Sandra‘s Closet

You cannot be everywhere… The same day I flew to Paris for the amazing shoot with Dior, I was also invited to London for another special event.

La Mania – the Polish fashion house under the Honorary Patronage of Karl Lagerfeld – and Galerie Gmurzynska hosted a multimedia event, so-called “Fairy Tale Mania”, presenting La Mania’s F/W 2012 collection and exhibiting the new work of artist Marco Perego. You might recognize Perego’s work from last year’s post when I met him in Zurich.

In case you haven’t heard of La Mania before, here are some facts. The label is the brainchild of Joanna Przetakiewicz, launched in 2010 with the one-of-a-kind blessing by her friend Karl Lagerfeld who has been offering guidance and inspiration to the Polish designer. Joanna is not only wearing her designs, she is also one of the rare Haute Couture clients in the world. The last time I saw her, was at the Stéphane Rolland show in Paris.

The exhibition “Fairy Tale Mania” is open to the public until the end of February at the Royal Opera Arcade Gallery, 5b Pall Mall, London SW1 (free entry). It represents Poland in the International Fashion Showcase project, organized by British Council and British Fashion Council as part of London Fashion Week.

Below you can see some photos of the event in London.

LoL, Sandra

Marco Perego
MY SOUL: Don’t leave me empty…
Painted metal, resin
2011

Isabelle Bscher, daughter of Krystyna Gmurzynska, and artist Marco Perego

Lapo Elkann, Zaha Hadid and Marco Perego

Joanna Przetakiewicz with models in her F/W 2012 collection

Joanna Przetakiewicz with her partner Jan Kulczyk, a prominent Polish business oligarch

Mathias Rastorfer, Zaha Hadid, Isabelle Bscher and Krystyna Gmurzynska
Photos: © Brauer

Last week when I was in Paris for the Dior shoot, another amazing event took place in my favourite city Los Angeles. Drew Barrymore, Winona Ryder and Milla Jovovich were among the guests who attended a party to celebrate the launch of Marni at H&M.

Held in a beautiful Hollywood residence, the evening was hosted by Marni’s Founder and Creative Director, Consuelo Castiglioni, the Director of the Marni at H&M campaign, Sofia Coppola and Margareta van den Bosch, H&M´s Creative Advisor.

The setting, the 1926 Sowden House in Los Feliz, designed by Lloyd Wright, couldn’t have been more magical. The Mayan architecture, tropical palm trees, kilim rugs and cushions were the perfect backdrop for Marni’s signature, playful and tribal aesthetic. The guests were eager to see the collection, which was beautifully displayed in the house’s walk-in closet.

Sofia Coppola, who shot a campaign film for the collection in Marrakech, Morocco, was also at the event, wearing a gold brocade top from Marni at H&M. Many guests at the party were dressed in Marni at H&M included Jessica Chastain and Drew Barrymore. It is a great way to see the collection on real people. For the detailed post on the looks, please click here.

Drew Barrymore

Jessica Chastain

Freida Pinto

Felicity Jones

Consuelo Castiglioni, R Jones and Sofia Coppola

Mel Gibson and Consuelo Castiglioni

“It has been an inspiring night, surrounded by a perfect setting and a great crowd. LA encapsulated the dream! It is not long before Marni at H&M is in the stores, and I am happy to share these magic moments with everybody.”

– Consuelo Castiglioni

Another highlight of the night: Bryan Ferry‘s performance. Remember his show in January at the IWC Top Gun gala event?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M

Since news were out last November that Marni will be the next to collaborate with H&M, I have been waiting curiously for Consuelo Castiglioni’s vision on that project.

Tonight at a very intimate preview at an art gallery in Zurich, H&M presented the new collection for men and women. One sentence: it’s awesome! I adore the iconic Marni prints, the chunky plastic bangles and necklaces plus the signature tribal vibe.

Necklace € 49.95

The collaboration, which debuts March 8 in stores and online, is priced reasonably; most pieces are under € 100, with accessories such as hats and scarfs costing around or less than € 19.95.

Check out the looks below! And stay tuned for more exciting things as I will be leaving for Milan tomorrow…

LoL, Sandra

Cashmere Jumper for Men € 99.-

Printed T-Shirt € 29.95

Set of 2 Bracelets € 29.95

Printed Skirt € 79.95

Jacket € 99.-

Leather Bag € 79.95

Silk Scarf € 19.95

Men Short € 39.95

Hat € 9.95

Necklace with White Flowers € 49.95

Silk Top € 79.95

Shoes € 59.95

From left to right: The lovely Swiss H&M team, Sita, René and Gray, all dressed head to toe Marni at H&M.

On Sita: Silk Skirt € 59.95On René: Printed T-Shirt for Men € 19.95

On Gray: Hodded Dress € 149.-

Lovely gift, thank you!

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of H&M

The reason for my fairytale-like trip to Paris was the launch of Dior Addict Extrême, the new lasting fashion lipstick. For the official photos, please click here. Today, I would like to give you more information on the new season’s must-have beauty product.

In 2011, an addict fashion story came to life when Dior launched Dior Addict, the house’s first fashion lipstick in 44 easy-to-wear and playful colours with spectacular glossy shine and ultra-comfort. For last year’s post, please click here.

In 2012, Addict becomes Extreme, edgy and sophisticated. The new black case makes it a fashion statement already.
Available in 12 new pure luminous colours, starting in Switzerland Mid March for CHF 46.-.
(There will be 4 new nail polish shades complementing the look for CHF 37.-.)

The star ingredients of the lipsticks are 4 expert waxes with extreme opposite actions for a breakthrough combination of lasting comfort in an ultra-thin veil. Dior added the most thin and radiant oils for a luminous shine and radiant shades. Hyaluronic microspheres provide ultra-comfort and an immediate plumping result.

Below you can explore the 4 “It“– shades  and their 4 iconic styles.
I also created some fashion looks complementing the new lip colours. To shop the outfit, just click on the highlighted texts.

LUCKY
Audacious Pinks – Fashion Dress-Code

Inspired by Lucky, one of Dior’s most famous models, who was an icon on the catwalks in the `50s, this shade is for a woman who explores her inspirations and plays with her style.

Wrap-effect crepe dress by Vanessa Bruno, Masako silk-satin pumps by Charlotte Olympia and Mini Loubi Lula printed silk-twill frame clutch by Christian Louboutin.

Dior Addict Extrême 536 Lucky and Dior Vernis 659 Lucky

INCOGNITO
Beige Elegance – Minimal Chic

Inspired by the allure of Parisian women, this shade is synonymous for timeless sophistication.

Wool-twill blazer and shirt dress with star buttons, both by Miu Miu and snake-effect leather pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti.

Dior Addict Extrême 316 Incognito and Dior Vernis 257 Incognito

RIVIERA
Sunny Shades – Cruise Aura

This coral tone stands for the elegance of the Riviera and the fascination of St. Tropez.

Printed silk-georgette top by Roberto Cavalli, silk-trimmed brushed-twill shorts by Elizabeth and James,leather ballerinas by Repetto, PS1 Small leather satchel by Proenza Schouler and enameled gold-plated cuff by Yves Saint Laurent.

Dior Addict Extrême 639 Riviera and Dior Vernis 537 Riviera

PLAZA
Depth & Intensity – Extreme Glamour

Inspired by the iconic Plaza Athénée hotel on Avenue Montaigne, this velvety pink is for all divas and the special moments in your life.

Strapless cotton and silk-blend faille gown by Prabal Gurung, neon python snake-clasp clutch by Roberto Cavalli and Tippi snake-effect leather pumps by Jimmy Choo.

Dior Addict Extrême 476 Plaza and Dior Vernis 579 Plaza

Which one is your favourite?

LoL, Sandra

Here they are: The official photos from the Dior shoot for Dior Addict Extrême, the new lipstick and nail polish collection.

I love them so much. The ambiance, the roses, the colours, the gorgeous Dior accessories such as the pink Lady Dior bag are so divine. Enjoy!

Sweet Sonya, who is in charge for the Swiss PR joined in the fun for a photo together. Gosh, we had a blast! She also took the photos of me below.

I am still in heaven thinking about those days…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht

My make-up look for the photo shoot was based on the “It”-colour Plaza, a wonderful pink tone. It is inspired by the glamour of the Parisian luxury hotels, such as the eponymous Plaza Athénée hotel. The colours are dramatic, deep and sophisticated.

My skin was prepped with the new Revitalizing Foundation from the Dior Prestige line which is only available in Asia (To all my Asian readers, lucky you!). It is an amazing product, you have to try it. For us Europeans, Diorskin Nude is a great alternative.

For the dramatic look, the make-up artist started to contour my eyes with a black eye pencil.

Then, she used the darkest shade of the 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette “970 Stylish Move” and applied it with a beveled brush as an eyeliner.

She made the line thicker toward the outer edge and extended the upper line out beyond the corner of the eye, to form a cat’s–eye-like shape. The lighter colours of the palette served as a base. Then, she applied the new Diorshow New Look Mascara in black.

On my cheeks: Diorblush in 839 Vintage Pink.

On my lips: The new Dior Addict Extrême in 476 Plaza, lasting lip colour with radiant shine.

On my nails: Matching the lips, the new pink 579 Plaza nail polish was applied.
Love it so much!

Stay tuned for the official photos!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The last days have just been amazing. My blog has taken me on such a wonderful journey that I sometimes think it must be a dream. After getting back from NYC Fashion Week on Wednesday, I had a little time to pack a new suitcase. Thursday morning, I flew to Paris for a fairytale-like event hosted by Dior.

Together with other bloggers from all over the world, I was invited to explore the Dior Addict Extrême experience. The new nail polish and lipstick collection which is taking the iconic Dior Addict to a new “extreme” level will be available in Switzerland from the second half of March. As you can see, Kate Moss is again the face of the advertising campaign.

I stayed in an awesome suite at the Plaza Athénée which is just across from 30, Avenue Montaigne, the home of the house Dior.

Arriving at the Dior Haute Couture Salons felt like “Sandra in Wonderland“, no wonder looking at the gigantic chair and all those dreamlike Haute Couture creations. This place is full of magic and the people working at Dior are all extremely lovely.

Love for detail: Even the sweets came in the shades of the four new must-have lip colours.
Below from left to right: Lucky (coral pink) is the “It”-colour (on Kate Moss), Riviera (orange), Incognito (nude beige) and Plaza (creamy pink).

A detailed post on the amazing make-up I wore for the shoot and the official photos will follow soon! In the meantime, enjoy this little teaser below.

Thank you, Dior, for letting me be part of this fairytale!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

For the Dior Addict Extrême event in Paris, I was invited to stay at the beautiful Plaza Athénée, already an institution on the famous shopping street Avenue Montaigne that captures the Parisian spirit of life perfectly. The hotel has also a Dior spa.

I stayed in an amazing suite on the third floor of the hotel. Isn’t the view from the balcony just divine? The only thing missing was the sun…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

When I go, I would like to do it the Zelda Kaplan way who collapsed in her front row seat at the Joanna Mastroianni’s F/W 2012 fashion show this week in NYC and died shortly after… here’s to a fashionable life!

A longtime fixture of the NYC arts scene, Kaplan was known for her unique, African-inspired fashion style. A continent that she had visited regularly. Her social calendar was remarkable for someone half her age, but her lively spirit and energy were outstanding. Attending parties, fashion and art events up until her death, she was once called “New York’s oldest most beloved night owl” by the New York Times.

Joanna Mastroianni released the following statement after her show:
“… For the last 40 years, Zelda Kaplan has been a staple in the New York social scene. She is best known for her sense of style and her incredible joie d’vivre. She was also known for her generosity and the many charities she worked with over the years.

“We are deeply saddened to lose Zelda, such an icon of the fashion community. Zelda has been someone I have known and respected over the years. I truly admired her for her individuality and incredible spirit. She had such a love of life and believed in living everyday to its fullest. She will be sorely missed and my heartfelt condolences to her family.”

For her F/W 2012 show, Joanna Mastroianni has gone on a journey with another 90 year old “It”-Girl, famous Iris Apfel who has been the muse for this glamorous collection.

Seated front, Apfel’s wardrobe is the inspiration and only the best fabrics would do. Leather, cashmere, silk taffeta, and embroidered organza could do the deal. Joanna’s collection is all about attention to detail.

LoL, Sandra