Sandra‘s Closet

My dear colleague Thorleif Griess-Nega, Editor for German InStyle MEN, had a fun idea and launched his own sparkling wine brand recently. The intention to create Chímpanskí was to design a drink for people who have enough of show-off drinks from France but don’t want to compromise in terms of quality and style. Find out more and enjoy the interview he gave me.

Thorleif Griess-Nega

Since when exists Chímpanskí?

I founded Chímpanskí in 2013 after more than one year of research for the right wine cellar. This sparkling wine now comes from Lower Austria and is a mixture of Grüner-Veltliner and Welschriesling. It also took quite a long time to finish the label for the bottle since I had a very definite idea of it’s visual appearance in my mind. After all I´m very happy about the result!

Why did you do it?

The idea was to create a sparkling wine with an image that people can identify with who take themselves not too serious. I worked in German Nightlife business for a long time before, owned and worked for clubs in Hamburg, Bonn and Munich. And I always loved to travel a lot, met colleagues at their bars and clubs all over the world. Throughout all these years I saw a lot. But one thing always seemed to stay the same: Countless people who were buying expensive sparkling wines from France. Somehow I never got used to it but recognized more and more how much that showing-off bothered me.

Isn’t a bit of showing-off quite appropriate for nightlife?

It is but has to come from your inside not from the cost for your drink. I don’t like that thought and people behaving like that! Why should one drink expensive stuff just to separate from others who don’t? When I am out partying I don’t measure my fun at the price of a drink. A drink must stand for simplicity, fun, character. Beside the history and quality of a product I believe in the idea behind as its true value. So I decided to create a drink of good quality and a cool image!

Where comes the name Chímpanskí from?

My friends and me used to call ourselves: „chimpanzees“. I think it was because these animals are so sympathic, funny and free (at least they are intended to be)!  Thats why I invented the label Chímpanskí and the slogan: „Support your inner monkey“. I think nightlife shall be all fun, relaxation and letting yourself go!

You say „at least they are intended to be“. What do you mean by that?

I hate reading about how much humanity and economy harm chimpanzees and their haunt. Many of these animals are treated badly for so-called human interests. So I started a little cooporation with the „Pro Wildlife Foundation“ and first linked the Chímpanskí website to theirs to share some publicity and awareness. Beside that I have my own sponsoring via PWF for chimpanzees.

Drink for less, we love! To order, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chímpanskí

Let me introduce you to a groundbreaking, skin-optimizing serum that boosts hydration, clarity and luminosity and supercharges skin’s cellular functions to counteract the signs of aging immediately and over time: AHAVA Dead Sea Osmoter™ Concentrate.

In 1989, AHAVA scientists performed fundamental research on the shores of the Dead Sea that gave birth to the Osmoter™, a perfectly balanced concentrate of Dead Sea minerals. This serum features a new technology with the ability to deliver 3 times the Osmoter™ to skin cells. The delivery of highly concentrated Dead Sea minerals to the skin results in supercharged benefits.

Rehydrate – skin feels intensely moisturized and supple.
Illuminate – skin appears clearer, more radiant and youthful.
Recharge – skin is optimized to fully absorb nutrients from skincare regimen.
CHF 69.00 (30ml)

I recently tested the brand new AHAVA Dead Sea Osmoter™ Concentrate as a part of my daily beauty routine and was impressed by how radiant my skin started to look.

Great news for my Swiss readers: Five of you have the chance to win a bottle of AHAVA Dead Sea Osmoter™ Concentrate. To participate in the contest, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header “Ahava Concentrate” to . All entries must be received until November 16, 2013. 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 a Swiss address.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Ahava

Inspired by the paintings of Flemish Old Masters (Vermeer in particular), Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli’s F/W 2013 collection for Valentino is absolutely gorgeous and has been top of my wish list for the winter season.

My look: Intarsia stretch-knit dress and ‘My Own Code’ clutch, both by Valentino, pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps by Saint Laurent and diamond rose ring by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Your iPhone is something that you might have in your hands extremely often during the day. It’s time to dress it up in a cute way! I couldn’t resist Moschino‘s playful animal-themed cell cases that have a cult fashion following. Molded from soft silicone, those 3D iPhone 5 covers will keep your technology safe from bumps and make also a great gift.

LoL, Sandra

The latest star: Agostino panda iPhone 5 cover

This little cutie even comes with whiskers: Violetta rabbit iPhone 5 cover

My favourite: Gennarino bear iPhone 5 cover

Why not team your iPhone with the matching Gennarino bear ear buds?

Estée Lauder has launched a new fragrance, so-called MODERN MUSE. It is the first major perfume launch in a while and the brand’s attempt to get back to the top of the perfume houses.

MODERN MUSE stands for the contemporary woman, who is independent, self-confident and sure of her style. Model Arizona Muse is the face of the new fragrance and her name fits obviously perfectly. During New York Fashion Week, the launch of this new fragrance was celebrated with an amazing party at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in NYC (post coming up shortly), where both, the print and TV campaign for Estée Lauder’s new fragrance, were shot.

Before the event took place, I had the honour to meet and interview Arizona herself. There is something undeniably charming about her… enjoy her answers!

Your name is already telling it. You are a muse to many women around the globe, a modern women – a single mother and a famous model. How do you manage both parts of your life successfully?
I would like to ask this question to all the other mums. I am lucky to have the most amazing help, great nannies and my mum, even that she is not living like me in London, she is extremely close to me. I used to take my son on my business trips when he was smaller. He is now 4 years old, in school, so he stays in London.

Your secret to success?
(Laughs). I don’t see myself that successful. Everyone is so much more successful than me. I look up and admire so many people. There is a lot more to climb. I still feel so young, I am 24 now, but feel younger now than I did when I was 16.

Have you ever felt pressure to inspire people? To be a role model?
I start beginning to feel that. I look to everyone else around me. So it is interesting to feel that other people look at me. I hope that I am setting a good example.

Do you think that your beauty helps you in daily life?
I am a model. So yes, it kind of helps. But I don’t notice things like that. Maybe I should use it more often. (She smiles and asks me the same question. How can I not love her?!)

How did you get your amazing body back after your pregnancy?
I would tell other mothers not to rush it, take one year, be relaxed about it. Breastfeeding helps to burn a lot of calories.

What exercise do you do to stay in shape?
I love yoga. It is more than just physical fitness. It is about balance in your emotional life as well.

Which ones are your favourite fashion designers?
Right now, Louis Vuitton! And also Tregar Delaney. They are an English duo who are friends of mine and they design beautiful clothes with high quality fabrics. They have such great integrity.

Arizona Muse in three words.
Curious – shy – warm-hearted.

Are you nervous before the big event tonight?
Yes, I am nervous. I am even nervous now…

One last question. What do you think of MODERN MUSE?
I love the fragrance because it has a duality to it. It is feminine yet strong. The woods give it a richness, but it also has a lightness with the florals. It is now my signature scent – of course!

Thank you, Arizona!

MODERN MUSE
FLORAL WOODY MUSK

Top notes: Mandarin orange
Middle notes: Tuberose, fresh lily, honeysuckle, dewy petals, Sambac jasmine and Chinese Sambac jasmine absolute
Base notes: Patchouli, Madagascar vanilla, amber wood and soft musk

Available as 30, 50 and 100ml Eau de Parfum.

The fragrance has an innovative ‘dual-impression’ structure of a jasmine and a wood accord. The flowers are most noticeable but not as prominent as you might imagine. The scent is very soft and develops in a very nice and musky way. Personally speaking, MODERN MUSE is an easy-to-wear scent, extremely pleasant and sophisticated. In stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder and © Sandra Bauknecht

Italian jewelry brand Pomellato has launched three amazing fragrances inspired by their iconic Nudo collection of rings with colored gemstones. The scents are designed for women who are independent and sophisticated in terms of style.

POMELLATO NUDO AMBER – inspired by Madeira quartz.

FLORAL ORIENTAL

Top notes: Orange blossom and Bulgarian rose
Middle notes: Sambac jasmine and amber
Base notes: Musk and vanilla from Madagascar

POMELLATO NUDO BLUE – the scent of London Blue topaz.

MUSKY FLORAL

Top notes: Bamboo, lemon and black currant
Middle notes: Peony, iris, freesia and magnolia
Base notes: White musk, amberwood, vanilla and heliotrope

POMELLATO NUDO ROSE – inspired by the Rose de France amethyst.

FRUITY FLORAL

Top notes: Pink grapefruit, peach, bergamot and watery fruits
Middle notes: Rose, water lily of the valley and pink freesia
Base notes: White musk, white cedar, sandalwood and cashmere

Pomellato Nudo Amber, Nudo Blue and Nudo Rose are available as Eau de Parfum Natural Spray 25ml (CHF 58.00), 40ml (CHF 82.00) and 90ml (CHF 114.00), Body Lotion 200ml (CHF 49.00) and  Body Cream 200ml (CHF 96.00).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Pomellato

Last week, I wore this bold red dress to the launch party of Isabel Marant for H&M in Paris. It has become one of my favourite looks of the season.

My look: Stretch-cady and lace gown by Alessandra Rich, camouflage fold over clutch by Valentino, Janis pumps in black and gold by Saint Laurent, ‘Mitza’ ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and earrings by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Thursday, I had the chance to preview the amazing collaboration between Isabel Marant and H&M in Paris and to interview the French designer before the launch party in the evening.

Creating wearable looks with attitude is her straightforward design credo, all with a Parisian allure. Picking up the most beloved and iconic pieces from her career, Marant has put together an eclectic wardrobe of must-have urban staples, a gorgeous mix of boho elegance and rock ‘n’ roll nonchalance.

Loose blouses, textured knits, tie-dye prints and skinny leather pants, the collection offers everything a contemporary woman needs.

Accessories are boho accents. Footwear includes cone-heeled soft boots and a pair of Parisian high-heel pumps.

The same goes for her awesome teen wardrobe which is a playful edit of its grown-up counterpart. Marant sees no real distinction between these two collections – it’s mostly a matter of sizes. I went crazy to shop for my daughter and you might spot us as twins on the street.

Isabel Marant has also imagined, for the very first time, a compact wardrobe for men, which is interspersed with the same careless vibe of womenswear. I love the motorbike leather trousers worn together with chunky knitwear.

Enjoy the little interview I did with Isabel Marant, who was by the way extremely charming and fun:

Has it been a big challenge for you to design a low cost collection?
First of all, I wouldn’t call it a low cost collection. I was very honoured when H&M contacted me to do this project. If you look at previous collaborations H&M has done, the aim is not to do cheap garments but to create great ones. I am very impressed by the level and the quality that we have achieved for our collaboration. I was surprised that I had no limit and was able to design the clothes the way I wanted them. If you take for example the embroidered sweater, this was a big challenge to produce it in a mass market way but we made it happen.

Which one is your must-have piece of this collection?
They are all must-haves. It depends on your style.

Isabel Marant in three words?
Easy – Attitude – Cozy.

What is for you the notion of style?
For me, style is having a great attitude and to have attitude you have to be self-confident. And to be self-confident, you have to know who you are and believe in yourself.

Why do people want more effortless styling?
I think with everything what is happening today in our world, the way we are consuming, ecological matters, time has changed. When I started in the ’90s, we were into a fashion that was very bling, with logos everywhere. At this time, I was already successful commercially, but I was not on the high line. I was over this oversexy way of dressing. There were women that wanted to be stylish and be sexy without exaggerating. Now, we are reaching a certain time where people are more educated towards fashion, they are not impressed anymore by super-flashy garments.

Will you see more collaborations of you in the future?
No, I won’t do other collaborations. There is no other brand, where I can do a collection like I did with H&M. Probably, I will do a certain product, but I don’t want to multiply. I see this collaboration with H&M as a gift.

Thank you, Isabel!

The collection will hit the shelves worldwide on November 14, 2013. Stay tuned for an upcoming outfit post to find out which pieces I got for myself in Paris.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M and © Sandra Bauknecht

Time is flying and you might want to get in the Christmas mood just looking at your nails. OPI‘s new 2013 holiday nail polish collection in collaboration with no other than Mariah Carey contains 18 different limited edition nail polishes which are of course heavy on red and glitter. No doubt, those must-have shades are for Christmas.
CHF 23.90 (15ml) each

The 18 colors come in three textures: cream, glitter and the famous liquid sand. The names are all dedicated to the famous singer.

“Mariah Carey is truly synonomous with the holiday season,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “People around the world listen to her festive, iconic songs – ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ is a personal favourite – and these 18 lacquers evoke the warmth, beauty, energy and positive spirit that’s present in Mariah’s music.”

My favourite that I am wearing today is: “Underneath the Mistletoe” – a dark red with just enough glitter to give it a nice little twist.

In addition to this beautiful winter collection, a limited edition “Pure 18K White Gold & Silver Leaf Top Coat” (similiar to last year’s “The Man with the Golden Gun”) adds precious metal texture over any OPI shade or can be worn alone for a subtle but luxurious look. This genuine18 karat white gold & silver leaf top coat comes packaged in a special limited edition collectable box.
CHF 49.90 (15ml)

All colours will be in stores in Switzerland starting October 28, 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI and © Sandra Bauknecht

HAIR CHALKING is the newest craze in temporary hair colour. Add new shades with hair chalk, without the long-term commitment of dying. Right now I am kind of obsessed with rainbow coloured hair. Whether it’s all over, dip-dyed or just one off streaks, you can play around without any serious hair damage.

Last week, I went to the press conference held at the new hair salon Art of Ghel in Zurich where you can get your hair chalked (around CHf 15.00 for the service) or buy the product (each colour CHF 30.00 for 50ml) to do it at home by yourself. All by L’Oréal Professionnel.

How does it work?

Step 1: Every colour and shade of the rainbow is available, so get creative! Just choose your favourite(s). From left to right: Sweet Sixteen Pink (pink), First Date Violet (purple), Blue Ocean Cruise (royal blue), Garden Party (turquoise), Coral Sunset (coral), Coffee Break (light brown), Bronze Beach (gold-bronze) and Black Tie (black).

Step 2: This technique works on any length or depth of base hair colour. The chalk is applied to dry hair.

Step 3: Once the hair is completely drenched in colour, lock it in with the help of a hair dryer.

Try what everyone’s chalking about – I love it! It washes out after 2-4 shampooings.

Art of Ghel in Zurich offers also cool birthday parties for children with hair chalk or other fun beauty treatments. CHF 95.00 per child.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Courtesy of L’Oréal