Sandra‘s Closet

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

Last month, the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards took place on the beach in Santa Monica. Now in its 29th year, the awards are a celebration honouring films made by film-makers who embody independence and originality. I was invited by Piaget, co-host of the star-studded event for the seventh consecutive year.

With several of last year’s most noteworthy films being independent productions, the event drew some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Jared Leto, Jon Hamm, Lupita Nyong’o and Reese Witherspoon, among others. Therefore a gazillion of photographers were waiting for the celebrities to arrive.

Jared Leto had obviously as much fun on the red (in this case blue) carpet as I did…

…and I admit that I could totally getting used to it.

Throughout the afternoon and following the ceremony, award winners and guests celebrated in Piaget’s exclusive backstage lounge where some of the maison’s newest jewelry, as well as rare vintage creations were on display.

From left to right: Lauriane Gilliéron‎ (Miss Switzerland 2005), Mousse Jacquier (Piaget), Nicole Suess (Piaget) and my humble self had fun in the tent.

Mad Men actor Jon Hamm, Angela Bassett, Philippe Léopold-Metzger, CEO of Piaget, and his wife Catherine.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards are like the road to the Academy Awards, held one day before with an outstanding guest list. The spirit winners below also won in the same category at the Oscars 2014.

Best Female Lead
WINNER
Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine (2013)

The blonde actress wore a dress from Roksanda Ilincic‘s Fall 2014 collection.

Best Supporting Female
WINNER
Lupita Nyong’o for 12 Years a Slave (2013)

Thanking her mum for her never-ending support, Lupita Nyong’’o holds her award for best supporting actress for “12 Years a Slave“, the movie that won big at the Independent Spirit Awards, taking home five trophies including best feature.

Me with Brad Pitt who also stars in the historical drama film about slavery.

A pic with Brangelina… that is pretty cool, don’t you think?!

The two stars of AIDS drama Dallas Buyers Club, Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto, took home acting prizes, as they did on Sunday’s Academy Awards.

Best Male Lead
WINNER
Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Best Supporting Male
WINNER
Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Keanu Reeves with me

Angela Bassett looked so radiant and sparkled in white gold and diamond Piaget Rose cutout drop earrings.

Piaget’s global ambassador, Gong Li, dazzled photographers and fans in a stunning pair of Piaget Rose Passion torsade earrings and a Rose cocktail ring, both in white gold with diamonds.

Anthony Chen with me

Anna Kendrick wore a matching suite of Piaget Rose jewels, that looked divine in combination with her white dress and clutch by Dior.

On stage: Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon

Jason Bateman with me

Very handsome is Mad Men actor Jon Hamm.

It was an amazing experience and I am truly thankful for Piaget’s invitation! Stay tuned for my outfit post coming up soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Piaget, Michael Kovac/WireImage and © Sandra Bauknecht

Recently I was invited by Net-à-porter to London for an intimate evening with A-list style icons Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen to preview their beautiful S/S 2014 collection. Named after London’s historic Savile Row, THE ROW delivers a directional take on tailoring with a focus on clean lines and refined cuts.

For the new season, the twins were inspired by travels around the world and imagined a modern, well-dressed nomad woman. There were references of Arabia in the long layers and the models’ veils, Northern Africa in the printed djellaba, a fishing village in the macramé sweater and matching cross-body hobo bag, and some Siberian influences in the dense outerwear.

It’s the first time Ashley and Mary-Kate are offering shoes, and they’ll be sold in limited editions. The Row’s fans would be wise to put their names on the list now.

Mary-Kate to the left and Ashley to the right with me

YOU CAN SHOP THE ROW ONLINE HERE. The best address to get an elegant downtown mix of superbly crafted wardrobe staples.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via style.com and © Sandra Bauknecht

Rosabotanica is the latest addition to the Balenciaga botanical garden that was founded with Florabotanica perfume from 2012. Presenting a fresh version with a touch of sheerness and second skin feeling, this floral green fragrance is based on spicy rose.

Kristen Stewart who is once more the face of the campaign (see last photo of this post) goes topless and wears nothing else but the new scent.

FLORAL GREEN

Top notes: Petitgrain, fig leaf and hyacinth
Middle notes: Rose, pink pepper, grapefruit and cardamom
Base notes: White amber, cedar, vetiver, patchouli and woodsy notes

The fragrance is available as 30ml (CHF 91.00), 50ml (CHF 121.00), 100 ml (CHF 162.00) Eau de Parfum and as Body Lotion (CHF 72.00). In Switzerland exclusively from February 10, 2014 at Marionnaud. It is a truly beautiful scent and I am sure that most of you will love it.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balenciaga

Gucci dressed Beyoncé for her Mrs Carter show, Lady Gaga had the most amazing wardrobe for her Born This Way Ball tour created by Giorgio Armani and now it is Roberto Cavalli‘s turn to provide Miley Cyrus with the most dazzling costumes for her upcoming ‘The Bangerz World Tour’ that will commence on Feb. 14 in Vancouver. Here is a sneak preview:

Black knitwear jumpsuit all over embroidered recreating a zebra pattern.

Nude jumpsuit in stretch silk tulle all over embroidered with Swarovski crystals creating a nude effect on the body.

Washed denim with leopard print jacket, shorts and bra embroidered with a dégradé of blue crystals.

Washed denim with python print jacket, shorts and bra embroidered with a dégradé of blue crystals.

Over washed denim sleeveless jacket,shorts and bra with an all over ombré embroidery of metallic studs and crystals.

As the singer has announced she will include animals in her show, she couldn’t have gone for a better designer to create her outfits than the king of animal prints, Roberto Cavalli. Even that I am not the biggest Miley fan, I really like her looks for the show.

LoL, Sandra

Sketches: © 2014 ROBERTO CAVALLI SPA All rights reserved.