Sandra‘s Closet

Last week, we gathered to say goodbye to my father, in the same forest, beside the same tree, where we stood only two months ago to say goodbye to my mother. The same place, the same quiet air, the same sacred ground that holds both of them now. And although it breaks my heart, it also fills me with peace. They are together again where they always belonged.

We came dressed in black with a touch of green, his favorite color, as he wished, and in the way he always loved me to express my emotions through what I wear: a hat with a Gamsbart, traditional touches he would have smiled at, and the CHANEL bag he gave me as a young girl, the very first one, carried close to my heart today.

And as if the sky wanted to honor him too, the day was bright and cold, a true Kaiserwetter: icy air, but sunlight pouring through the trees, warming us from above. It felt as though he were sending us one last golden greeting.

There was so much love around us. So many memories. My childhood friends came, a gesture that touched me deeply and helped carry me through this day. And all around, I felt kindness, warmth, and support from every side.

At one moment, I leaned toward the tree, the same tree where we stood for my mother, and kissed its bark. And in that brief second, it felt as if I was holding her again. As if the tree had become a bridge between worlds, carrying both of them in its roots and branches. A quiet embrace that wrapped itself around my heart.

My father was the most loyal, honest, and authentic man I have ever known. A true good soul, gentle, humorous, sociable, always ready to help, always seeing the best in others. He loved nature, he loved traveling, he loved wandering through the world with curiosity in his eyes. And he loved deeply especially my mother. Their bond was one of the great loves of a lifetime.

He gave love, and he received love. He lived with kindness, and he left with kindness. And now, after 83 years in this world, he has returned home back into a greater light, back to the woman he loved with all his heart.

It moves me to think that their journeys began and ended in such harmony: Two months apart. One final path leading them back to each other. A circle completed with grace. It was a day of farewell but also a day of gratitude. Gratitude for the memories, for the laughter, for the stories, for the quiet moments, for the love that will stay with us forever.

And as the sunlight shone through the trees, I felt something else too:
A gentle reassurance.
A whisper from above.

We are together again.
We are at peace.
We are watching over you.

Papa, I love you.
Thank you for everything you were, everything you gave, everything you taught me.
You will stay in my heart, always.

And now you are with Mama again.
That thought brings me comfort, and maybe even a little bit of joy.

Rest in peace, Papa.
You are home.

With love, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Rest in Peace Papa 🖤
December 6, 1942 – October 23, 2025

«My father’s love is the quiet light that will forever guide me home.»

Today is my mother’s birthday and though she is no longer with us, I believe she isn’t celebrating alone. My father has joined her on the way to celebrate together, just as they always did in life.

My father was the most loyal, honest, and authentic person I have ever known. A truly good soul, kind to everyone, never speaking an unkind word about anyone. He loved nature, he loved taking the train, he loved to travel and he loved horses and riding. He was sociable, funny, and always there for others. For me, he was simply the best dad anyone could ever wish for.

We shared wonderful journeys together, just the two of us, and later also with my daughter. We relived so many stories and memories on those trips.
Among the photos I’ll show today is one from Rome, our last trip together. The Eternal City will forever be tied to him in my heart. During that trip, I gave him a very special gift, a papal audience at the Vatican, an experience that filled him with joy.

Then there was Iceland, where we traveled all around the island with Anouk, and the US including Chicago, where he came to visit us while we lived there.

And there’s another very special photo from 1985, when I was ten years old. He took me with him on a business trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg because he knew how much I loved ballet. One evening, he took me to the Bolshoi Theatre, in the presence of Mikhail Gorbachev, to watch a ballet performance. That’s who he was, thoughtful, generous, and always finding joy in making others happy.

He passed away through a tragic accident. After breaking his thigh and undergoing surgery, his dementia made him forget that he had been operated on. When he tried to get up, he fell and suffered a severe head injury. The swelling and bleeding became too much for his body.
I was with him through his final days in palliative care, day and night. It was heartbreaking, but also a beautiful farewell, peaceful, full of love, just like when my mother passed away.

They were each other’s great love. I have never seen a couple with such a deep, genuine bond. So it does not surprise me that, only two months after my mother’s passing, my father followed her.

To both of you, I wish you joy and peace up there. Celebrate, laugh, and keep watching over us.
I am forever grateful and proud to have had such wonderful parents.

Dad, I love you. Always.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A tribute to joy & optimism
Veuve Clicquot and Simon Porte Jacquemus, French designer and founder of the eponymous brand, are pleased to unveil a poetic and joyful reinterpretation of La Grande Dame 2018, the Maison’s prestige cuvée, as a limited edition. Exuding sunlit optimism while honouring the beauty of artisanal tradition, a standout design is signed by Simon Porte Jacquemus as an artistic expression with a crafted touch.

The collaboration unites two creative universes illuminated by the joy that is deeply rooted in their respective identities. The emblematic Veuve Clicquot yellow, first introduced in 1877, radiates the colour of the sun, while Simon Porte Jacquemus remains eternally inspired by his solar Southern French roots.

Present throughout this collaboration, the iconic yellow of Veuve Clicquot plays a role both visually and symbolically. Here, Simon’s favourite colour illuminates the drape, like a ray of sun that rises from linen. Yellow, a symbol of joy, also blends with silver and natural tones, adding both warmth and modernity.

At the heart of the collaboration is a shared homage to women. The story of Madame Clicquot, an exceptional woman who boldly took the reins of the House in 1805 when women had few rights – and was named ‘la grande dame de la Champagne’ after her death -captivated Simon, whose mother is his forever muse and who conveys the strength and sensuality of women through his designs.

This limited edition is instantly recognisable for its handwritten logo and signature by Simon on an irregularly edged yellow label embossed with sun rays. The bottle is draped with white linen evoking the timeless elegance of family heirlooms that have been carefully washed, sun-dried, and starched with Marseille soap. This white linen is also a reference to an old Italian method used to keep bottles cool: a cloth is soaked in water and then wrapped around the flask to maintain its chill during hot summer days. The fluid calligraphy in yellow embroidery suggests a surreal, almost living presence, as though gently written by hand.

«La Grande Dame 2018 is the outcome of simple materials, meaningful gestures, and strong women’s stories, yet it is ultimately a celebration of – and for – optimistic and memorable moments,» adds Simon. «From the bright and joyful spirit to the excellence in savoir-faire, I admire and share the same values as Veuve Clicquot.»

Bridging the codes of couture and champagne, the gift box is sheathed in a «toile du Marais» fabric with sun rays and a ribbon alternating the Veuve Clicquot logo and Simon’s signature. It reflects Simon’s innate love of objects and his belief in the poetry of everyday life.

Masterpiece «Le Rafraichissoir», a fresh take on champagne service
A custom rafraîchissoir (cooler) extends his eye for sculpture into functional design. Simon revisits the At Home Champagne Ritual by breathing new life into the rafraîchissoir, an object rooted in the refined culture of the 18th century, which has left an indelible mark on the history of Maison Veuve Clicquot. True to his aesthetic, he infuses it, and more generally the idea of the traditional champagne service, with imaginative yet subtle details.

Inspired by Medici vases, the design composed of a champagne bucket and a glass cooler (which can be used together or separately), also incorporates personal references such as the rounded square handles and a fish trompe l’oeil that nods to Simon’s Mediterranean roots. Upholding the savoir-faire of metalsmithing, he collaborated on the design with Camille Orfèvre, recipient of the prestigious ‘Meilleur Ouvrier de France’ award, which recognizes exceptional craftsmanship. With an atelier in the Marais, the master artisan remains one of the last orfèvres (metalsmiths) in Paris and possesses an EPV (Company of Living Heritage) label. The silverware pieces are crafted from silver‑plated metal, meticulously worked for over 40 hours, spread across several non‑compressible weeks, using the traditional techniques of haute orfèvrerie. Each stage is performed by hand, and the creation of each piece involves up to seven distinct crafts: repousser, polisher, engraver, enameller, silver‑plater, cabinet‑maker, and silversmith. This reflects the precision and richness of the French silversmithing tradition.

A limited edition that is manufactured only on request, customizable and limited to 50 pieces. Le Rafraîchissoir also includes a glass set and a flight of exceptional vintages of La Grande Dame: 2018, 2012 in Magnum and 1990, Simon’s birth year, in Jeroboam. This selection of vintages and bottle formats offers a unique journey into how time and bottle size impact the aromatic evolution of wine.

«Beyond fashion, I have all these obsessions around design and contemporary art,» says Simon. «For Veuve Clicquot, I envisioned how people would feel the warmth, craft, and emotion in the appearance of this fine La Grande Dame 2018 vintage.»

La Grande Dame 2018, a deep and precise vintage
La Grande Dame 2018, 25th vintage of the cuvée launched in 1972, is the expression of a centuries-old craftsmanship and an unprecedented year, offering a maturity of grapes close to perfection.

For more than two centuries, Veuve Clicquot has cultivated ‘L’Art du Pinot Noir’ according to Madame Clicquot’s vision. Madame Clicquot used to describe this delicate grape variety as «the only one capable of producing wines of unmatched finesse and freshness.»

Under the expertise of the Cellar Master, La Grande Dame 2018 embodies a perfect mastery of aging in the service of the Art of Pinot Noir. It is a wine with a solaire soul. Its color is bright and luminous. Its deep and precise style is characterized by subtle finesse and freshness, expressed through its salinity.

La Grande Dame 2018 offers the sensation of an ideal balance, with perfect harmony and intensity for this vintage.

Julia and Emma Roberts at the launch party during New York Fashion Week (Photo: via Vogue)

A joyful celebration
To reveal this unprecedented collaboration, Veuve Clicquot and Simon Porte Jacquemus have conceived an unveiling during the opening of New York Fashion Week.

An advertising campaign, imagining a poetic and joyful journey between Reims, the historic city of Veuve Clicquot, and the South of France, home of Simon Porte Jacquemus, has been directed by Jonas Lindstroem with photos by Jack Davison.

Following the US launch on September 9th, the collaboration will then roll out in UK, Italy and France in September / October 2025.

Recommended selling price for la Grande Dame 2018 by Simon Porte Jacquemus: €220.
Le Rafraîchissoir: Price upon request.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Veuve Clicquot
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DRINK RESPONSIBLY!

One month without my mother.
The sadness is still heavy, like a secret shadow I carry with me. I hesitated for a long time whether to share these pictures and words, because grief is intimate, and yet, it is part of life. And I believe it’s important to find light even in the darkest chapters.

«Grief is the price we pay for love.» – Queen Elizabeth II

She always wanted her farewell to be bright, colorful, and full of joy, no gloomy speeches, but laughter, champagne, and celebration. Because life continues, and she believed that death is not the end, only a checkpoint on our journey.

She wished for a forest burial, her final resting place embraced by nature. I carried her urn from the ceremony to the tree, sometimes smiling, sometimes crying, because grief is not one single face, but many. My sister said something in her speech that will stay with me forever: «The ashes become one with the tree, so I can embrace our mother again.»  A thought both heartbreaking and comforting, because it makes her presence eternal.

At her farewell I wore color because fashion is my language, my way of expressing love. A Dolce & Gabbana skirt whispering «Mama, I love you» in every language, and a matching bag with a mother, two daughters, a dog, and a cat, exactly her world. Through clothes I painted the immensity of my love for her.

What touched me deeply: my childhood friends traveled from far away to stand by my side. Their presence was a gentle reminder that love weaves us together across time and distance, and I am endlessly grateful.

She was extraordinary, and she taught me to embrace life with both elegance and humor. And so I honor her not only in grief, but in light. And now life moves forward, I’m on my way to Boston with my daughter, filled with gratitude and excitement for this new journey ahead.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Hotels have long been known for their signature scents, but now, Mandarin Oriental is going a step further by creating their own new signature color: Celadon Green, developed exclusively with the Pantone Colour Institute. Inspired by traditional Asian ceramics, the shade embodies calm, refinement, and cultural heritage—yet Mandarin Oriental has transformed it into something contemporary and experiential.

The color is not just part of the design language; it’s woven into every detail of the brand. Guests encounter Celadon Green in delicate pastries at The Mandarin Cake Shop, in mooncakes presented in elegant green boxes, and even in cocktails that reinterpret the hue with matcha and fresh herbal notes.

Fashion and travel collaborations extend the story further. Limited-edition Sunspel T-shirts at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London and Globe-Trotter luggage collections allow travelers to carry a piece of Mandarin Oriental’s identity beyond the hotel walls. At the spa, soothing tones of Celadon Green complement treatments designed to relax body and mind, turning color psychology into an integral part of the experience.

To celebrate the launch, Mandarin Oriental has also taken Celadon Green global with playful Pantone «chip» installations, creating stylish photo moments from London to Bangkok.

More than just a shade, Celadon Green is Mandarin Oriental’s way of turning design into lifestyle, luxury you can see, taste, wear, and feel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Mandarin Oriental
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Louis Vuitton is embarking on a bold new chapter with the arrival of La Beauté, its first dedicated make-up line. Rooted in the Maison’s codes of travel, creativity, and savoir-faire, the line promises not just products, but collectible objets d’art designed to be cherished over time.

At the helm of this debut stands Dame Pat McGrath, DBE, appointed as Creative Director, Cosmetics. Known as one of the most influential make-up artists of our era, McGrath brings her signature artistry and innovation to Louis Vuitton, shaping a universe of beauty built on emotion and bold expression.

The initial collection focuses on three pillars: LV Rouge lipsticks in 55 shades, LV Baume lip balms in 10 luminous variations, and LV Ombres eyeshadow palettes in 8 chromatic harmonies. Each product is housed in sustainable and refillable packaging designed by Konstantin Grcic, combining modern responsibility with Louis Vuitton’s heritage of craftsmanship.

To mark the launch, the Maison unveiled a striking campaign captured by Steven Meisel and directed by Damien Krisl. House Ambassador Hoyeon, joined by models Ida Heiner, Chu Wong, and Awar Odhiang, embodies the brand’s vision of empowerment and femininity. Against surreal landscapes of crimson deserts and pink lakes, the imagery blurs the line between dream and reality, presenting beauty as both a lifestyle and an art form.

LV Rouge Complete Lipstick, €140
LV Baume Complete Lip Balm, €140
LV Ombres Complete Eyeshadows, €220
LV Rouge  and LV Baume Refills, €60
LV Ombres Refill, €80

The worldwide launch will be on August 29th, 2025 in a selection of Louis Vuitton stores (in Switzerland, available in Zurich only) and on louisvuitton.com following the worldwide digital pre-orders on August 25th.

While the creative vision and ambition of La Beauté are undeniable, the launch highlights a broader shift within luxury beauty. Over the past two years, prices in fashion and cosmetics have climbed to unprecedented heights, while service and quality often feel as though they are heading in the opposite direction. For many customers, the experience of walking into a boutique to indulge in a small luxury has become complicated: appointments are required, stock is limited, and spontaneity is replaced by waiting lists.

Luxury, at its essence, should feel effortless, joyful, and special. Increasingly, it risks feeling transactional, less about craftsmanship, more about access. Perhaps Louis Vuitton’s new beauty line will deliver on its promise of «heirloom-worthy» products. But as price tags rise, one can’t help but ask: is this still true luxury, or simply the performance of it?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton / Sandra Bauknecht
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Rest in Peace Mama 🖤
October 26, 1946 – August 8, 2025

«Some bonds are written in the soul, untouched by time, unbroken by goodbye.»

One week ago, I said goodbye to my beautiful mom, a truly sensational mother, a loving wife, and a soul who adored animals, especially her dogs, with all her heart. She gave everything for us.

She called me her little Goldfish, and for 50 years, we spoke every single day. My Dad always said I was the other end of the umbilical cord that was never cut and he was right.

When she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, they gave her three months but she fought for a year and a half, facing it with courage, grace, and that unstoppable energy she carried all her life, the same energy she passed on to me. She was a true warrior.

It still feels unreal. This past week, I have felt paralyzed, lost in the silence where her voice used to be. But I know that she would want me to keep going, to follow my path, to live fully, just as she always told me to.

She taught me so much about love, resilience, and believing in your dreams. Long before it was a trend, she was manifesting the life she wanted. She inspired me not just as a mother, but as a human being.

She was my safe place, my constant, my heart. There is no part of me that isn’t shaped by her love. I will miss her laugh, her voice, her everything… but I will carry her with me, always.

Thank you, Mom, for every sacrifice, every hug, every moment. You were, and will always be, my forever home.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

If your world seems upside down, I recommend reading Vex King’s «Good Vibes, Good Life». This self-help book focuses on personal transformation through positive thinking, self-love, and mindset shifts, providing practical advice and motivational insights on how to live a happier and more fulfilling life. Personally speaking, it helped me a lot during my journey.

Here are the key themes and lessons:

1. The Power of Positivity
• Your thoughts shape your reality. Maintaining a positive mindset helps attract good experiences and opportunities.
• Surround yourself with uplifting people and environments.

2. Self-Love & Self-Care
• Treat yourself with kindness and compassion.
• Engage in activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul.
• Set boundaries and remove toxic influences.

3. Manifestation & Law of Attraction
• Focus on what you want, not what you lack.
• Visualizing success and believing in your worth will help bring positive changes.

4. Overcoming Challenges & Negativity
• Accept that setbacks and failures are part of the journey.
• Learn from negative experiences and use them for growth.
• Gratitude helps shift focus from problems to possibilities.

5. Raising Your Vibrations
• Everything, including thoughts and emotions, has energy.
• Higher vibrations (like love and gratitude) attract positive experiences.
• Practice meditation, affirmations, and mindfulness to maintain a high frequency.

6. Taking Action Towards a Better Life
• Positive thinking alone isn’t enough—consistent action is key.
• Develop healthy habits and a routine that supports your goals.
• Stay committed to personal growth and lifelong learning.

In my opinion, Vex King blends spiritual wisdom with practical self-improvement strategies in such a self-explanatory and great way, that is making Good Vibes, Good Life a powerful guide for anyone looking to cultivate happiness, inner peace, and success. The book encourages self-belief, resilience, and the pursuit of a life aligned with one’s true desires. It helped me, and I hope it will help you, too!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Felicia Sewerinsson @feliciasewerinsson
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We are only a few days in the new year and we have already a new It-bag or at least a bag the fashion world talks about. Walmart launched an affordable handbag on their website  that mimics the style of the iconic Hermès Birkin, with prices ranging from $78 to $102. Dubbed the «Walmart Wirkin» by social media users, the affordable alternative exploded in popularity on TikTok, with influencers showcasing the bags and offering mixed reviews.

«The Walmart Birkin bag is called a Wirkin and it’s for the Wirkin class,» a TikTok user wrote.

Screen shot from the Walmart website

Becoming a hit for its design and quality at a fraction of the luxury bag’s price, the Wirkin has also sparked debates about the ethics of producing and buying luxury «dupes.»  A dupe is a product that imitate the design of luxury items without being counterfeit as they don’t show a logo. Supporters argue that such items democratize fashion by making high-end styles accessible to a broader audience, while critics contend that they may undermine the value of original designs and contribute to issues related to fast fashion. 

Birkin 35 in orange Togo leather by Hermès

Personally speaking, such concerns are overblown; the Wirkin isn’t the first, and almost certainly not the last, cheap clone of a designer bag to hit the market. However the degree to which the conversation took off shows the growing sentiment among shoppers, who are frustrated with big luxury.

Birkin 30 in gold Epsom leather by Hermès

For luxury aficionados, owning a Hermès Birkin is a mark of exclusivity and wealth. These bags, named after actress and singer Jane Birkin, are not readily available in Hermès stores. Shoppers often face months-long waitlists, even after securing a coveted spot for purchase. However the quality of a Birkin bag is outstanding and that is something a dupe can never deliver. Each Hermès Birkin bag is hand-sewn by a single artisan, and is then buffed, painted, and polished, taking up to 40 hours to make. Artisans purportedly train for five years before they are allowed to make their first Birkin bag. The stitch on which the brand’s reputation is based — the saddle — cannot be replicated by a machine, as it requires two needles simultaneously passing through the same seam. I wrote my first blog post ever about it. This is how Sandra’s Closet started in November 2009 (see collage below).

Truth is … if you walk into a Hermès store for the first time, no amount of money will be enough to get you the Birkin bag of your dreams. That’s because each store reserves the bags for a limited number of customers, and typically only those who’ve made enough repeat purchases. In October 2024, three U.S. consumers sued the French luxury house to persuade the judge that the company is forcing buyers to spend thousands of dollars on other products before they can purchase one of its famed Birkin bags.

Two super special Birkin editions: Faubourg Birkin 20 in So Black matte alligator with black hardware and Himalaya Niloticus crocodile Birkin bag, both by Hermès.

The question I am asking is «what is luxury». For me, it is walking into a shop, getting something that I wished for, and being treated like a princess during this process, especially if I spend these astronomical amounts of money. Unfortunately, those times are over. If the sales associate doesn’t know you, you might feel rejected and won’t be treated well. Then, the other problem is, that these bags achieve such high prices on the secondary market, that they become desired objects for robbers, something that I had to unfortunately experience myself. So the question is … is it really luxury if I have to worry about it instead of indulging into it?!

Maybe one day the «Wirkin» will too be looked at as a piece of art, albeit a print vs an original. Safe to carry around with less risk to be stolen.

LoL, Sandra

Shiny Rose Schéhérazade Porosus Crocodile 25 Birkin bag by Hermès

Photos (1-3): Courtesy of Walmart
All other photos of the Hermès Birkin bags: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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Happy New Year 2025 to all of you, my fabulous readers! New year, fresh vibes, and a heart full of gratitude—let’s make it unforgettable! Here’s to a year of sparkle, style, and unforgettable looks. May your 2025 be as fabulous as your favorite pair of heels and as fun as a last-minute shopping spree. Wishing you lots of runway-worthy moments and outfits that turn heads wherever you go!

I am so excited for the next chapter at MY STYLE ROCKS. Cheers to a season of embracing bold choices, and rocking every outfit like a winner, to a closet full of dreams, and a year full of fashion-forward memories!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Beyaz @kazmva0
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