Sandra‘s Closet

King Charles III’s coronation is taking place this weekend, time to unleash my inner princess. For high-profile events, I love to wear Monique Lhuillier‘s intricately detailed and expertly crafted lavish gowns. The sparkling tulle fabric of this dress reflects the light so beautifully at the beautiful Gritti Palace in Venice, where the photos were taken.

My look: Cutout glittered tulle gown by Monique Lhuillier, cropped jacket with feather print and fake fur by Moschino, necklace and earrings, both by Alessandra Rich, Maillon de Cartier 16mm 18-karat white gold diamond watch, and Clash de Cartier bracelet MM in white gold, both by Cartier, Double Bow crystal-embellished glittered leather point-toe pumps by Mach & Mach, and Devotion mini bag in silver by Dolce & Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Osvaldo for Antonia Sauter
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A collaboration between Andrea Gullo, Director of Officine Gullo, and Edgardo Osorio, founder and Creative Director of the Italian luxury footwear brand Aquazzura, unites the world of fashion with that of design.

At Palazzo Corner Spinelli, in the San Marco district of Venice, on the Grand Canal, Edgardo resides in a beautiful residence that dates back to the end of the fifteenth century and is characterized by architecture that is representative of the transition from the Gothic to the Renaissance in Venetian art, evidenced by the façade on the canal.

Officine Gullo installed for the famous designer a kitchen in turquoise and nickel finishes in a kitchen environment, characterized by a striped painted parquet floor and hand-decorated walls. Exotic animals, flowers and brightly colored trees recall motifs of fine 18th-century Chinese porcelain and transport the observer to an exotic garden and to distant places.

Appliances
Hob with 4 burners and a coup de feu. One gas and one electric oven, fridge-freezer and dishwasher.

Colours and finishings
Turquoise & Satin Nickel.

I absolutely adore this kitchen. As I am in the process of furnishing my new home, I cannot wait to show you my new kitchen very soon… it turned out so beautifully.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Officine Gullo
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

With UN JARDIN SUR LA LAGUNE, HERMÈS celebrates dreams, and invites to discover a secret place in Venice, where fragrances come from the sky. In this vibrant and caressing perfume, the scents of magnolias and pittosporums mingle with sprays from the sea to create a singular gentleness.

Blooming in the shadow of dreams… this is the fifth fragrance in the HERMÈS Garden-Perfumes collection, the first in this line created by Christine Nagel, who is the Maison’s in-house perfumer since 2013.

Personally speaking, I like her perfumes a lot, and this one is extremely special, so different and intoxicating. Not as fresh as the previous ones, instead slightly oriental. A warm and sunny fragrance that puts a smile on your face and Venice references in perfumery are always interesting, don’t you think?

The illustration for the beautiful packaging is signed by the famous Bosnian artist Safet Zec.

UN JARDIN SUR LA LAGUNE
Eau de Toilette 30ml (CHF 76.00), 50ml (CHF 108.00) and 100ml (CHF 154.00)
Body Lotion 200ml (75.00) and Shower Gel 200ml (CHF 60.00).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hermès

As Gabrielle Chanel’s astrological sign and the emblem of her favourite city, Venice, the lion is part of her symbolic language. It’s one of her sources of inspiration and she would use it in her creations, to embellish the buttons of her suits or the clasps of her handbags.

Since 2013 the lion, reinterpreted by the Jewelry Studio of Creation, has given rise to 3 majestic high jewelry collections.

In 2018, the SOUS LE SIGNE DU LION jewelry collection opens a new chapter and presents 8 pieces inspired by the lion of Venice. The lapis blue and astral white medallions refer to the lion in St Mark’s Square and the sculptural lion, in yellow gold and rock crystal, evokes a Venetian baroque style.

Really really beautiful…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of CHANEL

Recently, I was invited to a beautiful masquerade ball in Venice to celebrate the 10th wedding anniversary of my friends, Kristina and Piero, at exactly the same location they had tied the knot a decade ago. The dresscode was black and red with headdress. Wearing a Venetian mask with feathers makes you feel truly mysterious. What a fantastic night, thank you!

My look: Rilla crochet cage stitch gown by Hervé Léger,  Monogramme Kate studded leather shoulder bag and cutout leather platform pumps, both by Saint Laurent, cashmere scarf in black and white by Chanel, earrings and choker both by Dior, diamond rose ring by Piaget, diamond bracelet and diamond ring, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Strolling through beautiful Venice, which is the most unique city in the world for me. Those little canals are so romantic and thanks to its many historical spots, this town is recognized for its cultural richness. Every corner offers a unique photo opportunity.

My look: Embroidered-cuff cold-shoulder top and asymmetric cotton-poplin skirt, both by Peter Pilotto, printed leather, raffia and canvas wedge sandals by Valentino, Kan I Mini studded leather chain shoulder bag by Fendi and purple mirrored round sunglasses by Chanel.

And if you want to enjoy some amazing impressions of Venice, watch the movie «The Tourist» with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. A very good one!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

«My shoes are designed from a woman to the women who need to conciliate femininity with everyday life.» – Giorgia Caovilla

The story of GIORGIA CAOVILLA is all about talent and enterprise in the name of Made in Italy. And this is in her genes. Her father is no other than famous footwear designer René Caovilla
 who took over his father’s Venetian shoemaking business in the 1950s, referencing age-old Italian traditions to create exquisitely opulent footwear. Giorgia joined the family business in 1998 and worked alongside her dad for 11 years, focusing specifically on the development of the International and American markets.

In 2010, her personal turning point came when Giorgia presented O Jour – her own very first high-end accessory solo collection – in New York City. It was the answer to her personal need of creating shoes that would match with her taste and her lifestyle – the lifestyle of a busy working and family woman, who was unwilling to give up femininity and glamour as well as comfort.

Today, she lives in Padua with her husband and their two daughters, surrounded by the greenery of Riviera del Brenta where the best Italian shoe manufacturers have been working for centuries, just a few minutes away by boat from the beautiful waters of Giudecca. For us, she shares her travel tips for VENICE, which is only 30 minutes away from her hometown Padua and which has influenced her all her life. Enjoy!

Your favourite city?
VENICE. The thing that I like the most about this city is how the water can change sounds, the light, the smells so you can have a wonderful moment where all the senses are involved.

Your favourite hotel?
HOTEL COLOMBINA, so close to St. Mark Square, where you have an amazing view of «Ponte dei Sospiri», my favourite one. Filippo, the owner is the best host of Venice, I feel like home every time.
Calle del Remedio, 4416, 30100 Venezia, Phone +39 041 277 0525

Your favourite restaurant?
HARRY’S DOLCI facing the Giudecca Canal, wich is a special island where you can have a view of Venice from the outside in a peaceful and relaxed place.
Fondamenta S. Biagio, 773, 30100 Venezia, Phone +39 041 52 24 844

Your favourite Venetian food/dish?
SARDE IN SAOR (sweet and sour sardines), one of the most typical CICCHETTI (small local snacks) in Venice made with fried sardines and onions.

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
For this city… I have to say that a walk around the CALLI (narrow streets in Venice) with a glass of white wine is better than any nightclub!

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
VENICE IN A KAYAK to have a new point of view! Better than the taxi, better than any other thing to see the city from an unexpected angle. Just be prepared to wet yourself a bit!

Your favourite park?
CAMPO SAN VIO, between Accademia’s Bridge and Venier Palace, very close to the Guggenheim Collection. It’s a peaceful spot far from the touristic areas.

Your favourite beach?
LIDO of course, in May/June, when you can meet the real Venetians families on vacation. You can lie down and soak up the sun in one of the HOTEL EXCELSIOR‘s cabanas.
Lungomare Guglielmo Marconi, 41, 30126 Lido VE, Phone: +39 041 526 0201

Your favourite shop?
FORTUNY‘s showroom, where you can see the fabrics that are still being produced at the original factory founded by Mariano Fortuny almost a century ago. It’s one of the oldest factories in Venice, and you can see exactly how they produce the damask.
Giudecca 805, 30133 Venezia, Phone +39 041 528 7697

LUIGI BEVILACQUA. This manufacturer is another place to see, it is led by the Bevilacqua family and carries on one of Venice’s most ancient traditions using original 18th-century looms.
S. Croce 1320, 30135 Venezia, Phone + 39 041 721566

Your must-have accessory to wear in Venice?
A second pair of shoes, some typical VENETIAN SLIPPERS by VIBI VENEZIA, hidden in my bag after a long night walk. High heels are forbidden in Venice!

Your must-have souvenir to take home from Venice?
JESURUM LAMP, an unique piece of art made with handmade gold drawned silk. It’s easy to put in your bag, and it’s worth the travel.
San Marco, Calle delle Ostreghe 2433, 30124 Venice, Phone +39 041 5238969

The best soundtrack for this destination?
JOVANOTTI, alias Lorenzo Cherubini, the perfect mix of romantic songs and funky spirit!

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
WATERMARK by the Russian Nobel Price winner Joseph Brodsky, this essay is one of the most memorable eulogies to this city. While reading this book you can physically feel the city around you.

Thank you, Giorgia, for sharing your insider scoop on Venice with us!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgia Caovilla and the different locations

In June 2014, Cash & Rocket will return for its third consecutive year, and this time the amazing Valentino‘s Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli want to make this journey even bigger and better and are once again participating in the charity event, which will take place from June 5th to 8th, 2014.

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli with me

Seventy women from the worlds of fashion, music, cinema and business will begin the car tour from the striking Piazza San Marco of Venice which ends in London, with stops along the way in Geneva and Paris. The donations collected will help support three important humanitarian organizations – Shine On Sierra Leone, OrphanAid Africa and Sumbandila – to support African children and their families with health assistance and educational programs in Sierra Leone, Ghana and South Africa.

For the occasion and to further support the project, Maison Valentino will donate 20% of proceeds from the sale of several products from the Rouge Absolute Signature capsule collection and six other special products especially created by Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli.

These special items will be available at www.valentino.com and www.net-à-porter.com and in Valentino boutiques in Paris and London.

Maria Grazia Chiuri, Co-Creative Director, came in first last year raising the most amount of money and she is determined to beat her own personal record. She will be personally involved in fundraising monies and will drive one of the thirty-five red sports cars that will travel 1600km, from Venice to London.

“As a woman and mother, I am very happy to be able to help other women and children. I am profoundly convinced that it is essential to give them an opportunity for development and education, which gives me a chance to give back what I have received” – Maria Grazia Chiuri.

The Valentino team can be followed along the different stages of the race through the dedicated donation website Just Giving. Let’s help Maria Grazia to win once again first place and to collect the most donations!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino and Cash & Rocket

Designed in New York. Made in Italy. Worn with affection.

Shoes transport you: From the cobblestoned streets of SoHo to the cafes and canals of Venice, comfortable, chic, shoes allow us to explore fashion and culture. With this in mind, J.Crew’s new Italian shoe collection has the style of New York and the craftsmanship of Italy. To check out which ones are your favorites, click here please.

Personally speaking, I love the Janey patent flats in lime green and the Etta pink leopard sequins pumps (see above).

Great news for you, my dear readers! Here is your chance to receive a trip for two to NYC, a tour of the Vogue offices, a $1,000 J.Crew shopping spree with a Very Personal Stylist, and dinner for two at a NYC Italian hot spot. All you have to do is to share your interpretation of how your world reflects the mix-and-match fashions of NYC and the cultural community of Italy.

HOW TO ENTER

– Subscribe/log-in to Pinterest and follow J.Crew on Pinterest.
– Create a board entitled “My Shoe Story”.
– Pin 5 shoe or product images from jcrew.com or J.Crew Pinterest together with images of the places that inspire you.
– Use the hashtags #jcrew and #myshoestory in the pin descriptions.
– Click here to enter.
– The contest ends on April 29, 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of J.Crew

My trip to Qatar surpassed all expectations. Doha has reminded me a lot of Dubai 10 years ago, even better, modern and of course, full of luxury. Located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, all eyes are on Middle East’s new hot spot as the Qatari will host a large number of the venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. According to the British Telegraph, Qatar has the second highest income per capita in the world and you can see it everywhere.

On the first day of the year, I went shopping at Doha’s Villagio Mall, which was overly impressive. Reminiscent of the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace and the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian in Las Vegas, the mall has got a changing sky that gives shoppers the feeling of being outside and a canal that runs through the center of the mall with gondola rides for guests. Every designer brand you can think of is represented, such as Bottega Veneta, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Montblanc among others. There is even an amusement park in the mall.

See for yourselves:

My look: Mathilda tuxedo jacket by Stella McCartney, green tee by Ralph Lauren Blue Label, top by Missoni, skinny mid-rise jeans by Rag & Bone Jean, sandals by Gucci, Alice two-tone bag by Chloé, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis, necklace by Roberto Cavalli and 4810 hoop earrings by Montblanc.

Stay tuned for one last post from Doha about The Pearl.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht