Sandra‘s Closet

An Evening of Leather and High Jewelry: YVY x Bvlgari in Zurich

Stepping into the YVY showroom, I was immediately reminded why Yvonne Reichmuth is one of the most exciting names in Swiss design. The evening brought together two worlds that, on paper, could not be more different: the sensual, handcrafted leather universe of YVY and the Roman glamour of Bvlgari. In reality, the pairing felt effortless, bold, and refreshingly new.

Wonderful Yvonne Reichmuth with me

Yvonne has built her reputation on leather, above all her signature corset belts, sculptural statement pieces that have become true collector’s items. What surprised me most that evening was discovering how far her vision reaches beyond accessories. Her showroom revealed a whole range of beautiful garments, each one carrying her unmistakable signature: precise craftsmanship, a strong silhouette, and that perfect balance between edge and elegance.

What made the collaboration with Bvlgari so compelling was the courage behind it. Instead of following the usual event formula, both houses dared to try something different, to walk a new path and to let their aesthetics speak to each other. Supple leather next to a gleaming mix of white and yellow gold creates a tension that is impossible to resist, and the guests clearly felt it too.

Culinary surprises were part of the evening as well. Star chef Ralph Schelling treated us to a completely unexpected menu, entirely vegetarian and absolutely delicious, proving once again that plant-based cuisine can be every bit as luxurious as the setting it is served in. Paired with generously flowing champagne, his creations added yet another layer of indulgence to the night and kept the conversations sparkling until late.

The crowd itself was one of the highlights of the night. Loyal YVY clients mingled with Bvlgari devotees, quite a few of whom I was delighted to see again, while I also met wonderful new faces. This kind of mix is exactly what makes an evening memorable: genuine conversations, shared passions, and the feeling that everyone in the room truly appreciates craftsmanship.

With beautiful Christa Rigozzi and Yvonne Reichmuth

For the occasion, I put together an outfit inspired by Yvonne’s aesthetic, the world of Bvlgari, and, with a wink, the current football fever sweeping the country. All the details on my look will follow very soon in a separate post, so stay tuned.

The evening’s mastermind Christelle Huwiler.

I have to confess that my arrival was slightly more dramatic than planned. Shortly before the event, I found myself quite literally stuck in a dress that refused to let me go, and in the end it had to be cut open to free me. Not every evening starts with a pair of scissors, but it certainly makes for a good story, and it made the glamour that awaited me at YVY all the sweeter.

Evenings like this one prove that Swiss design and Italian high jewellery share more common ground than one might think: a love of beauty, a devotion to craft, and the confidence to break new ground. Grazie, Bvlgari, and merci, Christelle and Yvonne, for a truly special night in Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht/ Zosia Prominska
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise

INTO THE HORSESCAPE: HERMÈS TURNS MOVEMENT INTO HIGH JEWELRY

Hermès has unveiled Into the Horsescape, the ninth haute bijouterie collection of the maison, and it might be Pierre Hardy’s most poetic work yet. Ninety creations explore the essence of movement: jewels that lift away from the skin only to return to it, again and again.

Attelage d’Or Choker

The horse, the founding symbol of Hermès, is everywhere and nowhere at once. Pierre Hardy, Creative Director of Hermès Jewelry, calls the collection metonymical. The animal itself is barely visible, yet its symbolism lives in every piece, sometimes concrete, sometimes sliding into metaphor. A fitting approach for a house that began in 1837 as a harness and saddle maker for Europe’s equestrian elite, long before it became the luxury powerhouse we know today.

Cavale Necklace

«INTO THE HORSESCAPE is a metonymical collection. The horse itself is barely seen, but its symbolism lives within each piece, sometimes even taking on a metaphorical quality.» – Pierre Hardy, Creative Director of Hermès Jewelry

Chevauchée Necklace

The collection unfolds like an inner landscape, woven from myths, legends, inherited gestures and contemporary visions. Some of the lines speak the equestrian language more clearly than others.

Centaure Necklace

Centaure takes the horse’s hoof as its starting point, pairing meticulously cut black jade with invisible-set baguette diamonds.

Galop Hermès Double Ring

Galop Hermès brings the animal into full view with sculptural horse profiles, exceptional sapphires and gradients of white and brown diamonds that echo the tones of a horse’s coat.

Clou de Forge Lumière

Clou de Forge Lumière elevates the humble blacksmith’s nail into one of the collection’s brightest pieces, covered in diamonds through the house’s pavage matière technique.

Fouet Double Tour Bracelet

And Fouet Double Tour reinterprets the equestrian whip in supple gold and diamonds, a tribute to Hardy’s very first haute bijouterie collection from 2010.

Etreintes Cuff Bracelet and Earrings

What I love most about Into the Horsescape is its restraint. Some stones stay partially hidden until the jewel moves with the wearer, revealing themselves slowly instead of demanding attention. The horse remains the starting point, never the destination. Quiet luxury in its most literal form, and unmistakably Hermès.

LoL, Sandra

Etriers Necklace

Lasso Disco Necklace

Sellette Bracelet

Hermès Apparat Ring and Body Jewelry

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

For more than 2,000 years, the Egypt of the pharaohs has beguiled, intrigued and enthralled.

Witness Ancient Rome‘s attraction to the worship of Egyptian divinities, Champollion‘s unraveling of the mystery of hieroglyphics in 1822, the Luxor Obelisk on the Place de la Concorde in 1836, or the waves of Egyptomania that left their mark on the decorative arts during the 20th century. Perpetuating its tradition of creative curiosity, Van Cleef & Arpels has imagined a vast breath of creations that celebrate this influence exerted by Ancient Egypt over the centuries.

The Fascinating Egypt collection from Van Cleef & Arpels showcases nearly 180 unique haute joaillerie creations, drawing inspiration from both the ancient vestiges of Egyptian civilization and its modern artistic reinterpretations. The Maison thus composes a contemporary jewellery saga in which emblematic symbols and scenes of life intertwine to offer a timeless vision of Egypt.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Van Cleef & Arpels
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

If you have been following along, you already know that I am completely head over heels for Cartier‘s new coloured LOVE bracelets. The press team sent me a few more gorgeous images and I simply had to share them with you. They are just too beautiful to keep to myself. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Cartier
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Is the Wrist Stack Over? Or Did It Just Get an Upgrade? I think the latter, spotting Cartier’s new vibrant capsule collection of six new LOVE bracelets, launching on June 1st, marking the first in an annual series of colour releases.

Three versions are entirely pavé-set in pink sapphires, blue sapphires or tsavorite garnets, with ten diamonds replacing the signature screws.

The remaining three revisit a beloved concept from earlier collections, swapping the screws for coloured stones in warm or cool gradients: yellow (new!) and rose gold styles featuring sapphires, spessartite garnets, tsavorites and amethysts, while white gold is adorned with aquamarines, sapphires, tanzanites and amethysts.

And as for those proclaiming that bracelet stacking is over: wear what makes you happy. The most compelling stacks are the ones that tell your story, not someone else’s. Mix your new LOVE with a beaded bracelet from a market in Marrakech, a vintage find, or anything that simply makes you smile. Rules are for people who lack imagination.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Cartier and © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Yesterday in London was one of those days that remind me why I love this city so much.

TABAYER

Two invitations, both about jewelry, both in the hands of houses that understand beauty as something more than surface. First, lunch at Hide in Mayfair with Tabayer hosted by The Floorr.

With the loveliest hosts Lupe Puerta (The Floorr) and Nyree Tanielian

Founded in 2021 by Nigora Tokhtabayeva, it is one of the most quietly compelling jewelry brands to emerge in recent years. Each piece is rooted in the ancient symbolism of protection, reinterpreted through a modernist, sculptural lens and crafted in Italy using Fairmined certified gold and ethically sourced diamonds. The signature Oera collection draws on Inanna’s Knot, a Mesopotamian symbol of fertility and guardianship, distilled into forms that feel both elemental and entirely of the moment. Jewelry that carries weight, in the most beautiful sense of the word.

With my dear friend Lupe Puerta, founder of The Floorr.

With my dear friend Anouschka who flew in from Frankfurt for the occasion.

BVLGARI

Lupe and I on the steps of the Bvlgari store on New Bond Street.

Later in the evening, I headed to Bvlgari for a truly special night filled with champagne, whisky tasting, and inspiring conversations. The event celebrated the latest creations presented during Watches and Wonders, including the stunning new Bvlgari Octo Finissimo timepiece, which once again showcased the brand’s incredible innovation and elegance.

With Catherine Eberle-Devaux, Bvlgari Watch Communication Director, and Dr. Bill Lumsden, who heads up Glenmorangie’s innovations and has been with the company for more than 25 years. I had met him before at an event in Zurich and it was lovely to see him again.

But beyond the jewelry and watches, evenings like these are always about something even more meaningful to me,  reconnecting with friends in London, sharing conversations, exchanging ideas, and simply enjoying the atmosphere of being surrounded by beautiful things and inspiring people.

With lovely Akram from the Bvlgari London team. We have been knowing each other from Valentino.

It was one of those rare days that felt effortless from beginning to end, and I went to bed feeling genuinely grateful.

LoL, Sandra

With fashion designer Olga Vilshenko.

Beautiful Bvlgari handbags designed by Mary Katrantzou.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

I am delighted to present Eclettica, Bvlgari’s latest High Jewelry and High-End Watches collection, unveiled this year in Milano as a bold expression of creativity, imagination and craftsmanship.

Eclettica, derived from the Italian word for «eclectic,» embodies Bvlgari’s philosophy of embracing contrasts, combining diverse inspirations and blending audacity with elegance. It represents a fearless approach to beauty, where artistic intuition guides technical mastery and imagination transcends traditional boundaries.

The collection brings together over 50 multimillion creations, including 14 transformable pieces, the highest number ever presented by the Maison and is crowned by nine exceptional High Jewelry «Capolavori» – masterpieces crafted from the world’s rarest gems with extraordinary skill and passion.

Rooted in Rome’s rich artistic heritage, Eclettica draws inspiration from sculpture, painting and architecture, transforming these disciplines into a creative playground. Designers and artisans explore form, color, light and structure to create pieces that are both technically extraordinary and emotionally expressive. Each work becomes wearable art, a dialogue between imagination and expertise where innovation and elegance coexist naturally.

Since its founding in 1884, Bvlgari has embraced eclecticism as a method rather than a style, turning contrasts into harmony and daring ideas into enduring beauty. Eclettica elevates this vision, offering High Jewelry and High-End Watches as a celebration of artistic freedom, visionary design and the Maison’s enduring pursuit of excellence.

Those pieces are true art. Let’s start dreaming …

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © BVLGARI
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

On the occasion of the 130th anniversary of the Louis Vuitton Monogram canvas, the House embraces the creative energy of this iconic motif with new expressions of its Color Blossom Fine Jewelry line.

Celebrating the Monogram flowers, this emblematic collection welcomes a new stone color – the eye-catching, navy-blue hued sodalite, which is rarely seen in jewelry today – while also introducing new pavé designs. A total of 28 new jewels now enhance the Color Blossom collection, inviting wearers to play, stack, combine and self-style the pieces.

First created in 1896 by Georges Vuitton in tribute to his father, the Monogram is rooted in artistic inspirations and movements, Neo-Gothic ornamentations, Japanism among them, embodying a timeless cultural resonance. An enduring icon for the House and universal symbol of creativity, it’s no wonder the motif has for 130 years been endlessly reimagined and reinterpreted, inspiring a host of artists and collaborators, and adorning pieces across the House from leather goods to ready-to-wear.

In 2015, the House welcomed Color Blossom, a graceful and versatile design that was themed around colored stones, each meticulously carved in volume to bring out of their individual beauty. Today the range of stones include ultra soft and feminine pink and white mother-of-pearl, refined and classic onyx, to radiant and lively cornelian, malachite and Amazonite. Combining luminous hues and delicate designs, each jewel, from rings and earrings to long sautoirs and short necklaces and bracelets, exude the effortless elegance and playful sophistication of the Color Blossom collection.

The House now welcomes a brand-new stone to the Color Blossom repertoire: sodalite. With a beautiful navy-blue hue, sodalite is a strong, relatively opaque stone with subtle inclusions, highlighting its link to nature and the elements. Known as the «salt stone», sodalite is rarely seen in jewelry today.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Bvlgari announces Dua Lipa as its new Global Brand Ambassador. One of the most influential artists of her generation, Dua Lipa has built a remarkable global career defined by artistic freedom, authenticity and a strong commitment to creative integrity. With multiple Grammy and BRIT Awards to her name and billions of streams worldwide, she has established herself as a powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture.

With Laura Burdese

«Dua Lipa embodies a contemporary vision of empowerment and freedom that deeply resonates with Bvlgari’s values. She is a strong, authentic voice who redefines success, and through her artistry and confidence inspires women around the world to embrace their inner strength. We are proud to welcome her as our Global Brand Ambassador and to begin this exciting new chapter together.» says Laura Burdese, Bvlgari Deputy CEO and Bvlgari CEO as of July 1, 2026.

«It is incredibly special to work alongside an iconic brand like Bvlgari, and I’m thrilled to be part of a house that embodies confidence, creativity, and modern femininity. Their pieces always add the perfect finishing touch, transforming a look into a real moment.» – comments Dua Lipa.

Personally speaking, Dua Lipa is a great match for BVLGARI and I am really excited to seeing her future looks and campaigns.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of BVLGARI
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise

The LV Diamonds collection welcomes four new creations, celebrating both the universal aura of diamond and the timeless strength of the Monogram Flower through the exclusive LV Monogram Star cut. Every gemstone comes with a digital certificate, testifying to Louis Vuitton’s journey towards ever greater excellence and transparency.

Tradition and innovation came together to create LV Diamonds, which has been crafting the perfect rings, solitaires, wedding bands, earrings, and pendants for illuminating life’s most precious moments since 2022. This exceptional collection conveys the power of devotion through the everlasting nature of gemstones, a devotion that echoes throughout the ensemble’s powerful aesthetics, inspired by the House’s iconic motifs and skilled artisans. A succession of techniques, meticulously carried out by hand so as to capture the essence of Louis Vuitton jewelry.

The LV Diamonds collection also showcases an exclusive diamond cut that required several years of research and development. The LV Monogram Star cut – the most precious interpretation of the Monogram canvas designed in 1896 by Gaston Vuitton – heightens each diamond’s gleam, bringing to light every perfectly symmetrical petal’s luminosity, volume, and depth.

A masterstroke that imbues such radiant modernity into diamonds requires truly exceptional rough gemstones. In this vivid illustration of technical prowess, the orientation of each of the diamond’s 53 facets (compared to the 57 facets of a traditional brilliant-cut diamond) was painstakingly studied, cut, and polished by hand to capture as much light as possible. I love it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.