Sandra‘s Closet

Last Saturday, I flew to Venice for the launch event of Gucci Première, the house’s new fragrance legend. Gucci Parfums revealed its new scent during a private cocktail and dinner held at the Hotel Cipriani in the presence of Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, Gucci President and CEO Patrizio di Marco, the face of the new fragrance campaign Blake Lively, the film director Nicolas Winding Refn and P&G Prestige Vice President Luigi Feola.

At the cocktail reception from left to right: Me, Michaela Stein (P&G Prestige), Regina Stahl (German Vogue), Gabi Hässig (P&G Prestige) and Tania Messner (Cover)

Blake Lively, star of the new fragrance Gucci Première, made quite an entrance during the event in Venice. The American beauty arrived by boat, welcomed by Nicolas Winding Refn.
Here, a look at the fashion and the fragrance:

Blake Lively wore a Gucci One of a kind sleeveless deep V-neck cocktail dress, fully embroidered with cherry overlapping palettes and raised flower detail around the neckline, burgundy python high heel sandal with metallic spike detail in the back, horsebit bracelet and ring in 18kt pink gold, black corundum and black diamonds and horsebit cocktail ring in 18kt pink gold, black corundum and black diamonds.

Salma Hayek-Pinault wore a Gucci F/W 2012 black chiffon long sleeved cocktail dress with jet beaded bodice and all over embroidered skirt.

Nicolas Winding Refn wore a Gucci midnight blue notch lapel two button Marseille suit with white dress shirt, blue grosgrain tie and black leather lace ups.

Frida Giannini wore a Gucci One of kind silver and gunmetal degrade sleeveless v-neck grey silk crepe cocktail dress with art deco graphic beading and black diamond crystals, and grey suede peep toe sandals.

Karmen Pedaru wore a Gucci F/W 2012 burgundy georgette silk sleeveless blouse, black velvet wrap skirt, and black suede high heeled sandal.

Style icon Blake Lively, who appeared in 2011 on TIME magazine’s TIME 100 list, is the face of the Gucci Première and transports the Hollywood glamour perfectly. Her speech was very lively in the true sense of the word.

François-Henri Pinault, CEO of PPR, framed by Blake Lively to the left and his wife Salma Hayek-Pinault to the right.

President and Chief Executive Officer Gucci Patrizio di Marco and P&G Prestige Vice President Luigi Feola

Before the dinner, during the cocktail reception, the fragrance and campaign were revealed to the editors and guests.

I was sitting right behind Frida Giannini who looked so beautiful in her One of a kind Gucci gown.

Frida Giannini says about the new fragrance: “Gucci Première is womanly, intriguing and as seductive as the perfect couture gown.”

The Gucci Première couture gown worn by Blake Lively in the campaign was on display at the event.

Gucci Première is a sophisticated wood and musk composition. The inspiration derives from the Gucci Première couture collection that debuted at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival (for a previous post, click here please).

During the cocktail, Nicolas Winding Refn presented his short film which was shot at the famous Sheats Goldstein Residence in Los Angeles.

The atmosphere at the beautiful dinner was amazing. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures during the dinner because Blake Lively’s boyfriend, Ryan Reynolds, who was there also that night, didn’t want any to be taken of him.

Frida Giannini with me

For the outfit post, please click here.

It was such a beautiful event and I felt very honoured to be part of it. Personally speaking, I like Gucci Première a lot. It is in stores now, here are more details:

Top notes: Bergamot and orange blossom
Middle notes: White flowers and musk
Base notes: Leather and wood
Available as Eau de Parfum 30ml, 50ml and 75ml
Body Lotion 200ml, Shower Gel 200ml and Deo Spray 100ml

Stay tuned for an amazing interview I did with Blake Lively! To be posted very soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci, © Getty Images and © Sandra Bauknecht

Great news for my Swiss readers, Notting Hill-based label Happycoat will come to Switzerland for an exclusive VIP sale at Kids and the City from September 12-14, 2012.
(For details, please see invitation below).

This is your chance to meet the designer, Tilla Lindig, and to explore her collection of timeless outerwear, from sophisticated capes to chic coats and fitted jackets such as the “Kate” which is named after the Duchess of Cambridge, of course.

Tilla, who was born and raised in Germany, lives today with her husband and three kids in London. She knows exactly what women want: Looking stylish while being comfortable. Her pieces work for all occasions, bringing the kids to school or having lunch in the city. She even has started to do bespoke pieces.

Her fan base is huge. Many celebrities have been spotted in Happycoats, among them Claudia Schiffer, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Kate Moss. Last month, Lindig was voted Best German Brand Abroad 2012 by German Bunte, Elle and Instyle magazines. Congrats, Tilla, well done!

If you would like to have more information and see some of the styles, please click here for a previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tilla Lindig, Happycoat and © Birgit Klemt

Mila’s wearing “Starlet”, Connor “Luke” and Jessica “Pedal Star”. But who are the actual stars here at the legendary Chateau Marmont? The jeans or the celebrities?

On August 16, the third annual original Closed jeans event returned to Chateau Marmont. Many stylists and stars dropped in to check out the current styles. The “Denim from Germany” has achieved cult status inside the Hollywood community.

Connor Cruise with me last February in New York

Guests included Tom Cruise’s son Connor Cruise, who shopped with enthusiasm for his upcoming European tour as a DJ. His favourite pair of jeans: a “Luke” in vibrant orange.

Mila Kunis bucked the trend in favour of a “Starlet” in grey paired with a blue-black silk blouse.

Jennifer Missoni was enchanting – the entire Denim Bar fell under the spell of this sweet, gorgeous apparition. And she refused to take off her new “Marlow” jeans.

Star stylist Brooke Dulien avidly shopped for jeans for Kristin Bell, Joy Bryant and Dex Shepard, the star cast of “Hit and Run”.

And of course no event would be complete without Closed spokesperson, socialite and author Jessica Joffe. Her all-time favourite: The “Pedal Star”.

One thing is for sure, at Closed, the jeans are the stars of the show.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Closed and © Sandra Bauknecht

British new It-label Teatum Jones has been asked by London’s famous hotel The Dorchester to create an exclusive printed scarf of the same name, that will be officially launched this September during London Fashion Week for S/S 2013, alongside a special Teatum Jones fashion tea. This is truly great news for a label only into its third official season and for all fashionistas among you.

‘The Dorchester’ scarf designed by Teatum Jones, measures 136cm by 136cm, is made of 100% pure silk double georgette and will be sold exclusively at Liberty, from Tuesday 18 September 2012, priced at £245.- and at shop.thedorchester.com.

The ‘Teatum Jones Fashion Tea’ will be held on The Promenade at The Dorchester bringing fashion week to everyday London fashionistas showcasing Teatum Jones F/W 2012 collection, and of course the  ‘The Dorchester’ scarf.

Afternoon tea sittings for this special event on Tuesday 18 September take place at 2.15pm and at 4.45pm, and are priced at £52 per adult including a glass of champagne. (Prices are inclusive of VAT and exclusive of service charge at 12.5%). For reservations or further information, please telephone The Dorchester on +44 (0)20 7629 8888 or email restaurants..

About Teatum Jones

Catherine Teatum and Rob Jones studied at Ravensbourne College of Design and Central Saint Martins respectively. They worked with Luella Bartley, Warren Noronha and John Richmond before setting up Teatum Jones, and were picked up by Liberty in their second season for S/S 2012. This year has seen the launch of the Teatum Jones’ S/S 2012 collection in Canada, adding to existing retail territories in the UK, US and the Middle East. Teatum Jones have also been name-checked on 2012 Hot Lists in UK magazines Vogue, Elle, Stella and The Observer.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Teatum Jones, Timeout and The Dorchester

It is  Art Basel and it has been a very busy week for me. Called the “Olympics of the art world” by The Daily Telegraph, Art Basel is considered the world’s leading contemporary art fair. Each year, nearly 300 international galleries come to the Switzerland to showcase over 2,500 works. Open until Sunday, June 17th, 2012.

Last Tuesday, MONTBLANC, the German manufacturer of writing instruments, watches and accessories, often identified by their “White Star” logo, celebrated together with Parisian art gallery Perrotin the start of Art Basel and the 10th anniversary of their CUTTING EDGE ART COLLECTION. The private dinner party was held on a boat called Das Schiff – Restaurant Treibgut in Basel with a live performance of the band WhoMadeWho.

The engagement with the arts and artists has been embedded in Montblanc’s corporate philosophy for a long time. In regard to this, Montblanc began to build a contemporary art collection ten years ago. The works from the collection are displayed in the entire cooperation’s facilities at the headquarters in Hamburg.

Above you can see Ingrid Roosen-Trinks, Director at the Montblanc Cultural Foundation with me, who has built up Montblanc’s art projects from the very first beginning. (She wore the gorgeous cadillac leather skirt and matching heels from Prada‘s S/S 2012 collection. Funnily enough, Miuccia Prada’s designs are very coveted among art lovers.)

MONTBLANC CUTTING EDGE ART COLLECTION, Foyer at the Montblanc Headquarter, Hamburg

In 1998, Ingrid Roosen-Trinks started negotiations with artists and galleries and in 2002 Montblanc presented the first work by US artist Tom Sachs. Sachs considered it as a challenge to interpret the Montblac star, the emblem of the long-established company, and created the first commissioned work.

Tom Sachs, USA, Big Lunar Module 2002, 178 cm x 178 cm x 233 cm  
PVC, foam core, thermal adhesive

Since then, the collection expanded to 160 unique artworks including works by Thomas Demand, Liam Gillick, Jonathan Meese, Sylvie Fleury, Jorge Pardo, Ugo Rondinone, Michel Majerus, Lijun Fang.

Jonathan Meese, Germany, DIE 2 (SUSSIS) im milchfrischen Scarlettierbabyland de lovely PIE, 2008, 210 cm x 140 cm  
Oil and mixed media on canvas

Many of the artists were considered as Cutting Edge at the time they were commissioned – in other words, just at the edge of becoming well known. Today, they claim international recognition and continue a close relationship with the company. To view the brand through the eyes of internationally renowned artists and with that also perceive it undergo a contemporary interpretation is a privilege Montblanc is enjoying to get new impulses for their own work. The collection is also accessible to the public with guided tours.

Daniel Pflumm, Switzerland, Untiteled 2002 – 120x16cm
Light instalation

The MONTBLANC CUTTING EDGE ART COLLECTION is growing constantly. The MONTBLANC YOUNG ARTIST WORLD PATRONAGE project is an addition since 2005 to the collection. Young artist who are standing at the beginning of their careers are being chosen and offered to interpret the Montblanc logo. Reproductions of the works are then being displayed in all 410 Montblanc Boutiques around the world. This guarantees the young artists a unique attention and visibility.

Montblanc Art Bags, Headquarter Hamburg

During the growth of the collection, six unique objects were created in 2002: on the occasion of the opening of the Montblanc Flagship Boutique on the Champs Elysées in Paris, Jean-Marc Bustamante, Sylvie Fleury, Gary Hume, David LaChapelle, Sam Taylor-Wood and Anne et Patrick Poirier each created a three meter high shopping bag sculpture made of aluminum and each imprinted with a design created by the artists. These MONTBLANC ART BAGS travel around the world and have already been presented at art events, and in front of Montblanc flagship stores. The project was continued with a seventh sculpture by Marcel van Eeden in 2011. On time for the tenth anniversary of the CUTTING EDGE ART COLLECTION, Montblanc is presenting three new MONTBLANC ART BAGS, created by the internationally renowned Chinese artists Zou Cao, Ma Jun and Huang Min.

A familiar face at the party: Finnish artist Jani Leinonen with me.

Montblanc’s dedication to promoting worldwide creative talent and young artists is truly commendable. Stay tuned for a detailed post on my outfit!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Montblanc, © Helge Mundt and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last night, I went to Volvo‘s VIP event “Switch to Pure”, the official presentation of their new V60 Plug-in Hybrid car.

Opening the evening, the acclaimed futurist Matthias Horx delivered the keynote speech about sustainable luxury: “Luxury and sustainability are no longer contradictory. Global markets, future mentalities and consumer behaviour change. One of the biggest trend over the next ten years will be ‘womanomics’, which is reflecting the increased influence of women in society.” Speaking of which, here are some quotes of powerful women in fashion:

Coco Chanel brought it to the point: „Luxury is not the opposite of poverty. It is the opposite of vulgarity.”

And British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood said in the Oct. 4, 2007 edition of The Telegraph: “Buy less, choose well. If you ask me what I think people should be getting next season, I’ll tell you what I’d like them to buy—nothing. I’d like people to stop buying and buying and buying.”

Speaking of choosing well, here is my “healthy fashion” look:
Cropped leather jacket (from a previous season) by Prada, eggplant-print silk-organza dress, raffia-trimmed PVC waist belt, cameo and onion clip earrings, eggplant and bell pepper bracelet, all by Dolce & Gabbana, “Diorette” ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie, flap-over zip bag by Tom Ford and studded leather ankle boots by Valentino.

During his speech, Matthias Horx said: “The woman is responsible for most of decisions made within a family, even which car should be bought.”

With this in mind, dear ladies, you should have a closer look at the new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid. You get three modes in one: Pure, Hybrid and Power, this is like a closet of cars. Each day, you can choose in which mood you are.

Green thumbs up!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I am part of a very interesting and extraordinary project for the launch of the new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid with different events taking place during the next days.

Starting today until this upcoming Monday, June 11th 2012, Volvo Switzerland is turning Zurich Main Station into an open street art studio. Seven Chinese artists will constantly repaint, respray and restyle the new car, expressing their interpretation of the sustainable mobility of tomorrow. Stop by if you get a chance to get an exciting insight into China’s contemporary art scene.

Tonight’s opening night presented an amazing live art and dancing performance. Volvo’s brand ambassador, Melanie Winiger, former Miss Switzerland winner and model, was dressed and painted all in black, followed by strokes of gold. Famous guest of the night was Andres Andrekson aka Stress, (see last photo below).

Richard Monturo, Volvo Vice President of Global Marketing, and Swiss chef Pascal Schmutz with me in the middle.

Stay tuned for more to come – especially if you are curious how the “three-dimensional canvas”, the new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, looks like. The two of us went on a little adventure trip today. The whole event is also streamed live via webcam at volvoartsession.com.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Thursday night, the Trophée Chopard in partnership with Variety Magazine at the Martinez Hotel took place. Each year at the Cannes Film Festival, Chopard rewards the talent of two young actors. And the Swiss jewelry and watch brand seems to have a good nose for their awardees. Many gifted performers, such as Marion Cotillard, Léa Seydoux, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Diane Kruger and Gael Garcia-Bernal, have received the Trophée Chopard before.

The exceptional patron in the person of Sean Penn honoured this year’s rising stars, Shailene Woodley for her co-starring (and Golden Globe-nominated) role in The Descendants and Ezra Miller for his performance in We Need to Talk About Kevin, with a beautiful laudatory speech.

Shailene looked radiant in her black silk devore velvet gown combined with the strappy ‘The Egrette’ sandals, both from Jason Wu‘s F/W 2012 runway collection

Ezra Miller gave a very moving thank you speech.

The awardees, Shailene Woodley and Ezra Miller, to the left with Sean Penn and Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, to the right.

After the award presentation, we went upstairs to the Chopard Lounge where the amazing highly exclusive (by invitation only) after party for around 200 guests took place. The terrace was filled with celebrities and we danced until dawn.

Caroline Scheufele in a peach-coloured long gown by Emilio Pucci and Chopard jewelry with me

Eva Herzigova in Alexander McQueen with Bérénice Béjo wearing a pretty polka-dot dress with a cinched waist and paired  with a pair of glittering Chopard pearl earrings, of course.

Bérénice Béjo with me

Lana Del Rey in an ivory single-breasted suit by Moschino.

Very sweet Shailene Woodley with me.

Awardee Ezra Miller with me

Famous Spanish actress Paz Vega and face of L’Oréal Spain in a sequined dress from Giorgio Armani‘s S/S 2012 runway collection that reflected the light interestingly and Chopard jewelry with me.

Chinese actress and singer Fan Bingbing with me. Her forest-green fully embellished gown with a plunging neckline by Elie Saab that gave all the attention to her sensational Chopard jewelry looked stunning on her.

L.A.-based film producer, movie studio chairman and co-founder of Miramax Films Harvey Weinstein with me. He came without his wife Georgina Chapman, who is the founder of Marchesa.

Highlight of the night was Lana Del Rey‘s amazing performance. I love “Video Games”…
The singer is amazingly sweet and charming to talk to.

Lana’s necklace from Chopard’s Red Carpet Haute Joaillerie collection, is a one-of-kind piece that is original, unexpected with a tinge of humour. Composed of pink rubellites, diamonds and onyx, it has a maximum magnitude, brilliance and fire.

Lana Del Rey, Caroline Scheufele, Marion Cotillard and Ezra Miller

Eva Herzigova and Sean John Combs (P.Diddy)

This was such an amazing night! I truly love my job! Stay tuned for a detailed post on my look coming up soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

For the Cannes Film Festival 2012’s opening night, the who’s who of Hollywood came down to the Côte d’Azur. Here are the best dressed ladies of this amazing night. Enjoy!

Jury member Diane Kruger looked amazing in a mint green sheer couture gown by Giambattista Valli.

Eva Longoria wore a flowing, feathered train gown by Marchesa in which she had quite some problems walking on the red carpet.

American singer Lana Del Rey was wearing a classy black long dress by Alberta Ferretti that gave all the attention to the 18-carat white gold necklace set with a 31 carats yellow pear-shaped diamond by Chopard.

Eva Herzigova, the Czech model, was wearing a lace gown by Dolce Gabbana combined with the Marilyn Monroe Tribute set from the Red Carpet collection composed of a necklace in 18-carat white gold set with beads diamonds (151.64 cts), heart shaped diamonds (30.72 cts) and diamonds (18.53cts). Earrings en suite. All by Chopard.

Actress Tilda Swinton, who stars in Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom, wore a bronze gown by her fashion friend, designer Haider Ackermann.

Slumdog Millionaire actress Freida Pinto wore a strapless beaded bodice gown, with a peplum pink satin skirt by Michael Angel, accessorized by Chopard jewelry.

The legendary Jane Fonda, wearing Chopard jewelry, looked absolutely stunning at 74  in a form-fitting metallic gown from Stella McCartney‘s new evening collection I saw her during the day at the Chopard lounge and was overwhelmed by her charisma.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: ©VALERY HACHE/AFP/GettyImages, ©Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images, ©Rex, ©Lia Toby / WENN

On Wednesday evening, the opening night of the 65th Cannes Film Festival (May 16  to May 27, 2012), I was invited by Chopard to this year’s first “Montée des Marches” at the Palais des Festivals. (Each night there is the legendary black tie “Montée des Marches”, the famous red-carpet, by invitation only, where the 22 films in competition are screened.)

It is an amazing feeling to climb up those famous steps, the stairway to heaven. There are hundreds of people waiting behind the barriers to spot their favourite celebrities. The minute I got out of the limousine, I was absolutely speechless and full of emotions.

My look: Gown by Roberto Cavalli, fur stole by Blumarine, Pyramide bag by Prada (In case you are wondering why I didn’t choose a little clutch, I wanted to take my big camera with me.), earrings by Chanel, ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

This year, the Cannes Film Festival kicked off with the screening of Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom.

Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, the movie centers around two young kids (Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) who fall in love, and run away together into the wilderness, but the adult cast is pretty well-stacked in the acting department, featuring Hollywood stars like Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Jason Schwartzman.

Personally speaking, I am not the biggest Wes Anderson fan, but I have truly liked that movie. It is different and moving, featuring the best of Anderson’s iconic comedy whimsy. Moonrise Kingdom will be released later this month.

Bérénice Béjo, the Artist star, hosted the opening ceremony in a stunning gown by Louis Vuitton that blended in well with the red carpet. She introduced the audience to this year’s president Nanni Moretti and his A-list jury that includes Diane Kruger, Jean Paul Gaultier, Alexander Payne, Ewan McGregor, Raoul Peck, Hiam Abbas and Emmanuelle Devos.

During the 12-day movie marathon, they will choose from 22 competition titles to give out the coveted Palme d’Or prize on May 27.

Beth Ditto opened the festival with an amazing performance of ‘Candle In The Wind’.

Very funny, the famous singer was hurrying to get a photo with the jury:

Stay tuned for my best-dressed list of this night!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht