Sandra‘s Closet

In 2019, COROMANDEL lends itself to a new variation and inspires the eighth Parfum in the LES EXCLUSIFS DE CHANEL collection. Darker and more intense, this new interpretation of COROMANDEL exalts the opulence of its oriental-woody trail.

A true exercise in perfuming style, the creation of a parfum requires an intimate understanding of the original fragrance in order to accentuate the most characteristic features and thus intensify its olfactory signature. From the richly woody oriental fragrance COROMANDEL, Olivier Polge, Perfumer Creator for the House of CHANEL, chose to magnify the dark and smoky facets with a special focus on three raw materials that are key to its identity. Frankincense is heightened to give the Parfum a vibrant and vertical power that builds upon contact with the skin. A more concentrated quality of labdanum fully reveals the smoky and leathery accents of its ambery note. Lastly, a densely textured, velvety benzoin gives the COROMANDEL Parfum trail a warm and captivating depth.

Inside Coco Chanel’s apartment: her beloved coromandel screens.

A bolder expression of the COROMANDEL personality, the Parfum is an even greater evocation of the lacquered screens that lined the walls of Gabrielle Chanel’s private apartment. Intense and mysterious, its dark woody trail recalls the deep shades of these luxurious objects from the Orient, with which it shares an exotic elegance and exquisite refinement.

LES EXCLUSIFS COROMANDEL Parfum 15 ml for CHF 274.-
Available in Switzerland from Mid September at CHANEL Zürich, Geneva, Bongénie in Geneva, Jelmoli Zurich, and Manor Geneva.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of CHANEL

In exactly one week, Zurich will have a new hot spot. Say hello to Baur’s – the new brasserie and bar is part of the famous hotel Baur au Lac.

For the last two decades, the Baur au Lac Grill Room was known as Rive Gauche, and one of Zurich’s most popular restaurants. But at the iconic hotel change is part of its DNA, and Baur’s, an all-new dining concept, inspired by the classic European brasserie, will open on September 20th.

The stunning interior design is blending contemporary chic with international grace in an artful, inviting ambience while the menu offers a fine selection of grill room-inspired dishes, modern takes on culinary classics and plant-based delicacies, paired with a sophisticated wine list, curated by the world’s best sommelier.

Opening hours Brasserie:
Monday – Sunday
Lunch 12 pm – 2:30 pm
Dinner 6 pm – 10:30 pm

Opening hours Bar:
Sunday – Thursday 3 pm – 12 am
Friday – Saturday 3 pm – 1 am

Visit baurs-zurich.ch for more information and to book your table.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Baur’s, Instagram ©baurszurich

It’s not just silhouettes that Demna Gvasalia re-imagines from Balenciaga‘s archives – he unearths some of the house’s signature prints and gives them a fresh spin, too, such as this chain motif from the ’80s. Shooting this post, I truly felt like Sleeping Beauty waiting for her prince behind the thorn hedge. The photos were taken at the Ortsmusem Thalwil (museum of local history), a place worth visiting.

My look: Draped stretch-jersey bustier, asymmetric pleated printed crepe midi skirt, and Opera printed silk twill-trimmed suede clutch, all by Balenciaga, «Dior Split» sunglasses by Dior, crystal, bead and felt clip earrings by Etro, cocktail ring by Chanel, and feather-winged suede sandals by Edgardo Osorio for Salvatore Ferragamo.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Inspired by the season’s colorful store windows, Louis Vuitton launches new digital watch faces for the connected Tambour Horizon watch.

Neon and electric, the Monogram flowers and Louis Vuitton initials pop as if glowing in the dark. You can choose from the four new designs to give an entirely new and eye-catching look to your Tambour Horizon Connected Watch.

In addition to the new neon designs, the Tambour Horizon connected watch includes a travel feature with flight, hotel and transportation information, «My 24 hours» with weather, daily agenda and step counter, along with access to LV’s City Guide and exclusive customizable watch faces to truly tailor the timepiece to your own needs.

The «LV Neon» faces can be added to any Tambour Horizon watch through the Play Store now.

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton, Collages: © Sandra Bauknecht

Venezia è un film – Venice is a film – I was thrilled to be invited by Atelier Swarovski to Venice for a beautiful night at the Baglioni Hotel Luna, during the 76th Venice International Film Festival, to celebrate this grand event of Marie Claire Italia for their September issue.

Daniele Luchetti, Sveva Alviti, Alessandra Mastornardi, Manola Moslehi, Marco Maccarini, Antonella Bussi, and Fotinì Peluso.

Indulging in the silence of nature, away from the crowded squares, set in the lagoon, Daniele Luchetti, a director who becomes a fashion photographer for the first time, tells the story of traditions and Venetian crafts, of landscapes to be preserved with the help of female protagonists, four Italian actresses, Alessandra Mastronardi, Sveva Alviti, Fotinì Peluso, and Benedetta Porcaroli, all dressed in the new season.

Oysters and champagne waited for us in the hotel’s stunning Marco Polo salon, while Antonella Bussi, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire Italia, took the stage with Manola Moslehi and Marco Maccarini, announcers of Radio Italia, who were also the presenters of the beautiful evening. Thanks to Atelier Swarovski, the night was even more sparkling and brilliant, with the beautiful fine jewelry on display in a stunning showcase.

Atelier Swarovski stands at the forefront of a global conscious luxury movement with Swarovski Created Diamonds that mark a new step forward in the company‘s brilliant history of innovative man-made materials. Identical to mined diamonds, they possess the same composition, hardness, brilliance and fire – just as a greenhouse-grown orchid is identical to one found in nature.

The event culminated in a live performance of Italian singer Paola Turci. Playing the guitar, she immediately started singing her famous song «Volo così». You don’t need to be Italian to feel the emotions of the language and the power of this amazing woman.

After ending her performance with a cover of «Hallelujah» by Leonard Cohen, we moved up to the terrace on the third floor overlooking San Giorgio Maggiore, one of the most romantic postcards of Venice. All dancing with a musical selection designed for the event by Radio Italia DJ Paolo Negri, we enjoyed cocktails and dancing until late at night.

On the terrace: Marion and Laurence Kaelin and Marc-Henri Debluë, Marie Claire Suisse

Filming before the event

With Paola Turci at the after party.

Beautiful outfit: Fotinì Peluso in a red Valentino gown and earrings by Atelier Swarovski.

With Marion Kaelin in David Tomaszewski and Catherine Poulain in Tony Ward Couture.
For all details of my look, click here for yesterday’s post.

On the occasion of the event Marie Claire launched the social hashtags #MCCinema and #MCFutureVisioni. Below are more photos of this fabulous event!

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: Courtesy of Marie Claire Italia and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week, I spent two amazing days in Venice with Atelier Swarovski and Marie Claire Italia for the Film Festival. Before telling you more about the event, I would like to show you my sparkling outfit. The dress is from Mary Katrantzou’s S/S 2013 collection and for me one of the best gowns every done with Swarovski crystals. It is like a piece of art. To finish off the look, I combined some real diamonds with some eye-catching items from Atelier Swarovski’s new Tigris collection.

My look: Alias dress with Swarovski crystals (S/S 2013) by Mary Katrantzou, Cassandre small suede shoulder bag by Saint Laurent, Cha Cha crystal-embellished suede pumps by Alexandre Vauthier, diamond ring and diamond bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery, Tigris statement necklace, Tigris drop earrings, Tigris bangle, Tigris stacking rings and Tigris cocktail ring, all by Atelier Swarovski.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Stefano Trovati for Atelier Swarovski – © Marie Claire Italia
© Sandra Bauknecht #AtelierSwarovski #MCCinema #MCFutureVisioni

Any pet lover will say that life just seems better with a dog. The furry friends keep us company, entertain us, comfort us, protect us, and seem to make life fuller and more complete. I grew up with a dog and I still remember those beautiful years at his side. Today, I cannot pass a dog without a little cuddle. Henry kept me company while taking the photos of this floral-print linen outfit that is one of my favorites at the moment.

My look: Goldie cropped ruffled floral-print linen top, Goldie floral-print kick-flare linen trousers, and floral-print cotton visor, all by Zimmermann, Marmont fringed logo-embellished metallic cracked-leather pumps by Gucci, logo earrings, side packs in yellow, and  yellow logo cuffs, all by Chanel, «Mitza» ring by Dior Fine Jewellery and cat eye metal mirrored sunglasses by Fendi.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 

Revised for the Resort 2020 collection, the Prada Bowling Bag is a 21st century classic.
An archive style originally presented as part of S/S 2000 «Sincere Chic» Collection, in turn, it is an echo of the mid-twentieth century Accessories: A memory of memories.

Prada S/S 2000 runway (isn’t the quality of the photos hilarious)

I remember buying it during my first year as an editor at Marie Claire magazine (I cannot believe this was almost 20 years ago) and of course it is still in my closet soon to be worn again.

Reminiscent of the aesthetics of modern design in its straightforward contours, automobile chassis in their reliefs contrast similar materials in vibrant colors to evoke the visual vocabulary of fashion and a broader design vocabulary. Miuccia Prada always combines architecture, art and fashion in perfection.

Prada Resort 2020

It was represented on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the debut of this then iconic and today archetypal model in New York on May 2, 2019 as part of the Prada Resort Runway Show.

The reinterpreted bowling bag is a symbolic Prada silhouette made of fine, soft calf leather offered in four hyperclassic color combinations: white with black, cinnamon with white, white with red and black with white (what a pity the pink and white one is not produced). The Prada Bowling Bag is available from on November in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Thank God, I still have it in my closet, like this I am ahead of the game… therefore you should always keep your pieces until their time has come again.

LoL, Sandra

My Prada bowling bag and lip print skirt, both from the S/S 2000 runway collection.
I love the perforated leather detail….

Photos: © Prada, © Sandra Bauknecht

As my avid readers know, I am a big fan of Parmigiani Fleurier‘s Tonda model. I personally own the Tonda 1950 Clarity, the Tonda 1950 Galaxy and the Tonda Métropolitaine. I love that you don’t see these pieces very often. Now there is a new model in the watch family celebrating the lunar calendar in all its glory. The moon has always played an important part in my life, I cut my hair according to the moon phase and full moon deeply affects my sleeping habit and emotions.

Two years after it first appeared, Parmigiani Fleurier is updating the aesthetic of the Tonda 1950 Lune with a model featuring a slate dial and a second design with round diamonds on the bezel. Both showcase the poetry of the «lunar calendar» complication which illuminates their dial with a new layout. Behind this harmony, it is easy to forget the sheer mechanical complexity required to create an ultra-thin self-winding movement which comprises so many time indications. The Tonda 1950 Lune is both a technical and beautiful tour de force.

Tonda 1950 Lune with Slate Dial – CHF 29.000

With a rose gold case matched with a slate colour dial, this Tonda 1950 Lune is the epitome of the classic elegant watch. The lunar calendar, displaying the two hemispheres, is located at 10 o’clock instead of its previous position at 12 o’clock. This offset layout balances the date at 3 o’clock, the logo at 1 o’clock, and the small seconds window at 6 o’clock. All of the time indications are structured to create a pleasingly harmonious dial. The alligator strap is available in black for men.

Tonda 1950 Lune with Diamonds – CHF 37.000

On the other hand, the Tonda 1950 Lune with diamonds features a rose gold case, a mother of pearl dial, a beautiful complement to the light which plays across the precious stones – a combination which cannot fail to enthral. Additional touches adorn the piece, such as the moon at 10 o’clock which is set in the middle of a starry sky, and the gold outline around the date window at 4 o’clock. Lastly, the dial has been made smaller to accommodate a slightly broader bezel, allowing larger diamonds to be set within it, offering exceptional sparkle and brilliance, unlike any other.
The alligator strap is available in ficelle, red and indigo for women.

The calibre PF708

The Tonda 1950 Lune owes its slender proportions to its calibre, the PF708, a mechanism combining precision and reliability with automatic winding thanks to its platinum micro-rotor. Its elements have been carefully arranged on the main plate to ensure the various time indications are harmoniously displayed. As is standard practice at Parmigiani Fleurier, and one of its hallmarks, it boasts hand-applied finishes and bevelled bridges. Its sublime structure is complemented by «Côtes de Genève» decoration.

ABOUT PARMIGIANI FLEURIER

Taking its name from its founder, watchmaker and restorer Michel Parmigiani, the fine watchmaking brand was founded in 1996 in Fleurier, in the Swiss valley of Val-de-Travers. With its own watchmaking centre ensuring its independence, the brand has both full control over the production process and unique creative freedom. For over twenty years, the Parmigiani Fleurier signature has resided within timepieces that command the utmost respect, in harmony with watchmaking traditions. They are the labour of a lifetime – that of Michel Parmigiani, the talented individuals who assist him, and the special relationship between the Manufacture and the masterpieces of the past, enabling it to invent a bold future.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Parmigiani Fleurier

Besides this season’s zebra pattern trend, you should not miss another black and white animal print as fashionistas can’t get enough of dalmatian prints. When «too much» is never enough, those pieces are giving major Cruella De Vil vibes.

It is a great example how fashion and cinema are linked together. In 2021, Emma Stone will be giving a new twist to the iconic villain as she plays her in the upcoming film «Cruella», showing the Oscar-winning actress as the younger, significantly more punk version of the famous protagonist who is crazy for the black and white dots.

Here’s your first look at Emma Stone as Cruella de Vil in Disney’s Cruella. The film, also starring Emma Thompson, Paul Walter Hauser, and Joel Fry, comes to theaters May 28, 2021.

Below you can find the best dalmtian print pieces available this season. Have fun and get ahead of the fashion trend.

Animal-print cotton-twill trench coat by Burberry

Pussy-bow dalmatian-print silk blouse by Burberry

Dalmatian-print high-rise pleated midi skirt by Burberry

Crystal-embellished animal-print faux fur coat by Miu Miu

Logo and dalmatian print nylon backpack by Burberry

Dalmatian furry cropped blouse by Batsheva

London dalmatian print bag by Manu Atelier

Pre-owned vintage Dalmatian shoulder bag by Louis Vuitton

I am on my way to the Venice Film Festival with Atelier Swarovski. Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, © Disney