Sandra‘s Closet

Last week, Montblanc hosted a gala evening at the Park Hyatt Zurich to present their ‘Signature for Good’ 2013 campaign to the Swiss audience. I was kindly ask to come on stage to speak about this wonderful initiative and to share some of my most impressive moments during the Montblanc Pre-Oscar Charity Brunch at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles.

My look: Embellished dragon-print silk-cady dress by Emilio Pucci, Catwalk patent leather bag with crocodile print and bow-embellished patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent, 4810 hoop earrings in pink gold with diamonds by Montblanc, Tank Americaine watch in yellow gold with diamonds by Cartier and Gran Gala tights with gold shimmer by Fogal.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Something for my Swiss and German based readers: 
The May issue of SI Style magazine featuring my monthly fashion column is available now. This time, I tell you why I am so in love with Los Angeles and how much fun I had at Montblanc’s Pre-Oscar ‘Signature for Good’ charity brunch. For further information on the look, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here in Zurich, we have been anxiously awaiting for the flowers to bloom and the sun to shine. Finally, spring is here and you might be in the mood to look for a new scent. Roses are offering a modern twist on tradition and floral motifs have served as the main themes for some of the new fragrance launches .

Here are my three favourites highlighting the light and soft aspect of a rose, enhanced by feminine fruity notes. I hope that you will enjoy my mini-reviews for you.

EAU DE CARTIER Goutte de Rose

For Spring 2013, Cartier has launched a flanker to their best-selling Eau de Cartier from 2001, with the beautiful name Goutte de Rose. It is a bright and joyful fragrance, infused with the delicacy of a freshly picked garden rose, created by the French Maison’s in-house perfumer, Mathilde Laurent.

FLORAL
Top notes: Rose and yuzu
Middle notes: Violet, mulberry and litchi
Base notes: Cedarwood and lemon

Available as Eau de Toilette for CHF 65.00 (50ml), CHF 97.00 (100ml) and CHF 127.00 (200ml).

BALENCIAGA L’Eau Rose

The French fashion house’s newest flanker retains the iconic chypre character and violet accord of the original Balenciaga fragrance rom 2010. By adding luminous floral and fruity accords, the fragrance goes in a beautiful refreshing direction.

CHYPRE FLORAL
Top notes: Blackberry
Middle notes: Patchouli, rose and violet
Base notes: Musk, cedar and cypress

Available as Eau de Toilette for CHF 115.00 (50ml) and CHF 139.00 (100ml).
In Switzerland exclusively at Marionnaud.

pureDKNY A Drop of Rose

I have been enjoying the third fragrance in the pureDKNY series, quite much. The emphasis is on including roses that have been grown and harvested with care in the Turkish Isparta Valley by supporting CARE, an organisation helping lift women around the world out of poverty. The bottle is 100% recycable and the packaging is biodegradable as well. This scent is more than a fragrance – a state of mind, a way of being.

FLORAL
Top notes: Blackcurrant and Turkish rose
Middle notes: Magnolia and verbena
Base notes: Cedar and vanilla

Available as Eau de Parfum for CHF 59.00 (30ml), CHF 89.00 (50ml) and CHF 123.00 (100ml).
Body Butter CHF 57.00 (200ml) and Body Wash CHF 45.00 (200ml).

Wouldn’t one of this fragrances be a lovely surprise for Mother’s Day?! For more rosy gift ideas, have a look at this post.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

Here is the look that I wore to the Forte_Forte “10” presentation at Vestibule.
I am completely in love with 3.1 Phillip Lim’s S/S 2013 collection, such cool and easy-to-wear pieces.

I Heart Nueva York cotton-jersey tank, printed silk skirt with trompe d’oeil shirt sleeves tied around the waist and Pashli two-tone mini shark embossed leather satchel, all three by 3.1 Phillip Lim, black leather biker jacket and Janis leather pumps, both by Saint Laurent, earrings and ring, both by Chanel, graphic floral sunglasses by Prada and colourful elastics by Scoopy Loop (Those new trend bands from L.A. are also great for tying your hair).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Are you dreaming of this healthy sun-kissed glow that we have been missing the last months? Would you like to give your complexion the taste of more exotic climes? Like Natalia Vodianova, who stars in Guerlain‘s newest ad campaign for the TERRACOTTA COLLECTION 2013, you can achieve this radiant look with the help of these amazing new products:

The cult bronzing powder: TERRACOTTA 4 SEASONS

One Terracotta product is sold somewhere in the world every 20 seconds. Often imitated but never equalled, its secret formula strikes a subtle balance between color and transparency, creating a flawless natural look that lasts all day. Thanks to its four different shades, you can customize your natural-looking glow.

Available in six different shades for CHF 94.00 each.

THE NO-FAIL “3” GESTURE TO APPLY THE BRONZING POWDER
to create a three-week tan in three seconds

Beauty tip from Olivier Echaudemaison, Guerlain’s Creative Director

“Using the special Terracotta bronzing powder retractable brush, apply your Terracotta powder by tracing a figure “3” on each side of the fee: from the forehead down towards the cheeks, then down along the jaw line to the chin and down the neck. For the finishing touch, take a little more Terracotta powder with your brush and sweep it over the raised areas of the face, the places that catch the sun most – the forehead, nose, cheekbones and chin. The result is an instant glow.”

Glow-enhancing perfector: TERRACOTTA SKIN

Delivering the corrective coverage of a foundation with the sheerness of a Terracotta powder, this powdery cream allows for a flawless complexion in one step. The formula is composed of soft-focus elastic particles which reflect light in all directions making enlarged pores, fine lines and other imperfections less noticeable, giving a matt and velvety finish.

Available in three shades, Nude (new), Blondes and Brunettes for CHF 69.00 (30ml) each.

The secret to creating a sun-kissed glow: TERRACOTTA SUN SCRUB

Effective for all stages of tanning, this scrub not only prepares skin for tanning but helps it retain its sun-kissed look longer. The secret to its success lies in the formula, comprised of three different particles. Upon contact with water, those transform the oil-based gel into a body milk which helps to remove dead cells, massaging the skin and leaving it satin-smooth, the perfect condition for the perfect uniform sun-kissed glow.

Available for CHF 78.00 (150ml) – Limited Edition

The perfect illusion: TERRACOTTA SUNLESS and TERRACOTTA JAMBES DE GAZELLE

Remarkable both for their ultra-penetrating texture, those products offer the illusion of an instant tan in only one hour that lasts four days, for a healthy glow that looks truer than life.

I especially adore Terracotta Jambes de Gazelle that is lightly scented with the fragrance of tiare flower, this tinted spray mist refreshes the legs and leaves them feeling relaxed. Drying instantly, it provides beautiful legs without any risk of clothing stain (great news) or product transfer, yet washes off with soap and water. Perfect for bare legs who haven’t seen the sun yet!

Terracotta Sunless is available for CHF 72.00 (150ml) – Limited Edition
Terracotta Jambe de Gazelle for CHF 78.00 (100ml)

The right sun protection: TERRACOTTA SUN – BLONDES SPF 30 & BRUNETTES SPF 15

This little tube is Guerlain’s most elegant sun protection product, working for face and body, it means you can travel light. Like a bodyguard on alert, it protects the skin from the sun’s rays and from polluting particles in the environment, chlorine, cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes, which helps to restore the skin’s glow and beauty.

Available for CHF 62.00 (110ml) – Limited Edition

Tan booster: TERRACOTTA SUN SERUM

This remarkable serum is your loyal ally in acquiring, deepening and prolonging a tan. Adding a few drops of this honey-coloured serum to your normal skincare product will instantly transform it into a tan booster. It stimulates the natural production of melanin and is enriched with a soothing complex to moisturize and soften the skin.

Available for CHF 72.00 (28ml) – Limited Edition

To come to a conclusion, I have tried all of those products and find them just amazing! Enjoy the beautiful sunshine!

YOU CAN SHOP THE TERRACOTTA COLLECTION 2013 HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Guerlain

Salvatore Ferragamo‘s S/S 2013 collection is super luxe with some beautiful pieces in must-have pastel colors. Celebrate yourself with a look that will make heads turn: Turquoise linen blazer, apricot silk dress and leather Sookie tote, all by Salvatore Ferragamo and Dolly suede platform pumps by Charlotte Olympia.

The house of Salvatore Ferragamo knows how to make fashion desirable and the same goes for their fragrances. Be a different Signorina every day with the new joyful SIGNORINA Eau de Toilette.

FLORAL FRUITY
Top notes: Grapefruit and litchi
Heart notes: Rose oil and rice steam
Base notes: Milk mousse and cashmeran
Eau de Toilette CHF 59.00 (30ml), CHF 89.00 (50ml) and CHF 119.00 (100ml)

Great news for my Swiss readers: Five lucky readers have the chance to win a 30ml bottle of SIGNORINA Eau de Toilette by Salvatore Ferragamo. Send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header “Signorina” to .

All entries must be received until April 26, 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 Salvatore Ferragamo and Charlotte Olympia

Miu Miu‘s new ‘Rasoir Sunglasses’ will surely become the new season’s must-haves. What a sophisticated vision of femininity!

Characterised by a sharp cut on the lower part of the glasses’ front and defined by bold thickness and large arms, this capsule eyewear collection comprises four models: one style of prescription glasses, presented at the S/S 2013 runway show (see photo below), two sunglasses in acetate and one style of sunglasses in metal.

Available starting in May 2013 for €220.00 in Miu Miu stores and at select opticians.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

Today is a traditional Spring holiday in the city of Zurich, which is called “Sechseläuten” (In Swiss German: Sächsilüüte). Since the early 20th century, it is celebrated on the 3rd Monday of April of every year. Following the parade of the “Zünfte” (guilds), the culmination of this popular tradition is the burning of winter in effigy, in the form of the “Böögg” (cognate to bogey), a figure of a snowman prepared with explosives.

It is said that the time between the lighting of the pyre and the explosion of the Böögg’s head is indicative of the coming summer: a quick explosion promises a warm, sunny one, a drawn-out burning a cold and rainy one. So let’s keep our fingers crossed that this head will be falling off fast today!

As the roots of the festival go back to medieval times, I was inspired to this look: Printed silk-organza midi dress by Dolce & Gabbana, Skull studded leather box clutch by Alexander McQueen, Noeud 120 bow-embellished leather peep-toes by Christian Louboutin and Leonard 2 round-frame acetate sunglasses by Illesteva.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via NZZ and © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

In celebration of their tenth anniversary, Italian fashion brand Forte_Forte presented their luxurious highly limited edition capsule collection “10” at Vestibule in Zurich last week.

Forte_Forte  is designed by Paolo and his sister Giada Forte, who is the soul of the label and had come all the way from Italy for this special event (see photo above with me). It was a true pleasure to meet the lovely designer who is expecting her first child in July.

Giada, who studied knitwear design, is in charge of the creative part and her brother Paolo, who worked in the family knitwear company before, looks after the financial aspects.

Forte_Forte offers delicate, feminine pieces that are rich in special finishings and impress with lovely hand-made details, such as precious embroidered labels and small beautiful perfumed bags in which they are sold.

A very special and beautiful collection!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Forte_Forte, Vestibule and © Sandra Bauknecht

RENE ZIBOLD

The PR and Communication Manager for H&M Switzerland has great style and many loyal followers on instagram (@monsieurené) who enjoy his daily fashion updates. Being fluent in four languages, he loves to travel. Other places inspire him, with the City of Light leading the way.

Your favourite city? La merveilleuse ville lumière: PARIS!
It’s the most beautiful city in the world, where I can find everything I really love!

Your favourite hotel? HOTEL ATHÉNÉE, a small, romantic and very elegant boutique hotel in the center of Paris. If you love Jacques Garcia’s interiors, you’ll adore it!

Your favourite restaurant? The CAFÉ RUC, in the beautiful neighborhood of Saint Honoré. The interior is also made by Jacques Garcia. The Suprême de volaille “minute” with “purée maison” is a must have! Dessert? Of course the Gâteau au chocolat!

Your favourite bar or nightclub? The GEORGES at the Centre Pompidou, also excellent for dinner. The view over Paris by night is breathtaking!

Your favourite sightseeing spot? The LOUVRE. I can spend hours in front of each masterpiece of Eugène Delacroix!

Your favourite park? The JARDIN DES TUILERIES next to the Louvre and after a walk I always enjoy a coffee and the delicious “tarte fine aux pommes“ at CAFE MARLY.

Your favourite shop? The DRIES VAN NOTEN men’s store at the Quai Malaquais. I just love the interior of the store and of course Van Noten’s beautiful men’s collections. Can’t wait to buy there the Fall 2013 collection!!!

Your must-have accessory? No matter if it’s summer or winter and where I am… I usually wear ETRO SCARVES. They really are my must-have accessory!

The best soundtrack for this destination? Jean-Claude Pascal: PARIS AU MOIS DE SEPTEMBRE. I’m in love with this song!

The best book to read while being on vacation there? I always buy ART or FASHION BOOKS in Paris. The BOOKSHOP at the PALAIS DE TOKYO has a fantastic selection.

Thank you, René, for sharing your insider scoop on Paris with us!

LoL, Sandra