Sandra‘s Closet

The Nantucket watch has been forming solid attachments for almost 30 years. Its story, all about links, began in 1991, when iconoclastic Hermès designer Henri d’Origny boldly sketched the outlines of a companion to the Cape Cod watch, an equally distinctive model named Nantucket.

This assertive timepiece featured a «rectangle within a rectangle», forming an unprecedented case inspired by the anchor chain links of the Chaîne d’ancre bracelet, an Hermès classic imagined by Robert Dumas in 1938.

Nantucket’s story continues today with the Chaîne d’ancre, evoking its early days. This model offers a new take on the iconic link, which merges seamlessly into a light and supple steel or rose gold bracelet. The faithful hours and minutes hands sweep over numerals whose font is also inspired by
the Chaîne d’ancre universe.

The case of the Nantucket is crafted from gold or steel in the Hermès watchmaking workshops, and freely adorned with diamonds. Light plays across the sandblasted silver-plated dial itself thanks to a sprinkle setting, or sparkles brightly in a jewellery setting around a mother-of-pearl dial. With a light and natural touch, Nantucket interweaves its own codes of rebellious elegance.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hermès

Leonard Paris is pleased to announce the arrival of Georg Lux, the Maison’s newly appointed Creative Director.

Graduated from the Modedesign school Lette-Verein of Berlin, Georg Lux joined Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, where he successfully achieved his studies. In 2011, he was appointed by Tara Jarmon who also entrusted him with the responsibility for her Bal Edition line and the illustration of her collection books.

Georg Lux

Georg Lux’s talent for sublimating the silhouette with elegance and femininity will be supported by the Leonard studio, with whom Georg will share a fresh vision of the House’s exceptional heritage. He will develop sustainable ready-to-wear collections in close collaboration with the best craftsmen, at a time when taking time is essential.

Leonard Paris is determined to offer the opportunity to a young generation of designers to share their design vision, whilst preserving the heart and essence of a well-established brand with solid values.

Leonard Paris S/S 2020 Campaign

«I am honored and delighted to be able to work with talented craftsmen with exceptional know-how. I am looking forward to continuing to carve the history of Leonard, inspired by its exceptional heritage,» comments Georg Lux.

Nathalie Tribouillard

«We are very pleased to work with Georg to continue to win over Leonard’s devotees across the globe. His work at Leonard comes at a turbulent time, but one that heralds an extremely demanding post-crisis period, full of hope for reinventing our French craftsmanship around digital technology and respect for our planet», comments Nathalie Tribouillard, Maison Leonard CEO.

Georg Lux’s first collection for Leonard Paris is Pre-Fall 2021, and his first presentation for the French Maison will take place during the upcoming Paris Fashion Week on March 5th 2021.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Leonard Paris

Refined elegance. An edge of authenticity. The power of personal style. Evoke effortless allure with a limited-edition collection inspired by Claudette, inimitable mother and muse to François Nars. Drawn from nostalgia and the irreverent spirit of 1970s Paris Rive Gauche, each boldly wearable shade paints an intimate portrait of unapologetic style and unconditional love. A vision of beauty.

«I am very lucky to have an extremely beautiful, glamorous and elegant mother on whom I was always able to practice makeup.» – Founder and Creative Director, François Nars

THE COLLECTION
AUDACIOUS SHEER MATTE LIPSTICK – CHF 46.80
Introducing the cult-favorite sensorial formula, now with a soft-focus finish. Each swipe delivers delicate color with medium-sheer coverage and a petal-soft powder finish.
SHADES (left to right):
▪ ANAÏS (pink nude)
▪ MATHILDE (rose beige)
▪ SYLVIE (berry red)
▪ BÉRÉNICE (warm brick red)
▪ SANDRINE (scarlet red)
▪ ANOUK (red)

AUDACIOUS LIPSTICK – CHF 46.80
A muse, bouche. Four new shades of the cult-favorite luxury satin lip formula, named for the most inspiring women in François’ life: his mother, Claudette Augustine; and grandmothers, Léa and Ginette.
Audacious Lipstick glides on like satin across lips with single-stroke coverage.
Bold, ultra-saturated color feels hydrating and stays put—without bleeding or feathering. The NARS logo is embossed on the bullet of each lipstick.
SHADES (left to right):
▪ LÉA (neutral spiced rose)
▪ AUGUSTINE (taupe nude)
▪ CLAUDETTE (rust red)
▪ GINETTE (deep brown red)

CLAUDETTE CHEEK DUO – CHF 63.00
Cheek to chic. A duo of sophisticated Blush shades for a natural-looking rush of color.
Our cult-favorite, bestselling blush formula delivers a weightless, natural-looking rush of cheek color. Superfine micronized powder pigments ensure an irresistibly soft, blendable application. Buildable shades deliver a natural wash of color to every skin tone – a light swipe of even the highest-intensity hues deliver a natural-looking flush.
SHADES (left to right):
▪ CROISETTE (matte bright peach)
▪ NINOTCHKA (matte toasted amber)

ST GERMAIN DES PRÉS EYESHADOW PALETTE – CHF 58.00
All eyes on yeux. Featuring six warm, neutral shades in matte, satin, and shimmer finishes. Each finish stays soft with a vibrant effect. Pure pigments suspended in an innovative liquid binding system create rich, high-impact color in just one stroke.
SHADES:
▪ TOP ROW (left to right)
• ENVIE (shimmering taupe)
• JOIE (shimmering champagne)
• RUE DE TOURNON (shimmering bronze)
▪ BOTTOM ROW (left to right)
• L’ÉPHÉMÈRE (matte rust)
• NOSTALGIE (matte cinnamon brown)
• LIBÉRATION (deep matte brown)

In Switzerland available from February 2021.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © NARS
For the Claudette Collection campaign, François Nars photographed his original muse and inspiration, his mother Claudette at the Hotel Regina in Paris.

This body cream is so amazing, that it deserves its own post. CHANEL enriches the GABRIELLE CHANEL perfuming ritual with a body cream, the perfect way to treat yourself to a precious moment just for you. Its creamy texture wraps the skin in the luminous floral notes of GABRIELLE CHANEL and intensifies the solar and voluptuous trail of the fragrance. It also works great in combination with any other scent you like to wear…

The cream moisturizes the skin and gently perfumes the body for a truly pampering experience. Delicately pearly, enriched with a moisturizing active ingredient derived from rose and jasmine, it leaves the skin soft, supple and luminous. Whether a moment of pleasure in the morning, a sensual touch after your bath or a gentle caress at the end of the day, each application becomes a ritual of relaxation and delight. The new square frosted glass jar with a shimmering gold lid only adds to its desirability!

GABRIELLE CHANEL Body cream – Jar 150 g – CHF 106.-
Available Mid January 2021.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL

Here is the outfit I wore for my Gstaad experience last week. Cozy and warm, yet stylish, waterproof and protective, wearing a great ski suit makes you look awesome on the slopes and is also perfect for all other activities in the mountains.

Great news is that this ski suit is equipped with the RECCO® system. Since its launch in the 80’s, this rescue system has become the standard bearer in avalanche search and rescue technology. It’s always on and ready to go with no batteries that might run out and lasts a lifetime. For the wearer the system consists of a permanently attached «reflector» which is sewn into the Dolce & Gabbana outerwear pieces. When an avalanche happens, professional rescuers pull out a RECCO® detector which scans the slide area for signals and allows them to easily find those lost under the snow.

My look: Tropical rose print ski jacket, matching tropical rose print ski trousers, printed silk scarf, and roll-neck jersey sweater, all by Dolce & Gabbana, Trekkgirl snow boots by Valentino, vintage white mink ear muffs by CHANEL, medium shearling Bobby bag in grey by Dior, and LV Timeless metallic stole by Louis Vuitton.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Gstaad is one of Switzerland’s most iconic luxury ski resorts and definitely my favorite winter destination. Last weekend, I indulged in a very special experience and enjoyed winter and nature in and around Gstaad from close up.

It started at the Gstaad Palace with a beautiful and very romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through the beautiful village of Gstaad up to the unspoiled snowy countryside. I leaned back and felt the calming rhythm of the horses. I loved the tranquillity of nature from the carriage.

However unfortunately, at one point we had stop as it would have been to steep for the horses and we were driven in a jeep up the snowy roads to a rural and charming chalet. Inside a delightfully cheesy experience awaited us. It’s a Swiss tradition to spend some cosy and convivial hours together on the steaming caquelon, eating a rustic and authentic cheese fondue.

Something that should be on your bucket list if you are not living in Switzerland. Important to know… don’t drink anything but these three beverages: Sip only white wine (or in my case champagne), kirsch, or a tisane of herbal tea with your fondue meal. Water might cause stomach pain in combination with the cheese.

Ruinart Blanc de Blancs – my favorite champagne nicely chilled in the snow.

The chalet is so charming, don’t be afraid of the outhouse, it is quite an experience.

If you had too much cheese, you can walk back to the hotel, it takes around 2.5 hours to the Palace. Otherwise, you will be driven back with the jeep to your starting point.

It is a truly unique and special experience that you can book via EXPERIENCE event agency.
E-mail: info @experience.ch, Phone: +41 33 748 86 66.

I will be doing it again next weekend … just saying.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This will be probably THE collaboration of 2021! A collaboration which connects two brands with similar history and values, The North Face x Gucci celebrates the spirit of exploration in select locations around the world. Both brands have rich archives, and favoured pushing innovation and breaking the rules. The resulting collection features pieces with unique and distinguishing details to be kept for a lifetime.

We all are dreaming of getting away. Especially in the midst of a global pandemic that has so many of us huddled close to home constantly, it’s an alluring collection, in which we could go camping and hiking in style. I mean who wouldn’t like to sleep in a The North Face x Gucci tent!

The launch has happened very exclusively with just a few clients having the opportunity to shop the collection starting on the 8th of January online. I was among those fashion victims (haha) that clicked on the «add to basket button» and was lucky to get the must-have logo bomber jacket that sold out in seconds.

The collection is also available in a Gucci Pin – pop-up shop in Berlin from the 9th of January and in a few other uniquely designed spaces around the globe. From the end of January, the collection will be available to the public.

Real world meets virtual world: The North Face x Gucci collection is also available for avatars in Pokémon GO. Do you like the ready-to-wear, soft accessories, luggage, and shoes, as well as unexpected items for your next adventure?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci

Great news! SISLEY introduces a new mascara, called «So Stretch». After injecting intensity with my all-time favorite «So Intense», creating curves with «So Curl», and building density with «So Volume», SISLEY is launching a new «So», with the «So Stretch» formula, which shapes and coats lashes and enhances their beauty, length and vitality, leaving them longer, denser, stronger, and more beautiful, day after day. This new care-infused triple-action mascara lengthens, separates and shapes lashes instantly and flawlessly for a wide-eyed result.

With a single application, each lash receives just the right amount of product. Enriched with Bamboo powder and Beeswax, the lightweight, elastic texture of «So Stretch» instantly extends lashes to open up the eyes. In the blink of an eye, the lashes are coated from root to tip. The Beeswax contained in the formula works to effortlessly separate each lash for a clump-free, fanned-out result.

The shaping, sculpting and curling properties of Carnauba wax amplify the intensity of the eyes and promise lightweight, long-lasting volume. The lashes are lifted but never overloaded, giving a sophisticated, elegant and natural finish.

Specially designed to enhance the performance of the formula, the «So Stretch» mascara brush‘s supple, triangular fibres catch the lash fringe and coat it in mascara, separating even the smallest, finest eyelashes and reaching the most inaccessible corners. The long bristles ensure optimum lash separation and give an ultra-defined result that opens up the eyes.

Immediately from the first coat, the lashes are infused with the many benefits of different active ingredients. In addition to boosting length and intensity, the formula of «So Stretch» strengthens and nourishes eyelashes and contributes to proper growth. Enriched with softening Castor oil and Damask Rose, the new mascara leaves lashes supple and silky. With repeated application, they become longer, thicker and more resistant.

Personally speaking, I am still a huge fan of «So Intense», but I love to use the «So Stretch» as the final touch because it makes the lashes look extremely long and defined. A perfect combination for me.

The new «So Stretch» mascara is available in 3 shades:
Deep Black, Deep Brown, and Deep Blue, for CHF 62.00 each from February 2, 2020.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © SISLEY

Breaking news for all gem lovers. Tiffany & Co. acquires an exceptional 80-carat diamond to reimagine its historic 1939 World’s Fair Necklace. Expected to be its most expensive piece ever, Tiffany will unveil the diamond necklace in 2022 when the doors of its transformed Fifth Avenue flagship store reopen, making history once again, just as the original necklace did nearly a century ago when it debuted at the World’s Fair in Queens, New York.

In August 2020, OMA unveiled images of the newly transformed Tiffany Fifth Avenue Flagship Store to open in 2022.

The original aquamarine design has been modernized with an extraordinary oval diamond of over 80 carats, the largest diamond ever offered by Tiffany and eclipsed only by the Tiffany Diamond, which famously is not for sale.

«What better way to mark the opening of our transformed Tiffany flagship store in 2022 than to reimagine this incredible necklace from the 1939 World’s Fair, one of our most celebrated pieces when we opened our doors on 57th Street and Fifth Avenue for the first time,» said Victoria Reynolds, Tiffany & Co. Chief Gemologist. «The new necklace perfectly reflects our brand heritage as a New York luxury jeweler, whose founder was known as the ‘King of Diamonds‘.»

Tiffany & Co. 80-carat, D color, internally flawless diamond inspired by necklace from the 1939 World’s Fair.

The breathtaking center stone – an over-80-carat, D color, internally flawless oval diamond – is not only very rare, it is a symbol of Tiffany’s industry-first approach to diamond traceability. Responsibly sourced in Botswana, Africa, the diamond will be set by Tiffany artisans in NYC.

Photograph of the aquamarine and diamond necklace from the 1939 World’s Fair_Tiffany & Co. Archives.

The original necklace’s sizable aquamarine and exceptional diamond forms entranced the millions who came to admire the international spectacle. With its forward-looking theme, «Dawn of a New Day,» the 1939 World’s Fair promised a glimpse into «the World of Tomorrow.» The fair’s intention was to inspire, in its over 44 million visitors, the dream of a better and more effervescent tomorrow. Tiffany’s masterpiece did just that – setting the stage for the opening of its iconic flagship store on 57th Street and Fifth Avenue the following year, in 1940 – foreshadowing what will be a similarly historic moment for the brand in 2022.

In 1878, the company purchased the famous Tiffany Diamond, an immense canary yellow stone from the new South African deposits. Once cut, the diamond weighed 128.54 carats.

Tiffany has acquired many rare and remarkable gemstones for its jewelry designs in its 183-year history, including the legendary Tiffany Diamond, one of the world’s largest and finest fancy yellow diamonds, as well as the Hooker Emerald, now exhibited at the Smithsonian and the Mazarin Diamonds, purchased by Tiffany at the auction of the French Crown Jewels.

LoL, Sandra

The massive 75.47-carat Hooker Emerald had been auctioned to Tiffany & Co, which initially set it in a tiara. Despite its beauty, the tiara remained unsold for decades. In 1950, the emerald was re-set into a brooch that included matching earrings. Five years later, the brooch was purchased by Janet Annenberg Hooker. In 1977, she donated it to the Smithsonian.

Photos: © Tiffany & Co. and © OMA

Louis Vuitton has teamed up with acclaimed Swiss contemporary artist Urs Fischer on a multifaceted collaboration that highlights his playfully audacious creative vision across a wide range of leather goods, ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories.

Entitled «Louis Vuitton x Urs Fischer», Urs Fischer’s exuberant and textured reworking of Louis Vuitton’s signature Monogram is the starting point of this collection which features the Monogram’s flowers and LV initials in new hand-drawn versions that he calls «memory sketches». The resulting dream-like motifs have been meticulously adapted to suit each specific product across this comprehensive collection, changing in size, perspective, colour and application technique.

Available in two colourways, black and red and black and white, this new Monogram is the collaboration’s key decorative motif, and features throughout the collection’s designs. In addition to ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes, seven special-edition bags – a Keepall, Cabas, Onthego, two Neverfulls, Speedys, Pochettes Accessoires, and a charming, hard-sided beauty case – use the Urs Fischer Monogram to particularly impressive effect thanks to an exquisite tuffetage treatment that uses velvet-like material to create extra texture and tactile relief.

The collaboration also features a series of whimsical characters created by Urs Fischer. The enchanting animals and objects are united in a playful print that fills a colourful silk square.

«Louis Vuitton x Urs Fischer» is both a perfect, large-scale showcase for Urs Fischer’s creative world and the latest exciting chapter in Louis Vuitton’s longstanding commitment to the arts. The collection will launch in Louis Vuitton stores worldwide in January 2021. For more information, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton / Pierre-Ange Carlotti