Sandra‘s Closet

Today, I received the Pre-Watches & Wonders 2021 preview from Cartier that I wanted to share with you immediately. It is all about precious diamond watches, that are all standing out for their elegance, mastery of design, and fiery stones.

«Because Cartier is above all a jeweller, Cartier watches, whether they are for men or women, blur the lines between these two founding professions of the Maison, allowing for the best of both worlds. This is why our creations transcend all categories. They are not just instruments for telling the time, nor are they simply jewellery. They are a third type of object with their own uniqueness. Cartier watches only resemble themselves.
The complexity of Cartier watchmaking is due to its duality. It is being able to express creative freedom while working under technical constraints. This intellectual challenge is exciting. And the challenge is all the greater when aesthetics take precedence over the rest. It means that we must master the technical side, making it feel like second nature so that emotion is able to emerge. This intuitive intelligence has always been evident in our designs. The creative process is the result of a controlled tension between the head and heart, an alchemy from which meaning and identity emanate.» – MARIE-LAURE CEREDE – Director of Design for Watchmaking at Cartier

REPTILIS WATCH

Like a precious brocade, the diamond-paved chevrons weave into each other, edged with princess-cut diamonds. Like precious scales, these mobile elements snake around the wrist like a flexible, hinged ribbon. At the centre, a rectangular dial accentuated by four diamond hour markers. Light bursts forth, reflects and resonates all over.
12.8 mm, thickness: 6.6 mm
18K rhodium-finish white gold
Case and bracelet set with
232 brilliant-cut diamonds (3.75 cts)
and 70 princess-cut diamonds (6.06 cts)

ROSARY WATCH

Geometric elegance with the richness of random paving all the way to the heart of the dial. Everything is treated graphically; the refined design is pushed to the extreme between round and square. The tempo of its forms is born from the rhythmic succession of curved discs, paved and set with a small black square, evoking an Art Deco influence. At 12 o’clock lies a singular hour marker, also a black square.
17 mm, thickness: 8.26 mm
18K rhodium-finish white gold
Case, dial, and bracelet set with
1191 brilliant-cut diamonds (5.57 cts)

PANTHÈRE SONGEUSE WATCH
Making its emblematic animal the guardian of its precious hours is the approach that Cartier has taken this year, presenting a new interpretation of the feline through three exceptional timepieces. Designers, artisans… when it comes to this incarnation, jewellery and watchmaking speak the same language. Since 1914 when it first appeared on a wristwatch in the form of a spotted coat of diamonds and onyx, now, more than ever, the feline is THE Cartier signature.28.4 mm, thickness: 7.8 mm
18K rhodium-finish white gold
Case, dial and panther head set with
1116 brilliant-cut diamonds (4.57 cts)
Pear-cut emerald eyes (0.04 ct),
black onyx nose and sapphire spots (0.25 ct)
Bracelet set with
325 brilliant-cut diamonds (9.15 cts)28.4 mm, thickness: 7.8 mm
18K rhodium-finish white gold
Case, buckle, dial and panther head set with
734 brilliant-cut diamonds (2.95 cts).
Case and dial with enamel
Pear-cut emerald eyes (0.04 ct),
black onyx nose and sapphire spots (0.38 ct)
Blue alligator leather strap
Numbered limited edition of 30 pieces28.4 mm, thickness: 7.8 mm
18K rhodium-finish white gold
Case, dial, buckle and panther head set with
1039 brilliant-cut diamonds (4.67 cts)
Pear-cut emerald eyes (0.06 ct),
black onyx nose and black lacquer spots
Black alligator leather strap

All five watches have quartz movements.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Cartier

As promised here is are all the details of my outfit I wore in yesterday’s post. Perfect for slipping on after a bath for relaxing evenings at home, while indulging in your beauty routine or after a dip in the pool, Fendi‘s hooded robe is cut from naturally absorbent cotton-terry. It’s trimmed with black velour and features the brand’s logo on one pocket. For the ultimate style statement, wear it with the matching face covering, silk eye mask and slippers.

My look: Cotton-terry hooded bathrobe, silk-satin face covering, silk-satin eye mask, and FF-logo shearling slippers, all by Fendi. Rose Céleste necklace, Rose des Vents and Rose Céleste necklace, Astro Dior aquarius necklace, Rose Céleste medaillon necklace, and Oui bracelet, all by Dior Fine Jewelry.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © David Biedert Photography
The photos were taken at Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich.
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

Last Friday was World Sleep Day, a call to think about the importance of sleep for achieving an optimal quality of life, improve health and look younger. And it’s true that sleep keeps you looking young. When you’re fast asleep, the body goes into repair mode and regenerates skin, blood and brain cells, as well as muscles. Regular sleepers have better mood, psychomotor performance, and academic achievement. During sleep, your skin’s blood flow increases, and the organ rebuilds its collagen and repairs damage from UV exposure, reducing wrinkles and age spots. Science shows you can sleep your skin younger.

THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP
Today’s post is dedicated to giving that renewal process a helping hand. Here is how to pull a beauty overnighter with the new GENAISSANCE DE LA MER The Concentrated Night Balm. A sumptuous balm that accelerates natural renewal while you sleep.

This silken, ampoule-strength treatment penetrates deeply during nighttime, plumping skin with healing hydration, helping skin rebuild natural collagen and elastin, and strengthening its natural barrier. It softens the look of fine lines, wrinkles, pores and age spots and helps skin feel firmer. Night after night, an ageless transformation unfolds.

HOW TO USE IT
Each night before sleeping, pick up a small amount with the moon-shaped applicator. Use fingertips to massage into skin in upward motions, allowing the balm to softly melt and gently infuse into skin. Follow your regimen with a moisturizer of your choice.

WHAT’S INSIDE
Composed of legendary sea-sourced ferments merged with potent active ingredients,
discover the time-transcending elements that make up The NEW Concentrated Night Balm.

CRYSTAL MIRACLE BROTH™
Crystal Miracle Broth™ is the purest expression of La Mer’s legendary Miracle Broth™ elixir. Crafted in small batches, it helps skin’s natural renewal process and infuses skin with the healing energies of the sea, transporting it to a more ageless dimension.

THE GENAISSANCE FERMENT™
A 24-karat gold-infused rarity. The Genaissance Ferment, created with rare red algae and combined with wavelengths of natural light, helps boost natural collagen to infuse skin with a new look of life.

THE ESSENTIAL AMINO ACID FERMENT
The Essential Amino Acid Ferment empowers skin to enable it to restore its vital extracellular matrix including strengthening elements like collagen, fibronectin and hyaluronic acid so skin appears transformed, smoother and firmer.

I can absolutely recommend the GENAISSANCE DE LA MER The Concentrated Night Balm, you will see a difference extremely fast. After all, the phrase ‘beauty sleep’ didn’t come from nowhere!

TO SHOP THE GENAISSANCE DE LA MER THE CONCENTRATED NIGHT BALM,
CLICK HERE PLEASE!

Stay tuned for all the details of my look coming up tomorrow!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography and © La Mer
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

Yesterday, Elsa Peretti’s family office in Zurich announced that the jewelry designer, who was famous for her creations for the US jeweler Tiffany & Co., died Thursday at the age of 80 in a village near Barcelona, ​​Spain peacefully in her sleep.

Just last October, Tiffany & Co. had tapped Peretti to design nine one-of-a-kind pieces, based on archival designs from her personal library, in celebration of 50 years since the introduction of her widely recognized bone-cuff bracelet – and 45 years since she began designing for the company.

Tiffany’s Instagram post.

A pioneering designer

Elsa Peretti was born in Florence and trained in Switzerland and Rome, where she later returned to for a degree in interior design. In the late ’60s, she had established herself as a model in New York City and Barcelona, and she also began to design her own jewelry. A small silver bottle worn as a necklace became her first successful creation. She found the inspiration for this design in Portofino, where women used to wear fragile gardenia flowers as a fashion accessory: the small silver vase necklace made the flowers last longer. Throughout her career, she would always try to combine beauty with practicability.

Elsa Peretti’s bottle pendants for Tiffany & Co.

The American fashion designer Giorgio di Sant’Angelo used some of her pieces in a fashion show, where they immediately became a huge success. The very next day she was a star in New York. During this time she met the legendary US fashion designer and seventies icon Halston, with whom she had a lifelong friendship and with whom she worked frequently. The US jeweler Tiffany & Co. became aware of the young designer and in 1974, she started an exclusive collaboration that would last through her entire career.

Elsa Peretti with Halston in 1977

She often seeked inspiration from everyday objects – a bean, a bone or an apple could be turned into cufflinks, bracelets, vases or lighters, scorpions and snakes were turned into attractive necklaces and rings, often in silver as one of their preferred materials. She herself said: «There is no new design, because good lines and shapes are timeless» and in fact her pieces are as modern and wearable today as ever.

Elsa Peretti’s famous bone cuffs.

Elsa Peretti’s designs are in the permanent collections of the British Museum in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas. In recognition of her remarkable work, Tiffany established the Elsa Peretti Professorship in Jewelry Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, the first endowed professorship in the history of FIT. In addition to other honors, the designer was awarded an honorary doctorate from the FIT in 2001. She also received the Coty American Fashion Critics’ Award for Jewelry in 1971 and the Rhode Island School of Design President’s Fellow Award in 1981. In 1996, she was named Accessory Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Elsa Peretti photographed by Duane Michals, Vogue, December 1974

Philanthropic work

Elsa Peretti was also known for her charm, and friendliness towards others. She had a profoundly humanitarian vocation, supporting cultural, scientific and educational initiatives and advocating the defense of human rights. In 2000, she founded a charity in honor of her father, which was renamed the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation in 2015, that focuses on the protection of the environment and wildlife. Furthermore, it also aims to fight poverty. Over time, the foundation’s work has expanded to support a wide range of projects promoting human and civil rights, with a particular focus on the right to education, the rights of children, and the rights and dignity of women.

Sant Martí Vell, her Catalan hideaway

The Italian designer had been living a reclusive life in the tiny village of Sant Martí Vell in Catalonia, Spain, where she has lived permanently since the ’80s in a mustard-yellow home she purchased in 1968. She had restored it over years and the little village became her preferred place of residence. As a result, she restored entire sections of the village, acquired and preserved other buildings, including the church, and supported the excavation of Roman ruins and the archiving of the history of the village. She also founded a winery that has been selling exclusive wines under the Eccocivi label since 2008.

She promoted the visual arts and worked to consolidate, protect and disseminate the historical, artistic, cultural, architectural and craft heritage of Catalonia. In 2013 Elsa Peretti became the first non-Catalan person to be awarded the National Culture Prize of the National Council for Culture and the Arts (CoNCA).

Rest in Peace, Elsa!

A truly creative mind and great should has left this planet. Thank you, Elsa, for leaving us such a lovely legacy. You will never be forgotten. Fortunately, also much photographic evidence remains of her, such as Helmut Newton’s 1975 shot of her leaning languidly on a terrace in Halston’s take on a Playboy Bunny costume. «Helmut and I were having an affair. He was a Scorpio. There is something between Scorpio and Taurus,» she said in an interview with Vanity Fair, taking on a suggestive tone. «One morning, he said, ‘I want to do a picture of you.’ I didn’t know what to wear. I went to my closet and came out wearing this costume I’d worn to a party with Halston. Helmut was flabbergasted. He took me on the terrace and took the photo. It was 11 A.M.»… what a beautiful life!

LoL, Sandra

Matthias Schneider, Studio Director and Head of Design at REPOSSI, paid homage to Elsa Peretti on Instagram.

Photos: Courtesy of Tiffany & Co. / Elsa Peretti

Such a treat for the weekend to indulge in! I am delighted to show you one of the most beautiful collaborations ever with BVLGARI, «Serpenti: Through the eyes of Mary Katrantzou».

My dear friend Mary Katrantzou gives her own take to BVLGARI’s Serpenti, as a symbol of spellbinding metamorphosis for this exclusive capsule collection. Today, she sent me a beautiful message on Whats app: «I would be so happy if you would be part of this story, to celebrate this collaboration and our partnership with Natalia Vodianova to support the “Naked Heart Foundation” by sharing this message of optimism.»

Crafting joy through Haute Couture craftsmanship, Mary introduces three new styles – the Serpenti Metamorphosis bag, the Serpenti Metamorphosis Handle bag and the Serpenti Metamorphosis minaudière – completed by a selection of textiles.

«I wanted to first think about what Serpenti meant to me, through my own eyes. Serpenti to me is a symbol of femininity, transformation and rebirth. It’s symbolic nature dating back to Ancient Roman and Greek mythology. The Serpenti sheds its skin to allow for further growth and this idea of metamorphosis became the inspiration for our collaboration. Everyone experiences their own journey of growth and we all go through some type of metamorphosis through life. It is the reason Serpenti holds so much meaning to me.» – Mary Katrantzou

The official launch date for this capsule collection is April 15th.
Bravo, Mary, you never stop to amaze me!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Bvlgari / Mary Katrantzou
#Bvlgari #MaryKatrantzou #SerpentiMetamorphosis #MaryKatrantzouxBvlgari #NataliaVodianova #NakedHeartFoundation

A splash of colour, a wave of iridescent light, a breath of fresh air, the joy of sunrays caressing one’s skin. From bright to pastel, a portfolio of Malibu sunrise yellows make up the Sunbathing collection, while Riviera blues embody the Morning Swim pieces. A place in the sun.

Beachwear prints, gradient Monogram, Damier motifs – Louis Vuitton icons play with colour. Going from day to night, sorbets to cocktails, the collection draws inspiration from fizzy red and parasol stripes, features raffia and embossed leather. Silk twill pyjamas, bobs, bag charms, small leather goods, a beach towel and sarong, sandals and sneakers – a burst of colour under the summer sun.

A sporty parka in gradient nylon, the brilliance of a sequined dress, a Capucines, NéoNoé and the multipocketed Papillon – twists on House classics brush the skin and awaken desires. Shine, dance, dream of an endless summer, feeling relaxed, fresh in carefree attire for summer 2021.

Available in all Louis Vuitton stores from March 19th.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Vuitton

«Tubéreuse Nue merges lush florals with spices, mimicking the surprising duality of night-blooming tuberose—a fresh flower with an intense aura awakened at night.» — Tom Ford

My avid readers know how much I love Tom Ford’s Private Blend collection, among my favorites are Lost Cherry, Rose Prick, Lavender Extrême and Bitter Peach. Therefore, I was very excited to explore the newest fragrance launch, Tubéreuse Nue, that conjures the fresh petals of night-blooming tuberose and jasmine as they sway in the moonlight, exuding extravagant sensuality. One word: beautiful! Rising to a rhapsody of unparalleled pleasure, spiced akigalawood and time pepper add an illicit potency to this mystical dance. A soft, sensual blanket of musk captures the erotic afterglow, promising the mood – and the longing – endures.

But be careful, this new oriental floral fragrance is an unpologetic tuberose scent. If you love the flower, you will become addicted to this new scent that dries down amazingly with its beautiful base notes of suede, musk, tonka bean and agarwood. Warm, different, sensual … a wonderful addition to my collection.

The perfume is housed in a matte-ivory iteration of the iconic Private Blend bottle. Adorned with a glossed, barely pink label and gilded accents, the 50 mL flacon has a sleek, architectural look of a chess piece, and the 250 mL decanter adds monumental beauty to any vanity.

TO SHOP TUBÉREUSE NUE EAU DE PARFUM, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford #TFTubéreuseNue #TomFord
The photos of me are taking with the special Instagram filter « Tom Ford Tubéreuse Nue».
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Today’s look is all about enhancing the timeless, retro-influenced mood that is trending at the moment. Reinvigorate your wardrobe with the bold and vibrant designs everyone has their sights on. My striped outfit is from the Ken Scott x Gucci collection that I absolutely adore.

Ken Scott was an American designer who resided in Milan in the 60s and 70s. He was known as the «fashion gardener» for his colourful, oversized botanical prints and vibrant colors. Alessandro Michele worked with Scott’s archive to incorporate his prints on signature House designs: «Ken Scott was a really great creator of fabrics, he mapped out flowers with romanticism and flowers into pop culture. He treated flowers like shop signs, he multiplied them, turned them into something that stood out. I like his work because I am obsessed with floral prints.»

I went for the less obvious print, instead of flowers I feel in love with those rainbow stripes. The perfect outfit for enjoying the change of the season, as I did on this beautiful day at Gstaad Palace hotel in the end of February.

My look: Rainbow-print linen top, matching rainbow-print linen trousers, gold-tone crystal belt, and 1955 Horsebit leather-trimmed crocheted shoulder bag, all by Gucci, lace-up leather-trimmed mesh pumps by Bottega Veneta, wide brim straw hat by Balmain, Clash de Cartier ring in 18K rose gold with amazonite by Cartier, and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

The past twelve months have been challenging, forcing most people to adapt to new realities. However, when you start progressing it’s all worth it. Do not bury your head in the sand – especially despite COVID 19. Instead find joy in the little things. It is also the time to find great opportunities but you may have to leave where you are comfortable.

I am very grateful for my life, for everything I have been blessed with, and all those beautiful moments and encounters I experienced in the past months. Everything has its advantages and disadvantages, you just have to make the best out of your very own situation. I was lucky to spend the past three months at the beautiful Gstaad Palace hotel, where life felt kind of normal.

Sometimes, I would sit in the lobby and indulge in a glass of champagne, cherishing the moment and thanking the universe for this privilege. Having a glass of bubbly has always been my treat, a moment for myself. One of my favorite champagnes is Veuve Cliquot‘s La Grande Dame, that has been created in homage to Madame Clicquot (1777 – 1866), one of the world’s first international businesswomen. Known in her time as «la Grande Dame de la Champagne», she took on her husband’s wine business when widowed at 27. Despite the challenging circumstances, the young lady didn’t bury her head in the sand. Under her ownership, she created the famous brand that still bears her name, «Veuve Cliquot» (veuve means widow in French). Thanks to her skill with wine,  she invented the riddling process, which involves bottles being placed upside down on a riddling rack. Everyday the bottles are gently shaken and turned. This method is still used by modern champagne makers.

In the glass, La Grande Dame 2008 has a light golden hue. After opening up, the nose reveals notes of dried fruit – almonds, figs, apricot – ripe white fruit (pear) and subtle toasted notes of hazelnut and praline. In the mouth the attack is powerful and sharp. The Pinot Noir stands out with its freshness, mineral notes and power. With 92%, it is the highest percentage of the grape ever used since the founding of the Maison.

It is also the Year of the Ox. What will it bring? Will things improve, or are we in for another rough ride? Zodiac experts believe the Year of the Ox is a period when hard work will be rewarded even more than usual. This has been interpreted by many as a great opportunity. They say knowledge is power, and it’s true. You won’t find opportunity without knowledge. Spending the extra time you might have due to the current deceleration with reading and learning something new, might be rewarded in the end.

Being open to new things is the key to staying young in my opinion. In terms of fashion – this is still an outfit post – I tried for the first time wearing something in latex. Skin-tight with a wet look shine, latex leggings are a unique eye-catcher. Although is quite an hassle to put the them on on, they are the most comfortable thing in the world and feel like a second skin. Great side effect –  your skin is so soft after taking them off. The combination with the checked blazer and blouse balances out the sexiness and adds a ladylike appeal. I am absolutely in love with this look – feeling like a grande dame!

To shop, click on the highlighted product descriptions:

My look: Double-breasted velvet-trimmed checked wool blazer, pussy-bow checked silk-chiffon blouse, checked silk scarf, black latex legging, gold-tone, enamel and faux pearl clip earrings, croc-effect leather belt, and Diane embellished two-tone leather pumps, all by Saint Laurent, and Chinese New Year Ox-embroidered clutch by Olympia Le-Tan.

Drink and shop responsibly!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: This post is a collaboration with Veuve Cliquot. Drink responsibly!
We may also earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. 

If Paris Fashion Week had happened, this would have been my outfit for the Louis Vuitton F/W 2021 show, pieces from the beautiful Game On capsule collection. Unfortunately, this was not possible, so I sported it for a photo shoot inside my favorite night club in the world, the GreenGo at Gstaad Palace. I cannot wait for everything to be back to normal again…

My look: Graphic two-tone shoulder cape, vibrant Game On A-line mini wrap skirt, Monogram lavaliere silk blouse, Speedy Bandoulière 30 bag, and luggage tag, all by Louis Vuitton (all from the Game On collection), hoop-drop clip earrings by Saint Laurent, Eloise 100 suede knee boots by Christian Louboutin, and Panthère de Cartier Manchette 22mm 18-karat rose gold and diamond watch by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.