Sandra‘s Closet

One of the most important designers in the history of American fashion, Donna Karan, has made a personal decision to step down from her day-to-day responsibilities as Chief Designer for Donna Karan International. She will remain with the company in an advisory role though and will dedicate her focus on her Urban Zen Company (available at Trois Pommes in Switzerland) and foundation, which she founded in 2007.

LVMH, the French conglomerate that bought the house in 2001, said there were no immediate plans to replace her as a designer, and the main Donna Karan collection would be suspended. It will not hold a show at New York Fashion Week in September.

DKNY (Donna Karan New York) cites New York City as a point of inspiration.

Donna Karan with models wearing looks from her DKNY Spring 1989 collection in Times Square.

Instead, according to an announcement, the company will reorganize its teams and structure to in order to substantially increase its focus on the DKNY brand, which is the more accessible line and currently responsible for 80 percent of Donna Karan International revenue.

Donna Karan with her beloved family

Over the past three decades, Donna Karan has inspired women around the world to embrace their power and sensuality. When she started her collection in 1985 she set out to simply make clothes for her and her friends. A little collection of simple black pieces that was all about need and desire. She quickly found out that she wasn’t alone- she had a lot of friends out there.

The debut of the Seven Easy Pieces collection in 1985, centering on a leotard-like bodysuit, with layers to transition easily from day to night.

Her philosophy of a sophisticated system of dressing, “her seven easy pieces“, a handful of interchangeable items that work together to create an entire closet for day and night, revolutionized the working woman’s wardrobe.

Donna Karan Pre-Fall 2015 collection

Donna Karan is an icon, visionary designer and a passionate philanthropist. She believes in dressing and addressing women. Her impact on American fashion has been extraordinary and she will continue to influence and inspire for years to come. If you are interested in reading her full bio, please click here.

Let’s honor Donna today and always. We look forward to celebrating her past, present and future in her memoir, which is due out in October 2015.

TO SHOP THE LASTEST COLLECTION BY DONNA KARAN, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Donna Karan, Condé Nast Archive/Corbis, AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis

Sandra’s Closet is very proud to be the first one to announce the launch of the new Swiss based label “BRAND OF SISTERS“. The entire project is the brainchild of two visionaries, Martina Vondruska and Barbara Portaluri.

Martina Vondruska and Barbara Portaluri

The two brunettes had a fantastic idea, merging a fashion label with a social enterprise. The shared vision of the two founders is to combine the world of luxury together with the rough reality of most of the less fortunate «Sisters» around the world.

HALF OF EVERYTHING THEY MAKE GOES TO SUPPORT GIRLS AND WOMEN’S CAUSES AROUND THE WORLD. THAT IS 50 % STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE AND THE PROMISE THEY MAKE.

Brand of Sisters‘ first non-governmental organization (NGO) partner is Girl Rising – a global campaign for the improvement of girl’s lives through the power of education. Let’s believe in sisterhood where giving back and making a difference and caring for each other all come together. Shopping and helping others in one, what could be better, ladies?! So let’s have a look at what Brand of Sisters has to offer.

The new label invites the most desirable established and emerging designers to produce beautiful, unique and highly covetable pieces for their collections, launching their line with an iconic debut scarves collection from Italian designer Gabriele Colangelo.

Gabriele Colangelo with me

Some of you might remember his innovative designs from a previous post when Gabriele came to Switzerland for the opening night of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich 2013.

The first collection of 15 scarves is now available online HERE. Here are some of my favorites:

Scarf «Jason Martin»

Scarf «Fog in the Woods»

Scarf «City Lights»

Brand of Sisters believes in sisterhood where giving back and making a difference and caring for each other all come together. So let’s help them to make this great idea a huge success! Enjoy your virtual shopping spree and share their wonderful website and their powerful message.

Happy Thoughts Sisters!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Brands of Sisters/ © Daniel Reiter, © Sandra Bauknecht

MAC Le Disko Collection is all about sparkling effects for eyes and lips so you’ll be definitely turning heads with this makeup look. Feel the fever with glittering Dazzleshadows in such beautiful hues. Let your bathroom become a discotheque of colors this summer – enjoy!

MAC Dazzleshadow –  CHF 31.00

She Sparkles – light grey with silver sparkles
Last Dance – peach beige with pink sparkles
Let’s Roll – red bronze with sparkles
Try Me On – deep blue green with sparkles
Say It Isn’t So – dark grey with pink sparkles
Can’t Stop, Don’t Stop – deep plum purple with sparkles
Let’s Boogie – black with sparkles
Boom Boom Room – light burgundy with emerald sparkles
I Like 2 Watch – mid-tone brown with gold sparkles
Slow / Fast / Slow – bronze with red sparkles
Get Physical – purple with light blue sparkles
Feel the Fever – deep blue purple with pink sparkles

MAC Dazzleglass – CHF 32.00

Rollergirl – nude with pink pearl
Sugarrimmed – pale white beige
Phiff! – sheer neutral beige with orange undertone
Cherry Popping – fuchsia with purple pearl
Boys Go Crazy – dark purple with blue undertone

MAC Superslick Liquid Eyeliner – CHF 29.00
Nocturnal – bright silver pearl
Pure Show – bright yellow-gold pearl

MAC Brush – CHF 38.00
247 Flat Shader Brush

Such a lovely collection – in Switzerland available in July at all MAC counters and online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Generally speaking, sequins got a huge upgrade during the last seasons, they are definitely no longer for the night time party girls only, they look sophisticated for the office, your shopping trip or wherever you like to go. Sequins can easily transition from day and night and don’t forget they provide an instant light on your face! I wore this dress in Los Angeles during the day (for the previous post, please click here) and yesterday in Sardinia at Forte Village for a night out dancing.

My look: Daga sequined bandage dress (30% off now) by Hervé Léger, Bianca metallic elaphe sandals and beaded bracelet, both by Saint Laurent, patchwork clutch by Prada, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle! Shine on!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The perfect summer companion: L’OFFICIEL Schweiz/Suisse‘s ultra-fresh 240-page summer issue! Available at your newsstand, nationwide – get your copy now!

I truly love this time of the year when you finally get to wear your new summer pieces that have been eagerly waiting for their big moment in your closet. In my editorial I presented some of my favorites. You might recognize a few pieces from my recent outfit posts. The others will be coming up shortly.

1 Sea foam beaded tulle and navy lame dress by Rodarte
2 Guipure lace and linen-blend mini dress by Chloé
(Click here to see me wear it in St. Tropez.)
3 Printed canvas and braided leather tote by Emilio Pucci
4Beaded leather sandals by Saint Laurent
(Click here to see me wear them in Sardinia.)
5 Striped crochet-knit maxi dress by Missoni

LoL, Sandra

Cover by Ricardo Abrahao, featuring Kely Ferr in Marni with styling by Fleur Huynh Evans
Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

No, I am definitely not a beach bum. Once my feet touch the sand I feel fully energized. The salty air and the sunny weather seem to produce specific endorphins in my body that make me want to dance, leap and jump in the sea. Ballet, yoga, running, everything I like to do is incorporated in my daily beach routine. Forte Village‘s coast offers the perfect scenery with its crystal clear water.

My look: Colourful tunic and leopard print bikini, both by Lazul, Rome Sports chronograph in lilac by Jacques Lemans, necklace by Rejane Rosenberger and sunglasses by Warby Parker. All other jewelry pieces are souvenirs from Ibiza.

LAZUL is a London based luxury swim and resort wear brand that launched exclusively with Harrods in 2012. I truly love their expressive prints and vibrant colors, perfect for the beach!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

As you already know, I am on vacation in Sardinia, staying at the beautiful Forte Village resort in the Villa del Parco hotel which is surrounded by lush gardens and a magic forest. Curly hair, only a little lipgloss, then you know, I am on holidays…

When it comes to travelling, I love to pack Missoni and Hervé Léger because both brands make clothes that are timeless, don’t wrinkle and are easy to stuff in a suitcase. Can you imagine that I bought this dress around 12 years ago?!

My look: Multicolored dress by Missoni, gold-plated multi-stone necklace by Etro, Anita fringed suede shoulder bag and beaded leather sandals, both by Saint Laurent, diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery and Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

After a long hot day at the beach, you come back to your luxurious hotel room and get ready for the night. You get prepared for a romantic and elegant dinner during sunset. You skin is still warm and slightly tanned. You hear the sound of the ocean from far and smell the salt in the air.

Parfums M.Micallef and Perfumery Osswald have joined forces to create two exclusive fragrances, one for women and one for men, that are inspired by those precious holiday moments. A scent that delivers sun, elegance and relaxation at once.

About Parfums M.Micallef

Parfums M.Micallef was founded in 1996 in Grasse by perfumer Geoffrey Nejman and Martine Micallef who is in charge for the extraordinary flacons. It has become one of the most renown niche perfume brands of the world.

AZURE CRYSTAL WOMAN (100ml, Eau de Parfum, CHF 289.00)
Top notes: Neroli, bergamot, mandarine
Middle notes: Plum, jasmine, monoï, coconut
Base notes: White musk, amber, vanilla

AZURE CRYSTAL MAN: (100ml, Eau de Parfum, CHF 289.00)
Top notes: Neroli, bergamot, red berries, lemon
Middle notes: Cinnamon, jasmine, tonka bean
Base notes: White musk, amber, vanilla, ceder, cashmere

Those two fragrances are only available at Perfumery Osswald. I took AZURE CRYSTAL WOMAN with me to Sardegna (for my first vacation post, click here please) and it is a true pleasure to apply it in the evening. It smells so incredibly good that I cannot get enough of it.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

This morning, I flew to Sardegna. I am staying for the first time at Forte Village, a truly amazing place in Santa Margherita di Pula in the South: 5 star Hotels, luxury waterfront villas and suites, a wellness centre with thalassotherapy and spa, a gym you can only dream of, luxurious boutiques, a perfect beach, the most delicious restaurants and entertainment for the kids at its best, all combined in one resort.

It is really hard to choose where to stay. I went for the Villa del Parco & Spa, that belongs to the Leading Hotels of the World, an intimate small paradise with direct access to the famous Thalassso Spa and the gym. My bungalow is in the middle of a magic forest.

Thalassso Spa

The magic forest surrounding my bungalow.

Gorgeous flowers

The beach

Crystal clear water

If you are living in Switzerland and would like to book your perfect holidays on this beautiful Mediterranean island, I suggest to contact Smeraldo Tours, a travel agent specialized in Italian destinations.

More to come soon… time to chill!

LoL, Sandra

Collage Courtesy of Forte Village (Photo: © Andrea Monica Hug), Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

In 1967, the famous make-up artist Shu Uemura made history by introducing the first oil-based cleanser to Japan. The cleansing oil’s exceptional reputation and gentle effectiveness quickly convinced the public of its skincare benefits and is now an emblematic product of the Shu Uemura brand. In 2012, he brought this myth to his hair care products with the launch of the Original Cleansing Oil Shampoo. This year, he has added the CLEANSING OIL SHAMPOO MOISTURE BALANCING CLEANSER FOR DRY SCALP AND HAIR to his line.

This emollient cleanser deeply purifies and rejuvenates dry hair and the scalp with the precise dose of moisture, leaving hair supple and cashmere soft.

Extracted from the Bitter Orange Tree, the Neroli Essential Oil is an emollient known to balance and maintain the right moisture and oil balance in the skin and hair. The anti-oxidant properties of this concentrated oil encourage healthy cell growth, which boost and revitalize dry, dull-looking hair.

Available for CHF 61.00 (400ml) in selected hair salons. For the store finder, visit www.shuuemuraartofhair.com.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Shu Uemura, Photographer: Koichiro Doï @ Julian Meijer Agency. Hair Stylist: Gregory Kaoua