Sandra‘s Closet

Every year, IWC Schaffhausen is lauded at SIHH (the Salon International de l’Haute Horlogerie in Geneva), for having the biggest and most spectacular booth. Remember last year’s Portofino theme which was truly amazing? (If not, please click here.)

This year is no different. The booth turned out even more spectacular than ever before, designed to look and feel like a US Aircraft Carrier. The highlight was a spectacular, real-life flight simulator in the body of a real fighter jet.

No wonder that many celebrities came to see the booth and to explore the newest collection of Pilot’s watches.

Please enjoy my photos below!

LoL, Sandra

German actor Sebastian Koch listening carefully to his “flight instructions”

Singer Ronan Keating with me

Famous actor Ewan McGregor (Star Wars prequel trilogy, Trainspotting, Moulin Rouge)

CEO of IWC, Georges Kern, with his wife Monika Kern and Ewan McGregor

Gorgeous Victoria Secret supermodel Adriana Lima…

…had a lot of fun.

From left to right: Ewan McGregor, Ronan Keating, Marc Forster and Georges Kern.

What have those gentlemen in common?

They all wear IWC watches.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The 69th Annual Golden Globes awards took place in Beverley Hills last night and for us it is a pleasure to see who wore which designer. Unfortunately, Madonna (in Reem Acra), Kelly Osbourne (in Zac Posen) and Sarah Michelle Gellar (in Monique Lhuillier) are NOT on my best dressed list. Please see who is below!

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

Elle MacPherson in a stunning gown by Zac Posen

Nicole Kidman in Versace

Zooey Deschanel in Custom Prada

Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture

Natalie Portman in Lanvin

Evan Rachel Wood in a stunning Gucci Première gown.

The award for cuteness goes definitely to the dog from the “The Artist”. The movie that won BEST PICTURE. He was the top dog and certainly stole the show…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Getty Images, © WireImages, @ AP

It is Christmas time and the best gift of all comes from the heart. Therefore I would like to introduce you the Little Dreams Foundation that was created in February 2000 by jewelry designer Orianne and her husband at that time, famous singer Phil Collins. Although that the couple is not together anymore, they share their passion for this wonderful project.

Recently, I had the pleasure to meet them in Zurich and talk a little about the idea behind the Little Dreams Foundation.

Phil Collins framed by Orianne Collins to the right and me to the left

The project’s mission is to fulfil the dreams of young talents, with and without disabilities, in sport and the arts. The Foundation is structured around 13 Worlds of Dreams (The world of music, the world of dance and figure skating, the world of entertainment, the world of circus, the world of ball sports, the world of wheel, the world of mountains, the world of exploring, the world of athletics, the world of martial arts, the world of horse rididng, the world of water sports and the world of art and literature).

In each of these worlds, Little Dreams strives to provide young hopefuls training and a personalised program. This is in order to give them the means to realise their dreams and maybe even enable them to make a career out of their passions. Think about all those children who grow up in not so privileged circumstances, having an amazing talent that lies waste because the family has no money to nurture it. This is when the Little Dreams Foundation steps in. Another section is a program called NO DIFFERENCE that aims to support talented young people with physical or mental disabilities.

For more information, I would like to invite you to visit the homepage by clicking here.

SUPPORTING THE LITTLE DREAMS FOUNDATION
If you liked to offer your support, the Little Dreams Foundation would be happy to accept a donation. A big thank you in advance for your generosity!

UBS SA Genève
Place de Cornavin 12
1201 Genève
Fondation Little Dreams
Compte N° 240-115651.04M
IBAN: CH78 0024 0240 1156 5104 M

With this in mind, I would like to quote one of Phil Collins’s famous lyrics:
„Oh, think twice, `cause it’s just another day for you and me in paradise…“.

Giving feels great and never forget, what goes around, comes around!
Merry Christmas!

LoL, Sandra

Are you a dog lover? What is your favourite breed?
Are you more a Balenciaga German Sheperd or a Givenchy Rottweiler?
Let the dog fight begin!

Riccardo Tisci, Givenchy’s Creative Director, chose prints of rabid-looking Rottweilers for his F/W 2011 Givenchy men’s collection that has also attracted many women, among them famous Liv Tyler who showed up in the same sweater as Kanye West during Paris Fashion Week.

I love both, but I am completely thrilled for the Rottweiler. I like the 90’s gangster-style, hip hop attitude that comes with it. But probably it is because I grew up with those dogs even that I have to admit I am not their biggest fan. As for me, there are much more beautiful dogs in this world. But a Golden Retriever would never look as cool and stylish as a Rottweiler!

Riccardo Tisci got photographed by Steven Klein for Interview magazine dripping with blood in a kind of macabre setting.

If you are interested, here is your last chance to get a Rottweiler T-shirt by Givenchy that is even on sale. Just click on the highlighted text!

And if you have a real dog, check out this product:

Aesop Animal

A mild body and fur wash containing botanical extracts to cleanse even the most delicate animal skins and furs. Animal is formulated with the same research, development and care that we apply to our human product range. Enriched with Lemon Rind, Tea Tree and Spearmint Leaf extracts.

500ml, CHF 46 / £23

LoL, Sandra

Spotted on many celebrities, the Balenciaga.Leather biker jacket can be named a true classic. Each season, the French fashion house is launching it in new tempting colours.  The jacket has long sleeves, zip up detail and is made of 100% lamb skin.

While the classic black version never goes out of style, your daydream calls probably for a slightly more whimsical iteration of the biker look.

I am having it in a bright orange and I am loving it! Below I am wearing it with leather pants by Balenciaga, a top by Miu Miu, shoes by YSL and a daisy necklace by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Lindsay Lohan‘s highly classified Playboy photo shoot leaked to the internet, one week before the issue was set to hit newsstands. The famous magazine is said to have paid $1 million for this Marilyn Monroe-inspired spread.

Her feet instantly caught my eye because I spotted a fabulous pair of tan Tribtoo suede leather pumps by Yves Saint Laurent.

A great investment and a wonderful gift for yourself. And if you put them on and nothing else, you might have found the perfect X-mas surprise for your partner as well.
To the art of seduction! It is never too late to be nice, isn’t it?

LoL, Sandra

I just spent 48 hours in London that were filled with many interesting events, parties and meetings. Let me get started with the launch party for the ‘Cabinet de Curiosites de Thomas Erber’ 2011.

After his successful collaboration with Parisian concept store Colette in 2010, fashion consultant and former journalist Thomas Erber has brought his cabinet to Browns in London. Showcasing a very interesting selection of pieces including everything from fashion and furniture design, to travel packages, art and photography, Erber has gathered many internationally renowned artists and designers to fill his cabinet with their most unique creations.

My key to “Le Cabinet de Curiosités de Thomas Erber”

Thomas Erber with me

„My quest, has always been to push the limits of creativity, to me it is the only thing that feeds the dream living in each of us. Browns, since the beginning, has been the coolest place in the city to me, it has always defended elegance and most importantly independent designers more than anything or anyone else in London.“

– Thomas Erber

Designer Christopher Kane with me (Love his designs! Click here for a previous post)

Here are my favourite curiosities:

FASHION

Rodarte – The Piece

In 2011, the Rodarte sisters, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, joined with two of the world’s most highly acclaimed photographers, Catherine Opie and Alec Soth, to create the first publication to explore and examine the world of Rodarte.

For Thomas Erber’s cabinet at Browns, Rodarte have collaborated with artist Rebekah Miles on a one of a kind book cover, hand painted with an image from the book.

£ 250

Lulu Guinness – The Piece

Designed to befit the expression, “Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder”, this bespoke bag is characteristic of Lulu’s wit and charm. The cubic evening bag is covered in black satin with a wrist strap and is presented in another larger cube which is hand-embroidered with the designer’s iconic handwriting.

£ 1995

 

Manolo Blahnik – The Piece

“Albero” – an exquisitely delicate shoe. Crafted in crocodile, silk satin leaves encase the ankle, while the foot rests on orange satin lining.

£ 3850 (size 37)

 

Melinda Gloss – The Piece

Melinda Gloss is the in 2006 established label by childhood friends Rémi de Laquintane and Mathieu de Ménonville.

High quality meets high fashion, as a traditional tweed overcoat is given a modern dressing-down by a hooded inner-layer. Raw edging gives the reassuringly weighty material a sense of lightness without compromising its warmth.

The three coats are available in size 50 for £ 1750 each.

CURIOSITIES & ART

I-Woodesign

A unique jewelry box and watch box in Tamo Ash, one of the rarest and most reasured woods in the world. Sleek and sophisticated by design, the rich finish of the wood results in a piece which is strikingly superior in every sense.

Jewelry Box £ 7200, Watch Box £ 6300

Hungarian-born artist Kata Legrady is a very interesting woman to talk to. She has attracted international fame for her iconic series “Guns & Candies”. A former child soldier, she draws inspiration from her childhood memories.

While we were talking, this bag by Christian Louboutin caught her eyes. It reminded her of a bomb, funny enough!

Kata Legrady – The Piece

‘A 47 Kalashnikov, multicolour original gun with applicated “Smarties” covered with Plexiglass’

The internationally celebrated series, “Guns and Candies” was started in 2008, and is a set of colourful and oversized pieces exploring Legrady’s double fascination with war arms and candies. The Smarties are simultaneously enigmatic, alluring and scary, and appear to leave a residual trace on the retina, like a persisitent dream or a meditative vision. Truly popular art in the very Warholian meaning of the word, these images and artifacts are universally accessible and immediately identifiable. They demand only a little empathy from the viewer’s part, therefore investing each beholder with a power to reveal both their symbolic and artistic qualities.

£ 25000

London based designer Paul Kelley

Paul Kelley – The Piece

A stainless steel polished desk/dressing table with a mirror and a blue acrylic lined interior. The handsome yet elegant work boasts solid brass-plated drawers and solid teak interiors.

£ 54000
All photos above: © Sandra Bauknecht

 

TRAVEL

“Riders”, 40 x 60 cm, Silver gelatine print, fiber paper, B & W, argentic print, single copy. Especially made for the Cabinet Of Curiosities of Thomas Erber, 2011 edition at Browns by Elina Kechicheva, £ 1840.

LES VOYAGES DE THOMAS BY KUONI

The Road Trip

A mesmerizing and romantic road trip leads to Uruguay, to the edge of the end of the world, just between the “elder brothers” of Brazil and Argentina, and along the Uruguayan coast – which will slowly unveil its mysteries and wonders in a land that is yet to be fully discovered.

A ten day trip will start approximately at £2150 per person (without flights).

Photographs by Elina Kechicheva also available, £ 1840

The Family Safari

A magical, adventurous family trip to the heart of rugged but soulful Namibia, the “king country”, a jewel located on the west coast of southern Africa. Travelers will venture away from the famous Skeleton Coast to the untouched Namib Desert, where safaris are still real and wild – and will be accompanied by dedicated and knowledgeable local people who will help them to experience the real Namibia.

A ten day trip will start approximately at £ 4285 per person (without flights).

 

The after party took place in London’s newly opened up hot spot: Le Baron.
Here are some photos of the night:

Mark van Huisseling with me

Christian Louboutin and Henry Holland

Mickey got all excited seeing…

…a half naked beauty. 
Photos: © Jean Picou

A real cabinet of curiosties!

LoL, Sandra

Today, net-à-porter has released a gown almost identical to Pippa Middleton’s bridesmaid dress that she wore to her sister Kate’s royal wedding to Prince William on April 29 this year.

The cowl-neck dream designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is not exactly the same and comes with minor differences to the original gown. It has for example a covered zip at the back instead of fabric buttons and the sleeves and neck seams have been alternated. Pippa’s version was made of heavy ivory silk and a customized order.

In the mood for pulling a Pippa? I just couldn’t resist…

LoL, Sandra

39-year-old Latin singer Ricky Martin and 28-year-old rapper Nicki Minaj took over as faces from Lady Gaga for MAC’s new 2012 Viva Glam campaign. Shot by famous photgrapher David LaChapelle, the two stars pose next to a giant lipstick.

The collection is for a good cause. Every cent of the selling price of MAC VIVA GLAM lipstick and lipgloss is donated to the MAC AIDS fund.

LoL, Sandra

Talking in superlatives! OMG – what a night! Tuesday evening, I attended the fashion show and after party for the launch of Versace for H&M in New York City. The venue was decorated in true Versace style in a specially designed building on the Hudson River. I was entering the world of Versace from the moment I set foot on the red carpet and so were the famous guests such as Uma Thurman, Blake Lively, Chace Crawford, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Hudson and Selma Blair. Enjoy all my photos from this Versace for H&M extravaganza and see who performed live on stage! Stay also tuned for an interview with Donatella Versace to be posted soon.

Famous guitarist and music producer Mark Ronson in the hot pink Versace for H&M suit.

Sweet Jessica Alba in a studded Versace for H&M dress with me.

Uma Thurman looked so stunning when she said: “I think it is so exciting for Versace to made available to everyone. The collection is cool, colourful, young and very hip. I can’t wait to see the show.”

British model and TV presenter Jade Parfitt with me.

The other way around: Renowned photographer Bruce Webber in front of the camera.

Blogger love: Bryanboy and me

As for me, the sexiest shoe designer on earth: Brian Atwood.

American actress and niece of Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts in Versace for H&M florals.

Another well-known face: Photographer Terry Richardson

Girlfriends: Jade Parfitt having fun with German model Christina Kruse.

Let the show begin: The catwalk was paved with gold, the perfect environment in which to preview the Versace for H&M collection. The iconic looks, including some unique special pieces created for this exclusive event, were worn on the catwalk by top models such as Abbey Lee, Daphne G, Natasha Poly, Sean O’pry and Lindsay Wixson. The collection that will hit the shelves in 300 stores worldwide on November 17th, 2011.
For a closer view on the amazing pieces, I recommend this previous post.

When the show was finished, Donatella Versace appeared on the runway and two gigantic gates opened. She invited the fashionable crowd to follow her to the next hall where the after party took place.

Donatella Versace

The first act was a live performance of rap and pop superstar Nicki Minaj, dressed head to toe in Versace for H&M.

Later on, Nicki Minaj joined famous host Donatella to enjoy the show of Prince which was truly unbeatable. He is such an artist and musician. The way he sings, dances and moves captivates you from the first moment. When he started the chords of Purple Rain, the audience went crazy.

In case you think that Prince was the culmination of the night, you are mistaken. After he was finished, another gate opened, the one to shopping heaven. Behind those doors, a gigantic H&M pop-up store was located where the guests could buy the new Versace for H&M collection and all the celebrities joined in the fun. What a night!

This is probably my longest post ever, but this night is just unforgettable. Thank you H&M for letting me be part of it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht