Sandra‘s Closet

I am in love, yes IN LOVE! This is definitely the  chicest bag you could add to your summer wardrobe, DIOR‘s embroidered Book Tote! A veritable invitation to travel by the House’s creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, an evocation of sunshine, inspired by Mexican crafts, it is the perfect luxury staple piece to rock throughout the season. First seen at the DIOR S/S 2018 runway show, it sports geometrical motifs and requires more than thirty-two hours of work and over one million two hundred thousand stitches to create an interplay of arrestingly lovely patterns in mesmerizing shades of green, orange, red, fuchsia, violet and blue. It’s crafted in the fashion house’s studio in Paris.

Rihanna sporting her personalized DIOR book tote

Although the tote has just been released this season, celebrities all over are sporting the brand in a range of colors and customized names.

Check out the photos below to see how the elegant piece is made:

If you are dreaming of a limited edition piece, I recommend visiting DIOR’s pop-up store on the Greek island of Mykonos this summer at the upscale Nammos shopping village until Oct. 15, 2018.

There you can find exclusive pieces, including DIOR Book Tote bags featuring the name of the island woven into the canvas as well as striped bodysuits and sweaters, silk cravats and cotton pareos bearing the slogan «J’adior Mykonos.»

Great news is that the DIOR book tote is here to stay and has been designed in many different versions for F/W 2018 as well as for Cruise 2019.

DIOR Book Totes for F/W 2018

DIOR Book Tote for Cruise 2019

Such a great bag – my favorite is still the S/S 2018 in vibrant shades.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior

Today more coming up from Arles as on May 30th, 2018, Gucci showed its Cruise 2019 women’s and men’s show by Alessandro Michele also there. Revealed in an evocative setting of the ancient site of Les Alyscamps, a UNESCO World Heritage site with one of the world’s most renowned Roman necropoleis, which provided a remarkable backdrop for this beautiful collection. This followed Alessandro’s previous Cruise presentations that have taken place in other culturally significant locations, including the DIA-Art Foundation in New York City, the Cloisters at Westminster Abbey in London and the Palatina Gallery in Florence’s Palazzo Pitti.

Les Alyscamps in Arles

Here are some facts about Arles which is surprisingly the largest municipality in France in terms of surface, it is located on the Mediterranean coast, in Provence, between Marseille and Montpellier. Thanks to its rich history spanning 2500 years, Arles is inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1981 for its roman monuments.

Arles

Positioned on the Rhone delta, Arles benefits from the astonishing landscape of Camargue, considered one of Europe’s most important natural areas. Arles inspired numerous artists, such as Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. Fashion designers Louis Féraud and Christian Lacroix (please see this week’s post here) have arlesian origins, consequently culture and creation are economic drivers such as: the publishing house Actes Sud, the photography festival Les Rencontres d’Arles and LUMA Arles, who is currently building a cultural center with architects Frank Gehry and Annabelle Selldorf, in charge of the renovation of the old industrial buildings. For further information about Arles visit www.ville-arles.fr.

Impressions of the Gucci Cruise 2019 show

The city of Arles, also consistently involved in cultural initiatives, was happy to collaborate with a luxury brand such as Gucci. This was the first time that the ancient site of Alyscampshas hosted an event of this caliber. Indeed, one could imagine no better publicity for the city, which is enjoying a renaissance, thanks in large part to Swiss art patron Maja Hoffmann, who was also among the guests at the show along with Christian Lacroix.

Hoffmann has enlisted Canadian-born architect Frank Gehry to build a 185-foot tower that will be the center point of her Luma art foundation, opened in 2013. The sprawling site, with an estimated cost of 150 million euros, also encompasses abandoned rail yards that have been renovated and now house exhibitions. The heir of the pharmaceutical giant Roche has invested extensively in the city, renovating two local hotels, the Hôtel d’Arlatan and the Hôtel du Cloître, and also owns the Michelin-starred organic restaurant La Chassagnette in the neighboring Camargue region.

Please find below some of the best looks from Gucci’s Cruise 2019 collection, for which creative director Alessandro Michele was obviously «fascinated by the idea of death». A haunted runway with lots of cross necklaces, Victorian references, velvet capes, neon lace tights, goth accents, and prints galore. Gucci at its best!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci

Personally speaking, I have very uncomplicated skin and don’t burn easily. Still, I know about the importance to protect my skin from DNA damage and severe aging. This summer, I tried many products of which those really convinced me. Moreover they have a great price-performance ratio.

GARNIER AMBRE SOLAIRE UV Water Protection – as light and fresh as water
Great texture, easy to apply leaving the skin moisturized while being protected from both, UVA and UVB rays. Available with SPF 20 and 30.
CHF 14.90 (150ml)GARNIER AMBRE SOLAIRE After Sun Tissue Mask
A true boost of hydration after sunbathing. Leave it on for 15 minutes and let the magic happen.
CHF 2.90 per sheet mask

ANTI BRUMM® SUN 2in1 Spray SPF 50 (CHF 21.00) and ANTI BRUMM® After Sun 2in1 Lotion (CHF 29.00)
While I don’t tend to burn, unfortunately I tend to be eaten up by mosquitos. I am a human insect repellent for all next to me as I get bitten easily. ANTI BRUMM® has the perfect products for me combining sun care with mosquito repellent, during the day as well as for the night.

Due to the good skin compatibility ANTI BRUMM® also works for people with sun-sensitive skin and for children from 2 years old. ANTI BRUMM® is also recommended by the Swiss Tropical Institute.

Enjoy your holidays!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

While visiting Arles yesterday, I passed by a Christian Lacroix store (photo at the end of this post) which immediately caught my eye as I had completely forgotten about the fashion house after it had been sold by LVMH to duty-free retailer Falic Fashion Group in 2005.

Visiting Arles yesterday – an inspiration for today’s post.

I had been a big fan of flamboyant Lacroix’s designs and even got married in one of his couture dresses. Personally speaking, when Christian opened his Maison, I started actively being interested in fashion and his creations inspired me a lot of what I do today.

The story of Christian Lacroix

Christian Lacroix was born in Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône in Southern France. At a young age he began already sketching historical costumes and fashions. In April 1987, his dream came true and he founded his own fashion house in a private mansion at 73 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, in the heart of Paris. The House of Christian Lacroix was created by the Arlesian couturier and press agent Jean-Jacques Picart, with support from Bernard Arnault. Word quickly spread throughout Paris and Christian Lacroix’s name was on everyone’s lips.

A look from Lacroix’s F/W 1987 haute couture collection.

The following 26 July, Christian Lacroix unveiled his first Haute Couture collection for F/W 1987. This first collection was a radiant, opulent, virtuosic homage to the couturier’s roots; each look was infused with Mediterranean influences. The designer revisited traditional Arlesian outfits, drawing inspiration from the toreador’s cape. He highlighted southern France’s beauty, from the Camargue to Provence, in this 60-piece collection.

This first flamboyant fashion show was wildly successful, blowing the dust off the subdued world of 1980s high fashion and turning Parisian fashion of the day on its head. It was a departure from the minimalistic look of the influential Japanese designers en vogue at that time.

Christian Lacroix F/W 2004 Haute Couture collection

At a time when fashion was focused on simplicity, Christian Lacroix chose exuberance. When black became the standard, he opted for blood red, fuchsia pink and bright yellow.

With each new collection, Christian Lacroix designed pieces that combined unusual materials and colours, adorning looks with luxurious baroque touches. He brought back touches of folklore, history and theatre, infusing them with elegance and sophistication.

Very «Like a Prayer»: Anna Wintour chose for her first Vogue cover a Christian Lacroix couture jacket combined with a pair of jeans. It was photographed by Peter Lindbergh and  featured Israeli Model Michaela Bercu – US Vogue Nov 1988

Anna Wintour chose a Christian Lacroix Haute Couture jacket with a simple pair of jeans for her first American Vogue cover, photographed by Peter Lindberg in 1988. This look broke all the high fashion rules, pushing it into a younger and more liberated future.

After a spectacular debut, the Lacroix phenomenon spread as if propelled by the Mistral wind, and was soon featured prominently in all the most prestigious fashion magazines around the world.

Shalom Harlow in Christian Lacroix Haute Couture photographed by Bruce Weber for Vogue US, March 1995.

Throughout the 1990s, the brand continued to grow, diversifying its portfolio with household linen, tableware and more. This diversification continued to pick up speed in the following decade.

Between 2002-2005, Lacroix served also as the Creative Director for the Italian fashion house Emilio Pucci. He left on agreeable terms as he and the house believed that since he had other pursuits, it would be unfair to the house to not put in the energy required for future collections along with his other work.

Ad Campaign F/W 1997 featuring Karen Elson photographed by Paolo Roversi

In 2005, LVMH sold the House to its current owners, the Falic family, giving it new momentum as it explored other niches while continuing the House’s previous activities. In 2009, the fashion house put the business into administration and laid off all but 12 workers. Lacroix’s F/W 2009 Haute Couture was privately financed by Lacroix and each model was paid €50.

Final finale: Christian Lacroix and Vlada Roslyakova – Haute Couture F/W 2009

As Vogue editor Sarah Mower wrote: «It was one of the most poignant and emotionally fraught haute couture shows ever: a collection produced on a shoestring at the last minute, and only made possible by the collective will and donated time and skills of the seamstresses, embroiderers, jewelers, milliners, and shoemakers loyal to Christian Lacroix.»

«I didn’t want to cry,» said Lacroix «I want to continue, maybe in a different way, with a small atelier. What I really care about is the women who do this.» Lacroix said about his last Haute Couture collection. Throughout its history, the house never turned a profit and reported a €10 million loss in 2008.

When Christian Lacroix left his position as the House’s Artistic Director in late 2009, Sacha Walckhoff, who had worked at the House since 1992, was named Creative Director. Sacha continued the House’s transformation alongside President Nicolas Topiol, extending the creative focus to decoration and lifestyle collections.

Lacroix in 2018: Designing for Desigual

Lacroix, himself, started collaborating in 2011 with the Barcelona-based clothing brand Desigual. This year, he will launch 5 mini collections for the house.

Lacroix x Nymphenburg

He also collaborated with Nymphenburg for a limited edition collection of design objects.

Interior design by Christian Lacroix: Hotel Le Bellechasse in Paris 

Moreover, Christian Lacroix has completed interior design work at several landmark hotels, including the Hotel Le Petit Moulin in Spring, 2005; the Hotel Bellechasse, right in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Paris), in 2007 (a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World); and in 2010 Le Notre Dame hotel just a step from the cathedral Notre-Dame-de-Paris.

The newest hotel design project by Lacroix: Julius Caesar in Arles.

In 2014, formerly a 17th century Carmelite Convent, Julius Caesar in Arles opened its doors as a boutique hotel featuring décor designed by Christian Lacroix.

The Christian Lacroix store in Arles.

Lacroix without Lacroix… the House’s Studio still produces collections in men’s fashion, accessories (scarves, sunglasses, handbags, jewellery, watches and mobile phone accessories) and lifestyle (fabrics, wallpapers, cushions, rugs, tableware, candles and stationery). But unfortunately no women’s fashion… but to be honest that is also hard to imagine without Lacroix being there himself!

Lacroix, Sweetie, Lacroix! Your are a genius…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Christian Lacroix, via Vogue and © Sandra Bauknecht

A trip into the blue… from one location to the other. This is what I love – finding unexpected little places, beautiful hotels and exploring new territories. Here you see me on the rooftop terrace of the Hotel de Tourrel in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in the South of France. With only 7 rooms, it is a real treasure in the city center.

My look: Patchwork cotton top and patchwork asymmetrical-hem skirt, both by Loewe, DiorClub2 D-frame acetate sunglasses by Dior, Pixie small suede and textured-leather shoulder bag by Chloé, beaded leather sandals by Saint Laurent, faux-pearl tassel earrings by Oscar de la Renta, daisy necklace by Dior Fine Jewellery, Amulette necklace by Cartier, cuff by Chanel, Tonda 1950 Clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

If you have a very sensitive skin and tend to burn easily, then you will love the products of ULTRASUN, the Swiss brand that has launched many innovations for over twenty years with strong focus on this skin condition.

The newest range, called ULTRASUN MINERAL, offers formulas that also provide ultraviolet A-protection whilst leaving many critically discussed ingredients. To describe the difference between UVA and UVB rays, I have an easy association. UVA is for Aging as it penetrates the skin very deeply (even windows are no protection against those rays) and UVB is for Burning/Bad as it destroys the DNA. Not every sun care product protects against both kind of rays. The SPF rating of sunscreens is related to protection from UVB rays. Regardless of the combination of active ingredients, if the sunscreen is labeled “broad spectrum” it has been tested and proven to protect against the full range of UVA light.

Here are some facts about ULTRASUN MINERAL:

• 0% PERFUME
  Because the combination of perfume ingredients and UV rays can lead to unwanted pigmentation disorders/stain formation.
• 0% PEG/PPG
  Makes the skin permeable, allowing pollutants to enter the skin.
• 0% MINERAL OILS or EMULSIFIERS
  Because mineral oils together with emulsifying agents and UVA rays can lead to sun allergies in the form of Mallorca acne.
• 0% ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE
  Hormone-like activity (Krause 2012, Sarveiya 2004, Rodriguez 2006, Klinubol 2008)
  
• 0% PRESERVATIVES
  Ultrasun uses absolutely no preservatives (no parabens, no phenoxyethanol, no methylisothiazolinone). This is due to its very stable formulation and the top quality airless packaging.
• 0% SILICONES
  Because the long-term use of silicone in cosmetics is controversial.

All products restores the moisture levels of the skin and reduce the appearance of sun-induced ageing (lines, wrinkles, larger pores). Featuring incredibly fast-absorbing, lightweight and non-greasy textures, they are deal for ultra sensitive skin.

ULTRASUN Face Mineral SPF 30 (40ml) – CHF 24.00 / € 21.00
ULTRASUN Face Mineral SPF 50 (40ml) – CHF 26.00 / € 24.00
ULTRASUN Body Mineral SPF 30 (100ml) – CHF 26.00 / € 23.00
ULTRASUN Body Mineral SPF 50 (100ml) – CHF 28.00 / € 25.00
ULTRASUN Baby Mineral SPF 50 (100ml) – CHF 32.00 / € 27.00

For store locations, please visit the ULTRASUN website.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of ULTRASUN and © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, I would like to show you a project that is very dear to my heart. One of my favorite animals on the planet are elephants. There are so many beautiful facts about this strong and beautiful creatures. Just like humans they can communicate through sight, smell, sound, and touch. They live in a strong family unit and the mothers are very protective of their babies, spending all day teaching and loving them. Being highly social animals, they meet every day and console each other in times of stress by «hugging». Elephants even mourn their dead.

They are highly intelligent and have a strong memory. If you do something bad to an elephant, he will always remember. One of the cutest facts is that baby elephants suck their trunks in the same way that human babies suck their thumbs. Unfortunately, elephants are highly endangered. Given all this evidence about the awesomeness and sensitivity of these animals, it’s obvious that taking them away from their families and locking them up is wrong, which is why we need to speak out for them when they are abused and exploited. Moreover killing them for ivory is just cruel.

When supermodel Doutzen Kroes visited Kenya, she fell in love with these animals. Coming back home, she was determined to make a difference and became the global ambassador of Knot On My Planet, a campaign to support the Elephant Crisis Fund.

To support this amazing campaign, LOEWE has joined forces with Knot On My Planet and its global ambassador Doutzen Kroes, to launch an exclusive limited edition version of its iconic ELEPHANT BAG (click here for a previous outfit post), that is featuring beadwork by the women of the Samburu Trust from Northern Kenya.

LOEWE will donate all proceeds of the sales to the Elephant Crisis Fund, helping to provide rapid, catalytic support for projects designed to stop the killing of elephants, thwart traffickers and end the demand of ivory.

Embellished with safety pins bursting with cascades of multicolor beads. Due to the handcrafted nature of the beadwork, each bag could vary, making every purchase unique and is exclusively available to buy on loewe.com.

So worth supporting! Bravo LOEWE and Doutzen!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Loewe
#LOEWEkomp – #KnotOnMyPlanet

Before leaving on vacation and working on a fast pace, I wore this fun onesie which is part of the raceway-themed Miu Miu Cruise 2018 collection to a meeting in Zurich. I adore it because on life’s fashion track, a girl likes to sparkle, even when dressing down.

My look: Patch-embroidered jumpsuit with racer girl print by Miu Miu, pink leather belt by Saint Laurent, Cloudbust logo-embossed rubber and leather-trimmed mesh sneakers by Prada, Birkin shoulder bag in Swift leather by Hermès, «So Real» sunglasses and hoop earrings, both by Dior, Tonda 1950 clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier.

Ladies, start your engines!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Making history as the first black woman to headline Coachella, the famous California music festival, Beyoncé used the opportunity to celebrate the culture of historically black colleges with her performance. To do so, she hit the stage in several custom college letter sweatshirts designed by Balmain while singing her famous songs, such as «Run the World (Girls)». Immediately after, fans were searching the internet for ways to get their hands on these cool pieces. And now, we can all finally buy a BAK-lettered sweatshirt.

Printed cotton-blend jersey hooded top

The six-piece collection, an iconic collaboration for music and fashion, features three T-shirts and three sweatshirts offered in black, hot pink, and bright yellow, like the one Queen Bey wore to open her Coachella set and riffs on the signature varsity styles and legacy of America’s 37 historically black colleges and universities.

Proceeds from the collection, fittingly, will be used to help fund the impressive work of UNCF (United Negro College Fund), which helps thousands of students attend college, thrive, graduate and become tomorrow’s leaders.

Cropped embellished cotton-blend jersey hooded top

Me with Olivier Rousteing

In a statement, Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing explained: «After experiencing that beautiful partnership, we weren’t ready to just walk away without adding gone final, perfecting touch. This collection of hoodies and tees, based on key designs from our Coachella efforts, responds to our need to repay an obvious debt for the inspiration we received from the signature spirit and legacy of America’s historically black colleges and universities(HBCUs). Which is why we are so very pleased to announce that proceeds from this collection will help fund the impressive work of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF)—helping to guarantee that tomorrow’s leaders will be able to attend college, thrive and graduate.»

Printed cotton-jersey T-shirt

 The Balmain x Beyoncé Coachella collection is available exclusively at Balmain’s Paris flagship store, at the House’s revamped digital platform and at NET-A-PORTER.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balmain

Moisturizing your skin in summer with oils is a great idea and an awesome way of feeling sexy at the beach as you immediately get a beautiful glow. There are two products about which it is obviously not the first time I’m blogging about nor will it be the last that I always pack for my vacation.

First NUXE‘s Huile Prodigieuse® Dry Oil which is for me a cult beauty classic as it is so multi-tasking. It can be used on face, body and hair and smells divine like a bouquet of white flowers. It comes with a unique cocktail of borage, St Johnswort, sweet almond, camellia, hazelnut, macadamia plant oils and Vitamin E. This year as a limited edition in a cute golden dress.
CHF 34.90  (100ml)

Then there is LA MER‘s The Glowing Body Oil with its rich blend of vitamin E, nourishing oils and tiny sparkles that leave a subtle shimmer on your skin to create the perfect sun-kissed glow. This luxurious body oil softens and conditions skin for a youthful luminosity. The sparkles make the difference…
CHF 120.00 (95ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Frayed «St. Tropez» embroidered straw sunhat by Miu Miu