Sandra‘s Closet

“Beautiful yet functional” is how internationally acclaimed wine critic James Suckling describes his new 100 POINTS glass and stemware collection, which is a joint creation with France’s most esteemed crystal maker, LALIQUE.

The American has tasted more than 150,000 different wines over his 30 years as a wine taster. He dreamt for decades about creating his own collection of wine glasses. With the help of Lalique, his dream came true. The two designed the 100 POINTS universal wine glass, which was launched in September 2012 and that is wonderful to drink any type of wine – white or red, young or old, first growth or “petit château”. Being heavier than most other wine glasses on the market, it is a substantial piece of stemware in anybody’s hand.

With a name referring to the wine scoring system, 100 POINTS is a hand-made collection that embraces a modern design: crystal fashioned by the best glass-masters, “U” shaped bowl and distinctive frosted rib stem to obtain the characteristic contrast of clear and satin-finish.

LALIQUE, which was established by René Lalique over 100 years ago, has a long tradition for making wine glasses beginning with ranges such as BARSAC and BEAUNE, which were both popular in the 1930s and 1940s.

Really gorgeous is the new comprehensive 100 POINTS collection with eight pieces complementary to the universal wine glass: Bordeaux glass, Burgundy glass, Champagne glass and water glass, two tumblers of different sizes, wine decanter and water decanter.

Drinking wine in a 100 POINTS glass is a sensual and delightful experience. It’s an everyday luxury for any wine lover.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lalique and © Alessandro Moggi

Until the 13th of April, during the 2014 Milan International Furniture Fair, PRADA retraces its collaboration of 2012 with Verpan and presents the CloverLeaf sofas designed by Verner Panton in new and original colors: red, emerald green and gold.

Verner Panton (13 February 1926 – 5 September 1998) is considered one of Denmark’s most influential 20th-century furniture and interior designers. During his career, he created innovative and futuristic designs in a variety of materials, especially plastics, and in vibrant and exotic colors. His style was very “1960s” but regained popularity at the end of the 20th century; as of 2004, Panton’s most well-known furniture models are still in production (at Vitra, among others).

In Prada’s Monte Napoleone store, a special display is dedicated to the CloverLeaf sofas, reproduced exclusively for the brand’s most important stores.

Prada Via Monte Napoleone 8, Milan
Special Opening: April, 10 2014 10 am – 8.30 pm

I love those sofas. Would love to have one in my closet…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada and © Erling Mandelmann

Sunday. A pause in the week. To unwind… and go wherever the mood takes you. Why not make every day like that with the help of Jo Malone‘s new candle collection that provides all elements of rest and pleasure. Created by the brand’s style editor Charlotte Stockdale, the JUST LIKE SUNDAY collection evokes feelings and memories – at least one is sure to conjure up aspects of your own ideal Sunday. They all smell heavenly!

GREEN TOMATO LEAF
Glasshouse tomatoes. Earthy, leafy and full of sunshine. Crisp with stem-green galbanum. Lively with artemesia, fruity with cassis, resting on a cushion of moss. Tangy and evocative.

LAVENDER & LOVAGE
Crisp, white sheets. The comfort of lavender linen…clean and relaxing. Laced with the aniseed twist of garden lovage. Deepened with herbaceous rosemary and thyme. Calm and aromatic.

SWEET ALMOND & MACAROON
Delectable macaroon. A comforting confection of sweet almond and creamy coconut. Rich with cherries. Softened by vanilla. Warm and cocooning.

INCENSE & EMBERS
Curls of smoky incense. Brightened with silver fir and white pepper. Sensual with napa leather on a base of elegant vetiver and golden amber. Contemplative and relaxing.

Available from January 2014 for CHF 82.00 (200g). In Switzerland exclusively at Jelmoli Zurich and Globus Geneva.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Which child doesn’t dream of owning its own home? Thanks to MY COSY COTTAGE, this wish can come true, your little one can have his or her little villa in the garden.

Jutta von Braunmühl, founder and mother of three, had the idea a few years ago when she was looking for playhouses. Today, she offers in her showroom in Munich fairytale children’s handcrafted wooden cottages and little houses made to order.

Great news is that MY COSY COTTAGE is now exclusively available at KIDS DESIGN LAKESIDE in Switzerland.

My Swedish Cottage

My Grand Victorian Cottage

My Little Stanglwirt, inspired by the famous eponymous 5 star hotel in Austria. Have a look at this previous post where I am standing in front of this cute playhouse in Kitzbuehel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of My Cosy Cottage

On Sunday April 14, 2013, you can create your own étagère at Waldraud (Josefstr. 142, 8005 Zurich). Together with the two designers Susi & Bianca from Senza Cane, Waldraud organizes three workshops (each two hours with six people) where you can produce your own “étagère” (three-tier-server). Coffee and cake will be served!

To register for the morning workshop, 10.00-12.00 o’clock click here (3 places available).
The noon workshop, 12.30-14.30 o’clock, is already fully booked.
To register for the afternoon workshop, 15.00-17.00 o’clock click here (4 places available).

What to bring with you? As you will be drilling and working, don’t wear your finest Sunday dress. You can either bring your own china (plates, cups or saucers) or take the one provided.

Price for one workshop (two hours, 1-2 étagères for you to take home):
CHF 85 + CHF 60 if you want to use the china provided by Waldraud.
CHF 85 + CHF 20 if you bring your own china and just need the stick to create the étagères.

What a lovely idea!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Waldraud

Today, I got back from a wonderful trip to Geneva with Nescens. The last weeks have been crazy with travelling, Los Angeles, Paris, next week, I will fly to London and Vienna. Therefore, I am so happy to have a very relaxing weekend ahead of me that I am planning to spend most of the time cuddled up in bed with my laptop. I have so many amazing things to show you.

For my Swiss based readers, I have also two reading suggestions for the weekend: First of all, my new column in the SI Style magazine is out now. This time, I am telling you a little bit more about my experience with the Fifty Shades of Grey triology. Second of all, the recent edition of Swiss News, the international magazine of Switzerland, is available now featuring a beautiful three-page portrait of one of my favourite designers, Mary Katrantzou.

And in case you are curious in which linen I will be all cuddled up, most of my bedding is by Christian Fischbacher. I just love their quality, fabrics and designs. The one you see in the photos is Cloque, one of my favourites as it doesn’t need to be ironed. Have a great weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is something for my Zurich based readers: This week, Mes Amis and Gut Juwelier are hosting together a Spring Reception where you can browse through the newest arrivals of interior decorations and jewelry designs while enjoying a glass of bubbly.

Please find below all the details:

Probably you can find some beautiful inspirations for your Easter weekend. For those, who cannot make it, enjoy the photos!

LoL, Sandra

First of all, I am addicted to Jo Malone products so please excuse my excitement for the newest addition. Finally I can surround myself with one of my favorite colognes, English Pear & Freesia, at home. The scent is inspired by a walk in an orchard and captures the luscious scent of just-ripe pears, cooled by the autumn air, ready to twist free from the tree. I love the surprising, sensuous freshness of sweet pears, wrapped in a bouquet of white freesias, on a subtle background of scrambling wild roses and skin-warming amber, patchouli and woods, perfect to enlighten every room.

THE ENGLISH PEAR & FREESIA HOME COLLECTION

Scent Surround™ Diffuser 165ml – CHF 86.00

Scent Surround™ Room Spray 175ml – CHF 62.00

Available in Switzerland exclusively at Jelmoli in Zurich and Globus in Geneva from April 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

The 2013 theme at Hermès is “chic le sport” – and this can be seen in their most recent porcelain collection: RALLYE 24. For the launch of the new accessories for men and women, the French Maison has created three cute videos that can be seen exclusively in Switzerland on Sandra’s Closet. Here is the first one concerning the new china:

TO WATCH THE MOVIE PING PONG, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Rallye 24 with the emblematic anchor chain is reminiscent of a car race track with its straight lines and oval corners. Glossy as a car’s paintwork, the rims of the dish speak the language of racing liveries: grey, yellow, green, red, blue, black. This might be the first china that you don’t have to convince your husband to buy. Twirl your starter flag…

Another protagonist of the video is the TOOLBOX bag:

Presented for the first time in 2010, this bag offers everything a modern business woman needs to carry her “tools” in a chic way. The lock is inspired by the Kelly bag. Available in three sizes, 20, 26 and 32, it comes with a detachable shoulder strap.

Toolbox in Veau Evercolor, CHF 6800.- (as pictured)
Toolbox in Veau Grizzly/Veau Barenia, CHF 7850.-

Stay tuned for two more videos coming up during the next days!

LoL, Sandra

Photos and video: Courtesy of Hermès

Recently, I was invited by Louis Vuitton to do an amazing film project with them for the opening of their new store in Gstaad. Unfortunately, the dates correlated with the launch of my Montblanc Bespoke Limited Edition Ink “Sandra Berry” and I couldn’t accept.

Nevertheless, I was lucky to join the French house’s press event which took place a few days later at the famous Swiss ski resort. For the first time, I took the train from Zurich to Gstaad. Unfortunately, you have to change trains twice but the last ride from Zweisimmen is absolutely worth the trip. The Goldenpass Railway is reminiscent of a miniature “Orient Express” with turquoise plush chairs and beautiful wood carvings (see photo to the right above).

I stayed at the new luxury hotel, the Alpina Gstaad which just had opened its doors a few days ago. More than a place to stay in the mountains, it is combining Swiss tradition and thoughtful luxury in perfection. It is truly one of the most beautiful hotels I have seen so far in the Alps.

The hotel’s design makes use of materials and craftsmanship typical to the region, including centuries-old fir wood crafted by master artisans. The result goes beyond Swiss stereotypes to create a fresh interpretation of Alpine chic.

Facilities include 56 rooms and suites, Japanese cuisine from Megu, a Cuban cigar room and a Swiss ‘Stübli’ restaurant.

Staying in a brand new hotel room is, of course, awesome. The Alpina Gstaad offers everything you can dream of, a fireplace that lights up by pushing a button, lots of space for storage, Acqua di Parma bath products, a Nespresso coffee maker and many other things to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

How gorgeous are those bedside lamps in the shape of a cowbell?!

Healthy breakfast in the room.

A beautiful surprise from Louis Vuitton was waiting in the room for me that you have seen me wearing in a recent post. Please click here if not.

A true attraction is the hotel’s Six Senses Spa, where I had a signature massage. There are also indoor and outdoor pools, a well-equipped gym and of course, sauna, steam bath and much more. The only thing that I have found quite challenging is that you have to walk through the main lobby to get to the spa. Always feels weird in a bathrobe…

I enjoyed my stay at the Alpina Gstaad very much and can absolutely recommend this hotel! A huge thank you to Louis Vuitton for those amazingly well organized and fun days in the Swiss mountains.

Stay tuned for all the photos from the opening event and for a very interesting interview that I did with Roberto Eggs, President of Louis Vuitton Northern Europe.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht