Sandra‘s Closet

Coco Chanel once said: “Luxury must ne comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury…”. Wishful thinking and not always true – unfortunately.

Fashion weeks are approaching and I start slowly getting myself organized for some stylish but comfortable outfits in which I can run around the whole day and look good at the same time.

Here you see today’s shopping obsession: Tiger-intarsia knitted sweater by Kenzo, stretch-leather skinny pants by The Row, Emile textured-leather tote by Alexander Wang (love its rose gold-finished design) and black leather ankle boot with metal chain by Givenchy (one of the hottest shoes of the season).

My notes and my iPhone should look stylish as well with the runway textured-leather notebook by Smythson and the chain-embellished cover by Moschino.

I will finish off the look with some statement nails and vibrant lips: Giddy Kipper nail polish by Butter London and Persistence matte lip color by Kevin Aucoin.

LoL, Sandra

Something for my Swiss and German based readers: 
The September issue of SI Style magazine featuring my monthly column is available now. This time, I am telling you all about my trip through China. If you like my outfit, have a look at this previous post. If you haven’t followed my adventure, you could do so now by clicking on the tiny photos below to be transferred directly to each post, have fun!

LoL, Sandra

Launched in 2011, the Boy CHANEL bag has become an recognizable House creation and its status as such, is set to last. For the CHANEL F/W 2013 collection Karl Lagerfeld has reinterpreted its design with a resolutely modern and supple version.

Quilted or smooth, the flap is animated by a graphic contrasting effect with an overstitched or quilted braiding. Forever faithful to its codes, the chain strap and the Boy lock, the handbag is available in four sizes from a mini version to a maxi bag.

In shades of black, pearl grey and white, there’s a distinct contrast with the deep nuances of brick red, lead green and bright petrol blue.

In addition to the smooth or patent calfskin and the exotic alligator and python skins, it also exists in two aged goatskins, one iridescent and the other with graduated shading.

Another variation has a smooth leather or tweed flap and comes with four different sized link chains, emphasising the Boy CHANEL’s definitive rock’n’roll allure.

I love this Boy and need it in my closet. My object of desire for F/W 2013, perfect to complement my edgy and punk-inspired looks for the next season. 
Available in CHANEL boutiques from September 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

I am very happy to reveal my new project: Starting this fall, I will be guest blogging for Marionnaud Switzerland. Those posts will be published in German and French and I will be showing you on a regular basis some of my beauty must-haves.

Thank you, Marionnaud, for the lovely introduction in the recent magazine!

LoL, Sandra

If you like my look, please click here.
Photo of me: Christian Dietrich

Guerlain introduces its exclusive fall 2013 VOILETTE DE MADAME makeup line, composed to make every woman irresistible, expressing her seduction and personality with style and femininity. Madame’s ultimate accessory, the veil, is the inspiration for this season’s collection. Like the seductress herself, this delicate fabric gives only small glimpses into a woman’s mysterious world. And as Madame unveils herself, her secrets come to light. It is all about “being beautiful and playing the game of seduction,” Olivier Echaudemaison, Creative Director, describes his inspiration.

Let’s have a closer look at one of my favourite makeup collections of the season. Two luxurious collector’s items adorned in Swiss dot: her precious ROUGE G and the unique 4-COLOUR BLUSH, a delicately violet-scented pressed powder which brings colour to her cheeks, are among my must-haves.

Rouge G de Guerlain (Limited Edition)
860 Madame Batifole – a vibrant fuchsia
861 Madame Flirte – a fruity red
862 Madame Rêve – a voluptuous pink
CHF 64.00

Madame Rougit
4-Colours Blush (Limited Edition)
CHF 85.00

Her GLOSS D’ENFER, with three new shades to die for, and her COLOUR LACQUER complement the look perfectly.

Gloss d’Enfer (Limited Edition)
860 Madame Batifole – an electric sparkling fuchsia (middle)
861 Madame Flirte – a gourmand sparkling red (left)
863 Madame Fascine – a sparkling deep purple for a bitten lips effect (right)
CHF 43.00

Colour Lacquer (Limited Edition)
860 Madame Batifole – an intense fuchsia
CHF 37.00

The new It-accessories for the eyes: two colours, two textures: L’ECRIN 2 COULEURS. Guerlain’s new duo eye shadows are the perfect tool for creating statement looks.

L’Ecrin 2 Couleurs
01 Two Rock – mysterious green & dazzling black
02 Two Stylish – deep blue & metallic grey
03 Two Extravagant – chocolat brown & zesty green
04 Two Gossip – stirring plum & baroque gold
05 Two Candy – soft white & sparkling pink
06 Two Parisian – intense black & powder pink
07 Two Lovely – soft grey & aquamarine
08 Two Spicy- ebony brown & spicy casual
CHF 62.00

The collection is in stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Guerlain

She’s elegant, chic, superb and totally effortless. The Lancôme Fall 2013 L’ABSOLU DESIR Collection is a tribute to the Parisian woman – always sophisticated and never overstated. Kate Winslet is the face for this beautiful makeup look that is in stores now.

L’ABSOLU ROUGE
Rose Nu (06), Rouge Rayonnant (07), Caprice (132), Rouge Désir (186), Rose Désir (322) and Prune Désir (386) – CHF 45.00

The signature of Parisian elegance: timelessly red lips. To celebrate this symbol of French beauty, Lancôme pays homage to its cult lipstick, L’Absolu Rouge. Which is your colour for the week?

BLUSH DESIR
A Kiss from Paris (01) – CHF 65.00

I love this product! A precious powder with orange and pink-toned shades, specially crafted to bring out your skin’s radiance. Like a postcard from Paris, the gold-embossed black case features the Eiffel Tower, roses and lipstick kisses… a real collectible!

VERNIS IN LOVE
Purple Fiction (185), Black Sepia (385) and Grey Lumière (485) – CHF 26.00

For fall, Lancôme brings to you black, reinvented! Discover the 3 new Vernis in Love limited edition shades – enlivened with captivating colour and pigments in intense plum, brown and grey!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lancôme

This weekend close friends of mine got married. It was a very romantic and beautiful private wedding celebration with lots of tears of joy and laughter. The bride looked breathtakingly stunning and so thought the handsome groom. One detail that I truly loved was that each guest had a little heart with his name on the table filled with a personalized quote.

My look: Stretch-cady peplum-hem gown by Alessandra Rich, bow-embellished patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent, satin clutch bag by Prada, statement necklace by Lanvin and diamond rose ring by Piaget.

I am wishing the newlyweds a happy married life full of love and magic moments!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The Moto Jacket (aka fall’s must-have item) should be in your closet right now.

Just when I thought it had gone to biker heaven, this topper pops up on most of the major F/W 2013 runways in every way possible, floral at Givenchy, classic at Saint Laurent and sexy at Jason Wu. The biker jacket is a super-easy way to work this season’s grunge trend and to add some edge to any outfit. Try one of these amazing ones below:

1 Leather biker jacket by Balmain
2 Cracked-leather biker jacket by Proenza Schouler
3 Two-tone textured-leather biker jacket by Faith Connexion
4 Hyde paneled leather biker jacket by IRO
5 Jovanna neon stretch-denim biker jacket by Karl Lagerfeld
6 Herringbone wool-blend biker jacket by Junya Watanabe
7 Karle leather biker jacket by J Brand
8 Leopard-print ribbed leather jacket by 3.1 Phillip Lim
9 Trompe l’oeil leather biker jacket by Alexander Wang

Classic leather biker jacket by Saint Laurent (my favourite one as you can see above)

Royal blue nubuck biker jacket by Alexander McQueen (now on my wish list)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via style.com, © Sandra Bauknecht

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Hugo Boss has launched an interesting art project with an exhibition at London’s Saatchi Gallery, that will run through September 2013, under the name “Red Never Follows” that showcases different art works by 20 international creatives, inspired by HUGO. To highlight the German brand’s history, the word “Follows” on the key visuals is spelled as “Fol20ws,” and Berlin based artist Steffen Seeger has painted the one line drawing, that stands for the house’s last 20 years.

Last night, he was in Zurich for an interactive art show at the store on Bahnhofstrasse. It was a pleasure to meet Steffen and I was very excited to get my own art work done by him. We partied on the shop’s terrace, while enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

My look: Two-tone stretch-jersey contour dress by Stella McCartney, coral shape heels and patchwork bag, both by Chanel, bracelet by Hermès.

In addition to the exhibition, the brand has launched a line of 20 celebratory fashion items that are  available online and in store.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hugo Boss and © Sandra Bauknecht

Between my recent trips to China and Iceland, I flew for one day to Berlin to shoot MCM‘ s amazing new collaboration with Craig & Karl: EYES ON THE HORIZON. I love the German capital (and that is not only because I was born in this country), it’s one of the most vibrant, energetic cities in Europe. It’s the combination of two facts that can be felt everywhere: its present anything-goes-and-anything’s-possible vibe and its somber past.

Let me take you on a tour around Berlin. I had so much fun with my very talented photographer Christoph Schemel. See for yourselves:

First stop: THE KURFÜRSTENDAMM
Known locally as the Ku’damm, one of the most famous avenues in the city is home to many shops, such as the MCM boutique, hotels and restaurants. It’s often considered the Champs-Élysées of Berlin.

Second stop: DAS STUE
Located right next to the Tiergarten (central park of Berlin), the stylish design hotel Das Stue offers all the comforts of a quiet urban refuge within the heart of Berlin.

Third stop: CAFE AM NEUEN SEE
Christoph and I had a fabulous lunch at this fun place outside in the garden area with waiter service (there is also a self-service beer garden part directly by the lake) and planned the rest of our shoot. I had a piece of very yummy cheesecake (German cheesecake is the best) that went so fast I forgot to take a picture.

Fourth stop: SIEGESSÄULE
Berlin’s “Victory Column” is a famous monument and probably one of the best known symbols of the city. The “Golden Lizzie,” as it is known in local slang, was originally built around 1864 to celebrate Prussia’s victory in the German-Danish war.

Fifth stop: BRANDENBURGER TOR
Located at the heart of Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate is standing at the western end of the avenue Unter den Linden. It has been a symbol for both, the divided Cold War city and the country’s reunification. Today, it is one of the metropole’s most-visited landmarks.

Last stop: GRILL ROYAL
Before I flew back to Zurich, we went to Grill Royal for drinks. This see-and-be-seen restaurant is still, after opening a couple of years ago, the place-to-dine and very popular with the celebrity crowd. Below you see me before the entrance on Friedrichstrasse.

I hope that you have enjoyed my day in Berlin! Cannot wait to be back soon…

My look: Ivory blazer, cropped metallic leather motocross pants, both by Balmain, black top by Tom Ford, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline, shoes by Gucci, key ring, clutch and backpack, all from the MCM x Craig & Karl Eyes on the Horizon collection. Rose necklace and ring, both by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos by Christoph Schemel