Sandra‘s Closet

The Duchess of Cambridge has made an appearance to support her country at the 2012 Olympics all royally blue. Cheering on Great Britain’s Andy Murray, Middleton was spotted radiant and happy. It was the same stunning electric blue shift dress in which she helped to open a National Portrait Gallery exhibit in London earlier.

Here are all the details to shop the look: Royal blue shift dress by Stella McCartney, Abel pointed patent-leather pumps by Jimmy Choo and Trinity necklace by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Fan di Fendi pour Homme is the first ever Fendi men’s fragrance. And great news is that the famous English DJ, musician and music producer Mark Ronson is the face of the ad campaign.

This masculine scent aims at mysterious, sophisticated and urban men who radiate charisma and modern elegance. Therefore, the composition tends to be both fresh and modern, as well as classic and refined. Created by perfumers François Demachy, in collaboration with Delphine Lebeau and Benoist Lapouza, its character is fresh woody-aromatic.

Top notes: Sicilian mandarin, bergamot and basil
Middle notes: Pink pepper, cardomom, gardenia and Texan cedarwood
Base notes: Leather accord, tonca bean and patchouli

In the ad campaign, Anja Rubik and Mark Ronson are actually snuggling up in the back of a car. Probably you should be asking yourself if buying this scent for your better half might be dangerous because an array of women will be all over him…

CHF 83.70 (50ml) and CHF 116.10 (100ml)
Available in Switzerland from September 14, 2012 exclusively at Marionnaud.

LoL, Sandra

Mark Ronson with me at the Versace for H&M launch party in NYC
Photos: Courtesy of Fendi and © Sandra Bauknecht

For all my German and Swiss based readers, the big annabelle trend issue will be out tomorrow featuring my blogger diary from NYC Fashion Week. Most of you followed me during that exciting week. So many crazy things happened: I modeled at the Polyvore Live Fashion Show presented by Covergirl, met celebrities such as Bradley Cooper or Nicky Hilton and attended the Bloglovin’ Awards among many other events.

Below are some amazing backstage shots of the Polyvore Live fashion show. Have a look and find some inspirations for your next beauty look.

The makeup was created by celebrity makeup artist Beau Nelson (follow him on Twitter @Beau_Nelson) with products by Covergirl. For me, a very different look from what I am used to wear. Light eye make-up with just a little mascara combined with bright red lips.

Hair was done by celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa (follow her on Twitter @sarahpotempa) who also invented the amazing Beachwaver, an innovative curling iron that rotates in both directions to give you glamorous red carpet waves with the touch of a button. I truly hope that this product will be sold in Europe soon. For my US-readers, click here to shop.

A huge thank you to the lovely Polyvore team for letting me be part of this amazing experience. By the way, don’t you think that Polyvore‘s co-founder Pasha Sadri looks like Marc Jacobs?!

Don’t forget to enter the More Than a Feeling with Swarovski contest on Polyvore!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Polyvore and © Sandra Bauknecht

Unfortunately, I have another sad news for you: The fabulous fashion writer and style icon Anna Piaggi passed away this morning at the age of 81. The gorgeous lady was famous for her double-page spreads in Vogue Italia as well as her vibrant wardrobe.

Her fans range from Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana to her pal Manolo Blahnik, who called her ‘modern beyond belief.’

Young Anna with Karl Lagerfeld

Vogue Italia’s Franca Sozzani tweeted:  “23 years of working together, thousands of D.P. carried out together. I will always remember you, Anna.”

I took this photo of Anna at the Louis Vuitton S/S 2011 show in Paris.

Anna, you will be missed! Thank you for making our world so much more colourful!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Vogue Italia, Style and © Sandra Bauknecht

Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how you’re going to use it by knowing what you want and what it takes to reach that goal, and by maintaining focus. – Oprah Winfrey

This look is inspired by the More Than a Feeling with Swarovski contest, an outfit that bursts with floral energy finished off with Prada’s super-hot summer accessories.

Floral-print devoré stretch-jersey top and matching ruched silk skirt, both by Nina Ricci, cadillac clutch, sandals with flame detail and jewel detail, earrings, bracelet, hair pin and statement necklace, all by Prada.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Meet my new friend Little Energy, one of the newest residents of LovLots City by Swarovski. The quirky and unique Emotis spread vibrant feelings through the air. This is your chance to win your own figurine. I am very proud to be the hostess for the More Than a Feeling contest in collaboration with Polyvore and Swarovski. Good luck to win the sweetest little man in the world. Just click on the highlighted text to be transferred to the competition. I’ll be looking through all of the entries and judging the winner, so I can’t wait to see what you all come up with.

To inspire you a little, I will show you some of my recent adventures with Little Energy. Last month, when I went on my crazy road trip through the US, I got this cute companion in San Francisco. With his little cloud and lightning on his head, he was the perfect little mojo to take care of me. Seems to be necessary after I had hit that horrible hail storm during my trip. As you see, Energy and I had a lot of fun together. Hopefully, you will meet him soon…

So I took him to Hawaii and up to the top of the volcano Haleakalā. Little Energy was deeply impressed by the silversword plants that only grow there.

Of course, he wanted to go swimming and relaxed at the pool or in the Missoni cabanas of the Four Seasons Hotel Maui at Wailea.

When we arrived in Dallas, Texas, he wanted to have tea time at American Girl Place, get a manicure, brush his teeth and sleep a little. Energy has so much energy that he barely rest. It is hard to keep up with him.

Then I challenged him and took him on a  shopping spree at the Highland Park Village, the premier shopping destination of Dallas. Our favourite, of course Stella McCartney.

Being in Texas, we had to see a rodeo, cowboys and Fort Worth, the city that truly captures the Western spirit well.

And of course, Southfork Ranch, the famous filming location for the „Dallas“ television series that was popular in the `80s and has been continued this year.

Back in Switzerland, he found his space on my desk. Little Energy likes to watch me at work and tries to inspire me, as for example for one of my recent outfits. He finds the Prada flame heels so energizing. Don’t forget to join the competition that will end on August 9, 2012 at 11.59pm EST. 
Click here to enter.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My German speaking readers will know what I am talking about. Silvia Seidel was an icon. In 1986, she played the role of Anna in the eponymous television series, followed by a motion picture in 1987, a young ballerina who finds herself paralyzed after a car accident, and afterwards learns how to walk and dance again. Because of her, ballet schools in Germany were flooded with little ballerinas. Personally speaking, she had absolutely inspired me to follow my love for dancing to that day. The dress codes were all pink, ballet slippers and tutus.

Tonight, I heard that she killed herself last week at the age of 42. I am shocked and devastated at the tragic loss of such an inspirational, extraordinary talent that unfortunately had the peak of her career at a too young age.

Rest in Peace, Silvia and thank you for the inspiration!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © dapd und © Sandra Bauknecht

I still owe you my photos from Texas, which was the last stop of my road trip through the US. The first day in Dallas, I went shopping at the Highland Park Village, which is an upscale shopping mall and the home of brands like Chanel, Stella McCartney, Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin among others. It was the first self-contained shopping center in America and therefore declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000.

My look: Two-tone stretch-jersey contour dress and cuff by Stella McCartney, bowtie pasta and cameo clip earrings by Dolce & Gabbana, coral shape heels by Chanel, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline and Pandora bag by Givenchy.
On my nails: “Today Was A Fairytale” with Virgin Diamond Powder by Deborah Lippmann.

It was very funny to see my new two-tone dress in Stella McCartney‘s window and later inside.

Stay tuned for more photos of this outfit as I went after my shopping spree to the famous Southfork Ranch.

By the way, if you like Mexican food, you have to eat at Mi Cocina, located in the Highland Park Village. So yummy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Winter 1952. That night, just before dawn, it snowed. A boy, with his collar folded up to protect his neck, headed on his way to school. A thin white veil slipped beneath his feet and swirled around him, cloaking his mouth and the muffled words: “I’m going to be late!”

This is the start of the press release, a poetic essay about a young school boy, who fills his notebooks with drawings of flowers and dragons, who is reprimanded by his schoolteacher for taking great delight in decorating the words in his sentences with embellished capital letters (“majuscules” in French) and who is fascinated by Medieval legends. The boy, it’s Serge Lutens. And the word “Santal” on the bottle is capitalized.

Santal Majuscule is built around three ingredients, a superlatively crafted gourmand composition: Sandalwood, cocoa and Damask rose.

Another masterpiece from Serge Lutens, Santal Majuscule will be available September 2012.
50 ml, CHF 157.-

If you are interested to know more about the famous perfumer, please click here for an interview I did with him earlier this year.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Serge Lutens

Originally established as a creative consultancy, Acne (Ambition to Create Novel Expressions) was born when Jonny Johansson’s jeans designs became a hit with his clients. For a casual-cool update, look out for biker jackets, It-girl boots and signature skinny denim.

For the next three days, you have the privilege to shop these items before they are available to all mytheresa.com customers. Click here to be transferred directly.

The ‘Rita’ jacket has become a firm favorite with the style set, and has been seen on the likes of Alexa Chung and Blake Lively. Updated in shearling, this tobacco and light-gray version is made for fall.

For the uber-hip among you, Acne revamps its cult  jacket for the new season in zesty yellow. Finished with silver zips and a luxuriously soft cream interior, it will seriously amplify your round-the-clock wardrobe. Who said cold-weather dressing can’t be colorful? This vibrant colour is available at net-à-porter.com.

LoL, Sandra