Sandra‘s Closet

Last Saturday, I flew to Venice for the launch event of Gucci Première, the house’s new fragrance legend. Gucci Parfums revealed its new scent during a private cocktail and dinner held at the Hotel Cipriani in the presence of Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, Gucci President and CEO Patrizio di Marco, the face of the new fragrance campaign Blake Lively, the film director Nicolas Winding Refn and P&G Prestige Vice President Luigi Feola.

At the cocktail reception from left to right: Me, Michaela Stein (P&G Prestige), Regina Stahl (German Vogue), Gabi Hässig (P&G Prestige) and Tania Messner (Cover)

Blake Lively, star of the new fragrance Gucci Première, made quite an entrance during the event in Venice. The American beauty arrived by boat, welcomed by Nicolas Winding Refn.
Here, a look at the fashion and the fragrance:

Blake Lively wore a Gucci One of a kind sleeveless deep V-neck cocktail dress, fully embroidered with cherry overlapping palettes and raised flower detail around the neckline, burgundy python high heel sandal with metallic spike detail in the back, horsebit bracelet and ring in 18kt pink gold, black corundum and black diamonds and horsebit cocktail ring in 18kt pink gold, black corundum and black diamonds.

Salma Hayek-Pinault wore a Gucci F/W 2012 black chiffon long sleeved cocktail dress with jet beaded bodice and all over embroidered skirt.

Nicolas Winding Refn wore a Gucci midnight blue notch lapel two button Marseille suit with white dress shirt, blue grosgrain tie and black leather lace ups.

Frida Giannini wore a Gucci One of kind silver and gunmetal degrade sleeveless v-neck grey silk crepe cocktail dress with art deco graphic beading and black diamond crystals, and grey suede peep toe sandals.

Karmen Pedaru wore a Gucci F/W 2012 burgundy georgette silk sleeveless blouse, black velvet wrap skirt, and black suede high heeled sandal.

Style icon Blake Lively, who appeared in 2011 on TIME magazine’s TIME 100 list, is the face of the Gucci Première and transports the Hollywood glamour perfectly. Her speech was very lively in the true sense of the word.

François-Henri Pinault, CEO of PPR, framed by Blake Lively to the left and his wife Salma Hayek-Pinault to the right.

President and Chief Executive Officer Gucci Patrizio di Marco and P&G Prestige Vice President Luigi Feola

Before the dinner, during the cocktail reception, the fragrance and campaign were revealed to the editors and guests.

I was sitting right behind Frida Giannini who looked so beautiful in her One of a kind Gucci gown.

Frida Giannini says about the new fragrance: “Gucci Première is womanly, intriguing and as seductive as the perfect couture gown.”

The Gucci Première couture gown worn by Blake Lively in the campaign was on display at the event.

Gucci Première is a sophisticated wood and musk composition. The inspiration derives from the Gucci Première couture collection that debuted at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival (for a previous post, click here please).

During the cocktail, Nicolas Winding Refn presented his short film which was shot at the famous Sheats Goldstein Residence in Los Angeles.

The atmosphere at the beautiful dinner was amazing. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures during the dinner because Blake Lively’s boyfriend, Ryan Reynolds, who was there also that night, didn’t want any to be taken of him.

Frida Giannini with me

For the outfit post, please click here.

It was such a beautiful event and I felt very honoured to be part of it. Personally speaking, I like Gucci Première a lot. It is in stores now, here are more details:

Top notes: Bergamot and orange blossom
Middle notes: White flowers and musk
Base notes: Leather and wood
Available as Eau de Parfum 30ml, 50ml and 75ml
Body Lotion 200ml, Shower Gel 200ml and Deo Spray 100ml

Stay tuned for an amazing interview I did with Blake Lively! To be posted very soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci, © Getty Images and © Sandra Bauknecht

Let me introduce you to AMAZINGREEN, the new unisex fragrance from Comme des Garçons, a blast of green energy fusing together green notes and gunpowder, organic and mineral for the ultimate freshness and depth.

AMAZINGREEN
Exhilaration unleashed

The scent of gunpowder in an explosion of smoke and flint, clashes with the green energy of the jungle and the effervescence of spices. 
Top notes of verdant, natural wild leaves, settle with an elemental heart of flint and coriander to finish with a smoky explosion of gunpowder and white musk.

Top notes: Palm tree leaves, green pepper, dew mist and jungle leaves
Heart notes: Ivy leaves, orris roots, coriander seeds and silex
Base notes: Gunpowder accord, vetiver, smoke and white musk

Available as Eau de Parfum 50ml and 100ml.

If you like to win a bottle of AMAZINGREEN, join the contest hosted on Statigram. How does the lush exuberance of nature inspire you? Take a photo using Instagram that illustrates your interpretation of AMAZINGREEN and upload it with the #amazingreen hashtag.

The Top 10 Instagrams which best evoke the blast of green energy that defines AMAZINGREEN will win an a fragrance. The contest is open from today and will end on September 28th.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Comme des Garçons, © Sandra Bauknecht and via Instagram

Charlie Le Mindu, Lady Gaga’s eccentric hairstylist, has redesigned L’Oréal Professionnel’s Infinium hairspray. “Fashion hairstyling is very demanding, and styling products should give the best result possible in record time,” he explained. “This is why a majority of hairstylists use L’Oréal Professionnel’s products. They know the exact result of each formula, so if, for example, they want a really strong hold hairspray which also gives the hair a beautiful shine, Infinium is ideal and very easy to use.”

This new design comes with a silhouette of one of Charlie’s designs lined in midnight blue on a pearl white background.

On his website he says: “The inspiration behing this drawing was a model I loved on one of my catwalks but it is also a drawing of a hat that Lady Gaga was wearing few month ago. I m really exited to see this spray backstage and in every bathroom.”

If you like strong hold hairspray, you will love this limited edition Mademoiselle Infinium,
available in two versions, Strong (2) and Strong (3), both for CHF 18.- (300ml) in L’Oréal Professionnel salons.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of L’Oréal Professionnel, © Zak Hussein/PA Wire

This September, Bond No. 9 is launching their newest fragrance: MANHATTAN.

At last! For the sinuous, sensual, billion-megawatt city that never sleeps, an after-hours eau de parfum it can call its own.

Top notes: Nutmeg, saffron, dried flowers, coriander seeds and peach.
Heart notes: Honeycomb, black plum, chocolate and Moroccan jasmine.
Base notes: Sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla and musk.

Sounds delicious! A lovely addition to the Bond N°9 family.
Eau de Parfum 50 ml ($190.-) / 100ml ($270.-), Scented Candle $105.- and Body Silk $110.-.
For the Swiss launch, we will just have to wait a little longer…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bond N°9

This September, the wait will be finally over: Chanel OMBRE CONTRASTE NOTORIOUS will hit the shelves. I have whetted your appetite for this amazing product already in March after the Chanel F/W 2012 show (for the previous post please click here).

This hybrid powder was used by Peter Philips for all the sculpting and shading of the face like an “eye shadow meets blusher.” Nestled in the iconic JOUES CONTRASTE case, OMBRE CONTRASTE NOTORIOUS, the Exclusive Creation of the Collection, sweeps over eyelids and cheeks in a single stroke. The grey taupe shade, tinged with lavender, is almost imperceptible at first but becomes more intense with each application. Applied as blush and eyeshadow, it acts like a sculpting halo and makes it possible to build a singular, intriguing shadow effect.

Available at Chanel boutiques and at selected retailers such as Jelmoli in Zurich.
Ombre Contraste Notorious CHF 60.-

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Chanel

As promised last night when I showed you Chanel‘s limited edition “Les Twin-Sets” collection, here are the upcoming trends for your nails and lips.

Forget one colour, the hottest applications include two tones. Karl Lagerfeld evoked the idea of using two shades on one nail for his Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2012 show “New Vintage”, a combination of the vintage shade “Silver” with the existing one “May”.

Instead of doing a classic French manicure, the whole outline of the nail is painted in a lighter shade with “Silver” and “May” is used to cover both the center and the tip of the nail. “May” is the full nail polish shade, and “Silver” is the outline shade.

Lancôme is taking the same line and plays with the idea of flamboyant contrasts for nails and lips (see photos below):

Love Rose Manicure by Lancôme (shaded tones) Difficulty level ++

An understated and elegant daytime manicure. Begin by applying the lighter “Violette Coquette” shade to the nail’s lateral border. Holding the brush vertically and then flat, draw a “comma shape” which should become broader as you move to the inner side of the nail. Then apply the darker shade, “Midnight Rose”, over the rest of the nail.
Lancôme make-up artist tip: Always begin with the lighter shade.

Love Rose Manicure by Lancôme (contrasting shades) Difficulty level +++

This is the It-manicure, playing on contrasts between two on-trend shades: “Aquamarine” (blue) and “Rouge in Love” (red).
1) Apply a block of red all over the nail (2 coats for sufficient coverage).
2) Next, apply a coat of “Aquamarine” on top so that only a “comma shape” of red remains visible.

Another possibility for symmetry lovers: The stencil technique.
1) Take some ordinary scotch tape and cut out shapes to match the surface of the blue polish.
2) Then stick these “scotch stencils” to the nails of both hands.
3) Apply the red polish over each uncovered nail surface.
4) Complete an entire hand before peeling off the tape.
5) Then apply the blue varnish over the rest of the nail, following the curve of the red “comma shape”.

French Rose Manicure by Lancôme Difficulty level ++++

An evening manicure inspired by the rose, the mythical Lancôme emblem. Apply a drop of the darker “Bleu de Flore” polish to the base of the nail. Paint a neat crescent, paying particular attention to the outer borders, as if “framing” them with a rose petal. The brush should be held at an almost vertical angle. You now need to perfect the inner and outer borders using the branchwood stick wrapped in cotton wool. Next, apply “Rose Boudoir” to the centre of the nail to create a colour contrast, using the flat of the brush. To finish off, apply a top coat to achieve uniform shine. This will also allow you to even out the surface texture.

Colorful Manicure by Lancôme Difficulty level +

The playful manicure to reinterpret to your heart’s content with the Vernis in Love shades. Play with contrasts and shaded tones – for bang on trend nails! Apply alternate shades of pink and red polish as you go from nail to nail.

GENERAL NAIL POLISH APPLICATION TIPS

A gorgeous manicure deserves both time and attention to detail. Leaving your nails to the last minute before slipping into an evening dress is not to be advised!

Prepare your nails before you start applying polish.

1) Use a (supple) nail brush with some warm water and a branchwood stick to remove little skin tags around the nail and impurities as well as push back the cuticles. This will restore an attractive nail surface and shape.
2) Gently smooth nails with a nail file.
3) Apply the colourless protective base to form a screen between the nail’s keratin and the pigments in the polish. This optimises application and wear, whilst boosting shine.
4) If your nails are not symmetrical in shape, you can correct this by painting a regular “U” shape with the polish, leaving the lateral nail borders lacquer-free. Nail polish should never touch the skin. Generally speaking, it is better to apply 2 thin coats to each nail rather than one single thick coat.

AND HERE COME THE LIPS:

“Effect 1” – Sensual & daring Difficulty level ++

A make-up look offering instant and deliriously daring allure. Generally speaking, make-up artists apply a lighter lipstick to the central part of the lower lip. Try creating a surprising effect by using a touch of darker colour (“Violette Coquette” for example) at the centre of your lips: all the better to attract more admiring glances…

1) Begin by applying the lighter shade such as “Midnight Rose” over your lips.
2) Dab “Violette Coquette” onto the central part of the lips with your finger to keep it natural. Or, for a more sophisticated look, use a lip brush to play up the contrast between the middle and the edges (making the lips look more open).
3) Repeat brush application of “Midnight Rose”, using the tip of the brush to define the lips without using a lip pencil. Starting at the corners, apply slightly beyond your natural lip line.

Tip for thin lips: If you want to add some volume, apply the colours the opposite way around (light in the middle and dark outside). For a ripe red fruit effect.

Result: A highly crafted look with intense colour. Shamelessly sexy.

“Effect 2” – Contrast & volume Difficulty level +

Playing with light and dark contrasts allows you to harmonise any difference between upper and lower lip volume. Apply the lighter shade to the lip that you want to make bigger.

1) Use the shade “Sequin d’Amour” on your upper lip.
2) Apply “Rouge Valentine” to your lower lip.
The lighter, more luminous shade on the top lip highlights your Cupid’s bow and lip sensuality, for a highly effect.

Top tip: Follow up with “Rouge Valentine” nail polish.
Coordinate with nude eyes, just a stroke of mascara and a relaxed hairstyle to contrast with the sophisticated lip look.

“Effect 3” – Shaded & bitten-lip look Difficulty level +++

Play with inverted colour shading for a “healthy glow” effect.

1) Start off by applying the “Violine Lamée” shade all over lips.
2) Use “Chocolat Mordoré” to create depth on the central part of the lower lip.
3) Then once again apply “Chocolat Mordoré”, tracing a border along the upper lip line to enhance its definition and accentuate the chocolate brown-deep purple harmony.
Instant healthy glow effect.

GENERAL LIP COLOUR APPLICATION TIPS

A brush is advisable to help you apply lipstick in a precise and even manner. A brush will also help avoid applying lipstick too heavily. Then blot with a handkerchief to remove any excess colour, leaving only the pigments behind (responsible for hold and colour).
To boost your lipstick’s hold, after applying the first coat, dust on a little loose powder before adding a final colour coat on top.

For thin lips: Define your lip contour 1mm out from its natural shape using a lip pencil in a shade as close as possible to your lipstick. Then apply your lipstick slightly beyond the natural outline. Try choosing high-shine or light and iridescent lipsticks, which will make your lips appear larger.
For full lips: Steer away from shine, pearly and/or iridescent effects and overly bold colours. Opt for a shade less vibrant than your natural lip colour and use a lip pencil in an equivalent colour. Use the pencil to define your lip line, tracing the inner border of
their natural shape.

Free your creative spirit and have fun!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel and Lancôme

Leave it to Chanel to make a fashionista’s heart leap with joy. For this year’s Fashion’s Night Out, Peter Philips, Creative Director of Makeup, has created three gorgeous matte lipsticks with matching nail polishes in chic, sophisticated tones of plum, pink and beige. The so-called collector-worthy “Les Twin-Sets” collection will arrive in Chanel boutiques September 6!

Rouge Allure Velvet for € 30.50 each

Le Vernis for € 25 each

“Infidèle” is a saturated rose pink. A great colour that suits most skin tones.

“Provocation” is a rich deep plum that will work perfectly with the season’s dark luxe trend.

“Délicatesse” is a muted beige, ultra-sophisticated and elegant.

Another gorgeous limited edition from Chanel for the 4th edition of Fashion’s Night Out, just like “Les Jeans de Chanel” (2011), “Les Khakis de Chanel” (2010) and “Jade” (2009), the stunning mint green nail polish that has started the nail polish hype of the last years.
And no end in sight! Stay tuned for more.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

This fall, Tom Ford introduces four new Private Blend fragrances. The collection, so-called JARDIN NOIR, is dedicated to four classical flowers: Narcissus, hyacinth, rose and lily. “When you showcase their darker and less innocent aspects, flowers can become so thrilling and beautiful, they could almost ruin you. That was the sensation I was after,” says Tom Ford.

Here are the four new amazing scents:
Jonquille de Nuit, Ombre de Hyacinth, Café Rose and Lys Fume.

Jonquille de Nuit

”Unusual top notes of wild Alpine cyclamen, acacia and angelica seeds, balanced with Egyptian violet leaf and bitter orange leaf absolute, provide a contrasting structure which allows the heady narcissus heart to spill into the senses. This powerful floral vibration is pushed, heightened, and teased to the brink—until a sensual, hypnotic base of orris and warm amber arrest this frenetic blossoming.”

Ombre de Hyacinth

”Merged with the rich earthiness of galbanum and the green drive of violet leaf, then enhanced with a glamorous veil of Magnolia leaf ORPUR and cool, incense-inflected Olibanum, lovely Hyacinth becomes a maddening enigma. It plays distance against desire with gem-like shimmers of pink peppercorn and jasmine absolute that tease and entice. The tension finally breaks as Persian galbanum, benzoin and musk pull back the curtain to reveal Hyacinth’s addicting sensuality.”

Café Rose (My favourite)

”Three precious rose essences dance with exotic spices and dark coffee. Saffron and black pepper entice the tight blossoms of Rose de Mai to unfurl. Then, the lush and saturated heart of precious Turkish rose oil and Bulgarian rose absolute creates an enveloping, narcotic haze—until a teasing bite of coffee essence cuts through the romance and awakens dervish passion. Incense resin, amber, sandalwood and patchouli surround this dance with sensual, creamy depth.”

Lys Fume

”Soft notes of Italian mandarin and pink peppercorn and cool, spicy nutmeg and turmeric entice you into a lush and overgrown garden of night-blooming tropical white lilies, tangled with ylang ylang from Moheli. The intoxicating air, soaked with this expansive floral effect, is streaked with the beautiful, sub-tropical melancholy of balsamic, South Indian davana essence and West Indian Demerara rum essence. A woody harmony of rich vanilla absolute from Madagascar, amber-toned cistus labdanum, styrax and oakwood creates a dreamy, hypnotic warmth.”

The collection will be available at all Tom Ford Private Blend counters from September 2012 in Switzerland. 50ml (CHF 250.-) and 250ml (CHF 660.-)

Gentlemen, pay attention. This fall, here is the elixir that will infatuate the ladies around you. TOM FORD NOIR includes notes of bergamot, verbena, caraway, baie rose, violet flower, black pepper, nutmeg, iris, geranium, rose, clary sage, opoponax, amber, patchouli, vetiver, civet and vanilla. A truly sexy composition.

Ladies, be careful. This scent is dangerous stuff!

Tom Ford Noir will be available from September 2012. 50ml (CHF 120.-) and 100ml (CHF 156.-).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford

For fall 2012, Mr. Tom Ford brings some fun makeup colours into our lives. The genius has always focused on the essence of femininity and this limited edition collection includes the probably most stunning autumnal pigments for the season.

All beauty enthusiasts, check out the best items here:

EYE COLOR QUAD in Enchanted
CHF 90.-

EYE DEFINING PENCIL in Exotic Teal
CHF 42.-

EYE COLOR QUAD in Emerald Lust
CHF 90.-

CHEEK COLOR in Narcissist
CHF 76.-

LIP COLOR in Aphrodisiac
CHF 62.-

ULTRA SHINE LIP GLOSS in Naiveté
CHF 55.-

NAIL LACQUER in Minx
CHF 42.-

Available in Switzerland from September 2012. If you cannot wait, click HERE to shop this amazing collection now. I want it all!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford

The press event for the launch of Lancôme‘s newest fragrance LA VIE EST BELLE started with the following statement:
“Lancôme is not a brand, it is a philosophy of femininity.”

The French house is turning over a new leaf. The scent is meant to be a declaration for a new era. In a world full of diktats and conventions, there must be another way. Therefore, the concept plays with the idea of natural and simple beauty, the choice of once own vision of happiness and freedom. This shows best in the advertising film directed by Tarsem Singh (Mirror, Mirror), in which the face of the campaign, beautiful Julia Roberts, frees herself from being an imaginary puppet on a string (Click here for the making of).

This gourmand and elegant composition was developed by three famous perfumers together, Olivier Polge, Dominique Ropion and Anne Flipo. It took them three years of probation and endless versions to create the final formula that includes 63 ingredients with iris playing the lead, surrounded by orange blossoms and jasmine as middle notes. I especially like the warm and powdery base with accords of tonka bean, praline, patchouli and vanilla. This fragrance is surely going to be a new bestseller, following in the steps of its famous predecessor Trésor.

The flacon is a redesigned version of the classic Lancome bottle from 1949. It is a masterpiece of crystal in the shape of a smile, a square in the circle that achieves the impossible. Happiness captured in a bottle.

Top notes: Pear and black currant
Middle notes: Orange blossom, jasmine and iris
Base notes: Praline, tonka bean, vanilla and patchouli

Available in Switzerland in September 2012.
Eau de Parfum 30ml (CHF 75.-), 50ml (CHF 115.-) and 75ml (CHF 145.-)
Shower Gel 200ml (CHF 59.-) and  Body Lotion 200ml (CHF 66.-)

The press event took place at the Dolder Hotel in Zurich. The weather was definitely not co-operating but you have to take the rough with the smooth. No matter what: La vie est belle – Light up the world with a smile from the heart, like Lancôme’s lovely PR-lady Magi.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lancôme and © Sandra Bauknecht