Sandra‘s Closet

Founded by Alexander Brenninkmeijer in 2005, Clemens en August is a men’s and women’s ready to wear lifestyle brand.

In the 19th century the two brothers Clemens and August sold high quality fabrics directly to the wealthy farmers in the north of the Netherlands. Walking by foot from farm to farm they offered an exceptional value. This would later become the famous high street brand C&A.

160 years later Alexander Brenninkmeijer, scion of the C&A dynasty, also bypasses the traditional retailing by selling his men´s and women´s collection at contemporary art centers and museums. He realized that his strategy is very similar to the way his ancestors had worked and as a homage he named his label “Clemens en August” (but its absolutely not part of the C&A brand). The collection is sold exclusively on “tour” around the world.  Each season, Clemens en August “tours“ 10 cities for 3 days only.

For my Swiss based readers, Clemens en August is with the Essential Collection in Zurich (Giesshübelstrasse 62c) from tomorrow until Saturday (Sept 29 – Oct 1, 2011).
Don’t miss out!

The next stops will be among others in Munich (Haus der Kunst, Prinzregentenstrasse 1, Oct 6 – 9, 2011), Vienna (Leopold Museum, Museumsquartier, Museumsplatz 1, Oct 13 – 15, 2011) and Amsterdam (White Space, M.J. Kosterstraat 18, Oct 14 – 16, 2011).
For other cities, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

A year of events in celebration of Gucci’s 90th anniversary culminated last week. During Milan fashion week, Gucci hosted a party at their Via Montenapoleone store. For this evening, a new limited edition canvas bag (see photo above) was launched that will only be available there.

Party guests were able to explore the shoe artisan corner where you could watch the different steps of manufacturing a pair of Gucci loafers live. Shoes bought that night were personalised with the buyer’s initials.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

In Florence Monday night, Gucci partied on and opened their new GUCCI MUSEO inside the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia located in Florence’s Piazza Signoria. It was in 1921 that Guccio Gucci opened his company and first store in Florence with a dream and a vision that still lives on today through a heritage of icons and values that continue to inspire the House.
Conceived by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, the GUCCI MUSEO is a living space encapsulating the House’s “Forever Now” philosophy. A permanent exhibition from its rich and culturally significant archive, which has been preserved and amplified throughout the years, will be juxtaposed with contemporary art installations supported by the Pinault Foundation. An icon store, bookshop, caffè and gift shop complement the exhibition spaces to create a destination location for visitors. The museum will be open from today all year round.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Getty Images

During Milan fashion week, the Miu Miu store seemed busier than any other store. The sparkling pumps in glittering shades of royal blue, pink, orange and fuchsia were whisked off to new homes. The fashion editors’s talk of the night…”Which colour did you get?”

Available now in all the brand’s stores.

LoL, Sandra

“The skin and the psyche have an undeniable influence on each other – the psyche affects the skin and vice versa.”

– Prof. Volker Steinkraus

Are you stressed out at the moment? We all know the feeling of running late and being constantly short of time. Daily pressures can easily upset our inner balance. Stress and an irregular lifestyle leave their mark – not just on the face. The way we feel is directly reflected by the skin and, conversely, the skin affects our feelings. If our skin appears lacklustre and stale, we don’t feel well in ourselves.
Meditation, breathing and yoga are all useful tools to help us rediscover our inner balance. To provide adequately for the body, it is important to inhale and exhale consciously. Five minutes in the morning, at noon and in the evening are enough to restore our inner balance. Or you could incorporate a simple yoga exercise such as the “tree” into your daily routine. I practise yoga on a regular base. It truly helps me in stressful times and I can even do it in a hotel room.

Yoga tree pose (see photo above)
Find a place where you can relax and won’t be disturbed.
Starting position: Standing straight, shift your weight onto one leg (standing leg). There should be hardly any weight at all on the other leg (free leg). Breathe in and out deeply ten times. Stretch your arms out to the sides and transfer your weight completely to the standing leg. Lift your free leg and rotate the knee as far as possible towards the outside, placing your foot on the inner thigh. The arms should be stretched upwards and slightly bent, with the palms and fingers of the hands pressed together. Tense the abdomen and hold the position for 15 seconds. Repeat the exercise with the other leg.

To take more care of your inner self, you can also create an individual skin care ritual using the beauty products described below. SBT Skin Biology Therapy is also designed for men.

Cell Culture Face Cleansing | oil

Cell Culture Face Cleansing I oil is a gentle and natural cleanser, based on a combination of the finest oils. The skin is cleansed gently of dirt, makeup and impurities, while natural sebum excretion is reduced. Body and soul are in harmony and the skin regains its fresh radiance.

Application
To cleanse, apply Cell Culture Face Cleansing I oil to dry skin and massage in gently. Then rinse with tepid water, which gives the oil a milky consistency. Finally, dry the face.
Prices
Cell Culture Face Cleansing I oil is available in retail outlets.
Recommended retail price: 150 ml EUR 34.00

Cell Culture Face Cleansing | toner

Cell Culture Face Cleansing I toner is an alcohol-free toner containing Cell Culture Phase and is ideal for preparing the skin to absorb moisturiser after cleansing. It removes superfluous cleansing products and provides long-term care for the skin, instantly giving it a wonderfully soft and well-hydrated feel.
Tip: Soak two cotton wool pads in Cell Culture Face Cleansing I toner and place on the eyelids for about 1 minute to draw inner strength for the day ahead. The toner is also available in a limited-edition spray bottle (available online only, while stocks last ), perfect for giving your skin a refreshing boost while on the go.
Application
Apply with a cotton wool pad or use as a face splash.
Prices
Cell Culture Face Cleansing I toner is available in retail outlets.
Recommended retail price: 200 ml EUR 34.00

Cell Culture Face Care | mask

Cell Culture Face Care I mask is an instantly moisturising, intensively nourishing cream-gel mask which supports and cares for dry skin of any age, soaking it with pure moisture and rich nutrients. The high concentration of Cell Culture Phase, collagen and panthenol provides dry and tired skin with the ideal basis to regain its radiant, smooth appearance.
Tip: Apply a thin layer of mask to the face before your yoga workout and treat yourself and your skin to a feeling of total well-being in just one exercise.
Application
After cleansing or exfoliation, apply generously to face, neck and décolleté, massaging gently into the skin. For maximum relaxation, leave on for 10 minutes, then remove with a warm cloth. Then apply your usual skin care products.
Prices
Cell Culture Face Care I mask is available from retail outlets.
Recommended retail price: 75 ml EUR 69.00

For the story behind SBT and its founder Prof.Dr. Volker Steinkraus, I recommend to check out a previous post of mine by clicking here.

Here are some good news for my Zurich based readers: This week, Prof.Dr. Volker Steinkraus will come to Jelmoli on September 28, 2011 from 3-6pm. If you buy some SBT products, you will receive his new book for free. It is also your chance to get it signed and to talk to the distinguished expert about your own skin.

LoL, Sandra

Roberto Cavalli gave me an interesting interview (coming soon)

The Just Cavalli S/S 2012 show marks the relaunch of the brand and can be best described as romantic, sweet, light and positive. From the photos of Roberto Cavalli’s travels, the prints are born: absolute protagonists of this very sexy collection, inspired as always by the wonder of nature. Overlapping the butterfly and floral print for example is an animalier motif, creating a very special effect.
The customers? Sunny girls who want to enjoy themselves, in the beautiful and unique time of their youth, who like to go to music festivals. Maxi dresses, gilets encrusted with metallic stitching and bags with small foulards and marmot tails like new good luck charms provide the perfect look. To shop Just Cavalli, please click here.

For my Swiss based readers, here is a taste of what is to come in November when Roberto Cavalli will present his Just Cavalli S/S 2012 collection during the annabelle awards (The winner will receive a one year internship with Roberto Cavalli in Florence.) for the second edition of the Charles Vögele Fashion Days Zurich. If you don’t want to miss the fashion show, tickets are available at ticketcorner.ch.

Here is your sneak preview of what you can watch live this fall in Zurich.

Hope that you will like it.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I was able to go backstage before the Just Cavalli S/S 2012 show. Please enjoy those behind-the-scene photos. It will give you a wonderful insight into the fashion world and you might be amazed what is really going on behind the runway. Enjoy!

The runway one hour before the show was supposed to start!

The S/S 2012 looks and the moodboards.

Swiss television Glanz & Gloria interviewed me backstage.

Hair inspiration: Beautiful fishtail braids.

Moroccanoil products were a must.

Makeup inspiration: Lots of glitter on the eyelids.

It wouldn’t be Cavalli, if there weren’t lots of accessories.

Roberto & Eva Cavalli arrived around 45 minutes before the show.

Roberto watched the last rehearsal while enjoying a cigarette.

All photos from the show will be posted soon, so please stay tuned.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Keira Knightley recently wore Mary Katrantzou‘s Caramolengo dress in Venice. The British designer who is known for her amazing prints belongs to my favourites. Yesterday, here in Milan, I wore the same mid-length silk printed dress.

My outfit: Caramolengo dress by Mary Katrantzou, glitter booties (the shoes of the season!) and oversized clutch by Miu Miu, watch by Roger Dubuis.

To shop Mary Katrantzou dresses, please click here.

This photo was taken by Mr.Newton, the famous street style photographer for Harper’s Bazaar.
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Net-à-porter features the Caramolengo dress in their beautiful ad campaign.

LoL, Sandra

It might not be for everyone, but if you like Versace, you are going to fall in love with this S/S 2012 collection. It was truly sexy. Short mini dresses and hot pants were all over the runway. If you were looking for pants, no chance! Pastel colours gave a very feminine approach and even made the studded materials look soft. Of course, there was leather and lots of beautiful embellished  evening gowns. The final look resumed the beginning having a sparkling coral on the belly. And with the help of the Neptune-like prints showing sea shells and corals, Donatella has whetted our appetite for the next summer already.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

To celebrate the first year of Spiga2 (Dolce & Gabbana’s the first multi-brand shop), the store was transformed into a huge bedroom. Women were be in bed with the latest collections from the Spiga2 designers.

This season’s must: A pair of sparkling shoes!

Fausto Puglisi with his muse Masha and me in the middle

Dolce & Gabbana’s protégé Fausto Puglisi‘s s vibrant designs are available at Spiga 2 and of course, the Sicilian designer was also present.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Anna dello Russo is a huge fan of Fausto’s designs and couldn’t resist to get her favourite dress in different colours.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Ben Hider/Getty Images; © Jemal Countess/Getty Images

My look yesterday was inspired by the current python trend. This yellow and green python coat by Prada was a special order for me a few years ago. Thank God that I am keeping all my things.

Python coat by Prada, dress and belt by Matthew Williamson, shoes by Yves Saint Laurent, earrings by Louis Vuitton and bag by Tom Ford.

What a surprise! I ran into Michele Venitucci on the streets in Milan. Remember him? The Italian actor is like me one of the advertising faces for the Closed F/W 2011 campaign.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht