Sandra‘s Closet

We all have this girlfriend that inspires us constantly and that we admire. Mine is Ljuba Manz.

A life full of stories. Her mother’s family lost their hotel and country estate during the revolution in Russia. The father, an Austrian, fled from the Nazis to Kharkov in Ukraine, where Ljuba Manz-Lurje was born in the middle of World War II. She experiences occupied Vienna and the hardships of the previous years of war – and wants only one thing: to leave this poverty behind her.

Today, Ljuba Manz-Lurje is the most famous hotel entrepreneur in Switzerland and leads in third generation othe Manz Privacy Hotels, which also include the «Hotel St. Gotthard» in Zurich.

Ljuba signing her book at the cocktail reception.

This month, her multifaceted biography hit the shelves and we celebrated it with a cocktail reception two weeks ago. It is a good and inspiring read reflecting on her life in all its details, a great gift for a dear friend for Christmas. You can order the book, published by Stämpfli Verlag, by clicking  here.

With Ljuba at the ASW Winter Weekend in 2016.

It shows a woman who first stands on her own feet as a vedette dancer, then becomes a businesswoman in a male-dominated world, marries the Zurich hotelier Caspar E. Manz and fulfills a legacy after his death: to retain and increase the family-owned hotels. Social splendor and human abysses tend to be close together. The great conductor Paul Sacher brings musicians from all over the world to the «Hotel St. Gotthard». At the same time a plot is hatched against the landlord – she is reported to the authorities as a presumably Russian spy.

Pure joie de vivre: Ljuba on stage at the book presentation with her husband since 2014 Marco Conte and presenter Silvia Affolter.

I am proud of my friend, a strong woman full of energy and joie de vivre, who always did it her way. An entrepreneur and a mother of twin brothers who knew how to combine work and private life during times when the term «work-life balance» was still a foreign word. A woman, we can all learn from. Thank you, Ljuba, for being my friend!

LoL, Sandra

So proud to be in her book! What an honour!

Fashion cannot be missing: An Emilio Pucci outfit on display that she once wore to a gala.

What an experience! I was Ljuba’s guest at the famous Vienna Opera Ball this year.

Many famous people came to celebrate Ljuba, here you see her with Alt Bundesrat Merz of the Swiss Federal Council.

With Raquel Marquard at the book premiere.

On display many memories from Ljuba’s past.

Sabine Hirsch-Avram also joined this wonderful occasion.

Proof that Ljuba counts many fashionable ladies among her friends: those Gucci, Dior and Marco de Vincenzo shoes had to be photographed.

Photos: Courtesy of Ljuba Manz, © Zuza Speckert, © David Biedert, © Sabine Hirsch-Avram and Sandra Bauknecht

PRADA TO OPEN PRADA MODE MIAMI DURING ART BASEL
DECEMBER 4TH – 6TH, 2018

Prada presents Prada Mode, a club that invites its members to experience art, music, dining, conversations and late night festivities with a focus on contemporaneity at large and local. Imagined as a club that augments and extends significant global cultural gatherings at diverse locations worldwide, Prada Mode offers guests exclusive access to unique programs and content that complement the themes and subjects of the host event.

Freehand Miami,  2727 Indian Creek Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33140

The inaugural iteration – which will be held at Freehand Miami from December 4th to 6th – serves as both an exclusive destination and a discreet, elegant retreat from the daily clamor of high-intensity cultural engagements during Art Basel: Miami Beach. Events are planned throughout each day and a site-specific intervention by Theaster Gates is present throughout the club imbued with the experience of music, retreat and archival practice.

Prada Resort 2019 campaign

In advance of Art Basel Miami, Prada Mode members receive credentials and special invitations for all current and future occurrences of the club. The Miami schedule includes events organized by the artist Theaster Gates, the National YoungArts Foundation, and Document Journal as well as special musical performances and dancing with DJ sets.

Miuccia Prada at last year’s event with Rita Ora and Carsten Höller.

Last year, Prada’s Carsten Höller-designed pop-up Prada Double Club in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood was already a great success – I am absolutely convinced that Prada Mode Miami will be no different.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Prada and via WWD

Celebrating my 9th blog anniversary with LA MER at Jelmoli in Zurich last week was absolutely amazing and I truly would like to thank everyone who came and made it so special, also for the many amazing gifts I got. A big and heartfelt «thank you» goes also to the very professional LA MER team, that is so much fun to work with and to PERRIER-JOUËT for the lovely champagne.

I have been blogging for a long time now, and that evening made me acknowledge just how much happened all these years, and the fact that it all happened because I created a space online to share my love for fashion and beauty, my ideas, inspiration and advice with others. I always believed in being authentic and that staying true to myself would gain success in the long run.

Some of you have been reading Sandra’s Closet since I pressed publish on my very first blog post. I hate the word following. Why? If you see my readers you know they are not followers, they are leading ladies! This was such a rewarding feeling. Seeing all these beautiful, smart women who came from all over Switzerland, from Geneva, Chur, or Basel to Zurich to join me on this occasion. Together we indulged into the luxury world of LA MER and each guest could take home her personally engraved lip gloss.

There were friends who became blog readers and blog readers that became friends. Everyone had a big smile on their face and I was the happiest girl that night! Thank you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography and © Sandra Bauknecht

My dear readers, it is very important that you read until the end of this post as a very special treat is waiting for you to celebrate 9 years of my blog! I am convinced you will love it…

The idea of the concept store is by no means unheard of nowadays. In 1990 the first one of this kind opened its doors in Milan, 10 Corso Como, followed by Opening Ceremony, Colette and Dover Street Market, just to name a few.

The new VOGUE concept store inside the OUTLETCITY METZINGEN

What is a concept store? A 360 degrees experience, a type of living magazine, offering a unique mix of art, fashion, one-of-a-kind homeware and accessories. Christiane Arp, Editor-in-Chief of VOGUE Germany, takes the idea a step further. The tall blonde has been dedicated to supporting emerging talent within the fashion industry since many years. In 2011, she launched the VOGUE Salon, an initiative to grant up-and-coming German fashion designers the opportunity to present exclusive collections to industry opinion leaders. It takes place twice a year during Berlin Fashion Week.

With Christiane Arp, Editor-in-Chief of VOGUE Germany, at the VOGUE concept store opening.

Now, Christiane Arp takes her engagement a step further. Looking for new ways for print media to attract readers and to create attention for the brand itself, she had the idea to launch the VOGUE Concept Store in cooperation with OUTLETCITY METZINGEN.

From left to right: Tim Labenda, David Tomaszewski, Marina Hoermanseder, William Fan, Jeanne Zizi Margot de Kroon, Wolfang Bauer (CEO OUTLETCITY METZINGEN) and Christiane Arp.

Chosen for their one-of-a-kind viewpoints and unparalleled talent were Marina Hoermanseder (click here for a previous post about her collaboration with EOS), Tim Labenda, Dawid Tomaszewski, Jeanne Zizi Margot de Kroon and William Fan. The pieces of the respective designers, which are not older than three months, were bought by OUTLETCITY METZINGEN, which is operating the store in collaboration with VOGUE that is in charge for the marketing and advertising in return. Christiane Arp herself made the selection.

Always at work – here during the fashion show.

It is a win-win situation – a great way to support emerging talents in Germany. The young designers receive through the sale enough money to invest in their next collection.

The pop-up store will be there for six month until April 2019. Inside, you can find many interactive and augmented reality features such as ideas how to style the pieces. Moreover, via your smartphones, you can access information about the designers themselves and their inspirations.

The bestseller that night was definitely the VOGUE logo tops, sweatshirts that came with the latest issue of VOGUE Germany.

Catching up with longtime friends at the opening: Ingrid Hedley, Marketing Director VOGUE & AD Architectural Digest, and Marina Hoermanseder.

And when you are wondering why VOGUE opened in Metzingen in an outlet mall, that seems to be in the middle of nowhere, remember where Carla Sozzani opened her 10 Corso Como shop almost 30 years ago. The location seemed very far away to the people and it was not glamorous at all with its concrete floor. At the time, Via Monte Napoleone was considered the only shopping street. You have to think in new ways, especially print media… the same goes for blogging by the way.

Before it’s in Fashion, it’s in VOGUE! or let’s say now in the VOGUE concept store! And before that of course in Sandra’s Closet :-)!

To celebrate the 9th anniversary of my blog, I have a treat for you. When I was at the opening party of the VOGUE concept store, I was truly overwhelmed by the size and the design of the the OUTLETCITY METZINGEN. Personally speaking, some stores look so much better and are bigger than in Zurich. I attached a few pictures for you below. The collections on display are from S/S 2018 with prices marked down up to 70%.

Metzingen is not far from Stuttgart in Germany. The little village is dedicated to its OUTLETCITY. You can find many hotels and restaurants. If you prefer staying in Stuttgart, no problem, there are bus transfers for Metzingen, leaving from most of the hotels.

Toasting with Christina Gobil at the opening of the VOGUE concept store to 9 years of Sandra’s Closet!

HERE COMES MY ANNIVERSARY TREAT FOR YOU:

As my dear reader, you are entitled to the VIP Shopping Pass:
Mention «Sandra’s Closet» when you arrive at the International Service Point, located at Reutlinger Strasse 58, 72555 Metzingen, Germany.
You will receive a VIP Shopping Pass, a welcome Winzersekt (a vintner’s sparkling wine – German kind of champagne) and a coffee voucher. The VIP Shopping Pass offers also an extra 10% discount at the Vogue Concept Store and other participating stores.
The offer is valid until March 31st, 2019.

Have fun shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Bottega Veneta in OUTLETCITY METZINGEN

Prada in OUTLETCITY METZINGEN

Jimmy Choo in OUTLETCITY METZINGEN

Gucci in OUTLETCITY METZINGEN

The Burberry shop in OUTLETCITY METZINGEN has already the new logo.

The whole area looks like one of those amazing gigantic US shopping malls.

Photos: Courtesy of VOGUE, OUTLETCITY METZINGEN and © Sandra Bauknecht 

I am so happy to share today’s post with you. Next week my blog is turning 9! Can you imagine? Time flies… just to give you an idea of all the work that went into this site. This is my 3821st post and since many years not one day has passed without spotting something new in the world of fashion. I enjoy so much what I am doing and would love to celebrate with you…

Meet me next Thursday, November 22nd, 2018 between 6pm – 9pm at the LA MER counter at JELMOLI in Zurich!

For all my Swiss readers and of course also for those who want to come to Switzerland, meet me next Thursday, November 22nd 2018 between 6pm – 9pm at the LA MER counter at JELMOLI in Zurich for an evening filled with bubbles, beauty and great company.

That night, the shops in Zurich will be open until 10pm and the city’s «Lucy» lights for Christmas will be illuminate the Bahnhofstrasse in a switch-on ceremony at 6pm.

As space is limited and a personalized gift will be waiting for you, I would kindly ask you to sign up latest on Monday, 19th of November. Please send me an e-mail with the header «LA MER», your full name and the time you are planning to come to . First come, first serve. I will send you a confirmation e-mail to confirm your presence.

You will get a lot of special treats – here is what to expect:
Champagne from Perrier-Jouët

Freelance celebrity make-up artist Andrea Kipfer will introduce LA MER‘s amazing Skincolor Foundation. Andrea is the co-founder of the renowned hair & makeup agency Style Council and has done many advertising and fashion shoots. During the evening, she will happily help you to improve your make-up skills and share some beauty secrets with us.

You also get the chance to discover the different textures of the famous LA MER moisturizers. Once you find your favorite, you will be gifted with a luxury size sample of it.On top, each guest will receive an original size LA MER Lip Balm worth CHF 82.00 that will be engraved with a special message.

I am so much looking forward to meeting and spending the evening with you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Andrea Kipfer
© André Hengst – www.on-eyes-photography.ch
#LoveLaMer www.lamer.ch

Yesterday, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show returned to its New York City home after three years. I was really eager to see it, especially because I was curious to see my beloved Mary Katrantzou‘s creations on the runway of angels. This year was a true glittery catwalk extravaganza that dazzled with over 850,000 crystals from Swarovski as Victoria’s Secret and Swarovski proudly introduced new facets of their iconic 16-year partnership.

Gigi Hadid in one of the Mary Katrantzou’s designs for the show.

It’s the most-watched fashion event of the year with around 800 million tuning in annually. And for a good reason! Atelier Swarovski created this year’s spectacular Dream Angels Fantasy Bra embellished with over 2,100 Swarovski Created Diamonds and Topaz. On another exciting note, fans will be able to purchase a replica version of the Fantasy Bra made with Swarovski crystals. 

Halsey performed on the runway in this blockbuster show…

… as well as Rita Ora and Shawn Mendes.

«In this year’s show we had 90 looks, and more than half of them have Swarovski crystals,» said Monica Mitro, EVP Brand Communications and Events for Victoria’s «It’s a really special show for both of our brands because it represents a true partnership. This year we had the greatest number of Swarovski crystals ever used in a show: these included the fully crystallized Swarovski look, plus over half of the other looks. And for the first time ever, we created the Fantasy Bra with Atelier Swarovski using sustainable, Swarovski lab-created diamonds, as well as producing a replica of the Fantasy Bra made with crystals from Swarovski, which we’ll be selling in our stores and online.»

Wearing the coveted Dream Angels Fantasy Bra is the ultimate honor for the Angels, and this year’s lucky recipient was Elsa Hosk, who described the delicate Atelier Swarovski designed bralette style as «very cool, very simple, modern, and so sparkly. If I had designed it myself, it would have looked just like this.»

Swarovski Created Diamonds are responsibly grown in a state-of-the-art lab according to the highest environmental, safety and labor standards, and yet they have the same optical, chemical and physical attributes as mined diamonds: both are 100% carbon, with the same hardness and brilliance. The Swarovski Genuine Topaz comes from traceable sources in Brazil and Sri Lanka. 

The replica bralette will retail at $250 and its matching panty at $98, with the total set featuring over 1,000 Swarovski crystals. Customers will be able to purchase their replica version on November 29 at select Victoria’s Secret stores and online at victoriassecret.com, before the show airs. 

«Swarovski’s partnership with Victoria’s Secret has brought major sparkle to the runways for over 15 years. We’re especially proud of our 2018 collaboration, because we’ve been able to add sparkle to women’s everyday lives by creating a commercial version of the Dream Angels Fantasy Bra,» said Alexander Wellhoefer, SVP for Swarovski Professional North America. 

The show closed with the sumptuous «Celestial Angel» section of the show, where Angel Romee Strijd’s official Swarovski Look transformed her into a shooting star. Made with over 125,000 crystals from Swarovski, the full outfit consisted of a sheer bodysuit hand-beaded with over 70,000 Swarovski crystals and framed by a seven-pointed star wing that took a team of experts over 250 hours to create.

More than 55,000 Swarovski crystals were placed on the celestial star wing.

«Victoria’s Secret and Swarovski have always been such a brilliant collaboration. Once the looks have Swarovski on them they’re elevated to another level. That’s what we look for in every show we do and in every piece we present. When we conceive the looks it’s always with Swarovski in mind because for us, the crystals bring a sense of luxury to the outfits—without them we just wouldn’t have that opulence. It’s essential to have Swarovski crystals in the collection,» said Sophia Neophitou, the show’s Creative Director.

Enjoy more looks and impressions below…
Happy Weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Adriana Lima

Aiden Curtiss

Alexina Graham

Barbara Palvin

Bella Hadid

Candice Swanepoel

Cindy Bruna

Devon Windsor

Duckie Thot

Estelle Chen

Jasmine Tookes

Josephine Skriver

Jourdana Phillips

Kendall Jenner

Lais Riberio

Leomie Anderson

Liu Wen

Martha Hunt

Mayowa Nicholas

Nadine Leopold

Sara Sampaio

Sui He

Toni Garrn

Winnie Harlow

Zuri Tibby

Photos Courtesy of Swarovski/Victoria’s Secret
Thomas Concordia/Getty Images for Swarovski

Last Saturday, I attended the Kispiball 2018 (Kispi is an abbreviation for Kinderspital which means children’s hospital in German) that always takes place at the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich. It is one of my favorite charity events of the Swiss social calendar that raises money for the city’s children’s hospital that celebrates its 150 anniversary this year.

My look: Velvet-trimmed embroidered tulle and satin maxi dress by Diane von Furstenberg, Patsy textured-leather tote by Gabriela Hearst, leather platform pumps and floral silk pin, both by Gucci, Mitza ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie, vintage collier by Dior, and Tonda 1950 Galaxy by Parmigiani Fleurier.

That night, the nightmare for every fashionista came true, someone was wearing the same gown as me. But to be honest, it’s not the disaster you think it is. We had accessorized it completely differently, I had attached a floral pin. So, we both laughed about it, because that’s pretty much all you can do if you don’t want to grab a pair of scissors to alter the dress.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
A few photos in the collages © Sandra Bauknecht

Monday morning, I took the early flight to London to attend the first Breitling Summit, where the brand’s new Premier collection and additional distinguished products in all of their four universes, Air, Land, Sea, and Professional were introduced. The day started already beautiful with a breathtaking landing over the city in full sunshine.

A brand with a rich heritage

Breitling was founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling with the mission to create toolwatches with optimum functionality. Based in the Swiss Jura, he specialized in chronographs and precision timers. Until today, the watch company has been famous for its pilot-themed chronographs.
In 2017, Breitling, one of the last family-owned watch brands of note, was sold to one of the biggest private equity firm in Europe, CVC Capital Partners. I was curious how the watch company had evolved during the past 12 months after Georges Kern took over the helmet as CEO and also as an investor.

Breitling CEO Georges Kern

The day started with a presentation about Breitling’s journey over the past year and its vision for the future by Kern himself. For me, he is a marketing genius. In this short amount of time, he managed that Breitling is on everyone’s lips and he is proud of this achievement himself. His mission and energy to create a #legendaryfuture seems well on its way. With him in charge, the brand has a great chance to live up to its own spirit and to be flying high again.

Let’s take for example the #squadonamission campaign that is throughly thought through, celebrating the collective spirit of squads united in pursuit of their mission and featuring leading figures from the worlds of aviation, exploration, cinema, and sport. It was a pleasure listening to iconic photographer Peter Lindbergh who appeared on screen to tell us how much fun he had shooting Charlize Theron, Brad Pitt and Adam Driver for Breitling’s Cinema Squad campaign.

Kern said that «this clearly differentiates Breitling from the rest of the industry as Breitling is communicating with teams instead of individuals.» In a round table discussion he also wheeled out his top team.

My favorite: the new B01 Chronograph in Bentley Racing Green

His first steps to turn the brand around was to simplify the product range to four categories of Land, Air, Sea and Professionals and to speak to a broader customer base. On Monday, Breitling also announced new watches in each segment. One presented during the summit will be launched in partnership with Bentley, a collaboration that has been running since 2003, and that will be renewed in 2018 with the new B01 Chronograph in Bentley Racing Green – my favorite watch seen this Monday in London.

Combining purpose with style, the new Premier collections are worthy of Breitling’s legacy.

It is part of the probably most important launch, the elegant and stylish Breitling Premier collection that will be available from the end of October 2018. A reintroduced name that has a special significance for the brand as it was in the 1940s, when Breitling introduced its first collection of truly elegant watches, which were defined by their fash­ionable flair. Willy Breitling wanted to attract a new customer base and Kern wants to achieve the same with these new watches. Kern is clear about the role the Premier watches play in the brand’s product portfolio: «This is the first modern Breitling collection dedicated to everyday elegance. With outstanding quality and performance, these watches bear our unmistakable brand DNA, but they have been created with a focus on style that beautifully complements their purpose.»

Breitling’s new Superocean Héritage II Chronograph 44 Outerknown

Going with the zeitgeist and focusing on the sustainability aspect, Breitling’s new Superocean Héritage II Chronograph 44 Outerknown celebrates the brand’s partnership with Outerknown, a sustainable clothing company committed to improving environmental conditions for the entire planet. The watch features a first for Breitling: the strap is crafted from ECONYL® yarn, an innovative materi­al created from nylon waste, one source of which is fishing nets from oceans around the world.

Preview at the summit: Navitimer 8 inspired by Curtiss will be launched in 2019

Another very cool model that will hit the shelves in 2019 is for Breitlings’ aviation watch enthusiasts and «flying tigers»: the Navitimer 8 camouflage green dial will be produced in conjunction with Curtiss, an aircraft company best known for its WWII P-40 Warhawk fighter jet that is painted with a shark’s mouth under its nose.

Breitling Boutique in Zurich

During the round table Kern explained a little more about his sales strategy. He will increase their own retail and decrease wholesale. He closed most of the stores in South America and opened new ones in Asia and the US. In Paris, Breitling will open a flagship store in the next weeks featuring the new very masculine look, imagine a loft apartment with a pool table and a living room area with leather sofas, brick and concrete walls. «We call it modern retro,» Mr Kern said. Through their interior design, all stores offer an outstanding buying experience. Something that is key for Kern.

His biggest advantage in his new challenge? The independency of Breitling which gives him the capability to act faster than in a conglomerate. Kern is involved in every little step, even the design process of the watches.

Trying the new Premier Chronograph 42 with blue dial and brown alligator leather strap

An outlook for the upcoming year: Ladies, great news is that 2019 will mark the launch of a designated women’s watch collection. Stay tuned!

To a legendary future… I am wishing the whole Breitling team good luck for this thrilling journey!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Breitling
Harold Cunningham/Getty Images for Breitling
@Breitling #breitling #squadonamission #legendaryfuture #premierstyle

«An important part of my life designing installations, spaces and experiences is actually spent putting out fires! I thought it was time to celebrate that fire…and help put the Art World on fire too! So I chose to show only burnt art and art relating to fire from the fantastic Gmurzynska collection, and create for these an environment that is pop and thematic, inspired by the beautiful look of fire stations, as a boy dreaming of them, pop and joyful, yet modern, minimal and fairly neutral, to enhance the viewing of such important art. It is made of traditional industrial materials, lacquered diamond steel plates and fire extinguishers, but reinterpreted to serve their new purpose in a luxurious manner.» Alexandre de Betak

Having presented a Karl Lagerfeld designed booth in 2011 at FIAC, Galerie Gmurzynska – the leading international art gallery specializing in masterpieces of both classic modern and post-war art – is returning to the fair with a visionary installation by French designer, scenographer and creative director Alexandre de Betak, who is mostly known for his involvement in the production of Victoria’s Secret shows, which he has producing and choreographing for many years.

Sketch by Karl Lagerfeld, FIAC 2011, Galerie Gmurzynska’s booth design

2003 marked de Betak’s debut in design, when he created an acrylic glass bookshelf and a leather bench with French design house Domeau & Perez. Moreover, he is known for various collaborations with important museums, among others the MOCA in Los Angeles and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

Preparatory rendering by Alexandre de Betak, FIAC 2018

Since its discovery, fire has been the propelling force of innovation, civilization and ultimately cultural advancement. Artists throughout the history of art have been drawn to its ethereal power to destroy, create, cleanse and illuminate.

Roberto Matta, Les Fumoïsses, 1973

The survey exhibition «On Fire» will include a diverse list of artists using or depicting fire in all forms throughout the 20th Century, from Joan Miró to Otto Piene, Yves Klein, Alberto Burri, Roberto Matta up to Tom Wesselmann and others. A booklet with an introduction by Germano Celant will be accompanying the exhibition.

Mathias Rastorfer at the booth with Alexandre de Betak

Isabelle Bscher at the opening party with Francesco Vezzoli

On Wednesday evening, the opening party of the gallery took place next to the Seine with a huge fire installation by Alexandre de Betak. The gallery owners Isabelle Bscher, Krystyna Gmurzynska and Mathias Rastorfer and star designer Alexandre de Betak welcomed actor Vincent Cassel, not only since his role as Vincent van Gogh in «Loving Vincent», an art fanatic, Parisian model and author Caroline de Maigret, star photographer Ellen von Unwerth, hotel guru André Balazs and actor and artist André Saraiva, the u.a. also designed for Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Tiffany and Converse, the Italian concept artist and filmmaker («Multimedia Popartist»), Francesco Vezzoli and Michel Gaubert, the best sound designer in the fashion world with clients such as Gucci, Fendi, Jil Sander, Roberto Cavalli, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and Chanel.

Galerie Gmurzynska @ FIAC: OCTOBER 18 – 21, 2018 Booth 0.C24
When the world of fashion meets the world of art, there is fire…

LoL, Sandra

André Balazs and André Saraiva

Ellen von Unwerth

Vincent Cassel

Photos: Courtesy of Galerie Gmurzysnka

During the 14th Zurich Film Festival I was invited by Swarovski to the «Women of Impact» lunch at Storchen followed by a thought-provoking evening featuring conversations with high-profile personalities from the film industry and raising the topic: «Why are there still so few women who are successful in the film industry as a director or producer?» This was discussed by the directors Jennifer Fox and Sedika Mojadidi, the producer Alison Dickey and the actor John C. Reilly as well as Shakila Ebrhaimkhel. The event was be chaired by two female entrepreneurs, Nadja Schildknecht and Carolina Müller-Möhl.

Women of Impact: Mimi Mollerus, Carolina Müller-Möhl, Astrid von Stockar, my humble self, Tamy Glauser, Dominique Rinderknecht and Sarah Andrina Schuetz

For my outfit I went for full Swarovski bling. Finally I had the chance to wear my crystal-embellished boots that I adore so much. Following the question raised that night, I thought Dior’s «Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?» tee would take the same line. You see, I really put effort in this combination, taking fashion as a medium to express myself.

My look: Leopard jacquard blazer and Niki Swarovski crystal-embellished leather knee boots, both by Saint Laurent, striped top «Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?» by Dior, leather and jersey leggings by Givenchy, oversize acetate sunglasses with crystals by Gucci, and Swarovski embellished earrings by Prada.

The woman that impressed me most that day: Shakila Ebrhaimkhel, an investigative TV journalist in Afghanistan, who tries to bring corruption to light. Over the course of four years, her life has been documented by Sedika Mojadidi in FACING THE DRAGON. The documentary offers a unique insight into today’s seething Afghanistan and explores the question of whether there is a future there for strong women in this country. Today, after loosing her husband when she was pregnant with her third child, and  threats to her life, Shakila lives in Munich. In only two years, she learnt perfect German and works as a journalist again. A truly inspirational woman!

From left to right: Monika Schaerer, Birgit Berthold-Kremser, Jennifer Fox, Wendy Mitchell, Carolina Mueller-Moehl, Alison Dickey, John C. Reilly and Nadja Schildknecht.

So many inspirational women that day – thank you, Swarovski, for shining a light on women’s empowerment!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Remy Steiner/Getty Images for Swarovski and © Sandra Bauknecht