For the fourth consecutive year, I am here in Cannes for the Film Festival with Chopard and I couldn’t be any happier about it. Each time, I live an amazing experience that feels like being in a fairytale. Even that I might have been a little exhausted after my short trips to Dubai and Shanghai last week, the moment I entered the red carpet, I was full of energy.

The Montée des Marches, as walking the red carpet is officially called in French, is magic. This year, I had the chance to watch the Homesman, a western drama with Tommy Lee Jones and Hilary Swank, that takes part in the Cannes competition. It gives an absorbing, melancholy look at the hard lot of women in the Old West. Absolutely worth watching, a very different and interesting movie.

My look was all about the ongoing tribal trend for S/S 2014: Burgundy red plissée gown with cut-out details by Givenchy, black sequined fur stole by Blumarine, tribal sandals, leopard-print clutch, bracelet, all by Louis Vuitton, earrings by Chanel and Mitza ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

Enjoy the impressions of Sunday night:

Getting ready in my hotel room…

… where Chopard surprised me with amazing goodies and the right magazines!

Arriving at the red carpet in the limousine is always a great experience.

Cannes is crazy during the film festival. So many people are trying to spot the many celebrities around.

After the screening, we went to Silencio, a pop-up restaurant and night club that you might know from Paris. It was a great night and I have already so much more to show you… so please stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

In Austria, the Red Shoes Day has already cult status, in Germany it celebrates its third anniversary and Switzerland is now invited to join this fab event. HUMANIC declared May 20th to be their Red Shoes Day and offers to all customers 20% discount on all red footwear and accessories. If you show up with red shoes in their stores, you will even receive 20% discount on all other models.

For my readers from Austria, Germany and Switzerland I have great news. One of you can win a pair of those models below. Good luck to fire up your wardrobe with a pair of ruby-hued shoes.

Jeffrey Campbell

Peter Kaiser

SHM

SHM Patent

SHM Sandals

Fake Canvas Sneakers

To participate in the contest, please send me an e-mail with your postal address, your favorite model, your shoe size and the header “Red Shoes Day” to . All entries must be received until May 31st, 2014. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules. The winner has to have an Austrian, German or Swiss address.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Humanic

The Tory Burch flagship store in Munich had opened its doors already last December but the big party took place this Spring when Tory Burch herself flew to the German metropole to celebrate with the Bavarian crowd the opening of one of the most beautiful shops in the city.

My look: Nicole embellished tweed jacket and Marion quilted leather backpack, both by Tory Burch, dress with leather and lace appliqué and pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps, both by Saint Laurent. Roman coin earrings by Dolce & Gabbana.

Tory Burch Flagship Store
Perusastrasse at the corner of Theatinerstrasse 44 in Munich Phone +49 89 2166 8682
Store hours: Monday to Friday 10am  – 7 pm, Saturday 10 am to 6 pm

It was such a pleasure to meet Tory Burch, such a beautiful, radiant, inspiring and fascinating woman. Stay tuned for an amazing interview with the designer that will be published in the September issue of L’Officiel Switzerland and also on my blog!

The night ended with a wonderful private dinner party… and I enjoyed every minute of this trip to my old hometown!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tory Burch and © Sandra Bauknecht

I love blue eyeshadows and nail polishes. Therefore I couldn’t have been more excited when I spotted YSL‘s new summer makeup look 2014: “Bleus Lumière” that is inspired by the late designer’s fascination with the various hues of blues of the ocean. Capturing the alluring contrast between the fresh Mediterranean sea and the glowing warmth of summer beaches, it offers the perfect products to achieve an amazing glow. Today, I am off to the Cannes Film Festival with Chopard and needless to say, this makeup look is packed in my suitcase!

Couture Palette Bleu Lumière – New & Limited Edition – CHF 93.00
YSL’s limited edition summer eyeshadow palette draws on inspiration from the sea, with a quintet of hues that work with each other to give you a gorgeous, enviable look.

Dessin du Regard Waterproof Eye Pencil – CHF 36.00
No.12 Bleu Acqua
No.13 Bleu Indigo

Vernis a Lèvres Rebel Nudes – CHF 48.00
No.111 Coral Guilty
No.112 Rouge Frondeur

La Laque Couture – CHF 38.00
No.50 Bleu Celadon
No.51 Bleu Cyclades

Kiss & Blush Lip & Cheek Stain – CHF 54.00
I adore those new hybrids between a lip color and a blush. A double play of colour for lips and cheeks to be mixed or matched.
No.1 Fuchsia Desinvolte
No.4 Orange Fougueux
No.7 Corail Affranchi
No.10 Nude Insolent

In Switzerland available Mid May 2014.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of YSL

Dressing in black and white is something that can make you look effortlessly chic in a second if you bear in mind to avoid the obvious. A white top with a black skirt or trousers can be easily reminiscent of a work uniform. Get a little creative and go for a bold pattern as I did for this outfit or much easier simply turn the colour combination upside down.

My look: Sheer star print blouse, asymmetric leather pencil skirt and pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps, all by Saint Laurent. Limelight Gala watch and Rose diamond ring, both by Piaget. Lumière Anissa underwired bra by Eres and Pure Matt 50 denier tights by Falke.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Loox Photo Studio by Adriana Tripa

Supermodel and beauty entrepreneur MIRANDA KERR shared her travel tips for Australia with us. The country where she was born and raised. Surrounded by farmland and wilderness in the small town of Gunnedah, NSW, her love for nature and organic living became an intrinsic part of her life from a very young age.

Your favourite city?
I love SYDNEY. It has everything, beach, harbor and the convenience of a city. It only takes a 20 minutes drive to get to the beach from the city centre.

Your favourite hotel?
The QUALIA RESORT up north. A remote, private and beautiful place to stay on a private island on the Great Barrier Reef.
Whitsunday Blvd, Hamilton Island QLD 4803, Australia +61 7 4948 9222

Your favourite restaurant?
The BOATHOUSE ON BLACKWATTLE BAY in Sydney, yummy food in good atmosphere.
123 Ferry Rd Glebe NSW, Australia +61 2 9518 9011

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
The BONDI TO BRONTE BEACH WALK – it is a wonderful way to see a litte bit of the coast line and experiencing great energy.

Your favourite park?
WOLSELEY PARK IN GUNNEDAH. The park I used to play in as a kid. It brings back a lot of childhood memories. Gunnedah NSW 2380, Australia

Your favourite beach?
SHELLY BEACH AT MANLY – A lovely sheltered cove and one of Sydney’s best aquatic reserves. It is so beautiful there. You can see the harbour from the beach.
Shelly Beach Drive, Manly, NSW, Australia 2095

Your favourite shop?
NATURAL PROGRESSION – A cute natural health and beauty shop located on Bondi Beach.
81 Gould Street, Bondi Beach, NSW, 2026, Australia +61 2 9130 2080

Your must-have accessory?
A SUN HAT to protect the skin, a must when visiting Australia.

Your favourite song?
“LAND DOWN UNDER” by Australian new wave rock group Men at Work. The lyrics are about an Australian traveller circling the globe, proud of his nationality.

Your favorite holiday book?
My favourite book is “SHANTARAM” by Gregory David Roberts, such a captivating story.

Your favourite scent?
JOYFUL BY ESCADA. It encourages positivity and confidence to see the bright part of life and I am happy to be its face.

The smell of Australia?
I think of the SMELL OF FRESH RAIN, the SMELL OF CHRISTMAS, because we have those Christmas beetles that are really strong in the countryside where I grew up.

Thank you, Miranda, for sharing your insider scoop on Australia with us.

LoL, Sandra

Those who have been following me on instagram have got already an impression how fabulous my trip to Dubai was this week. Karl Lagerfeld had chosen the Emirates destination as the place to present the Chanel Cruise 2015 collection. You would imagine that past presentations in St. Tropez, Dallas and the Palais de Versailles among others would be hard to top. Think again. It’s Karl Lagerfeld. It was a feast for the eyes, an amazing experience, like the fairytale of One Thousand and One Nights.

The guests, among them celebrities such as Dakota Fanning, Vanessa Paradis, Freida Pinto and Tilda Swinton, were brought by junks to a manmade island off the coast of Dubai where an enormous golden hangar covered in an interlocking double C’s lattice awaited us. From far away it looked like traditional Islamic fretwork.

We were asked to wear flat shoes (even that flats are trending at the moment, this was a challenge for me) as we walked through the sand. With an outdoor temperature of around 36°C, it felt like a beautiful evening in the desert. We were greeted in the souk tents with refreshing lemonades and Arabic coffee while enjoying the Dubai skyline.

Inside comfy, cushioned seating around the catwalk, yummy hors d’oeuvres, champagne and gigantic fake palm trees awaited us.

In the middle of the location, the food was on display that we enjoyed after the show, from mini pita-shawarmas and falafel with date chutney to pistachio baklava.

The show was beautiful, Karl Lagerfeld dreamed up his “idea of a romantic, modern Orient, a new One Thousand and One Nights.” He mixed precious and costume jewelry and played with the sickle-moon motif. Those pearl crescent-moon hair pieces and Bedouin-inspired cuffs are divine. Aladdin’s slippers, harem pants, ghutra-pattern-inspired jackets, mosaiced skirts, necklines and embroidered leather camellias bring the Arabian culture into the Chanel style in a respectful and culturally sensitive way.

It wouldn’t be Karl Lagerfeld though if he didn’t add some humor to his collection. I adore the tunic tops hemmed in a sequined version of the Dubai skyline and the golden jerrycan bag will surely be on many shopping lists.

After the dinner, we enjoyed a private concert by Janelle Monáe.

Vanessa Paradis with me after the show

Sweet Dakota Fanning

Tilda Swinton giving an interview outdoors

When we walked back to the boats through the candle-lit sandy path, it felt like a million-and-one Arabian nights. Thank you, Chanel, for this beautiful night. In the September issue of L’Officiel Switzerland, you will find an exclusive report and some amazing pictures. Stay tuned!

While you are reading this, I am already on my way to the next adventure. For one evening, I fly to Shanghai with Omega for an exceptional dinner with George Clooney.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Chanel

It’s a men’s post but looking into Chris Pine‘s amazing blue eyes, I am sure that my female readers will get inspired by this code of seduction as well. The handsome Hollywood star is the new face to embody the charisma of the timeless seducer, this magnetic charm which symbolizes Armani Code, one of the most successful Giorgio Armani fragrances for the past decade.

Armani Code Ice is a new, fresher and brighter limited edition interpretation of the original, developed by Alberto Morillas, Master Perfumer at Firmenich.

AROMATIC
Top notes: Mint, lemon and spicy ginger.
Middle notes: Geranium and lavender.
Base notes: Woodsy notes.

ARMANI CODE ICE (50ml) CHF 89.00 and (75ml) CHF 117.00.
Available in Switzerland from May 2014 exclusively at Import Parfümerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani

As we all know, fashion trends can be difficult to keep up with. In an industry where one color, fabric or print can be crazily hot one season and totally out the next, there’s no doubt that following is no easy task. Not to worry, I am here to help you looking chic all year long! Scroll through my forecast for what styles will be on everyone’s shopping list this F/W 2014 season.

Capes, ponchos, fur, feathers and shearling, the collections are all about wrapping up against the cold. Get ready to ward off Winter’s grip in khaki hues, Sixties prints and flashes of shining gold. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

F/W 2014 TREND 1: SWEET SIXTIES
Miu Miu – Gucci – Dsquared²

F/W 2014 TREND 2: SUITS
Hermès – Christian Dior – Ralph Lauren Collection

F/W 2014 TREND 3: MILITARY KHAKI
Calvin Klein Collection – Isabel Marant – Balmain

F/W 2014 TREND 4: HEAD TO TOE KNITS
Stella McCartney – Céline – Marc Jacobs

F/W 2014 TREND 5: ARGYLE SWEATERS
Louis Vuitton – Maison Martin Margiela – Tommy Hilfiger

F/W 2014 TREND 6: FELINE
Carven – Givenchy – Sportmax

F/W 2014 TREND 7: OPTICAL ILLUSIONS
Matthew Williamson – Bottega Veneta – Dries Van Noten

F/W 2014 TREND 8: TEAM PLAYERS
Tom Ford – DKNY – Jeremy Scott

F/W 2014 TREND 9: SHEARLING
Anthony Vaccarello – Prada – Christopher Kane

F/W 2014 TREND 10: FANCY FURS
Versace – Emilio Pucci – Chloé

F/W 2014 TREND 11: PONCHOS
Roberto Cavalli – Burberry Prorsum – Etro

F/W 2014 TREND 12: CAPES
Dolce & Gabbana – Elie Saab – Valentino

F/W 2014 TREND 13: GOLDEN GIRLS
Just Cavalli – Saint Laurent – Moschino

F/W 2014 TREND 14: BIRDS
Emanuel Ungaro – Marni – Alberta Ferretti

F/W 2014 TREND 15: BLACK VELVET
Emporio Armani – Chanel – Nina Ricci

Photos: Via Style.com

While you are reading this post, I am back in the Middle East. This time, I followed Chanel‘s invitation to Dubai. Here, the French house’s Cruise 2015 show will take place tomorrow evening.

The last time I flew with Emirates in their new amazing A380 was in January with Thierry Mugler for the launch of their newest fragrance Alien Eau Extraordinaire. In this post, I will tell you all about this fantastic trip to Oman.

The A380 is an experience in itself. The world’s largest passenger jet has a twin-deck, which means business and first class are on the top floor. Every business class seat has a built-in mini-bar, a personal storage area and a privacy divider. And here comes the best, there is even a real bar on this floor where passengers can mingle and enjoy a drink.

I spent one night in Dubai before leaving on a fun road trip to the Six Senses Zighy Bay resort which is located on the northern Musandam Peninsula in the Sultanate of Oman.

When you arrive on top of the mountain, you will surely be taken by the breathtaking scenery of this hidden gem. The resort is as spectacular as its setting, with the natural beauty of Oman’s rugged mountain landscape on one side and a sandy beach on the other.

I have to say, I was amazed how fast you find total inner peace here through the power of nature. The resort is built on sand and you throw away your shoes in a second. Feeling the sand beneath your toes, you tantalize your senses, you enjoy an exciting remoteness and a barefoot luxury beyond imagination.

The team of Thierry Mugler invited us to “lâcher price” which means to let go and the Six Senses Zighy Bay offers the perfect surrounding. Being committed to environmental responsibility, the resort offers fresh, organic food prepared with ingredients that are cultivated in the region.

I stayed at a private villa with my own pool, 24-hour butler service and my own bike to drive around the resort. The rural charm of the rooms is amazing and I loved taking an outdoor shower in the morning.

One day, we went on a cruise. We had no cell phone coverage to really let go. It was such a beautiful afternoon that I absolutely enjoyed.

Let’s have a closer look at Alien Eau Extraordinaire, the new addition to Thierry Mugler‘s Alien family, created by Dominique Ropion and Veronique Nyberg.

Pierre Aulas, artistic director at Parfums Mugler, explained me more about this beautiful floral fragrance launch. He is very charming and a genius when it comes to both, marketing and fragrance creating.

ALIEN EAU EXTRAORDINAIRE

Delicate floral notes transport a unique freshness and femininity. Exuding pure optimism, this scent is perfect for summer.

Top notes: Tunisian Neroli, Tea and Bergamot
Middle notes: Tiare Flower and Heliotrope
Base notes: Cashmeran and White Amber

It was such an amazing trip… Stay tuned for my upcoming post from Dubai, this time with Chanel!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht