Sandra‘s Closet

Last week, on the eve of the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, MONTBLANC introduced its brand new Montblanc x Pirelli collection of new lightweight trolleys created in partnership with the Italian motorsport pioneer.

«Mobility, performance and design are essential when it comes to business travel,» says Nicolas Baretzki, Montblanc CEO. «With this partnership, two European icons come together, striving for utmost innovation driven by the pioneering spirit of our founders. We would like our customers to experience our expertly designed travel companions in every step they take to stay connected with the world.»

Built for today’s most discerning and demanding globetrotters who expect efficiency and reliability, the trolleys feature high-performance ball-bearing wheels, a precision handle bar and a functional interior. The sleek aesthetics are enhanced with elegant details inspired by iconic Pirelli design cues including its distinctive tyre mark and an eye-catching yellow colour on the tag.

The Montblanc & Pirelli is limited to 5000 pieces each. Personally speaking, I love the color combination and design of these pieces. Both, the cabin with pocket trolley (CHF 890.00) and the cabin trolley (CHF 750.00) are in stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Montblanc

In the hidden LOEWE land the bunny crossbody bags and bag charms are scampering: any minute fashion’s runway show for Easter will start! Expertly handcrafted from supple and fluffy shearling or leather folded into the shape of a bunny, those playful mini accessories feature a charming pom-pom tail and dot-perforated eyes. Personally speaking, something I would like to find during Easter Egg Hunt.

TO SHOP THE CUTE LOEWE BUNNIES, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Loewe

This spring, embrace soft, sheer color with Always Bare for You by OPI! Six shades in the prettiest neutral, feminine hues offer a hint of color – ideal for anyone seeking a delicate nail look, especially brides and brides-to-be. Inspired by weddings and all the joy surrounding this season of love, Always Bare for You features shades of pink, nude and rose gold in crème and shimmer finishes, as well as pale lilac and soft blue grey rounding out the collection.

A beautifully manicured hand will always command attention especially when showing off your ring. OPI Co-Founder and Brand Ambassador Suzi Weiss-Fischmann suggests for brides to wear a hue like Ring Bear-er, an elegant blue grey, on fingers or toes and check «something blue» off their list.

Always Bare for You by OPI includes these shades in classic Nail Lacquer, Infinite Shine and GelColor formulas: Baby, Take A Vow – Throw Me A Kiss – Chiffon-d of You – Bare My Soul – Engage-meant To Be – Ring Bare-er.

French manicure is trending again.

These new shades are for everyone looking for the perfect nude shade to complement every outfit. Mother’s Day, baby showers, Easter, and even just a sunny morning are all good excuses to embrace a sheer nail.

Available now as Nail Lacquer CHF 19.90 (15ml), Infinite Shine CHF 24.90 (15ml) and as GelColor in-salon treatments for around 6 months.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI

I’m delighted to announce I’ll be speaking at the Creative Women Conference in May in Limassol, Cyprus, sharing my top tips with female entrepreneurs from around the world.

Under the high patronage of the First Lady of the Republic of Cyprus, Andri Anastasiades, Creative Women exists to motivate and inspire women from all walks of life to help them lead, start, and drive their businesses. The annual conference is designed to provide a networking platform for female leaders and entrepreneurs to think bigger for themselves and their businesses by expanding the creative mindset. It’s an opportunity to make lifelong connections, interact with stimulating masterminds, participate in discussions, work on your big vision, and learn real-world strategies and applications.

To see the list of all speakers, click here please.

Surround yourself with women who are leading change in the world and join me in Cyprus from May 2nd – 5th, 2019. The event will be held at the Parklane Luxury Collection Resort and Spa. You can mix and match your package options to enjoy a series of powerful lectures, workshops, networking lunches and dinner, plus more. For more information, click here please.

Creative Women Conference will culminate with the Creative Women Gala Dinner on 4th of May where you will enjoy exquisite cuisine, dancing and spectacular live performances by international star artists and inspirational contributions by special guests from all over the world.

* Sergio Bernal – «The dancer of his generation», the Positano Award prestigious Leonide Massine Prize winner, a ballet and flamenco virtuoso dancer who concurred the best world’s stages and danced with Maya Plisetskaya and Sergei Polunin, a Principal of the National Ballet of Spain.
* Evgeny Khmara – virtuoso pianist, winner of The Hollywood Improvisers Award, star of X Factor.
* Alberto Habib – star virtuoso Lebanese Gypsy Techno violinist.
* 911 band – one of the most successful English pop groups with UK top 10 hits.

Still hesitating? Cyprus is the perfect place to getaway and rethink business and life with powerful minds and thinkers. The combination of warm sunshine, delicious Mediterranean food and regular flights from Europe makes the island a fantastic conference destination, and the ideal place to spend three days discovering and exploring the world of creativity. I am looking forward to hopefully meeting you there…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Creative Women Conference and © Sandra Bauknecht

It’s a PVC party!  If you feel like you’ve been spotting see-through everything lately, you’re not alone. But this season, designers step up their game by choosing vibrant colours, studs, laces or even lucite heels filled with surprises to attract the attention.

Clearly the most stylish shoes of the season!

LoL, Sandra

Logo-perforated PU and faux leather mules by Stella McCartney

Metallic leather and PVC sandals by Prada

Amber Ghost patent-leather and PVC sandals by Alexandre Vauthier

105 patent leather-trimmed leopard-print PVC slingback pumps by Gianvito Rossi

PVC and leather sandals by Dries Van Noten

Faridaravie 100 embellished PVC and mirrored-leather sandals by Christian Louboutin

Milos 105 leather and PVC sandals by Aquazzura

Peggy sandals by Nicholas Kirkwood

Paradise leopard-print wood & PVC clogs by Sophia Webster

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Got a jam-packed summer of festivals lined up? Whilst letting loose and embracing the dirt is all part of the festival experience, a few days of minimal showering and little sleep doesn’t exactly make for the best look. The key is to pack light, look after your skin and keep to multitasking makeup in your beauty bag. Below are some tent-proof products to get you festival-ready:

Luminizing Powder – Grande Dame by RMS Beauty
This pressed powder imparts a subtle yet radiant glow that’s perfect for every day to achieve a fast and lasting complexion.

Amethyst Bottle by GLACCE
Childhood friends Sharon Leslie and Julia Schoen grew up in New Orleans and were affected by Hurricane Katrina, so they decided to use crystal healing to spread comfort, gratitude, and love in the community – that’s how GLACCE was born. The removable amethyst crystal is thought to emit calming and creative energy.

A Social Life For Your Hair Finishing Cream, 80ml by Larry King
London’s celebrity hair stylist’s new product line includes this finishing cream that can be used to tame curls and flyaways or to smooth tresses. It’s fragranced with a ‘cloud watching‘ scent, perfect for Coachella.

Boost Supplement (30 capsules) by Form Nutrition
Whenever you need a hit of energy before dancing through fun Coachella Parties, this calming boost formula is a natural caffeine supplement to get you in the zone. Each tablet contains calming Amino Acid L-Theanine to improve attention and alertness, plus a powerful dose of CDP-Choline to maintain healthy mental function and focus.

The Icon Palette by Charlotte Tilbury
Inspired by the musicians and dancers the makeup artist used to party with in her heyday, it offers everything you need to enhance eyes, lips and cheeks. Don’t forget, festival season is not for the shy!

Holi(stick) N3 Deodorant, 50ml by Agent Nateur
Dancing around in the sunshine all day long means you’ll require a reliable, high-performing deodorant. This aluminum-free deodorant is formulated to keep odors at bay without the use of toxic chemicals.

Facial Cleansing Wipes x 15 by Cleanse by Lauren Napier
After a long day soaking up the festival vibes, all you’ll want to do when you get back to the tent is remove your makeup – and the many layers of dirt and grime. Cleansing wipes are the perfect tool to leave you feeling as fresh as a daisy – or near enough!

The Broad Spectrum SPF50 UV Protecting Fluid, 50ml by La Mer
Of course we’re always hoping the sun shines for our festivals, but the truth is, whatever the forecast, protection from the sun’s radiation is an essential. You’ll want to choose a broad-spectrum high SPF sun fluid, that is lightweight like this one by La Mer.
For my Swiss followers: the promo code sandralamer is still active on the Swiss La Mer website until April 30, 2019. Receive some amazing goodies. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE ONLINE SHOP DIRECTLY.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Net-à-Porter

«PARIS-RIVIERA is a floral and luminous fragrance that reflects the joyful, sunny spirit of the Côte d’Azur in the 1920s.» – Olivier Polge

Launched in 2018, the LES EAUX DE CHANEL collection opened a whole new realm of olfactory sensations in the world of CHANEL fragrances : one of freshness and elegance in any situation. Woven with Sicilian and Calabrian citrus, these eaux de toilette invite you to travel, to escape without reason and sail away. With LES EAUX DE CHANEL, there is no need to go anywhere to savor the scent of faraway places on the skin.

Inspired by destinations dear to Gabrielle Chanel, and created by Olivier Polge in cooperation with the CHANEL Laboratory of Fragrance Creation and Development, LES EAUX DE CHANEL are adds a new destination: PARIS-RIVIERA. Rare and exclusive, the new motionless escape will be available for one year starting June 1, 2019.

Gabrielle Coco Chanel and Misia Sert

The mere mention of its name conjures up images of a coastline winding its way between the Alps and the Mediterranean. Bringing the promise of azure blue and dancing sunlight, the Riviera evokes an enveloping softness and the lazy days of summer. From the far south bordering Italy and Monte Carlo to the Var, artists and creators from around the world were drawn to this Mediterranean coast as early as the 1920s. Thanks to her friend Misia Sert who introduced her to Venice, the gateway to the Orient, Gabrielle Chanel began sojourning on the Riviera in 1920.

Gabrielle Chanel and Count Sala at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco.

She loved driving to Monaco with the Grand Duke Dimitri or travelling south on the Train Bleu, a means of transport made famous by Serge de Diaghilev who wrote a ballet by the same name and entrusted the costume design to Mademoiselle Chanel. She could often be found on the Côte d’Azur during the Roaring Twenties, one day on the Duke of Westminster’s yacht in Monte Carlo, another at her regular haunt, the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco, or at the Société des Bains de Mer resort
known for its legendary parties. Gabrielle Chanel also frequented Cannes, where she opened a boutique, and joined the painters and writers who flocked to Saint-Tropez, which was but a fishing port at the time.

Gabrielle Chanel at her villa «La Pausa»

But a little to the East, on the heights of Roquebrune, is where she chose to point her compass and have her villa «La Pausa» built. Mademoiselle oversaw every last architectural detail, and had olive groves and fields of lavender planted. She made it her permanent vacation home, where she entertained a number of celebrities such as Jean Cocteau and Salvador Dalí. There in her beloved southern France, Gabrielle Chanel wove a tapestry of moments suspended in time and joyful memories.

Her bathroom inside «La Pausa»

The fantasy-filled world of the Riviera inspired perfumer-creator Olivier Polge to compose a luminous and elegant fragrance. «The dream Côte d’Azur of the 1920s is what guided the development of this new fragrance,» explains Olivier Polge. «A sun-filled Eden that was a magnet
for artists. The flawless architecture of the villas in those days. The
bright and happy atmosphere of party nights…»

The perfumer noticed a remarkable lightheartedness in the pictures of Gabrielle Chanel surrounded by friends, her face upturned to the sun, and incarnated it with a fragrance of Mediterranean flowers bathed in fresh citrus. He teamed jasmine with a unique quality of neroli from the orange
blossoms found in the South of France. «For years, we have worked with a cooperative in Vallauris that distills orange blossoms grown in the region’s private gardens», recounts Olivier Polge. «The owners of bitter orange groves bring the petals picked from their trees to this cooperative to be processed on location. The local climate yields an extremely pure essence.»

Les Eaux de CHANEL collection: Paris-Deauville, Paris-Venise and Paris-Biarritz

The airy signature scent of the LES EAUX DE CHANEL collection is instantly recognizable on the skin: a refreshing veil of orange peel and petit grain. Then emerges the pairing of jasmine and neroli with enveloping fullness. Over time, an irresistible softness fuses with the floral impression : it is the work of benzoin balm and sandalwood. The PARIS-RIVIERA eau de toilette creates a snapshot of summer with a single spray. A promise of azure blue and sun on the skin. A one-way trip to a legendary Mediterranean coast.

Available in limited edition from June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 at CHANEL stores and on chanel.com. Paris-Riviera Eau de Toilette Vaporisateur 125 ml for CHF 155.00.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL, © Monte-Carlo SBM archives

This week, Cartier presented its new jewellery signature line «Clash de Cartier» in Paris. English-Brazilian actress Kaya Scodelario is the face and captures the duality of this collection perfectly. She will next appear in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, a film about serial killer Ted Bundy, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and will be released internationally on May 3rd.

The new collection shakes up the Maison’s aesthetic heritage of studs, beads and clous carrés. Together, they form a singular, ribbed mesh deriving from a clash of attitudes.

Jewellery that’s sharp? Yes, but soft to the touch. Geometric? Yes, but generously sized and feminine. Mechanical? Yes, as all of the pieces are assembled yet free to move. At its essence is opposition: bright, feminine curves and soft contours are contrasted with the nervous tension of a taut structure.

Clash de Cartier possesses an innate sense of proportion that draws on pure Cartier style. In volumes and reliefs, circles and squares, the collection honours the Maison’s penchant for geometry which dates back to the 1930s.

A classic style? No! It’s neo-classical, singular, unisex, whimsical. Bright, flowing, pulsating, Clash de Cartier breaks up the conventional architecture of shapes. The studs are held in place but free to move. This subtle motion entices light to flit and flicker; the metal seems softer. Crafted in 4N pink gold, the rings can be stacked and layered in all versions.

Behind the clean lines and even spacing, Clash de Cartier is a highly complex feat of craftsmanship.
How are the studs interconnected yet mobile? The ingenious articulated mechanism was entirely developed by the jewellery workshops. Each element is mounted and polished. Each step calls for a new technique, just the right tool.

The Clash de Cartier piece is precisely calibrated to magnetise the forces, to hold the studs in place. The buff-top domed clous carrés are finished with a bright polish that is produced over a series of operations. In a final sophisticated touch, the inside of each piece is delicately scalloped for comfortable wear.

In stores now, for more information about the collection and the movie, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Cartier 

Here is my outfit that I wore to the Gruner + Jahr Spa Awards in Baden-Baden. The photos were taken in the beautiful park of Brenner’s Park Hotel & Spa where the cherry blossom trees were stunningly blooming going hand in hand with the arrival of spring.

My look: Off-the-shoulder ruffled silk-georgette dress by Giambattista Valli, Cassandre small suede shoulder bag, Bianca leather sandals, and python embossed leather belt, all by Saint Laurent, pearl earrings by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A weekend of beauty! For the 23rd time the Gruner + Jahr SPA AWARDS (formerly GALA SPA AWARDS) were awarded in the end of March in Baden-Baden at the beautiful Brenner’s Park Hotel that is part of the Oetker Collection. My avid readers might remember my time to unwind at Villa Stéphanie, their «House of Wellbeing» next door. For me, it was an absolute pleasure to be back at one of my favorite places to detox and relax. I enjoyed the warm temperatures in the garden next to the blossoming cherry blossom trees after a wonderful facial and massage before getting ready for the night.

How beautiful is Brenner’s Park Hotel’s pool when you see the cherry blossom trees blossoming outside?!

The Gruner + Jahr SPA AWARDS are among the most important international beauty and spa awards. In addition to winners in six categories, two outstanding personalities are awarded the «Beauty Idol» and the «Special Prize». Personally speaking, I have a close relationship to Gruner + Jahr as my first job after my studies was at German Marie Claire magazine that belonged 50% to the  publishing house.

Spoiled upon arrival in the room…

Over 200 invited guests from the cosmetics industry, well-known representatives of the luxury hotel industry, from culture and show business gathered at the Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, among them Franziska Knuppe, Eva Padberg, Motsi Mabuse, Joachim Llambi, and Verona Pooth. Scroll through the best moments of the weekend, the bright winners and the glamorous looks of the evening that was hosted by Barbara Schöneberger, who is truly one of the most entertaining women I know.

Model Miranda Kerr is Beauty Idol 2019
The «Beauty Idol» was awarded to Miranda Kerr, the famous Australian «Victoria’s Secret» angel. Miranda is known not only as a top model, but also as an entrepreneur. Together with her mother Therese Kerr, she runs a beauty brand for sustainable natural cosmetics under the label «KORA Organics» (TO SHOP KORA ORGANICS, CLICK HERE PLEASE.). In addition, Miranda Kerr, a certified health coach and practicing buddhist, has dedicated herself to the topic of empowerment: In 2010, she published her first book «Treasure Yourself», followed by «Empower Yourself» in 2013. Despite her success, Miranda Kerr is very much down to earth and announced that she is pregnant with baby number three that night. For this inspirational personality, the jury honored her this year as «Beauty Idol» in 2019.

To read a previous interview I did with Miranda about her travel tips for Australia, click here please.

Special Prize for Günther Bonin
This year, the «Special Prize» went to environmental protector Günther Bonin, who set up the organization «One Earth – One Ocean». Together with his team of experts and volunteers, he developed the concept for a «maritime garbage collection». This special coastal waste collection catamaran, the so-called «SeeKuh», fishes floating plastic parts on the water surface with the help of a net. It uses solar energy and can pick up two tons of garbage per trip, which can then be recycled ashore. In addition to cleaning up the waters and seas, Günther Bonin wants to provide information in the long term, so that not so much garbage gets into the environment. The jury thanked Günther Bonin for his special commitment with the «Special Prize».

All other award winners at a glance:

Category «Luxury Concepts»: Shiseido – Future Solution LX / Intensive Firming Contour Serum

Category «Innovation Concepts»: Foreo – Foreo Ufo

Category «Cult Concepts»: Nivea – Q10 Series

Category «Organic Concepts»: Dr. Hauschka – Regeneration Day Cream 

Category «Medical & Health Concepts»: Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa – Spa Nescens, Switzerland

Category «Spa Concepts»: – Corinthia Hotel London – ESPA Life at Corinthia, United Kingdom

From left to right: Award winners Thomas Kochs (ESPA Life at Corinthia), Hans-Peter Veit (Victoria Jungfrau Frau Hotel & Spa), Maren Speckmann-Munz and Nicoline Woehrle (Dr. Hauschke), Kerstin Unger (Nivea), beauty idol Miranda Kerr, Editor-in-chief Gala Anne Meyer-Minnemann, host Barbara Schoeneberger, winners Günther Bonin, Johannes Scheer (Shiseido Group Germany) and Audrey de Saint Priest (Foreo) with their awards.

Switzerland in the house: with my dear Alana Netzer.

Barbara Schöneberger and CEO Oetker Collection Frank Marrenbach on stage.

A true beauty idol: Miranda Kerr

Eva Padberg with me

Anne Meyer-Minnemann and Cathy Hummels

Franjo and Verena Pooth

GNTM juror and celebrity make-up artist Armin Morbach with me

Franziska Knuppe

Always fun times with Princess Lilly Sayn-Wittgenstein

Let’s Dance: Motsi Mabuse, Joachim Llambi and Victoria Swarovski

The night culminated in a fun after party… thank God we had lots of beauty products in our room to look fresh the next day.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of GALA, © Axel Kirchhof/Gala, the respective locations and © Sandra Bauknecht