Sandra‘s Closet

Yesterday I flew to Munich for a lovely evening with Akris at the Bavarian National Museum (Bayerisches Nationalmuseum) to view the recent exhibition about bags. I will tell you more about the event soon, so please stay tuned. It was a beautiful summer evening. The perfect weather to wear my new dress.

My look: Sanfran wrap-effect printed satin dress by Mary Katrantzou, white ‘Duffle 6’ bag and Janis leather pumps, both by Saint Laurent, rose ring, diamond necklace and Limelight Gala watch, all by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

One product for three steps that I couldn’t live without! To remove face and eye make-up, cleanse and tone the skin in one single sweep, Sisley has created Eau Efficace, a gentle, sensory, high-performance and non-rinse cleansing lotion.
The ideal product for busy women… and to take away for holidays!

Eau Efficace Démaquillant Doux – CHF 105.00
TO SHOP, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Sisley

Christian Dior was a man who believed in fate. One April night in 1946, the couturier stepped on a metal star and saw it as a sign. The next day, he set out to create his Couture House. Since then, this star has continued to sparkle in the Dior constellation, and particularly on the Fall 2013 make-up collection, with trendy shimmering shades and metallic reflections.

5-COULEURS MYSTIC METALLICS

Christian Dior’s lucky charm shines over the new must-have collection and decorates the mythical 5 Couleurs palette. Sculpted with stars, the eye shadows shimmer with metallic shades and reflections. Shrouded in mystery, eyes have never been so magnetic.

Two colour harmonies exist in shades of violet and silver (864 Constellation) or blue-greens and browns (384 Bonne Etoile).

CHF 92.00

DIORSHOW FUSION MONO
Long-Wear Professional Mirror-Shine Eyeshadow

In a single step, Diorshow Fusion Mono creates multidimensional contrasts for a professional makeup effect. Its unique cushiony gel-foam texture brightens the eyes with faceted, long-lasting colour and a weightless finish.

Apply two ways for two different effects:
Soft fusion: applied with the fingertips, the texture blends into the skin for a weightless finish and subtly shimmering result. Bold fusion: using the smudging applicator, the finish is intensified to reveal pure and extreme colour.

Pro tips: dampen the applicator slightly for a spectacular lamé effect.

Available in 8 shades:
Lune sublime, immaculate and iridescent, for poetic eyes. – Étoile the glittering sparkle of stardust. – Aventure a dense, gleaming black, the bearer of infinity. – Cosmos the magical blue of a night beneath the heavenly skies. – Millenium khaki with bronze facets for an avalanche of light. – Météore a flamboyant and passionately sensual amber. – Chimère the charm of opaline pink, flowing on your skin. – Hypnotique a deep purple made sublime with silver.

CHF 49.00

DIOR VERNIS MYSTIC MAGICS

Mystic. Edgy. The new Dior manicure creates surprise and makes your look pulsate with a shadowy blue lacquer which, owing to its integrated magnet, reveals an enigmatic motif. Luxury in its raw state.

CHF 42.00

DIOR VERNIS

Shimmering lights of silvery pink (382 Destin) and brocade prune (992 Galaxie): these two shades propel nail lacquer into a new dimension, for a half-shadow, half-light aesthetic that is always stylish.

CHF 37.00

DIORBLUSH

The Diorblush has been reinvented. A new formula gives maximum expression to pigments. This micronized powder goes on as a veil of pure, evanescent, weightless colour. In red, pink, coral and nude, with the new motif, colours explode with uncompromising energy. Face make-up is stylish and blush is the new dress code, determining dress colour and lipstick. Addictive and a fashion whim, Diorblush promises to be the new «must-wear.»

Fusion: apply with the flat of the brush, to fuse colour with the skin. Perfect for a healthy look. Sculpting: apply with the bevelled edge of the brush for professional «contouring » to shade temples, redefine face shape and define cheekbones etc.

Diorblush is available in 13 colours divided into 4 colour spectrums (pink, red, coral and
nude) and 3 finishes (iridescent, matte and satin).

CHF 68.00

This amazing Dior makeup collection is in stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior, Bettman CORBIS

Last Wednesday, Mulberry hosted together with American Express Centurion an intimate event at the store in Zurich. Listening to the sounds of a harp player, guests were invited to observe the exquisite detail and craftsmanship that goes into creating an iconic ALEXA bag.

On display was the British brand’s newest family member that is part of the F/W 2013 collection: the PRIMROSE, a new take on heritage Mulberry detailing.

Inspired by a vintage bag shape, this softly-rounded satchel is a contrast to the other satchels in the Mulberry collection, yet still loaded with the house’s DNA. It has a structured top handle, cross-body strap and postman’s lock closure – updated exclusively for the Primrose. As opposed to the classic postman’s lock, this one has a side-opening hinge, adding a touch of newness to an iconic piece of Mulberry hardware.

YOU CAN SHOP A LARGE SELECTION OF MULBERRY BAGS HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Mulberry – Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

STALACTITE-SHAPED CRYSTAL
A futuristic fantasy from Maison Martin Margiela

A striking new crystal cut has made a stunning début: Swarovski has teamed up with high-end, haute couture collective, Maison Martin Margiela, to launch a new type of crystal technology—the groundbreaking Crystalactite.

In the beginning of July during the Haute Couture week in Paris, in the chic Espace Yves Toudic, five as-yet-unseen, state-of-the-art crystal jewelry and accessories pieces, each featuring the new Crystalactite fusion technology, took center-stage at Maison Martin Margiela’s eagerly awaited Couture Show, entitled ‘Artisanal’.

What makes the Maison Martin Margiela Crystalactite for Swarovski totally unique is the fact that it is made using the pioneering Crystal Fusion technique, by which crystal is merged with matt white resin before it is cut, making gluing unnecessary. This is unprecedented, and the result is startlingly futuristic—an avant-garde and asymmetric beauty, inspired by the shape and structure of stalactites. Maison Martin Margiela showed how the five Crystalactite Haute Couture jewelry pieces can be turned into amazingly versatile accessories. A specially integrated clip mechanism enables them to be worn on the hair, clothing, or footwear, giving an eclectic, cutting-edge look that is way ahead of its time.

Please enjoy some of the amazing show pieces along with some exclusive backstage photos:

I have been so thrilled to discover that there is to be a Maison Martin Margiela Crystalactite for Atelier Swarovski collection based on the Haute Couture pieces. It will consist of a stunning pendant, ring, and bracelet, each displaying Maison Martin Margiela’s signature clean-lined asymmetry, lit up with Swarovski’s famous sparkle. Even better, it will be available for Christmas 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Product and backstage photos: Courtesy of Maison Martin Margiela Crystalactite for Swarovski
Show photos: Courtesy of Maison Martin Margiela

Mid May I told you about the amazing launch event of Jo Malone‘s newest fragrance PEONY & BLUSH SUEDE in London. Now, the house’s recent floral addition has finally hit the shelves.

Master perfumer Christine Nagel describes her inspiration like this: “For me this fragrance captures the connection between the craft of fragrance and couture fashion. I wanted to capture the charm of the English ballroom in the mid-20th century. The heady glamour of the Cecil Beaton era. Women elegant in couture, with peonies brought in from the great country estates, the gossip and moodiness as the night unfolds.” Below you can see some exclusive behind the scenes shots of the advertising campaign which I find extremely beautiful.

PEONY & BLUSH SUEDE COLLECTION

Top note: Red apple
Middle note: Peony
Base note: Suede

Cologne 30ml (CHF 68.00), 100ml (CHF 130.00)
Body & Hand Wash 250ml (CHF 64.00)
Body Crème 175ml (CHF 99.00)
Home Candle 200g (CHF 82.00)

Combine it with Jo Malone’s English Pear & Freesia to create an exquisitely juicy floral with a sensuous mellow touch, or with Saffron from the Cologne Intense Collection for an opulent mix.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone and © Sandra Bauknecht

One year ago, CHANEL COCO NOIR was launched, a beautiful modern and luminous oriental scent. Finally in addition to the 50ml and 100ml sizes, the Eau de Parfum will be available in a compact 35 ml flacon that can be slipped into your handbag. Fans of the sensual fragrance appreciate its seductive blend of bergamot, rose, geranium rose leaf, patchouli and tonka bean notes. To complete the range, luxury body care products featuring the scent will also be added in the end of this month. It is the perfect way to prolong the trail of scent on the skin – a bath ritual to indulge in for special moments where time stands still.

EAU DE PARFUM – Vaporisateur 35 ml CHF 105.-
FOAMING SHOWER GEL – Gel Moussant pour la Douche 200 ml CHF 60.-
MOISTURIZING BODY LOTION – Emulsion Hydratante pour le Corps 200 ml CHF 68.-

In Switzerland in stores in the end of August 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Let me show you my favourite collection for the new season: VALENTINO. Watching this runway show in Paris along with celebrities such as Jessica Alba and Nicole Richie, my heart was beating faster and I was thinking: those pieces have to find a way into my closet!

Inspired by the paintings of Flemish Old Masters (Vermeer in particular), Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli‘s latest collection is absolutely exquisite.

Of course, punk is the trend of the season, but my heart beats for those little white collars and the amazing feminine dresses. The outstanding embellishments are blended with materials: carpet textures, embroidery inspired by Delft ceramics, and chiné and jacquard motifs that reproduce them on knitwear.

And to live my grunge moment, I will invest in the famed rockstud accessories to match.

Valentino’s ad campaign for F/W 2013 was shot by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin and shows how fashion meets art in perfection: striking portraits set against ornate still life images of flowers, food and accessories.

Framed by the lovely designer duo, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli.

I was so happy to visit the Valentino showroom the next day after the show to explore this amazing collection up close. The moment I saw and felt the details, the outstanding craftsmanship and beautiful designs, I have been even more in love with the collection, if that is anyway possible… Great news is that most of the pieces are hitting the stores now.

To shop, just click on the highlighted text below! Have fun!

LoL, Sandra

Leather-trimmed wool-blend dress

Tapestry-lace mini dress

Beaded tulle-detailed wool and cashmere-blend sweater

Intarsia stretch-knit dress

Embroidered plastron bonded nappa leather dress

Scalloped wool and silk-blend coat

Beaded tulle and wool-blend crepe mini dress

Patent-leather and velvet T-bar pumps

Patent-leather and velvet T-bar pumps

Rockstud mink and leather clutch

The Rockstud leather trapeze bag

Rockstud Rouge pumps

Runway and ad campaign photos: Courtesy of Valentino, all other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

“I love the red, it is the color of life.” – Christian Dior

In 1953, the famous Rouge Dior lipstick was created in Paris and it has been since then launched in more than 1500 shades. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of this beauty icon, Dior launches this fall the new Rouge Dior Collection which features not only an impressive number of over 30 signature shades but also 12 shades of Lip Contour Pencils and 4 Le Vernis nail polishes.

Beautiful actress Natalie Portman is once again the face of Dior’s new campaign.

ROUGE DIOR – CHF 50.50
ROUGE DIOR CONTOUR PEN – CHF 34.00

In stores in Switzerland from September 2, 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior

Speaking about style on stage, GUCCI dresses Beyoncé for her Mrs. Carter Show tour in a series of stunning one-of-a-kind outfits custom designed by Creative Director Frida Giannini.

The singer and songwriter debuted two GUCCI one-of-a-kind outfits at her Barclays Center shows in Brooklyn this month that you can see here including the sketches. Queen B will introduce more looks during the Latin American portion of her tour kicking off on September 8 in Brazil.

This collaboration comes after Frida Giannini, Beyoncé and Salma Hayek Pinault joined forces earlier this year to create Chime for Change, an ongoing global campaign to raise funds and awareness for girls’ and women’s empowerment.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci/Getty