Sandra‘s Closet

Mercedes-Benz is continuing its collaborative streak, this time partnering with Proenza Schouler for a capsule collection inspired by travel, the open road, and the iconic Mercedes-Benz logo. The products in this collection are crafted from high quality, sustainable materials, such as recycled eco cashmere and upcycled leather, and made using responsible manufacturing practices involving natural dying and tanning methods. The campaign features Laura Dern and her son Ellery Harper.

Inspired by the great American road trip, the collection is titled The Power of Two and plays with the recognizable Mercedes-Benz logo. Each of the pieces are responsibly made, designed to «be loved and last,» and is also designed to be gender-neutral.

The Mercedes-Benz x Proenza Schouler apparel collection will be available from November 9, globally on Proenza Schouler’s website, as well as at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, London’s Selfridges, as well as at Mercedes-Benz’s brand space at Odeonsplatz in Munich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: #Mercedes-Benz x Proenza Schouler

Davis Factor, the renowned fashion and celebrity photographer, is the grandson of Hollywood makeup legend Max Factor. Together with his brother Dean, he founded Smashbox Studios in 1990, followed by their own make-up line six years later that is dedicated to work best in the tough studio environment (Smashbox products are exclusively available at Marionnaud in Switzerland). Davis lives in the third generation in Beverly Hills which is his favourite place on earth. Below you can enjoy his tips for the City of Angels.

Your favourite city?
LOS ANGELES – This is my home, where my family roots are. I am a surfer, I love the weather and the waves. It is spread out but peaceful. I love the mixture between the nature and the city.

Your favourite hotel?
BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL – I have spend my whole life there. They have a great pool, great atmosphere. The restaurants cater and they love me as I eat there 3-4 times per week. But  I have never stayed there as I live too close.
9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, +1 310 276 2251

Your favourite restaurant?
MR.CHOW – I love Chinese food a lot and I am great friends with Michael Chow’s daughter China. It’s the place for the who is who.
344 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, +1 310 278 9911

Your favourite dish there?
I love their Shrimp and Oyster sauce.

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
HYDE LOUNGE – Best on Fridays. A friend of mine owns it and I feel comfortable in there, it’s not like a big club, it’s not too loud, more lounge style with great food.
8029 W Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, 90046, + 1 323 655 8000

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
SUNSET IN MALIBU – Very Californian! My brother has a fabulous house in Malibu where I like to watch it.

Your favourite beach?
MALIBU BEACH – The sand is fantastic.
MANHATTAN BEACH – I surf there a lot, great community, classic beach with a family atmosphere.

Your favourite shop?
MAXFIELD – I buy for myself in there. Great selection of designer clothes and I love their Hermès vintage collections.
8825 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069, +1 310 274 8800

Your must-have accessory in Los Angeles?
A CAR – I drive a Mercedes-Benz. I have such a great experience with their service.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
WONDERLAND AVENUE by Danny Sugerman.
It’s about his life as a troubled Beverly Hills kid who ended up being Jim Morrison’s best buddy. He hang out with all the rockstars of the ’80s and it all happens in the area where I grew up. It reminds me so much of Los Angeles and his brother is my doctor.

Thank you, Davis, for sharing your insider scoop on Los Angeles with us.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Locations and Smashbox Studios

Mercedes-Benz is not only about high end cars, the German brand has become a fixed entity in the fashion world as a sponsor and partner of the world’s most major fashion events, such as the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week or the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich which will be taking place again from November 13-16, 2013. The key visual has been created in collaboration with fashion icon Carine Roitfeld.

This season, the luxury car brand has added a women’s fragrance to their lifestyle portfolio, created by Michel Almairac, who was named Perfumer of the Year 2012.

Mercedes-Benz Perfume is a fresh, floral and powdery scent showcasing the unusual accord of mimosa and violet.

MERCEDES-BENZ PERFUME

Top notes: Bergamot and peach
Middle notes: Mimosa-violet, rose and lily-of-the-valley
Base notes: Patchouli, vanilla and white musk

Available as Eau de Parfum 30ml (CHF 65.00), 60ml (CHF 85.00) and 90ml (CHF 115.00). Shower Gel 200ml (CHF 35.00), Body Lotion 200ml (CHF 39.00) and Deo Spray 100ml (CHF 31.00).

YOU CAN SHOP THE NEW FRAGRANCE BY CLICKING HERE.

Great news for my Swiss readers: 5 of you have the chance to WIN A BOTTLE (60ml) of this fantastic new scent. To participate in the contest, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header “Mercedes-Benz Perfume” to . All entries must be received until October 20, 2013. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules. The winner has to have a Swiss address.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

Yesterday evening, I was invited by IWC Schaffhausen to celebrate at Zurich’s Dolder Grand Hotel the legend of the famous Silver Arrow. The slogan “IWC. Engineered for Men.” got a whole new meaning when I entered the room as I was one of the only women there. But as I love cars, watches and speed, I felt very much at ease.

The star attraction of the event was a vehicle that has gone down in the annals of motorsport and laid the foundations for that legend: the Mercedes-Benz W 25. It set up the course record in 1934 and came in for a pit stop in Zurich on its journey back to the course in central Switzerland this upcoming weekend at the 11th International Klausen Hill Climb 2013.

The W 25 on display with the characteristic silver aluminium bodywork that earned this vehicle and its successors the nickname “Silver Arrow” is the last roadworthy model in the series and at the same time the jewel in the crown of the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection.

Having fun with my colleagues, Dörte Welti and Jeroen van Rooijen.

Black-and white photographs and film footage transported us back to the world of the 1920s and 1930s – the era of the original Klausen Hill Climb races.

In the foyer, we had the opportunity to peek over the shoulder of a watchmaker at work. All very fitting, because the designer engineers at IWC Schaffhausen took some of their inspiration from the W 25, and, as part of the relaunch of the Ingenieur watch collection in 2013.

The best was yet to come, I won the main prize that was presented to me by Linus Fuchs, IWC Managing Director Switzerland. See you this weekend at the Klausen Hill Climb!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of IWC and © Sandra Bauknecht

Start the season on the right foot with an all-white outfit. The non-colour has been seen head-to-toe on many S/S 2013 runways. But don’t think that you can stay with your average white cotton shirt that has been hanging forever in your closet. This summer, it is all about ruffles, laser-cut holes, panels, and stripes.

Slice and dice! Chloé has some of the most beautiful looks for summer and the house’s designer Claire Waight Keller spared no expense to come up with some gorgeous details. What might normally be just another ordinary crisp white jacket was sliced at the sleeves to give it a major point of difference.

Inspired by the Mercedes-Benz fashion film in which Karlie Kloss looks stunning in an all-white look from Chloé, here are some of the best pieces available at the moment. Sure investments in a season of style!

1 Appliquéd cotton-blend lace skirt

2 Drape-detailed cotton-jersey top
3 Woven panama blazer
4 Open-knit cotton-blend sweater

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz and via style.com