Sandra‘s Closet

I love coming back from my travels to some nice surprises. This week, two arrivals have truly made me very happy.

When Prada unveiled its gourmand caramel scent named CANDY in 2011, I have become immediately a huge fan. Therefore I was over the moon about the house’s newest flanker version that has arrived on my doorstep this week: PRADA CANDY L’EAU. Like the original, the new version is also signed by perfumer Daniela Andrier. Seductive and playful in one, the new fragrance  is modified with notes of citruses and flowers.

ORIENTAL VANILLA
Top notes: Italian citruses
Middle notes: Sweet pea
Base notes: Benzoin, white musk and caramel (The Prada Candy trilogy).

Prada Candy L’Eau EdT CHF 74.00 (30ml) – CHF 99.00 (50ml) – CHF 127.00 (80ml)
Available in Switzerland Mid April 2013.

White pumps are so hot! And the amazing Janis leather pumps by Saint Laurent will be among my summer favorites.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada, © Sandra Bauknecht

Many of you who have been following Sandra’s Closet since a while, might know Nina already. Her concept pop-up shop KIDS AND THE CITY is a must-visit in the area of Zurich when you are looking for the newest accessories, gift ideas and objects of desire from emerging designers from all over the world. Great news is that she will be opening her doors for 4 days next week. You are herewith cordially invited to a Spring Fling – a private sale featuring numerous exclusive brands, such as La Capra Cashmere, Happycoat, Heartwork by Envie, A Simple Hug, Loup y es-tu, Des Artistes, Treibgut, Caspita and many more new collections.

Nina Arnold-Shah

March 19th to 22nd, 10.00am – 07.00pm Friday 10.00am – 03.00pm 
OR BY APPOINTMENT  Kids and the City by Nina Arnold-Shah +41 79 768 37 23
Breitackerstrasse 4 – 8702 Zollikon/ Switzerland  
RSVP to

And here is your exclusive preview of some of the gorgeous new treasures Nina has put together for us:

CASPITA

Rings Micro Quintessence with coloured stones, CHF 1’200 each

Earrings Micro Quintessence Chakra Sahasrara, CHF 2’700

Necklace Micro Quintessence Chakra Anahata, CHF3’300

ATELIER SHAKO

Shako, the mastermind behind those beautifully crafted bags, was born and raised in Kyoto, Japan. After her studies in Spain, she moved to France to work for Hermès. In 2009, she launched her eponymous label Atelier Shako in Geneva to fulfill her passion for outstanding design and craftsmanship.

Clutch CHF 760.-

HEARTWORK BY ENVIE

Founder and designer Nina Eiber is based in Vienna and specializes in luxury, limited edition silk scarves with contrasting prints on either side.

My favourite: Vogue scarf CHF 260.-

ZOJORA

Travel inspired accessories from across the globe. 
Necklaces CHF 45.- / Bracelets CHF 29.-

TREIBGUT

Inspired by flotsam and jetsam, the idea was to create a mojo reminiscent of the life at the sea. All bracelets can be custom-made and can vary therefore  in prices.

Bellinzona with citrine – CHF 335.-

Brindisi CHF 225.-

A SIMPLE HUG

Such a cute idea: Top-quality matching shirts for father and son – a unique offer.
Father & Son shirt set – starting at CHF 160.-

ENGEL & BANDITEN

The cutest school cones ever, available for CHF 109.- each.

I hope that you are a little inspired now. See you at Nina’s next week!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the brands and Kids and the City

Today, I got back from a wonderful trip to Geneva with Nescens. The last weeks have been crazy with travelling, Los Angeles, Paris, next week, I will fly to London and Vienna. Therefore, I am so happy to have a very relaxing weekend ahead of me that I am planning to spend most of the time cuddled up in bed with my laptop. I have so many amazing things to show you.

For my Swiss based readers, I have also two reading suggestions for the weekend: First of all, my new column in the SI Style magazine is out now. This time, I am telling you a little bit more about my experience with the Fifty Shades of Grey triology. Second of all, the recent edition of Swiss News, the international magazine of Switzerland, is available now featuring a beautiful three-page portrait of one of my favourite designers, Mary Katrantzou.

And in case you are curious in which linen I will be all cuddled up, most of my bedding is by Christian Fischbacher. I just love their quality, fabrics and designs. The one you see in the photos is Cloque, one of my favourites as it doesn’t need to be ironed. Have a great weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Those printed satin sandals by Dolce & Gabbana arrived in my closet this week and it was a true pleasure opening the package. Not only the shoes are beautiful, but also their box and vibrant dust bag. The colors set the mood for a hot, golden summer – I am loving it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Runway: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

During Paris Fashion Week, the lovely Mary Katrantzou welcomed me at her showroom to explore her newest F/W 2013 up close.

For fall 2013, Mary Katrantzou surprised. Her designs have developed, trading her focus on bold prints and vibrant colors for strong silhouettes and new shapes, without loosing her identity. Monochromatic hues, embroideries that look like print giving this outstanding collection an effect that has been even more striking on me. Referencing Edward Steichen’s iconic imagery, the turn of the century’s photography, Mary created dream-like pieces.

My favourites? The eerie landscapes and ghost-like dresses, as innovative as the legendary photographs they are reminiscent of.

Mary Katrantzou with me

I was so proud when I found myself in a folder at the entrance of the showroom with “celebrities” wearing Mary Katrantzou. Thank you!

To the left: MISTY MARIA dress, to the right: REFLECTO coat

New clutches for F/W 2013

Me in SANFRAN dress and FREELAGO clutch

Me in DIJON PINK blouse dress with matching leggings

Wearing VERSICOLOR coat

I love the FAUWI dress

Sporting two-layered ORLYON dress

Mary’s jacquards are among her bestsellers. Here you see me in the new KARDIA dress.

Amazing REFLECTOR dress.

Like a ghost: Me in TIA MARIA dress.

If you like the designs as much as I do, then I have a great surprise for you:
YOU CAN PRE-ORDER THE BEAUTIFUL MARY KATRANTZOU F/W 2013 COLLECTION NOW!
TRUNKSHOW ENDS ON MARCH 16 AT 11 PM EDT.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Sometimes you have to be lucky… and in this case it was me. Coming pack from Los Angeles to repack for Paris Fashion Week, I had the chance to attend the opening party of the new Diesel Black Gold shop-in-shop at Jelmoli which is the biggest one in Europe. Especially for the night, Andreas Melbostad, Creative Director Womenswear, had flown in from New York. I was very honoured to be among the guests invited to an intimate dinner at Clouds afterwards where I got the chance to talk to the designer of Norwegian origin who had worked for the likes of Calvin Klein, Nina Ricci and Yves Saint Laurent before.

Andreas Melbostad with me

The new shop-in shop at Jelmoli

Dinner at Clouds

One day after I got back from Paris Fashion Week, just one week after the amazing dinner party, Diesel celebrated its recently opened shop on Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse.
And some famous guests came …

Two great parties in one week! Thank you, Diesel!

LoL, Sandra

For the outfit post, please click here.

Actor Adrien Brody with me

Joseph Fiennes, framed by his wife Maria Dolores Diéguez to the left and me to the right

Photos: © David Biedert, © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Diesel

Let me introduce you to one of my favourite beauty treatments at home:
The Glamoxy™ Snake Mask by Rodial, heralded as ‘Botox in a bottle’!.

RODIAL – ALTERNATIVES TO SURGERY

In the age of chemical peels and invasive cosmetic procedures, the London-based brand has captured nature’s power by creating a range of super-effective skincare that delivers targeted treatments to specific skin concerns. In all Rodial products, Pomegranate Ellagic Tannin, with its natural anti-ageing, firming and collagen-boosting properties, is combined with breakthrough natural ingredients clinically tested to show results.

The Rodial Glamoxy™ Snake Mask has an innovative black “peel off” formula that visibly improves skin radiance and texture. Amino acids and licorice brighten the skin tone while enriched minerals deep cleanse and purify pores to remove excess oil, dirt and impurities. It also contains dipeptides, inspired by the potent effects of the Temple Viper venom, to help reduce the appearance of fine lines.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

1. Apply a fine, even layer to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eye area and hairline (and be truly careful!). Leave it for 15-20 minutes or until completely dry.

2. Gently peel off the mask from the outer edges like a snake sloughs its skin. This can be a little painful and feels more like a waxing. But the result is all worth it. Rinse off any residue with warm water. You can enjoy immediately a younger looking and more radiant skin. Can be used once or twice a week. I use it as a deep cleansing once a month.

THE FACE BEHIND RODIAL

Grecian-born Maria Hatzistefanis started her career as a beauty journalist. It was then that her entrepreneurial instinct foresaw the potential of a luxury skincare range that would offer an alternative to plastic surgery and injections.

Maria started the company in 1999 and grew it into a global brand now available in more than 1000 doors and 35 countries worldwide, with a huge celebrity following.

The Glamoxy™ Snake Mask by Rodial is available in Switzerland at Marionnaud for CHF 69.00 (50ml). And some very exciting news, next week I will be leaving to London to attend the Rodial Beautiful Awards 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Photos used for the collage: Courtesy of Rodial

On my last day in Los Angeles, I had a little time to walk down Rodeo Drive and to meet with my Beverly Hills girlfriends at the Beverly Wilshire for a drink before heading to the airport.

Bonnie Star (to the left) is a famous American jewelry designer, who made the wonderful cuff that I am wearing on the photo, modeled after nineteenth-century French lace.
(For a previous post on Bonnie, please click here).
Claudia Deutsch (to the right) is the owner of the Artspace Warehouse gallery in Los Angeles that offers high quality original artworks from established and emerging international artists at affordable prices for every budget. She brought this new concept also to Zurich, check out the Kunstwarenhaus.

My look: Striped glossed rayure-effect blazer and flat tote bag, both by Saint Laurent, classic white tee by Burberry London, stretch leggings by Stouls, long tank top by Rick Owens, skull silk scarf by Alexander McQueen, boots by Balmain, gold lace cuff by Bonnie Star and 4810 hoop earrings in pink gold with diamonds by Montblanc.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

While being in Paris, I couldn’t resist this beautiful trio from Dior‘s Cruise 2013 nail lacquers collection. Setting the right tone for summer, the three shades, inspired by fresh fruits, Mango 438, Lime 602 and Pastèque 658, would compliment the gorgeous Dior S/S 2013 dresses perfectly. Just beautiful!

The nail polishes are available exclusively at the Christian Dior boutique, 30 avenue Montaigne and Bon Marché in Paris. Enjoy your tutti-frutti!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Runway photos: Via style.com

While doing my tour around Los Angeles, I had to stop at one of my favourite shops in town: Opening Ceremony.

My look: Printed stretch-satin jersey top, striped low-rise skinny jeans, both by Balmain, crystal cat’s-eye sunglasses by Prada, flat tote bag by Saint Laurent, patent leather jeweled heel lace-up oxfords by Miu Miu and 4810 hoop earrings in pink gold with diamonds by Montblanc, dotted socks by Fogal.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht