Sandra‘s Closet

What better moment than the summer holidays to embark on a journey of meeting clients and building a relationship? At Cartier, it’s a tradition that began towards the end of the 19th century. At the time, the jeweller would set up shop on the Riviera, between Cannes and Monaco, from June to September. This summer, Cartier will arrive in Nammos Village, Mykonos.

More than simple pop-ups, these seasonal boutiques are meeting places full of life, with a product range focused on the season’s desire for travel and colour – summer jewellery or watches that can be personalised on the spot. Their collections build a connection to their sun-filled destinations: the new photovoltaic Tank watches and their deep blue bracelets, the brightly coloured stones of the Berlingots de Cartier jewellery, and the Double C de Cartier bags with their pastel enamelled initials.

From shining and engraving to cord changes for the Trinity bracelet, the summer services are joyful experiences from start to finish: the hand delivery by a Cartier groom. These unmissable experiences are brought to life by works from the artist Konstantin Kakanias, known for the refined fantasy and sophistication of his installations.

«I imagined fun summer days and nights, with a totally free spirit where we indulge in nature, light, water, love, and beautiful things. Collaborating with Cartier was a real privilege, the Maison has such a rich vocabulary and history, which I loved to work with.» Konstantin Kakanias, Illustrator

The sun-drenched encounters continue beyond the walls of the boutiques with a program of events to encapsulate the feeling of a summer holiday, moving to the beat of a seaside escape.

I will be in Mykonos in August and cannot wait to explore this fun new place.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Cartier
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I am spreading the love with my curation of heart shape bags you will want to have and to hold. If you’re looking out for a quite literal take on a romantic gift for the one or a little treat for yourself, brands are rolling out something for you in their S/S 2022 collections. Heart shape bags are a must this summer with CHANEL leading the trend as they already did over 25 years ago… You will be astonished for how much the vintage heart shape edition is selling on Farfetch. Just scroll to the end to explore it… I am keeping mine for sure. I have always known it is a great investment piece.

LoL, Sandra

Heart shape wicker bag by Dolce & Gabbana

Heart shape design tote bag by Kate Spade

Heart shape mini bag by MSGM

Heart shoulder bag by Gucci

Le Coeur leather shoulder bag by Alaïa

Heart shape biker-style leather tote bag by Moschino

Heart shape bag by CHANEL

S/S 1995 vintage CC heart shaped vanity bag by CHANEL Pre-Owned

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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Cologne is classic. Kologne, shield of protection by KILIAN PARIS is next generation.
Splash into a Kool summer with an incredible sensory trip across freshness, intensity and time. Perfume is like a shield of protection to Founder Kilian Hennessy, emboldening our unconscious fears with a sense of security and the new Kologne is the ultimate olfactive expression of this belief. He created a scent for feeling protected anywhere, anytime, as an aura of purity and vitality in an instant spritz.

Cologne is named after the German city, where Italian perfumer Giovanni Maria Farina created the citrus, rosemary and alcohol blend Eau de Cologne in 1709; yet its origins go deeper.
Eau de Cologne was inspired by recipes from the Middle Ages, «versatile remedies» called Aquae Mirabile, or mixtures of antiseptic aromatic herbs used to «cleanse» the air. It also referenced L’Eau de la Reine de Hongrie, an herb blend used in the fairytale ‘Sleeping Beauty’ to awaken the legendary princess.

Founder Kilian Hennessy had been developing his own cologne for years, sparked by a desire to return to the roots and meaning of this unique genre of perfume. Together with perfumer Calice Becker, his own ‘shield of protection’ has been forged.

A playful garden of delight, Kologne, shield of protection debuts with luminous citrus notes of green mandarin, bitter orange leading into a heart of rosemary, mint and neroli. A sophisticated, woodsy dry-down is built upon cedarwood, cashmeran and a distinctive ‘sap’ accord composed of green vegetal notes.

Kologne, shield of protection’s perfume bottle is vivid blue, colored like the perfect summer night pool party with gun metal hardware accents. The bottle features KILIAN PARIS’s signature style: angular and elegant with art deco design undertones, as well as its iconic motif along the sides: concentric circles inspired by the divine shield crafted for the ancient Greek warrior, Achilles.

An olfactive armor, a source of personal power, and an immediate uplift for the Kraziest KILIAN PARIS summer. The new Kologne Kilian Paris is available now for CHF 240 (50ml). In Switzerland at Jelmoli Zurich, Globus Zurich and Globus Geneva.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © KILIAN PARIS
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www.bykilian.com @kilianparis #KILIANPARIS #KOLOGNEBYKILIAN

French fashion house BALMAIN has partnered with digital artist JEFF COLE to create THREE EXCLUSIVE NFTs inspired by the Balmain Unicorn sneakers.

Balmain S/S 2022

Only on MINTNFT can you make bids of these exclusive NFTs that include both physical and digital utility:

– One pair of Balmain Unicorn sneakers, signed by Creative Director Olivier Rousteing
– One original sketch of the Balmain Unicorn sneaker, signed by Balmain’s Head of Sneaker Design, Safa Sahin
– Two VIP access passes to the Balmain Festival V03 during Paris Fashion Week 2022, in September
– Balmain’s own NFT, the «Non-Fungible Thread», which creates additional utility (drops later during 2022)

Make your bids. Get your Unicorn.
Auction closing: Friday, June 24, 2022, at 12PM EST

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © MINTNFT
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Dior presents the CD 1947 capsule

Dior is unveiling an exclusive new men’s capsule, CD 1947, celebrating the infinitely rich dialogue between Kim Jones and the legacy of Monsieur Dior. Inspired by the founding couturier’s love of nature and gardens, the creations are distinguished by their sportswear cuts and technically advanced materials, ideal for the outdoors; thick canvas and polar knits are combined in silhouettes that merge elegance and minimalist spirit.

T-shirts, shirts, sweatshirts and Bermuda shorts are available in a palette of soft, luminous shades, from light blue to beige, including the Dior Gray, a favorite of the House. Emblazoning this new line, the «Christian Dior» signature and «1947» – the year of Monsieur Dior’s first fashion show – feature on ready-to-wear items and accessories.

A bob, a bandana, a belt or even B27 sneakers, reinvented in the colors of the capsule, are adorned with these essential symbols, also embroidered on the Saddle and Dior Lingot 50 bags. A jewelry series and a carabiner embellished with the initials «CD˚ complete this wardrobe, an invitation to travel and adventure.

The ultimate surprise, a gardening set pays tribute to Christian Dior’s passion for the art of gardening. This limited-edition ensemble is composed of a folding leather seat – evoking the curves of the Saddle – and a leather-clad shovel and rake, specially designed for this capsule with the finest craftsmanship; all objects of desire to be discovered from June 2022.

Dior and Birkenstock present an unprecedented collaboration Dior by Birkenstock

«Thankfully, there are flowers,» said Christian Dior. He was known as a gallery owner, an architecture enthusiast, and a passionate fashion designer, but he also delighted in gardening. It was in Granville, in the rose garden of the family home overlooking the sea, that this fascination with the interweaving of nature and culture blossomed in his childhood.

Alongside his mother, Madeleine, the young christian enriched his knowledge of botany among the roses, wisteria, maritime pines and reseda. «I loved more than anything else to learn by heart the names and descriptions of flowers in the color catalogs published by the Vilmorin-Andrieux house», wrote monsieur Dior in his memoirs.

For the Dior Men’s F/W 2022 collection, the house and Kim Jones pay tribute to this passion, joining forces with Birkenstock for the first time to reinvent two of its iconic models. Standing for function and quality, the German brand creates unique shoes – both in form and function – to support walking as nature intended, drawing from a heritage that can be traced back to 1774, the year when shoemaker brothers Johannes and Johann Adam Birkenstock set out on their orthopedically inspired footwear journey – a commitment to craftsmanship they passed down from one generation to the next.

The Milano, launched in 1965, was designed as an outdoor sandal for active people and nature lovers, whereas the Tokyo model was launched in 1987 as protective footwear for walking and professions requiring a lot of standing. Both of the collaboration’s felt or suede models are dressed in the season’s hues, in addition to essential Dior gray.

Celebrating the art of gardening, they serve up functional style thanks to rubber details and industrial buckles. The result of a unique creative dialogue, Birkenstock’s anatomically shaped orthopedic cork footbed is lined with smooth leather, while the outsole combines the Dior oblique pattern with the German brand’s signature bones graphic.

As a final surprise, an exceptional version of the Tokyo, hand-embroidered with delicate flowers, completes the show’s couture silhouettes, a new symbol of Christian Dior’s love for nature. A contemporary ode to functionality and elegance, reflecting several skills of excellence.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior
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Stop press! I have breaking news, there is not much time left until Switzerland’s new hot spot, FIVE ZURICH, is going to open its doors to the public on June 30, 2022. I was one of the first ones to explore the new hotel and its restaurants before anybody else. The interior design is outstanding. Everywhere you will find the most instagrammable backgrounds in vibrant colors, with fun slogans or gadgets. Of course, I took the opportunity to shoot several outfits complementing the design of the different areas of the hotel.

Let’s get started with «Balmain Barbie» photographed at the entrance and inside the immersive Soul St. restaurant, where soul food meets street art.

My look: Printed cotton T-shirt, embroidered baseball cap, B-Buzz 23 leather shoulder bag, and appliquéd organic cotton-blend velour wide-leg track pants, all by Balmain x Barbie ®, and pink high-heel platform mules by Versace, chain earrings by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Anouk Bauknecht / Sandra Bauknecht
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Last week, while visiting the Salone di Mobile in Milan as guest of Louis Vuitton, I also took the opportunity to explore the newly opened MARNI flagship store at Via Montenapoleone 26. The new boutique, coinceived as multi-disciplinary creative hub, presents an unprecedented design concept, allowing for an immersive brand experience across three levels. To mark its opening, a site-specific installation by one of Iceland’s leading contemporary artist Shoplifter was presented and clients had the chance to delve into Marni’s imaginative world through ART JAM, a series of workshops and customizations courtesy of artists Shoplifter and The Aluminum Group.

I have been a huge fan of the work of Shoplifter / Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir, who is living between New York and Reykjavik, and I was looking forward to meeting her in person. Working with both synthetic and natural hair, her sculptures, wall murals and site-specific installations explore themes of vanity, self-image, fashion, beauty and popular myth. For Shoplifter hair is the ultimate thread that grows from our body. Hair is an original, creative fiber, a way for people to distinguish themselves as individuals, and often an art form. Humor plays a large role in her life and work, sometimes subtly, but at other times taking over.

Shoplifter represented Iceland at the Venice Biennale in 2019 and her installation Chromo Sapiens opened at the Icelandic Pavilion in May 2019 in Venice, Italy. The installation later traveled to Iceland opening at the Reykjavik Art Museum in January 2020.

It was a true pleasure getting to know her during the art session at the MARNI boutique where she created a beautiful charm for me as a gift.

Below you can find many more photos of the really cool new flagship.

Phone: +39 02 76317327

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Acqua di Parma and forte_forte partner to showcase the forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma Collection in Forte dei Marmi, at the Bocelli family’s Alpemare Beach Club. An all-Italian love story inspired by the partnership between the Maison representing the most sophisticated Italian style and a fashion house offering dreamlike charm, featuring timeless designs that resonate with emotions.

Set in the charming seaside town of Forte dei Marmi, the historic Alpemare Beach Club has hosted artists, poets, and actors from all over Europe since the last century. Today it is owned by the Bocelli family, which has preserved its legendary charm, turning it into a marvellous oasis filled with timeless elegance.

The joyous atmosphere of the Italian Mediterranean, the protagonist of forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma, is conveyed naturally and spontaneously in this sparkling setting. The graceful fluttering of butterflies and dragonflies that characterises the collection adorns beach towels and soft cushions that decorate the beach tents, treating Alpemare guests to a magical experience.

The enchanting and dreamlike motif created by forte_forte for Acqua di Parma appears again in the scented candles strategically placed in the lounge areas, in the garden and in Alpemare’s restaurant. The bright notes of mirto di Panarea waft all around, resulting in an exhilarating sense of awakening and harmony.

The magnificent view of the Apuan Alps, the scents of the Mediterranean pine forest at one of the most picturesque stretches of beach, together with the contemporary works of art that embellish the areas, make Alpemare a veritable treasure trove of beauty and wellbeing. Here, Andrea Bocelli himself, the world- famous Italian tenor and singer, often performs a concert or indulges in a rare moment of relaxation.

«It gives me great pleasure to work with Acqua di Parma again for the third summer. This year’s forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma Collection immediately won us over with its glowing sensation of lightness, harmony and freedom. The dreamy, bright tones of forte_forte’s motifs, the joyful notes of mirto di Panarea: all perfectly complement the atmosphere of the Alpemare Beach Club, designed by us as a genuine oasis of wellbeing where every detail is taken care of. Together with forte_forte and Acqua di Parma, we have succeeded in enhancing the various areas with aesthetic and sensory features that create a unique experience for our guests», emphasised Veronica Berti Bocelli, wife of Andrea Bocelli.

Energy resonates everywhere while the fragrances of Acqua di Parma’s Home Collection featuring Blu Mediterraneo candles and diffusers waft through the air. The beach cabins, which Alpemare has left in their traditional style, are fitted with the Arancia di Capri amenities from the hotel line of Acqua di Parma in special recycled plastic (RPET) produced in Italy from recycled PET plastic bottles. The comfortable bathrooms are complemented with the Arancia di Capri Hand Soap and Hand Cream ranges.

A fragrant dream for an Italian holiday full of emotions. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Acqua di Parma
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This post is not sponsored, however I got the products to try and I am completely in love. The perfect products for summer to achieve a healthy, lightweight glow. Let me give you some detailed information.

LES BEIGES COMPLEXION
THE NATURAL AND EFFORTLESS HEALTHY GLOW
LES BEIGES makeup line has made natural a style in its own right. In a way that no other line does, it recalls Mademoiselle Chanel’s free spirit and breaks with tradition to reveal a fresh, luminous complexion, pure and simple. Makeup is made easy, intuitive. Skin is as radiant as if you had spent a day in the great outdoors. Beauty is universal and effortless.
By means of lightweight, extremely buildable formulas, LES BEIGES has redefined both the texture of face makeup and how we apply it. A promise of authentic elegance. A promise to get back to basics.

RETHINKING FACE MAKEUP
In 2019, WATER-FRESH TINT upended women’s face makeup rituals. For the very first time, a fresh, water-based formula containing micro-droplet pigments was developed. Micro-droplets melt on contact with skin, evening out the complexion with a sheer finish. With this innovation, microfluidic technology has opened up a host of possibilities for cosmetics; it has led to an entirely new generation of face makeup products featuring lightweight formulas, freed of all non-essential ingredients.
The microfluidic technology revolution continues into 2022, with two new products. To supplement LES BEIGES face makeup ritual, CHANEL created two products complete with unique application techniques: WATER-FRESH COMPLEXION TOUCH, a multi-use concealer that delivers natural- looking results, and WATER-FRESH BLUSH, a «blush 2.0» for rosy cheeks.

WATER-FRESH COMPLEXION TOUCH A TAILOR-MADE COMPLEXION
This product can be applied like a concealer, for targeted correction as needed, or like a foundation, over the entire face. The joy of a fresh, luminous complexion; a bare-skin effect for natural-looking makeup.
WATER-FRESH COMPLEXION TOUCH is composed of an aqueous phase, enriched in hydrating and protective naturally derived active ingredients and ultra-lightweight micro-droplet pigments. It diminishes the appearance of imperfections without compromising on comfort. Halfway between a foundation and a concealer, WATER-FRESH COMPLEXION TOUCH visibly improves the look of skin thanks to a high concentration of pigment. It delivers a supremely weightless fresh feeling to the skin.

To melt the micro-droplets and release their pigment, simply blend the formula on the back of the hand for several seconds before applying. Immediately after application, the skin looks more even and smooth. It is more luminous, and appears refreshed. Visible imperfections such as pores, redness, and dark circles are reduced v visibly. After 8 hours, the skin appears more comfortable and plump. WATER-FRESH COMPLEXION TOUCH has antioxidant and anti-pollution properties, to enhance the skin as well as protect it.

WATER-FRESH COMPLEXION TOUCH is available in a range of 8 shades.
B10, B20, B30, B40, B50, B60, B80, BD121.
CHF 78.00

WATER-FRESH BLUSH
CHEEKS AS ROSY AS IF YOU HAD SPENT A DAY IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
The micro-droplet pigments in this lightweight gel blush blend seamlessly with the skin for a delicately rosy glow, a flushed cheek look, and immediate comfort. The new blush by CHANEL imparts subtle color to the cheeks without drying out the skin. Its water-based texture delivers a healthy glow effect that lasts all day. After applying WATER- FRESH TINT and WATER-FRESH COMPLEXION TOUCH, WATER-FRESH BLUSH enhances the look with an instantaneous healthy glow. It is quick and intuitive to apply with either your fingers or a brush. Within seconds, the formula melts into the skin, so pleasant and weightless that you may forget you are wearing makeup at all.
WATER-FRESH BLUSH is enriched with tamarind seed extract, a naturally derived active ingredient that helps regulate the skin’s moisture balance for a healthy glow. The complexion is instantly more radiant and appears immediately refreshed.

THREE INTUITIVE MAKEUP STEPS FOR A NATURAL, FRESH, AND LUMINOUS LOOK
LES BEIGES face makeup ritual now comprises three products that were inspired by microfluidic technology and designed as perfect complements. First, WATER-FRESH TINT sits delicately on the face like a skin tone-evening veil, for a radiant, refreshed appearance. Next, WATER-FRESH COMPLEXION TOUCH provides additional coverage wherever it is needed, creating a flawless complexion without weighing down the skin. The final touch, WATER-FRESH BLUSH, gives cheeks a rosy flush —a guaranteed healthy glow.

WATER-FRESH BLUSH is available in 6 shades, designed to suit every skin tone.
LIGHT PEACH a rosy peach
WARM PINK a beige pink
LIGHT PINK a light, fresh pink
INTENSE CORAL an intense coral red
DEEP APRICOT an intense apricot
DEEP BRONZE a terracotta brown
CHF 62.-

Both products are available now and I can highly recommend them.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

You know how much I love my Royal Oak Frosted Gold watch that Swiss Haute Horlogerie Manufacturer Audemars Piguet launched in collaboration with Carolina Bucci. 2022 marks a new milestone as Audemars Piguet presents a new limited edition 34 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding in black ceramic. This timepiece is the fruit of the latest collaboration between the manufacture and Carolina Bucci. In celebration of the Royal Oak’s fiftieth anniversary, the Italian jewellery designer has created a dial endowed with a unique multi-coloured mirror effect paying tribute to the iconic Tapisserie design. Inspired by urban landscapes, the result is as unexpected as it is elegant. This limited edition is designed for both men and women and is available exclusively in Audemars Piguet boutiques and AP Houses.

A SUBTLE AND UNEXPECTED AESTHETIC
For her third collaboration with Audemars Piguet, Carolina Bucci has left behind her hammering technique, known as Frosted Gold, to enrich an all-black ceramic piece with a surprising dial. Always looking to meet new challenges, she decided to focus on contrasts. At first glance, the dial appears black, but on closer inspection it reveals a multi-coloured spectrum that brings the Tapisserie effect to life in the ever-changing light. To reach this result, a sapphire plate adorned with little squares achieved through micro-structuring is added on top of the brass dial plate to create rich rainbow-coloured plays of light. A golden metallisation, specially developed for the occasion, is also applied onto the back of the sapphire plate to create a mirror effect and shines light onto the dial. The pattern of iridescent colours varies from dial to dial, making each design unique. This limited edition comes in a presentation box that has also been designed by Carolina Bucci. For this special occasion, the jewellery designer wanted to use the Tapisserie pattern in relief, going into the finest details, to pay homage to the 1972 classic.

«I wanted to place a rainbow in the most unexpected of places, a little like when you see oil floating on a puddle in a city street… So here you have every colour of the spectrum on a canvas that is completely black, which is itself the absence of colour.»
Carolina Bucci – Jewellery Designer

MATERIALS FULL OF CONTRASTS
The black ceramic case and bracelet are highlighted by hexagonal pink gold screws that secure the bezel and create an elegant contrast of colours. All the components of the case and bracelet are finished with the Manufacture’s signature satin-finishing that is paired with polished chamfers for a maximum play on light. The bracelet has been slightly revised to provide a better visual effect. The pins connecting the links to the studs are no longer visible from the side, but are directly integrated into the studs.

The titanium and sapphire caseback is engraved with the inscription «Limited Edition Carolina Bucci» and reveals the Calibre 5800 beneath, which indicates the hours, minutes, seconds and date. In keeping with the finish on the screws, hour-markers and hands, the 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight features elegant microbead-blasted, polished and satin finishes. On the dial, the AP monogram has vanished to leave pride of place to the long-form signature which has been engraved on top of the sapphire plate and filled with white lacquer due to the singularity of the dial imagined by Carolina Bucci.

My beloved Frosted Gold watch.

A COLLABORATION IN CONSTANT EVOLUTION
Carolina Bucci first started working with Audemars Piguet in 2016 for the 40th anniversary of the women’s Royal Oak that was created by Jacqueline Dimier in 1976. It was for this special occasion that the Italian designer was invited to reinterpret the original design by Gérald Genta. Together with the Manufacture’s watchmakers, she brought the ancestral technique of Florentine hammering, or Frosted Gold, to the complex architecture of the Royal Oak.

This technique consists of creating tiny indentations in the gold with a diamond-tipped tool that results in a sparkle that looks like diamond dust. Two models were initially released – the 15454 in 37 mm and the 67652 in 33 mm in a choice of white or pink gold – during an international event with Jacqueline Dimier in attendance. This marked the beginning of Audemars Piguet’s collaboration with Carolina Bucci. Since 2016, the Frosted Gold finish has been applied to numerous watch collections, sizes and complications.

In 2018, the designer signed a limited edition of 300 pieces for Audemars Piguet, entirely crafted in frosted yellow gold with a unique dial. Instead of the model’s trademark Tapisserie design, Carolina Bucci chose a mirrored dial with a flat surface evoking the surface of a lake on a calm day, reflecting the surrounding landscape. Despite its apparent simplicity, the mirrored dial presented a number of technical challenges that the Manufacture’s artisans were able to overcome to perfection.

In 2020, she went on to design the K.I.S.S. collection of gold bracelets – available in two sizes and numerous tones with matching necklaces – that were inspired by her previous projects with the Manufacture. These creations reinterpret the aesthetic codes of a mechanical watch spring, creating a link between Haute Joaillerie and Haute Horlogerie.

«Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world.»

Today, Carolina Bucci pays tribute to the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, with a design in black ceramic contrasted with multi-coloured reflections on the dial, providing the watch with unexpected plays of light. The Royal Oak Selfwinding 34 mm will not only surprise watch lovers with its iridescence, but will also seduce them with its sober and discreet refinement.

Price: CHF 48 500 // Limited Edition of 300 Pieces

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Audemars Piguet, © Sandra Bauknecht
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