Sandra‘s Closet

A rare moment in Boston: me in jeans and frizzy hair, stuck in an underground garage due to heavy rain, called for: beauty queen of the force of nature.

Bright orange, against concrete. That was the situation. Later at Puttshack Boston, indoor mini golf, part game, part spectacle. Caution: I was unstoppable.

My look: Dioriviera cashmere sweater «Mykonos» (S/S 2022) by Dior, butterfly embroidered jeans by Valentino, ruched belt with butterfly buckle (Gucci Garden), and  Screener sneakers by Gucci, orange red mirror quilted runway shield sunglasses (S/S 2016) by CHANEL, «All Aboard» bandana silk scarf 55 in orange / white / black, and Evelyne 16 mini canvas shoulder bag in Clemence leather in Orange Minium, both by Hermès.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Louis Vuitton unveils a new Horological Masterpiece: an Automata Watch that transcends time and imagination and that made me fall in love with it.

La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton shatters the codes of conventional watchmaking aesthetics with its latest in-house exploration of colour and movement. The Tambour Taiko Arty Automata embarks on new adventures through contemporary high watchmaking, in nimble pursuit of the unique rhapsodies of horological automata and grand feu enamel. Taking inspiration from the House’s numerous artist collaborations, the audacious dial design is characterised by the vibrant interplay of shape and form, evoking the springtime in all its sensorial splendor.

Since 2021, the finely honed use of horological automata has distinguished the exceptional high watchmaking creations of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. Unmatched as a mechanical means of expression, horological automata have featured in milestone pieces such as the Carpe Diem and the Fiery Heart to amplify their inherent dynamism and technical mastery. The new Tambour Taiko Arty Automata is the latest timepiece to channel Louis Vuitton’s in-house expertise in complex animated dials, conveying a message of unrestrained delight and shared joy through generous volumes of brightly hued champlevé enamel. Driving the watch is the automatic in-house Calibre LFT AU05.01, developed and manufactured by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. A total of seven animated elements make up the dial automata, creating an expertly orchestrated mechanical dance, in addition to the continuous rotation of a one-minute tourbillon.

Within the confines of its 42mm white-gold case, the Tambour Taiko Arty Automata runs riot with colour and movement. A multi-tiered dial comprises 20 miniature elements spread over four different height levels, giving the watch its extraordinary richness of texture and dimension. On this artisanal canvas, luscious swirls of pastel shades create a subtle backdrop, while the hours and minutes stand out against a subdial tinted with the warmer end of the spectrum. Four Monogram Flowers with diamond pistils are scattered around the time display, gradient-blended and outlined in a palette reminiscent of 1970s-era sunburst tie-dye.

A flying tourbillon at the 6 o’clock position of the dial balances its ceaseless motion by introducing an emblem of harmony and repose. The upper tourbillon bridge is in the shape of the peace symbol, first designed in 1958 and subsequently adopted as visual shorthand for universal love. The word «LOVE» is prominently spelled out in pink enamel just above the tourbillon aperture, the fluid form of its letters evoking the spontaneity and authenticity of human emotion in the moment.

Most striking of all are the three elements to the left of the dial and their depth of detail, an eye with a dramatic fringe of lashes made from real feathers, a pair of glossy red lips with perfectly white teeth, and wedged between those teeth, a shiny candy-pink heart.

The ultra-sensorial design does not end with a static tableau, as multi-layered and visually captivating as it already is. It takes a single touch of its wearer to bring the Tambour Taiko Arty Automata to life.

The Louis Vuitton Tambour Taiko Arty Automata highlights exceptional hand craftsmanship, combining multiple artisanal techniques, most notably the complex champlevé enamel process.

This technique requires hollowing out surfaces, carefully layering enamel, and firing each color at specific temperatures in a precise sequence. Particularly challenging are the vivid red, pink, and purple tones, which are highly sensitive to heat. Creating elements like the glossy, curved lips on the dial demands multiple enamel layers and great expertise.

In total, the dial uses 23 enamel shades and requires over 250 hours of meticulous manual work, reflecting the rarity and technical mastery behind the piece.

Male model’s wrist size: 18cm/7.09 in
Female model’s wrist size: 15cm/5.91 in

The Louis Vuitton Tambour Taiko Arty Automata carries the reference W9WG71 and is offered as a limited edition through Louis Vuitton boutiques. The 42 mm white gold case is water-resistant up to 50 meters. The price is approximately $ 485,000, which corresponds to around € 420,000, depending on the market.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton Still life visuals: Ulysse Frechelin Know-how visuals: Piotr Stoklosa
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Snow, sun, rain, the past days in Boston had it all. The only constant: relentless wind. Hair everywhere, nothing in place… and yet, the look held its own.

And somehow, it feels fitting. Boston is often considered the windiest city in the U.S. (despite what many think). Chicago may be called The Windy City, but the nickname actually comes from its famously «windy» politicians, not the weather.

My look: Cropped cotton tweed jacket in blue, matching belted tweed mini dress, and Kat platform boots, all by GANNI, crystal-embellished earrings by Self-Portrait, butterfly sunglasses with grey pearl chain, and mini rectangle flap bag in pearly lambskin with black-tone metal, both by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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As summer settles over New York City, one of the Upper East Side’s most refined addresses, The Mark Hotel, reintroduces its quietly iconic ritual: an evening at sea aboard its elegant 70-foot Herreshoff sailboat.

Beginning May 30, 2026, guests are invited to step seamlessly from the polished calm of Madison Avenue life into something altogether more cinematic. Departing from Chelsea Piers, the two-hour voyage glides across the Hudson at golden hour, offering uninterrupted views of Manhattan’s skyline and landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, as timeless as the vessel itself.

On board, the experience unfolds with studied discretion. A curated selection of gourmet bites arrives courtesy of The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges or the storied Caviar Kaspia, paired with wines chosen by the hotel’s head sommelier. The mood is less excursion, more floating salon, intimate, indulgent, and unmistakably New York.

Sailings run from 6:30 to 8:30 PM throughout the season (with the exception of a special Father’s Day cruise on June 21). Tickets are priced at $640 per guest and may be arranged through the hotel.

For those seeking something more private, bespoke charters for up to 25 guests offer a heightened level of exclusivity, with tailored menus and minimum spends beginning at $15,000.

It is, in essence, summer in New York at its most rarefied, where the city’s energy softens into something slower, quieter, and infinitely more decadent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © The Mark Hotel
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The epitome of a catsuit and quite literally so. An Alex Perry silhouette in animal print, bold yet razor-sharp in its elegance, worn for a night that called for exactly that energy.

We celebrated my daughter’s 24th at Blind Duck at the Raffles Hotel in Boston, a night of dancing, laughter, and that effortless kind of joy you wish you could bottle. Some evenings stay with you. This one certainly will.

My look: Oversized black blazer by Stella McCartney, ruched leopard-print devoré-chiffon jumpsuit by Alex Perry, Aevitas pointy stud leather platform pumps by Versace, embellished aviator-style recycled-acetate and gold-tone sunglasses by Bottega Veneta, Kelly Pochette Cut clutch in black Swift leather with gold hardware by Hermès, and Mitza ring by Dior Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

.Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Felicia Sewerinsson @feliciasewerinsson
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Wishing you a beautiful Easter weekend from Boston. I’m in full 2-in-1 mode, quietly preparing for my daughter’s birthday as she turns 24 tomorrow. Time really does fly.

Last night, I slipped into one of those perfect Boston evenings with friends, ending up at My Girl, a hidden speakeasy-style gem with live music and an atmosphere that feels both intimate and electric. Effortless, a little decadent, and exactly the kind of place you hope to stumble upon but rarely do.

The interior design is really beautiful. Inspired by the warmth and ease of old Havana, the space balances elegance with intimacy, textured woods, soft light, and a rhythm that lingers long after the glass is empty. Each drink and detail is considered, each moment meant to be felt.

A truly special night and a spot I can only recommend.

My Girl Boston
10 Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109

LoL, Sandra

So in love with my friend’s beautiful caviar clutch by Judith Leiber Couture.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and via My Girl
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With a meticulous renovation and a quietly confident sense of arrival, Oetker Collection Hotels unveils its first U.S. «Masterpiece Hotel»: THE VINETA HOTEL.

Set behind its historic Mediterranean Revival façade, the 41-room property has been reimagined by Tino Zervudachi, whose signature balance of restraint and refinement brings a distinctly European sensibility to Palm Beach. Soft whites and ocean blues meet terrazzo, Venetian plaster, and subtle 1930s references, creating an atmosphere that feels both timeless and gently playful.

At the heart of the hotel, Coco’s restaurant blends indoor-outdoor living with a warm, terracotta-toned palette. The menu, led by Executive Chef Brian Rodriguez and shaped in collaboration with Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, draws from the South of France, think Eden Roc sea bass, steak Diane, and delicately composed crudo, while the botanical cocktail concept adds a light, distinctly Palm Beach ease.

The pool scene leans into retro glamour with a modern lightness: mosaic details, lush greenery, and an atmosphere designed less for spectacle and more for effortless living. From yoga by the water to discreet, personalized service, everything feels considered without ever becoming overworked.

More than a reopening, the Vineta marks a return, reviving a storied Palm Beach address with a new, quietly luxurious rhythm. Intimate, sunlit, and unmistakably refined, it captures the destination at its most elegant.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © The Oetker Collection
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For the opening of the Victoria and Albert Museum exhibition dedicated to Schiaparelli – Fashion Becomes Art, I returned to a look that feels almost personal by now.

Worn once before on a beautiful evening in Paris, it carries that rare quality of a piece that doesn’t fade with time, it deepens. In the showroom setting, surrounded by the house’s surreal codes and enduring legacy, the outfit felt entirely at home: sculptural, precise, and quietly audacious.

Schiaparelli has always lived in that space between art and instinct, and this look captures exactly that. One of my favorites, not only for how it looks, but for how it stays with you.

My look: Jacquard basque jacket, and matching jacquard bustier dress, Anatomy jewelry bag, dove necklace, and large eye ring, all by Schiaparelli, and lipstick heels in satin by Christian Louboutin.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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La Petite Maison arrives on Marbella’s Golden Mile with a new beachfront outpost at Puente Romano Marbella, bringing its unmistakable Riviera spirit to the Costa del Sol.

There are places that feel instantly familiar, no matter where in the world you encounter them. For me, La Petite Maison has always been one of them, whether in Cannes, where it has long been a favorite, or in moments that carry a more personal resonance. Hosting my wedding welcome dinner here in Marbella at the Puente Romano many years ago made it more than just a place; it became part of a memory I return to often, before the celebrations continued at the Marbella Club Hotel.

The new seaside setting feels like a natural extension of the house’s philosophy: light-filled, effortless, and quietly refined. Under the direction of chef Yiannis Kioroglou, the menu remains true to its essence, ingredient-led, generous, and unmistakably Mediterranean. Signature dishes, from delicate yellowtail carpaccio to the iconic sea bass «à la Nicole,» speak in the same clear, elegant language that defines the brand.

From long, sunlit lunches to evenings that unfold into something more vibrant, the rhythm of the day is seamless, guided by music, atmosphere, and that particular art de vivre La Petite Maison embodies so well.

A new address, perhaps, but one that, for me, feels deeply, beautifully familiar.

And, as I’m writing this from Boston, it feels especially fitting that La Petite Maison is also set to open here in summer 2026 at Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street in Back Bay, its first address in the Northeast, bringing a touch of the Riviera to the city.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © LPM
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PUMA x JIL SANDER Introduce the K-Street

PUMA and JIL SANDER continue their ongoing dialogue with the launch of the K-Street, a sneaker that distills movement into its most refined form.

Following the revival of the King Avanti in 2025, the K-Street builds on a shared language of clarity, precision, and function. Designed under the direction of Simone Bellotti, the silhouette is defined by its slim, contoured fit and ultra-thin sole, tracing the natural lines of the foot with a sense of both softness and tension.

Fluid, almost aerodynamic in its construction, the design conveys a quiet sense of speed. It merges references from different disciplines: an upper inspired by PUMA’s archival H-Street running shoe meets a karate-influenced sole, giving the sneaker both its name and its distinctive stance.

Available in suede, canvas, and nylon across three colorways, the K-Street balances material contrast with understated precision. Co-branded details remain subtle, reinforcing the collaboration’s restrained aesthetic.

At its core, the project reflects JIL SANDER’s signature minimalism, where structure meets lightness, and continues a partnership with PUMA that has long explored the intersection of sport and fashion.

The unisex K-Street launches globally on April 8, 2026, with selected editions exclusive to JIL SANDER stores and online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Puma x Jil Sander
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