The 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards

Piaget Spirit Awards _ Sandra Bauknecht - Alessandra Rich

Last month, the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards took place on the beach in Santa Monica. Now in its 29th year, the awards are a celebration honouring films made by film-makers who embody independence and originality. I was invited by Piaget, co-host of the star-studded event for the seventh consecutive year.

Sandra Bauknecht Arrival Spirit Awards 2

With several of last year’s most noteworthy films being independent productions, the event drew some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Jared Leto, Jon Hamm, Lupita Nyong’o and Reese Witherspoon, among others. Therefore a gazillion of photographers were waiting for the celebrities to arrive.

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Jared Leto had obviously as much fun on the red (in this case blue) carpet as I did…

Sandra Bauknecht on red carpet 4

…and I admit that I could totally getting used to it.

Sandra Bauknecht on red carpet 3

Piaget Tent Spirit Awards

Throughout the afternoon and following the ceremony, award winners and guests celebrated in Piaget’s exclusive backstage lounge where some of the maison’s newest jewelry, as well as rare vintage creations were on display.

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From left to right: Lauriane Gilliéron‎ (Miss Switzerland 2005), Mousse Jacquier (Piaget), Nicole Suess (Piaget) and my humble self had fun in the tent.

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Mad Men actor Jon Hamm, Angela Bassett, Philippe Léopold-Metzger, CEO of Piaget, and his wife Catherine.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards are like the road to the Academy Awards, held one day before with an outstanding guest list. The spirit winners below also won in the same category at the Oscars 2014.

Cate Blanchett Award-Kristen Bell

Best Female Lead
WINNER
Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine (2013)

The blonde actress wore a dress from Roksanda Ilincic‘s Fall 2014 collection.

Lupina

Best Supporting Female
WINNER
Lupita Nyong’o for 12 Years a Slave (2013)

Thanking her mum for her never-ending support, Lupita Nyong’’o holds her award for best supporting actress for “12 Years a Slave“, the movie that won big at the Independent Spirit Awards, taking home five trophies including best feature.

Sandra Bauknecht-Brad Pitt

Me with Brad Pitt who also stars in the historical drama film about slavery.

Sandra Bauknecht-Angelina Jolie-Brad Pitt

A pic with Brangelina… that is pretty cool, don’t you think?!

Matthew mcConnaughey - Sandra Bauknecht

The two stars of AIDS drama Dallas Buyers Club, Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto, took home acting prizes, as they did on Sunday’s Academy Awards.

Best Male Lead
WINNER
Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Jared Leto-Sandra Bauknecht - Spirit

Best Supporting Male
WINNER
Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Keanu reeves - Sandra Baunecht

Keanu Reeves with me

Sandra Bauknecht - Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett looked so radiant and sparkled in white gold and diamond Piaget Rose cutout drop earrings.

Gong Li

Piaget’s global ambassador, Gong Li, dazzled photographers and fans in a stunning pair of Piaget Rose Passion torsade earrings and a Rose cocktail ring, both in white gold with diamonds.

Sandra Bauknecht-Gong Li

Anthony Chen-Sandra Bauknecht

Anthony Chen with me

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Anna Kendrick wore a matching suite of Piaget Rose jewels, that looked divine in combination with her white dress and clutch by Dior.

Sandra Bauknecht-Anna Kendrick

Matthew and Reese holding a speech

On stage: Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon

Sandra Bauknecht-Jason Bateman

Jason Bateman with me

Sandra Bauknecht-John Hamm

Very handsome is Mad Men actor Jon Hamm.

It was an amazing experience and I am truly thankful for Piaget’s invitation! Stay tuned for my outfit post coming up soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Piaget, Michael Kovac/WireImage and © Sandra Bauknecht

L’Officiel Switzerland Launch Party

Launch Party L'Officiel

Last Thursday, the launch party for L’Officiel Switzerland took place in Zurich at Kaufleuten. With a stunning atmosphere, reminiscent of 1920s Paris, where it all began over 90 years ago, the fashionable crowd partied until late. Enjoy some impressions of the night and for my outfit post please click here.

INVITE L'OFFICIEL

Chopard L'Officiel

Sarina Arnold - Ronja Furrer -Fiona Hefti L'Officiel Party

Swiss beauties: Sarina Arnold, Ronja Furrer and Fiona Hefti.

L'Officiel Launch 2

Marco Grob- Sandra Bauknecht - Patricia Schmid

Trio infernal: Photographer Marco Grob, cover girl Patricia Schmid, and my humble self. We shot the first cover and fashion editorial for L’Officiel in Paris together.

L'Officiel Launch 3

Les Jalou - Les Editions Jalou -L'Officiel Party

L’Officiel is still family owned and I was thrilled to have Marie-José Susskind-Jalou and Benjamin Eymère with us at the launch party in Zurich. Mother and son, President and CEO of this legendary family business that started in 1921 and brings together the very best of French heritage in style, fashion and joie de vivre. To the right: Deputy CEO at L’Officiel Magazine Nicolas Reynaud.

Sandra Bauknecht - Marie-José Sueskkind-Jalou -Albert Kriemler - L'Officiel Party

Marie-José Susskind-Jalou framed by Albert Kriemler, Creative Director Akris and me.

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Monika and Georges Kern

CEO IWC Georges Kern with his lovely wife Monika.

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Party L'Officiel Speech - Sandra Bauknecht - Marie-Jose Suesskind-Jalou

Getting excited for my speech!

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Alina and Patrick Poprawski

Looking gorgeous in Dolce & Gabbana Alina Kaltsidou-Poprawski with her husband Patrick.

Julia and Matthieu at L'Officiel Party

They came especially for the party from Geneva: Julia Pleynes and Mathieu Arsac.

Clifford Lilley-Fabian Pfenninger

Clifford Lilley and Swiss male model Fabian Pfenninger.

L'Officiel Party 8

Piaget

The lovely Piaget ladies with whom I had just been in Los Angeles one week before: Mousse Jacquier, Nunzia Marsella and Nicole Suess.

L'Officiel Party 9

L'Officiel Party 200

Beauty power reunited. The teams from Kanebo SensaiDior, L’Oréal Luxe and Marionnaud know how to party.

l'Officiel Party Performance

Special performance by Nicola Hunt from London.

L'Officiel Perrier Jouet

Roger Taylor Duran Duran L'Officiel

Dancing all night to the tunes of DJ Roger Taylor (Duran Duran) who had flown in from London.

L'Officiel Sweets

Sandra Bauknecht and Roger Taylor

The party was amazing and I am very happy with the first edition of L’Officiel Switzerland that is out now. A huge thank you to my dedicated team that made it all happen! You guys rock!

LoL, Sandra

Team L'Officiel Schweiz

Photos: © David Biedert and © Sandra Bauknecht