Sandra‘s Closet

Last Tuesday, I enjoyed a night at the museum with Veuve Cliquot for the unique closing dinner of the retrospective of exceptional artist Yayoi Kusama at Gropius Bau in Berlin. On display in the entrance hall was the champagne house’s new, exciting collaboration with the Japanese artist who dressed the La Grande Dame 2012 Limited Edition in her signature patterns, the polka dots. Also on display was Kusama’s artwork «My Heart that Blooms in the Darkness of the Night», a vibrant floral sculpture.

Among the guests from art and culture were German A-listers Iris Berben, Lea van Acken, Andreas Mühe, Christian and Karen Boros, William Fan, Franz Dinda, Hardy Krüger jr, Esther Perbandt, Johann König and many more.

German actress Iris Berben exploring the early years of the Kusama exhibition.

The evening started with a private guided tour through the amazing retrospective of Yayoi Kusama (92). From an upper class Japanese family that owned a seed nursery business, Yayoi Kusama grew up in a conservative environment. When she left school, and against her mother’s wishes, Yayoi decided to leave Japan, which she considered too small a country, and her family, where art as a career was not appreciated. Kusama left for the US, first Seattle, before settling in New York.

As a painter, sculptor, author, and performance artist, but also a filmmaker, writer, and a female artist of Asian origin in a predominantly male, Western art world, her audacity knew no bounds, as her controversial «happenings» showed. She soon gained recognition and her tenacity paid off: from the 1960s onwards she was one of the few female artists to make a living from her work.

Since her early years, the artist has experienced obsessions and hallucinations; she uses art as a sort of antidote for healing, a kind of self-medication. The canvases she covers with nets and dots have a dual effect; she demonstrates a mastery of repetition that at the same time reveals its infinite character; its overflow is liberating. Interesting to know is that Kusama was the first person in the 20th century to use this method of harnessing an individual’s potential for artistic expression and creativity for openly psychotherapeutic purposes. Today this has acquired the name «art therapy».

As a young artist, Kusama gained inspiration from plants and flowers, which she saw as a symbol of life, birth and regeneration. In later years, they became part of her figurative languages as positive symbols conveying vital energy and regeneration.

The flower is what led her to paint dots at the start of her career – the famous polka dots, which have become her signature. At her happenings in the late 1960s she covered her own and the participants’ bodies in these dots.

«Polka dots are a life, and the moon, the sun, and the stars are one of hundred of millions of polka dots. This is my grand philosophy. With peace from polka dots, I would like to deeply launch my longing for eternal love. Polka dots shall continue to proliferate and appeal to the people with my message.» – Yayoi Kusama

This message of hope and optimism has made her a much-loved figure who is avidly followed by a wide public. She was one of TIME magazine‘s 100 most influential people in the world in 2016 and is now a style icon. She has collaborated with countless brands; from couture (remember the fantastic collaboration with Louis Vuitton in 2012) to streetwear, Kusama’s name fascinates and inspires.

In honor of Madame Cliquot, Veuve Cliquot has commissioned Yayoi Kusama to create a joyful, original work celebrating the new vintage, La Grande Dame 2012. Two bold destinies, two innovative minds, two avantgardists who influenced their times.

With Petra Nagel, Managing Director Moët Hennessy Deutschland (LVMH)

Celebrating this magic encounter, we were invited outside after the tour to enjoy a champagne reception, followed by a wonderful vegetarian/vegan dinner with live performance accompanied by three amazing vintage champagnes; Veuve Cliquot La Grand Dame 2012, La Grand Dame Rosé 2006 and La Grand Dame 2008 Magnum.

A beautiful evening – thank you Veuve Cliquot for inviting me to Berlin, for these unforgettable memories and a message of hope and optimism.

I fully enjoyed the dinner thanks also to the lovely company of Karen Boros, Lea Van Acken and Hendrikje Kopp.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Franziska Krug/Getty Images for Veuve Clicquot, Agentur EVENTPRESS for Veuve Cliquot and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.
DRINK RESPONSIBLY!

Spreading pure optimism, Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama‘s works are full of vibrant energy and colorful positivity. Being one of the most important contemporary artists of our times, the 92-year has worked primarily in sculpture and installation, but is also active in painting, performance, film, fashion, poetry, fiction, and other arts. Her work is based in conceptual art and shows some attributes of feminism, minimalism, surrealism, Art Brut, pop art, and abstract expressionism, and is infused with autobiographical, psychological, and sexual content.

Limited to 100 pieces worldwide, Kusama’s art work «My Heart That Blooms in The Darkness of The Night» for Veuve Cliquot, a flower that wraps La Grande Dame 2012 Magnum.

From all my heart, 
the life of flowers flew away.
My everlasting affection for the flowers,
flew of beyond the universe
to show its vitality,
to gaze at the extremes of life.
– Yayoi Kusama

This year, she has collaborated with French champagne house Veuve Cliquot again to create the special edition La Grand Dame 2012 x Yayoi Kusama, sending a cheerful message to the whole world. It is with its iconic symbols, that Yayoi Kusama adorns La Grande Dame 2012 case and bottle. The opulent flower symbolizes vital energy, love and celebration of life. The polka dots, Yayoi Kusama’s signature patterns are reworked like champagne bubbles to embody La Grande Dame 2012.

Twist with Madame Clicquot! © YAYOI KUSAMA

Previously in 2006, Yayoi Kusama had already played with her famous polka dots by revivifying the original portrait of Madame Clicquot for a charity auction in Tokyo. So, the dialogue between the artist and the Maison has never stopped and has reached another milestone in its most inspiring and sharing ways.

More than 150 years separate Madame Clicquot and Yayoi Kusama, and yet it is almost as many common points that unite their unique and fascinating destinies. From Yayoi Kusama’s work to Madame Clicquot’s development of the House of Veuve Clicquot, these two daring figures demonstrate strong and flawless commitment. And today, their destinies converge in an unparalleled collaboration.

La Grand Dame 2012 x Yayoi Kusama is available for CHF 250.00 at Globus.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Franziska Krug/Getty Images for Veuve Clicquot, ©Yayoi Kusama
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored but I only show products I love. Promise.
DRINK RESPONSIBLY!

The past twelve months have been challenging, forcing most people to adapt to new realities. However, when you start progressing it’s all worth it. Do not bury your head in the sand – especially despite COVID 19. Instead find joy in the little things. It is also the time to find great opportunities but you may have to leave where you are comfortable.

I am very grateful for my life, for everything I have been blessed with, and all those beautiful moments and encounters I experienced in the past months. Everything has its advantages and disadvantages, you just have to make the best out of your very own situation. I was lucky to spend the past three months at the beautiful Gstaad Palace hotel, where life felt kind of normal.

Sometimes, I would sit in the lobby and indulge in a glass of champagne, cherishing the moment and thanking the universe for this privilege. Having a glass of bubbly has always been my treat, a moment for myself. One of my favorite champagnes is Veuve Cliquot‘s La Grande Dame, that has been created in homage to Madame Clicquot (1777 – 1866), one of the world’s first international businesswomen. Known in her time as «la Grande Dame de la Champagne», she took on her husband’s wine business when widowed at 27. Despite the challenging circumstances, the young lady didn’t bury her head in the sand. Under her ownership, she created the famous brand that still bears her name, «Veuve Cliquot» (veuve means widow in French). Thanks to her skill with wine,  she invented the riddling process, which involves bottles being placed upside down on a riddling rack. Everyday the bottles are gently shaken and turned. This method is still used by modern champagne makers.

In the glass, La Grande Dame 2008 has a light golden hue. After opening up, the nose reveals notes of dried fruit – almonds, figs, apricot – ripe white fruit (pear) and subtle toasted notes of hazelnut and praline. In the mouth the attack is powerful and sharp. The Pinot Noir stands out with its freshness, mineral notes and power. With 92%, it is the highest percentage of the grape ever used since the founding of the Maison.

It is also the Year of the Ox. What will it bring? Will things improve, or are we in for another rough ride? Zodiac experts believe the Year of the Ox is a period when hard work will be rewarded even more than usual. This has been interpreted by many as a great opportunity. They say knowledge is power, and it’s true. You won’t find opportunity without knowledge. Spending the extra time you might have due to the current deceleration with reading and learning something new, might be rewarded in the end.

Being open to new things is the key to staying young in my opinion. In terms of fashion – this is still an outfit post – I tried for the first time wearing something in latex. Skin-tight with a wet look shine, latex leggings are a unique eye-catcher. Although is quite an hassle to put the them on on, they are the most comfortable thing in the world and feel like a second skin. Great side effect –  your skin is so soft after taking them off. The combination with the checked blazer and blouse balances out the sexiness and adds a ladylike appeal. I am absolutely in love with this look – feeling like a grande dame!

To shop, click on the highlighted product descriptions:

My look: Double-breasted velvet-trimmed checked wool blazer, pussy-bow checked silk-chiffon blouse, checked silk scarf, black latex legging, gold-tone, enamel and faux pearl clip earrings, croc-effect leather belt, and Diane embellished two-tone leather pumps, all by Saint Laurent, and Chinese New Year Ox-embroidered clutch by Olympia Le-Tan.

Drink and shop responsibly!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: This post is a collaboration with Veuve Cliquot. Drink responsibly!
We may also earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. 

Last week, I was invited by Veuve Cliquot to kick off the summer season with the launch of the new Veuve Clicquot Petit Rich! Those small 20cl bottles are currently available exclusively at Samigo Amusement in Zurich. For more information on the champagne, click here for a previous post.

Black lace is such a hot trend right now and will even be bigger for F/W 2019. Snap up a piece and make the right fashion statement.

My look: Pussy-bow lace blouse, and pleated lace midi skirt, both by Christopher Kane, wool twill jacket, red Janis pumps, and Monogram fringed shoulder bag, all by Saint Laurent, red suede belt by Yves Saint Laurent, gold-tone Swarovski crystal brooch by Gucci, and Mitza ring by Dior Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Event photos and photos of me at the event: © David Biedert Photography
Photos in garden: © Sandra Bauknecht

Greetings from beautiful and sunny Champagne where I spent some amazing days as guest of Moët & Chandon. I cannot wait to share with you this outstanding experience about champagne making. Here you see me in the Moët & Chardon L’Orangerie gardens in Epernay.

My look: Appliquéd cable-knit wool cardigan, tropical print silk cape shirt, tropical print pajama pants, and Ace embroidered low-top sneakers, all by Gucci. «Paris Cosmopolite» Pré-fall 2017 Métiers d’Art Gabrielle bag by Chanel and Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Hurray it is Friday! Did you know? A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance. Probably because of the shocking jolt of brilliant color?

With a flamboyant box from Moët & Chandon arriving at my doorstep, I seem well prepared for my weekend ahead. Moët Rosé Impérial has launched a new limited edition look for this summer season: a bold splash of bright pink flamingos.

These flamingos are perfect way to add glamour to a #moetmoment shared among friends. In French, “osé” means daring. And the Moët Rosé Limited Edition with flamingos puts the “osé” in rosé with the whimsical dares found behind the label of each bottle.

Open the label, find your dare, make it happen:
Do you dare to kiss the person to your left?
Do you dare to hug a stranger?
Do you dare to say “je t’aime” out loud?

Moët Rosé Limited Edition with flamingos is available exclusively in trendsetting boutiques in the regular bottle (750 ml) and stylish Mini Moët sizes (20 cl).

Dare to live more and love more with pink flamingos that can be found even on the most flamboyant fashion accessories!

Leather-trimmed appliquéd floral-jacquard shoulder bag with flamingos by Miu Miu

Claudie embellished metallic textured-leather shoulder bag by Sophia Webster

Flamingo Frill leather sandals by Sophia Webster (50% off)

Happy weekend in pink flamingo style!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

All that sparkles, golden hues have never been bigger in fashion, and where fashion goes, so does beauty. No doubt, gold is the most festive shade. This holiday season, decadence is the key word. More is more is the motto. Here are my personal favorites:

Marc Jacobs has dedicated its newest oriental floral fragrance DECADENCE to opulence and glamour. The bottle design is reminiscent of an emerald green handbag with a python pattern, a gold chain and a black tassel. Definitely the most stylish one on the market!

Top notes: Italian plum, saffron and iris.
Middle notes: Bulgarian rose, jasmine and orris root.
Base notes: Liquid Amber, vetiver and papyrus wood.

Decadence by Marc Jacobs
Eau de Parfum 30ml (CHF 106.00), 50ml (CHF 153.00), 100ml (CHF 207.00)
Body Lotion 150ml (CHF 76.00) and Shower Gel 150ml (CHF 72.00)

«The poop was beaten gold,
Purple the sails, and so perfumed that.
The winds were lovesick with them.»

William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra

The new fragrance from Bvlgari, GOLDEA is an invitation to an exceptional olfactory journey. The name means «Gold Godess» (eng. gold & lat. dea). The oriental floral composition is a sumptuous hymn to the musks which have always been characteristic of Bvlgari’s style in fragrances.

Top notes: Crystal musk, orange blossom, raspberry and bergamot.
Middle notes: Golden musk, ylang-ylang and jasmine.
Base notes: Ambery musk, patchouli and Egyptian papyrus.

Goldea by Bvlgari
Eau de Parfum 25ml (CHF 66.00), 50ml (CHF 137.00), 90ml (CHF 189.00)
Body Oil 100ml (CHF 101.00), Body Lotion 200ml (CHF 68.00) and Shower Gel 200ml (CHF 60.00)

For the most radiant facial glow – a formula inspired by pure gold. Guerlain L’OR banishes imperfections, revives the skin by erasing its irregularities, and cloak it in a luminous veil. This ultra-moisturizing primer melts into the skin, offers freshness and prepares it for your perfect make-up with the help of pure gold. For me a daily must-have product! I can also recommend the fluid and the compact foundation of this line.

 L’Or Make-up Base 30ml (CHF 90.00), Fluid Foundation (CHF 110.00) and Compact Foundation (CHF 113.00)

Happy Holidays with Lancôme. For a truly festive eye makeup, those dazzling eye shadows provide an intense and sophisticated color with jewel-like sparkles. Easy to apply, just dab them in with your fingertips.

Lancôme Hypnôse Dazzling in 420 Givre Doré, CHF 48.00

To upgrade your manicure, I recommend this glittering top coat. Can be worn alone or over every shade you wish.

Lancôme Vernis in Love Golden Top Coat, CHF 28.00

A pioneer of the beauty industry, Helena Rubinstein created the first revolutionary mascara in a tube. This fall, a new mascara launches, providing volume, definition and softness, encased in a distinctive gold packaging.

Helena Rubinstein Lash Queen Perfect Blacks, CHF 47.00

I am wishing you a wonderful festive season with lots of sparkles and golden bubbles. Here is my holiday favorite – enjoy a glass of champagne with some raspberries to create an explosion of flavors.

This post is also available in German and French on the Marionnaud blog.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

The last evening of Paris Fashion Week, Veuve Clicquot hosted a toast-worthy event with its Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award 2013, held at the iconic Place Vendôme. The room was filled with amazing women and it was a true pleasure listening to their passions and inspirations.

For 2013, Veuve Clicquot recognized the achievements and contributions of such inspirational businesswomen as Hélène Boulet-Supau, Co-director of the e-commerce site Sarenza (France).

Bea Petri (Swiss winner, Schminkbar) framed by Christelle Huwiler (PR Manager at Moët Hennessy Suisse S.A.) to the right  and me to the left.

Celebrating trailblazing winners from 9 countries (France, UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Finland, Holland, Canada, Germany and Australia) around the world, the celebration went on the next day at Reims, the capital of Champagne, nestled in this region, amidst the champagne vineyards.

The Widow Clicquot spent her life on these lands, taking the reins of the champagne company after her husband’s early passing in 1805. As the “original businesswoman,” she brilliantly built Veuve Clicquot into a champagne brand of international renown and success. Respectfully referred to by her peers as “La Grande Dame de la Champagne,” she has inspired subsequent businesswomen for generations.

Originally intended as a homage to Veuve Clicquot when it was first conceived forty-one years ago, the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award has since grown both in scope and size.

Delphine Arnault and Inés Sastre with me to the left.

Drinking champagne and meeting the most amazing women in such a beautiful ambiance – the perfect night to finish off Paris Fashion Week!

And here I go again… I landed this morning in Paris to attend the Isabel Marant for H&M launch party. I am super excited. Do you remember the Versace for H&M (2011) and the Maison Martin Margiela with H&M (2012) events in NYC?! Always superlatives… follow me on instagram (@sandrascloset) for live updates.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

As promised in my previous post last week, here are all the details concerning the amazing collaboration between Dom Pérignon and Jeff Koons, which was launched during New York Fashion Week.

Personally speaking, I am crazy for this project as it involves three things I adore: champagne, the colour pink and one of my favourite artists! The limited edition ‘Balloon Venus’ is based on Jeff Koons’ work that was inspired by the Venus of Willendorf, a tiny paleolithic figurine discovered in Austria and dated to around 23 000 BC.

The Balloon Venus is part of Jeff Koons’ Antiquity series that begun in 2008, playfully exploring motifs from the History of Art with his trademark creative verve. The artist adapted the Balloon Venus sculpture for Dom Pérignon, by transforming the original statue in a smaller version which when opened, reveals a bottle of Rosé Vintage 2003. 650 will be produced, of which 20 will be sold in Switzerland for CHF 18’500.00 each.

Jeff Koons also designed better priced limited-edition gift boxes for the Dom Pérignon Rosé 2003 (CHF 449.00) and the Dom Pérignon Brut 2004 (CHF 199.00), available exclusively at Globus in Switzerland.

The launch event in NYC was held at the Stephan Weiss Studio in Greenwich Village. The berry-coloured ambiance was truly amazing, with different installations to explore the ‘Balloon Venus’ by Jeff Koons.

Born in 1955, Jeff Koons is one of the most recognised and solicited of all contemporary artists. He currently resides and works in the city of New York. Earning worldwide acclaim with his large-scale sculptures he has received numerous awards and honours in recognition of his cultural achievements. For him, “the real power behind art is to put us in contact with feelings”.

Throwing a bottle of Dom Pérignon with his wife.

Today, Dom Pierre Pérignon’s visionary mind and exceptional boldness to declare, at the end of the 17th century, to make “the best wine in the world” is in the hands of Chef de Cave Richard Geoffroy who creates each vintage of Dom Pérignon with pure excellence.

Champagne is my guilty pleasure and when it comes in a package like the ‘Balloon Venus’, I feel like a kid in the candy store, being on cloud nine!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dom Pérignon, all event photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Recently the couture bottle design has become a huge craze. Companies team up with famous designers to get new “clothes” for their drinks.

After some really amazing collaborations with some of the biggest names in fashion, like Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier and Paul Smith, Evian has chosen Issey Miyake this year to create a stylish cover. Clean, contemporary and colourful is the new design that will be available in gourmet stores.

Perrier is spicing up his bubbles with the help of burlesque star Dita van Teese who will be their new cover girl this year. Before that they worked with Custo Barcelona, Agnès B. and Paul & Joe to create some very desirable cans and bottles.

Finally San Pellegrino decided to be part of the hype and has chosen Missoni to cover their famous bottle label with the Italian fashion house’s zig zag pattern for their 111th anniversary. Thirty million units are being produced and will be sold in the best restaurants worldwide. In Zurich, they are everywhere.

Diet Coke has been increasing its connections with the world of fashion since quite a while. So no wonder that a long list of famous designers already have got a chance to embellish the beloved soft drink. Karl Lagerfeld has even changed the shape of the bottle this spring.

For all champagne loving fashionistas, Piper-Heidsieck has got some amazing pieces, from the corset bottle designed by Jean Paul Gaultier in 1999 to Christian Louboutin’s Le Rituel Box with a red soled shoe flute and Viktor & Rolf’s limited edition Rose Sauvage set with an upside down bottle.

Dolce & Gabbana’s first experiment in the wines and spirits sector is the Martini Gold Limited Edition. The exclusive mix: bergamot from Calabria, lemons from Sicily as well as oranges, Spanish saffron, myrrh from Ethiopia, ginger from India, and cubebe pepper from Indonesia was developed by the design duo themselves.

A good investment was definitely one of the 2000 individually numbered whiskey bottles that featured Alexander McQueen’s signature Union Jack colours. The late designer had teamed up with Chivas Regal to create that special piece in 2008.

As to me, all those bottles are really striking and sophisticated object d’arts and a show stopping addition to any dinner party.

Cheers!

LoL, Sandra