Sandra‘s Closet

This dress is one of my favorites from the S/S 2019 runway collections that I wore to several occasions. It reminds me of a ballet gown and Marilyn Monroe’s most iconic outfits – the way the pleated skirt of this dress moves calls to mind, the famous scene in ’50s film, The Seven Year Itch.  Here you see me shooting it on the terrace of my suite at the COMO The Halkin hotel in London. Located in the city’s Belgravia district, it is an amazing place to stay. The healthy food, the yummy ginger tea infusion (not to be missed!), the service and the beautiful rooms make it an absolute insider tip.

My look: Lace and pleated chiffon maxi dress by Christopher Kane, cropped blazer by Saint Laurent, silver-tone, satin and crystal choker by Miu Miu, Cha Cha crystal-embellished suede pumps by Alexandre Vauthier, printed metallic leather box clutch by Dolce & Gabbana, and cuff by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Bid farewell to the heavy oriental, woodsy fragrances you wore on those cold days. Summer is here, and your perfume wardrobe is due for an update. As you are sporting your espadrilles with your favorite sundress, reach for fresh citruses, florals, and other sparkling uplifting notes to wear on your escapades in the sun, salt, and sand. Below my three favorites that fit the bill.

LIGHT BLUE SUN by Dolce & Gabbana
Inspired by sunny days and romances, this delicious fragrance is conveyed with a summery coconut water accord.

Fruity Floral
Top Notes: Lemon, Granny Smith Apple, Ozonic Notes and Coconut Nectar
Middle Notes: Jasmine, White Rose and Frangipani
Base Notes: Ambergris, Bourbon Vanilla, Cedar and White Musk
Eau de Toilette CHF 68.40 (25ml) and CHF 91.80 (50ml)

RISING SUN by Shiseido
Specially formulated without photosensitive or phototoxic ingredients, this mood-lifting Eau de Toilette can be even worn in the sun.

Fruity Floral
Top Notes: Lemon and Mineral-Marine Accord
Middle Notes: Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine Absolute and Rose
Base Notes: Coconut, Mirabelle Plum, Cashmerean and Musk
Eau de Toilette CHF 75.60 (100ml)

ANGEL EAU CROISIÈRE by Thierry Mugler
A new summer edition of the iconic gourmand perfume inspired by the leisure atmosphere of summer cruises and flavours of fruity cocktails.

Fruity Gourmand
Energetic Cocktail Facet (Top Notes): Mango, Grapefruit and Black Currant Sorbet
Voluptuous facet (Base Notes): Patchouli and Pralines
Eau de Toilette CHF 69.00 (50ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht  and Courtesy of the Brands

Today is Independence Day (colloquial: the Fourth of July), a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776. So here is my round-up of patriotic but fashionable pieces to wear to all those Fourth of July parties or of course all year around. Luckily, designers have found plenty of ways to transmute the classic stars and stripes motif into something fun, and dare I say elegant.

1 Embroidered apliquéd leather bomber jacket by AMIRI (50% off)
2 Chuck Taylor All Star 70 logo-print canvas high-top sneakers by Converse + JW Anderson
3 Storm rubber and ribbed-knit thigh sock boots by Givenchy (40% off)
4 American flag-intarsia wool-blend sweater by Saint Laurent (40% off)
5 American flag-appliqué cotton baseball cap by Vetements (50% off)

6 American Flag T-shirt by Polo Ralph Lauren
7 Flag print dress by Polo Ralph Lauren
8 Eagle print iPhone X cover by Palm Angels
9 U.S.A. print T-shirt by Balmain (50% off)
10 Flag print hoodie by Calvin Klein Jeans

Happy Fourth of July!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands,
Runway Photo in Collage: Viktor & Rolf F/W 2000

For F/W 2019, Louis Vuitton has collaborated with Alex Israel on a textile collection featuring the Los Angeles-based artist’s trademark vibrant pop aesthetic.

Alex Israel in front of his famous Wave paintings.

An original and strikingly modern addition to Alex Israel’s searching exploration of art and branding, the cultural and the commercial, the new eight-piece collection features playful and beautiful scarves, shawls, blankets and a bandeau.

Pink silk square

It begins with a collection of scarves which use Israel’s celebrated Wave paintings as the basis of a radical and remarkable update of the simple, elegant medium of the silk square.
The Wave scarves use a cutting-edge, technically innovative quilting technique. One side of each scarf is padded to recreate Israel’s Wave paintings’ puffy texture, while the reverse features the House’s iconic Monogram pattern.

Israel has designed four colour combinations across three sizes (classic, giant and jumbo- which doubles as a blanket), a new approach to sizing that creates original and modern ways to wear and use the classic square.

Sky Backdrop Monogram shawl in blue

The collection’s Sky Backdrop Monogram shawls are made in a delightfully airy silk and cashmere blend onto which Sky Backdrop paintings, another of Israel’s most recognizable series, are transferred in two different colourways using Louis Vuitton’s state-of-the-art digital printing.

The collection’s final piece, the double-sided, brightly coloured Desperado bandeau, features a ludic desert scene with cacti and cars inspired by the artist’s 2015 bronze sculpture, Desperado, and a Sky Backdrop overprinted with the House’s Monogram.

This new collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Alex Israel – following on from the artist’s recent Arty capucines bag and packaging for Les Colognes Perfumes – is an inventive and playful new chapter in the House’s long history of working with celebrated artists on its textiles range.

Love it so much: Louis Vuitton x Alexis Israel Arty capucine bag

After creative legends including Sol LeWitt, James Rosenquist, Andrée Putman, Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince, Stephen Sprouse and Yayoi Kusama, Israel becomes the latest artist to bring his talents to these «blank canvases».

The Louis Vuitton-Alex Israel textile collection is available in a selected network from now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © LVMH, © Louis Vuitton, © Gagosian
Photographer: Dan Martensen for Louis Vuitton
Fashion: Karla Welch for Louis Vuitton

I love going on vacation by car as you can pack as much as you like. On the other hand, with the right hand luggage, flying can be also very convenient. For me, there is nothing quite like my new chic Lexicon Hardside Global Carry-On by Victorinox to induce that sense of wanderlust. The champagne coloured trolley is not just impossibly pretty, but also unbreakable and packed with lots of smart features. These include an interior compression system which allows you to make the most of the space inside, TSA-approved lock, built-in battery pocket for charging your USB devices, as well as premium 360° wheels for a smooth, easy roll.

My look: Appliquéd cotton-twill jumpsuit by Mira Mikati, pink satin bow hairband
by Prada, vintage white black rasoir cut-off cat-eye sunglasses by Miu Miu, faux-pearl tassel earrings by Oscar de la Renta, silver-tone beaded choker by Isabel Marant, Ace sneaker with crystals by Gucci, and Shopper Bistrot Panier S straw tote by Balenciaga.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

«Women, with their intuitive instinct, understood that I dreamed not only of making them more beautiful, but happier too.» – Christian Dior

Victoire de Castellane continues the story of DIOR‘s «Rose des vents» collection with a new celestial lucky charm, so-called «Rose Céleste». A twist of grains encircles the medallion, which turns to switch between the moon and sun sides.

On the front, a mother-of-pearl moon and three small white gold stars have been embedded with infinite care in an onyx disc in order to reveal all their brilliance.

On the reverse, a majestic yellow gold sun, with nine rays of different sizes, stands out from the mother-of-pearl background. Its almond-shaped eye and its smile were defined with a subtle level of refinement. The ornamental stones have been polished to give them a rounded surface, while the gold that encircles them has been shaped to form a rice-grain effect.

Taking its inspiration from Christian Dior‘s highly superstitious nature and his passion for astrology, the new must-have jewellery pieces are available as a medallion, bracelet or necklace, these talismans offer a new invitation to travel through the Dior’s rich heritage, by day and by night.

Bracelet DIOR Rose Céleste €1900
Necklace DIOR Rose Céleste €2000
Médaillon DIOR Rose Céleste €4500

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior

From bright sparkling eyes to bronzers, here are the key must-haves for summer 2019 to get on your radar. My beauty mantra for the hot season is simple: the less work I have to do, the better. As it turns out, we should all be embracing the fact that wearing a ridiculous amount of makeup in sweltering temperatures is never a good look. I recommend some sparkle for your eyes and the right amount of bronzer for a sun-kissed complexion. Enjoy!

NARS Exposed Cheek Palette (top left)
Cheeks are up front and versatile with a limited edition palette of six universally flattering shades in a breakthrough formula that delivers unparalleled color. LOVE! CHF 66.60

CHANEL Bronzer and Highlighter Duo in 317 Medium (top right)
Part of the Maison’s Cruise 2019 collection, this two face powders palette, consisting of a matte bronzer and a pearlescent highlighter, fits in every bag for immediate touch-ups. CHF 78.00

TOM FORD Soleil Contouring Compact in Bask (center left)
Blush, highlighter and bronzer in one for the perfect complexion. CHF 100.00

NUXE Multi-Usage Compact Bronzing Powder (center right)
Beautifying and long-lasting, this multi-usage powder with its yummy Huile Prodigieuse® fragrance (orange blossom, magnolia and vanilla) provides an immediate «healthy glow». CHF 35.00

ESTÉE LAUDER Desert Heat Eyeshadow Palette (bottom)
Turn up the heat with 9 silky shadows to emphasize, customize and dramatize your eyes. Matte and shimmer finishes, limited edition. CHF 72.00

BOBBI BROWN Molton Drama Eye Shadow Palette
Brighten your eyes with these ten highly pigmented colors in four different finishes, including 5 Chrome Metal Eye Shadows for a hypnotic glow. My favorite this summer! CHF 84.00

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

There is a heat wave over Europe and this week has been tropical so far. Needless to say, I am loving it. Spending time at the pool in my garden, working yet chilling, feels like paradise for me.

My look: Printed eyelet lace dress, and matching printed triangle bikini, both by Emilio Pucci, Impatiens clip-on earrings by Oscar de la Renta, shell, faux pearl and crystal necklace by Etro, silver-tone beaded choker, gold-tone necklace with shell charms, gold-tone and shell choker, and gold-tone anklet, all by Isabel Marant, Rose des Vents bracelets in turquoise, orange, green and pink by Dior Joaillerie, embellished lace-up suede pumps by Dolce & Gabbana, vintage pink leather clutch with studs by Louis Vuitton, and embellished aviator sunglasses by Alexander McQueen.

Beat the heat in style!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This week, parts of Europe have to experience an extreme heatwave as exceptionally hot weather is pulled from Africa northwards across our Northern hemisphere. In some parts of the continent, temperatures are rising as high as – and surpass – 40 degrees.

The only thing that helps to beat the heat is a cold shower. Pick one of these new summer shower gels and stay fresh. They will stimulate the senses, give you a great bathing experience and leave you with a rejuvenating feeling.

This summer, LE PETIT MARSEILLAIS launches two new scents inspired by the Provence, «Fig» and «Lavender» to make it even more fun to gently clean your skin. The foam reveals a sweet and romantic fragrance while leaving your skin moisturized and nourished.
250ml for CHF 3.50 each

WELEDA invites you to get aways from the everyday in a lush summer with the limited edition «Summer Garden Shower». Step into the summer scents of exotic ylang ylang, fresh lemon and woody copaiba. The 100% plant-based surfactants cleanse gentle while organic sesame oil cares for your skin.
200ml for CHF 10.50

BIOTHERM‘s «Delighting Blend» cleansing gel is infused with grapefruit and sage for the ultimate indulging moment. When in need of a detox – for your skin and for your mind – this uplifting fragrance will help your mind disconnect while the fresh formulas will leave your skin purified and lightly perfumed.
400ml for around CHF 28.90

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I spotted the new jewelry collection by DIOR Joaillerie at the Zurich boutique and fell immediately in love. Named ASTRO DIOR, it is a celebration of the superstitious character of Christian Dior and consists of 12 necklaces in gold and mother of pearl, allowing you to now wear your astrological sign.

Christian Dior at a feast of St. Catherine, circa 1950

Christian Dior loved astrology. Therefore he visited Madame Delahaye, his clairvoyant, before opening his eponymous Maison in 1946. After the consultation, she confirmed to him that the launch of his brand was written in the stars.

Over the years, many references to the designer’s beliefs in astrology and mysticism appeared as he created certain pieces with a nickname deriving from those fields: Bonne étoile (lucky star), Horoscope, Tour de cartes (card trick) and Cartomancienne (cartomancer).

Astrological references on the DIOR runways

The House’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri continued this legacy by embroidering zodiac signs and celestial motifs on cashmere sweaters, bags and more.

Making of ASTRO DIOR 

Victoire de Castellane also celebrates this fascination with astrology now with the launch of these beautiful 12 necklaces that are available in stores now.

LoL, Sandra

ASTRO DIOR – Aries

ASTRO DIOR – Taurus

ASTRO DIOR – Gemini

ASTRO DIOR – Cancer

ASTRO DIOR – Leo

ASTRO DIOR – Viergo

ASTRO DIOR – Libra

ASTRO DIOR – Scorpio

ASTRO DIOR – Sagittarius

ASTRO DIOR – Capricorn

ASTRO DIOR – Aquarius

ASTRO DIOR – Pisces

 Photos: Courtesy of DIOR and © Sandra Bauknecht