Sandra‘s Closet

Last weekend, I was in Gstaad for the seventh edition of the famous ASMALLWORLD Winter Weekend. The three days in the snow (in this year’s case no snow) of the private international travel and social club has become known as one of the most fun events of the year.

Guests from all over the world come to the chic Swiss winter getaway for great fun, parties, dancing, fondue and philanthropy.

With ASW Chairman Patrick Liotard-Vogt

The weekend kicked off with the Chairman’s Apéro in the Gstaad Palace lobby, which is personally speaking the best one in the world. The night continued with a special theme: «La Nuit des Tsars», Russian glamour at its best. Caviar and vodka were served and we partied late at the hotel’s night club GreenGo.

Beautiful table setting for the «La Nuit des Tsars».

Beluga noble Russian vodka…

… pairing yummy Kaviari caviar – a culinary delight.

Dancing to the fabulous sounds…

of the Phly Boyz.

Saturday was all about indulging in the mountain scenery with a lift ride to the Wasserngrat restaurant where we all enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and an après-ski inspired lunch with wine and fondue. A live performance of the Phly Boyzs who already had entertained us the night before made sure we move and would fit in our gowns for the ASW Foundation Gala Dinner at Gstaad Palace’s «Salle Baccarat».

Fondue lunch at Wasserngrat from above.

An afternoon full of laughter…

… and fun!

To raise money for the good cause, guests were eager to buy raffles tickets as the prizes were truly tempting, from limited edition diamond watches by Parmigiani to weekend getaways at some of the most luxurious spots in Switzerland. Later, we partied far into the smallest hours to the sounds of the live band Hot’n’Cold.

Amazing raffle prizes by Parmigiani for the lucky winners. 

Having fun at the after party.

The next morning, we all embraced the memories of the weekend during brunch and everyone agreed that this weekend was the best one so far of all editions. Oh my Gstaad! Cannot wait to be back next year…

In the meantime enjoy many more photos below and stay tuned for the outfit posts coming up soon!

Gorgeous Ljuba Manz with me

Maya El Assali and Martin Tobler Parmigiani Switzerland

Guests enjoying the Patoro cigars.

Angela Boffa, Monique and Thomas Hollinger framed by the Phly Boyz.

The Chairman’s Apéro

Derek Tanner and Alexander Manz.

Remee Jackman with Mathilde Goehler, my humble self and Patrick Liotard-Vogt.

Dr. Pablo Schneider, Patoro Cigars and Dominique Martin

CEO Asmallworld Jan Luescher

Lucy Tallo, Katja Grauwiler with Sabina Hanselmann-Diethelm (editor in chief Style Magazine and Bolero) and her husband David Hanselmann.

Designer Luca Rubinacci with his girlfriend on the way to lunch.

Love is in the air: Remee Jackman and his gorgeous girlfriend Mathilde Goehler

Luca Rubinacci with Patrick Liotard-Vogt

Noelle Frautschi, Maya El Assali and Sabina Hanselmann-Diethelm

Gorgeous couple: Dr. Pablo Schneider with Noelle Frautschi

Beautiful ambiance for the ASW Foundation Gala Dinner.

With Mathilde Goehler at the cocktail.

Princess Lilly zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg

Ljuba Manz drawing a prize.

Sarah and Daniel Klein

Having fun at the after party with Lisa Lotz and Iman Grailsamer.

What a fun weekend! Bravo ASMALLWORLD!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert

«I love seeing a woman in a man’s suit. Why not have a lipstick named after a man?» – Tom Ford

My dearest ladies, it is time for you to meet the new boys. Tom Ford has it all worked out for us, lipsticks and the stronger sex, what else do we need. LIPS & BOYS is a 50-piece lipstick lineup that unveils now 25 new shades, literally 25 new boys, including for the first time, 10 modern matte shades, all available now for CHF 39.00 (2g) each.

From nuanced nudes like Bradley and Alexander to the unabashed bold reds of Nicholas and Dominic, all lipsticks come with specially-treated pigments that deliver pure color to suit our every mood. What I love most about them is the small size as they fit perfectly in my evening clutches.

My favourite shades? Patrick, a fresh and vibrant coral and Ashton, a rosy berry.

If you are living in Zurich, come and visit Jelmoli this weekend. You are invited to experience the new lipstick collection in the presence of some handsome male models – each of them representing another type of boy. And of course your favorite one will pose with you for a cute selfie that you can share on instagram with the hashtag #TFLIPSANDBOYS.

For all living abroad, the new shades are also available online HERE.
Have fun!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Johannes Diboky and Courtesy of Estée Lauder

This summer, Clarins has opened the doors of a new beauty temple in Zurich. Hard to believe, this new concept marks the first of its kind for the French brand in Europe.

Located in the city center at Gebergasse 6, just around the corner of the prestigious Bahnhofstrasse and very close to the Jelmoli parking, the new Clarins Boutique & Skin Spa houses the complete range of products, from fine scents to high performance skin care on the ground floor.

One level up, the skin spa welcomes its customers for the most exclusive skin treatments. The second floor is reserved for the in-house training center. Altogether, the shop has a size of more than 280 square meters.

Clarins Boutique & Skin Spa opening party in Zurich

I truly recommend a visit to indulge into the world of Clarins. In 1954, Jacques Courtin-Clarins had a pioneering vision when he opened his first Clarins institute in Paris. Still today, the house is known for creating luxury products based exclusively on plants as the eternal source of inspiration and innovation.

Flown in for the occasion: Prisca Courtin-Clarins (SPAs, My Blend and Retail Director Clarins), Laurent Malaveille (General Manager Clarins Switzerland) and Natalie Bader (CEO Clarins).

During the hectic holiday season, let time stand still while you enjoy a treatment, and some time for yourself. Or find a little gift for a loved one as this very cute advent calendar that I got for myself.

24 days filled with little surprises, beauty products in small sizes that I love to take with me when travelling. Available for CHF 99.00.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Clarins

As the women’s Royal Oak celebrates its 40th anniversary, I was invited last week by Audemars Piguet to join them for the unveiling of the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold in Florence at Palazzo Vecchio, which is the town hall of the Italian city.

The dinner was held inside the breathtaking Salone dei Cinquecento that has a length of 52 m (170 ft), is 23 m (75 ft) broad and dates back to 1494. On the walls are large and expansive frescoes that depict battles and military victories by Florence over Pisa and Siena by Giorgio Vasari. You immediately understand why it plays such a key role in Dan Brown’s «Inferno».

Interesting to know is that before the entrustment of Vasari, the two greatest Florentine artists of the time, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti, were commissioned for the construction of two large murals to decorate the walls of the room. Leonardo started working on the «Battle of Anghiari», while Michelangelo focused on another portion of the wall for the «Battle of Cascina», but none of their work was ever completed. Attempts made to find Da Vinci’s original work behind the Vasari fresco have so far been inconclusive.

Two creative minds united: Jacqueline Dimier and Carolina Bucci

Personally speaking: The new Royal Oak Frosted Gold was love at first sight for me.

Coming back to the shining reinvention of an iconic design, that fast first created in 1976 for women by Jacqueline Dimier, the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold has been reinvented in collaboration with Florentine jewellery designer, Carolina Bucci. Both attended the gala dinner along with Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Audemars Piguet, François-Henry Bennahmias, Chief Executive Officer, model Arizona Muse, as well as actress and brand ambassador Freida Pinto.

With Audemars Piguet CEO François-Henry Bennahmias

With Freida Pinto

Power Ladies: Sabina Hanselmann-Diethelm, Editor in Chief Style Magazine/Bolero, Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Audemars Piguet and Dominique Lohm, PR Audemars Piguet/The Pool with my humble self

Beautiful table setting

Having a great time with Sabina Hanselmann-Diethelm, Editor-in-Chief Style Magazine/Bolero and David Pantillon, Country General Manager Switzerland

Chef Annie Féolde and her team framed by Freida Pinto and François-Henry Bennahmias

After a sensational dinner imagined by local 3* Chef Annie Féolde, the evening ended with a showcase concert by Brocken Back, sending us off in the crisp Florentine night with lots of amazing memories.

Live performance by Broken Back

The next day my adventure continued. I flew with a private jet back to Switzerland to visit Audemars Piguet’s manufacture in Le Brassus.

Stay tuned for more for more details on the visit and the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold that has captured my heart in a second as well as an amazing interview with Carolina Bucci and Freida Pinto.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Audemars Piguet and © Sandra Bauknecht

One word: amazing! This is what describes Kenzo x H&M best. Last week, I was in NYC to attend the party of the year with a fashion show directed by fashion legend Jean-Paul Goude at Pier 36 that was as spectacular as the collection itself.

With Jean-Paul Goude at the after party.

To the rhythm of a customized remix of «Express Yourself» by Sam Spiegel, we were able to watch the vibrant and playful energy of the pieces that were designed by Kenzo’s Creative Directors, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon on models, that were actually dancers, beatboxers, whistlers and musicians.

Front row? Chloë Sevigny, Iman, Lupita Nyong’o, Sienna Miller, Elizabeth Olsen and many more…

Elizabeth Olsen, Lupita Nyong’o, both wearing Kenzo x H&M.

Bethann Hardison, Jean-Paul Goude, Iman, Chloë Sevigny, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim.

Joe Jonas and Charli XCX looking great in the new collection.

Front row power: Charli XCX, Chance the Rapper, Halsey, Chloë Sevigny, Rosario Dawson and Suboi.

Sienna Miller

With Chloë Sevigny at the show.

The choreography was created by Kenzo collaborator, Ryan Heffington and transformed us into something very special, not a stiff runway presentation but an energized dance show that Carol Lim and Humberto Leon described as «a celebration of everything we love about Kenzo x H&M – it was a fun, vibrant and unexpected celebratory mix of different worlds coming together. It was a show we will never forget.»

With my dear colleague Kerstin Netsch, Editor in Chief Friday Magazine waiting for the show to begin!

Happy about their show: Jean-Paul Goude and Carol Lim.

As the show finished the fun continued and the models came to ask us to join them on the runway which became immediately a dance floor. I didn’t wait a second to jump up and move to the sound as the whole performance had transported me already in such a fun state of mind.

Chance the Rapper and Iman dance at the show finale…

… that also made Lupita Nyong’o move her body with a full smile.

Ice Cube performs at Kenzo x H&M after party.

Later, after we went shopping in the pop-up store next door, a surprise performance by rapper and surprise guest Ice Cube took place and we partied late. I am very thankful that I was able to experience this inferno of playfulness.

Having always the best time with those guys: Caroline Piccinin, Le Matin and René Zibold, PR and Communication Manager at H&M Switzerland (@monsieurené). Isn’t her skirt the best? The fabric is from Ikea and she tailored it herself. René was also very creative. His collar embellishments are divine and I will reveal his secret to you soon!

The Kenzo x H&M collection will be available in over 250 H&M stores worldwide, as well as online, from November 3. Stay tuned for an amazing interview with Carol Lim and Humberto Leon as well as a close-up look on the collection coming up shortly.

LoL, Sandra

Photos by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for H&M, Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for H&M and © Sandra Bauknecht

During the Zurich Film Festival, one of the biggest highlights is the exclusive dinner hosted by Tommy Hilfiger. Last year, the American designer himself welcomed the guests at Razzia restaurant and thanked his long-time CEO Daniel Grieder on stage. Later, stars such as Johannes Huebl, Moritz Bleibtreu, and Elisa Sednaoui listened to the private concert by Marlon Roudette.

Playsuits and over-the-knee boots are definitely no longer for fashion victims only, they have become a must this season.

My look: Silk-chiffon playsuit by Emilio Pucci, bi-colour Sac De Jour nano leather tote by Saint Laurent, suede over-the-knee boots by Dior, earrings by Chanel, Diorette ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie, bar cuff in rose gold by Balenciaga and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis .

Stay tuned… tonight it is time for the Tommy Hilfiger dinner again.

LoL, Sandra

With lovely Silvia Binggeli, Editor-in-Chief of Annabelle.

Nadja Schildknecht, Daniel Grieder CEO Tommy Hilfiger and PVH Europe, Elisa Sednaoui, Tommy Hilfiger, Clara Paget and Johannes Huebl.

Marlon Roudette entertaining the crowd at the Tommy Hilfiger dinner.

With German actor Moritz Bleibtreu.

Photos: Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Thursday, the opening night of the 12th Zurich Film Festival took place with the screening of the drama «Lion» that stars Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman and David Wenham. It is a very sad movie based on the true story of a five-year-old boy who gets lost on the streets of Calcutta, thousands of kilometers from home. He survives many challenges before being adopted by a couple in Australia; 25 years later, he sets out to find his lost family.

Festival directors and founders of the ZFF Nadja Schildknecht and Karl Spoerri with Iain Canning, Garth Davis and Harvey Weinstein on the green carpet before the screening.

For the opening night, film mogul Harvey Weinstein, director Garth Davis and producer Iain Canning had flown in. All three joined ASMALLWORLD at the dazzling opening night for an exclusive dinner at Conti restaurant, followed by an after-party to dance the night away.

My look: Candace novelty essential dress by Hervé Léger, leather bag with logo by Moschino, leather T-strap sandals with pearls by Gucci, «Extremely Piaget Lace Decoration» cuff  and pendant, both by Piaget.

I truly love the color combination of the berry hue and the turquoise details.

Extremely Piaget “Lace Decoration” pendant in 18K pink gold, set with 356 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 5.69 ct) and 25 turquoise pearls.

Extremely Piaget “Lace Decoration” cuff in 18K pink gold, set with 1,602 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 20.87 ct) and 50 turquoise cabochons.

I hope that you enjoyed the impressions and my look of the first night at the ZFF. There will be a lot more coming up soon… so please stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Muriel Hilti/Custom Images, © Sandra Bauknecht and © Asmallworld

As most of you know, I love Munich very much and spent many years living there. Every corner of the city carries a memory for me. Therefore I was very excited to go back for the first Oktoberfest weekend mid-September to celebrate Breakfast at Tiffany’s. This iconic event always starts at the store on Perusastrasse followed by a visit to the Schützenzelt at the Wies’n. It is a great celebration as you see many familiar faces, all enjoying beer and of course the most amazing Bavarian treats. The only drop of bitterness was the heavy rain but at least we were protected in style with the help of turquoise Tiffany umbrellas.

My look: Dirndl «St. Moritz» in grey  and dirndl blouse, both by Owloon, purple wool jacket by Happycoat,  Monogramme Kate studded leather shoulder bag by Saint Laurent, light green pumps by Prada and T Smile 18-karat rose gold diamond bracelet by Tiffany & Co..

LoL, Sandra

The rain couldn’t stop us!

Breakfast inside the Tiffany & Co. store in Munich.

Later we went to the Oktoberfest inside the Schützenzelt.

One of my oldest friends whom I know since 5th grade.

The new T Smile collection is too cute.

With our lovely hostess Gitta Gräfin Lambsdorff.

Thank you, Tiffany & Co. for this lovely day!

Photos: © munichpress.de / Guenther Reisp and © Sandra Bauknecht

“Nature is so beautiful that adding to it serves no purpose.” – Robert Dallet (1923 – 2006)

Every year, Hermès picks a theme for the respective year, which is highlighted through their collections and store windows. In 2016, the French Maison is honoring its love for nature with «Nature at Full Gallop».

Last week, I was invited to an intimate dinner by the House at the Museum Rietberg in Zurich to celebrate this beautiful inspiration. The location was amazing, decorated like a jungle. The dinner was served on the «Carnets d’Equateur» porcelain which I showed you in a previous post and that pictures wild creatures such as the jaguar, lion, tiger, elephant and toucan alongside the rare, the manama, capuchin and wooly monkeys.

The design was created by late animal artist Robert Dallet and is a voyage to the core of creation. I find it extremely beautiful.

My look that night: Margot bonded stretch-crepe dress by Roksanda, So Black Kelly bag and silk scarf, both by Hermès, Songe pumps in cracked leather by Dior, Horsebit blue topaz diamond white gold ring by Gucci Fine Jewellery, Tonda 1950 Set Clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier and crystal-embellished clip-on earrings by Miu Miu.

My avid reader might recognize the dress as I wore it already 4 years ago (for the previous post, click here please). It got relaunched this season because of the hype Melania Trump caused wearing it in white for her speech to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July.

Absolutely trending this F/W 2016 season: wrapping a silk scarf around the handle.

Taking photos in the Hermès selfie box. Have fun with more pictures below!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès, © Sandra Bauknecht

Bohemian luxury inspired by the gypsy free spirit, Gucci‘s romantic dresses embrace all of those feelings and I am truly addicted to Alessandro Michele‘s designs.

I wore this beautiful creation to the Zoofäscht in Zurich three weeks ago which is one of the highlights of the city’s social calendar. The black tie gala took place for the 15th time and raised CHF 780’000 for the zoo’s new Australia complex. It was a fun night with many show acts entertaining the generous guests.

My look: Appliquéd silk-jacquard and printed cotton maxi dress, Sylvie mini buckle leather shoulder bag and green suede sandals (S/S 2006), all by Gucci, Tank Américaine in yellow gold with diamonds by Cartier, Diorette ring and matching earrings, both by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

I hope that you have enjoyed the impressions of the night. Happy Friday!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Zoofäscht 2016, © Sandra Bauknecht and © Zuza Speckert/NZZ