightclubs, because I love to be able to talk to my friends. A good drink at a bar is much better. A destination for genuine bar aficionados.

Your favourite sightseeing spot: THE RIVER RESTAURANT @ The Savoy Hotel Strand, London, +44 20 7836 4343
From there you have a fantastic view of the river themse, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament.

Your favourite park: ST. JAMES PARK

The scent of London: WOOD and LEATHER.
I actually did a scent once inspired by the city of London. It is a male city, not like Paris which is female. The gentlemen’s clubs rule the city. The architecture is clean and straight. So you see dark woods and lots of leather.

Thank you, Roja, for sharing your insider scoop on London with us!

LoL, Sandra

Welcome to my new category “Travel Insider” - your best source for your favourite destinations and fancy escapes. Famous fashion insiders will provide you with the best spots and places-to-be.

MARY KATRANTZOU

The fashion designer shares her tips for the best summer reads and the ultimate fish in the port of Piraeus.

Your favourite city in the world:
ATHENS
That is home.

Your favourite restaurant:
JIMMY AND THE FISH, Koumoundourou Coast 46, 18543 Piraeus – Mikrolimano, Phone: +30 210 – 4124417
Try the mini fried shrimps.

Your favourite shop:
SOTRIS, 41 Voukourestiou Street & Tsakalof Street, Kolonaki Athens, Phone +30 210 – 361 0662
They were the first in Greece to by my clothes beginning from my very first season.

Your favourite island:
SPETSES
I got christened there and spent my last 28 summers on that beautiful island.

Your favourite summer read:
SANDRA’S CLOSET (Thank you, Mary!)
and the next book on my to-read-list is: 
THE TIPPING POINT – How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell
(The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. Just as a single sick person can start an epidemic of the flu, so too can a small but precisely targeted push cause a fashion trend, the popularity of a new product, or a drop in the crime rate. This widely acclaimed bestseller, in which Malcolm Gladwell explores and brilliantly illuminates the tipping point phenomenon, is already changing the way people throughout the world think about selling products and disseminating ideas.)

Three things you have to pack for Greece:
1. FLAT SHOES for the cobbled streets on the Greek islands.
2. SUN PROTECTION
3. A MARY KATRANTZOU SCARF for the windy nights.

Thank you, Mary, for sharing your insider scoop on Greece with us!

LoL, Sandra