Sandra‘s Closet

Each year, the CHANEL Métiers d’Art fashion show celebrates the exceptional talent of these Houses, pairing their know-how with a legendary destination.

PARIS – BOMBAY showcases a specific vision of India. Immense chandeliers and can­delabras bathe an opulent banquet table in light. The scent of jasmine floats through the air. Surreal princesses from an idealised empire or authentic Parisian women combine the lavishness of the Maharajas and the timeless codes of the House of CHANEL. Refined jewelry pieces clip back sumptuous hairstyles and black-shadowed eyes take on a catlike appearance.

Indian beauties know how to enhance their noble almond-shaped eyes, which they accen­tuate with kohl and dark eyeshadows. Peter Philips, Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup, intensifies the proportions of this iconic makeup to give it a universal character.Eyes succumb to the boldness and mystery of a black eyeshadow in all its nuances with ILLUSION D’OMBRE Mirifique. Graphic makeup with saturated colour blocks stretches out from the corner of the eye to express strength and femininity. The rest of the face fo­cuses on gold and light.

The exclusive creation of the collection is a precious, evanescent golden powder to dab onto cheekbones and eyelids in scintillating touches. In its classic black-lacquered case, ROUTE DES INDES DE CHANEL recreates an embossed motif of a rare fabric, a piece of bronze brocade from an Indian-influenced collection created by Ga­brielle Chanel in the 1960s. A stroke of blush structures the face and warms the translucent complexion with the hint of an elegant and sunny earth tone. Lips remain natural, enhanced by the luster of luminous beige shimmering with gold.

On nails, an original nail polish mixing pale gold and silver recalls the traditional festival of lights, for which it was named: Diwali.

All products will be available in July.

ROUTE DES INDES DE CHANEL An ultra-luminous and scintillating golden powder, CHF 85.-
(Limited Edition)

LE VERNIS Diwali A vintage gold with silvery metallic reflections, CHF 38.-
(Limited Edition)

ROUGE COCO SHINE 437 Empreinte A natural beige with iridescent golden shimmers, CHF 46.-

JOUES CONTRASTE 03 Brume d’or A bronze brown with subtle gold sparkles, CHF 60.-

ILLUSION D’OMBRE 85 Mirifique Every nuance of black, CHF 47.-

LE CRAYON KHÔL 61 Noir, CHF 32.-

INIMITABLE INTENSE 10 Noir, CHF 47.-

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Blake Lively is the face of Gucci’s new upcoming fragrance Gucci Première, named after the Italian house’s haute couture line. This is the “Gossip Girl” regular’s first scent campaign, though she posed for Chanel last year.

The scent is meant to evoke Old Hollywood and so does the short movie for the campaign shot by director Nicolas Winding Refn. “She is a girl of extraordinary beauty and she’s a girl who loves fashion. She has great taste in clothes. Although she’s young, she’s also very determined, and I liked this spirit. She knows how to be a diva in the right sense, with an aspirational glamour,” said Gucci’s Creative Director Frida Giannini.

Lively was the perfect choice to transport that glam retro-Hollywood look, don’t you think? The perfume will be launched worldwide Mid July.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Gucci

As promised less than two weeks ago, here is the new fragrance, that I was telling you about: Pleats Please by Issey Miyake – the perfume that moves you.

The launch event took place at the Louvre in Paris with a very different und beautiful presentation. Dressed in pleats of every colour, models leaped and danced, twirled and spinned, motivating the audience to join in the fun.

The designer Issey Miyake is known known globally for his signature pleats – a look that went around the world in more than 80 colours; it is contemporary yet timeless. Today, the iconic line Pleats Please Issey Miyake has its own fragrance. It is a scent that pays homage to a seminal fashion creation: an infusion of emotion and olfactory ode to joy.

The iconic L’Eau d’Issey and L’Eau d’Issey Pour l’Homme burst forth from the fountain of Issey Miyake fragrances; clear and shimmering, the waters heralded Issey Miyake’s first foray into perfumery.
Pleats Please is completely different, a joyous, light-hearted scent with meticulously sculpted facets created by perfumer Aurélien Guichard. For this new fragrance, the exuberance and heartiness of a floral bouquet was a must – flowers to define the femininity of a subtle delicate composition.

Perfumer Aurélien Guichard

Top Note: Nashi (a hybrid fruit that oscillates between pear and apple, with the pear note predominating).

Middle Notes: Peony and sweet pea. Indole adds a fleshly, voluptous touch and „gives substance to the note“, the perfumer explains. The accord is warm and vibrant, like „an invitation to fluidity“. (Remember Roja Dove who explained me the sexual power of indole. Click here if you would like to know more.)

Base notes: Cedar, patchouli, vanilla and white musks.

Available from September 2012. The product range comprises a trio of eau de toilette in three formats: 30, 50 and 100 ml. The EdTs are supplemented by two derivatives infused with the notes of Pleats Please: a creamy, body lotion and a deodorant spray.

The bottle is very interesting. Its shape is reminiscent of a bag that is put down on the floor. The cap takes the form of a floral calyx, a finely pleated abstraction that symbolises both a white flower and the Pleats Please fabric.

In his quest for the timeless and functional in fashion, Issey Miyake found his answer in pleats. Fashion keeps moving, and so does fragrance!

It was such a beautiful presentation at the Louvre! For more details about my look, please click here for the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Swarovski pursues its story and opens a chapter on the theme of love: Aura by Swarovski Collection Mariage. Boasting an olfactory composition inspired by moments of happiness in a marriage, it brings women good fortune and bliss.

The fragrance is composed of 3 main notes:

Sparkling and fruity, lychee blends perfectly with tea leaves to symbolise the seal of emotional commitment.
A delicate blend of peony and lotus evokes happiness, serenity and the promise of an eternal alliance.
In moments of intense love, white musk wraps women in a luminous and glittering aura.

This limited edition collection is available now.

Aura by Swarovski Collection Mariage EdT Légère CHF 73.- (50ml)
Prestige Edition EdT Légère CHF 121.- (50ml)
Makeup Jewel Crystal Gloss, Rose Scintillant CHF 73.-

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Swarovski Parfums

For his S/S 2012 fashion show, Giorgio Armani, the king of nonchalant elegance, borrows the luminous magic of Southern Italian summer nights, “when the last rays of the sun shine a myriad of new shades upon the water, when the blue sky turns to night tinged with green, petrol blue and bluish gray hues flushed with violet, when darkness sweeps over the scenery metallic glints silver tones, pale gold and pink copper tints sparkle and when stars seem to float upon the water.”

Mother-of-pearl (NACRE) gives its name and forms the central theme. With his new Haute Couture Fragrance NACRE, Giorgio Armani accompanies his prêt-à-porter collection with a rare, highly limited and very luxurious fragrance.

It is an ode to mother-of-pearl which signs each of the 1000 numbered bottles in this edition with a plate bearing its name. No two plates are the same: each is unique, in tribute to the living character of a material born from the depth of the sea. The bottle itself is a piece of art.

The fragrance was developed by perfumer Marie Salamagne, at Firmenich. It has a really spicy woody smell to it, with a strong amount of iris. It’s unisex and definitely something everyone could wear! The iris chosen for Nacre has a very rare quality, combining the rich, creamy facet of iris, with a powdery, almost talc-like note.

Top notes: Bergamot, pink pepper and saffron
Middle notes: Iris absolute and musk
Base notes: Patchouli, vetiver woods and tonka bean

130 bottles of the 1000 limited editions are available in Switzerland now for CHF 690.- (100ml). In Zurich at Jelmoli. Definitely a collector’s piece.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani, © Sandra Bauknecht

OPI has just launched a vintage Minnie Mouse nail polish line that includes four colours that are perfect for summer!

Nothin’ Mousie ’bout It – Don’t squeak it – SHOUT IT! This confetti light pink is tops!
(My favourite, I love the pale pink hearts in this nail polish, similar to OPI’s Heart to Resist)
I’m All Ears – 
Tell me how much you love this magenta shimmer.
If You Moust You Moust – 
You gotta pink what you gotta pink.
The Color of Minnie – 
You had this little mouse at “red.”

The cute collection will be in stores in Switzerland starting July 2nd, 2012.
CHF 23.90 per 15ml bottle.

LoL, Sandra

A VARIATION ON EYES

An unforgettable face is often due to the eyes: playful, indiscreet, warm or seductive. In 2012, eyes by CHANEL take control. A multi-dimensional mascara, a high-precision eyeliner and eyeshadows that sweep warm and cool tones over the eyes…

Peter Philips, Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup, creates three mini collections dedicated to the eyes, in three colour expressions – coral, purple and brown.

Volume, length, curl. Why choose?

INIMITABLE INTENSE is designed for women who want it all, without compromise.

A sophisticated 3D effect is ensured by perfect harmony between the formula and brush:

– An enveloping and coating formula thanks to the patented blend of a vinyl copolymer and wax for an even result that enhances lashes over their entire length.
– A high-tech patented brush in soft and flexible white elastomer for even and optimal application on each lash, from root to tip.

Lashes are instantly stretched, curled and perfectly separated. A deep, intense gaze that fully unleashes its seductive power.

The iconic LES 4 OMBRES eyeshadow quartets and ILLUSION D’OMBRE eyeshadows stay in tune with three collectable interpretations that reveal eyes whatever the whim or mood…

LES 4 OMBRES enables to intensely adjust makeup with matte, satiny or scintillating effects.

ILLUSION D’OMBRE plays with metallic reflections for a halo of light or more accentuated and shimmering finishes.

Coral Expression: Illusion d’Ombre 88 Abstraction (new) and Les 4 Ombres 34 Éclosion
Purple Expression: Illusion d’Ombre 83 Illusoire and Les 4 Ombres 37 Variation (new)
Brown Expression: Illusion d’Ombre 89 Vision (new) and Les 4 Ombres 36 Intuition (new)

Les 4 Ombres de CHANEL                       CHF 77.-
Illusion d’Ombre                               CHF 47.-
Mascara Sublime de CHANEL Waterproof        CHF 47.-
Mascara Inimitable Intense de CHANEL        CHF 47.-

Available Mid June 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Let me introduce you to Dior‘s Summer Mix 2012, a charming new pop color collection that captures the spirit of summer with four fun shades for the nails and lips.

Dior Vernis Nail Gloss

A new slightly translucent, glossy formula with a sorbet-like finish that complements summer wardrobes and golden skin.
$37 / CHF 37

Cosmo (178) Cheerful watermelon pink
Calypso (158) Bright candy apple red
Acapulco (118) Tart lemon yellow
Lagoon (198) Cool swimming pool blue

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss

Four glosses in orange, red, pink and gold enhance lips with irresistible shine.
$45 / CHF 44

Rouge Croisière (854) Happy red
Rose Bikini (664) Perfect pink
Gold Sunrise (224) Gold
Orange Paréo (542) Orange

Available June, 1st  2012 in the US and June, 15th 2012 in Switzerland.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior

In stores now are OPI‘s new six limited edition nail lacquers and a new shatter, inspired by Sony Pictures’ The Amazing Spider-Man.
With an all-star cast including Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, this highly-anticipated series reboot opens in theaters nationwide in 3D on July 3, 2012.

The film villain’s reptilian look can be replicated with a high-fashion twist by using the new deep green shimmer Shatter coat.  Shatter the Scales is inspired by graffiti art and works when painted over any dry OPI hue. Adding top coat takes Shatter the Scales from matte to glossy in seconds.

Shatter the Scales

The line features six nail lacquers in addition to Shatter the Scales, ranging from white, coral and pink to mood-setting hues of blue, nickel and yellow-green:

From left to right:
Shatter the Scales
Green shatter top coat.

My Boyfriend Scales Walls
Climb new heights with this cityscape white.

Call Me Gwen-ever
Girlfriend, be sure to pick up when this urgent coral calls.

My Boyfriend Scales Walls
Climb new heights with this cityscape white.

Just Spotted the Lizard
Be seen in this reptilian yellow-green.

Number One Nemesis
Show your metal in this sparkling nickel.

Into the Night
This perfect midnight blue was made for prowling.

Just Spotted the Lizard on my nails

This limited edition promotion is available in Switzerland for CHF 23.90.
Have fun flying high with those new must-have shades and stay tuned for OPI’s newest collection coming up that is inspired by Germany, my home country with funny names for the shades such as “Don’t Pretzel My Buttons”, “Nein! Nein! Nein! OK fine!” and “Every Month is Oktoberfest”.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI and © Sandra Bauknecht

Dior introduces two new fragrance that belong to the house’s iconic Addict line of perfumes, dedicated to seduction, femininity and to style. “Having style, means having your own”, said Christian Dior.

Dior Addict is her perfume – her identity. She loves explosive colours – they represent her freedom. Oriental, fresh or floral, she has fun with all the Dior Addict fragrances.

The advertising campaign was shot by one of my favourite photographers, Tim Walker. The face is Daphne Groeneveld.

Dior Addict is a universe composed of three fragrances with contrasting scent compositions. Every shade of the palette asserts the audacious and complex personality of the Dior Addict woman. Which one are you? Or are you probably all three of them?

A SCENT WARDROBE

Dior Addict Eau Fraîche

Its scent signature? Bright and sharp, yet fresh and woody.
Its colour? A vivid, saturated, radiant pink for a sparkling cocktail.
Its flower? A radiant Freesia.
Its style? A swirling dress of transparent silk chiffon

Dior Addict Eau Sensuelle

Its scent signature? Floral and sensual, harmonious and luminous.
Its colour? A tender mauve.
Its flower? A velvety Rose.
Its style? An elegant, lilac coloured silky dress.

Dior Addict Eau de Parfum

Its scent signature? Oriental and modern, smooth and vibrant.
Its colour? The deep blue of a nocturne music score.
Its flower? The opulent Queen of the Night.
Its style? A low-cut black sheath dress in the finest organza.

In stores from today (All prices are only for information and suggested retail prices).

ADDICT EAU FRAICHE and EAU SENSUELLE Spray
20ml / CHF 66, 50ml / CHF 99, 100ml / CHF 140

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior