Sandra‘s Closet

To mark International Women’s Day, Villa Igiea in Palermo presents «We Are All Whatever Singularities,» an exhibition by the conceptual feminist artist collective Claire Fontaine, on view from 7 March to 10 May 2026.

Inspired by philosopher Giorgio Agamben’s idea of the «singularity,» the exhibition reflects on the human condition and our potential to become many different things. Claire Fontaine presents three silkscreens referencing Andy Warhol’s iconic Marilyn Monroe portraits, reinterpreted with varying colours and overlaid phrases that question identity, authorship, and the ways digital networks connect and divide us. The exhibition also includes the sculpture Brickbat, transforming a book on Selinunte into a solid stone block, and the luminous installation Luminous Fountain, symbolizing the continuous cycle of life and memory.

Alongside the exhibition, Villa Igiea introduces the cultural program «Sicilian Matriarchy,» curated by Rocco Forte Hotels. Inspired by the legendary Sicilian icon Donna Franca Florio, the program invites guests to explore Palermo through experiences led by remarkable women.

These encounters include a visit to Claire Fontaine’s studio, a guided exploration of the Norman Palace and Cappella Palatina through the stories of four historical queens named Constance, a meeting with artisan Carolina Guthman dedicated to preserving traditional Sicilian embroidery, and an intimate chamber concert performed by young female musicians in a Liberty-style palazzo.

Through art, history, and craftsmanship, Villa Igiea continues to position itself as a cultural meeting point where contemporary creativity and the spirit of Sicily come together.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Rocco Forte Hotels
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Meet two new ways to color your cheeks. Swipe on Juice Stick dewy gel blush for a juicy, hydrating glow or dot on Play Daze airy liquid blush for a stunning, soft-focus flush. Both are longwearing, smudge-proof, buildable, and blendable for effortless, flattering color. Whether you want to juice up your cheeks or play them up, that’s up to you.

JUICE STICK – dewy gel blush

There’s nothing like this fresh-squeezed flush. Juice Stick is a hydrating gel-cream blush that delivers instantly flattering juicy-sheer color in just one swipe. And with a deliciously dewy finish and an instant cooling sensation, it’s basically a popsicle for your cheeks.

• Juicy, dewy flush
• All-day wear & hydrating
• Sheer, buildable payoff
• Water-resistant, sweatproof & humidity-proof
• Blends seamlessly

What’s in the juice?
Goji berry seed oil, rich in essential fatty acids such as omega-6 fatty acid, helps skin feel nourished.

Get juicy
Twist to open. Apply to cheeks. Build & blend. Seal Juice Stick with its inner cap to keep things fresh.

Available now at sephora.ch for 47,90 CHF

PLAY DAZE – airy liquid blush

Like an instant airbrushed flush, Play Daze’s transformative liquid-to-air formula goes on as a velvety soft liquid then sets into weightless cloud-like color with a natural-matte finish. This longwearing blush is effortlessly buildable for a soft-focus look that’ll leave your cheeks dazed.

• Diffused, cloud-like finish
• All-day wear
• Light, buildable payoff
• Waterproof, smudge-proof & transfer-resistant
• Feels weightless & blends seamlessly

What’s in the daze?
Microsphere Powder helps diffuse light & create soft-focus effect

Let’s play
Pump applicator up & down. Dot onto cheeks & blend.

Available now at sephora.ch for 41,90 CHF.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Benefit Cosmetics
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Giorgio Armani x Alanui: A Journey Through Craft and Contemporary Luxury

The collaboration between Giorgio Armani and Alanui emerges as a refined dialogue between two distinctive visions of Italian luxury. Rooted in heritage yet guided by a contemporary sensibility, the project explores a new expression of effortless elegance. By bringing together Alanui’s artisanal mastery and free-spirited identity with the timeless, sophisticated aesthetic of Giorgio Armani, the collaboration results in a collection that feels both authentic and singular.

At its core, the collection translates the idea of travel into a wearable narrative. Each piece reflects an uncompromising attention to detail and a continuous pursuit of exceptional materials and craftsmanship, values deeply embedded in the DNA of both houses. The garments evoke movement, exploration, and cultural exchange while maintaining the understated refinement that defines the Armani universe.

With Nicolò Oddi

Founded in 2016 by Carlotta Oddi and her brother Nicolò Oddi, Alanui is an Italian luxury knitwear brand centered around the idea of the cardigan as a symbol of travel and identity. The name «Alanui,» meaning «great path» in Hawaiian, reflects the brand’s philosophy of journey and discovery. Known for its exceptional yarns, intricate craftsmanship, and distinctive patterns, Alanui blends Italian artisanal excellence with global cultural influences.

Within the capsule collaboration with Giorgio Armani, the cardigan once again takes center stage. These key pieces embody the meeting point between Alanui’s bold, handcrafted character and Armani’s refined minimalism. Presented during the Giorgio Armani Men’s F/W 2026/27 runway show, the cardigans introduced a new dimension to the collection, one where tradition and innovation coexist seamlessly.

Ultimately, the Alanui x Giorgio Armani collaboration celebrates a shared dedication to quality, craftsmanship, and enduring style. It is a project that honors the heritage of Italian fashion while embracing a modern perspective, offering garments designed not only to be worn, but to accompany the wearer on their own personal journey.

TO SHOP THE GIORGIO ARMANI x ALANUI COLLABORATION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani x Alanui
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The Alpina Gstaad unveils an exclusive capsule collection created in collaboration with Los Angeles–based milliner Nick Fouquet, who might be the most handsome hatmaker I know. The limited-edition project marks the second partnership between the celebrated Swiss alpine hotel and the designer known for his distinctive, handcrafted hats.

Created specifically for The Alpina’s atmosphere and sense of place, the collection reflects the dialogue between the hotel’s refined alpine identity and Fouquet’s artistic approach to craftsmanship. Each hat is individually shaped and numbered, making every piece a true one-of-a-kind object.

The men’s selection features twenty felt hats in two deep tones, Anchor Blue and Dark Moss. Each design is hand-formed with a sculpted brim and finished with a French grosgrain band. Subtle cut-out leaf motifs reference «The Alpina’s emblem», lending the pieces a quiet connection to the landscape surrounding the hotel.

For women, the silhouettes are softer and slightly lower, crafted in delicate shades of Rose and Silverbelly. A central contrast stitch runs through the grosgrain ribbon, while signature Fouquet hardware pins and leather stamps appear along the crown and brim as understated markers of the designer’s craft.

Inside, every hat reveals a bespoke jacquard lining inspired by alpine ski trails, an intimate detail that quietly nods to Switzerland’s mountain heritage and the spirit of Gstaad.

The collection is available exclusively at The Alpina Gstaad, with each hat priced at CHF 1,800, an elegant expression of wearable craftsmanship shaped by place, tradition, and individuality. Phone orders are welcome!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtsy of  The Alpina Gstaad x Nick Fouquet
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As a fashion collector, I’m constantly searching for pieces that feel new, not just aesthetically, but conceptually. Fashion, after all, thrives on reinvention. The thrill is in discovering labels that push the conversation forward while still delivering that unmistakable sense of style.

This look from the Danish label GANNI caught my attention precisely for that reason. The crinkled taffeta is crafted from recycled polyester, a small but meaningful reminder that innovation in fashion doesn’t always have to shout; sometimes it simply slips into your wardrobe with effortless cool. GANNI has never claimed perfection, and perhaps that honesty is exactly what makes their approach feel modern. Their idea of responsibility is not a polished marketing word, but an ongoing process, one that evolves alongside the industry.

Naturally, the theme called for a playful twist. Enter my Moschino bag shaped like a roll of garbage bags, stamped with the words «C’est Trash Chic.» If fashion loves irony, then this is its perfect punchline. What could be more fitting than pairing recycled fabric with a bag that literally celebrates trash?

Recycling, but make it fashion. And maybe that’s the point: style has always had the power to transform the ordinary into something desirable, even a trash bag. Because in the end, great fashion doesn’t just recycle materials. It recycles ideas, attitudes, and humor. And when it’s done well, it looks incredibly chic.

My look: Cropped ruched bomber jacket, bow-detailed gingham crinkled-taffeta peplum blouse, gingham crinkled-taffeta miniskirt, and Kat platform boots, all by GANNI, bow-detailed red ribbon earrings by Simone Rocha, Intrecciato rectangular sunglasses in green/brown by Bottega Veneta, and cylinder clutch bag by Moschino.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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L’Apogée Courchevel, part of the prestigious Oetker Hotels portfolio, now presents a striking new interior concept for its living and dining areas designed by Kelly Wearstler.

Inspired by the dramatic landscape of the French Alps, Wearstler brings together monolithic Brutalist forms and alpine warmth. A palette of deep green, ochre, and fireplace red is complemented by local stone, crafted wood, and natural textiles. Vintage European furniture and curated art pieces add character and authenticity, creating spaces that feel both sculptural and inviting.

Based in Los Angeles, Wearstler is one of the most influential contemporary interior designers, known for her bold use of color, layered materials, and distinctive, expressive style. L’Apogée Courchevel marks her first hospitality project in Europe.

«The French Alps offered an extraordinary canvas for my first European hospitality project. It is something truly special that this debut is taking place in the Alps. The dramatic landscape, the monumental vastness, and the natural materials of the region inspired me to create interiors that harmoniously integrate into the surroundings.» – Kelly Wearstler

With its renewed interiors, L’Apogée Courchevel enters a new era, honoring its alpine heritage while embracing bold contemporary design. For guests, the experience is more than a stay; it is an immersion into landscape, artistry, and modern mountain luxury.

I am in love with this interior style!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © L’Apogée Courchevel
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Contre-Jour
Where Light Meets Shadow

In the curated world of Éditions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, every launch is an artistic statement. With Contre-Jour, perfumer Annick Ménardo delivers something rarer still: a fragrance that feels like controlled rebellion.

The nose behind Contre-Jour: Annick Ménardo

Built around an audacious overdose of Mediterranean immortelle, the composition glows with sunlit intensity, yet never turns sweet. Instead, the flower is stretched to its limits, revealing a textured, almost ambered warmth that feels architectural and unexpectedly modern.

Then comes the twist: a dark, sharpened rose, stripped of innocence and edged with attitude. It lends depth and tension, like silk cut with leather. Beneath it all, creamy sandalwood hums softly, binding the contrasts together in a trail that is smooth, persistent, and quietly magnetic.

Top notes: everlasting flower
Middle notes: rose damascena
Base notes: sandalwood

Originally conceived as a «masculine fragrance for women, and equally the reverse,» Contre-Jour refuses definition. It is not about gender, nor about trends. It is about presence, about the kind of luxury that whispers rather than shouts, yet leaves an unforgettable impression.

Available now as Eau de Parfum
100ml for € 350,- / CHF 362
50ml for € 250,- / CHF 250
10ml for € 72,- / CHF 73

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Frédéric Malle
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For S/S 2027, ZEGNA will present its fashion show in Los Angeles, stepping outside the traditional Milan Fashion Week calendar for a singular, time specific moment. The show will take place on June 5, alongside the arrival of VILLA ZEGNA, the brand’s invitation-only temporary private club, opening right after the show and remaining in Los Angeles for a few days. Made in full alignment with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana , this choice underscores ZEGNA’s commitment to extending Italian savoir-faire into a global cultural stage, while preserving its strong and enduring bond with Milan.

The S/S 2027 show will be central to a carefully orchestrated sequence of experiences in Los Angeles, bringing together top clients, friends of the brand and international press. VILLA ZEGNA offers a curated environment where guests can experience the brand beyond the runway. Following previous editions in Shanghai, New York, Dubai, Miami and Milan, VILLA ZEGNA arrives in Los Angeles as part of an ongoing cultural journey, shaped each time by its context while remaining rooted in intimacy and human connection.

Los Angeles is chosen not as a fashion capital, but as a cultural one: a city where creativity has long been shaped through cinema, storytelling, and image-making. From Hollywood’s cinematic legacy to its enduring influence on global visual language, Los Angeles represents a place where narratives are crafted, a global destination for long journeys, where distance, time, and landscape invite a slower form of discovery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Zegna
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London, Mayfair.
Always running, from one high-end moment to the next.
So much happening, so much to discover.

In the rush, still in style. Always. Happy Weekend!

My look: Bow-embellished polka-dot silk crepe de chine midi dress by Alessandra Rich, VSLING mini top handle handbag in black with sparkling embroidery by Valentino, Hangisi 105 crystal-embellished satin pumps by Manolo Blahnik, silk scarf 90 «Costume de Fête» by Jan Bajtlik (S/S 2023) by Hermès, silver-tone crystal and pearl clip earrings, and crystal and pearl necklace, both by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Felicia Sewerinsson @feliciasewerinsson
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Members Only: The Bristol Society Fitness Club Opens Its Private World

For all my Parisian readers among you, I have some great news for you. This month, a new chapter begins at Le Bristol Paris. For the first time in its history, the legendary palace hotel on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré opens the doors of its once entirely private fitness sanctuary to a select circle of external members.

Conceived as far more than a gym, the Bristol Society Fitness Club is an intimate universe where physical discipline meets aesthetic refinement. Spread across 117 square meters of light-filled space, the club blends precision, balance, and mindful well-being into an experience that feels both exclusive and deeply personal.

The main studio, lined with warm oak parquet and softly shimmering walls, features state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment. Large windows frame the elegant rhythm of the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, turning every workout into a quietly cinematic moment.

A second, fully privatizable studio is dedicated to yoga, reformer Pilates, and stretching. Designed for tailored sessions, it offers cutting-edge equipment and absolute tranquility, a true refuge for body and mind.

Between invigorating training and restorative calm, members move seamlessly from focused effort to the soothing warmth of the hammam. Two exclusive memberships shape this rarefied world:
• The Prestige Membership – €8,000 per year
• The Signature Membership – €20,000 per year

At the Bristol Society Fitness Club, luxury is never loud. It is felt in discretion, in the freedom to retreat inward, and in an atmosphere where every detail is curated with quiet elegance, allowing the body to be strengthened and the mind gently restored.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Le Bristol
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.