Sandra‘s Closet

Today’s post is dedicated to the new luxurious drops for the sporty girls – a must for extreme athletes who are into high fashion. These items may be too precious for actual use but can serve as the perfect decor for sport lovers.

Ping Pong Set James Monogram Eclipse Canvas by Louis Vuitton (€1500)

Table tennis, anyone? Ideal for travel, this sporty set includes two professionally designed ping-pong paddles, regulation balls in a custom holder, and an exclusive cover crafted of masculine Monogram Eclipse canvas, accented with an LV Circle medal.

Basketball by CHANEL (€1990)

As part of the accessories of the Métiers d’Art Paris-New York 2018/19 collection, this basketball is available in black with either silver or gold detailing. It comes with the matching harness that’s either detailed with silver or gold hardware on the black leather sling. Let’s start playing basketball…

Skateboard by CHANEL (Price on request, on the US website $7700)

With this, the skateboard has officially become a luxury item. The cruiser-style must-have by CHANEL is crafted from black lacquered wood that is accented with a white interlocking logo. Its underside features an embossed quilting pattern referencing the French house’s signature technique.

Surfboard by CHANEL (Price on request, on the US website $8900)

On the surfboard you can see a standout silver detail on the board which is made from aluminum, glass and polyurethane.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

From flats and kitten heels to something a little higher, these backless shoes will score instant cool points and are so perfect for a sexy walk to the pool!

LoL, Sandra

Paige knotted leather mules by Cult Gaia

Quart 80 suede mules by Christian Louboutin

Crawford knotted leather mules by Gucci

Croisette crystal-embellished leather and suede sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti

Maureen 100 leather mules by Malone Souliers

Lyn 105 python mules by Gianvito Rossi

Smokey 100 crystal-embellished glittered leather mules by Jimmy Choo

Donata Swarovski crystal-embellished leopard-print suede mules by Aquazzura

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

When the heat wave hit Zurich, I took these photos in my garden of my new beach look that has become one of my favorites this summer. I definitely felt like ice in the sunshine and wished sometimes the CHANEL clutch was made of real ice cubes.

My look: Crystal-embellished lace maxi dress and knotted halterneck bikini, both by Alessandra Rich, set of two silver-tone calf hair brooches and leather platform sandals, both by Saint Laurent, ice cube clutch bag, straw hat, logo belt and logo earrings, all by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

CHANEL announces Margot Robbie as the face of the new fragrance GABRIELLE CHANEL ESSENCE. Beyond her talent and radiant beauty, the House was drawn to the captivating personality of the Australian actress and producer, who stars in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming film, Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood.

Created by Olivier Polge in cooperation with the CHANEL Laboratory of Fragrance Creation and Development, this new olfactory interpretation of GABRIELLE CHANEL reveals a trail that is more voluptuous and opulent, solar and enveloping. Composed around four white flowers revered by CHANEL (jasmine, ylang-ylang, orange blossom and tuberose), ESSENCE gives a majestic role to Grasse tuberose.

GABRIELLE CHANEL ESSENCE will be available as of September 1, 2019 in Europe, the USA, Canada, Latin America, Central America, the UK, South Africa and Australia.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © CHANEL #GABRIELLECHANEL #CHANELFRAGRANCE

I love sheet masks, they are my guilty pleasure. The cult buy from K-beauty brand THE OOZOO is the playful ‘In-Shot’ sheet masks – each is packaged with an ampoule-loaded syringe to keep the skin-enhancing ingredients fresh and potent. Sample one of each formula on your next at-home pamper session with friends or just treat yourself to some fun!

Face In-Shot Nutrient Mask x 5 (yellow)
Face Energy Shot Mask x 5 (black)
Face In-Shot Hydrolift Mask x 5 (blue)
Face In-Shot Illumination Mask x 5 (pink)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Kilts, bagpipes, unicornsand the legendary Loch Ness monster –experience all this and more with the Scotland Collection by OPI!

Inspired by fashion trends for the season, including windowpane plaid and classic houndstooth in unique fabrics with detailed embellishments, this collection includes 12 new shades for F/W 2019 in various shades of purple, blue andred, along with pops of orange, dark green and taupe.

The striking landscapes of Scotland are represented in these hues, from rolling hillsides filled with purple heather bloom (Good Girls Gone Plaid (hero shade), Boys Be Thistle-ing at Me, You’ve Got that Glas-glow, Edinburgh-er & Tatties) to fiery foliage in brilliant shades of red, orange and deep green (A Little Guilt Under the Kilt, Red Heads Ahead, Suzi Needs a Loch-smith, Things I’ve Seen in Aber-green) to thousands of miles of coastline and numerous lakes and rivers in every shade imaginable of blue (Rub-a-Pub-Pub, Nessie Plays Hide & Sea-k, OPI Grabs the Unicorn By The Horn, and Nice Set Of Pipes).

“After seeing so many variations of plaid forecasted for fall fashion, we knew we’d end up in Scotland for inspiration this season,” declares OPI co-founder and brand ambassador Suzi Weiss-Fischmann. “The collection’s hero shade, Good Girls Gone Plaid, captures the moody, ethereal beauty of Scotland in autumn. Its dark amethyst hue takes on the appearance of super trendy black in certain light, but with much more dimension thanks to the jewel undertones.”

Scotland Collection by OPI is available in Nail Lacquer (CHF 19.90), Infinite Shine (CHF 24.90) and GelColor formulas for in-salon treatments from Mid August 2019 for at least 6 months.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © OPI

Peace, love and togetherness for a new generation!
The ‘All Together Now’ collection is finally here, inspired by the iconic Beatles film ‘Yellow Submarine’.

Stella McCartney with her Beatles-Dad Paul McCartney 

“It affected me in a way I just wasn’t expecting. Especially this idea of connecting people and bringing people together—politically this message has never been more relevant. So, I came out and I was like ‘I have to do something.’” – Stella

My favorite piece of the collection: the fur free coat.

The hand-illustrated musical film is a psychedelic adventure through a colourful world, and Stella McCartney‘s bold new collection brings its spirit back to life, with a modern twist.

Take a ride with the brand’s new campaign, starring musical artists Oscar Jerome, Keyah Blu, Joy Crookes and Femi Koleoso, on Stella’s World now!

TO SHOP THE COLLECTION, CLICK HERE for MEN and HERE for WOMEN PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Stella McCartney
#StellaMcCartneyxTheBeatles

These specialized powders are perfect for frequent flyers. 15th Degree created its ‘JetFuel‘ sachets to help you feel your best before, during and after long or busy periods of travel. Divided into three powder supplements – ‘Performance‘, ‘Rest‘ and ‘Health‘ – each dose is packed with highly absorbable active ingredients to reduce tiredness and fatigue, boost energy and support normal cognitive function. Happy Holidays!

To shop the JetFuel Travel Fatigue Set, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of the Brand

So, if you’re ready for some time spent under the summer sun and want to make sure your routine protects your skin during this time, check out these products below. Sun-smart must-haves to get you through the holiday season.

CAUDALIE Beautifying Suncare Oil SPF 30
Innovative filter system, hydration, luminous tan, water-resistant – CHF 32.90

BIOTHERM Waterlover Sun Mist SPF 30
Eco-designed, water-friendly, invisible, hydrating formula enriched with Life Plankton™ – CHF 51.90

ST. TROPEZ Bronzing Water Face Mist (LOVE!)
Ultra-lightweight skin protecting, tropical scented, tanning water mist – CHF 36.00

SHISEIDO Sports Invisible Protective Mist SPF 50 (LOVE!)
Ultra lightweight, water and sweat resistant, very high protection, easy application – CHF 52.90

CLARINS Refreshing After Sun Gel
For face and body, deep hydration, helps promote a longer-lasting tan – CHF 39.00

ANTI BRUMM Night
Protects from insect bites, great for travelling, hydrates – CHF 15.00

Enjoy your holidays wherever you are going. For my favorite facial sunscreens, click here for the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Blurring the lines between art and fashion, Dutch icons Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren constantly push the boundaries of conceptual design. Last season, we’ve all seen the showstopping, statement-making couture gowns walk down the runway demanding ‘no photos please’ or just simply saying ‘NO’. The S/S 2019 couture show, titled «Fashion Statements», presented those language memes in tiers of tulle and had an outstanding viral response.

Backstage with Viktor & Rolf last week in Paris

But how to top this collection? I was curious. Last week I was invited to their F/W 2019 Haute Couture show in Paris not only to see the new breathtaking défilé, called «Spiritual Glamour» but also to experience the connection between art, fashion and beauty. The mission? To make the world a better place.

When I went backstage before the show, I experienced their unmistakable artistic craftsmanship first hand, which can also be found in their iconic fragrance Flowerbomb which got a new addition to the perfume family with Flowerbomb Midnight, a mysterious, floral and sensual facet, enveloped for the first time in a sumptuous radical black bottle. Spellbinding and captivating, sparkling and intimate, this eau de parfum for women celebrates midnight, a moment of transformation where women can let their sensuality explode.

Flowerbomb Midnight is a long-lasting floral-chypre-fruity perfume, an olfactory bomb of sensuality designed around night-blooming jasmine. Also called «queen of the night,» this mysterious flower only blooms and reveals her captivating scent when the day falls. Layered with the intoxicating second-skin patchouli and musk accord, vanilla and praline, it gives Flowerbomb Midnight its tremendous depth and contrast. The powerful fruity notes of blackcurrant and pomegranate accord sparkle while bergamot adds a fresh, zesty note enhanced by spicy, aromatic pink pepper. This mouth watering new fragrance was created by four famous noses, Dominique Ropion, Domitille Michalon-Bertier, Carlos Benaïm and Fanny Bal. In Switzerland, Flowerbomb Midnight is exclusively available at MARIONNAUD.

On the runway, Viktor & Rolf showed magical dresses for the «queen of the night». The moon, the stars, the sun appeared as applications and addition to their futuristic fabrics. With the help of Claudy Jongstra, who has been developing her own textiles over decades, Viktor & Rolf created a collection that is different, almost an epiphany for the fashion savvy.

The artist has her own biodynamic dye garden in the Northern Netherlands where she produces botanical pigments to create dyes for the final artisanal touches to these extraordinary pieces. She is even raising rare Drenthe Heath sheeps, reimagines and reconstructs textile production systems, demonstrating deep respect for the interwoven narratives of materials, landscape, and making processes. A highly innovative artist, Claudy Jongstra has created new territory for wool as a contemporary artistic medium, captured and processed by the designer duo Viktor & Rolf.

The collaboration is outstanding as both partners treat couture like a laboratory and show that haute couture is not outdated yet. That it can be a leader in terms of sustainability.

Furthermore, «spiritual glamour» can be found everywhere, in a rare flower used in a scent, in a fabric that creates a gown or in an artist that wants to make the world a better place with his or her designs. The world of fashion, art and beauty are all interlinked, it is up to us how we want to transport the message ourselves. Let’s drop a bombshell and be our own muses.

Celebrity spotlight at the show: Miss Fame and Christina Aguilera, both boasting the Viktor & Rolf’s unapologetic irreverent slogans and unmistakable artistic craftsmanship from the S/S 2019 Haute Couture collection.

Enjoy more of my impressions below, especially my favorite moment at the end when I met Christina Aguilera.

LoL, Sandra

I got a little shaky… so excited to meet the singer in person!

Everything before a fashion show is last minute.

Personally speaking seeing the craftsmanship and outstanding fabrics so close…

… was a true pleasure and makes you appreciate the work of couture even so much more.

I love watching the make-up artists doing their job.

The eye make-up was outstanding.

Belgian make-up artist Peter Philips, who is currently the creative and image director of Christian Dior makeup, doing the final check-up of the model’s look.

Lots of L’ORÉAL hair spray and fake hair needed for the volume.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht