Sandra‘s Closet

Last month, I attended the CLARINS press conference at 1904 Designed by Lagonda, a new restaurant in Zurich that combines design with Haute Cuisine. In the lounge area, that is open already in the morning for business meetings or to just have a coffee, a red wall catches your eye. The perfect backdrop for CLARINS that are famous for the red thread in their logo.

 Among several novelties one seems really outstanding to me. While everyone is thinking about Millenials or Generation Z, CLARINS is working on the Silver Generation, people that are now 60 years or older. The reason is actually pretty obvious. It’s a fast growing population, with 775 M in 2015, 1.2 B in 2030 and a predicted 1.6 B in 2050.

What are women at the age of 60 plus most concerned of? Mature skin is weakend. The skin gets drier due to changes in the lipid structure and there is a lack of radiance and firmness. The glow is missing as micro circulation and vascular reactivity is diminished – around minus 44% at the age of 60. The skin’s fibroblasts are aging and that causes a decrease of micronutrient supply.

CLARINS did clinical tests with several women and divided them in two groups, one half with ladies that looked younger for their actual age and the other half with participants that looked older than they were. The reason for this phenomenon was found in the radiance of the skin. Therefore CLARINS focused on achieving a more luminous skin and developed the luminance index with an inside/outside effect.

The plant discovery for the new formulation was horse chestnut, a symbol for spring and rebirth. In Geneva’s old town, there is a horse chestnut tree whose first bud marks the official arrival of spring on the Promenade de la Treille (Marronnier Officiel). Standing in full new bloom, something we all wish for when we grow older.

Two ingredients of this tree are combined, fruit and organic flower extract, to help the skin to reactivate its micronutrient network and revive its full luminosity. After one month of using the Crème Nutri-Lumière Jour, the skin’s luminance index of 30 women tested increased 12 %. All 4 new textures are based on plant-powered formulas (17 plants of which 10 are organic) for a complete anti-aging action.

CLARINS Nutri-Lumière Jour – Nourishing, Revitalizing Day Cream – CHF 162.00
oil-infused – fresh texture
CLARINS Nutri-Lumière Jour  – Nourishing, Revitalizing Day Emulsion – CHF 162.00
lighter version of the day cream – comforable texture
CLARINS Nutri-Lumière Nuit – Nourishing, Rejuvenating Night Cream – CHF 172.00
night cream oil-infused balm – not greasy at all
CLARINS Nutri-Lumière – Renewing Treatment Essence – CHF 73.00
smooth and gentle lotion – toning texture

All four new products are available now online or at the Clarins Boutique & Spa at Gerbergasse 6 in Zurich. The official launch date will be January 27, 2020.

The face of the campaign, Brazilian born Claudia Maria Ferreira da Costa, was with us in Zurich. I spotted her immediately when I came in. A beautiful, confident woman of almost 60 that truly looks much younger than her birth age.

Claudia Maria, can you tell us a little about your career path?

I started modeling around 36 years ago, a long time ago. I worked with Saint Laurent, Dior to name a few and travelled to place such as Paris, and Japan for business. I did that for around 12-14 years. Then I got married and had my two kids. Years later, I discovered this one model, this gorgeous girl where I lived, Arizona Muse. I got her career started and while I did this, the agency got also interested in me as all of a sudden an interest for mature faces came up. That was an amazing opportunity for me at the age of 50. Not many people get to do that. I just went for it and my confidence built up. Now, I take full ownership of that and I find it my mission to represent women of my age group. Also we should take in consideration that at 60, many women start to reinvent themselves.

How did you get into fencing?

I started fencing at the age of 43. My father was a fencer and I always had the curiosity about this sport but as he died a pretty long time ago, I never got to see him practice. Funnily enough, my ex-husband told me once about this fencing club and suggested to give it a try. My kids were little and I lived in this small town of Santa Fe in the US and I just went for it. Just after a few months, I had my first competition and I got hooked. It totally sparked something that I didn’t know I had in me. It showed me first of all how competitive I was and that anything is possible.

«Still learning. Still resilient. Still radiant.» – Claudia Maria Ferreira da Costa

Are you afraid of aging?

I am not afraid of the number 60. I tell people my age. The alternative of not getting older is not being alive, let’s face it. I don’t want to go back to a younger me. For me the sense of vitality is in your mind, your impulse lets you enjoy life. When you turn 60, you know more about yourself, you can embark in newer things and challenges. I feel a certain ownership of my life, much more than I used to feel when I was younger.

What are your tricks to look so amazing?

The basics to feel and look great are the following:
– use sun screen and protect your skin from the sun as much as you can
– drink a lot of water and less wine
– don’t smoke
– and don’t forget that the expression of your inner self, of who you are, transmits on the outside

An advice you would like to share?

Take two words out of your vocabulary and you will be shocked. First, «hope», it doesn’t convey power, it is just a thought of waiting for something. I am not waiting, I am making it happen. Second, «worry». If you have power, than you don’t need to worry. You just make things happen for yourself.

Say yes – that is your operative word. When I stand up, I say to myself, I do whatever it takes. 

Thank you, Claudia Maria, for sparking up our day!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the city of Geneva, © Clarins and © Sandra Bauknecht

Worn five ways and in three go-with-everything shades, Rosie Assoulin‘s «Thousand-In-One-Ways» top is your new hero knit. Now that’s outfit repeating made fun.

As featured in the New York based designer’s Pre-Fall 2020 lookbook, this versatile cable-knit piece is designed to be styled a myriad of ways; Cut for a slim fit, with a cropped silhouette, a square neck, sleeveless, a removable bolero, and a ribbed trim.

You may have gasped at the price, but think about it – for $680/€760, you get, like, a trillion knits. Calculate the cost per twist, now that’s outfit repeating made fun.

TO PRE-ORDER THE THOUSAND-IN-ONE-WAYS TOP, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Rosie Assoulin
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

This season, when it comes to sneakers, transparent air bubble-infused soles are the latest hype. Transparency as a striking design detail has been trending now for a while but this year various fashion designers have been experimenting with the modern sole, releasing their own footwear renditions featuring trend, along with Nike who kickstarted the movement with its iconic Air Max silhouettes.

Air Max 98 mesh and faux leather sneakers by Nike (50% off)

Personally speaking, I find Alexander McQueen‘s version the most appealing. The brand has released different silhouettes featuring the «bounce» sole in many versatile color combinations – the minimal silhouette with this bold detailing looks fabulous.

Leather exaggerated-sole sneakers by Alexander McQueen

Below are other sneakers models you might like as well, enjoy and happy weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Triple S Clear Sole logo-embroidered leather, nubuck and mesh sneakers by Balenciaga

Diamond metallic leather sneakers by Jimmy Choo (40% off)

Valentino Garavani Bounce logo-print leather and mesh sneaker by Valentino (30% off)

Bump Air faux leather, mesh and neoprene sneakers by Shoes 53045

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

«I can’t stop the feelin’
So just dance, dance, dance
I can’t stop the feelin’
So just dance, dance, dance, come on»

Whenever I go clubbing, I prefer wearing some tight pants to be able to move easily and have all my valuables on me with the help of a small crossover bag, a phone holder around my neck and this fantastic lipstick case.

My look: Short sleeved pullover with frills, leggings with monogram elastic belt, vintage long coat with gold piping and leopard collar (Look 14 from the F/W 2005 collection), Petite Malle bag in Monogram Canvas, lipstick case, Louise phone holder, all by Louis Vuitton, and Kangaroo wrap around bow tie lace high heel boots in black (F/W 2016) by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Opening tomorrow, under the impetus of La Réserve and the vision of excellence upheld by its owner Michel Reybier, the Eden au Lac hotel is reinventing itself as La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich. A new 5-star establishment in Zurich, the hotel has been completely redesigned to provide an elegant and timeless experience in the heart of an imaginary yacht club dreamed up by creator Philippe Starck.

Thanks to its unique location in the city and on the waterfront, the hotel provides a unique lifestyle
perspective on Zurich with 40 rooms and suites in eight categories, ranging from 22sqm to 79sqm, as well as two bars and restaurants that offer spectacular views of the city and the lake. To be enjoyed as a family or among friends, La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich is an atypical and highly modern place that is both majestic and sophisticated.

Guests are now welcomed via the side entrance for enhanced comfort and privacy. The wooden staircase leading from the reception area to the upper floors has been preserved. A large elevator set in a fine glass shaft enables guests to admire the stained-glass windows by artist Ara Starck, who creates «moving landscapes that are perpetually morphing throughout the day as the light pours through.»

The rooms are all located on the upper floors overlooking the lake. Created by Philippe Starck like onshore sailors’ cabins, they invite their guests to dream of regattas, adventures, light breezes and indulge in the soft light from the terraces or private balconies.

A bar restaurant adjoining the lobby, a smoking lounge with a treasure cellar and a rooftop restaurant – La Réserve Eden au Lac is changing the culinary scene in Zurich. On the ground floor, with its large bay windows opening onto the outside, Eden Kitchen & Bar promises to be an essential meeting point in the city. Light-colored floors, red wood and boat oars and hulls are just some of the design cues that create a warm and relaxed atmosphere and serve as reminders of the hotel’s attachment to the lake. The large open kitchen stages a non-stop show, in which everyone can admire the expert touch and creativity of the teams headed by Italian chef Marco Ortolani.

«Eden Kitchen & Bar evokes the memory of the yacht clubs where young people used to gather for regattas canoe, skiff, kayak or sailing races. Joyful places where everyone had a lot of fun, drinking and dancing around the large bar.» – Philippe Starck

Perched on the sixth floor and accessible directly via the glass elevator in the lobby, La Muña overlooks the city from its tree-lined roof terrace and has taken over the former attic beneath the hotel’s spectacular dome. La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich’s second restaurant is a treasure chest, mingling imaginary memories of moments spent on the lake with extraordinary objects found in the city and around the world.

The furniture also looks as if it has always been here, in this imaginary «harbor-master’s office»: with comfortable light-colored leather or slightly old-fashioned floral fabric upholstery, and rugs picked up during trips to Persia and Asia. Two outdoor terraces are accessible, one of which can be entirely privatized. Whether on a sofa or at a table, under the huge parasols, guests can enjoy a relaxed and festive atmosphere while sharing the Japanese Peruvian specialties of chef Tomoko Gunji Hangartner (Miya).

La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich
Utoquai 45, CH-8008, Zürich
Phone: +41 44 266 25 25
E-mail: info@lareserve-zurich.com

Cannot wait to experience this new hot spot in Zurich myself…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich / © Grégoire Gardette

Panerai celebrates the Year of the Rat with a special edition of 88 units decorated using the
ancient technique of sparsello. This technique is named after the tool, like a little scalpel, which is used to make incisions. These are then inlayed with gold threads which are carefully hammered to fill the recesses. This operation takes up to 50 hours of work for each watch. Chinese astrological tradition depicted and enhanced by Italian craftsmanship.

Panerai recalls the evocative thousand-year tradition of the Chinese Zodiac with the new Luminor Sealand – 44 mm (PAM00863), a special edition created to anticipate and accompany the Year of the Rat which will officially start on the 25th of January 2020.
For Panerai this is a true tradition within a tradition which started in 2009 with the celebration of the Year of the Ox and culminating today, in the 12th year, with the Luminor Sealand – 44 mm dedicated to the Year of the Rat. This is the 12th Panerai Luminor Sealand model and marks the end of the 12- year cycle in which each year is distinguished by a sign of the zodiac represented by an animal.

Both ambitious and brilliant, those born under this sign use their intelligence and shrewdness to adapt to any situation, easily overcoming the problems and pitfalls of everyday life. They are also endowed with inspiration and intelligence, qualities which they share with the rat, the animal represented on the steel cover of the Luminor Sealand – 44 mm dedicated to it.

A distinguishing feature of every Sealand, the decorated cover – with a signalling mirror inside.

The mechanical movement of the new Luminor Sealand – 44 mm is the P. 9010 Calibre with a power reserve of three days provided by twin spring barrels, and rapid time adjustment which also changes the calendar. Water-resistant to a depth of 10 bar (about 100 metres), the new Luminor Sealand – 44 mm is fitted with a semi-matt calf strap, gold in colour with beige stitching, and it is presented in a pear wood box. It is supplied with a second strap of black rubber, a special tool for changing the strap and a screwdriver to remove the buckle.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Panerai

Holiday season is over but we all want the party never to stop. Depending on your budget, here are really amazing pieces to include some iconic classics as well as some new trends into your wardrobe. Decide for yourself if you want to go splurge or steal.

LoL, Sandra

Inject your wardrobe with this season’s must-have hue and shop one these cocktail dresses, both with a deep V-neck, front closure and in a deep emerald hue.

Splurge (left): Iconic Karolina crystal velvet mini dress by The Attico (my favorite! – the cut and the embellishments are divine, good news is that it is marked 40% off)
Steal (right): Isabella floral-jacquard mini dress by Rat & Boa

The perfect artsy dress for your next art gallery opening or museum reception, sophisticated and stylish in one.

Splurge (left): Lovers-print silk-georgette dress by Valentino (marked off 40%)
Steal (right): Statue-print dress by Zara (marked off 65%)

Polka-dot prints were making waves on the S/S 2020 runways. Get ahead of the style game and order your gown for your next black tie gala.

Splurge (left): Tiered polka-dot organza gown by Carolina Herrera
Steal (right): Antonia polka-dot off-the-shoulder dress by Rat & Boa

Animal prints have become a fix wardrobe staple with leopard leading the way. Go for the iconic Dolce print if your budget allows it.

Splurge (left): Leopard-print silk-blend midi dress by Dolce & Gabbana (the original one is now marked down 40%)
Steal (right): Ruched leopard-print stretch-mesh mini dress by Ganni

The LBD is always a great alternative for party dressing. Trending now are cuts that play off the traditional elements of a tailored blazer such as pockets and embellished buttons.

Splurge (left): Double-breasted wool blazer dress by Balmain
Steal (right): Dress with jewel buttons by Zara (marked off 40%)

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands, Collages: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Breaking news for the print media. No photoshoot was required in the making of the newest issue of VOGUE Italia that has swapped photos for illustrations to help reduce its carbon footprint.

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@David_Salle featuring @LiliSumner in @Gucci styled by @TonneGood

«All of the covers, as well as the features of our January issue, have been drawn by artists, ranging from well-known art icons and emerging talents to comic book legends, who have created without travelling, shipping entire wardrobes of clothes or polluting in any way. The challenge was to prove it is possible to show clothes without photographing them. This is a first, Vogue Italia has never had an illustrated cover: and as far as I know no issue of Vogue Italia in which photography is not the primary visual medium has ever been printed.
Thanks to this idea, and to these artists’ process, the money saved in the production of this issue will go towards financing a project that really deserves it: the restoration of Fondazione Querini Stampalia in Venice, severely damaged by the recent floods», says Emanuele Farneti, Editor-in-Chief Vogue Italia.

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Female figure wearing @Gucci by Vanessa Beecroft @VBuntitled

Vogue is looking to make a change. In December, Vogue’s editors penned a mission statement vowing to celebrate diversity and community, and to preserve the planet that will be shared by all 26 editions of the magazine.

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@DelphineDesane@DelphineDesaneStudio featuring @AssaBaradjiofficial in @Gucci

In Farneti’s editorial he states (translated from Italian) about the recent September issue: «One hundred and fifty people involved. About twenty flights and a dozen or so train journeys. Forty cars on standby. Sixty international deliveries. Lights switched on for at least 10 hours non-stop, partly powered by gasoline-fueled generators. Food waste from the catering services. Plastic to wrap the garments. Electricity to recharge phones, cameras… .»

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@Cas_Amandaa @Cas_Namodafeaturing @Ambar_Cristalz in @Gucci

Last year, the McKinsey & Company consultancy projected that the global garment industry would expand by two-thirds by 2030 and be responsible for one-quarter of the global carbon footprint by 2050 compared with 2% in 2015. Great news is that the trend of sustainability is industrywide. Experts say luxury consumers in particular are willing to pay more for sustainable garments and items that don’t exploit workers.

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@Yoshitaka_Amano featuring @LindseyWixson in @Gucci

The January issue includes eight different illustrated covers as well as articles about clothes made from scrap fabric and second-hand pieces. It will be at the newsstand on January 7, 2020.

Great initiative from Vogue Italia but one question I am asking myself is: «Is this the future of the end of print media?»

LoL, Sandra

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@MiloManara_official featuring @OliviaVinten in @Gucci

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@Paolo.Ventura featuring @FeliceNovain @Gucci

Photos: © VOGUE Italia

2020 has started so well … enjoying the beautiful sunny weather in Gstaad with family and friends. Here you see me at Wasserngrat restaurant, located at an altitude of 1,920 metres above sea level, with breath-taking views of the stunning mountain scenery.

My look: Oversized faux fur coat by Balenciaga, ski print bodysuit, logo headband and snow boots with spikes (Coco Neige F/W 2019), black and white cashmere scarf, embellished leggings and tortoise shell sunglasses (Resort 2020), and Chanel 19 tweed bag, by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

To celebrate the Chinese New Year in 2020, which falls on January 25th, Alberta Ferretti presents «It’s My Year», a small capsule collection dedicated to the Year of the Rat. The icon of this collection is the famous, fun mouse character, Topo Gigio®, that was created in the late 1950s in Italy by Maria Perego and that became a worldwide phenomenon, with the help of «The Ed Sullivan Show.»

Maria Perego with the mouse puppet Topo Gigio in 1961

TO SHOP THE ALBERTA FERRETTI CAPSULE COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Alberta Ferretti and © Mondadori, via Getty Images
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.