Sandra‘s Closet

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

Yesterday I flew to Paris to attend the launch event of the amazing collaboration between the Queen of Cool Isabel Marant and H&M.

January Jones, Isabel Marant and Freida Pinto

In the evening, the major Paris fashion party took place and I couldn’t have been more excited to join in the fun. Celebritites such as Audrey Tautou, January Jones, Freida Pinto, Alek Wek and Olga Kurylenko entered the red carpet and partied in a lively urban atmosphere catching Marant’s bohemian energy until late.

The ambiance was outstanding, being transported into a street slice of Paris, in the early 90s, the time when Isabel debuted her eponymous line: bars, night clubs, brasseries, neon signs, pizza shops, souvenir shops, epiceries, street vendors and people casually enjoying a stroll in the outdoors.

There was even a roller skating rink.

“I design for everybody and am constantly inspired by the world I see around me, so it felt natural to have an urban setting as the backdrop of the event. And it had to be Paris, because the city is part of my DNA,” says Isabel Marant here with Olga Kurylenko.

The collection was presented in a cinematic setting that mixed images, films and models. The minute the DJ played the sounds of La Boum I went straight to heaven, or let me say travelled back in time… “Dreams are my reality. The only kind of real fantasy…”

The live music performance by Grandmaster Melle Mel and Rappers Delight, originally of Sugarhill Gang, lifted the atmosphere of this bohemian style party even more.

Gorgeous Freida Pinto with me

For actress Freida Pinto was it the second H&M collaboration she attended and for her “it’s important to collaborate with designers who young girls aspire to, but it’s also for girls like me who love shopping at H&M – to make fashion that is not just beautiful and classy but also affordable.”

Later at night, the pop-up store opened and we were able to shop the collection before it will officially hit the stores on November 14, 2013. Believe me, it felt like a war scenario…

During the day, I had already had the chance to explore the collection up close and to interview the charming French designer. A post about which pieces have to be on your shopping list will be coming up shortly.

It was THE party and I had an amazing time! During my ride home, I heard that the contract for the next collaboration had already been signed and that it will be something very special…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The last evening of Paris Fashion Week, Veuve Clicquot hosted a toast-worthy event with its Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award 2013, held at the iconic Place Vendôme. The room was filled with amazing women and it was a true pleasure listening to their passions and inspirations.

For 2013, Veuve Clicquot recognized the achievements and contributions of such inspirational businesswomen as Hélène Boulet-Supau, Co-director of the e-commerce site Sarenza (France).

Bea Petri (Swiss winner, Schminkbar) framed by Christelle Huwiler (PR Manager at Moët Hennessy Suisse S.A.) to the right  and me to the left.

Celebrating trailblazing winners from 9 countries (France, UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Finland, Holland, Canada, Germany and Australia) around the world, the celebration went on the next day at Reims, the capital of Champagne, nestled in this region, amidst the champagne vineyards.

The Widow Clicquot spent her life on these lands, taking the reins of the champagne company after her husband’s early passing in 1805. As the “original businesswoman,” she brilliantly built Veuve Clicquot into a champagne brand of international renown and success. Respectfully referred to by her peers as “La Grande Dame de la Champagne,” she has inspired subsequent businesswomen for generations.

Originally intended as a homage to Veuve Clicquot when it was first conceived forty-one years ago, the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award has since grown both in scope and size.

Delphine Arnault and Inés Sastre with me to the left.

Drinking champagne and meeting the most amazing women in such a beautiful ambiance – the perfect night to finish off Paris Fashion Week!

And here I go again… I landed this morning in Paris to attend the Isabel Marant for H&M launch party. I am super excited. Do you remember the Versace for H&M (2011) and the Maison Martin Margiela with H&M (2012) events in NYC?! Always superlatives… follow me on instagram (@sandrascloset) for live updates.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This morning, the JIL SANDER Group has announced the departure of Jil Sander (69), who has been the company’s overall Creative Director. The German designer returned to the house in February 2012 after eight years away, replacing Raf Simons as he departed for Christian Dior.

The German designer founded her eponymous brand in 1973, having opened her first boutique in Hamburg in 1968. In 2000, the designer sold the majority of her label to Prada, and was planning to work alongside the new management. One year later, she resigned already from her position as chairwoman, and shortly after as chief designer. Her decision was taken after a reported ongoing conflict with Prada CEO Patrizio Bertelli, who is Miuccia Prada‘s husband.

Jil Sander’s decision is motivated by personal reasons. The partnership will end with the S/S 2014 collection (see photos in collage). The development of the next season will be assured by internal design teams, formed and trained during Sander’s tenure.

Probably she is up for a job interview at Vuitton…:-).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Style.com

Recently, I was invited for lunch to Hamburg. And it was as fantastic as it sounds. I was flown in by André Maeder, Chief Retail Officer Karstadt, to celebrate his collaboration with the German reality television series FASHION HERO that airs every Wednesday on ProSieben.

The concept of the show focusing on fashion design and hosted by no other than Claudia Schiffer is pretty easy and convincing.

The 21 contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes and are restricted in time, materials and theme. Their designs are judged by a jury that consists of three buyers, André Maeder (Karstadt), Anne Rech (Asos) und Petra Winter (s.Oliver). Each week, the three retailers buy their favourite designs (sale to the highest bidder) that will be available online directly after the show or the next morning at the respective department store.

In the end, whoever meets the needs of the three retailers in the finale will receive a capsule collection worth €1.5 million within each shop.

I sat next to André Maeder, who is of Swiss origin, and had a very interesting conversation about this new show that is adapted from the US format called Fashion Star.

He told me that “for the first time in Karstadt history, the website collapsed as too many people wanted to buy the pieces right after the show.” Maeder, a born leader who had worked at Harrods, Boss and Charles Vögele before, knows what he wants and has a clear vision of style. Being asked who are his own fashion heroes, he replied: “Jil Sander and Marc Jacobs.” Can’t argue with that!

Below you can enjoy some impressions of the lunch:

Framed by the winners of the first show, Sahra Tehrani und Marcel Ostertag.

Beautiful ambiance at The Box in Hamburg.

On display were the designs of the first show, that are available here.

Beautiful Hamburg – always worth a visit! Bye-bye, see you soon again!

LoL, Sandra

Some photos of the first collage: Courtesy of ProSieben, all other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Marking their 15th year, Louis Vuitton unveils a new look for its City Guides, now covering 15 of the world’s most exciting cities. New cities, new features, new format —the Louis Vuitton City Guides get 
a complete make-over, emerging entirely refreshed and revitalized.

Since 1998, Louis Vuitton has been sharing its insatiable urban wanderlust through its City Guides. Eagerly awaited every year 
and heralded even by the world’s most sophisticated travelers, 
they truly capture the heart and spirit of each city explored, offering a hand-picked selection of exceptional places, delivered with flair and conviction.
A great Christmas gift for a beloved friend.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Last week in London, I stayed for the first time at the Haymarket Hotel which I adored. My avid readers know that I am usually loving the Browns Hotel but sometimes a little change is great. Today, I was supposed to fly again to the UK for a wonderful press trip with Cowshed but had to cancel last minute… so I enjoy those sweet memories.

My comfy look: Black double-breasted wool coat with gold bars by Givenchy, the perfect grey cashmere sweater with suede elbow patches by Saint Laurent, jeggings by Marc by Marc Jacobs, studded biker boots and sunglasses by Miu Miu, Bamboo leather tote by Gucci, diamond rose ring, necklace and Limelight Gala watch, all by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Wednesday, I was invited by Montblanc to DINE & TIME with famous chefs Ivo Adam and Frank Widmer at Park Hyatt‘s Parkhuus restaurant in Zurich. It was a race against or better said with time. Each course of the gala dinner was defined by its maturing or preparation time of the ingredients and served to a certain time matching this number.

Another fun detail was the race between the watch maker to assemble parts of the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph and the pastry chef to create a watch-inspired cake.

Jérôme Lambert framed by Raquel Marquard to the right and my humble self to the left.

It was the first official event in Europe to which Montblanc International’s new CEO, Jérôme Lambert, had invited and I felt very honoured to sit next to him.

Great news is: Montblanc’s amazing ‘Signature for Good’ collection, a range of special edition products, has already achieved its goal and raised 1.5 million dollars for UNICEF’s education and literacy programmes for children worldwide. Congrats!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Montblanc

Something for my Swiss and German based readers: 
The November issue of SI Style magazine featuring my monthly column is available now. This time, I am telling you more about my trip to New York Fashion Week. If you like my outfit, have a look at this previous post.
Happy Sunday evening!

LoL, Sandra

Trick or treat? I have put together a selection of some fashionable pieces that are perfect for Halloween this October. Shop Charlotte Olympia’s dark fantasy collection to create a haute costume for fright night that you can wear all year long.

Look in collage: Angry Eagle stretch-wool sweater and printed stretch-satin jersey leggings, both by McQ Alexander McQueen, Adele resin, glossed-leather and suede tasseled clutch by Tory Burch, Swarovski crystal spider hair slide by Jennifer Behr and Midnight Dolly bat-embroidered suede platform pumps by Charlotte Olympia.

LoL, Sandra

Sucker for Pandora Perspex box clutch by Charlotte Olympia

Desiree bat-print suede pumps by Charlotte Olympia

Boo! Pumpkin suede clutch by Charlotte Olympia

Trick Or Treat embroidered suede slippers by Charlotte Olympia

Photos: Courtesy of the brands