Sandra‘s Closet

Bex Manners with me

Yesterday, I was so happy to meet Bex Manners, the designer behind BEX ROX, the It-jewelry brand from London. She came to launch her beautiful collection with Lovers Lane who will exclusively carry the little treasures in Zurich.

If you are looking for a killer statement necklace, for deco inspired jewelry or for animal shaped rings, you will instantly fall in love with her creations. The entire range is bold and very unique, combining chain mail techniques with ancient Chinese knotting.

Since the launch of BEX ROX in 2006, the rise has been unbelievable. BEX ROX has not only done acclaimed collaborations with MADE Africa, and with Browns Focus, it has also been celebrated with the Coutts New Jewellers award 2009.

Please enjoy my interview with Bex Manners below. All the photos I took show the pieces that are available now at Lovers Lane.

Donkey Ring

You were raised in Menorca. What is your nationality? Your cultural background?

I am English but born and raised in Menorca- my mother is Austrian and my father is British but my soul is definitely Spanish!

How much has the lifestyle of the Balearic Island inspired your work?

I would say a great deal.  My collections are about a feeling, being a free spirit, youthful and colourful with a sexy undertone which for me sums up the Balearics…

Since when do you live in London? How do you like the city?

I’ve been living in London since 2007 –  I love it – it’s edgy, diverse and full of constant inspiration – people aren’t afraid to show off their style.

What is your favourite place on earth?

Right now my bed!!

Elephant Collar

How did you come with the idea of creating jewelry? What did you do before?

I was fashion stylist in NYC  and used to constantly make pieces for photo shoots and then would wear them afterwards- people in the streets kept stopping me to ask me where I’d got “that necklace” or “that bracelet” and I would literally sell them off my neck- et voila I started BEX ROX.

What is your most iconic piece? Your signature?

My Eivissa Cuff and the Natalie Ring are my most iconic pieces but then again I believe in my identity and make sure that every season screams BEX ROX.

Eivissa Cuff

Natalie Ring

Gold Tribe Pendant

I like your idea of a necklace that you can take apart with your magnetic clasp to get a bracelet and to be able to mix and match with other pieces so that the customer himself can become creative. Will this always be part of the collection?

Always.

What is your style advice? How would your perfect outfit with Bex Rox jewelry look like?

Walk out the door feeling all woman and believe in yourself, this way you’ll make anything work.

Do you only wear your own jewelry? If not, what else do you wear?

I also wear lots of vintage jewellery and pieces from other designers that are friends of mine.

Do you have a muse? Or an icon?

Most of my best friends are my muses!

Bex Manners in 3 words.

Individual, freckly and pretty temperamental ( but I suppose that comes with being a redhead! )

Where do you see yourself in the future? Will we see more BEX ROX, probably handbags or even clothes?

I have already started collaborating and creating but for now that would be telling.

Thank you, Bex!

And now ladies, run to Lovers Lane and get your Rox on!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Besides their iconic little turquoise blue boxes, Tiffany & Co. have given us another reason to love them with the launch of a new microsite and mobile app called “What Makes Love True“, a triumphant social media splash!

It’s all about love and it plays to the hopeless romantic in all of us. This is one site you’ll want to book in a lot of time for browsing. There are heartwarming stories of true love from real-life couples, tales of happy-ever-after engagements, tips on maintaining a healthy but thrilling relationship, playlists for romantic moments and Tiffany’s most exotic picks for special locations in NYC (MET Roof Garden is a must). And if you aren’t already totally loved up with the site after all those features there’s also a a short film by Edward Burns all about love and couples in New York.

As for me, Tiffany’s site about love is love at first site!

LoL, Sandra

Here is a new contest that I don’t want you to miss! As the Golden Globe Awards took place this week, I would like you to create a red carpet style for your favourite nominee below and you could win a TACORI 18k925 piece from your set.

Contest ends January 20, 2011 at 11.59PST, so hurry. This is your chance to own a fabulous piece of jewelry.

LoL, Sandra

THE CONTEST HAS ENDED!

„Who said that real jewels have to be boring?“
Victoire de Castellane

Barbara Hutton wearing the 55-carat Pasha diamond and the Vladimir emeralds

When it comes to fine jewelry, Dior’s Victoire de Castellane is the designer that I truly admire for her amazing creations that are for me the most beautiful and outstanding pieces in the world. Often imitated but never equalled, Victoire is the lady of the rings.

Bold, chunky and huge are her designs that appear more like pieces of art than jewelry.

Born into an aristocratic Parisian family, her first experience with making jewelry happened when she dismantled her grandmother’s (Sylvia Hennessy from the cognac family) charm bracelet and transformed it into a pair of earrings, much to her mother’s dislike. As a young girl, her grandma and her best friend heiress Barbara Hutton involved the little girl in their love for enormous gems. A passion was born.

Victoire de Castellane started her career at Chanel working alongside Karl Lagerfeld as costume jewelry designer for fourteen years. In 1999, she was appointed by Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, as designer of the first ever collection of Fine Jewelry for the house Dior that allowed her to create her own daring and dramatic style that shook up the staid Place Vendôme from the very first beginning.

Each collection tells a story or evokes a place. The French aristocrat is inspired by the exuberance of technicolour, bright and fluorescent. Her designs are known for the best quality enamel with gems and semi precious stones.
“I prefer huge coloured stones instead of diamonds. And I like to wear and design things that look fake; like costume jewelry, but real” , says Victoire.
The collection Milly Carnivora, includes pieces that can open up to show the amazing inside creation. Love those surprises!

The Coffret de Victoire collection for Dior has some of the most unusual and original rings crafted from the finest gems, golds and materials. It includes creations with skulls, cameos and sealife inspirations – a reflection of world travels and exotic adventures with flavours from the ocean and the orient.

This year, the rose flower, which played a big role in the life of Christian Dior, has inspired Victoire de Castellane to create a new jewelry collection for Dior, so-called „Bois de Rose“.

This month, I was lucky to enjoy a presentation of how the rings are crafted at the Dior boutique in Zurich. After having seen the craftmanship and having talked to the goldsmiths who came from Paris for the event, I value Victoire’s designs even more.

Those fanciful wonders sometimes take months to be finished depending on the design. Every little detail is made by hand. I am truly fond of the jewelry’s bold presence.

If you are interested, please visit the Dior homepage for further information and store locations.

So lovely Ladies, think big and enjoy the little forest on your finger…

LoL, Sandra

One of my favourites: Bague Diorette

Bague Cercle, € 1295

Today, I would like to introduce you to a beautiful French jewelry brand, called Djula. It was in the heart of Paris, in Saint-Germain des Près, in 1995, that Alexandre Corrot started to create the elegant and very feminine pieces.
Having always been fascinated by twenties jewelry, he drew inspiration from it for his own designs, adding a touch of modernity to them. An admirer of the delicacy and precision of the craft work of the time, he delighted trendy Parisians with his fine, elegant, simply different and above all affordable jewelry.

Ring Double Butterflies, € 1495

For the complete collection, please visit the website by clicking here.
If you are interested, you are very welcome to contact Chloé Sebban, +41 79 872 35 75, .

Djula in three words: Parisian, dainty and gorgeous!

LoL, Sandra

Chance Bracelet, € 1795

Bague Or, each € 995

Bague Escargot, € 5995

Collier Chance, € 1895

Next year in spring or summer 2011, 30 years after the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana, their son will finally tie the knot.

William proposed to Kate on a safari last month, but today the newly-engaged couple, both 28 years old,  faced the cameras for the first official engagement photo. Prince William honoured his late mother by giving his fiancée Kate Middleton the engagement ring which was Princess Diana’s from Prince Charles! The ring is an oval 18-carat sapphire surrounded by diamonds.

Kate, a classic beauty wore a bright blue wrap dress by Issa London. The fashion label founded by Brazilian designer Daniella Issa Helayel is known to be one of Kate’s favourites. Rumours are out that she might do the wedding gown as well.

The royal colour matched her massive ring and the dark blue suede pumps finished off her look perfectly. Two decades ago, Princess Diana wore the same shade as well for her engagement.
Kate and William looked so in love today that I am sure all of these similarities are meant to be and a good omen.

To a fashionable happy royal wedding!

LoL, Sandra

Yesterday I was supposed to be in London for the launch of Stella McCartney Kids collection and to preview the two new lines High Jewellery sets by Boucheron and Private Wardrobe by Stella McCartney which is a new service for VIP- customers to receive private appointments, personal styling, exclusive events, bespoke tailoring, previews and more.
I am so happy for my card, it is like the centurion for fashionistas.

Unfortunately, I had to cancel last minute as a very excited interview came up in Zurich. You will soon know to whom I was able to talk to.

Nevertheless, I still have all the photos for you. Stella’s kids collection includes basic comfortable pieces as well as shrunken versions of the mainline.

Her fun, modern fashion for boys and girls, aged newborn to 12 years, is now available in stores and online at StellaMcCartneyKids.com with shipping in over 200 countries. It is truly worth having a look at the website. There will interactive functions for both parents and kids, such as the “playground“.

To coincidence the launch, an iPhone app can be downloaded at iTunes with special features like a mechanical drawing game and the ability to shop.

The London store has also built a very special interactive corner for kids of all ages making shopping a real fun adventure.

Her new fine jewellery line is inspired by „romance, intimacy and secrets“.
The capsule collection includes five dainty pieces in timeless yellow gold (see photos below) that compliment every outfit perfectly. Prices range from £645.-.

I love the kissing pendant… Santa, do you hear me?

LoL, Sandra

My gorgeous press kit

Today, I was lucky to attend the Lanvin for H&M press preview. The line created by Alber Elbaz is breathtaking. Beautiful materials, well-tailored cuts, it seemed to me almost like a best of Lanvin collection, a playful take on his favourite pieces.

Please find herewith some impressions from the lookbook and more pictures of the ad campaign plus my personal photos that I took today in the showroom. They show the beauty of the clothes and accessories perfectly. I have also included the complete price list with all upcoming items, in Swiss Francs.

“What does luxury mean today? Can luxury be exclusive and democratic at the same time? How can we translate the essence 
of luxury to a wider audience? The world around us is changing rapidly and I find myself asking these questions more and more. 
Designer’s work is usually tailored to a very small group of people, but the collection for H&M was about trying to translate the dream 
of luxury to the masses. It was almost like going back to school for me.” Alber Elbaz, artistic director of Lanvin. Well done, Mr Elbaz!

Ladies, I will see you on November 23, 2010 because I want Lanvin…not flowers!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M
Lookbook, Photographer: Stéphane Gallois, Models: Irina Lazareanu and Vincent Olivieri
Campaign, Photographer: David Sims, Models: Natasha Poly, Hannelore Knuts, Tati Cotliar, Simon Nessman, Jane Schmitt and Garance Dumont

In the showroom.

I am totally in love with this dress and necklace.

The clothes come with the beautiful hangers.

Feminine dresses.

The fake fur looks a little like Chanel's fantasy fur, amazing!

Vibrant flower prints worn with pearls.

The illustrations by Alber Elbaz are fantastic.

I adore the T-shirts.

Leopard print and lipsticks.

Cute little clutches.

Love those men shoes!

Christmas trunk in Monogram canvas

Last week, I went to the Louis Vuitton Christmas collection press preview that took place in the beautiful Schloss Sihlberg in Zurich.
The gorgeous presentation with vintage toys from the Zurich toy museum (Züricher Spielzeugmuseum) put me directly into the gift giving mood. It is true, Holiday 2010 is almost upon us, so let’s better get organised.

All I want for Christmas…

LoL, Sandra

The Neverfull bag (left) comes in the Mon Monogram design where you can choose the colour of the lining and how your personal initials should look like.

The Artsy python bag is the new It-piece (approximately €5650.-).

The Stellar bags in Mahina leather start at approximately €2190.-.

I love the Tambour Blush watch (right).

Totally cute are the little pouchettes (from €205.-) with the first LV advertising printed on them. Adorable!

Photos: ©Louis Vuitton/Koto Bolofo