Sandra‘s Closet

There could hardly have been a more fitting moment for an evening dedicated to craftsmanship, heritage, and design. As Bvlgari celebrates 120 years of its St. Moritz boutique, Mary Katrantzou travelled to Switzerland for the occasion, beginning with a first stop in Zurich before heading to St. Moritz. During an evening in Zurich, the Maison once again demonstrated its remarkable ability to honour its history while expressing a confident and contemporary creative vision, with Mary’s presence adding a meaningful creative dimension to the celebration.

Against this backdrop, the unveiling of the Spring/Summer 2026 Leather Goods and Accessories collection, alongside the sculptural Icons Minaudière creations, carried particular weight. The evening was not simply about new designs; it was about continuity, evolution, and the discipline required to build icons that endure.

At the center of it all stood Mary Katrantzou, Creative Director of Leather Goods and Accessories, whose approach to design is guided by structure, clarity, and an uncompromising respect for craftsmanship. Mary does not create bags as seasonal statements, she constructs objects intended to last, pieces defined as much by their engineering as by their beauty.

Under her direction, High Craft is not a tagline. It is a methodology.

Seeing the Icons Minaudière collection in person made this immediately evident. Architectural and jewel-like, these pieces occupy a space somewhere between handbag and collectible design object. Metal frameworks are executed with remarkable precision, surfaces are resolved with near-jewelry attention, and every proportion feels deliberate.

The XS minaudières, notably smaller than a smartphone, express this philosophy with particular confidence. They are not designed around practicality but around presence, objects chosen for their expressive power rather than their capacity. It is a bold stance, and one that speaks to a house secure in its authority.

Running parallel to these sculptural forms was the emotional centerpiece of the evening: the newest iteration of the Serpenti Cuore 1968.

Following its successful debut, the heart-shaped silhouette returns for Spring/Summer 2026 in ultra-supple Light Amethyst calf leather. Defined by its emblematic form and the sinuous metallic snake handle inspired by the Serpenti Harlequin watch of 1968, the design captures the idea of love with surprising discipline, romantic, yet architecturally controlled.

Arriving just ahead of Valentine’s Day, the bag felt perfectly timed. Not sentimental, but symbolic.

The Cuore universe expands further with the introduction of the Serpenti Cuoricino, a jewel-like miniature that reinforces Mary’s nuanced exploration of scale. Retaining the padded curves of the original, it reads almost as wearable jewelry. Pavé crystal versions, meticulously hand-applied through a complex multi-step process involving more than 4,600 Swarovski crystals, leave no doubt about the level of craftsmanship at play.

For me, however, the evening carried an additional – deeply personal – dimension.

Mary and I have shared a friendship for many years, and seeing her present these collections with such quiet authority filled me with enormous pride. She is endlessly inspiring: intellectually rigorous, instinctively creative, and grounded in a warmth that makes her brilliance feel even more rare.

Over time, I have collected each of her own collections, pieces I continue to return to not only for their design but for what they represent. Wearing a look from her F/W 2018 Bauhaus collection that evening felt almost inevitable, a gesture of admiration, but also of continuity.

With heart-shaped bags subtly setting the tone, it felt as though Valentine’s Day had arrived early. Yet rather than romance, the atmosphere suggested something more modern, a refined kind of Galentine’s moment: women supporting women, celebrating creativity, and recognizing the work behind objects of lasting value.

After the presentation, we slipped away for dinner, just the two of us. Mary tried Zürcher Geschnetzeltes for the very first time – a proper Zurich classic – and the simplicity of that moment provided the perfect counterbalance to an evening defined by high craft.

What lingered afterward was not only the beauty of the objects, but the clarity of the message behind them.

One hundred and forty years after its founding, Bvlgari continues to prove that true icons are never static. They evolve, they adapt, and when guided by vision and craftsmanship, they remain unmistakably relevant. And some evenings remind you that the future of a historic house is safest in the hands of designers who understand exactly that.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of BVLGARI / Remy Steiner for Bvlgari
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Icons Minaudière –  The Authority of Craft

True luxury begins long before an object is desired. It begins at the workbench, in decisions measured in millimeters, in materials chosen for their integrity, and in the patience required to shape something meant to endure.

Championing the heritage of the Roman High Jeweler, Creative Director of Leather Goods and Accessories Mary Katrantzou introduces the BVLGARI ICONS Minaudière collection. Mary approaches creation with precisely this mindset. Her objective is not to redesign the evening bag, but to reinforce the idea of the icon, objects defined by their aesthetic vocabulary, and rich cultural symbolism.

Because icons are not trend-driven. They are constructed.

Craftsmanship is therefore not a supporting narrative here; it is the foundation. Each minaudière reveals an engineering logic closer to high jewelry than to traditional leather goods. Metal frameworks must balance strength with refinement. Stone settings demand microscopic accuracy. Enamel work, polishing, and finishing require technical fluency that cannot be simulated by surface aesthetics.

Nothing about these pieces suggests haste. At a time when luxury often risks becoming conceptual rather than material, this commitment to making feels quietly assertive.

Mary understands a fundamental truth: desirability follows discipline.

«This collection celebrates the living heritage of Bvlgari’s Icons, symbols that have transcended design to become part of our cultural language. Each minaudière was conceived not simply to hold objects, but to hold meaning, blending high craftsmanship with cultural storytelling. Carrying culture in your bag is both a metaphor and a reality, a way of cherishing the wisdom of women. We are honored to have five extraordinary women lend their voice to our Icons and, through their lived experience, give new dimension to their symbolism, transforming heritage into a living dialogue. That is the culture that we create, we carry, and share.» Mary Katrantzou Bvlgari Creative Director of Leather Goods and Accessories

Objects That Refuse to Behave Like Accessories

Encounter the minaudières in person and one impression overrides all others: presence.

They are structured, architectural, almost self-possessed. These are not accessories designed to disappear into a look; they anchor it. Weight replaces fragility. Precision replaces decoration.

Created in limited edition, each piece draws from Bvlgari’s unparalleled jewelry-making savoir-faire. The collection moves through five established Bvlgari icons, each translated into a compact object that prioritizes construction over ornament and clarity over excess. Scale, notably, is treated with refreshing honesty. The standard minaudières operate as genuine evening clutches, sculptural yet functional, capable of carrying essentials without compromise.

The XS versions make no such promise. However, they are smaller than a smartphone. Not inconveniently so, intentionally so. At this dimension, the minaudière shifts category entirely. It ceases to be about capacity and moves closer to jewelry: an object chosen for resonance, not practicality.

Luxury has always reserved space for pieces that privilege expression over utility. Mary leans into that tradition with confidence rather than apology.

Serpenti – Controlled Power

Rendering the serpent in rigid form demands exceptional technical command. Curvature must feel alive while remaining structurally exact, a balance achievable only through advanced metalwork. The result carries tension and authority, capturing movement in stillness.

Divas’ Dream – The Discipline of Lightness

What appears effortless is, in reality, highly controlled. Symmetry, stone placement, and material transitions reveal a craftsmanship that favors precision over spectacle. It is elegance engineered rather than embellished.

Tubogas – Technique as Identity

Few methods communicate mastery as clearly as Tubogas. Seamless and mechanically complex, its fluidity disguises the difficulty of its construction. Here, innovation is not aesthetic experimentation; it is heritage sustained through expertise.

Monete – Time, Edited Through Craft

Historical references invite risk, too literal, and they become costume; too abstract, and they lose meaning. Craft functions as editor, ensuring the coin motif is translated with restraint. The past is not replicated; it is refined.

BVLGARI BVLGARI – Precision Without Refuge

Strong geometry is unforgiving. With nothing to conceal behind ornament, proportion becomes everything. The clarity of the design reflects the confidence of its execution.

Restraint, in this context, is a form of technical bravura.

When Craft Opens Into Culture

Only once the material authority of the objects is established does the collection expand into a broader intellectual register, aligning each icon with female voices who examine how culture is lived, protected, and reimagined.

Notes on Honoring Tradition – Linda Evangelista reflects on family rituals, reminding us that heritage survives through repetition, through gestures performed often enough to become identity.

Notes on Cultivating Inner Calm – Kim Ji-won turns inward, proposing self-acceptance and emotional balance as markers of contemporary strength — a quiet counterpoint to an era defined by visibility.

Notes on Finding Home – Architect Sumayya Vally challenges fixed notions of belonging, describing home as something constructed through memory, care, and human connection rather than geography.

Notes on Listening to Nature – Isabella Rossellini, shaped by her work in animal behavior, invites a deeper attentiveness to the natural world, suggesting that listening itself is an act of cultural intelligence.

Notes on Creating Culture – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie articulates the principle that ultimately binds the collection: culture is not static. It is created, carried forward, and continually rewritten — with women often serving as its most vital transmitters.

What emerges is not a conceptual overlay, but a dialogue between making and meaning. These are unique new works, published exclusively by Bvlgari for this limited-edition collection.

The Quiet Confidence of Objects Made to Last

The Icons Minaudière collection does not argue for attention. It assumes it.

Craft gives the pieces legitimacy.
Design gives them permanence.
Cultural perspective gives them dimension.

They will hold what you need for the evening. However being smaller than your phone, they may require a reconsideration of what «essential» truly means.

But perhaps that is the point. The rarest luxury today is not excess, nor even visibility. It is conviction, the assurance that an object has been made well enough, and thoughtfully enough, to outlast the moment it enters.

And icons, by definition, are never designed for the moment alone.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © BVLGARI
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The Riviera’s Chic New Address: AREV Saint-Tropez

There is something eternally seductive about Saint-Tropez, the golden light, the café terraces, the glamour that never goes out of style. But where you stay shapes the entire experience, and AREV Saint-Tropez has quickly emerged as one of the destination’s most compelling new alternatives.

Opened in 2024, the boutique hotel masterfully balances privacy with proximity. Tucked away in a serene setting yet only a short stroll from Place des Lices, guests can step out and find themselves instantly immersed in the rhythm of town, wandering morning markets, lingering over long lunches, or slipping down to the harbor by sunset. In a place where location is the ultimate luxury, AREV delivers it effortlessly.

Spread across five Provençal-style villas, the property feels more like an elegant private estate than a traditional hotel. Interiors by designer Luis Bustamante channel a refined Riviera aesthetic with nautical hues, tailored stripes, and warm woods, sophisticated without ever feeling overstated.

At the hotel’s restaurant, The Strand, Mediterranean classics are reimagined with a contemporary touch, creating the kind of polished yet relaxed dining experience that perfectly mirrors the spirit of the Côte d’Azur.

The atmosphere is polished yet relaxed: days unfold slowly by the pool, Mediterranean dishes are served with modern lightness, and evenings invite that familiar Saint-Tropez ritual of champagne and cocktails in golden hour light.

Rather than competing with the town’s grand palace hotels, AREV offers something far more contemporary, an intimate, design-forward retreat for travelers who prefer their luxury discreet and their style effortless.

Go for the elegance, stay for the calm, but book it for the sensational location. Because being able to walk straight into Saint-Tropez within minutes is not just convenient, it is the very definition of Riviera chic.

AREV
8 Chemin des Vendanges
83990 Saint-Tropez

Phone: +33 422 540 640

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of AREV St. Tropez
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Attention, Upper East Siders! British shoemaking craftsmanship meets New York luxury and that can only mean one thing: shoes will shine, steps will be more stylish, and a walk through Manhattan is about to become legendary.

John Lobb, the world-renowned master of bespoke shoes, has opened an exclusive shoe-shine station at The Mark Hotel on the Upper East Side. And because a little movement is good for both soles and souls, The Mark has teamed up with illustrator RF. Alvarez, known for his playful drawings, to create a specially illustrated map that now showcases a carefully curated route from The Mark to the John Lobb boutique on Madison Avenue. The route passes famous landmarks as well as hidden gems not everyone knows about.

Let’s get started!

👞 THE MARK HOTEL (25 E. 77th St)
This is where New York’s most stylish walk begins. Take a moment to breathe in the scent of French luxury and freshly polished leather shoes.

🏛 JAMES B. DUKE MANSION (1 E. 78th St)
A castle in the middle of Manhattan. This mansion once belonged to tobacco magnate James Duke and evokes the grandeur of a European residence.

🎩 STUYVESANT & MAMIE FISH HOUSE (25 E. 78th St)
Once the epicenter of New York’s wildest high-society parties. Mamie Fish knew how to celebrate, surely a fan of gleaming shoes.

🖼 THE FRICK COLLECTION (1 E. 70th St)
One of the city’s most impressive art collections, housed in the former residence of industrialist Henry Clay Frick.

🏛 FORMER WHITNEY MUSEUM (945 Madison Ave)
Once a hub for modern art, now home to the Met Breuer collection. A place that proves true elegance is timeless, just like a well-crafted shoe.

🐐 CENTRAL PARK’S GOAT WALL (1 E. 65th St)
A wall named after goats. Once a grazing area for the animals, today a curious insider tip set amid greenery.

👞 JOHN LOBB BOUTIQUE (700 Madison Ave)
The destination of the route and the address for exceptional shoemaking, where the highest level of craftsmanship and tradition meets modern elegance.

The illustrated map is available free of charge at The Mark Hotel or at the John Lobb Boutique.

JOHN LOBB @ THE MARK HOTEL
📍 Mezzanine Level 🕗 Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm

JOHN LOBB BOUTIQUE
📍 700 Madison Avenue, New York

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of The Mark Hotel
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London has always felt like the perfect backdrop for a little fashion rebellion, so it only made sense to channel my inner eighties icon Madonna, while wandering through the city streets.

This look is my love letter to the quintessential «Material Girl» era: a punk-meets-pop moment where nothing is too much and individuality is everything. Key elements include a dress with net layer, fingerless gloves, a cap and one of my favorite details, the garter belt, worn visibly at the leg. It is a little bold, a little rebellious, and very much in the spirit of eighties styling.

What I love most about this aesthetic is its fearless approach to self-expression. It’s not about dressing neatly, it’s about telling a story, breaking a few rules, and having fun while doing it. Walking through London dressed like this felt powerful, nostalgic, and completely free.

Sometimes fashion is at its best when it doesn’t whisper – it sings.

My look: Double-breasted raw-edge bouclé jacket by Balmain, layered dress in white jersey dress and black logo net (Look 23 – Cruise 2022), tweed cap, 2019 fingerless studded gloves, logo belt, garter thigh micro flap bag, (Look 31 – Cruise 2022), 80’s inspired chain earrings, 21K black nylon and patent leather interlocking CC knee high sock boots (F/W 2021/22 Act II), and 19A all about chains waist bag (2019 Métiers d’Art collection (Paris-Egypt)), all by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Felicia Sewerinsson @feliciasewerinsson
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The spontaneous plan was a romantic countryside escape, the kind you picture in soft focus. The reality? Saturated fields, silver skies, and a chill that lingered in the air. Atmospheric, yes. Forgiving, absolutely not.

Which is precisely why the look had to deliver. I chose bold, insulating layers with real fashion authority, engineered for shifting temperatures yet unapologetically polished. A waterproof layer disappeared seamlessly into the styling, proving that practicality can – and should – look luxurious. Wellington boots, cut so elegantly they read more riding boot than rubber, grounded the outfit with quiet confidence.

Because true style does not rely on perfect conditions; it creates them. The weather may have challenged the romance, but arriving impeccably dressed restored the magic. Consider this your reminder: book the spontaneous countryside weekend, bring the statement layers, and treat every muddy path like your runway.

My look: Patch fox fur vest (2009) by Miu Miu, brown waxed cotton coat (2008) by Gucci, rib wool-cashmere funnel neck sweater, and black skinny jeans, both by Polo Ralph Lauren, eyelet-embellished wool, silk and cashmere-blend scarf by Chloé, Harlowe wool-felt fedora by Eugenia Kim, mini Pocket tote bag by Burberry, and black rubber Wellington boots by Givenchy.

LoL, Sandra

Photos:© Sandra Bauknecht /  Sinbad Phgura @sinbadphgura
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There’s a freedom that comes with stepping outside, where the air feels different and the horizon stretches wide. Now in its fourth chapter, GANNI x Barbour combines Scandi 2.0 with old-school British heritage, bringing a renewed perspective to the elements.

Shaped by GANNI’s spirited design attitude and rooted in Barbour’s legacy of practicality and style, classic wax jackets, quilted coats and a small capsule of accessories are reworked with bold new proportions, heritage checks and signature GANNI twists. Flashes of red bring warmth and contrast to an earthy palette grounded in the outdoors.

My favorite of this capsule is this ruffled long coat with leopard print.

Inspired by the Danish philosophy of friluftsliv, meaning life lived in the open air, the campaign, captured by Lukas Wassmann, follows friends of the house through the Danish countryside. Capturing real moments shaped by weather, friendship and the joy of being together in the open.

TO SHOP GANNI x BARBOUR, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of GANNI x Barbour
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My Kind of Slumber Party – Celebrating the Launch of Olympia The Label

There are evenings that stay with you, not only because they are beautiful, but because they bring together creativity, passion, and a wonderful sense of community. The recent launch event of Olympia The Label in the heart of Zurich was exactly that kind of night.

Hosted inside the iconic Mandarin Oriental Savoy, the setting was elegant yet inviting, creating the perfect backdrop for the debut of a Swiss premium pyjama and lifestyle brand that already feels destined for great things.

The dress code for the evening? Pyjamas, which, if you ask me, made it officially my kind of slumber party. Naturally, I fully embraced the theme and arrived in my own set, leaning into the playful sophistication of the night. To complete the look, I carried a Moschino pillow-shaped bag the perfect accessory for a pyjama-inspired outfit and a true statement piece that captured the spirit of the evening.

And the fashion moment didn’t end there. Heading straight to dinner afterward still dressed in my pyjamas definitely turned heads. It sparked conversations, drew a few admiring smiles, and proved that great style doesn’t have to follow traditional rules.

What immediately caught my attention were the designs themselves. Crafted with delicate scalloped edges, the pieces combine timeless elegance with a charming femininity. These thoughtful details elevate classic sleepwear into something truly special, luxurious yet comfortable, refined yet effortlessly wearable.

Shana Conod

The evening was made even more memorable by the inspiring people behind the brand. Visionary designer Shana Conod has clearly poured her heart into this project, which was named after her little daughter, and it shows in every detail. Supported by Switzerland’s renowned PR manager Laura Zanni, the launch felt seamless, joyful, and full of pride.

Laura Zanni

Guests were also treated to beautiful blowouts by Nathanael Alexander, perfectly complementing the equally stunning pyjamas, a reminder that when attention to detail meets creativity, magic happens.

Nathanael Alexander

Yet beyond the aesthetics, what made the night truly special was the spirit of support. Watching a dream come to life reminds us how important it is to uplift one another, especially in creative industries. Celebrating the success of others doesn’t dim our own light, it allows the entire community to shine brighter.

Olympia The Label may just be getting started, but the brand already radiates confidence, grace, and ambition. If this launch is any indication of what’s to come, the future looks incredibly promising.

With Jaz Brunner and Shana Conod.

Here’s to strong women, beautiful design, unforgettable evenings,  and, of course, more slumber parties in style.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Olympia The Label
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I couldn’t have wished for a more perfect birthday last Friday. Surrounded by incredible, stylish women in Zürich – some of whom even traveled to celebrate with me – my heart is still so full. From 12:30 PM until 12:30 AM we laughed, talked, celebrated, and created the most beautiful memories at Club zum Rennweg. I feel beyond grateful and honestly so spoiled.

Thank you to everyone who made this day so special. I love birthdays, but even more, I love the people who make them unforgettable.

My look: Hypnotic lace trim mini dress by Zimmermann, small Heritage shoulder bag by Chloé, Rossy 160 patent leather platform sandals by Saint Laurent, floral lace tights in burgundy by Calzedonia, and crystal-embellished clip-on earrings in gold by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Anastasia Diadio @diadio.anastasia
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A declaration of romance with every step: the Faya 95 slingbacks captivate in luminous ruby-red satin, delicately framed by grosgrain trims. Elegant yet striking, the silhouette balances timeless femininity with modern allure, the perfect finishing touch for Valentine’s Day and beyond. Designed for moments meant to be remembered, this pair is less an accessory than a love letter sealed in scarlet.

TO SHOP THE FAYA 95 SLINGBACKS (€ 1050), CLICK HERE PLEASE.

My size is 36.5 … just saying!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Jimmy Choo
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