Sandra‘s Closet

Great news for my Swiss readers! The extra big September Issue of L’OFFICIEL Schweiz/Suisse will hit the newsstand nationwide tomorrow and subscribers will find it already in their mailboxes today!

On the cover is Rihanna sporting the must-have military khaki trend in perfection!

F/W 2014: Calvin Klein Collection – Isabel Marant – Balmain

Get her look: Stretch-cotton gabardine jacket, cotton-gabardine vest (pictured in leather) and brushed cotton-blend twill skirt, all by Balmain.
Berbère 18-karat rose gold link ring by Repossi.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Stéphane Feugère

Burberry Prorsum were key in setting the blanket poncho trend for F/W 2014 and have left us spoilt for choice. I think these are a great alternative to a full-on coat. Wear yours thrown over the shoulder, as a coat or belted at the waist. These super-luxurious pieces are effortlessly chic and just perfect for when you need an impromptu cover-up should the weather suddenly become chilly in the evenings. The body-wrap rugs are designed with modern art references and are crafted in Scotland from lambswool and cashmere.

TO SHOP THE MUST-HAVE BURBERRY PRORSUM CAPES, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Cara Delevingne wore this checked wool and cashmere-blend cape as the closing look of Burberry Prorsum’s F/W 2014 runway – it cemented the global-luxe mood of the show. (The personalized version that has been spotted on many celebrities was only available right after the show until the beginning of March 2014 from the Burberry website.)

Don’t miss one of the hottest must-haves of the season!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Burberry Prorsum and Alex Huckle/FilmMagic

This week, I was invited by Dior to Paris for an exclusive evening with Charlize Theron to celebrate the new communication of J’Adore, the house’s bestselling fragrance since 1999. The bouquet of flowers is already an icon and we all remember the amazing campaign in which the blonde actress mingled with Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Marlene Dietrich around 10 years ago. Now, in 2014, the story is picked up where it last left off, in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles with a breathtaking Charlize Theron who celebrates the future. And the future is gold… a new inspiration, an open mind. Everything is hopeful and possible.

I saw the commercial this week in a private screening. It is still highly confidential and I will be happy to reveal it to you in September. In the meantime, enjoy the photos of the wonderful night in Paris at Monsieur Bleu restaurant.

LoL, Sandra

With Raf Simons, Creative Director of Dior, one of my favorite designers.

Claude Martinez, CEO Dior Parfumes, Charlize Theron, Raf Simons, Katia and Sydney Toledano, CEO Dior

With lovely Sonya Burch-Baumann

Monsieur Bleu restaurant

My highlight of the night: Meeting Sean Penn

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

One week ago in Marrakesh, my friend Mel’s big birthday celebration took place on Saturday evening accompanied by the renewal of her wedding vows with her husband Dan. It was a very romantic evening and she look stunning in her Zuhair Murad dress. It truly felt like One Thousand and One Nights and I am so grateful for all these different highlights that we experienced, among them a live performance by Paul Potts, the British tenor, who had won the first series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2007. With all my heart, thank you, Mel and Dan, for your friendship and this magical trip!

My look: Leather-trimmed jersey gown with cutouts by Givenchy, set of 5 gold-tone cuffs by Alexander McQueen, earrings by Chanel, ring by Etro, animal print clutch, tribal sandals and necklace, both by Louis Vuitton, small Amulette necklace by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Paul Potts with me

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is an exclusive preview that I am so excited to share with you. On Thursday, the third issue of L’OFFICIEL Switzerland with a focus on beauty and summer fashion will hit the newsstands. The cover story with Dita von Teese is a 14-page elaborate spread shot by Ali Mahdavi that showcases some iconic fragrances with an incredible mise-en-scène, courtesy of Vincent Darré. The images are complemented by an interview by Ali and his famous muse.

Isn’t this foil effect just stunning?! I hope that you will love this edition as much as I do… and don’t forget to like our Facebook page.

LoL, Sandra

This spring, Bobbi Brown announced Kate Upton as her new face for the upcoming campaigns. Now the time has come to take a first look and explore the new Surf & Sand Summer 2014 Collection. Reminiscent of the perfect beach holiday, it features the ultimate summer beauty essentials to create an effortless, chic beach look.

Surf Eye Palette (left) – Limited Edition – CHF 110.00
Eight stunning eye shadows in pastel tones from shimmery pink to soft blue and mild aqua shades.

Sand Eye Palette (right) – Limited Edition – CHF 110.00
This palette offers a variety of natural colors from metallic bronze to glitter gold. Perfect for day and night.

Sheer Lip Color – Limited Edition – CHF 38.00 
Sunlit Pink, Summer Nude, Peach Sorbet and Pink Taffy

Long-Wear Eye Pencil – Limited Edition – CHF 34.00
Black Chocolate and Bronze

Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick – New – CHF 40.00
Champagne Gold

Beach Rollerball Fragrance – Limited Edition – CHF 26.00 (6ml)
Bobbi’s classic “Beach” fragrance is now available in a portable rollerball version. The light and refreshing fragrance evokes warm sunshine and sea air.

Brightening Blush – Limited Edition – CHF 69.00
Bronze and Pink

The collection will be in stores in July 2014.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bobbi Brown

A rare enamel and diamond wristwatch designed by Bvlgari in 1965 was sold on June 4th at Christie’s in London from a private collection. This extraordinary sale, tripling the estimate, has set a new world record price for a Bvlgari snake watch at an auction.

Enamel & diamond snake watch, by Bvlgari, circa 1965

The iconic piece, estimated between $300.780 and $417.750 fetched more than $ 1 Million, changing hands for the final price of $1.107.038. The Roman jeweler, today part of the LVMH Group, celebrates its 130th anniversary this year. The important achievement at Christie’s is testament to the investment value Bvlgari jewelry has, now for over a century.

Serpenti Watch
Quartz movement. 40 mm 18-ct pink gold case, dial and double-spiral bracelet set with brilliant-cut diamonds and turquoises. Eyes in turquoises. SPP40D2GD2T.2T

Since their first introduction as wristwatches in the 1940s, the Serpenti creations became the icons of Bvlgari’s creativity. As the years went by, eclectic reinterpretations in tune with major trends and prestigious endorsements consolidated their status of brand icons.

No leader of the ancient world is more closely associated with the snake than Cleopatra. Strongly intertwined to the Roman Empire through her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, when she first arrived in Rome in 46 BC, the cheering crowd could admire her beauty enhanced through the coiled gold snake bracelets that were adorning her body.
Almost 2000 years later, in the 1960s, Elizabeth Taylor could not resist to ask her favourite jeweller in Rome at via Condotti 10, to create especially for her a Serpenti bracelet, that she was wearing on the set of Cleopatra, as the new queen of the Nile (see photo in the first collage).

Serpenti Watch
Quartz movement. 40 mm 18-ct white gold case, dial and double-spiral bracelet set with brilliant-cut diamonds and onyx. Eyes in onyx SPW40D2GD2O.2T

I am a huge fan of the Serpenti watches and cannot wait to finally have one on my wrist…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bvlgari

Those who have been following me on instagram have got already an impression how fabulous my trip to Dubai was this week. Karl Lagerfeld had chosen the Emirates destination as the place to present the Chanel Cruise 2015 collection. You would imagine that past presentations in St. Tropez, Dallas and the Palais de Versailles among others would be hard to top. Think again. It’s Karl Lagerfeld. It was a feast for the eyes, an amazing experience, like the fairytale of One Thousand and One Nights.

The guests, among them celebrities such as Dakota Fanning, Vanessa Paradis, Freida Pinto and Tilda Swinton, were brought by junks to a manmade island off the coast of Dubai where an enormous golden hangar covered in an interlocking double C’s lattice awaited us. From far away it looked like traditional Islamic fretwork.

We were asked to wear flat shoes (even that flats are trending at the moment, this was a challenge for me) as we walked through the sand. With an outdoor temperature of around 36°C, it felt like a beautiful evening in the desert. We were greeted in the souk tents with refreshing lemonades and Arabic coffee while enjoying the Dubai skyline.

Inside comfy, cushioned seating around the catwalk, yummy hors d’oeuvres, champagne and gigantic fake palm trees awaited us.

In the middle of the location, the food was on display that we enjoyed after the show, from mini pita-shawarmas and falafel with date chutney to pistachio baklava.

The show was beautiful, Karl Lagerfeld dreamed up his “idea of a romantic, modern Orient, a new One Thousand and One Nights.” He mixed precious and costume jewelry and played with the sickle-moon motif. Those pearl crescent-moon hair pieces and Bedouin-inspired cuffs are divine. Aladdin’s slippers, harem pants, ghutra-pattern-inspired jackets, mosaiced skirts, necklines and embroidered leather camellias bring the Arabian culture into the Chanel style in a respectful and culturally sensitive way.

It wouldn’t be Karl Lagerfeld though if he didn’t add some humor to his collection. I adore the tunic tops hemmed in a sequined version of the Dubai skyline and the golden jerrycan bag will surely be on many shopping lists.

After the dinner, we enjoyed a private concert by Janelle Monáe.

Vanessa Paradis with me after the show

Sweet Dakota Fanning

Tilda Swinton giving an interview outdoors

When we walked back to the boats through the candle-lit sandy path, it felt like a million-and-one Arabian nights. Thank you, Chanel, for this beautiful night. In the September issue of L’Officiel Switzerland, you will find an exclusive report and some amazing pictures. Stay tuned!

While you are reading this, I am already on my way to the next adventure. For one evening, I fly to Shanghai with Omega for an exceptional dinner with George Clooney.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Chanel

It’s a men’s post but looking into Chris Pine‘s amazing blue eyes, I am sure that my female readers will get inspired by this code of seduction as well. The handsome Hollywood star is the new face to embody the charisma of the timeless seducer, this magnetic charm which symbolizes Armani Code, one of the most successful Giorgio Armani fragrances for the past decade.

Armani Code Ice is a new, fresher and brighter limited edition interpretation of the original, developed by Alberto Morillas, Master Perfumer at Firmenich.

AROMATIC
Top notes: Mint, lemon and spicy ginger.
Middle notes: Geranium and lavender.
Base notes: Woodsy notes.

ARMANI CODE ICE (50ml) CHF 89.00 and (75ml) CHF 117.00.
Available in Switzerland from May 2014 exclusively at Import Parfümerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani

Prada’s latest fragrance evolved from the concept of an imaginary flower created especially for Candy. Of course, Candy cannot simply have any flower. Her flower has to be wondrous and sophisticated, unlike any other. One that is simply unique.

Prada Candy Florale is the third fragrance from the Prada Candy collection. The original Candy was launched in 2011, followed by Candy L’Eau in 2013

PRADA CANDY FLORALE
FLORAL FRUITY GOURMAND
Top note: Sorbet of Limoncello
Middle note: Peonies
Base note: Musks, Benzoin and Caramel

Available in perfumeries and selected warehouses by the end of April 2014 as Eau de Toilette Spray 30ml (CHF 74.00), 50ml (CHF 99.00) and 80ml (CHF  127.00).

Steven Meisel captures Léa Seydoux as Candy at her most sensual and uplifting for the new ad campaign, with the fragrance transporting her into a dreamlike state. Just beautiful!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada and © Sandra Bauknecht