Sandra‘s Closet

Recently I was invited to explore PANDORA‘s new Essence Collection during an extremely yummy lunch at the Park Hyatt in Zurich.

The contemporary concept is featuring a slender sterling silver bracelet with an accompanying assortment of 24 sterling silver charms, hand-finished from precious metals and symbolic stones, each representing an inner value. It taps into current trends for personal and emotional connection, presenting different women that are each expressing their inner values such as joy, trust, passion, confidence, love, courage, faith and wisdom.

The new Pandora Essence Collection is in stores now around the world and a wonderful gift idea for a dear friend, a beloved sibling or your dear mother for Christmas. It is also the perfect way to express the essence of you, something meaningful around your wrist that reminds you every day of the values you care about.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Pandora and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last night, Sotheby’s achieved the highest jewelry sale in history with a total of $199,512,930 (CHF 183,054,500) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The highlight of the auction was an enormous diamond known as “The Pink Star”, which sold for $83,187,381 (CHF 76,325,00), far surpassing its expected price of $60 million. It is the highest price ever paid for a gemstone at an auction.

Representing an anonymous buyer, the vivid and flawless 59.60-carat vivid pink diamond was bought by the famous New York-based diamond cutter Isaac Wolf, who has renamed it after the sale “The Pink Dream”. It received the highest color and clarity grades from GIA for pink diamonds. Mined by De Beers in Africa in 1999, the 132.5 carat rough diamond was painstakingly cut and polished over a period of two years and transformed into this stunning gemstone. It was presented for the first time at auction last night.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Sotheby’s and The Associated Press

Italian jewelry brand Pomellato has launched three amazing fragrances inspired by their iconic Nudo collection of rings with colored gemstones. The scents are designed for women who are independent and sophisticated in terms of style.

POMELLATO NUDO AMBER – inspired by Madeira quartz.

FLORAL ORIENTAL

Top notes: Orange blossom and Bulgarian rose
Middle notes: Sambac jasmine and amber
Base notes: Musk and vanilla from Madagascar

POMELLATO NUDO BLUE – the scent of London Blue topaz.

MUSKY FLORAL

Top notes: Bamboo, lemon and black currant
Middle notes: Peony, iris, freesia and magnolia
Base notes: White musk, amberwood, vanilla and heliotrope

POMELLATO NUDO ROSE – inspired by the Rose de France amethyst.

FRUITY FLORAL

Top notes: Pink grapefruit, peach, bergamot and watery fruits
Middle notes: Rose, water lily of the valley and pink freesia
Base notes: White musk, white cedar, sandalwood and cashmere

Pomellato Nudo Amber, Nudo Blue and Nudo Rose are available as Eau de Parfum Natural Spray 25ml (CHF 58.00), 40ml (CHF 82.00) and 90ml (CHF 114.00), Body Lotion 200ml (CHF 49.00) and  Body Cream 200ml (CHF 96.00).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Pomellato

Last month, during those last days of summer, I had the chance to shoot this fun project with Tiffany & Co. for their new Atlas collection. The beautiful Baur au Lac Hotel in Zurich was the perfect backdrop to showcase this infinity jewelry.

My look: Dotted silk shirt and dress, both by Prada, pumps in pale pink cracked leather by Miu Miu, Lady Dior bag by Christian Dior, cat eye embellished mirrored acetate sunglasses by Dolce & Gabbana, all jewelry pieces in white gold and watch by Tiffany & Co..

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Something you may have found completely tacky until now, will surely dangle soon around your neck. Whether you need help, are in love, a happy mood or just want to express some coolness, then those Lanvin nameplate necklaces are for you. Spotted first on the F/W 2013 runway and now on most fashionistas, such as Natalie Massenet and Anya Ziourova during fashion week, this jewelry-candy is flying off the shelves.

For me, there is nothing more important than love…
Available at mytheresa and net-à-porter.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, @ Diego Zuko

Get ready to add more jewelry pieces to your Tiffany & Co. wish list. Trendsetter and fashionista Olivia Palermo couldn’t resist the little turquoise box neither and sports the new Atlas collection already on her wrist.

The new line offers all the power and magnetism that made this celebrated design a fashion icon. Introduced in 1995, the collection is named for the mythic Greek god who holds aloft an enormous globe – an apt symbol for a collection that makes an impact around the world. The Atlas collection explores the raised Roman numerals of its archetype, the Atlas watch that was launched in 1983 and that was granted a rare U.S. patent for its originality.

The latest options continue the evolution of Atlas, with its classical Roman numerals styled in jewelry that is eternally modern, chic and sophisticated.

The clean-cut numerals assert their timeless beauty in the prime asset to own now: an Atlas bangle of spirited versatility. Tiffany circles the numbers in cutouts of 18 karat yellow, pink or white gold, defining style in lean, confident strides. Bordered with sparkling diamonds, this major design statement makes for bold band rings, as well, circled with diamonds or shaped in smooth, polished metal.

Other options that figure prominently include narrow bracelets with fine chains that drape the wrist and a great open medallion in gleaming sterling silver. Altogether the jewelry generates a sensuous play of light that casts a luster over dressing day and night.

Every variation on the theme shines with a chic sophistication that is the essence of Tiffany. Definitively American in its bold simplicity, Atlas embodies the strength of the brand, and of the stylish women who wear it all over the world. A true fashion statement of its own…

The Tiffany Atlas jewelry collection is available now at Tiffany & Co. locations worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.

STALACTITE-SHAPED CRYSTAL
A futuristic fantasy from Maison Martin Margiela

A striking new crystal cut has made a stunning début: Swarovski has teamed up with high-end, haute couture collective, Maison Martin Margiela, to launch a new type of crystal technology—the groundbreaking Crystalactite.

In the beginning of July during the Haute Couture week in Paris, in the chic Espace Yves Toudic, five as-yet-unseen, state-of-the-art crystal jewelry and accessories pieces, each featuring the new Crystalactite fusion technology, took center-stage at Maison Martin Margiela’s eagerly awaited Couture Show, entitled ‘Artisanal’.

What makes the Maison Martin Margiela Crystalactite for Swarovski totally unique is the fact that it is made using the pioneering Crystal Fusion technique, by which crystal is merged with matt white resin before it is cut, making gluing unnecessary. This is unprecedented, and the result is startlingly futuristic—an avant-garde and asymmetric beauty, inspired by the shape and structure of stalactites. Maison Martin Margiela showed how the five Crystalactite Haute Couture jewelry pieces can be turned into amazingly versatile accessories. A specially integrated clip mechanism enables them to be worn on the hair, clothing, or footwear, giving an eclectic, cutting-edge look that is way ahead of its time.

Please enjoy some of the amazing show pieces along with some exclusive backstage photos:

I have been so thrilled to discover that there is to be a Maison Martin Margiela Crystalactite for Atelier Swarovski collection based on the Haute Couture pieces. It will consist of a stunning pendant, ring, and bracelet, each displaying Maison Martin Margiela’s signature clean-lined asymmetry, lit up with Swarovski’s famous sparkle. Even better, it will be available for Christmas 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Product and backstage photos: Courtesy of Maison Martin Margiela Crystalactite for Swarovski
Show photos: Courtesy of Maison Martin Margiela

CHER DIOR, the new high jewelry collection designed by Victoire de Castellane for Dior includes 21 pieces, all beautifully created with vibrant center stones, lacelike settings, and surprising color combinations.

I love this new delicate addition to the House’s haute joaillerie line and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior

Between Chopard and cinema, there blooms a romance worthy of the big screen’s most beautiful love stories. Year after year, grand events such as the Cannes Film Festival continue to enrich the house’s magnificent array of partnerships.

Today, this unique relationship has been given a new brilliance, because the Geneva-based jeweler is embarking on an exclusive collaboration: Chopard has worked with a costume designer to select jewelry for Naomi Watts in the much-anticipated film DIANA, about the late Princess of Wales, which opens in cinemas in September and is produced by Award winning British company Ecosse Films. Below you get a sneak preview, enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chopard

The first Piaget Rose Day is tomorrow on June 13, 2013 – a special occasion for a special rose, the Yves Piaget rose. It will be celebrated around the world, becoming an annual event for the brand. An ode to the rose and a fitting tribute to springtime.

To mark the occasion, special events have been organised in Piaget boutiques all over the world. The day honoring this distinctive rose will also be an opportunity to discover the collections it has inspired. I am absolutely in love with those romantic and dramatic jewlery creations that you see me wearing here.

To celebrate this day to the fullest, Piaget hosts in Paris a private Melody Gardot concert in a secret venue near Place Vendôme. The ambassador of the Piaget Rose collection will sing her version of ‘La Vie en Rose’ that she has created in honor of the famous jewelry brand. Bar Rafaeli, the face of the campaign, will also be present.

And I have also a very big surprise and some exciting news to share. I am a new ambassador for Piaget and I couldn’t be more happy about it! During the next months, you will be discovering some interesting projects, so please stay tuned!

In the meantime, I invite you to enter the Piaget Rose Contest by clicking on the picture below. Write your message now and make June 13 an unforgettable day for your loved one. Only a few hours left…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Piaget and © Sandra Bauknecht