Sandra‘s Closet

My favourite “Desperate Housewife” Eva Longoria Parker arrived at the Côte d`Azur last Wednesday to celebrate the 63rd Cannes Annual Film Festival in great style. No doubt was she aware of the many photographers awaiting her touchdown at Nice Airport when she tottered on her blue suede “Tribtoo” pumps by Yves Saint Laurent out of the gate, well accessorized with her Hermès bangles and Birkin bag. Her assumingly travel-weary eyes covered with a pair of Ray-Ban wayfarer sunglasses.

At the opening night premiere of “Robin Hood”, Eva caused a stir in a white silk chiffon gown by Emilio Pucci. Her long train added the right amount of red carpet drama. A silver Swarovski clutch and coral jewelry by De Grisogno completed her breathtaking look. Absolutely gorgeous was that she kept the make-up natural and her updo classy-elegant. She looked so radiant without trying too hard.

The next day, Eva went shopping swarmed by paparazzi and fans. When it is time to pose and show, Eva delivers. The petite actress was very fashion-forward and enhanced her toned small body in a gray Hervé Léger by Max Azria F/W 2010 bandage dress with beautiful details like peplums on the hips and a lace-up neckline. Her Birkin bag and her YSL pumps that she had already worn upon her arrival, along with classic aviator-style shades topped off her look perfectly.

In the evening, the lovely Mrs. Longoria Parker wowed again at the “On Tour” Premiere at the Palais des Festivals in a nude crystal-encrusted gown by Indian-born designer Naeem Khan. Eva is known to be a huge fan of his ornate, intricately detailed works.

Eva with me

To me, Eva was one of the best dressed actresses at the opening days of the Cannes Film Festival. But not only the stunning outfits made me think that as they would look probably great on others as well. It was more her pose and striking attitude that demonstrated her powerful allure. My Fashion Award goes to little Eva!

LoL, Sandra

Nina Arnold-Shah

Bracelets, preferably many different ones worn together, are absolute must-haves. Celebs like Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Ritchie do not leave the house without being heavily armed. If you dream of stacking it like the stars, visit Nina and her Kids and the City shop. The charming mother of two sells a huge variety of those It-pieces.

Bracelet "Biscuit" CHF 79.-

Kids CHF 69.-

Charm Bracelets, CHF 79.-

Elastic Bracelets, CHF 79.- each

Sautoir "Biscuit" CHF 235.-

Sautoir "Medailles", from CHF 400.-

If you are looking for the perfect little special gift, Kids and the City is definitely the place to go. Most pieces can be personalized like the engraved medals “sautoirs” , passport covers or hand painted Swedish clogs for Mums and their little ones. I love to order my gifts for newborn babies at Nina`s.

Clogs, CHF 115.-/160.-

Personalized Bags, CHF 59.-

Necklace, CHF 95.- per engraved pendant

Bows, CHF 8.-/10.-, Hairpieces CHF 10.-

Scarfs by TANK, CHF 510.-

Personalized Baby Cushions, CHF 75.-

Passport Covers, CHF 54.-

If you are interested, do not hesitate to contact Nina at or +41 79 7683723. In case you are living in the Zurich area, you are more than welcome to visit her next week on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th of May from 10am – 6pm (or by appointment) as she is having a special “May Shopping Spree” on those days. Her address is Breitackerstr. 4, 8702 Zollikon. See you there!

LoL, Sandra

Photos:© Sandra Bauknecht

The recent edition of German Vogue is dedicated to womanhood. A good reason to show topmodel Claudia Schiffer during her last days of her third pregnancy. The beautiful blonde was photographed by Karl Lagerfeld and nine other famous photographers.

Moreover she is talking about her style favourites and beauty secrets. That she is a real “profashional” prove the paparazzi photos of her in London during her pregnancy. Always trendy and never without her Balenciaga patchwork bag.
Claudia- a complete artwork made in Germany.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Vogue

This for all serious Ford devotees: The Private Blend Lip Colour collection by Tom Ford consisiting of 12 flattering colours. The formula contains moisturizing Brazilian murumuru butter, chamomilla flower oil and soja seed – very creamy and easy to apply.
The chic cases in ivory with gold accents are just as sexy as the man himself. The price is exceptional: $45.-/ £35.-/ CHF 68.-.

British Vogue introduced the new beauty must-haves with a special event at Selfridges, London on Thursday night. The best-selling shades were “Cherry Lush” , a classic glowing red, and “Pure Pink”, a juicy fuchsia. From today, the lipsticks are exclusively available at Selfridges. Call the Customer Services team on 0800 123 400 for international delivery. The collection will reach the rest of Europe in May and cross the pond on June 1st.

Me with two of my idols: Tina Turner and Tom Ford.

Rumors were out since a long time but now it is definitely no secret that Tom Ford is making a foray into womenswear. He will be designing his own line for ladies that is likely to launch over the next year.
Getting excited like me? No worries, I will keep you posted. Thank God we have a Tom Ford store in Zurich!

LoL, Sandra

Here are some news for my Swiss based readers: The stylish S/S 2010 collection could have been admired at the trunk show hosted by Ruth Reinger last week at her store Designer am See located in Kilchberg/ Lake Zurich.

The printed silk dresses are skyrocketing bestsellers. Those outfits are perfect for your summer vacation in the South of France or Sardinia. Dozens of them could be packed in one single bag, they are comfortable and great for partying.

This multicoloured PVC coated beach bag was the generous give-away at the trunk show. My compliments to Ruth Reinger! It was a great event.
If you are interested, Designer am See carries Pucci exclusively in Zurich, have a look for yourself!

LoL, Sandra

In the last two weeks, after the release of the Weltwoche Style edition, I have received so many lovely e-mails from my Swiss readers asking me about the black leather jacket that I am wearing in the photo.
It is from Balmain`s last F/W 2009 collection and definitely one of my favourite pieces in my closet. The sleek cut is divine and emphasises all the good parts of the body. The metal chain adorning one sleeve gives it a rock-chic appearance and can also be removed. Stylists around the world love this motorcycle jacket in supersoft leather as you can see above.

But no worries if you missed that one, Christophe Decarnin designed two other interesting variations for this summer. The cut has remained the same, but colours and materials follow the newest trends: military and denim. I can recommend both as those are the perfect stylish addition to your wardrobe.

Beyoncé was seen recently at a basketball game wearing Balmain`s canvas version in olive green paired with a pair of Balmain`s camouflage jeans and some rivet suede pumps by Brian Atwood. This military jacket is one of the season`s It-pieces.  But be aware, there is no chance to hide in this stunning look!

Style icon Kate Moss was spotted several times in Balmain`s denim jacket that she combined with her beloved Superfine Blondie skinny jeans and her Kate Moss for Longchamp zebra print bag that she created in collaboration with the French house.

The Balmain pieces are available through www.net-a-porter.com or for the Swiss fashionistas at Trois Pommes and Designer am See.

LoL, Sandra

There has been a talk about the Fendi Peek-A-Boo bag since a few seasons, but all of a sudden it comes out of hiding and has reached the It-bag status. Created by Karl Lagerfeld and shown for the first time at the Fendi S/S 2009 runway, it has appeared in every Fendi show since then in different materials and colours. For the opening of their prestigious new shop in Las Vegas at the MGM Hotel, Fendi launched a limited Peek-A-Boo edition in 24 carats gold leaves (see picture above) for approximately $36.000. Spotted on many celebrities in various sizes, the shape of the bag is very Birkin-esque but with only one handle like the famous Kelly bag. It has a “kangaroo pouch” that can be draped open. The tote is very sophisticated but not looking to bourgeois like his Hermès forerunners plus the prices are far more attractive.

I am totally in love with them. Especially the unclasped look gives the bag a kind of sloughy cool appearance. My only problem is to decide which one I prefer as there are sooooo many beautiful versions out there. This summer my favourite model is the tapestry one but probably it is worth waiting with a view to the stunning yellow leopard version from the upcoming winter collection, see below.

For my Swiss based readers, Bongénie Grieder carries those bags.
Have you decided yet?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Fendi

Me with Depeche Mode`s lead singer Dave Gahan

Swiss watchmaker Hublot and one of my favourite bands, Depeche Mode, had teamed up to create 12 exclusive Big Bang timepieces featuring the group`s album artwork. Each watch came in a box comprising some additional Depeche Mode gadgets and was auctioned off.
Last weekend Hublot and Depeche Mode presented the proceeds of this incredible joint project: a cheque for over $620.000 to the Teenager Cancer Trust. Dave Gahan, the band`s lead singer, had committed himself with great enthusiasm to the event after having recovered from his own cancer surgery last May.

If you are sad that you missed those charity watches, have a look at one of the newest signature Hublot models: the Big Bang Rose Steel Tutti Frutti. Not for a good cause, but the 48 baguette-cut pink sapphires are definitely worth the attention. The exquisite rose-coloured dream is accentuated by a matching alligator bracelet and would be the perfect eyecatcher for your wrist this summer. I am not always the biggest Hublot fan but this version gets my vote.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hublot and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week in St. Moritz, Dianne Brill, whom you have met yesterday, and I went for a coffee to the Palace hotel. My American girlfriend fell immediately in love with my tribute for Alexander McQueen sweater. I had bought the striped piece with the slogan “God save McQueen” almost two years ago. It seems like his decision to kill himself aroused much earlier. Our conversation about the death of this fabulous designer started and we came up with a BRILLiant idea for the perfect successor: Thierry Mugler.

It would be kind of ironic. If you start looking closer, you will see that McQueen took a lot of his inspirations from Mugler`s amazing former collections. Thierry was the designer of the Eighties. His style was very much of its time: Extreme proportions like padded and broad shoulders, wasp waists, body-conscious, even fetish exaggerations of the human figures. He used a lot PVC as his favourite material. The insect kingdom was a constant influence along with futuristic and robot themes. Sounds a lot like McQueen and today`s trends, doesn`t it?

Thierry as Manfred Mugler today

Alexander McQueen is definitely the brainchild of Mugler. So it would be a true irony of fate if Mugler who lives today as Manfred Mugler in Las Vegas after his retreat from the fashion world in 2001 took over. Instead of designing fashion the last years, his body became his design work of art. He transformed himself completely. Nowadays he is still involved in his bestselling perfumes like Angel, Alien and A*Men.

As I am having quite a big archive, I was lucky to find a catalog from Thierry`s S/S 1995 collection. I scanned the best pictures for you. Have a look and you will see how Mugler and McQueen are somehow soul brothers.

Recently Mugler served as main costume designer for Beyoncé Knowles latest concert tour. He also contributed to develop the entire show, from lighting to choreography. Several of his famous vintage pieces are seen throughout Knowles` videos.

It seems like he is ready to break fresh ground. Please Thierry come back!

LoL, Sandra

Two living legends: Thierry Mugler and Dianne Brill. He called her his muse.