Yesterday, an Hermès Niloticus Birkin bag made «fashion history» when it sold for a record price of HK$2.98 million which is around US$383,522 at Christie’s in Hong Kong. As South China Morning Post reports it became the world’s most expensive handbag ever sold at an auction, the Holy Grail for bag lovers so to say.

The muse: Jane Birkin

Yesterday’s auction at Christie’s in Hong Kong

We all know that a Birkin bag is a safe investment due to its long waiting list and probably even more lucrative than stocks. According to the Independent, there was a study published in January 2016 that compared three different types of investments: the S&P 500 (an index that reflects the stock market and is said to be the leading indicator of U.S. equities); gold; and Hermès Birkin handbags. The research concluded that the latter are by far the safest investment of the three as they’re not subject to fluctuations in the market. Fans of the iconic piece tend to beat the lines by scoring it at one of those auctions where it has been continuously breaking price records.

In yesterday’s case, a matte white Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin 30 with a diamond-encrusted white-gold buckle and hardware was auctioned by an anonymous collector, who won the bid by phone and who is surprisingly not from Asia.

Object of desire: A rare exceptional Matte White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Birkin 30 with 18k white gold diamond-encrusted hardware.

What is so special about this Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin bag? It is one of the most coveted bags due to its extreme rarity, status symbol and exquisite craftsmanship. A similar style was auctioned for HK$2.94 million at Christie’s last year. The gradation of the color of the crocodile leather resembles the majestic, snow-capped Himalayas, from smoky grey to pearly white. The diamond-encrusted hardware make it of course extra scarce. 

So beautiful and rare: the Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Kelly 28 bag with Palladium Hardware, approximately €60,000–80,000.

Apart from the Birkins, Hermès also started to craft a few Himalaya Kelly bags for top clients, which are fabled as «the rarest handbags in the world».

Personally speaking on top of my wish list…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Hermès, South China Morning Post

British artist, designer and pro-skater Blondey McCoy has created three hand-painted murals in the Flatiron and Soho districts of Manhattan, designed exclusively for Burberry.

Blondey McCoy wearing a Burberry Car Coat photographed by Alasdair McLellan

The murals mark the first time Blondey’s work will be showcased in New York and include his largest artwork to date. The three murals are inspired by the dichotomy of modern life and the traditions of the holiday season and feature the artist’s signature mix of eclectic imagery and striking motifs alongside references to Burberry and British culture.

Burberry mural by Blondey McCoy, Clerkenwell, London, September 2017

This collaboration marks the evolution of the relationship between Burberry and Blondey, who most recently appeared in a portfolio of images for the brand captured by British photographer Alasdair McLellan. In September 2017, Blondey created an artwork for Burberry on the largest paintable wall in London, situated near the brand’s show venue in Clerkenwell.

BLONDEY FOR BURBERRY
ABOUT THE ARTWORKS

Flatiron, Broadway and 22nd Street
Spanning over 80ft, the mural tells the story of a British Christmas Eve party. Beginning with the chime of the clock at midnight signalling the start of Christmas, the mural cascades down the wall with traditional holiday references including mistletoe, holly and Champagne, ending with children tucked up in a bed fashioned from a Burberry Vintage check scarf and presents waiting to be unwrapped.

A fashionable must-have that has been inspiring Blondey’s murals:
House-check cashmere-blend scarf by Burberry

Soho, Lafayette Street and Broome Street
The 17ft mural illustrates the importance of family during the holiday season, portraying three figures exchanging gifts alongside a personal photograph of Blondey’s family.

Soho, Lafayette Street and Spring Street
Featuring two hands meeting, the 15ft mural symbolises the act of gifting and exchange.

All three murals will be up until the end of December 2017. Cannot wait to be back in December in NYC to see them live…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Burberry, © Alasdair McLellan

First of all, you know that I am a big fan of niche fragrances but there are some scents that have been popular since many years that I adore as well. For example the two cult perfumes CLASSIQUE und LE MÂLE by Jean Paul Gaultier. The man’s version is for me one of the most seductive scents a man can wear… it smells so incredibly good. Moreover it is the most popular man’s fragrance among women. And here comes the great news, those two classics have dressed up for the festive season and present themselves inside a limited edition snow globe. How cute is that?!

CLASSIQUE for women Christmas Collector
Eau de Toilette 100ml, CHF 142.00

ORIENTAL FLORAL

Top notes: Mandarin orange, star anise, bergamot, rose, pear and orange blossom
Middle notes: Plum, ginger, iris, ylang-ylang, orchid and tuberose
Base notes: Musk, cinnamon, vanilla, sandalwood and amber

LE MÂLE for men Christmas Collector
Eau de Toilette 125ml, CHF 112.00

ORIENTAL FOUGERE
Top notes: Mint, lavender, artemisia, bergamot and cardamom
Middle notes: Caraway, orange blossom and cinnamon
Base notes: Vanilla, sandalwood, tonka bean, amber and cedar 

In Switzerland only available from now at Manor.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier

After this weekend’s summary about the 15 most important runway trends for S/S 2018, I thought you might enjoy a look also at the must-have accessories for next summer. The forecast: Get ready for your another sumptuous season! Many things are here to stay or will even take it up a notch. Sneakers are trendier than ever and have taken center stage. The ugly shoe phenomenom explores new heights as seen at Balenciaga‘s collaboration with Crocs. And we can deny it no longer: the fanny pack is here to stay. Earrings and straw hats are bigger than ever and bags are most beautiful in an array of patterns.

S/S 2018 TREND 1: FANNY BAG
Givenchy – Balenciaga – Marc Jacobs

S/S 2018 TREND 2: STATEMENT STRAW HAT
Missoni – Giorgio Armani – Jacquemus

S/S 2018 TREND 3: CLEAR VISION
Tibi – Chanel – Valentino

S/S 2018 TREND 4: SURREALISTIC SUNGLASSES
Dolce & Gabbana – Prada – Gucci

S/S 2018 TREND 5: SNEAKERS RELOADED
Loewe – Louis Vuitton – Céline

S/S 2018 TREND 6: THE UGLY SHOE
Balenciaga – Christopher Kane – Miu Miu

S/S 2018 TREND 7: GLOVES
Olivier Theyskens – Calvin Klein 205W39NYC – Erdem

S/S 2018 TREND 8: BIG EARRINGS
Saint Laurent – Stella McCartney – Isabel Marant

S/S 2018 TREND 9: PATTERNED BAGS
Dior – Chloé – Prada

S/S 2018 TREND 10: SUMMER OVERKNEE BOOTS
Fendi – Balenciaga – Versace

Photos: Via Vogue.com

S/S 2018 TREND 1: SILK ROAD
Céline – Hermès – Versace

S/S 2018 TREND 2: ART LOVERS
Akris – Prada – Missoni

S/S 2018 TREND 3: IN FULL BLOOM
Rochas – Erdem – Marni

S/S 2018 TREND 4: FRINGES
Balmain – Calvin Klein 205W39NYC– Dior

S/S 2018 TREND 5: MARABOU
Proenza Schouler – Saint Laurent – Nina Ricci

S/S 2018 TREND 6: LAVENDER
The Row – Michael Kors – Tom Ford

S/S 2018 TREND 7: LIFE IN PLASTIC
Chanel – Burberry – Valentino

S/S 2018 TREND 8: WORKOUT
Gucci – Louis Vuitton – Marc Jacobs

S/S 2018 TREND 9: PLAID PLEASE
Fendi – Prabal Gurung – Balenciaga

S/S 2018 TREND 10: 80’s DENIM
Max Mara – Stella McCartney – Oscar de la Renta

S/S 2018 TREND 11: THE TRENCH
Gabriela Hearst – Maison Margiela – Victoria Beckham

S/S 2018 TREND 12: SHOW YOUR UNDIES
Christopher Kane – Miu Miu – Alessandra Rich

S/S 2018 TREND 13: RAINBOW
Peter Pilotto – Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini – Vionnet

S/S 2018 TREND 14: WHITE AT NIGHT
Jil Sander – Alexander McQueen – Etro

S/S 2018 TREND 15: MISE-EN-SCÈNE
Moschino – Dolce & Gabbana – Comme des Garçons

Photos: via Vogue.com

The Cape Cod watch was born in 1991 from the out-of-the-box mindset cultivated by Henri d’Origny. He had been asked to imagine a square watch, but he preferred rectangular ones. Based on a somewhat crazy idea – cutting the iconic «Anchor Chain» motif in two – he dared to combine shapes. A square embedded in a rectangle, the Cape Cod watch is magnified by its double tour strap that gives the watch an additional touch of originality and boldness. As playful as ever, and something decidedly different.

Cape Cod welcomes new versions that will be presented at SIHH 2018. Here is your exclusive preview. The first features a rhodium-plated dial, polished to create a mirror-like effect and coated with a precious translucent lacquer. It is available in two versions – Large Model and Small Model – with a single or double tour Milanese mesh bracelet.

Two other variations are also introduced, in Large Model version only, with a single or double tour étoupe or Malta blue strap. The dial of the first features a black gold treatment, while the second is blue lacquered. «Anchor Chain» motifs are applied to the dials of these two models – a detail that once again emphasises the spirit of the Cape Cod, which is all about nuances and subtle discoveries.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
DIAL Rhodium-plated and mirror-polished dial, coated with a blue-tinted translucent lacquer. Grey transferred Arabic numerals in an anthracite frame. Rhodium-plated hands CASE A square embedded in a rectangle / Large model (GM), 29 x 29 mm, lug width of 19 mm / Small model (PM), 23 x 23 mm, lug width of 14 mm / Imagined by Henri d’Origny in 1991 316L steel / Sapphire crystal with anti-glare treatment / Water-resistant to 3 bar STRAP Milanese mesh bracelet in 316L steel, single or double tour MOVEMENT Quartz, Swiss made FUNCTIONS Hours and minutes

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

DIAL Blue lacquered or black gold-treated and polished dial, coated with a translucent lacquer. Applied «Anchor Chain» hour-markers. Rhodium-plated hands CASE A square embedded in a rectangle / Large model (GM), 29 x 29 mm, lug width of 19 mm / Imagined by Henri d’Origny in 1991 316L steel / Sapphire crystal with anti-glare treatment / Water-resistant to 3 bar STRAP Malta blue grained or étoupe smooth calfskin, single or double tour, equipped with a 316L steel 17 mm pin buckle MOVEMENT Quartz, Swiss made FUNCTIONS Hours and minutes

I am in love with the blue one and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès

Here’s how to make the countdown to Christmas all the more exciting. Starring Jo Malone, Balmain Paris Hair Couture and Molton Brown, here are my favourite luxurious advent calendars for Christmas 2017. To shop click on the highlighted text or see the information below each calendar.

Balmain Advent Calendar by Balmain Paris Hair Couture
This 10-door advent calendar is filled with some of the house’s best-selling beauty products to get you ready for the party season.

Gold Holiday Calendar by Susanne Kaufmann
Let the holidays come early with Susanne Kaufmann’s advent calendar. Presented in an opulent gold box are 24 doors with hidden beauty products designed to make you look and feel your best over the busiest period of the year. Make it an early present to yourself.

Lippie Countdown Advent Calendar by NYX Professional Makeup
24 lip colors are included in this limited edition advent calendar! Make every day more colorful.
Available for CHF 79.90

Nail Polish Advent Calendar 2017 by Essie
It’s never early enough for XMAS! This calendar is for the nail polish aficionados, it is filled with different nail polishes in different sizes, topcoat and base coat as well as apricot oil, remover, a nail file, nail butter and a toe separator.
Available in Switzerland at MANOR, Import Parfumerie and COOP for around CHF 99.00.

Advent Calendar 2017 by Jo Malone
This colourful advent calendar (with it’s sweet Georgian townhouse design), filled with miniature fragrances, shower gel and small candles, is set to be a sell-out; act fast to get your hands on one.
Available in Switzerland at Jelmoli in Zurich for CHF 490.00.

Advent Calendar 2017 by Molton Brown
Trimmed with opulent silver foil, this unisex advent calendar houses the brand’s iconic fragrances and body products. Unlock each door to reveal where a captivatingly scented luxury is hidden. A great gift for a real gentleman.
Available at Jelmoli for CHF 199.00.

Advent Calendar by Amorana
My favorite! For the naughty ones and those who are madly in love, this advent calendar comes with all sorts of toys to bring a little excitement to your bedroom before Christmas.
Available at Swiss online shop Amorana in two versions, classic for CHF 149.90 and premium for CHF 299.90.

Enjoy your advent time!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and via Moda Operandi

8 years –  as crazy as it sounds but I have been blogging now for 96 months, which is around 2920 days, and this is my 3464th post which means I wrote more than one per day. I am thankful, Sandra’s Closet has taken me on the craziest, busiest but most amazing ride in my life.

I was one of the first ones when I started in 2009 with this post about the Birking bag by Hermès. Many friends were laughing at me and I had to convince so many press offices about what I was doing. In the end I was right.

Today, bloggers and so-called influencers have taken over the media world and many of those brands that were completely against it are trying to get on the train they have been missing before. Print is struggling and media budgets focus on digital. What I am missing sometimes is the reason why blogging originally started, it was about passion, being able to write about young designers or products that didn’t have a big advertising budget yet and to show what you truly love. Of course, you have to earn money but the fine line between monetization and truly felt passion seems to often fade away. Today, I feel it is more about getting free products and becoming famous on Instagram.

«LET ME INSPIRE YOU»

Personally speaking, I don’t want to say I am a blogger or influencer anymore, those titles come with a negative connotation and honestly I don’t want to influence other people, I would like to inspire them and hope that you still feel my passion in every day ‘s post.

To the next 8 years of blogging, or let me say inspiring you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via SI Style, Getty, Hermès, © Sandra Bauknecht

As you already know, unfortunately Colette, the legendary Parisian concept store, will close forever on December 20, 2017 (click here for a previous article). Founded in 1997 by Colette Roussaux, the house has been led by her daughter Sarah Andelmanin recent years. But before the amazing mother-daughter team says good-bye to their Rue St.-Honoré space for good, they are hosting the last in a season-long series of pop-up takeovers.

But who will be the label that will be the last to fill Colette’s famous first floor? It’s Saint Laurent! This might sound bizarre as you might remember the clash the two brands had a few years ago after Colette started selling ironic tees that referenced the Saint Laurent brand («It ain’t Saint Laurent without Yves») when Hedi Slimane was at the helmet of design. After this incident, the label pulled its merchandise indefinitely from the store. Now, the wind freshened and Saint Laurent’s recent creative director Anthony Vaccarello has dreamed up a series of highly collectible collaborative items to celebrate the traditions and iconic memories of Parisian daily life for the pop-up shop. Rumors are out that this might be a test-run as Saint Laurent might be taking over the Colette space for its own store in 2018.

Vespa for Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello, 6,900 euros ($8,100), available at Colette

My favorite? The all-black Vespa, the most common and stylish way to get around crowded Paris.

Ruby for Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello helmet, 2,500 euros ($2,900), available at Colette

And to go with it, you will need the glossy black and fully crystal-embellished motorcycle helmet made with Ruby.

Polaroid for Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello custom vintage SX-70 camera, 500 euros ($587), available at Colette

Among the must-have pieces you will find something for every budget, from a customized vintage Polaroid SX-70 camera, a leopard-print Arkaic Concept skateboard, to a box of Pierre Marcolini custom chocolates and many more…

Arkaic Concept for Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello leopard skate deck, 195 euros ($229), available at Colette

Pierre Marcolini for Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello “Les Cœurs de Saint Laurent Dorés” chocolates, 49 euros ($57), available at Colette

Should none of that get your attention, check out those pieces below…

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello fetish toy, from 250 to 395 euros ($294 to $463), available at Colette

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello set of stickers, 25 euros ($29), available at Colette

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté makeup palette, 150 euros ($176), available at Colette

Saint Laurent’s Colette pop-up will be open from November 27 to December 20 at 213 Rue St.-Honoré in Paris.

LoL, Sandra

B&O PLAY by Bang & Olufsen for Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello portable speaker, 295 euros ($346), available at Colette

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello 2018 calendar, 195 euros ($229), available at Colette

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello Patti Smith sweatshirt, 690 euros ($808), available at Colette

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello bag, 1,150 euros ($1,348), available at Colette

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello lighter, 5 euros ($6), available at Colette

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello Bryan Ferry tee, 320 euros ($375), available at Colette

Photos: Courtesy of Saint Laurent

Inspired by the iconic Walt Disney full length feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, London-based designer Mary Katrantzou has designed an exclusive collection for iconic Parisian store colette, that will close its door on December 20, 2017 unfortunately.

Marking the 80th anniversary of the groundbreaking animated feature, the collection centers on the scene stealing dwarfs re-imagined in technicolor sequin motifs, boldly embroidered on t-shirts and fully sequined sweatshirts, bombers and dresses. Combining Katrantzou’s signature witty and colourful style with easy-to-wear silhouettes, the collection aligns with colette’s innovative Parisian mix of modernity and originality.

“My work is rooted in visual culture and the collaging of disparate elements in unexpected combinations” says Mary Katrantzou. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a definitive moment within pop culture and each individual dwarf expresses a different facet of feelings universal to the human experience. This collection is a re-interpretation of the iconic Snow White characters for our times”.

To celebrate the capsule collection, Mary Katrantzou and director Pierre Dixsaut have captured an immersive shimmering wonderland with model Louise Follain. The video will be premiered in the colette windows from now till this Saturday November 25th.

Those beautiful limited edition pieces will be available in store from now until November 25th and online at www.colette.fr from now until December 20th.

Which dwarf are you? #happy #bashful #sleepy#sneezy #dopey #doc #grumpy…
I am so in love with this collection! Bravo, Mary!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of @Mary Katrantzou 
Film and images: @pierredixsaut with @louisefollain