Sandra‘s Closet

In 2016, two icons partnered to create one unforgettable collection, the Hello Kitty Collection by OPI. The collection became an instant favorite –the most talked about OPI collection of all time with the most searched for shade ever, Let’s Be Friends!

Due to huge demand, these two icons are saying Let’s Be Friends again! With this collection, Hello Kitty celebrates her 45th anniversary. Born from the Japanese «omotenashi» tradition of gift giving, the pop culture icon will celebrate by offering fans the ultimate in holiday gifting. The 2019 OPI Hello Kitty Collection includes 12 signature shades plus three festive glitters, ranging from frosty whites and pinks to deep velvety hues and lots of sparkles.

Inspired by the first collection, best-selling shade Let’s Be Friends!, a powdery pink, will make its return.

Sanrio’s beloved character inspires a range of colors from those evoking frosty landscapes to warm pink sparkles (Let’s Be Friends, Glitter to My Heart, A Hush of Blush, Let’s Celebrate!). Classic reds, rich golds and shimmering pewter (All About the Bows, A Kiss on the Chic, Many Celebrations to Go!, Isn’t She Iconic!) pay homage to the signature Hello Kitty bow while being perfect for the season. Blues and purples in the collection vary from icy hues to deep velvet tones (Pile on the Sprinkles, Hello Pretty, Let Love Sparkle, My Favorite Gal Pal). Additionally, three playful and festive holiday glitters are sure to be the life of the party (Glitter All the Way, Born to Sparkle, Dream in Glitter).

All 15 Hello Kitty Collection shades will be available in classic Nail Lacquer (CHF 19.90), long-wear Infinite Shine (CHF 24.90) and GelColor formulas.

The Hello Kitty by OPI collection will be available from today in Switzerland for at least 3 months.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: Courtesy of OPI

Hello from beautiful and sunny Austria where I arrived on Sunday evening at VIVAMAYR Maria Wörth. At this famous holistic health clinic that combines modern complementary medicine with traditional diagnostics and therapies according to F.X. Mayr, I will indulge for one week in a healthy lifestyle to detox and recharge my batteries.

Here you see me outside on the first day at the hotel’s private shore enjoying the warm fall weather. Stay tuned for more… right now I will take everything a little slower.

My look: Allia floral cross-stitch linen-blend top and matching Allia floral cross-stitch linen-blend shorts, both by Zimmermann, Sylvie mini buckle leather shoulder bag, Ace sneaker with crystals, and square-frame glitter sunglasses, all by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
#feel_vivamayr

Louis Vuitton presents the second wave of its leather goods campaign, dedicated to the House’s «New Classics» bags as presented by actresses Alicia Vikander and Léa Seydoux (for the first campaign launch, click here for the previous post). Against the bright blue of a Californian sky, Craig McDean photographs these strong, graceful women and their Louis Vuitton bags.

Alicia Vikander carries the Capucines and Twist designs, while Léa Seydoux opts for the Dauphine and Capucines. The print campaign styled by Marie-Amélie Sauvé will feature in international magazines starting October, alongside a series of short digital films.

LoL, Sandra

Alicia Vicander with the Capucines bag in cream.

My favorite: Alicia Vicander with the Capucines bag in baby blue.

Alicia Vicander with another classic, the Twist bag.

Léa Seydoux and her Capucines choice in black.

Another great choice: Léa Seydoux opts for the Dauphine bag.

© Photographer: Craig McDean
Fashion: Marie-Amélie Sauvé

A culture guided by no rules and free thinkers creates a portrait of inclusion featuring skating communities from seven cities around the world. All of their stories are tied up by the same accessory, Grip: the unisex watch with a name inspired by the way trainers stick to the grip tape on a skateboard. Designed to coordinate with the new timepiece, a lineup of interchangeable straps is available in diverse colours and leathers.

TO SHOP AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW GUCCI GRIP WATCH, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci
#GucciGrip

Inspired by travelling, the CHANEL Cruise 2020 collection focuses on a silhouette in motion, powerful and yet delicate. Comfort, functionality and elegant simplicity form the basis of this allure that nothing can hold back. And to accessorise it, Virginie Viard has imagined a shoe that shakes up the lines of a great CHANEL classic: the two-tone pump.

Fastened with a strap, perched on a 7cm or 9cm conical heel with a pointed toe, this patent leather pump comes in various two-tone colour combinations with black as the common denominator. The blue, pink, red and purple all add a touch of pop to this shoe which also exists as a bootie.

Their form and carefully studied duo of colours respond to each silhouette of the collection, imbuing them with a modern allure and distinct elegance, from morning through to evening.
As a discreet signature, the white lacquered double C is positioned just below the ankle.
Extremely comfortable, this new pump fits the foot perfectly. The stability of its heel speaks of a long-distance journey, to come and go as one pleases, in complete freedom.

Gabrielle Chanel used to say of shoes: «they are the height of elegance.» With this pump, Virginie Viard revisits CHANEL’s emblematic two-tone shoe and reaffirms the vision of its founder.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
#CHANELCruise

This week, I spent an amazing four days with Net-à-Porter at the romantic 5-star luxury resort Borgo Santo Pietro in Tuscan countryside. Situated near Siena, the hotel offers an incredible experience with a holistic spa, cooking school, Michelin-starred restaurant, 270-acre organic farm, vineyards and 13-acre beautifully manicured gardens where we shot the photos in this comfortable yet stylish crochet look. More coming up soon from Borgo Santo Pietro …

My look: Open-back paneled crocheted cotton-blend midi dress by Alexander McQueen, Tess small embossed two-tone leather shoulder bag by Chloé, beaded leather sandals by Saint Laurent, embellished square butterfly sunglasses by Celine, and letter gold-plated crystal necklace by Oscar de la Renta.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Andrea Sampoli @andrea_sampoli_fotografo

In the end of last month, when I attended the opening of the BOSS flagship outlet (for the previous post, please click here), I told you already a little bit about the OUTLETCITY METZINGEN in Germany, located close to the city of Stuttgart. High end brands such as Breitling, Burberry, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Valentino, Missoni and soon also Moschino and Alberta Ferretti can be found here alongside many others for a great price. Personally speaking, some of the stores look better and are bigger than in Zurich…

Just opened on September 26, 2019: Fendi at OULETCITY METZINGEN.

Superlative is the magic word when you want to talk about this shopping village that stands for one thing above all else: the exciting combination of supposed contrasts. If you appreciate unusual and exclusive shopping experiences for a great budget, this will be your new shopping destination. At OUTLETCITY METZINGEN, you can immerse yourself in a world of exclusive brands in an authentic inner-city atmosphere within award-winning architecture and take advantage of discounts of up to 70% all year round. Whether you want high fashion or outdoor clothing, exclusive It-pieces or just the thing for the whole family, the outlet’s wide range of premium and luxury brands makes it easy for you to find exactly what you need.

Award-winning architecture at OULETCITY METZINGEN makes you feel visiting an amazing US mall.

This weekend would be a great opportunity to visit one of Europe’s most popular outlets as OUTLETCITY METZINGEN is celebrating in a big way on October 11 and 12, 2019. The so-called FASHION CITY EVENT offers special highlights, great promotions, shopping on Friday until midnight and the start of the outlet’s own club for customers. The different celebrations seek inspiration from shopping metropoles such New York, Paris, Milan or Shanghai. Sightseeing from a new perspective – all dedicated to fashion – and for a great budget! Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Inside the Gucci outlet store.

Inside the new Valentino outlet store.

Don’t miss the gigantic Prada outlet store on two levels.

Welcome to Jimmy Choo at OULETCITY METZINGEN.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Maintaining its status as one of fashions hottest-ticket items, I want you to have a look at the shoes from Amina Muaddi. Literally every woman who loves shoes, loves these and their Amina Muaddi shoe collection is ever-growing. I’m not surprised as her footwear is sassy, playful and flamboyant, opulent, yet timeless, as well as her use of interesting fabrics. Of course these heels come with a waiting list, but some of the hottest ones are available now.

Growing up between Jordan, Romania and Italy, Amina developed an eye for what taste-makers around the world truly want – that perfect blend of effortless glamour, impeccable craftsmanship and fashion-forward style. Something new and fresh, with its roots in timeless quality. She was fascinated by shoes at a young age, and even used to walk around the house in her mother’s heels as a child. She cites her Middle Eastern heritage and close female friends like Attico’s Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini as inspiration.

Don’t miss the sleek stiletto pumps, boots and sandals with lustrous textures and light-catching embellishments and get your pair now, just click on the highlighted description to be transferred directly to the shop…

Gilda crystal-embellished satin mules by Amina Muaddi

Bianca metallic suede platform sandals by Amina Muaddi

Begum embellished ankle boots by Amina Muaddi

Begum Sling pumps by Amina Muaddi

Adwoa crystal and feather-embellished satin slingback sandals by Amina Muaddi
Dua suede platform ankle boots by Amina Muaddi

Ida shearling-lined suede knee boots by Amina Muaddi

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Amina Muaddi

This November, CHANEL is expanding LES EXCLUSIFS collection with the GENTLE OIL (Huile Douce), a delicate and sensorial oil for the hair and body that you shouldn’t miss and I will tell you why. In the cold season, our skin and hair are both suffering from the dry and freezing temperatures. Oil seals in moisture and adds extra nourishment.

With an elegant and sensual touch, the GENTLE OIL is pure luxury and embellishes the skin and hair while leaving a discreet, fresh and citrusy trail with floral notes of jasmine against a backdrop of white musks, making itself discreet and gives a voice to the fragrance of your choice in perfect harmony. It moisturizes the skin, thus prolonging and intensifying the scent of each LES EXCLUSIFS DE CHANEL creation, or needless to say any other perfume you love wearing, while remaining true to the fragrance.

The light, caressing texture of the GENTLE OIL envelops the skin in a silky satiny veil. Its formula boasting 80% ingredients of natural origin is extremely compatible with the skin, instantly absorbing upon application without leaving an oily film. To heighten the pleasure, I recommend mixing a few drops into your favorite body cream, in my case the FRESH BODY CREAM by CHANEL. The GENTLE OIL can also be applied on hair (down the length of the hair before shampooing or on dry ends as a finishing touch) leaving it softer, shinier and suppler. The bottle is iconic and beautiful, decorating every bathroom shelf by itself.

LES EXCLUSIFS DE CHANEL GENTLE OIL Body & Hair will be available as 250ml bottle for CHF 190.00 from beginning of November 2019.

In Switzerland at the CHANEL Boutiques in Zurich and Geneva, at  CHANEL Parfums & Beauté at Bongénie in Geneva and CHANEL Space Parfums at Jelmoli in Zurich and Manor in Geneva.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL and © Sandra Bauknecht 

Streamlined, innovative, technical, real – Prada Linea Rossa is engineered to modern living.
Exploring the metropolitan and urban roots of Linea Rossa – the fusion of overground and underground, of different lives and experiences – on 7 October 2019, Prada Linea Rossa collaborated with the musician and artist Willow Smith, daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, to stage a performance moment. This unprecedented live, raw and spontaneous set staged at a station along the Central Line on London’s Tube, the ‘Linea Rossa’ running through the capital, brought the F/W 2019 Linea Rossa line to life.

This act was designed to make an everyday commute into an extraordinary experience. Completely unannounced to the audience, impossible to plan for, yet documented real-time and instantly shared, this moment was a celebration of the transient nature of our real life experiences, the spontaneous beauty of chance: the performance of our everyday.

In today’s urban world, a ‘Linea Rossa’ – a red line – is universal, a uniting emblem, simple yet complex, coded and deep. Irrespective of nationality, designed to function beyond language, it can be immediately recognized in the context of our major cities – a line through all of them, each ‘Linea Rossa’ represents travel, speed, dynamic energy. These ‘Linea Rossa’ draw individuals together, build communities – the inspiration behind the Willow Smith Linea Rossa performance.

Prada Linea Rossa has always been inspired by reality, by the demands of modern living – bodies and movement, urban reality, metropolitan clothing. Linea Rossa reflects that in clothes engineered for bodies and lives, technologically advanced, active wear designed for outstanding performance, everyday.

Such a cool marketing idea!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada and via Instagram