Sandra‘s Closet

Mini cross-body classic flap bag in lambskin A65050 Y01480 12400

Chanel Holiday 2011 – Stick to the List

In rhinestones, black and white, with a fresh floral burst of pastels and acid shades, Chanel accessories this Christmas are the stuff of fairytales. From soft shades and shapes to sparkle, blending fashion jewelry with feminine touches, this treasure trove of contrasts is in equal parts rich and elegant and the perfect gift for all fashionistas.
Available in Chanel boutiques now.

Gentlemen, stick to the list, you cannot go wrong with those!

LoL, Sandra

Camellia bouquet brooch in resin and enamel with glass pearls A61522 Y09255 Z3465

Short necklace with glass cabochons A61041 Y09547 Z2634

Resin cuff embellished with strass camellia A60213 Y09977 Z2989

Satin evening clutch with strass bijoux clasp A69442 Y07437 94305

Square matte black acetate sunglasses embellished with black strass A40922 X01081 S5533

Quilted lambskin jewelry box A68673 Y01480 94305
Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Arlène Bonnant

Caspita is an exclamation of a thousand colours, a name chosen by Arlène Bonnant to launch her line of fine jewelry. Caspita expresses admiration, joy, surprise – literally “my goodness” in Italian. This spirited word came to the designer while reminiscing about her grandfather, who often used this expression of surprise in her presence. The word created a bond between them, in much the same way as a jewel can unite two people.

I like Caspita’s approach of seeing jewelry as something so special, so emotional that it can touch your soul.

For Arlène, her creations are designed to develop a certain spiritual balance – there is a harmony and beauty nourishing every level of being, from its inner strength to its exterior radiance.

My favourite is the Chakra collection that has taken shape around the seven main chakras, stemming from Indian spirituality and designating seven centres of energy in the shape of lotus flowers, each one a different colour. Each chakra represents a world in itself, a sensibility, a colour, an emotion, and a deity…
The choice of one chakra over another is not inconsequential; it is purely a matter of intuition and mystery.

For a closer look on the amazing jewelry, I would like to invite you to view this short movie “Metamorphosis I” filmed in the famous hotel Le Meurice in Paris featuring Caspita’s muse French actress Carole Bouquet and her eternal grace and beauty.

A special treat for my Zurich based readers:

Caspita Haute Joaillerie is delighted to welcome you to discover their collection of jewelry created by Arlène Bonnant at an exclusive private viewing and sale for the first time in Zurich, on Monday, the 12th of December 2011, between 11am – 8pm at Park Hyatt Private Dining Room of the « Parkhuus » Beethovenstrasse 2, 8002 Zurich.

For further information, please kindly contact Mrs Nina Arnold-Shah via e-mail or phone +41 79 768 3723.

LoL, Sandra

Photos and movie: Courtesy of Caspita

I am only in NYC for 48 hours which is not a lot of time especially with such a tight schedule. So I am trying to get the most out of it. Today, I met with jewelry designer Gabriele Frantzen at my favourite restaurant BG Bergdorf Goodman for lunch. It is always such a vibrant, eclectic place overlooking the Central Park on the seventh floor of the famous department store on Fifth Avenue.

Gabriele, who is dividing her time between Munich and NYC, creates amazing custom jewelry.
I invite you to have a look at her designs by clicking here.

Gabriele with me, we are both wearing Gabriele Frantzen necklaces

An amazing present and a wonderful addition to my closet!

At lunch, I run into one of my beloved actresses from Gossip Girl (her character is Lily van der Woodsen): Beautiful Kelly Rutherford. She told me that she just met with Albert Kriemler because she will be wearing an Akris gown to a gala tonight. Check out her new website by clicking here.

I am getting ready now for the big show tonight! So excited!

LoL, Sandra

Hairband encrusted with crystal stones, € 295,-

Here is a sneak preview of Miu Miu‘s fashion jewelry collection for Resort 2012. Available in stores this November. Your chance to outshine the Christmas tree. Bling, bling!

LoL, Sandra

Bracelet encrusted with colourful crystal stones, € 320,-

Necklaces with crystal stones and pearls, each € 450,-

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

While being in Milan, I went to a press event hosted by Bulgari in their newly re-opened boutique in Via Montenapoleone for the launch of the Monete S/S 2012 collection.

Given Bulgari’s ancient Greek origins and Roman influence, ancient coins are seen as a magnificent way to link the past and the present. Therefore the Italian house has relaunched its historic Monete collection from the `60s with a beautiful new design featuring goddess-adorned coins and chunky gold chains remininscent of Ancient Rome. The Monete theme runs though a line of leather handbags and jewlery pieces.

In the evening, the gardens of the Bulgari hotel were the perfect location to celebrate the launch of the new collection. Milan became Ancient Rome and all eyes were on the limber acrobats from Cirque du Soleil.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

During New York Fashion Week, I ran into some very familiar faces. Here you see German fashion power. To the left is über-stylish Annette Weber, editor-in-chief of German InStyle magazine, and to the right is very hip Sue Giers, head byer for Hamburg based Linette shops.

Annette’s look: Dress and Boots by Prada, Bag by Chanel

Sue’s look: Blazer by H&M, Pants by Closed, Dress, Boston Bag and Shoes by Céline, Statement Necklace and Fur Scarf by Gabriele Frantzen.

I loved how Sue combined designer pieces with the fabulous H&M blazer. She rolled up her Céline dress and turned it into a silk shirt. Awesome idea!

If you like Sue’s necklace with the thin little fur scarf, you should have a look at Gabriele Frantzen‘s designs. Having worked in fashion for many years, she launched her eponymous statement jewelry line in 2009. Since then, her pieces have been spotted all over and even made it on the red carpet at the Oscars. Gabriele Frantzen commutes between New York City and Munich. For store locations, please click here.

Gabriele Frantzen during Fashion Week sporting one of her own designs.

Stay tuned for so much more to come. I just spent an amazing weekend in Venice… and now I am packing for Milan Fashion Week!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Question of today is: What is in the bag?

It is Dior…

…Dior Joaillerie.

It is the most beautiful ring in the world: The Diorette created by my favourite jewelry designer Victoire de Castellane.

Such a piece of art and like this you have a bouquet of flowers every day.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is an eye candy for all fans of Hello Kitty and Swarovski crystals among you:
First introduced in 1974, Hello Kitty has been winning over the hearts of the young – and young at heart – ever since. Being an icon of the pop culture, the oh-so-adorable little cat upgrades its look in a sparkling collaboration between the Japanese company Sanrio and Swarovski through jewelry pieces, charms, accessories and figurines. You might have to be a truly dedicated fan to be willing to spend such amounts of money on those playful sparkling pieces. But if you are, I am convinced that you will love those girly treasures.

Clutch, CHF 820

Ring Set, CHF 130

Charm Sitting, CHF 95

Necklace, CHF 330

Earrings, CHF 120

Helly Kitty fans might ask themselves: “What’s better than a Hello Kitty doll?”
Here is the answer: “A Hello Kitty doll covered in Swarovski crystals of course!”

Limited Edition 2011, CHF 10.000

With almost 20.000 crystals embedded into its surface by hand, this iteration of the the world’s cutest kitty is pretty glittery. And also rare – only 88 of them will be made.

The collection will be available starting in August in the 1900 Swarovski stores worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Swarovski 2011

“Bal Vénitien” ring

Dior has launched a new High Jewelry collection “Le Bal des Roses”.

Reminiscent of the Parisian fashion house’s Haute Couture, the stunning creations pay tribute to Monsieur Dior’s favourite flower, the rose. The collection brings together 12 unique pieces that evoke the image of blossoming women attending a ball in their most beautiful gowns. Sumptuous pieces of jewelry with hidden details and stones set within stones evoking luxurious emboidered fabrics. As you know, I am a huge fan of the Dior’s High Jewelry designer Victoire de Castellane. With those designs, she has outdone herself once more.
Wow!

Enjoy the video at the end of this post for a closer look at those eyecatchers.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior

Yesterday, I was invited to explore the upcoming Thomas Sabo F/W 2011 collection. The presentation was held at the Asian restaurant Tao’s in Zurich and the location couldn’t have been better for the so-called „Exotic Issue – Pop goes Asia“ that draws inspiration from the electrifying nightlife of an Asian megacity, merging the power pop era of the ’80s with the coquettish charm of a ’30s Shanghai.

The new Thomas Sabo collection is dazzling and original, for both women and men. It brings up a kind of holiday feeling, the same you experience entering a foreign and magic world.

LB34 Leather Dragon bracelet with onyx, 925 Sterling silver

Enjoy the positive karma of the Buddhist Great Blessing symbols – which promise joy, health, peace and long life, among other things. What a lovely gift to surprise a beloved one!

Left: T0292 Panda pendant with white syn. zirconia and black enamel, T 0300 Fan pendant with black syn. zirconia and red enamel, 925 Sterling silver
Right: T0294 Panda pendant with white syn. zirconia, black enamel and a hand-crafted, white imitation pearl, 925 Sterling silver

Left: PE421 Lantern pendant with black syn. zirconia and red enamel, 925 Sterling silver
Right: H1755 Earrings with black syn. zirconia, 925 Sterling Silver

And not only for modern Geishas and Kung Fu fighters…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Thomas Sabo and © Debora Zeyrek for Tilllate