Sandra‘s Closet

Agent Provocateur‘s F/W 2012 Soiree collection is glamorously gothic; each piece is rich in embellishment and adornment. Extravagant lace trims, heavy beading and intricate detailing are all abundant. I am sure that Santa Claus will be delighted to bring you those goodies…

CORDELIYAH KIMONO

Absolutely stunning are two lace sets, ‘Cordeliyah’ and ‘Damira’, that both include a full length gown with a Victorian flare. ‘Cordeliyah’ is made in elegant navy silk and navy French Leavers lace, while ‘Damira’ is created in sweeping weightless black silk chiffon.

DAMIRA GOWN

DANIKA PLAYSUIT & PASTIES

Who wouldn’t like to get tangled up in this mysteriously sexy Swarovski-encrusted playsuit ‘Danika’?! Delicate shimmering crystal chains romantically drape over your curves and the seductive stretch black taffeta straps give a sense of entrapment. Luxurious French cobweb lace detailing finish this decidedly dark look.

Discover the complete Soiree Premium collection now and receive free worldwide standard shipping until Dec. 4th by using the code ‘APGIFT’ at checkout.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Agent Provocateur

Great news for my Swiss readers: This upcoming Sunday, 2nd of December, from 12 -6 pm, you have the chance to meet and greet the jewelry designer GABRIELE FRANTZEN at GASSMANN in Zurich.

You have seen me many times wearing her amazing designs. Now, you will have the chance to explore her famous “Sense & Sensibilty” collection that is in the meantime available in 20 different shades with your own eyes or get your fingers on the new S/S 2013 “Zoo” designs.

For my foreign readers, you can shop Gabriele Frantzen’s designs online at LUISAVIAROMA.COM.

LoL, Sandra

SENSE & SENSIBILITY EMERALD

FLOWER CHOKER

KISSING PANTHERS

PEARL DRAKE

TIGER PENDANT

ZOO

Photos: Courtesy of Gabriele Frantzen, © Sandra Bauknecht

It is December 1st, are you getting antsy for Christmas? Like last year, I have created a little online Advent calendar to make the wait a bit easier. Every day I will surprise you with one or two deliciously fashionable must-haves, or an inspiration for a lovely gift, even for yourself.

Get caught up in some fabulous offerings and don’t forget to shop them fast. Some things will sell out so quickly that even Santa can’t bring them. Hello, wait list!

To celebrate the Advent season in style, Monnier Frères offers to Sandra’s Closet readers a special 10% discount from today until December 15, 2012. Enter promo code XMAS10SCL at checkout. Delivery before Christmas is guaranteed for any order placed before noon on the 20th of December, 2012.

I am not dreaming of a white Christmas but of a…
1 20 Year silk twill square by Christian Lacroix
2 Maraini Faith leather bag by Jil Sander
3 Red hat by Borsalino
4 Tuyet embroidered clutch by Balmain

Have fun shopping and enjoy your 10% discount!

LoL, Sandra

It is official, Alexander Wang is Balenciaga‘s new Creative Director and will replace Nicolas Ghesquière at the French fashion house, who officially leaves today, after 15 years at the helm.

Alexander Wang with me

Rumors had been out quite awhile that the American designer  would be the perfect choice for the PPR-owned fashion house Balenciaga, because Wang knows how to make edgy and groovy commercial. Congrats, Alexander, well-deserved! (If you are interested to read an interview, I did with Alexander Wang two years ago, please click here!)

Christopher Kane with me

Another one, editors were considering for the job, was Christopher Kane, who has just left his position at Versus to focus on his own line.

Gianni Versace Spa follows a new strategic repositioning of the Versus brand. Digital is the key word and under Donatella Versace’s creative leadership, there will be collaborations with young designers, stylists, and creatives from different walks of life, to develop capsule collections, co-branding projects, limited editions. Yesterday, the first designer to create a capsule collection for Versus has been announced: Jonathan Anderson, the designer behind the J.W. Anderson fashion label for men and women. The launch event is planned for March/April 2013 in New York.

Bruce Weber, 1996

For the capsule collection, Jonathan Anderson was particularly inspired by an image from a campaign shot by Bruce Weber with Donatella in 1996. “For me,” said Jonathan, “this iconic image says it all, that’s how I see Versus. It’s all about the relationship between a boy and a girl, a girl and a girl, a boy and a boy. Purity.”

The New York Times is reporting rumours that Nicolas Ghesquière‘s next move might be his own label at LVMH. It seems like this time , the designer carrousel is one where everyone turns out to be a winner.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versus, Style, J.W. Anderson, © Wenn, © Sandra Bauknecht

During the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich 2012, I went backstage several times. I love watching hair and make-up artists at work as you can always learn so much. Paul Mitchell and Marionnaud belonged to the main sponsors of the event. I spotted some great products that I am now completely addicted to and of course, I am sharing them with you.

Me having fun at work.

Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer by Smashbox
Let me introduce you to the first primer dedicated to the delicate skin under the eyes! The brand’s signature silky primer texture keeps your concealer looking fresh and never cakey or settled into fine lines so that your eyes will always look well-rested. 
Available in Switzerland for CHF 33.- exclusively at Marionnaud.

Germany’s Next Topmodel 2012 winner Luisa Hartema‘s hairdo was done with products by Paul Mitchell. Scroll down to see what you will definitely need to get the perfect blow-dry.

Hydromist Blow-Out Spray™
High-performance volumizers prepare hair for a flawless blow-dry. The weightless formula boosts volume, hydrates dry strands and delivers a clean, long-lasting hold while protecting hair from damage.

Shine Spray™
This finishing spray with a light mist adds brilliance and luminous shine to any style while protecting your hair.

Styling Treatment Oil™
The idea of oiling up your hair might sound weird, but rubbing a little of this lightweight formula between your palms and then over strands before blow-drying or ironing adds a beautiful gloss and tames frizz.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week almost 300 guests celebrated the opening of the Moncler store in Zurich. Located at the prestigious Storchengasse 8, the shop carries the house’s impeccably tailored alpine outerwear for men and women as well as the Moncler Grenoble line that takes its name from the French village where the brand originated, along with fabulous accessories from cool hats to fashionable fur boots.

My look at the opening party: White padded gilet by Moncler Grenoble (Thank you, Moncler!), Millie tweed and wool-crepe dress by Stella McCartney, Swarovski crystal necklace by Lanvin, bow-embellished suede and snake-effect leather ankle boots by Miu Miu, small Boston bag by Céline.

Enjoy the photos of the night and the shop!

LoL, Sandra

Laurence Antiglio (Vestibule), Annina Frey (also dressed in Moncler Grenoble), me and a friend.

The lovely Moncler team, who came from Italy for the opening party, with me.

Guests received this exclusive gift.

Photos: Courtesy of Moncler and © Sandra Bauknecht

For Christmas 2012, Guerlain launches a gorgeous little trio of options for La Petite Robe Noire, the brand’s freshly re-worked fragrance. Three alternative “little black dresses” are featured on limited-edition bottles, named Ma Petite Robe Noire.

Simply choose which of the three dresses matches your or your gift recipient’s taste and have the bottle calligraphed with your name, initials or a secret message. The perfect fusion for a perfume-loving fashionista!

The complementary calligraphy session will be available in Zurich at Jelmoli only on the following dates: Friday 30st of November and Saturday 1st of December, 2012.

If you like to read my review of Guerlain’s La Petite Robe Noire, please click here for my thoughts on this yummy fragrance and check out this post to get an idea how cute a personalized bottle can be.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Guerlain

Dear readers, sorry for my tardiness in posting. I caught a terrible stomach flu and don’t feel like doing anything. Today, this gorgeous Sandra two-tone stretch-cady top by Stella McCartney arrived on my doorstep, which of course made my heart leap for joy. A top with my name, how cool is that?!

I love the dipped hem that adds to the contemporary appeal of this elegant piece. It gives my winter wardrobe a graphic spin and will surely look gorgeous with skinny pants and golden bangles.

TO SHOP PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Let me introduce you to the world’s 1st hair and scalp super serum, inspired by 24 years of stem cell research, INITIALISTE by Kérastase. It helps you to reveal hair that feels thicker, looks shinier and is more resistant to breakage*.

Since a couple of weeks, I have been using it now and am completely convinced. My hair feels thicker and smoother. Moreover, through the application, I achieve more volume at the roots.

Benefits
With INITIALISTE, revealing a more beautiful hair fibre is now possible.

– HAIR FEELS THICKER
Hair thickness feels boosted and is lusciously soft

– HAIR LOOKS SHINIER
Hair has a lustrous-looking shine

– HAIR IS MORE RESISTANT
Hair is more resistant – up to 93% less breakage*
(*Breakage to brushing. Instrumental test: classic shampoo and Initialiste vs. classic shampoo alone).

Application
INITIALISTE can be applied directly to the scalp after washing and towel drying the hair. Leave-in treatment: 2 pipettes for fine hair and 4 for normal to thick hair. After applying, delicately massage the serum with the tips of your fingers to evenly distribute the serum over the whole scalp.

Technology
The unique knowledge of L’Oréal Advanced Research combined with the mastery of plant-based biotechnology has inspired Kerastase’s revolutionary formulation INITIALISTE, enriched with Vegetal Plant cells.

After a rigorous selection process that examined different kinds of plants, researchers focused their efforts on the native plant cells of the Malus Domestica, a variety of apple.; the extracts of which were infused in INITIALISTE’s Complexe Régénérateur®.

INITIALISTE is available for € 42.00 / CHF 56.00 (60ml). (In Switzerland in January 2013).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Kérastase

New, prodigious and powerful, Helena Rubinstein‘s latest couture treatment, LIFE PEARL CELLULAR ESSENCE, distinguishes itself for the precious and rare active agents of black pearls from Tahiti for an extreme anti-age effect. The Helena Rubinstein Laboratories have learned the secret of the black pearl, giving rise, layer after layer, to ultimate perfection in terms of radiance, surface, form and density.

Smooth and very nourishing is this new serum which is designed to recreate skin as perfect as a pure pearl. Inspired by this jewel of nature, it reveals the complexion’s pearlescent brightness and its even appearance is restored. The skin relief is more even, the wrinkles are polished and the face’s contours are visibly reshaped.

Over time, the skin progressively loses its capacity to meet its basic needs. I have used LIFE PEARL CELLULAR ESSENCE only for a few weeks and find its restoring effect already outstanding. Its floral green scent of bergamot, iris and vetiver makes its application a true sensory pleasure.

A precious serum – a jewel of technology that will be available in Switzerland in the beginning of December 2012 for CHF 560.00 (40ml) at Jelmoli Zurich, Globus Geneva and Manor Lugano.

LoL, Sandra