Sandra‘s Closet

This week, I was in Munich for work. I absolutely love the Bavarian city in which I had lived for 8 years. The most important events of my life took place there: My studies, my engagement and wedding, the birth of my daughter, my first job as an editor for Marie Claire magazine and so on. Therefore great memories are around every corner.

As I haven’t been very active on instagram so far, I thought it would be a great way to get started by sharing some of my favourite places with you.

Follow me on instagram: @sandrascloset

Rhubarb tart at my favourite place for lunch: Schumann’s Tagesbar

Lodenfrey is prepared for the upcoming Oktoberfest season with beautifully decorated windows and the new Wiesndirndl 2012.

Spotted at Theresa: My beloved Irma (Do you remember my fabulous T-shirt? )
You can shop all of the shop’s treasures online at mytheresa.com.

Residenzstreet

Marion Heinrich‘s new shopping temple carrying Tom Ford, Chloé and Céline among others.

Munich Opera

Can you guess what I was wearing? 
Dress and jacket by Stella McCartney (I sported that look for the event with Kaufmanfranco in London. Click here for the outfit post.), python Boston bag by Céline (Close-ups here) and my new Rockstud ankle boots by Valentino (Fall’s It-booties).

My Diorette ring by Dior Joaillerie. On my nails: 563 Vertigo by Chanel.

Kusama windows at Louis Vuitton

In stores now: Louis Vuitton‘s amazing F/W 2012 runway bags. My personal must-have: The sequined North South bag in Monogram Sunshine Express (see photo).

Very funny, this is how Munich policemen are giving parking tickets. Real horse power!

The Michael Jackson Memorial is still in front of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, where the famous scene took place when the King of Pop held his son out of the window.

I hope that you have enjoyed those little moments via instagram.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today is my 11th wedding anniversary. It is crazy how time just flies. If you are curious how I looked in 2001, click here for a previous post.

Yesterday, I went to Munich for work which felt like taking a trip down memory lane. This was the place where my civil wedding took place 11 years ago. The religious ceremony was celebrated one week later in Marbella, Spain.

Being all nostalgic, I was woken up by my husband this morning with a wonderful surprise:
The amazing Diorette earrings by Dior Joaillerie. matching my favourite ring perfectly.

After all those years, it really feels good to say: “I would marry him again!”

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This was my look I wore to a dinner with friends. I love two-tone dresses as they are easy to combine and so classic. You will enjoy them for many seasons to come. For winter, try this sophisticated piece in a different colour combination.

Sophie two-tone crepe dress (available this season in signal-orange and navy blue), brass palm tree brooch , all by Stella McCartney, green python leather jacket (from a previous season) by Gucci, Clematis leather clutch by Christopher Kane, cherry earrings by Dolce & Gabbana, Twilly by Hermès and coral shape heels by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

LUNA ROSSA, Prada’s newest men’s fragrance, seeks inspiration from the Italian house’s sailboat of the eponymous name which regularly participates in the prestigious America’s Cup (For more information on the famous competition, scroll to the end of this post please).

The scent and ingredients blended by Daniela Andrier, Prada Luna Rossa is a masculine fragrance without compromise that reinterprets traditional ingredients with agility.

A wave of aromatic freshness crashes through the scent conveying strength and dynamic energy, while its signature is noble and sensual.The backbone of the fragrance is lavender – an unmistakable natural ingredient in perfumery – but here pushed to the edge in a unique modern interpretation. Even the Prada Luna Rossa fragrance bottle is inspired by the technological excellence and sleek, dynamic beauty of extreme sailing boats. The power of the elements is reflected in the materials and design, which project both strength and sophistication.

Top Notes: Lavender Absolute and Bitter Orange
Middle Notes: Clary Sage and Spearmint Nanah
Base Notes: Ambroxan and Ambrette Absolute

Prada Luna Rossa for Men EdT 50ml (CHF 87.-) / EdT 100ml (CHF 117.-)
Aftershave Lotion 125ml (CHF 85.-)
Shower Gel 200ml CHF 50.-)
Deodorant 150ml (CHF 45.-)

Available September 2012.

The Luna Rossa Story

The America’s Cup is the most coveted and elusive prize in sport and the apex of the sailing world. It is an intense competition propelled by an almost mythological history, the obsession and dedication of its participants and thrilling advances in design and engineering. It is a race fought along lines of technology and athleticism, but fundamentally bound by the forces of nature; enjoyed the world over both for the visceral excitement of the competition and the grace of the boats as they cut through the waves.

The Luna Rossa sailing team emerged from the shared determination and grand ambition of two men. Patrizio Bertelli, CEO of Prada and German Frers, one of the world’s foremost yacht designers, met in 1997 to discuss a cruising boat and the designer made a provocative jibe – “why not the America’s Cup?”. There was no turning back. In order to meet strict entry deadlines Bertelli organized a crew from scratch in a record time of just two weeks – a process usually taking many months. Since then, the Luna Rossa team is one of the most renowned and beloved competitors of the America’s Cup – the oldest and most prestigious trophy in sport.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada, © Carlo Borlenghi

GABRIELLA SCARPA

The CEO and President of Acqua di Parma, Country General Manager for LVMH Italy Perfumes and Cosmetics and Dior Couture lives in Milan and travels a lot. Her favourite destination, of course, her home country: Bella Italia
“Wherever you are, the lifestyle is there.”

Your favourite region: TUSCANY
It is one of the most beautiful places in the world. There you have everything you want: The wonderful panorama with stunning hills, flowers and colours. You breathe good air and have fantastic restaurants, trattorias and nice people.

Your favourite restaurant: DA CAINO, Via della Chiesa, 4, Montemerano, 58050 Manciano (GR), + 39 3273594882
I love to go to Da Caino in South Tuscany, which is close to the Hotel Terme di Saturnia. It is rated two Michelin stars and very famous. It is in Montemerano, a pictoresque old little town where you can also find fantastic family-managed trattorias.

Your favourite place to stay in Italy: RELAIS TENUTA PALAZZACCIO, Asciano, +39 0577 718600
It is an old, recently restored tower of the fifteenth century, managed by a family with only few rooms that offer all the modern comforts without missing the charm and magic of its secular history. The panorama is to die for with the unique contour of the Crete Senesi embracing you. The best is to go there with friends and to take all the place. Moreover you have fantastic places to eat being in the midst of the Chianti and Montalcino area, the home the best red vines.

Your favourite souvenir: LOCAL PRODUCTS like red vine, prosciutto and olive oil

Your must-see in Italy: CAPRI
It is very fascinating.When you visit this small, beautiful island, you are going to live an experience. It’s different from other places, there is no mass tourism.

Your favourite hotel in Capri: HOTEL QUISISANA CAPRI SPA RESORT, Via Camerelle, 2, Capri, +39 081 837 0788

Your favourite city in Italy: ROME
It has so much culture and an inspiring atmosphere.

Your favourite travel accessory: An ACQUA DI PARMA BAG, of course!
Those luggages are so easy to use, very practical, of great quality while being very elegant.

Thank you, Gabriella, for sharing your insider scoop on Italy with us!

LoL, Sandra

Finally, I can tell you very exciting news for all fragrance aficionados and Chanel lovers among you: COCO NOIR is here, Chanel’s newest fragrance. The famous French house didn’t want any information to go public before and journalists and bloggers had to sign a press embargo not to post the information earlier.

COCO NOIR is the third fragrance named after house founder Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, joining Coco (1984) and Coco Mademoiselle (2001). Created by Chanel’s master perfumer Jacques Polge, it represents Coco Chanel’s love of the “dazzle of black and Venice”.

1936 – Gabrielle Chanel on Roussy Sert’s yatch in front of the Lido of Venice

Jacques Polge on his creative process: “For Coco Noir, I thought of Coco and of Coco Mademoiselle too, because it’s also part of the history. I wanted to continue exploring an entire esthetic range of CHANEL perfumery, a range that distinguishes itself from the Florals, one that is illustrated by Bois-des-Iles and Cuir de Russie. I took it up with Coco. It’s what I like to call the CHANEL Coromandel culture, what you see and feel in her apartment. The night vision of the ‘Orient that starts and ends in Venice’ imposed itself upon me and that is where I wanted to go.”

Top Notes: Grapefruit note and Calabrian Bergamot
Middle Notes: Essence and Absolute of Rose, Absolute of Jasmin, Narcissus Note and Rose Geranium Leaf
Base Notes: Brazilian and Venezuelan Tonka Bean, Indonesian Patchouli, New Caledonian Sandalwood, Bourbon Vanilla and White Musk

Available in 50 ml (CHF 146.-) and 100 ml (CHF 210.-). In Switzerland from August 20, 2012.

COCO NOIR has an “animal sensuality – a great nocturnal Baroque”. The perfect scent for the next season to finish off you opulent winter looks. If you like oriental fragrances, this will definitely be something for you.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: V.H. Grandpierre © All Rights Reserved / Courtesy of Vogue Paris, Courtesy of CHANEL – Julien Claessens et Thomas Deschamps

The pearl is one of the oldest gems in the world. There have been many ancient legends handed down from one generation to the next on those precious jewels. The Roman Empire considered pearls to be status symbols. According to the myth, Cleopatra bet her lover Marc Anthony that she could provide him with the most expensive banquet the world had ever seen. The day of the feast, Cleopatra, who was wearing an enormous pair of extremely precious pearl earrings, dropped one of them in a vessel containing vinegar that dissolved it completely which was more expensive than most lands.

For the ancient Greeks the pearl was a symbol of love and marriage. Thanks to Coco Chanel, they stand today for the ultimate statement of style. Coco loved pearls and used several necklaces of various sizes for a more dramatic effect.

Pearls can make you look more radiant. In Europe, the most popular shades have been white and pink-rose to flatter fairer skin tones whereas in Asia, natural-coloured golden pearls have enjoyed great popularity since many years.

Finally, pearl farmers have succeeded to cultivate golden pearls in a shade that suits all skin tones, “Vanilla Overtone” is lighter and more radiant. Bucherer is the first European jeweler, that is offering this new colour in a large selection. To celebrate the launch, I was invited to a Golden Pearl High Tea in collaboration with Falcon Private Bank at the Haute restaurant overlooking Zurich’s rooftops. Everything matched the golden tone of the pearls, from the shimmering pastries to the sparkling champagne and the exclusive tea.

And as a diamond is a pearl’s best friend, enjoy how beautiful the two look in combination.
Available at Bucherer, Bahnhofstr. 50, CH- 8001 Zurich, Phone +41 44 211 2635.

LoL, Sandra

RING with one natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearl (15,2 mm), brown brilliant diamonds (total 2.65 ct), and brilliant diamonds (total 0.69ct), CHF 21000.- / € 13990.-

NECKLACE – Yellow gold with 12 natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearls (10 – 11mm), CHF 6600.- / € 5900.-

PEARL NECKLACE with natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearls and interchangeable clasp with brilliant diamonds (11 -14.9mm), CHF 15800.- / €13300.-
Interchangeable clasp, CHF 4800.- / € 4300.-

EARRINGS – Yellow gold with natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearls and brilliant diamonds (10.4mm), CHF 2850.- / € 2550.-

BRACELET – Yellow gold with natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearls (8 – 8.9 mm), CHF 12800.- / € 11400.-

Photos: Courtesy of Bucherer and © Sandra Bauknecht

Honouring the 120th anniversary of Vogue, Anna Wintour took a trip down memory lane and shared her Vogue story. While working on this September’s cover (which will be the biggest one ever, be prepared to weight-lift) of a Marc Jacobs–clad Lady Gaga made her think about her first one as the editor of Vogue in November 1988 which starred the Israeli model Michaela Bercu, photographed by Peter Lindbergh and styled by Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele.

As the model couldn’t fit in the skirt, she had to wear jeans which made their first ever appearance on the cover of Vogue, and thus fashion history was made.

“Michaela was wearing a Christian Lacroix jacket with a beaded cross and stonewashed Guess jeans. The jacket was part of a suit, but the skirt didn’t fit Michaela; she had been back home and had gained a little weight. Not that that mattered. In fact, it only reinforced the idea: Take couture’s haughty grandeur, playfully throw it headlong into real life, and see what happens. What none of us expected was to run that picture on the cover, least of all the magazine’s printers, who asked if there’d been some mistake. It was so unlike the elegant close-ups typical of Vogue’s covers back then. This one broke all the rules. It looked easy, casual, like a moment snapped on the street, which was the whole point. Afterwards, people applied all sorts of interpretations: It was about mixing high and low, Michaela was pregnant, it was a religious statement. None of that was true. I had just looked at that picture and sensed the winds of change. And you can’t ask for more from a cover image than that.” – Anna Wintour

She also shared some of her favourite images from Vogue:

Vogue, July 15, 1928 – Photographed by Edward Steichen

Vogue, July 1, 1930 Swimmers – Photographed by George Hoyningen-Huene

Vogue, September 15, 1939 Manboochers corset – Photographed by Horst P. Horst

Vogue, May 1, 1947 One of Irving Penn’s most famous tableaux, often referred to as “The Twelve Beauties.” At this sitting Penn first fell in love with wife-to-be Lisa Fonssagrives, sixth from left. – Photographed by Irving Penn

Vogue, June 1, 1948 Cecil Beaton’s iconic image of Charles James ball gowns, photographed in the salon of French & Co., New York.- Photographed by Cecil Beaton

Vogue, December 1989 Naomi Campbell, Mike Tyson and Don King were all part of a feature on Tyson called “Fight Knight” – Photographed by Bruce Weber

Vogue, August 1990 Cleopatra’s Eye – Photographed by Irving Penn

Karl Lagerfeld’s “city ballerinas” shot in Paris. – Photographed by Ellen von Unwerth, Vogue, October 1991

I hope that you have enjoyed this little retrospective as much as I did. Such beautiful images!
For the complete slideshow, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Vogue

While being in Texas, I went to a rodeo event in Mesquite, the so-called rodeo capital of Texas. At the beginning, I was excited to see this Southern tradition and loved watching everybody dressed up in Western style. Inspired by all the stetsons around me, I bought myself another cowboy hat at one of the booths in front of the arena. Unfortunately, during the event, I started to realize that this sort of entertainment is not very kind to the animals. It is an icon of Texas but I wouldn’t go there again.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The Oktoberfest is not only about drinking specially brewed beer. The biggest folk festival in the world is also a showcase for beautiful dirndls – Southern Germany’s traditional dress. Guaranteed to make every woman beautiful, turn up the wow factor in a LANZ dirndl.

Based in Salzburg, the Austrian brand is synonymous with exquisitely made, traditional and classic dirndls. Founded in 1922 by Josef Lanz and Fritz Mahler, the company has grown into a world-famous brand worn by A-listers like Caroline of Monaco, Queen Elizabeth II of England, Elisabeth Taylor, among others. Long or short, complete with signature blouses and pinafores, a Lanz Dirndl is a timeless investment, destined to become a forever piece in your wardrobe. Personally speaking, I have never seen a woman who doesn’t look absolutely stunning in a dirndl. Such a feminine addition to your wardrobe, refine your Oktoberfest repertoire no matter where you are living.

Choose from among six pieces, four of which have been created exclusively for mytheresa.com.
Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

DIRNDL 1
Exclusive to mytheresa.com

DIRNDL 2
Exclusive to mytheresa.com

DIRNDL 3

DIRNDL 4
Exclusive to mytheresa.com

DIRNDL 5

DIRNDL 6
Exclusive to mytheresa.com

Photos: Courtesy of mytheresa.com and Lanz