Sandra‘s Closet

On Friday evening, I celebrated International Women’s Day among my beloved girlfriends at the St. Gotthard Hotel in Zurich where Ljuba Manz and Raquel Marquard hosted an event with Jelmoli filled with everything you can dream of, shoes, a runway show, champagne and laughter.

With Raquel Marquard to the left and Ljuba Manz to the right.

Silvia Affolter moderated the night in a very fun way. First, we all had a closer look at a selection of shoes that would make every girl’s heart leap with joy. Brands such as Alexandre Vauthier (one of my favorites at the moment), Sophia Webster and Charlotte Olympia were on display as well as jewelry by Austrian jeweler A.E. Köchert.

The fashion show – inspired by St. Tropez – included a lingerie part in collaboration with Beldona. Beautiful lace ensembles – one in combination with a lace mask – got the audience in awe.

A young label from Switzerland, only 3 years old, Ina Kess was introduced. Two beautiful sisters, Katharina and Isabelle Staub, who both studied economics, launched the label in order to fulfill their own need. They design pieces that work for the office, for a night out and in which you can also attend your yoga class. Katharina explained how annoyed she was to carry around a bag of clothes to have everything she needed with her.

Katharina and Isabelle Staub of Ina Kess with Silvia Affolter

Ljuba entertained us amazingly with some fun statements how to treat men well.

Jelmoli presented also looks from renowned designers such as Moschino, Missoni, Peter Pilotto and 3.1. Phillip Lim. The so-called «House of Brands» really shifted during the past years under the helmet of CEO Franco Savastano and has transformed itself into a true luxury haven. Soon, the whole beauty department on the ground floor will also go through renovation. Ladies, no need to fly to London or Paris any longer… we will soon have our own little «Harrods» or «Galeries Lafayette» in Zurich.

Franco Savastano, CEO Jelmoli, had every reason to smile that night, being one of the only men allowed in the room enjoying the fabulous show.

Guests of the night were invited after the fashion show to the presidential suite where they were able to shop everything that was presented on the runway. If you like any look or shoe below, just show the photo to a sales person at Jelmoli. They will happily help you.

I am so in love with these Alexandre Vauthier sandals.

The only recommendation I have and this comes on a very personal note, please include also smaller sizes in your buying, as well as half sizes for shoes!

By the way, the gentlemen enjoyed a great dinner and a Patoro cigar at the iconic Hummerbar next door…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sanjeev Velmurugan Photography

We all have this girlfriend that inspires us constantly and that we admire. Mine is Ljuba Manz.

A life full of stories. Her mother’s family lost their hotel and country estate during the revolution in Russia. The father, an Austrian, fled from the Nazis to Kharkov in Ukraine, where Ljuba Manz-Lurje was born in the middle of World War II. She experiences occupied Vienna and the hardships of the previous years of war – and wants only one thing: to leave this poverty behind her.

Today, Ljuba Manz-Lurje is the most famous hotel entrepreneur in Switzerland and leads in third generation othe Manz Privacy Hotels, which also include the «Hotel St. Gotthard» in Zurich.

Ljuba signing her book at the cocktail reception.

This month, her multifaceted biography hit the shelves and we celebrated it with a cocktail reception two weeks ago. It is a good and inspiring read reflecting on her life in all its details, a great gift for a dear friend for Christmas. You can order the book, published by Stämpfli Verlag, by clicking  here.

With Ljuba at the ASW Winter Weekend in 2016.

It shows a woman who first stands on her own feet as a vedette dancer, then becomes a businesswoman in a male-dominated world, marries the Zurich hotelier Caspar E. Manz and fulfills a legacy after his death: to retain and increase the family-owned hotels. Social splendor and human abysses tend to be close together. The great conductor Paul Sacher brings musicians from all over the world to the «Hotel St. Gotthard». At the same time a plot is hatched against the landlord – she is reported to the authorities as a presumably Russian spy.

Pure joie de vivre: Ljuba on stage at the book presentation with her husband since 2014 Marco Conte and presenter Silvia Affolter.

I am proud of my friend, a strong woman full of energy and joie de vivre, who always did it her way. An entrepreneur and a mother of twin brothers who knew how to combine work and private life during times when the term «work-life balance» was still a foreign word. A woman, we can all learn from. Thank you, Ljuba, for being my friend!

LoL, Sandra

So proud to be in her book! What an honour!

Fashion cannot be missing: An Emilio Pucci outfit on display that she once wore to a gala.

What an experience! I was Ljuba’s guest at the famous Vienna Opera Ball this year.

Many famous people came to celebrate Ljuba, here you see her with Alt Bundesrat Merz of the Swiss Federal Council.

With Raquel Marquard at the book premiere.

On display many memories from Ljuba’s past.

Sabine Hirsch-Avram also joined this wonderful occasion.

Proof that Ljuba counts many fashionable ladies among her friends: those Gucci, Dior and Marco de Vincenzo shoes had to be photographed.

Photos: Courtesy of Ljuba Manz, © Zuza Speckert, © David Biedert, © Sabine Hirsch-Avram and Sandra Bauknecht

Last weekend, I was in Gstaad for the 8th edition of the famous ASMALLWORLD Winter Weekend. The three days in the snow (in this year’s case a lot of snow) of the private international travel and social club has become known as one of the most fun events of the year.

Guests from all over the world came to the chic Swiss winter getaway for great fun, parties, dancing, fondue and philanthropy. This year’s surprise guest was no other than Wyclef Jean. The Haitian rapper, musician and actor, who first achieved fame as a member of the New Jersey hip hop group The Fugees, entertained ASW members spontaneously with special performances during dinner or at the after parties. His catchy slogan of the weekend? « There is always an after party after the after party!» And the three-time Grammy Awards winner was right as we danced the night away…

The famous Gstaad Palace opens its doors one week before the season officially starts just for the ASW Winter Weekend.

Bugatti love!

Shopping suite with La Martina.

The weekend kicked off with the Chairman’s Apéro in the Gstaad Palace lobby, which is personally speaking the best one in the world. The night continued with a special theme: «La Vie en Or», glamorous with a touch of gold. Caviar and vodka were served and we partied late at the hotel’s night club GreenGo. For my look, click here for the previous post please.

Stunning Beluga ice bar outside.

On display: the raffle prizes, two beautiful watches by Parmigiani Fleurier.

The stunning golden decor in the «Salle Baccarat».

Dancing and hotel queen: Ljuba Manz 

The Chairman’s Apéro

Golden girls and fashionistas by heart: Irina Cerutti and Nataly Parafieva

The gorgeous ASW team!

Surprise performance by Wycleaf Jean and the Phly Boyz

Saturday was all about indulging in the mountain scenery with a lift ride to the Wasserngrat restaurant. The snowy weather and the freezing cold temperatures didn’t stop anyone. To the sounds of the Phly Boyz we all warmed up and enjoyed the après-ski inspired lunch with wine and fondue.

Swiss cosiness

Framed by Patrick Liotard-Vogt and Ferrari racing driver Josh Cartu

Ljuba Manz with her husband Marco Conte

Former Swedish ice hockey star Peter Forsberg with his lovely wife Nicole Nordin.

With Wycleaf Jean and Patrick Liotard-Vogt

Best Friends: Patrick Liotard-Vogt, Derek Tanner, Micaela Savides, Noelle Frautschi and Dr. Pablo Richard.

Swiss cheese fondue at its best!

Let the music play!

The culmination of the weekend was the ASW Foundation Gala Dinner at Gstaad Palace’s «Salle Baccarat», followed by the after party in the lobby that was transformed into the hottest club of the town for that night. Wyclef Jean surprised us once more, such a talented musician.

Gian Testa and Katja Grauwiler of Grauwiler Testa PR surrounded by friends

Swedish friends: Karl-Hendrik Nilsson, Justine Petrén, Peter Forsberg and Nicole Nordin.

CEO Asmallworld Jan Luescher with his lovely girlfriend Emily Maynind

Armand Arton, Raquel Marquard and my humble self to the left.

Alain and Violet Lentz with ASW CEO Jan Luescher and Emily Maynind

Martin Tobler Parmigiani Fleurier with his girlfriend Maja El Assali

Congrats and thank you to Martin and Jessica Tönnesson for their generosity. They auctioned of a lunch with Robert de Niro on the set of «The Irishman» and a song with Wycleaf Jean.

Brothers: Patrick and Olivier Liotard-Vogt 

Former Brosis singer Indira Weis had a lot of fun.

My beautiful friend Raquel Marquard with me.

Thank you, ASMALLWORLD, for another fantastic weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography

Last week, the first Karl Lagerfeld shop in Switzerland opened its doors at Jelmoli in Zurich with a fun party and I had the honor to unveil it. On the ground floor, you can find all accessories, bags and other fun gadgets. On the second floor of the famous department store, you can shop the prêt-à-porter collection.

The lovely Karl Lagerfeld team had flown in for the event.

Raquel Marquard and my humble self had fun trying some hats by Karl Lagerfeld.

Stylist Clifford Lilley with me

Monique Hollinger framed by Sonja Hog to the right and me to the left

Dusa Bibus to the left and Yvonne Bieri (Womenswear Buyer at Jelmoli) to the right.

The unveiling ceremony was fun. I gave a short speech and told a little anecdote about the first contact I had with Karl Lagerfeld many years ago as an assistant at Marie Claire magazine. As I am huge fan of him, I felt very honored to cut the ribbon of his first store in Switzerland.

Karl Lagerfeld on display for your home as part of a capsule range produced in collaboration with Manga-inspired brand tokidoki. He says: “I am very flattered that I became a ‘tokidoki’! I always loved them and I am very happy to be one of them”.

It was a great night surrounded by amazing people! Stay tuned for the outfit post coming up soon! Happy Weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert, © Karl Lagerfeld and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Wednesday, I was invited by Montblanc to DINE & TIME with famous chefs Ivo Adam and Frank Widmer at Park Hyatt‘s Parkhuus restaurant in Zurich. It was a race against or better said with time. Each course of the gala dinner was defined by its maturing or preparation time of the ingredients and served to a certain time matching this number.

Another fun detail was the race between the watch maker to assemble parts of the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph and the pastry chef to create a watch-inspired cake.

Jérôme Lambert framed by Raquel Marquard to the right and my humble self to the left.

It was the first official event in Europe to which Montblanc International’s new CEO, Jérôme Lambert, had invited and I felt very honoured to sit next to him.

Great news is: Montblanc’s amazing ‘Signature for Good’ collection, a range of special edition products, has already achieved its goal and raised 1.5 million dollars for UNICEF’s education and literacy programmes for children worldwide. Congrats!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Montblanc

Yesterday, I was invited to the Mister Schweiz (Switzerland) 2011 gala which is here a very big event. It was truly a live broadcasted spectacle.

The hot young guys, mostly in the beginning of their twenties, had to fulfill some fun tasks. Even that this is a fashion blog, I didn’t really think of dressing those beautiful toned bodies…I actually liked the boxer shorts pretty much.

The show had some great performers on stage, among them Italian singer Zucchero and famous world-class violinist David Garrett.

David Garrett with me... a funny guy.

Front row: Gorgeous Raquel Marquard who is the Mister Schweiz 2011 promoter

The jury from right to left: Julia Saner (model), Sara Hildebrand (entertainer), Bettina Portmann (SI magazine), André Reithebuch (Mister Schweiz 2009) and Indira Weiss (singer).

Top model Julia Saner with tiny Sandra

Enjoy the impressions of last night.  The winner was Thurgau based 21-year old Luca Ruch who won the toss against Michel de Carolis from Basel who was actually my favourite.

Below you can find the details of my look from last night and like always start shopping immediately.

My look: Silk dress and jacket by Balmain, pumps by YSL, earrings and ring, both by Chanel and stingray Box bag by Céline.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht