Sandra‘s Closet

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.

Dianne and me

Meet my glamourous girlfriend Dianne Brill! The incarnation of a vixen with her signature features like the bouffant platinum blonde hair-do, the perfect eye make-up with long lashes and the amazing hourglass figure was known as “The Queen of the Night” in the Eigthies. The American maneater modeled for big names like Thierry Mugler, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood and wrote a book how to become a sex goddess with the title “Boobs, Boys and High Heels”. I had enjoyed reading it long before I met her at a party in Zurich where she is living now with her family.

Since 2003 she has an eponymous line of make-up that is inspired by the boudoir. Her love for detail shows in the most special and cute packaging that I have ever seen for beauty products. Have a look at my favourites named adorably “Panties in a Bunch”: six little lipglosses called for example Frilly Thong or Satin Hipster. This set is such a nice gift for a girlfriend as it looks like a box of chocolates. I mean how can you not love glosses in candy form? Her false lashes come in a set of three with glue included and are the best ones I know.

Dianne, me and Shawne Fielding

Log onto her website for a retailer near you and for more information on the entire make-up, perfume and care products collections. In Zurich you can find it at Jelmoli.

Happy Browsing!

LoL, Sandra

Over the years she became good friends with many other celebrities.

Photos: Courtesy of Ferragamo