Sandra‘s Closet

Celebrating the FIFA World Cup in Brazil this summer, many luxury brands are launching special edition pieces. Here are the best ones…

Louis Vuitton is taking part for the second time. After a first appearance on the football field in 2010 in South Africa, the Louis Vuitton case, specially designed to carry the famous trophy, will be on July 13th, the final day of the Cup, in the stadium of Maracana in Rio of Janeiro.

Paying tribute to this year’s host nation for the Fifa World Cup, Bvlgari launches the new Octo Bi-Retro Brazil in a 50-piece limited edition.

Donatella Versace has turned to the FIFA World Cup for inspiration in style and created a special t-shirt that combines the passions of football with the vivid iconography of the Versace DNA. A brand new Versace baroque print is created using the colors of a Brazilian carnival, decorated with repeated images of footballs and flowers. The T-shirt, in silk satin for her and cotton jersey for him, is available in selected boutiques now.

MCM has launched the limited edition ‘München Cute Monsters’ collection. Drawing on the vibrancy of Brazilian culture and the festivity of the ultimate football tournament on the planet, the collection features the two pop art characters Viktor & Viktoria as MCM’s monster mascots for the games.

TO SHOP THE MCM ‘München Cute Monsters’ COLLECTION, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

This spring, Bobbi Brown announced Kate Upton as her new face for the upcoming campaigns. Now the time has come to take a first look and explore the new Surf & Sand Summer 2014 Collection. Reminiscent of the perfect beach holiday, it features the ultimate summer beauty essentials to create an effortless, chic beach look.

Surf Eye Palette (left) – Limited Edition – CHF 110.00
Eight stunning eye shadows in pastel tones from shimmery pink to soft blue and mild aqua shades.

Sand Eye Palette (right) – Limited Edition – CHF 110.00
This palette offers a variety of natural colors from metallic bronze to glitter gold. Perfect for day and night.

Sheer Lip Color – Limited Edition – CHF 38.00 
Sunlit Pink, Summer Nude, Peach Sorbet and Pink Taffy

Long-Wear Eye Pencil – Limited Edition – CHF 34.00
Black Chocolate and Bronze

Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick – New – CHF 40.00
Champagne Gold

Beach Rollerball Fragrance – Limited Edition – CHF 26.00 (6ml)
Bobbi’s classic “Beach” fragrance is now available in a portable rollerball version. The light and refreshing fragrance evokes warm sunshine and sea air.

Brightening Blush – Limited Edition – CHF 69.00
Bronze and Pink

The collection will be in stores in July 2014.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bobbi Brown

A rare enamel and diamond wristwatch designed by Bvlgari in 1965 was sold on June 4th at Christie’s in London from a private collection. This extraordinary sale, tripling the estimate, has set a new world record price for a Bvlgari snake watch at an auction.

Enamel & diamond snake watch, by Bvlgari, circa 1965

The iconic piece, estimated between $300.780 and $417.750 fetched more than $ 1 Million, changing hands for the final price of $1.107.038. The Roman jeweler, today part of the LVMH Group, celebrates its 130th anniversary this year. The important achievement at Christie’s is testament to the investment value Bvlgari jewelry has, now for over a century.

Serpenti Watch
Quartz movement. 40 mm 18-ct pink gold case, dial and double-spiral bracelet set with brilliant-cut diamonds and turquoises. Eyes in turquoises. SPP40D2GD2T.2T

Since their first introduction as wristwatches in the 1940s, the Serpenti creations became the icons of Bvlgari’s creativity. As the years went by, eclectic reinterpretations in tune with major trends and prestigious endorsements consolidated their status of brand icons.

No leader of the ancient world is more closely associated with the snake than Cleopatra. Strongly intertwined to the Roman Empire through her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, when she first arrived in Rome in 46 BC, the cheering crowd could admire her beauty enhanced through the coiled gold snake bracelets that were adorning her body.
Almost 2000 years later, in the 1960s, Elizabeth Taylor could not resist to ask her favourite jeweller in Rome at via Condotti 10, to create especially for her a Serpenti bracelet, that she was wearing on the set of Cleopatra, as the new queen of the Nile (see photo in the first collage).

Serpenti Watch
Quartz movement. 40 mm 18-ct white gold case, dial and double-spiral bracelet set with brilliant-cut diamonds and onyx. Eyes in onyx SPW40D2GD2O.2T

I am a huge fan of the Serpenti watches and cannot wait to finally have one on my wrist…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bvlgari

“A person carries off the hat. Hats are about emotion. It is all about how it makes you feel.”
– Philip Treacy

Perfect for weddings or a day at the races, Philip Treacy‘s outlandish headpieces are entirely handmade by his small team in London. He believes wearing a hat should make you feel empowered. The Irish-born milliner received his first headdress commission from Isabella Blow when he was studying at the Royal College of Art. Since then, his extravagant designs have been spotted on the most famous heads in the world.

TO SHOP PHILIP TREACY ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Philip Treacy, © Andrew Crowley

It was an amazing trip to the 2014 edition of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta, as Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda served up with perfect conditions to experience days filled with sun, sports, fun and beautiful boats. First launched in 2008, this is the regatta that opens the Mediterranean superyacht calendar. Being on sea and watching the breathtaking fleet of sailing yachts crossing the emerald waters of Porto Cervo, I have immediately become a huge fan of this sport and the Loro Piana brand. Combining fashion, lifestyle and sailing, the core value they share is the search for technical perfection in harmony with nature.

Like every year, the race provides a great opportunity for Loro Piana to test the new line of clothing especially designed for this competitive sport. The Italian brand stands for uncompromised quality and is extremely strong with 6 generations of know-how in the high-end fabrics production, a field in which it continues to be market leader. With textures ranging from linens, cottons to cashmere, vicuña and wools, it offers everything for the distinguished costumer. In December 2013, the Loro Piana family sold a majority stake (80 percent) of their family business to the LVMH Group for over 2 billion euros.

The beautiful Costa Smeralda from above

My Song is Pier Luigi Loro Piana’s 25-metre yacht that also participated in the race and won on the final day. Below are some impressions of what I was able to watch and experience during the last days. I hope that I can transport you the beauty of this sport.

Saturday evening, the prize giving ceremony took place followed by a private dinner party hosted by Loro Piana. I ran into many friends from all over the world.

My friends from Zurich, Marco Vögele and Franziska Rickenbach (here with Pier Luigi Loro Piana in the middle), owners of the most flamboyant yacht that participated in the race, Inouï, also won a prize. I love the eye-catching green color of their sailing boat mixed with the pink cushions and the elegant interior design.

Thanks to Loro Piana, I have beome totally hooked to sailing and cannot wait to be back to experience another regatta.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Loro Piana and © Sandra Bauknecht

After an amazing day on the boat, experiencing the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2014 first-hand (pics coming up soon), I enjoyed an amazing night at Phi Beach, an open air club with enchanting rock formations shaped by the sea. The light here at the Costa Smeralda is breathtaking and it was just beautiful watching the sunset. Sun, sea, fun and exciting music, the Italians know how to party!

My look: Cashmere and silk-blend cardigan by Miu Miu, linen shift dress and rainbow colored bag, both by Chanel, turquoise suede sandals by Prada, Amulette necklace by Cartier, diamond rose ring, necklace and Limelight Gala watch, all by Piaget.

This Chanel bag has been one of my best buys this season as its rainbow palette of colors makes it the perfect accessory for many outfits. It is made of fabric which allows it to be stuffed easily into a suitcase.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Greetings from Sardinia! I am here at the famous Costa Smeralda for the 6th edition of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2014. Enjoying the glistening waters of Porto Cervo, I am guest of Loro Piana. During the last two days, I have already experienced some outstanding moments, indulding into the world of the Italian brand and their longstanding passion for sailing. I had the opportunity and honor to interview Mr Pier Luigi Loro Piana, who takes part in this major sailing event with his own 25-metre yacht My Song. Here you see me at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Stay tuned for more photos coming up soon!

My look: Vintage striped dress by Missoni, turquoise suede sandals by Prada, Marion quilted leather backpack by Tory Burch, sunglasses by Tom Ford and Amulette necklace by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

For summer Lancôme presents the Golden Riviera Summer Collection (in some countries it is named French Riviera Summer Collection and the products may differ) that offers everything for your upcoming vacation by the sea. Transport yourself to the the South of France with a look that creates effortless shine and a golden glow.

Star Bronzer Golden Riviera (Limited Edition) for Face & Body – CHF 72.00
Star Bronzer Golden Riviera (Limited Edition) Bronzing Brush – CHF 59.00

Cils Tint – CHF 45.00
Noir (01)

My favorite product of this collection! Cils Tint by Lancôme is the first semi-permanent lash enhancer that delivers intense black color to your lashes with up to three days of wear. The waterproof, transfer-proof, wax-free formula tints your lashes and allows them to keep their natural flexibility, while the addition of rose oil provides care for optimal lash health and radiance.

City Miracle CC Cream Complexion Beautifier Daily Defense SPF 50/PA – CHF 49.00
Beige Dragée (01) – Peau de Pêche (02) – Beige Aurore (03)

The 1st CC Cream by Lancôme perfects your skin like a foundation, beautifies it like an illuminator and hydrates it like a moisturiser. With SPF 50 to help protect the skin, it can be applied with a brush or fingers all over the face to reduce the appearance of imperfections for natural and flawless-looking results.

Gloss in Love – CHF 45.001
Glittermania (144) – Fizzie Rose (222) – Peach Show (146)

Vernis in Love – CHF 26.00
Marine Madrague (555) – Azur Pampelonne (557) – Or Citadelle (340)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lancôme

Make a showstopping entrance in one of these standout styles. Don’t reserve for after dark, wear those cocktail sandals 9 to 5 with a great summer dress.

1 Keane metallic elaphe and rope gladiator sandals by Jimmy Choo
2 Minerva printed stingray and suede sandals by Sergio Rossi
3 Studded lace-up leather sandals by Alaïa
4 Amazon elaphe sandals by Aquazzura
5 Exposure suede gladiator sandals by Tamara Mellon
6 Kori lace-up leather gladiator sandals by Ancient Greek Sandals

LoL, Sandra

Greetings from Paris where I am for another exciting photo shoot with Dior for the launch of their new mascara and eyeliner. The pictures and review will follow shortly. Here you see me at Place Vendôme in one of my favorite outfits this season. I have been in love with Simone Rocha‘s designs from the beginning. From Central Saint Martins graduate to London Fashion Week highlight in under a year, she is the hot new design star to watch. Her innovative collections focus on clean color palettes and experimental fabric techniques.

My look: Faux pearl-embellished scuba-mesh jacket and matching skirt with cutout detail, both by Simone Rocha, cropped black sweater and pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps, both by Saint Laurent. Pearl hoop earrings and tricoloured Lady Dior bag by Christian Dior. Jewelry by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht