Sandra‘s Closet

In case that you don’t want to miss the big event, you can enjoy the royal wedding at a royal location and book Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park’s wedding tour.

With special access and hosted tours by first-hand family members and associates of the royal family to Kensington Palace, Chartwell, Spencer House, Althorp and Westminster Abbey, all venues which members of the public have not had access to before, this promises to be the truly majestic stay. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park also boasts the only private Royal Entrance from Hyde Park.

This exclusive itinerary for the Royal Wedding Tour at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is as follows:

Tuesday 26 April

Check in to the hotel. Pre dinner drinks and a welcome dinner, before retiring to a deluxe room.

Wednesday 27 April

A tour of Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s family home in Kent since 1924, with a special greeting from a member of the Churchill family and lunch at the nearby private family home.

That evening guests depart for Spencer House, the home of the Spencer Family, for drinks on the terrace overlooking Green Park followed by a private tour and dinner in The Great Room designed by James Athenian Stuart.

Thursday 28 April

The morning begins with a visit to The British Museum followed by lunch at The Wallace Collection with a special visit with the Director Dame Ros Saville.

Dinner will take place at the home of a member of the royal family, at their private London townhouse.

Friday 29 April

Visit the Institute of Contemporary Art with exclusive use of the venue and roof terrace overlooking The Mall. Guests will have unrestricted views of the royal wedding parade, nestled above the crowded streets and hustle below. Toast the happy couple with a glass of champagne before a sumptuous three course lunch served in the gallery.

After returning to the hotel, guests will then depart for Kensington Palace where the evening will begin with drinks in the sunken garden, followed by a tour by esteemed curator Nigel Arch and dinner in the newly restored Kings Gallery.

Saturday 30 April

Begin the day with a visit to the setting of the royal wedding, Westminster Abbey, with the Dean. This senior church in London is where great coronations, weddings and burials take place, and is an historic Royal Peculiar (a church whose jurisdiction falls directly under the monarch).

The afternoon allows time for a leisurely roam around London or perhaps a visit to The Spa at Mandarin Oriental to soothe aching muscles and unwind tired minds, followed by dinner at one of the hotel’s celebrated restaurants, Bar Boulud, London or Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Sunday 01 May

The day starts with a trip to Northamptonshire for lunch at Althorp, the ancestral home of Diana Princess of Wales’ family since 1508.  A private visit and lunch will be hosted by a member of the Spencer family.

That evening, guests can enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel before departing on Monday morning in majestic triumph.

The Royal Wedding Tour package is priced from GBP 11,300 for one person and GBP 18,800 for two people sharing the same accommodation.  Valid between 26 April and 01 May only, inclusive of Full English Breakfast, exclusive of VAT at 20% and 5% discretionary service charge, subject to availability.  Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly on +44 (0) 207 201 3618, on email or through the direct on-line reservations service, www.mandarinoriental.com/london.

And if you cannot get enough to commemorate this momentous occasion or you are a little insane, I recommend this fancy product: A refrigerator is being unveiled in tribute to the century’s super wedding. GDHA, a distributor for GE appliances in the UK, has launched a 5’9” side-by-side fridge freezer emblazoned with one of the official engagement photographs of the couple.

This is your chance to keep the royal romance fresh! And it is not an April Fool’s joke!

LoL, Sandra

Yesterday in New York City, influencers from the worlds of fashion, art, philanthrophy, business and entertainement came together like last year at Christie’s Bid to Save the Earth. After a live auction, the Runway to Green fashion show took place that must have accelerated every fashionista’s heart. The pieces on the catwalk from over 25 designers including Prada, Gucci, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Thakoon and many more were from the upcoming F/W 2011 collections.

Now, those must-haves are available on net-à-porter, but only on the US site. No worries, my dear European and Asian readers, they also ship to us. A minimum of 10% of net-proceeds from the sale of each item will benefit Alliance of Climate Protection, Natural Resource Defense Council and United Nations Environmental Programme’s Billion Tree Campaign. Shopping for a good cause and your chance to be the first to wear a stunning piece from the next season. Do I need to say more..?!
Ready, set, go!

LoL, Sandra

Hermès launches the new fourth frangrance from the collection of garden-inspired fragrances, named Un Jardin Sur Le Toit, meaning a garden on the roof.

Let me tell you the story behind it that reads like a fashion fairy tale.

In 2003, the Year of the Mediterranean inspired by Jean-Claude Ellena to create the first Garden-Perfume, Un Jardin en Méditerranée, an homage to the  secret garden of Leila Menchari, director of decoration at Hermès, on the Tunisian shoreline.

Two years later, 2005, in the Year of the River, he set off to the island gardens in the delta of the king of rivers to invent Un Jardin sur le Nil.

In 2008, the Year of Indian fantasies invited him to glorify India’s rebirth after the life-giving monsoon rains, with Un Jardin après la Mousson.

In 2011, the chosen theme, “Contemporary Artisan”, is an opportunity to celebrate craftmanship, of every kind, throughout history to the present day. Un Jardin sur le Toit.

What unexpected fragrances could be shared? What unique story could be told? Which new water could be bathed in? After rainwater, river water, sea water… going back to the source, like going back through time. Happy as Ulysses to be coming home. What better pause in series of pilgrimages than a return to the  native land?
To the luxurious Hermès roof garden at 24, Faubourg Saint-Honoré, the French house’s headquarter.

This is such a beautiful story. The garden is high up, hanging like its mythical ancestors, over in Babylon. From its lawn and between its branches all of Paris is on view.

The green fingers of an Hermès craftswoman, Yasmina, the gardener, create this paradise. She cares for it every day, planting, pruning, watering and perfecting. This roof garden is very familiar to since 2004 in-house perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. It is where he went for his first meeting with Hermès and each visit, even that he knows it by heart, he discovers it all over again.

„A perfumer’s place is everywhere and nowhere“ admits Jean-Claude Ellena. „That’s how, one day, I found something I thought was a long way right under my nose. I had been there several times. My footsteps had produces a burst of aromas, lush grass, damp soil, and I loved letting them work their way inside me. And in order to make it really Parisian, I sprinkled it with light…“.

The new Hermès composition includes fragrant notes of apple and pear, alongside tea rose and belongs to the olfactory family of Greens. It captures the atmosphere of a fresh and sweet-smelling garden by magnolia, basil and compost notes. Available Mid April.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hermès
Eau de toilette: Natural spray 100ml (3.3 fl oz),  Natural spray 50ml (1.65 fl oz)
Perfumed body milk 200ml (6.6 fl oz)

Something that might be interesting for my Zurich based fashionistas: Dazü, the third Brazilian fashion event will take place this week, on the 31 of March until the 2nd of April.

Established last year by three lovely Brazilian ladies, Monica Wendel, Beatriz Heuer and Denise Vaccaro Graetz,  who live here in Zurich with their hubbies and children, Dazü has twice a year sales, one in spring and one in fall.

The prices are reasonable, between CHF 100- 300 for the clothes and between CHF 60 -150 for the jewelry that it is made by Israeli designers. Having an eye for fashion, the intention behind the idea was to to bring the Southamerican joie de vivre and trendy style to the Switzerland. The collection for S/S 2011 is very versatile, from dresses to shirts and tunics to bikinis. Have a look at some of the pieces and find a detailed description below how to get there. They take cash only.

Bom divertimento!

LoL, Sandra

The countdown is on. Available exclusively via www.navyboot.com starting on the 17th of April 2011 at midnight CET is a collabration of superlatives. Top Formula 1 racing driver Michael Schumacher and Navyboot Creative Director Adrian J. Margelist have joined forces to devise and develop four luxury sneakers for men that set new footwear benchmarks in their materials, style and design.

18-carat gold, water snakeskin leather and polished crystals: welcome to Navyboot’s limited “MSone” luxury sneaker collection.

To put it in Formula 1 terms: these shoes are right on the pace!

MSone triology: Afternoon/ Night/ Morning

Each of the new models boasts outstanding material quality, with the leathers used extending from nappa calfskin to salmon, water snakeskin, pearly ostrich leg and karung, all combined with polished crystals and 18-carat-gold adornments. Sneakers have never shone in such exclusive materials before.

The whole upper of the new sneakers features clean and stylish lines. One unmistakable detail, however, is the hand-stitching around the tongue. Most of the lacing is concealed. The design of the sole combines the key elements in this limited collection: the Navyboot trademark artichoke, Michael Schumacher’s initials and seven stars representing his seven world championship titles. The metal colour of the stars embodies the car industry, and is applied by hand. MSone sneakers are a masterpiece of handcraft right down to the finest details!

The highlight is definitely the Starboot, the absolute eyecatcher in the new MSone collection. A high-top shoe made completely from red-dyed karung, the leather of the water snake. Seven 18-carat gold stars adorn its heel, while even the lacehooks have been lovingly handcrafted in 18-carat gold.

MSone Starboot

A Collector’s Box with the full new MSone trilogy is also being produced, in a limited edition of 888. Each box will feature its own metal plate stamped with the box’s serial number. EUR 3 000, sizes available: 39-45

The Starboot Collector’s Box is limited to just 88. Here, too, each box will have a metal plate showing the box’s serial number. EUR 5 000, sizes available 39-45

Every Collector’s Box comes with a Certificate of Authenticity in the form of a book specially created for the project. Its cover will be signed by Adrian J. Margelist for the Triology Collector’s Box, while that of the Starboot Collector’s Box will bear Michael Schumacher’s personal signature.

The new Navyboot MSone sneaker collection will be launched at a major event in Shanghai on the 16th of April, with Michael Schumacher and Adrian J. Margelist in attendance and be part of Formula 1’s 2011 Chinese Grand Prix weekend.

LoL, Sandra

It is time again for a new contest. Style-setting starlet Rachel Bilson is starring in a three-piece film series inspired by Magnum Ice Cream and directed by global icon and creative visionary Karl Lagerfeld!

Create a chic red carpet look and include at least one Magnum ice cream bar as the ultimate luxury accessory.

Rachel Bilson will personally choose one winner to receive a trip to New York City to attend the Tribeca Film Festival debut of Karl Lagerfeld’s original film series starring Rachel!

Style away and enter the contest above for your chance to win!

Contest ends April 4, 2011 at midnight EST. All entries must be received until that time.

LoL, Sandra

I am in love with this outfit. The cropped metallic leather motocross pants by Balmain look so cool with a white tank top and the ivory wool tuxedo jacket. Opposite to the French house’s runway look, I would add an eyecatching pair of shoes in blue and match my nails. Make an unforgettable impression with a bold clutch like this appliquéd metallic leather one by Miu Miu.

Get the look by clicking on the links below, happy shopping!

LoL, Sandra

For my Swiss and German based readers: The first 2011 Weltwoche Style Edition is available now featuring 5 pages of my must-haves plus an amazing interview I did with Tom Ford and all you want to know about his new womenswear collection.

LoL, Sandra

It is fashion newest and definitely the most exclusive website for shopaholics. You can make your own buy of your runway favourites that will arrive in your closet in record time.
Heaven on earth for high-end shoppers that are always looking for those hard-to-get pieces and that are going to pay full price.

Aslaug Magnusdottir, former head of merchandizing at Gilt Noir (Gilt.com’s elite member group), founded the revolutionary new e-commerce site together with well-known Lauren Santo Domingo of Vogue.

Moda Operandi features collections from the likes of Alexander Wang, Vionnet, Proenza Schouler, Alberta Ferretti, just to name a few, for sale for a couple of days right after their runway shows. I think for a fashion addicted person like me it is just wonderful. You are not limited on what a department store’s buyers chose for their shop, you can choose from the entire collection yourself and very importantly, buy it in your size. No more wait lists!

Example of an e-mail that I am receiving from Moda Operandi

How does it work? Moda Operandi has started last month with a small, exclusive database from their network of influencers and friends. The membership is very limited, you can apply for it by clicking here.
Members can place their order with a 50% deposit. You will receive your pieces once they are produced, which means approximately 6 months later.
Moda Operandi offers a very professional way of shopping. It might not be for everyone.
You have to know what is going on and without the help of fashion magazines decide what will be a must for the next season. If you are an avid reader of Sandra’s Closet, there is no need to worry. I will keep you ahead of the game right after the runway shows and you will exactly know what to get.

Anyway, I think it is very interesting to see how the fashion world is moving in two directions. On one side, you have those high-street chains like H&M and Zara that offer the latests trends on a tight budget. On the other side, there are the high-end fashion designers who get copied very fast and who are trying to come up with more exclusive new marketing ideas like Tom Ford who refrained from releasing any images of his runway collections. He has built a buzz until the collection would actually be in stores…

From one die-hard fashionista to another!

LoL, Sandra

Today, legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor has died at age 79 of congestive heart failure surrounded by her four children at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

The violet-eyed film goddess, whose sultry screen persona, stormy personal life and enduring fame made her one of the last of the old-fashioned movie stars, was born with two rows of eyelashes, something which got her noticed as a young girl, and helped to land her an interview with Universal Studios. Isn’t that a cool mutation that we all would love to have?!