Sandra‘s Closet

Marbella has always known how to seduce. I got married there. But this summer, the pool at Nobu Hotel Marbella has been transformed into something altogether more intoxicating. Amouage, the Omani luxury house whose perfumes read like love letters to the senses, has taken over one of the most storied pools on the Golden Mile with Love Hibiscus, the newest chapter of its Secret Garden collection. The result is an immersive sensory world that turns an afternoon in the Andalusian sun into something closer to ceremony.

Scarlet accents command the scene from every angle, from the sun loungers to the parasols, all united in a palette as vivid and unapologetic as the hibiscus blossom itself. The pool menu, naturally, has been reimagined for the occasion. A bespoke Hibiscus Iced Drink gleams in the afternoon light, accompanied by delicate Hibiscus Palm Hearts, a pairing at once refined and deeply sensorial.

«The heart note of salted caramel is a homage to the palm hearts of my childhood, soft, familiar, and yet surprising. Combined with the radiant luminosity of the hibiscus flower, what emerges is a composition full of warmth and sensuality. Opening the summer at the pool of Nobu Hotel Marbella feels like a natural continuation of that memory.» – Renaud Salmon, Chief Creative Officer of Amouage.

Pop-Up and Masterclasses: An Invitation Behind the Curtain

At the heart of the takeover stands a beautifully conceived pop-up store, designed around Amouage’s iconic Caterpillar Table and offering guests a rare point of access to the world of Love Hibiscus. Fragrance experts lead weekly sessions through the collection with a thoroughness that never loses its sense of wonder. Every purchase is accompanied by a hand-crafted silk flower, made in Milan, alongside an exclusive sample to carry the memory home.

For the true devotee, private Amouage Masterclasses take place poolside each week, limited to just ten guests at a time. These intimate gatherings offer a deep immersion into the secrets of the fragrance house, with hibiscus-themed culinary highlights, an exclusive gift, and the singular pleasure of having a resident artist create a hand-painted postcard tailored to each guest. It is the kind of personalised luxury that no algorithm can replicate.

From Suite to Reception: A Hotel Transformed

The Love Hibiscus experience does not begin and end at the water’s edge. On arrival, guests discover the scent already waiting in their rooms, introduced as the hotel’s new welcome amenity. At the reception, beautifully curated fragrance testers invite a moment of pause and discovery. For guests of the exclusive villas, the full Love Hibiscus bath collection awaits, including the Shower Gel and Hair Mist, each one a small ritual engineered for what can only be described as a perfect summer glow.

The DNA of a Collaboration

Amouage was founded in 1983 as «The Gift of Kings,» born from a commission by Sultan Qaboos bin Said as an exclusive offering for distinguished guests of the Sultanate of Oman. The house has since become a cultured obsession among perfume lovers and collectors alike, its creations consistently occupying a rarefied space where opulence and artistry meet.

Love Hibiscus, created in collaboration with master perfumer Jérôme Epinette, draws inspiration from the hibiscus of the Omani landscape. Scarlet, gourmand, and defiantly opulent, the fragrance finds its summer home with an elegance that feels almost predestined. The hibiscus, after all, grows in the gardens close to the hotel’s own shores, its petals catching the same sun-drenched light that defines the legendary Golden Mile.

The Amouage x Nobu Pool experience is open daily from 11am to 7pm. Pack your sunglasses. Summer in Marbella has never been this intense.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Nobu Hotel Marbella
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DRESSED FOR THE TOP: What «Ladies First» Gets Brilliantly Right

Sometimes the most important things happen when you slow down. Over the Whitsun weekend in the English countryside, I made a conscious decision to step away from the noise of social media and work obligations and simply breathe. I read, I rested, and I watched a film that has been dividing audiences since it landed on Netflix: «Ladies First«, starring Rosamund Pike and Sacha Baron Cohen, directed by Thea Sharrock.

Let me say this clearly: I loved it.

I loved Rosamunde Pike’s performance in «Ladies First».

Yes, the critics have been ruthless. The reviews have been unkind. But I found myself completely charmed, not despite the film’s unapologetic playfulness, but because of it. «Ladies First» reminds me of the romantic comedies of the nineties and early two-thousands, films that dared to be funny and warm and utterly unashamed of themselves. In a landscape of relentlessly self-serious cinema, there is something genuinely refreshing about a film that winks at you and then makes you think.

The premise is deceptively simple: a swaggering male chauvinist, played with wonderfully committed physicality by Baron Cohen, wakes up in a parallel world where women hold all the power, and men occupy every diminished, overlooked, and underestimated role that women have quietly endured for centuries. It sounds like a comedy setup. And it is. But beneath the laughs lies something that is, when you sit with it, genuinely sobering.

Because the joke only lands if we recognise the truth it is built on.

The film earns those laughs honestly. When the men are womensplained to in board meetings, when someone is called testerical, when the power lunch happens at Burger Queen, when he has to shop at Cockette, and when, in perhaps the film’s most quotable moment, someone declares «he got us by the ovaries.» I laughed out loud. Genuinely. The kind of laugh that reminds you why great comedy, however cheesy, is never a small thing.

The reality is that women remain startlingly underrepresented at the top of almost every major industry. What «Ladies First» does, wrapped in all its glorious cheesiness, is hold a mirror up to a dynamic most of us encounter on a regular basis and simply accept. The question the film poses, the one that stayed with me long after the credits rolled, is whether women would behave differently if we truly held that power. My honest answer: yes, I believe we would. And I think that is something worth celebrating.

But there is another conversation the film opens up, and it is one I find especially compelling as someone who lives and breathes fashion. In this reimagined world, the visual language of power shifts entirely. Clothes become a different kind of currency, and the film understands, perhaps more than it is given credit for, that what you wear is never simply what you wear.

The power of a good jacket: Power Shoulders

Fashion has always been a form of communication that requires no words. Research has consistently reinforced what those of us who dress with intention already know instinctively. A 2019 Harvard Business Review study found that 85 percent of professionals perceive well-dressed individuals as more competent, regardless of gender. Psychologists describe this through the concept of «enclothed cognition,» the idea that clothing does not merely reflect our state of mind but actively shapes it. When you dress with authority, you think and move with authority. The two are inseparable.

Nothing beats a well cut suit in a great hue: Never Seen Together 

This does not mean we need to borrow from a masculine wardrobe. That conversation belongs to another era. True power dressing today is about intention. It is a sharp, beautifully cut blazer worn with a silk slip skirt. It is a confident colour when the room expects beige. It is structure and precision and the quiet, undeniable statement of a woman who knows exactly what she is doing before she has said a single word. And let us not forget: we also look incredible in a men’s suit. That is our advantage, and it always has been. We can wear everything. Femininity is not the opposite of power. It is, when wielded deliberately, one of its most potent expressions.

One of my favorite suits in my closet that is inspired by menswear: Istanbul Memories

Ladies First may not be the film the critics wanted. But it might just be the film we needed. It is funny, it is generous, and hidden inside its warm, crowd-pleasing exterior is a question that is anything but trivial.

It is powerful to mix female and male elements: Dream More

What would the world look like if we dressed, and led, on our own terms?

I think we already know the answer.

LoL, Sandra

An unexpected combination of color and cut: Oversized Cool

Changing your appearance is a powerful thing to do: Bang

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Netflix
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Charming beyond words. Nestled in the rolling hills of Buckinghamshire, Hambleden might just be England’s most picture-perfect village, and honestly, it felt like stepping straight onto a film set. The flint stone church, the honey-coloured cottages, the quiet village green, a more beautiful backdrop for an outfit post simply does not exist.

My look: Printed cotton-jersey T-shirt, and Rockstud leather and satin-trimmed crystal-embellished tulle ballet flats, both by Valentino, Wanderlust cropped wide-leg jeans by Zimmermann, My LV Chain pilot sunglasses by Louis Vuitton, Trunk hand-painted leather shoulder bag by Marni, and hoop-drop clip earrings by Saint Laurent.

Wishing you all a wonderful Whitsun weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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London is having a moment. Galleries are unveiling new exhibitions, restaurant terraces are buzzing with an international crowd, and the city’s royal parks are drawing the global it-set like nowhere else this season. At the centre of it all sits The Lanesborough Summer Picnic, a collaboration with Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé that turns an afternoon in Hyde Park into a masterclass in effortless luxury.

Forget the beach. The most stylish escape this summer comes in a picnic basket from one of London’s most storied addresses. Perched at the edge of Hyde Park in Knightsbridge, The Lanesborough has long been synonymous with Regency grandeur and impeccable service. Its 93 rooms, 48 suites, and signature butler service set the tone before you even step outside.

Executive Chef Shay Cooper has designed a menu that feels as considered as a couture look: smoked London Cure salmon with blinis and capers, burrata with Marinda tomatoes and pomegranate, wild mushroom and truffle filo parcels, and a Sutton Hoo chicken terrine. Scones with clotted cream and fresh English strawberries with vanilla Chantilly cream bring things to a deliciously classic close. Every course finds its match in a perfectly chilled bottle of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé.

Available daily until 6 September 2026, priced at £295 for two with champagne included. Summer in London, done right.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of The Lanesborough
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Yesterday in London was one of those days that remind me why I love this city so much.

TABAYER

Two invitations, both about jewelry, both in the hands of houses that understand beauty as something more than surface. First, lunch at Hide in Mayfair with Tabayer hosted by The Floorr.

With the loveliest hosts Lupe Puerta (The Floorr) and Nyree Tanielian

Founded in 2021 by Nigora Tokhtabayeva, it is one of the most quietly compelling jewelry brands to emerge in recent years. Each piece is rooted in the ancient symbolism of protection, reinterpreted through a modernist, sculptural lens and crafted in Italy using Fairmined certified gold and ethically sourced diamonds. The signature Oera collection draws on Inanna’s Knot, a Mesopotamian symbol of fertility and guardianship, distilled into forms that feel both elemental and entirely of the moment. Jewelry that carries weight, in the most beautiful sense of the word.

With my dear friend Lupe Puerta, founder of The Floorr.

With my dear friend Anouschka who flew in from Frankfurt for the occasion.

BVLGARI

Lupe and I on the steps of the Bvlgari store on New Bond Street.

Later in the evening, I headed to Bvlgari for a truly special night filled with champagne, whisky tasting, and inspiring conversations. The event celebrated the latest creations presented during Watches and Wonders, including the stunning new Bvlgari Octo Finissimo timepiece, which once again showcased the brand’s incredible innovation and elegance.

With Catherine Eberle-Devaux, Bvlgari Watch Communication Director, and Dr. Bill Lumsden, who heads up Glenmorangie’s innovations and has been with the company for more than 25 years. I had met him before at an event in Zurich and it was lovely to see him again.

But beyond the jewelry and watches, evenings like these are always about something even more meaningful to me,  reconnecting with friends in London, sharing conversations, exchanging ideas, and simply enjoying the atmosphere of being surrounded by beautiful things and inspiring people.

With lovely Akram from the Bvlgari London team. We have been knowing each other from Valentino.

It was one of those rare days that felt effortless from beginning to end, and I went to bed feeling genuinely grateful.

LoL, Sandra

With fashion designer Olga Vilshenko.

Beautiful Bvlgari handbags designed by Mary Katrantzou.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Between Parisian effortless elegance and Brazilian ease, Isabel Marant and Havaianas unveil their first limited-edition collaboration, imagined as the must-have of the summer.

The collection introduces two distinct silhouettes: a reinterpretation of Havaianas’ classic styles through Isabel Marant’s signature prints and textured finishes, bringing a refined yet directional edge to the brand’s iconic designs; alongside the new Havaianas Puffed, adding bold volume and a contemporary edge while preserving the comfort and lightness that define the brand.

Designed to move seamlessly between beach destinations and city streets, the collection captures a relaxed yet elevated vision of summer dressing, where ease, personality, and style naturally converge.

Here is your exclusive early access to discover and shop the collection online ahead of its official in-store and online launch on May 22.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Isabel Marant and Havaianas
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Gabriela Hearst and Paul Smith release a limited edition collection, developed organically from a mutual passion for craftsmanship and tailoring.

The collection came to fruition from their longstanding friendship, stemming from a shared inspiration of family with archival images of Paul’s father serving as the narrative thread, reflecting their personal histories and the values that connect them.

Reflecting on the essence of the Gabriela Hearst woman, Paul Smith instinctively returned to two photographs taken in the British countryside by his father – a textile professional and amateur lensman – during the 1950s and 1960s. One captures the quiet majesty of a mountain; the other, the fluid movement of a waterfall. Nature has influenced Hearst’s work since the beginning, in both spirit and practice. A long-time admirer of Paul Smith’s work, she grew up on a ranch in Uruguay where objects were made to last and every piece had a purpose.

Across fourteen men’s and women’s pieces, traditional tailoring becomes a canvas for exploration. Silk satin trench coats and bias-cut slip dresses evoke shifting horizons. Virgin wool barré suiting carries all-over landscape prints. And soft cashmere crewnecks in spaced-dyed Welfat yarn are hand-knit by Manos del Uruguay, a nonprofit cooperative supporting economic independence for women in rural communities.

The limited-edition collection is now available at Gabriela Hearst flagship stores in Beverly Hills, New York,and London, and at gabrielahearst.com as well at Paul Smith boutiques and paulsmith.com.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gabriela Hearst / Paul Smith
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London has a way of making you feel anything is possible. Standing in front of the Corinthia Hotel, one of the city’s most iconic addresses, I chose to show up in full bloom: a floral dress, an oversized studded denim jacket, and zero apologies.

Yes, it is a young look. And why ever not? Age is not a dress code. The only rule that matters is whether you feel alive in what you wear. Wear the dress. Add the jacket. Own it completely.

My look: Grizzo oversized studded denim jacket by Khaite, floral dress with white collar by Miu Miu, Cherry leather platform ankle boots, and Niki mini studded quilted textured-leather shoulder bag, both by Saint Laurent, Aquanaut Luce in khaki green by Patek Philippe, and My Monogram square sunglasses by Louis Vuitton.

Stay wild. Stay free.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / @georgiashane
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The New Frontier of Ageless Eyes: Genaissance de la Mer™ The Eye & Expression Ampoule

There are few skincare houses I hold closer to my heart than La Mer. As a long-standing ambassador and devoted fan, I have followed the brand’s evolution with genuine fascination over the years. So when the new Genaissance de la Mer™ The Eye & Expression Ampoule arrived, my excitement was immediate and personal.

Full disclosure: the eye area has always been my personal Achilles heel. Fine lines, expression zones, the inevitable traces of a life well lived and well loved. This is precisely where this extraordinary new ampoule steps in, and it could not feel more perfectly timed.

What sets this formulation apart is its intelligent precision. Rather than simply targeting the eye contour, it addresses the full landscape of expression: crow’s feet, the glabella, the forehead, nasolabial folds and the cheek area. The fact that it goes after zones so many treatments routinely ignore makes this a true expression treatment in the most elevated sense.

At its core is Crystal Miracle Broth™, La Mer’s most rarified ingredient, born from the accidental discovery of crystals forming in a beaker of the legendary Miracle Broth™. Encapsulated in a micro-melting delivery technology, it penetrates skin with remarkable speed, visibly plumping lines and working to reverse the appearance of deeper wrinkles over time. The clinical results are equally compelling: a measurable reduction in crow’s feet after 12 weeks and an immediate visible smoothing effect after just a single application.

Genaissance de la Mer™ The Eye & Expression Ampoule is available for CHF 700 (20ml).
TO SHOP IT ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

I cannot wait to put this to the test. If La Mer’s past is any indication of its future, the skin around my eyes is in very good hands.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © LA MER
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Tbilisi, the city that stole my heart, calls for colour, so I showed up in a full rainbow. I rode the funicular up to the Mother of Georgia statue, lost myself in the colourful Old Town, and walked every inch of Rustaveli Avenue where Georgian fashion proves it belongs on the global stage. The Bridge of Peace over the Kura River is simply spectacular, the sulphur baths of Abanotubani utterly iconic, and a sunset boat ride along the Kura sealed the deal.
Tbilisi is non-negotiable. Put it on the list!

My look: Cardigan in GG multicolor, Ultrapace mid-top sneaker, GG Marmont Multicolour small shoulder bag, and aviator-style metal sunglasses, all by Gucci, Felix sweatpants in storm grey by Alice + Olivia,  Oyster Perpetual 36 Celebration by Rolex, and «Look at Me» tank top by JW Anderson.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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