Sandra‘s Closet

Greetings from the Croisette in Cannes. My last days were filled with amazing parties, events and I met many celebrities. It is such a busy time, please accept my sincere apologies for the delay of posting.

On Thursday, I went to the beautiful Chopard lounge, located on the 7th floor of the Hotel Martinez, to explore the stunning Red Carpet Haute Joaillerie collection, which I will show you in the next days. Cannes is crazy those days. There are so many people on the streets waiting to spot some celebrities. If you don’t have a bagde (Thank you, Chopard!), you will have no chance to come anywhere close.

My look: Leather jacket by Prada, pleated top and skirt, studded Pyramide bag, all from Prada‘s S/S 2012 runway, sandals with coral shape heel by Chanel, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline, cuff by Stella McCartney and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

Stunning view of the Croisette.

Lunch at the beach at Z Plage.

Later, I went for a little shopping spree on the Croisette and spotted…

… Ben Stiller and Chris Rock gathered for the photo call for Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes. (By the way, this is my favourite terrasse to have a drink).

Sacha Baron Cohen‘s Dictator embellishes the entrance of the Carlton Hotel.

I hope that you have enjoyed the impressions of the Croisette. More to follow soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

At the Cannes Film Festival, the Palme d’Or is awarded to the winner of the Best Film category every year.

Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, redesigned the prestigious trophy in 1998 – a delicately curved 18ct gold stem with a small heart at its base, reminiscent of the symbol of the firm. The stem is adorned with leaves appearing to have been caught in mid-motion and it rests on a crystal cushion shaped like an emerald-cut diamond. This precious detail makes each Palme d’Or unique, for Mother Nature never creates two identical crystals…

In 2000, the symbolic object was joined by two additional Palmes, identical replicas of the Palme d’Or only smaller. They are presented every year to the Best Actress and Best Actor staring in a competing movie. In 2011, the Palme d’Honneur, previously awarded sporadically, has become a yearly tradition. This sister to the Palme d’Or, mounted on a smoked crystal, is from then on awarded every year at the beginning of the Festival to an important director never before honoured in Cannes. All these trophies are hand crafted every year in the workshops of Chopard by its craftsmen. Please enjoy those beautiful photos of the making of the Palme d’Or.

LoL, Sandra

Wax Sculpting Step 1

Wax Sculpting Step 2

Opening of the Mould

Investment Casting Step 1

Investment Casting Step 2

Investment Casting Step 3

Palme d’Or Casting

Cleaning

Flame Polishing

Second Cleaning

Setting on Crystal

Photos: Courtesy of Chopard

Something for my Swiss and German based readers: 
The new SI Style is available featuring my monthly fashion column. In this issue, I am telling you more about my time in the United States and give some travel tips for Chicago where I had lived for 2 years before my move to Zurich. Find out about Suburban dress codes (Have you ever heard of Lilly Pulitzer?) and the American way of living.

For more details on the outfit, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I left for the Cannes Film Festival, a truly amazing adventure for me. I am invited by the famous Geneva-based watch and jewelry company Chopard, the official partner of the Cannes Film Festival for the 15th consecutive year.

The Palme d’Or, created every year since 1998 by Chopard’s craftsmen

In 1998, the President of the Festival asked Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, to redesign the prestigious trophy, the Palme d’Or. Ever since, Chopard and the Cannes Film Festival have remained inseparable.

Caroline Scheufele drawing the Palme

You can see the details of my look on the arrival day below.
Printed satin-jersey harem pants by Balmain (please click here for a post on the print pants trend), white T-shirt by J.Crew, collarless leather jacket and studded Pyramide bag, both by Prada, black shopping bag by Chanel, studded ballet flats by Gucci and printed skull scarf by Alexander McQueen.

Stay tuned for some amazing photos of the opening ceremony last night. I could totally get used to walking on the red carpet. What an amazing event! Now, I am off to new adventures…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chopard and © Sandra Bauknecht

Paisley, the Indian heritage print of swirling curling shapes finds new style currency this S/S 2012 season.

Silky pyjama pieces present an alluring eveningwear option as seen at Stella McCartney.

Paisley-print shirt by Stella McCartney

Paisley-print silk pants by Stella McCartney

Embroidered feather-trimmed silk-organza dress by Matthew Williamson

Jil Sander was the master protagonist of the paisley trend, stamping swirls across demure, tailored shapes for a fresh way to wear the print. The neon-style colours are a fresh addition to your summer wardrobe.

Lunetta paisley-print woven dress by Jil Sander

Appliquéd cotton-blend voile maxi skirt by Emilio Pucci

Stay tuned for an upcoming post with me wearing paisley-print pieces.

LoL, Sandra

“On her wedding day a woman should be certain that she has found a dress that makes her feel confident and above all else, beautiful.” – Carolina Herrera

This is something for all future brides among you, the new Spring 2013 Bridal Collection by Carolina Herrera that caters to various aesthetics and tastes – from a detachable ball skirt that transitions into a short cocktail style for the reception to strapless gowns and playful separates.

Embodying the notions of borrowed, blue, old and new, Herrera accessorized many of the looks with jewelry from her personal collection. “It has to be personal. Without a touch of personality, it’s just a dress.” As always the petticoat of each gown is embroidered with the bride’s initials in blue matching the grosgrain bow stitched into every waist. “I love the hidden details.” We do, too!

LoL, Sandra

Ivory cotton and silk mikado blazer with duchess satin detail, ivory silk crepe pant, ivory lace and organza blouse with bow detail

Ivory guipure lace column gown with ivory faille overskirt and hand painted veil

Off white silk mikado one shoulder bow gown with silk flower detail
Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Clarins Eau des Jardins is a wellness scent of orange zest, grapefruit and wild rose petals that invigorates the senses by combining fragrance and treatment benefits of plant extracts so you smell and feel good, too! The products are meant to help you focus and get on track, what a great way to start your day. To complement the line, Clarins has launched two new body products scented with the same blend, a body wash and a body cream.

UPLIFTING SHOWER GEL, CHF 32.- (150ml)

What a delicious way to cleanse your skin! The uplifting fragrance of Eau des Jardins blends with the gentleness of a rich, foaming lather that gives you an instant well-being. It is soap-free and ph-balanced which means suitable for all skin types. Showering becomes a source of beauty.

SMOOTHING BODY CREAM, CHF 50.- (200ml)

The cream has an interesting formula, irresistibly smooth to the touch – it seems to be watery and absorbs almost instantly into the skin. You are totally moisturized in a snap.

The smell of Clarins Eau des Jardins is so beautiful and uplifting that you could totally use those body products in combination with your very own perfume. Available at all Clarins counters.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

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Summer is on its way and it’s set to be the most sensational yet. Today, I would like to spotlight the definitive trends, hot new designers and must-have pieces for your new season wardrobe.

Kick-start with a high-voltage dress by Diane von Furstenberg. Maxi lengths are a laid-back way to work shimmering sequins for day – finish with Musa‘s decorative sandals. After dark, look to master craftsman Vineet Bahl, the upcoming Indian designer. His beautifully embellished gowns are perfect for sultry nights.

Diane von Furstenberg

Next up, Diane von Furstenberg‘s graphic summer collection ticks two trends in one – power prints and ladylike cuts. Whether you go for a demure knee-length dress or pair up your prints in a contrasting top and skirt, channel the runway girls and keep hair and makeup fuss free.

Christian Louboutin

When it comes to accessories, have fun and experiment. Do the bold shoulder with Christian Louboutin’s Artemis bag – the editors’ favorite and this year’s must-have.

Victoria Beckham

And don’t forget to update your sunglasses. Victoria Beckham‘s oversized frames will lend a fashion-forward edge to any outfit.

This season’s style rule for jewelry? More is more. Hervé van der Straeten is the new need-to-know name. The Parisian jeweler’s sculptural gold cuffs are the perfect partner to neutral tailoring. Semi-precious stones also take a starring role: Rosantica’s lapis lazuli collar necklace or Erickson Beamon’s colour-pop pieces will instantly dress up a simple tee and blazer.

Dive into swimwear in the latest ready-to-wear one-piece – it’s not just for the beach! Be inspired by the Peter Pilotto runway and choose a sporty style for day, finished with a dramatic full skirt and heels.

Zimmermann

Or perfect your poolside pose in bloom-adorned swimsuit by Australian label Zimmermann.

Tara Matthews

As the sun sets, switch effortlessly from pool to bar in Tara Matthews’ stylish cover-up, exclusive to NET-A-PORTER.

Paloma Barcelò

Complete the look with candy-striped wedges by Spanish shoe label Paloma Barcelò.

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Prada presents, for the occasion of the exhibition at the New York Metropolitan Museum, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, a special re-edition collection of some of the bags that marked the brand’s history.

Timeless pieces and collectors’ items, the bags are reproduced in their original versions and will go on sale exclusively in New York. 
This stylish timeline incorporates the years 1991-2005.

The design exhibition layout starts with the silk satin bag from 1991 and goes through the Savoy logo branded on brushed leather from 2005 via the Holliday and Brown prints from 2003.

Re-edition silk bag, 1991

Re-edition bag with Holliday and Brown print, 2003

Re-edition brushed leather bag, 2005

Thank you, Prada, for this idea! No need for me to fly to New York to get my hands on those re-editions, I just had to look through my closet and explore my own archive from 1991-2005. Thank God, I have kept all these bags. Now, my closet is filled with many “new” pieces.
What a lovely surprise!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada and © Sandra Bauknecht

Tomorrow, May 14, “Kaiser Karl” will reign over the world of fashion once more. Lagerfeld will show his Resort 2013 collection for Chanel at Versailles. Of course, it will be a big production, but all details are still under wraps. Past Chanel Resort shows have been presented at the Lido in Venice (Resort 2010), and one of my favourites, in St. Tropez (Resort 2011). Their locations usually bewray the inspiration for the collection.

Versailles was the famous place where the French royal family ruled in extravagance for 100 years before the French Revolution. What does come to your mind? As for me, I could only think of excess, rich fabrics, opulence.

 I am truly curious what Karl Lagerfeld has been thinking of.  If anyone is up to the task to pay tribute to Marie Antoinette or to revive those decadent moments in time, it is definitely him. I am sure that he will surprise us as the setting has to be different from his S/S 2011 Chanel show that was based on Versailles’s extensive gardens (see above).

If you look in fashion history, this won’t be the first time Versailles has been used for a show.

In 2007, John Galliano rented out the palace for a huge spectacle – Dior‘s 60th anniversary couture show.

In 1973, five upcoming US-designers, Anne Klein, Stephen Burrows, Halston, Bill Blass, and Oscar de la Renta faced off against French couturiers Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, and Emanuel Ungaro in a runway spectacle that became known as the Battle of Versailles.

The French designers were certain of victory, due to their long tradition and know-how. But the Americans had a secret weapon; a vibrant group of eight African-American models plus the wish to conquer the European world of fashion. And the celebrity-packed audience of 800, including a tiara-wearing Princess Grace cheered to their performance. It was that chilly night changed the face and colour of fashion forever.

There have also been numerous fashion editorials photographed at Versailles over the years.

Above:
1 Shalom Harlow by Steven Meisel for Vogue October 1994
2 Diane Krüger by Gilles Marie Zimmerman for Paris Match March 2012
3 Trish Goff by Steven Meisel for Vogue October 1994

Please enjoy this little summary of some of the most beautiful ones, along with other palace-set shoots by Karl Lagerfeld himself.

Jessica Stam and Snejana Onopka by Karl Lagerfeld for Harper’s Bazaar Romania November 2007

Gisele Bündchen by Karl Lagerfeld for Harper’s Bazaar June 2007

Vanessa Paradis by Karl Lagerfeld for Tatler Russia July 2012

Stay tuned for the photos of the Chanel Resort 2013 show.

LoL, Sandra