Sandra‘s Closet

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.

MAC Cosmetics has chosen Rihanna as their new spokesperson for 2014.
The dynamic beauty launches her VIVA GLAM campaign with sultry yet chic lipstick and lipglass in a creamy red frost. Personally speaking, I find her a great match.

The MAC AIDS Fund and the VIVA GLAM program are the heart and soul of the American makeup brand. Every cent of the selling price of those specially launched lip products is donated to the fund and goes toward helping women, men and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Really worth supporting!

I totally agree with Rihanna who said: “To me makeup is a major accessory. It can change an outfit, it can make the outfit, it can be the outfit, and that’s why I like to play with it. Lipstick can glam up a whole look- especially in red.” Buy yours and help!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Last Sunday evening, the 2014 Golden Globe Awards were held in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton. American Hustle was responsible for the most wins (three, including best movie in the comedy/musical category); other multiple-category winners were Dallas Buyers Club, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Breaking Bad and Behind the Candelabra. But of course, we all might be even more interested in the gowns spotted on the red carpet.

One of my favorite looks was worn by Sandra Bullock. The brunette actress went for a bright gown, sporting a striking pink, black and blue Prabal Gurung dress teamed with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry with her hair pulled into a side ponytail.

YOU CAN ORDER SANDRA BULLOCK’S COLOURFUL DOUBLEFACE SATIN V-NECK GOWN HERE.

Fellow nominee Cate Blanchett took home the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her role in Blue Jasmine and striked a pose in amazing lace backless Armani Privé couture gown. Personally speaking, this is how a winner should look like!

Her makeup was done by Jeanine Lobell who used NARS Love Blush from the Final Cut Collection along with Eyebrow Perfector and Brow Gel.

NARS Final Cut Collection for Spring 2014 (coming out in February).

Bringing world class sustainable luxury centre stage, the blonde actress paired her couture gown with a pair of earrings from Chopard’s Green Carpet Collection, featuring marquise-cut white diamonds (11 carats) set in a laurel design, crafted in 18-carat Fairmined white gold. She also selected a white diamond line bracelet (35 carats) set in platinum, and a white diamond ring featuring three stacked rows of brilliant-cut diamonds (6 carats) set in 18-carat white gold.

Founder of the Green Carpet Challenge (GCC), Livia Firth says, ‘Cate Blanchet is both a fashion icon and a woman with an intuitive grasp of the issues that matter. By choosing to wear Chopard jewels for the Golden Globes, she is supporting a profound and dynamic shift toward sustainable luxury that affects change right at the beginning of the supply chain among artisanal miners.’ If you like to find out more about the dynamic project, please click here for a previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Steve Granitz/WireImage – © Jason Merritt/Getty Images – © Getty – Courtesy of Nars

When I first heard that Gwen Stefani was teaming up with OPI for a limited edition collection, I couldn’t contain my excitement. Inspired by the 2013 Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala that featured the theme “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” seven new nail lacquers, featuring standout color in breakthrough finishes will launch in January 2014.

Highlights from the collection include a bold red lacquer that pays homage to Gwen’s signature lipstick, a new semi-matte satin finish in shades of gold and black, and a mirrored chrome paired with a special base coat.

From left to right:
Over & Over A-Gwen – Gwen’s signature red OPI hue is available in a boxed set, which includes Swarovski black crystals and silver, gold and pewter studs in bar, square, diamond and circle shapes for creating unique nail designs, as well as nail glue for easy application.
Hey Baby (a perfect pink) and I Sing in Color (a deep blackberry) are also two glossy crème lacquers.

From left to right:
Love.Angel.Music.Baby. and 4 in the Morning feature a new, semi-matte satin finish designed to be worn without top coat.
In True Stefani Fashion is a sparkly holographic silver glitter shade.

My favorite: Push and Shove, a bold chrome hue, is also worn without top coat but requires a special complimentary base.

The collection will be in stores worldwide in January 2014, in Switzerland it will launch on the 21st and be available for around 3 months.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: ©2014 OPI Products Inc.

If you are somebody who is not very keen on wearing heavy foundation but still likes to mask flaws and add a little radiance to your complexion, you might thank me forever for this post. Here is a product that offers great coverage with a light and airy feeling. I tried it and it is truly amazing as it simultaneously moisturizes the skin throughout the day.

MIRACLE AIR DE TEINT is Lancôme‘s latest foundation launch and beautiful Penelope Cruz stars in the ad campaign. Try it, you will love it. It is like a veil, the lightweight formula is outstanding. A new makeup generation due to a mixture of volatile and semi-volatile oils, with “miraculous particles“, that are consisting of 90% air.

In Switzerland, Miracle Air de Teint will be available in 12 shades starting this month for CHF 62.00 a bottle.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Lily Collins is the face of Lancôme‘s Spring 2014 makeup collection FRENCH BALLERINE. Looking at her gorgeous brows, her beautiful complexion and her striking resemblance to Audrey Hepburn, it was only a matter of time before the actress and daughter of Phil Collins landed a beauty contract. And it couldn’t be a better fit as Lily’s grandmother, Jane Hale, was dancing en pointe professionally in the forties.

Her first campaign was lensed by Mario Testino. Lancôme‘s FRENCH BALLERINE features the most romantic products inspired by the pink satin ribbons sewn onto toe shoes. For every woman who ever dreamed of wearing a tutu.

BLUSH HIGHLIGHTER
01 Rose Ballerine CHF 65.00

HYPNÔSE PALETTE DOLL EYES
D06 Rose Ballerine CHF 79.00

OMBRE HYPNÔSE DAZZLING
DO114 Topaze Dorée – DO215 Spinelle Rose CHF 48.00 each

CRAYON KHÔL HYPNÔSE WATERPROOF
07 Taupe CHF 36.00

GLOSS IN LOVE
010 Volumizer CHF 49.00
202 Mocha Queen – 302 Rose Oscar CHF 45.00 each

VERNIS IN LOVE
030 Undercoat Color Booster – 366 Rose Satin – 537N Pearl Grey CHF 26.00 each

This beautiful and romantic collection will hit the shelves this month in Switzerland.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lancôme

During the last two weeks, the Grand Palais hosted the flagship exhibition dedicated to the spirit of Miss Dior, the house’s famous and first fragrance. To celebrate the opening night, celebrities such as Natalie Portman, the face of Dior, Sophie Marceau, Karl Lagerfeld and many more came to see the exhibition themselves, followed by an amazing after party also hosted at the Grand Palais. I felt very honored to be invited to such an exclusive event.

Arriving with Mary Ma, international model and Chinese fashion designer.

Christian Dior himself, a creative and visionary genius, managed to unite couture and perfumes. During my visit to the exhibition, I enjoyed exploring the designer’s life and work plus his artistic influences.

To illustrate his passion for art, it also presented the works of fifteen contemporary women artists, who were inspired by the iconic scent Miss Dior. Below you can see my favorite artworks.

ALYSON SHOTZ
” I love that idea of there being no surface, no inside or outside. Surface is structure, and vice versa. These shapes are created by assembling a large whole, piece by piece. The observer visually combines all the little parts and when he walks around the sculpture, his eyes and brain assemble these shapes in different ways.”

For New Yorker Alyson Shotz, the rose theme, a flower dear to Christian Dior, also inspired her sculpture Infinite Rose with its reflections of steel and dichroic film, which changes color and shape depending on the movement of light, and that of the observer.

MARIA NEPOMUCENO
“I decided to bring the bottle of Miss Dior perfume, which for me is an object related to elegance and delicacy, to my own universe. I transformed the shape of the bottle into an object made of clay, from which tentacles and roots protrude, but also crevices with emerging organic elements.”

Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1976, Maria transcends the Miss Dior bottle to create an organic and sensual installation using different material. Spirals of nylon, rope, straw and woven pearls are rolled up in an endless process, like a living sculpture, moving matter that bonds everyday life, cosmology and genetics.

JOANA VASCONCELOS
“I enjoyed being able to merge with the Miss Dior spirit, and its combination of extremes, that engage the world of couture and playfulness, architectural rigor and cotton candy lightness.”

My avid readers might recognize Joana Vasconcelos from her current solo exhibition at the Gucci Museo in Florence. For Dior, she has imagined a carbon fiber bow some 3 meters wide adorned with almost 1.665 perfume bottles and LED lights. This is probably the most impressive installation of the exhibition.

NIKA ZUPANG
“Starting out with a vision of the idealized and somewhat conservative Dior woman, I wanted to shake up her image. I didn’t want to distort it, I just set out to highlight the strengths of her unique, singular character.”

Recognized the world over for her objects midway between fantasy and narration, the Slovenian designer explores femininity from every angle with a series of pieces and collaborations, highlighting sensuality and seduction. Here, she created a fairy-tale pavilion dedicated to women and their aspirations. This was one of my favorite artworks of the exhibition.

KAREN KILIMNIK
“When seeing this piece, I would like visitors to the exhibition to want to take a look through the archives of Dior.”

Born in Philadelphia, Karen Kilimnik dramatizes today’s consumer society and the world of images through her paintings and lyrical installations, with a profound sense of romanticism. Inspired by the 18th century Drottingholm Theater in Sweden and the design sets for Alexei Ratmansky’s production of Psyche, but also fascinated by the Dior archives and first models, she has taken a new look at the follies and gloryfiers.

CAROLE BENZAKEN
“In Miss Dior, I don’t see a woman, I see colors and landscapes. It is a relationship between skin and veins, heart and heartbeat, music, life.”

With Carole Benzaken, media – drawing, painting, photography, video -, intertwine and overlap each other. She designed a majestic but fragile opalescent glass sculpture spanning one meter, surrounded by seven back-lit vats decorated with wooded landscaped drawings, like the idea of a liquid and immaterial fragrance that takes up and appropriates space.

POLLY APFELBAUM
” I decided to create a work that reflected Dior’s audacity and the brand’s tradition of allying the new with the classical.”

It was the houndstooth pattern that inspired the American artist’s large-scale installation, hand-woven in Mexico using the traditional weaving techniques of Oaxaca.

LEE BUL
“Smell is the most closely related sense to memory. A sense that appeals to emotions more than a reason.”

An unmissable figure from the Asian artistic scene, she created a dozen monumental sculptures in crystal and aluminum. For this exhibition, she has taken a new look at the olfactive memory of Miss Dior, its light and modernity at the center of an installation designed as a manifesto, standing 5 meters high and weighing almost 500 kg.

I stepped inside this suspended cocoon for a private journey on self-reflection.

CARLA MATTI
“I chose to interpret the theme of Dior’s beloved rose in my own poetical way.”

Under a venomous hybrid appearance, the works of Carla Matti are about nature and reality, the world and its virtual dimension. This young Italian artist scanned then recomposed and computer printed in 3-D the legendary Miss Dior rose which is transformed into a sculpted rose garden full of original flowers taken from a bend of five different floral varieties.

At the after party: Having fun with the fabulous Montasar Dumas.

It was such a fabulous event and I truly had a blast. If you like my look, here are all the details: Black strapless dress by Prada, pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps by Saint Laurent, skirt belt, feather stole, handbag and pearl necklace, all by Dior.

Thank you Vanity Fair for featuring me among the most amazing celebrities!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior, Vanity Fair and © Sandra Bauknecht