Sandra‘s Closet

Models Joan Smalls, Karmen Pedaru, Nadja Bender, Janis Ancens and Baptiste Radufe star in the Gucci Resort 2013 advertising campaign, photographed by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott at a garden party setting.
I love the colors, the collection and the photos so much and miss summer already…

If you want to get ahead of the game, I have something for you:
SHOP GUCCI RESORT 2013 ALREADY NOW BY CLICKING HERE!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci

During the Venice Film Festival, I had the honour to interview one of my favourite actresses, Blake Lively, who is the face of Gucci’s new fragrance Gucci Première.
(For the photos of the launch event, please click here.)

Blake is such a sweetheart, truly lively and very charming. She was with her boyfriend, Ryan Reynolds, on the same plane to Zurich like me and the two were sitting in the row in front of me. She remembered my name from the interview we did previously and even saw that I had changed my tights. The two were kissing and teasing each other during the whole flight. So, I was not surprised when I heard the news this morning that the two secretly got married at Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, just outside of Charleston, on Sunday evening. After less than one year of dating, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are now husband and wife. Congrats to the newly-weds!

And now, please enjoy the interview with Blake:

How were you involved in the process of creating and launching Gucci Première?

I was involved, initially, in the concept of this “Old Hollywood” idea, how we would actualize this. Frida wanted to create the iconic woman and we chose the photographers and the director. I was so excited to work with them. Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott are just amazing. The sexiness shows never in body parts, it is more the expression of the mouth or the look. It is never tacky.

Nicolas creates a lack of reality almost. For the short movie, he took the “Old Hollywwood” idea and combined it with modern, futuristic music. You see a woman from the ’40s but at the same time, you hear the techno sound which makes you feel like in a different time and space. Personally speaking, it is interesting to find the juxtapostion and the balance. The fragrance has the same. The woody, masculine and strong parts combined with the feminine, floral, citrusy notes. It is profound, it is the women in her most realized sense and scent.

I didn’t get to smell the fragrance until we did the first shoot but it changed slightly afterwards again. It is for a powerful woman, who can balance the feminity and the masculinity, being the fullest version of herself. We transported that in the commercial and the visual.

The advertising campaign was shot by the famous photographer duo Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott. The short movie was directed by Nicolas Winding Refn.

The best piece of advice that you got from someone in the film industry?

I don’t know if I have ever got advice that would apply to me. When I did “The Town”, I asked Ben (Affleck) what was the best advice he got because he is such a talented director. And he answered that Gus Van Sant told him: “Your movie will speak to you, listen to it.”
I have noticed that the directors that listen to their movie, that let it evolve and let it be something different than what it was in the script, have a stronger outcome. In rehearsals, you have that fixed idea what it is and when you start to shoot it, it takes a different shape and form. I always try to go with my gut.

How is your relation to the fragrance? Can fragrance express your personal style as fashion does?

I think that it does. I love perfumes. It tells your story in a lot of ways. If I look back at the fragrances I had when I was younger, they were bubbly and sweet. As I got older, they evolved. At one point, I started mixing cologne with perfume because I wanted to feel that strength, be that empowered woman but at the same time remain that feminity that a woman has. That is why I love Gucci Première. The fact that it has the wood and the leather but still a wonderful softness and sweetness. It is everything that I tried to achieve when I was mixing a cologne with a perfume.

I am so proud of being the face of Gucci Première because I am not stepping in something that was around forever. It is not like I get to be the face for it until I expire and than somebody else follows. But hopefully, one day it will be an iconic scent!

Did you know Frida before and how is your relationship?

I met Frida before at a charity event for Gucci. I am impressed by Gucci’s commitment in having major fundraisers. When you start to work with them, they ask you which charities you are involved with and immediatly offer support. They want to promote and help. That was beautiful and inspiring. That is something important for Frida. She spents so much time on all her different collections, she has so much on her plate and still she is so much involved. When we shot the commercial, she was on the phone asking about the accessories I was wearing with the gown. She has got a whole team of people she trusts but still she is there.  Every single step on the way, she is part of it. And you see that coming out in her details.

What is your cause?

There are many different charities I am involved in. Children are the ones I connect the most with. I started my own, went to Africa, visited orphanages, volunteered with Save the Children. It is more hands-on, not standing on a red carpet and shaking hands for the charity event. It is more about an intimate sitting down with people, always involving children.

Blake Lively framed by her parents, Elaine and Ernie Lively

Do you remember the first fragrance you wore or connected with?

It was definitely my mum’s fragrance. My mum is a strong woman, so she had  a little bit of that cologne feeling, but not too musky. It is light but it means business.

Blake Lively and her two older sisters

Speaking of Old Hollywood glamour. Do you have a  great tip that you picked up from one of the hair and make-up artists while you were getting ready for the red carpet, that yo use in your own life?

I really love hair and make-up. I always watch the  people who work on me. I ask them about the shading and how they highlight certain parts of the face. I watch the way they do things.

My mum was very effortless, getting ready in a hurry. And whenever I take time getting ready, it is a disaster, more like a funky rooster. But when I get ready in two seconds, it is the best outfit. This is good about always being in a hurry! I don’t like to look too done. Maybe it is a good excuse not to brush my hair. I think there is something sexy and whimsical about it. Wearing a ball gown, but not having your hair in a bouffant. More of having your hair in a messy, tousled look. It just makes me feel that the night could end running bare foot through Central Park. And skipping in a fountain, this feeling of freedom. It is the same if you walk into somebody’s house and it feels like in a museum so that you cannot curl up on the couch. I prefer that lush nature.

Last year, you were on Time 100 list. How does it feel to be seen as a role moel?

That was shocking and humbling. I still cannot figure that one out. The people I most admire breath magic into real life, wether it is my mum that brings real-life fairy dust to my life. I feel responsibility to young people and the parents, especially if they let their children watch my TV series at a too young age.

Despicable characters have been easy for me to play. With TV shows, it is different, you do something bad but you might be redeemed one year later. In the movie, you get the idea why this person is so twisted, and you find empathy for this person. On my own moral campus, it feels better.

I grew up with a tight family, strong and good. I never had many challenges or temptations that I could give in to because I got an audience. My biggest guilty pleasure is chocolate.

Girlfriends: Blake Lively and Florence Welch

You are a style icon. Do you have somebody that you admire?

There are lots of people I look up to but mostly it is my mum. You can look up to people through different elements. Like Grace Kelly, who doesn’t want to be a princess? Than Audrey Hepburn, she is so fun and still so feminine with that boyish sense. Katherine Hepburn, a woman with that manly sense. Florence Welch, one of my dearest friends, who is a real life fairy. So there are different people I look to for different elements,but that one person who has got that full package is my mother.

Gossip Girl is a fashion phenomenon. What did you learn during the show concerning your own style and fashion?

I learned so much. I grew up with my mum who would make the clothes for us all the time, wether it would be for real life or a Halloween costume. Therefore I knew a lot about design because she is also a great decorator. My eye for fashion derives from an early time. But being exposed to all the designer clothes on the set of Gossip Girl, connected me even more. It was like going to the best fashion school you could ever go to. We sat down with Anna Wintour and met with the most iconic designers and were able to ask them as many questions as we wanted to. And imagine trying on that many clothes, 9-15 outfits per episode. 27 episodes per year, per 6 years, and some outfits don’t make it. So It is even more. You start to understand which cuts work, where a bias work, where you have to put the grosgrain under the dress to cinch you in.
Gossip Girl was like the most expensive master course in fashion.

Blake Lively in “The Town”

Being a glamour icon, would you also like to try a role that is shabby?

I love being dressed-up. I would wear silk robes in my house whenever. Diamond bracelets while I lounge. Anytime I can play those roles, it is me.

In the movie “The Town”, I was very rough looking. As I did Gosspi Girl at the same time, I couldn’t change my appearance the way I wanted it to be. So I had them spray my hair with brown dry shampoo for long grown-out roots. The team made the skirts very tight at my waist so that it looked like I had a roll-over because I played somebody who doesn’t have the money and time to take care of herself. I love playing characters that are different than me.

Thank you, Blake, for this lovely interview!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci, WWD, W Magazine, Zimbio and © Sandra Bauknecht

Another amazing ad campaign shot by photographer duo Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott:
STELLA MCCARTNEY F/W 2012 starring Natalia Vodianova.

To shop Stella’s new season must-haves, please click here.
As usual, one of my favourite collections!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Stella McCartney

Last month, we got to know that the uber-gorgeous Blake Lively is the face for Gucci’s new scent GUCCI PREMIÈRE (for the previous post, please click here).

Highly anticipated, the secret has been lifted on her facebook fan page – here is the glamorous and fabulous ad campaign shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott. I know, the photographer duo seems to have closed the deal on every campaign this season.

In a stunning sequined backless gown, Blake Lively transforms the Hollywood glamour of the ’30s perfectly for Gucci’s new fragrance Première. A short film will be released in September during the Venice Film Festival.

LoL, Sandra

Italian luxury label Emilio Pucci launches its first ad campaign since the brand’s inception. The campaign was shot by fashion duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott and features model-actress Amber Valletta as muse.

The moody and evocative images are set amidst ornate and sumptuous backdrops inspired by Palazzo Pucci, the maison’s Renaissance-era headquarters in Florence.

Valletta, with her classic features, Italian roots and unobtrusive celebrity, was a natural choice for Pucci. An iconic face in fashion, she embodies the Pucci Woman, exuding a stylish self-assurance. Mert and Marcus capture the sultry, sophisticated, yet slightly subversive theme running through the F/W 2012 collection designed by Creative Director Peter Dundas.

The campaign will be launched in the September issue of select publications in the US, France and Italy and will pave the way for a more amplified reach in 2013.

To shop a great selection of Emilio Pucci’s fall 2012 collection, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Emilio Pucci

I know it is not even summer yet, but in fashion you are always thinking ahead. The first pre-fall pieces have been arriving in stores and Versace is the first of the major ad campaigns for F/W 2012 to be revealed.

Shot by photographer duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott in a studio in London, it features model Elza Luijendijk with the same blunt razored bangs and bleached eyebrows that were present at the runway show, very gothic and dark. The men’s campaign shows male models Philipp Schmidt, Dmitriy Tanner and Kacey Carrig.

“I’m really thrilled with our new campaign. The result is bold, strong, iconic and perfectly conveys the sexy rock vibe of our Fall/Winter collection.”

- Donatella Versace

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versace

Here is your sneak preview of Versace’s S/S 2012 advertising campaign for Young Versace that features 10-year old Kaia Gerber, the daughter of Cindy Crawford, one of Gianni Versace’s supermodel muses.

Young Versace is a brand-new collection for boys and girls aged from 0-12 which offers the quintessential Versace style with a youthful rock ’n’ roll twist, including playful prints, vibrant colors, mixing of patterns and a reinterpretation of the house’s iconic Greek key motif and Medusa head logo. The collection is available at the Versace Young boutique in Milan and worldwide in select multi-brand stores specializing in childrenswear.

Beautiful Family: Cindy Crawford with husband Rande Gerber, son Presley and daughter Kaia.

“Like her mother, Kaia has a very special gift. The camera really, really loves her,” said Donatella Versace, Creative Director of Versace. “Having Cindy on-set for the shoot took me back to all the amazing Avedon shoots we worked on together. It was such a special treat watching Kaia walk in her mother’s footsteps!”

“I’m so thrilled that Kaia was chosen to be part of the first Young Versace Campaign,” said Cindy Crawford. “I have so many fond memories of the times I spent with Gianni and Donatella. There is something so very special about the House of Versace. Being on-set with my daughter watching her in front of the camera was a fantastic experience. I am so proud of her.”

The campaign was shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott and art directed by Giovanni Bianco.
Doesn’t Kaia looks so much like her famous mother?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versace, © John Sciulli/Getty Images North America

After conquering the world of fashion, fragrance and film, Tom Ford has brought his impeccable vision to the world of beauty. His first cosmetics collection features a complete range of colour and skin treatments.

It all started last September in New York with a lipstick… my first beauty product by Tom Ford was the Lip Color 07 Pink Dusk, a lovely soft pink shade that goes with everything. The texture is truly amazing, leaving your lips moisturized while providing them with rich colour.

The next time I was back in the States, I couldn’t resist to get more. I truly recommend the eyeshadow palettes. The colours stay on the whole day and you can play with the effects as the textures can be built up, from soft to bold. The glittering shades can be tapped over the lid for an overall glamorous look, perfect for New Year’s Eve.

From left to right:
Eye Color Quad 01 Golden Mink, Lip Color 14 Sable Smoke, Lip Lacquer (a great way to let your lips shine, it works with all shades or can be worn alone) and Lip Gloss 02 Rose Crush.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

From left to right:
Cheek Color 01 Love Lust (a perfect peachy tone), Eye Color Quad 09 Violet Dusk and 10 Titanium Smoke, Nail Lacquer 10 Viper and 09 Plum Noir.

Those nail polishes are amazing! They stay on forever without loosing their brilliance!

In Europe, Tom Ford Beauty is available aready in selected stores, such as Harvey Nichols in London or Printemps in Paris. In Switzerland, the complete range will be available in March. At the moment, you can buy only the lipstick collection.

Please enjoy the photos of Tom Ford’s beauty campaign photographed by famed duo Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott featuring supermodel Lara Stone and designer Tom Ford himself, plus some stills. I love those pics! Isn’t Lara looking absolutely stunning and flawless?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford

For F/W 2011, many new fragrances will or have already hit the market just recently. Today, I would like to give you a brief summary of what is worth getting your nose on. Enjoy!

SENSOUS NUDE - Oriental Floral

Sensuous Nude is a new version of the original perfume Sensuous from 2008 and a fragrance reminiscent of the summer due its beautiful coconut accord.

Top Notes: Bergamot, pink and black pepper and mandarin

Middle Notes: Lily of the Valley, jasmine, coconut water, white honey and musk

Base Notes: Sandalwood, vanilla, amber, helioptrope and woody notes (that were created with a new technology, so-called Melted Wood Nature Print, for a more natural scent experience)

Sensuous Nude EDP, 30ml (CHF 60), 50ml (CHF80), 100ml (CHF114)
Sensuous Nude Body Veil – rich body cream 200ml (CHF 60)
Sensuous Nude Touch On Fragrance – light silky serum 10ml (CHF 54).

Advertising campaign was designed and executed by photographer Craig McDean, and advertising face is Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana, who posed on Californian beaches for this campaign (first photo on top). The fragrance is in stores now.

VIOLET BLONDE – Floral Woody Musk

Tom Ford has launched a new fragrance, named Violet Blonde which is based on powdery notes of violet and iris.

Top Notes: Violet leaf, pink pepper and Italian mandarin

Middle Notes: Tuscan iris absolute, Tuscan orris butter and jasmine

Base Notes: Musk, vetiver, suede, cedar and benzoin.

Tom Ford Violet Blonde EDP, 30ml (CHF 90), 50ml (CHF132), 100ml (CHF200)

Lara Stone was chosen to feature the campaign of the whole line that was shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. In stores in Switzerland Mid September 2011, in the US already available.

BURBERRY BODY – Chypre Fruity

Burberry Body is a feminine and effortlessly sensual fragrance with an eclectic combination of refined ingredients.

Top Notes: Green absinthe, peach and freesia

Middle Notes: Rose absolute, iris and sandalwood

Base Notes: Woody cashmeran, creamy vanilla, amber and musk.

Burberry Body is available in a wide range, featuring EdP Intense in different sizes, EdP in different sizes, Body Oil and Body Milk.

Supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley features in the new campaign shot by Mario Testino to promote the range, wearing nothing but a gold trench – and a few drops of the scent of course that is in stores now. 
The scent has so far been featured on Facebook, giving fans a chance to preview the scent. The page has had a staggering 8 million ‘likes’ as the brand continues to push the boundaries of digital media. The new fragrance is available since beginning of September.

PRADA CANDY – Oriental Vanilla

Prada has launched a new feminine perfume called Candy. As for me, this is the most surprising new scent on the market, very sweet , very girly and very unusual for the Italian brand.

Top Notes: Musk

Middle Notes: Benzoin

Base Notes: Caramel and vanilla.

Prada Candy EDP is available in three different sizes (30,50 and 80ml), with shower gel, body lotion and peeling.

The face is young French actress Léa Seydoux known for her role in The Beautiful Person (La Belle Personne) shot by Jean Paul Goud. Prada Candy is in stores now.

VERSACE YELLOW DIAMOND – Floral

Versace started its perfume line inspired by crystals in 2004 with Crystal Noir, and then launched the lighter and fruitier Bright Crystal in 2006. In 2011, a new addition is presented, “a crystal that turns into a diamond”: Yellow Diamond, a transparent and airy floral scent.

Top Notes: Neroli, lmon, bergamot and pear sorbet

Middle Notes: Orange blossom, freesia, mimosa and water lily

Base Notes: Amber, musk and guaiac wood.

Versace Yellow Diamond is available as 50 and 90 ml EdT, with deodorant and body lotion.

The face of the campaign is Australian model Abbey Lee Kershaw, shot by Mario Testino in Paris.

TOMMY HILFIGER EAU DE PREP TOMMY GIRL – Floral Fruity

The Tommy Hilfiger Group is launching two new fragrances – Eau de Prep Tommy Girl and Eau de Prep Tommy (for men). The fragrances reflect the preppy lifestyle which means sporty yet elegant. Let me give you more facts about Eau de Prep Tommy Girl:

Top Notes: Pink peppercorn, green apple and pear

Middle Notes: White roses, violet and hawthorn

Base Notes: Sandalwood, patchouli and musk.

Eau de Prep Tommy Girl EdT, 30ml (CHF46), 50ml (CHF76), 100ml (CHF96)

The fragrances will launch in Switzerland starting October 24, 2011.

SISLEY EAU D’IKAR  for Men – Woody Aromatic

Let me introduce you to the first ever masculine fragrance from Sisley named Eau d’Ikar. The composition is based on the note of mastic, a Mediterranean tree that grows in Corsica where the d’Ordano family’s origins are. A wonderful new composition for men.

Top Notes: Mastic, bitter orange, bergamot, lemon and carrot seeds

Middle Notes: Mastic absolute, iris, jasmine, orange pekoe tea, reeds, leather, wood and spices

Base Notes: Green cistus, sandalwood and vetiver.

Eau d’Ikar EdT, 50ml (CHF90), 100ml (CHF145)

The artwork bottle, symbol of a myth revisited, was designed by Polish sculptor Bronislaw Krzysztof. The new fragrance will be available from October, 1, 2011.

Have fun exploring those new fragrances in real and stay tuned for more releases to come! My personal favourites are Sensous Nude and Eau de Prep Tommy Girl!

LoL, Sandra

I am completely in love with Miu Miu’s S/S  2011 womenswear collection and the campaign that evokes the spirit of performance and stage.

Models Querelle Jansen, Sasha Pivovarova and Kasia Struss were photographed in London by renowned duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, styled in the manner of barely breathing mannequins, all slicked back hair and crimson mouths.
Far from passive, however, it wouldn’t be Miuccia Prada if there wasn’t a message and this time it is her reflection on a society that is obsessed with celebrity.

Inspired by on-screen costume, flower, flame, snake and star prints are re-invented to suitably stylised effect. It is a study of feminity that is as playfully inventive as it is alluring.

To support this idea, Miu Miu presents the “Miu Miu Women’s Tales”, a series of short movies directed by international female filmmakers that explore their fantasies about the brand.

The first one has been directed by Zoe Cassavetes (Broken English) and is called “The Powder Room”, an enchanting and dramatic short film set in London’s Claridges hotel.
It is a beautiful how Zoe Cassavetes were able to capture the luxury codes of the Miu Miu universe. I especially like her close-ups. To view the movie, click here.

The next directors will be announced soon. Another interesting approach to adverstising and communicating a brand. But as always, Miuccia is leading the way…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu