Sandra‘s Closet

Meet Geneva-based contemporary jewelry designer Suzanne Syz and her unconventional, original designs.

Suzanne cites Andy Warhol, Francesco Clemente, Julian Schnabel, Jean Michel Basquiat and Jeff Koons – all of whom she was friends with when she lived in New York City in the 1980s – as influences on her art-inspired creations. She loves using unusual materials and radiant colours.

Her “Live Savers”, inspired by the famous American candy, belong to Suzanne’s iconic designs.

Isn’t that “Smarties” necklace (around CHF 100.000) absolutely divine?!

When I met her, she said: “Jewelry should be individual and reflect your personal style.” She takes this vision seriously. All her designs are highly individual one-of-a-kind pieces and there is no way that she will reproduce the exact same one.

Suzanne Syz is exclusively available at Landolf & Huber in Zurich, Switzerland – a jeweler that I can highly recommend.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Suzanne Syz

While being in London at net-à-porter, I had also the chance to meet the lovely London-based jewelry designer Diane Kordas who says: “I believe a piece of jewelry should be both casual and classic – but above all, timeless”.

Her eponymous creations are an elegant hybrid of simple design and intricate artistry, elevated with a glamorous dusting of diamonds. Each piece is unique, and fans include everyone from Madonna to the Rolling Stones. I adore her filigree designs, too.

Upgrade your style with her arabesque rings, diamond stud earrings and skull rose gold bangles.

Please click here to shop a large selection of Diane Kordas jewelry.

LoL, Sandra

Diane Kordas with me

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today I would like to introduce you to the John Hardy brand. Canadian-born designer John Hardy founded his Bali-based eponymous jewelry line in 1989, working with skilled local artisans to handcraft each of his intricate tribal-inspired designs.

Truly impressive is the company’s environmental conservation activism, that shows particularly through the planting of bamboo to offset its carbon emissions, its use of recycled silver and its support of charities protecting endangered forests and wildlife.
Now under the creative leadership of Guy Bedarida, the company continues to follow Hardy’s strict policy of ‘sustainable luxury’, building on a successful production model without compromising the environment.

Famous model Angela Lindvall, muse and personal friend of Creative Director Guy Bebarida is the face of John Hardy.

I think that it is absolutely fabulous supporting such a brand by buying their products.
My personal favourites are the cuffs, bangles and bracelets (see above).

To shop, click on the banner below. John Hardy offers free shipping until March 31st, 2012. John Hardy is also available at net-à-porter.com.

LoL, Sandra

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Gentlemen, stores are still open today. This is your last chance to get a wonderful surprise for your beloved one. You cannot go wrong with a wonderful piece of jewelry.

For the generous budget, Bucherer has created the Haute Joaillerie collection which consists of four amazing one-of-a-kind necklaces. At least, it is a feast for the eyes! One can always dream…

Pendant with necklace in 18k white gold with 6 fantasy-cut tanzanites (total 129.91 ct) and 179 brilliants (total 4.52 ct),
CHF 148.000.- / € 135.000.-

Pendant with necklace in 18k white gold with 8 fantasy-cut Paraiba- tourmalines (total 127.11 ct), 234 brilliants (total 2.15 ct) and 35 rose-cut diamonds (total 4.17 ct)
CHF 218.000.- / € 195.000.-

Pendant with necklace in 18k white gold with 6 fantasy-cut tsavoliths (total 1o9.76 ct) and 174 brilliants (total 4.39 ct),
CHF 144.000.- / € 110.000.-

Pendant with necklace in 18k rose gold with 10 fantasy-cut rubellites (total 135.34 ct) and 241 brilliants (total 7.11 ct),
CHF 68.000.- / € 62.000.-

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bucherer

This year, Pomellato‘s Nudo Ring celebrates its 10th anniversary. For the ad campaign, the Italian jeweler is again teaming with Tilda Swinton.

I have been loving the sleek jewels from the beginning. You can wear only one or stack them up to two or three, playing with the colours.
For its anniversary, Pomellato presents a bigger, stronger version of its iconic piece, featuring gems in bold tones, including London blue topaz, Madera quartz, amethyst, lemon quartz, along with a limited edition in olivine and mandarin garnet.

Rings in rose gold and white gold with blue London topaz, Madeira quartz, amethyst, prasiolite and lemon quartz, £ 2.020

Nudo in amethyst.

Nudo in blue topaz. New Nudo in madeira quartz.

Nudo in madeira quartz, blue London topaz. New Nudo in amethyst.

New Nudo in lemon quartz, peridot. Nudo in lemon quartz.

Nudo in madeira quartz. New Nudo in tangerine garnet, madeira quartz.

Rings in rose gold and white gold with peridot and tangerine garnet, price on request

Good news for my Zurich based readers, we have our own Pomellato store since last week at Weinplatz 10.

Dear Santa, please bring me one or two or three… such a wonderful gift!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Pomellato

Parisian Shourouk Rhaiem’s fashion motto is “luxury and decadence”, and her self-titled jewelry label stands by it. Having cut her teeth as a designer at Chloé and Cavalli, Rhaiem’s talents shone when she was commissioned by Jean Paul Gaultier to create the jewels for his F/W 2009 couture show. Bring the wow factor to your accessories collection with her Swarovski-crystal clusters on neon-cord bracelets and dazzling drop earrings.
The perfect gift for every fashionista! To shop, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

PS, on my wish list are those E. Vegas crystal and sequin earrings

and this amazing feather crystal and bead bib necklace.

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