Sandra‘s Closet

Yesterday, my cute little monster charm had his first excursion through Zurich and dangled from my vibrant Fendi bag. Honestly, my new friend could spike up every one of my existing totes. Buggies are the season’s cutest and fuzziest fashion accessory! A special collection with different facial expressions and luxurious materials, such as fox hair, mink fur, leather and more. Those creatures will eventually become collectors’ pieces, even the swans were impressed. If you have a sense of humor about your personal style from time to time, this is definitely for you!

My look: Duffle coat, classic Plonge leather shorts and printed silk scarf, all by Saint Laurent, Mickey Mouse embroidered top by Marc Jacobs, wool-felt trilby by Gucci, boots with fringes by Balmain, 2Jours medium calf hair, mink and leather shopper and textured-leather and fox monster bag charm, both by Fendi, ring and necklace, both by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Your secret weapon this Valentine’s is L’Agent, the new diffusion line from luxury British lingerie brand Agent Provocateur. Designed in collaboration with Monica and Penélope Cruz, expect playful underwear made to the same rigorous standards and with the same rich fabrics as the iconic mainline label.

Get the look: Esthar appliquéd lace and stretch-tulle underwired bra, Esthar appliquéd lace and stretch-tulle briefs, Esthar appliquéd lace and tulle apron and Esthar appliquéd lace and satin eyemask.

In this outfit you will delight Mr Right all year around! Enjoy, ladies!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Agent Provocateur

Ladies, it is definitely time to get some new shoes and bags for the summer. This season, it will be hard to choose as the selection is huge.

As a little Valentine’s Day surprise in advance, I have an amazing offer for you, valid for two days (13-14 Feb 2014) only! You can earn a Gift Card up to $700 when you shop SHOES & HANDBAGS at Saks Fifth Avenue online. Use code SANDHB14 at checkout.

Spend $250 – $499 and get a $35 Gift Card
Spend $500 – $999 and get a $75 Gift Card
Spend $1,000 – $1,999 and get a $150 Gift Card
Spend $2,000 – $2,999 and get a $450 Gift Card
Spend $3,000+ and get a $700 Gift Card

Here are some of the most wanted S/S 2014 pieces available to shop or to pre-order:

1 Patent Leather Cat-Print Mary Jane Ballet Flats by Miu Miu
2 Shaggy Deer Pale Blue Camo Backpack by Stella McCartney
3 Embroidered Mesh Ankle Boots by Valentino
4 Makeup Face-Printed Saffiano Tote by Prada
5 Zig Zag Crystal Pumps by Nicholas Kirkwood
6 Louis Woman Studded Leather Wedge Sneakers by Christian Louboutin
7 Small Striped Sac De Jour Tote by Saint Laurent
8 Leather & Striped Snakeskin Ankle-Strap Sandals by Pierre Hardy

LoL, Sandra

This year, Brazil will be in the global spotlight hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup from June 12 to July 13, 2014. With the South American country being the place to be this year, OPI’s right on the spot with the S/S 2014 collection inspired by the tropical rainforests and warm sandy beaches of one of the most vibrant and colourful countries on our planet!

Brazil by OPI features a palette ranging from bright hues of red, pink, coral, orange and yellow to earthy tones of taupe, sienna, mocha and jungle green.

In addition to 12 nail lacquers, the Brazil launch includes a set of four limited edition Beach Sandies Liquid Sand™ mini neon nail lacquers in bold purple, pink, turquoise and yellow shades with a textured, matte finish.

In stores in Switzerland from February 24, 2014 for CHF 23.90 (15ml).

Matching your new manicure, Sal y Limon launches the Rio Special Edition bangles in two designs in four different color combinations.
Available from May 2014 for €30.00 (small) and  €40.00 (large).

Now, it is up to you to feel the Brazilian vibe!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI and Sal y Limon

Recently I was invited by Net-à-porter to London for an intimate evening with A-list style icons Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen to preview their beautiful S/S 2014 collection. Named after London’s historic Savile Row, THE ROW delivers a directional take on tailoring with a focus on clean lines and refined cuts.

For the new season, the twins were inspired by travels around the world and imagined a modern, well-dressed nomad woman. There were references of Arabia in the long layers and the models’ veils, Northern Africa in the printed djellaba, a fishing village in the macramé sweater and matching cross-body hobo bag, and some Siberian influences in the dense outerwear.

It’s the first time Ashley and Mary-Kate are offering shoes, and they’ll be sold in limited editions. The Row’s fans would be wise to put their names on the list now.

Mary-Kate to the left and Ashley to the right with me

YOU CAN SHOP THE ROW ONLINE HERE. The best address to get an elegant downtown mix of superbly crafted wardrobe staples.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via style.com and © Sandra Bauknecht

Penhaligon‘s London‘s new fragrance VAARA was inspired by no other than the Royal House of Marwar-Jodphur in Rajasthan. The composition started life as the passion of His Highness Gaj Singh II who wanted to reflect his family’s deep love and connection with Jodhpur and to celebrate his granddaughter Vaara’s birthday. It offers a unique and beautiful glimpse into this aromatic world of the Maharaja. Perfumer Bertand Duchaufour’s journey to Jodhpur provided him with an abundance of inspiration for the fragrance and the end result, VAARA, cleverly captures the spirit of this fascinating part of India.

ORIENTAL

Top notes: Quince, Rosewater, Carrot Seed, Coriander Seed, Saffron
Middle notes: Moroccan Rose Absolute, Bulgarian Rose Oil, Freesia, Indian Magnolia, Peony, Iris
Base notes: Honey, White Musk, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Benzoin Resin, Tonka Bean

In stores now as Eau de Parfum 50ml (CHF 180.00) and 100ml (CHF 250.00).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Penhaligon’s London

Peter Pilotto for Target has finally arrived. The wait is over – shop the hotly anticipated collection HERE. From fit-and-flare dresses and modern separates to sports-chic swimwear and standout accessories, this innovative collaboration is a fabulous way to own the London label’s signature kaleidoscopic patterns and cool cuts at an amazing price. Dress for less in perfection!

Printed stretch-matelassé dress – €81.00

Color-block and printed cloqué jacket – €71.00

Floral-print cotton-blend jersey top – €31.00

Printed paneled crepe skirt – €44.00

This collection cannot be shipped to Australia or Slovenia due to terms of trade and licensing restrictions.

LoL, Sandra

Launched last October (see photos above), the Hogan Atelier collection – a haute-couture project starring Interactive, the brand’s most iconic model – has already created a desire to those who cherish exclusive style with a less uptight attitude.

Unique creations that are all in deference to the traditions of couture. The decorations – all authentic and refined – are characterized by precious handmade embroideries, embellished with crystals, sequins and pearls.

Spring Flower, Diva, Surya, Black Rose, Diadem, Circle Pearls: six new outstanding creations taking Interactive on a whole new level of luxury and radiating a charming sense of ease.
Hogan Atelier will be available to order exclusively in selected Hogan boutiques and on hogan.com starting end of March.

LoL, Sandra

Spring Flower

Diva

Circle Pearls
Photos: Courtesy of Hogan Atelier

Stella McCartney‘s ability to fuse masculine and feminine designs is outstanding. This winter, she went for the pinstripe pattern and brought the classic business look to the world of high fashion.

Are you still considering it ultra-conservative? Well, no more, ladies! With those pieces you can put a cool spin on classic pinstripes. Neither too lightweight nor too bulky, this style will take you effortlessly from winter to spring.

My look: Striped wool sweater dress, flared pinstriped wool-blend midi skirt, both Stella McCartney, Janis leather pumps and Cassandre light blue clutch with tassel, both by Saint Laurent, Gloria resin, Swarovski Pearl and crystal necklace by Lanvin, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis and Mitza ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

FOULARDS D’ARTISTES III NEW CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS FOR S/S 2014

This summer, Louis Vuitton continues its world tour of the vibrant street art scene by inviting three new artists from three different continents to collaborate on its collections of textile. The artists of this third season are André Saraiva, famed for his jaunty ‘Mr. A’ character who inhabits the walls of Paris, American Kenny Scharf, and INTI from Chile.

ANDRÉ SARAIVA
For André Saraiva, his studio drop cloth was the inspiration for the background of his interpretation of Louis Vuitton’s Monogram shawl. Once he had translated his paint spatters to the luxurious silk and wool wrap, it became a natural habitat for ‘Mr. A’, the artist’s signature blue figure with asymmetrical eyes.

KENNY SCHARF
Californian Kenny Scharf, a remarkable figure in the worlds of painting, sculpture and performance, describes himself as a pop-surrealist artist whose guiding principle is to reach out beyond the elitist boundaries of fine art and to connect to popular culture. He has covered Louis Vuitton’s giant silk crepe square with a colorful collage of astronomic motifs and symbols of pop culture on a blurred psychedelic background.

INTI
True to his name, derived from the Inca sun god, INTI is inspired by ancestral Andean culture, which he transcribes in brightly colored, monumental works. He revisits the giant square with a sun motif referencing the image of ‘Wiracocha’, god of TIWANAKU culture, one of the most important Inca deities. Infused with warm shades of gold and orange, the design is bordered in red with a pattern of ancient symbols surrounding the Louis Vuitton signature.

Alongside these artistic collaborations, Louis Vuitton introduces further new designs for S/S 2014.

Two are variations on the iconic leopard print created for Louis Vuitton by the artist Stephen Sprouse: the Leopard Spray giant silk crepe square combines leopard spots with a spray-paint motif in vibrant fuchsia or pimento,…

… while the Leopard Pop stole, available in coral or pimento, presents a delicate arty gradation of shades.

The Monogram Rayures shawl juxtaposes faded denim-style stripes with lines of brighter coral or pimento,…

… while the Papillon silk square is woven with a subtle tone-on-tone Monogram pattern. Its generous size and array of colors, including beige, black, fuchsia, orange and violet, make it a stylish and versatile choice all year round.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton