Sandra‘s Closet

My avid readers know how much I love fashion and that I keep all my things as everything has its time to be worn again. I truly take good care of every single piece, for example I am stuffing my bags and shoes at night, and I decide what to wear depending on the weather. Prolonging the life of your belongings is also key to reducing waste and our impact on the planet, but what do you do when your favourite shoes or investment handbag are past their best? Here is the solution. Founded by Vanessa Jacobs in 2015, the Restory’s London Atelier has become a leading innovator in luxury repairs and aftercare, giving your beloved items a new lease of life.

Starting with shoes, bags and leather goods, the team is dedicated to bringing the art of the craft and the convenience of technology right to your doorstep. By investing in the next generation of artisans who proactively seek out ways to find new techniques and solutions for those seemingly impossible problems, there is hope for almost every problem.

How does it work? Choose your preferred collection date and time through the online booking system, which is available for most of London and overnight anywhere else in the world. Whether sending your items in for cleaning, conditioning or re-heeling, they are carefully assessed first and an online quote is provided, with clients given the opportunity to then accept, query or decline the offer. Upon completion of the restoration, the items are returned beautifully packaged at a time and place convenient for you.

The Restory’s mission is to have you fall in love with your favourite pieces all over again while honoring our environment. Click here to see some amazing case studies. A circular fashion industry is one in which waste and pollution are designed out, products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible. This is what I truly call sustainable. Bravo!

And personally speaking, it gives me peace to know that there is a place that can repair pieces that don’t look good anymore so that one day I can open my museum with everything collected over the past decades.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © The Restory

Here comes the coolest collaboration of this summer. Dior joins forces with Vespa to create an exclusive scooter and a range of matching accessories, celebrating the sunny spirit and art of living of the two houses that were founded in the same year, in 1946.

Out of this passionate dialogue, the Vespa 946 Christian Dior scooter comes to life, its monohull architecture and subtle graphic lines paying tribute to the heritage of the two brands. A symbol of refinement, this object of desire reflects their shared commitment to the excellence of savoir-faire and virtuoso art of detail.

A contemporary version of the iconic Vespa 946 – presented in 2012 in Milan and recognized for its elegant, streamlined curves and technological innovation – the new model was designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri, Creative Director of Dior women’s collections. The scooter is made in Italy, adhering to the exacting standards, commitment and precision of a couture atelier.

Echoing the design of the saddle, a top case patterned with the Dior Oblique motif – designed by Marc Bohan in 1967 – is specially designed to be fixed on the luggage rack, adding a distinctive allure. A helmet adorned with the same iconic motif rounds out the unique range.

Symbols of escape to new horizons, these limited-edition creations will launch in spring 2021 in Dior boutiques around the world and subsequently in a selection of Piaggio Group’s Motoplex stores. The accessories, including the helmet and top case, will be available exclusively in Dior boutiques.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior

Introducing the Polo Ralph Lauren face mask collection, featuring two models—the Polo cloth mask and the Polo high-filtration mask – for all the ways you work and play. While Ralph Lauren hasn’t announced a firm release date, you can sign up for updates on the brand’s webstore (you will find the link below). It’ll be worth the wait, as it’ll become the new grail for masks, there are not many designer face protections around, and shopping them will help a good cause.

Fifty percent of the net purchase price (excluding VAT) of each mask will be donated to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO, powered by the UN Foundation.

The Polo Cloth Mask
80% Particle Filtration
Antimicrobial-treated cotton inner lining to preserve fabric freshness, two layers of non woven filtration, breathable outer layer. Sign up now here, coming fall 2020.

The Polo High-Filtration Mask
95% Particle Filtration
The most advanced option, the Polo High-Filtration Mask features an antimicrobial-treated shell and inner lining to preserve fabric freshness, a customizable fit, and disposable filters for a higher level of breathability. Sign up now here, coming fall 2020.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Ralph Lauren

EZGI CINAR launched her Zurich-based namesake demi-couture label in 2016. Her dreamlike collections are an homage to independent, passionate women, combining Swiss craftsmanship with Turkish romance. Dedicated to the woman who refuses to follow rules, preferring instead to make her own.

Me wearing the «All Dressed Up» mask

Now, she has taken her creativity further with the design of the most glamorous face masks that you can imagine. Made from scuba neopren, they are coated with mesh metal and / or crystals and lined on one side with a silicone strap to ensure the perfect fit for the ultimate protection.

Turning the mask around, you can see the immaculate craftsmanship. 

Personally speaking, I find them extremely comfortable to wear and the most stylish on the market.

TO SHOP EZGI CINAR FACE MASKS, CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Ezgi Cinar and © Sandra Bauknecht 

From chess and backgammon travel cases, to poker and croquet trunks, the House’s made-to-order games collection has expanded and evolved over the years, continuing in Louis Vuitton’s grandson, Gaston-Louis Vuitton’s, love of sports and games. Now, Louis Vuitton presents new additions to the gaming collection with its pocket Billiards table and Babyfoot (French for table football) as the ideal gift for the cue-sports lovers among us.

Louis Vuitton Pocket Billiard in Monogram

Available in the iconic Monogram motif, designed in 1896 by Louis Vuitton’s son Georges Vuitton as a tribute to his father, the table also comes in the darker Monogram Eclipse or Damier Graphite, bringing a patterned touch to any interior. Versions in Epi leather with its undulated texture, present a splash of colour in cyan and fuchsia, with the added option of a bi-coloured navy and pistachio variation or caramel and white in smooth leather.

Louis Vuitton Pocket Billiards
1. Damier Graphite – 2. Cyan Epi leather – 3. Fuchsia Epi leather – 4. Bi-coloured Navy and Pistachio Epi leather – 5. Monogram Eclipse – 6. Caramel and White leather

Babyfoot by Louis Vuitton in Monogram

Created with identical craftsmanship to that of a Louis Vuitton trunk, House canvases or leathers sheath the Billiards table’s and Babyfoot’s wooden body. Emblematic Louis Vuitton savoir-faire perfects the table’s design with delicate leather corners in the brand’s naturally tanned cowhide leather – each edge meticulously dyed with numerous layers of hand-applied paint.
Hand-pressed metallic hardware finishes the tables, each stud engraved with the House’s signature.

Babyfoot by Louis Vuitton
1. Damier Graphite – 2. Caramel and White leather – 3. Monogram Eclipse – 4. Cyan – 5. Fuchsia – 6. Pistachio

The tables are completed by carefully packed, essential accessories including billiard balls painted with flowers from the Monogram pattern encircling the numbers. Two pairs of leather and Monogram two-piece cues slot snuggly into place while a hot-stamped leather triangle completes the kit.

The players of the Babyfoot, inspired by Louis Vuitton’s «Groom», the famed character from the House’s 1921 advertising images, are each hand-cast in aluminium and, as a true testament of Louis Vuitton’s savoir-faire and history of personalisation, each player is meticulously handpainted by expert artisans in team colours to compliment the custom canvas or leather table. Artisanal, jewel-like counting coins boast a striking hand-painted Monogram flower, making tallying record wins even more satisfying.

Love it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton

A common refrain during the COVID-19 pandemic: Life is a blur. The days all seem to blend together — is it Tuesday or Friday? It’s Thursday! Before the lockdown, my week consisted of a handful of recurring activities, obligations and other plans. I knew it is Thursday because I am my having my yoga class. Being stuck at home has completely distorted my sense of time. I have to remind myself which day of the week it actually is. Therefore, I decided to make life feel a little more normal by adding a routine to my week and by dressing up in a very comfy way when working at my desk. Today’s look has become actually my favorite quarantine outfit!

However, I am spending even more time looking at my screen with multiple Zoom Meetings, so many posts to be written and changes to adapt. Therefore a ritual that has become pretty additive for me is the application of my LA MER EYE CONCENTRATE. It adds some structure to my life in quarantine, helps me to focus when my thoughts are drifting away at home.

My look: GG logo jersey jacket, matching GG logo jersey sweat pants, red T-shirt with tennis embroidery, Rajah large embellished leather-trimmed tweed tote, Dionysus leather-trimmed bouclé-tweed shoulder bag, Angelina crystal-embellished tweed sandals, all by Gucci, bow-detailed embellished satin headband by Prada, and hoop earrings by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
Location: Presidential Suite / Park Hyatt Zurich
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

During quarantine, with everyone in the family being at home, there is nothing more rewarding for your mental health than Bang & Olufsen‘s noise-cancelling headphones. You can listen to a podcast or playlist without any distractions. I went for the H9 3rd generation Active Noise Cancellation Headphones in peony. You know eyerything pink and pastel is my guilty pleasure.

Functioning via Bluetooth, this wireless model packs in 25 hours of playtime per charge and comes with an audio cord, so you can carry on listening even when you’re out of battery. Built with noise-cancelling technology, they have comfortable leather-trimmed over-ear pads and a «transparency mode» function, which allows you to hear surrounding sounds when you need to, just with one swipe.

However, one of my favorite features is the dedicated button for the voice assistant which allows you  to manage your life on the go. Simply press and hold the dedicated voice button and your assistant is ready for you. The touch controls on the ear cups mean you can skip tracks, adjust the volume and answer calls without even using your phone.

When life will be back to normal, I will certainly enjoy these noise-canceling headphones whether I am in a packed gym or travelling abroad. This is what I call luxurious comfort at its best.

TO SHOP BANG & OLUFSEN PRODUCTS ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © Bang & Olufsen
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Fashionable face masks are in my opinion a very good thing. We need to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and not everyone owns the materials (or has the seamstress skills) to make their own. We should all be focused on keeping ourselves and our communities safe; and the less time we spend in judgment of the way others achieve that, probably, the better.

Instead of investing in the newest lipstick (unfortunately nobody is going to see this for a while), you might consider getting a face mask with cool patterns or create one yourself as I did. I used those CHANEL camelia stickers and the ribbon you get when you buy something at CHANEL. I have always kept them and now they serve a wonderful purpose. Scroll down to see me wearing it.

I want to underline that those masks presented in this post aren’t medical grade, so they can’t be used by healthcare professionals, but they will make us feel more beautiful and will make grocery shopping more fun while protecting yourself and helping others.

My dear friend and fashion designer Natasha Zinko came up with another great idea and is now retailing those upcycled reusable face masks from fabric leftovers from previous collections. 50% of each sale will be donated to Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
The hospitals covered are Charing Cross, Hammersmith, Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea, St Mary’s and the Western Eye.

TO SHOP THE FACE MASKS IN DIFFERENT COLOR AND FABRIC COMBINATIONS BY NATASHA ZINKO, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Please don’t want to bash those who enjoy looking cute while self-quarantining and social distancing. People are different and if it benefits their mental health, let them be. I am finding joy and some normalcy in those little things, dressing up makes me happy. Therefore I am continuing to inspire you on a daily basis. Thank you for your support!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Natasha Zinko and via Vogue
Disclaimer: Masks to be worn as a fashion accessory, no medical use has yet been proven.

Today, I would like to introduce you to my dear friend Erica Pelosini Leeman. If you don’t know who this bundle of energy is, then you’ve been sleeping under a rock. Being an extroverted Italian stylist, editor and creative director who’s contributing regularly to Vogue and other high-end fashion titles, she has been traveling constantly around the globe for fashion shoots and all sorts of glamorous events. As her hectic life has come to a halt this year due to the corona crisis, she took this unique opportunity to reflect and channel all her amazing energy towards creating something that can make staying at home a bit more pleasant: THE SURVIVAL BOX.

Erica Pelosini Leeman

SLEEP, EAT, RESET, HEAL and REPEAT – that is the motto. Survival Box’s goal is for everyone to be strong and survive this unique and challenging time and also to help families and children in need along the way! By buying a box not only are you gifting yourself some amazing goodies but you are also helping to further Erica’s mission of providing essential items and basic food to children and families in need deeply impacted by Covid-19.

Our lifestyle before the corona virus: Erica and I together on a yacht for the fragrance launch of Tom Ford Lavender Extrême in Gordes, at the De Grisogono Gala during Cannes Film Festival or celebrating Mary Katrantzou and her fantastic S/S 2020 show in Athens.

Erica, do you miss all your travels at the moment?
I would never have thought I would say this, but actually NO! However, I am of course missing my family in Florence but I am very happy that they are all safe in quarantine in our country side house with our  horses and dogs!
Just before everything started I was traveling nonstop, in one month I had been to Aspen 5 times, Milano, Florence, Germany, Paris, LA, NY, St Barth’s. First I thought, I hap planned to stay in the Caribbean but I got scared I couldn’t go back to California where I’m now super happy to be! For once home with my husband and my dog!

You HAVE so much energy. How does your day look like during quarantine?
You know me well! After spending some time organizing my closet, bags, shoes by colour (something I NEVER thought I would have time to do in my life), learning how cook something more elaborate than my green juice in the morning, almost getting a sun burn at my pool, I took some time off to think, about my friends and everything that is going on in the world at the moment. This was the point, when I decided to invest all my energy towards something good, to keep my friends healthy and strong but at the same time to help others that really need our support! There are so many innocent families affected by the corona crisis due to school closures, financial problems or domestic violence.

This was exactly when the idea of «the survival box» came to my mind, to pamper while staying at home, a box filled with many goodies that support everyone’s well-being and health.  We already got requests from hospitals to have the boxes delivered as a treat for their doctors and nurses. This made me so happy, to know that «the survival box» can also be a treat for those angels that are working on the frontline daily for all us.

How did you choose the products for the survival box? Did you know most of them before or did you go on a virtual «treasure hunt»?
I’m a total freak when it comes to health and well being. In my free time, I have always loved researching the best vitamins, workouts, super food, hair and beauty products. I literally put all this knowledge in my project so that everyone can boost their immune system while being at home and make quarantine a little bit more enjoyable so that we will all glow once this crisis is over. Everything to stay healthy, strong, hydrated, informed, styled, fit, and energized, you can find in the box !

From eating clean with Gr8nola’s charcoal gluten free granola, to chilling and getting some good sleep with Ouai Miracle Chill Bath Pills and glowing skin with Shea Marie’s new skincare line «The Feelist», to my favorite detox Sorate green tea, one of the best sources of antioxidants; then you can train with celebrity-obsession Body By Simone workouts, and get advice on how to age gracefully with Naturium Retinol cream and go-to kick Vitamin C from Vital Proteins. You will also get the ultimate clear skin routine from Zitstika, the perfect way to style your hair while at home with Mermade hair and advice from the experts in health, wellness, fitness, food, and beauty at C Magazine.

What is the first thing you will do once this quarantine time is over?
I have many amazing projects on hold that I hopefully can reveal then. But so far, I truly wish that I will be able to spend the summer with my family as this has always been our tradition.

SLEEP, EAT, RESET, HEAL and REPEAT – that is the motto. Survival Box’s goal is for everyone to be strong and survive this unique and challenging time and also to help families and children in need along the way! By buying a box not only are you gifting yourself some amazing goodies but you are also helping to further Erica’s mission of providing essential items and basic food to children and families in need deeply impacted by Covid-19.

30% of all the proceeds will be donated to charity. Furthermore, a 10% discount will be applied if you would like to gift a box to the amazing doctors, nurses and health care workers at the hospitals. A much well deserved treat after a long shift at the frontlines. And great news is – THE SURVIVAL BOX ships internationally.

As Erica says: «We are all in this together. Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay home.
BEING KIND IS COOL!»
Thank you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © THE SURVIVAL BOX – Instagram:@survivalbox.co and @ericapelosini

Today is a very special day and this is probably my most private, most emotional and intimate post ever, my baby girl is all grown up. Eighteen years old! Where did the time go? You’ve blossomed into an astounding person, I am so proud of you and cannot wait to watch you continue to grow.

Anouk’s birth announcement – I made it a Marie Claire cover as I was workin there as a fashion editor at that time. Anouk’s birthday has a beautiful numerology: 04/04/2002 at 12:34pm.

Screaming, yelling, and hollering HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little doll – my Meusel. I love you so much. You have brought me so much joy over the years. You have taught me so much about life, about myself, and about being patient. You have taught me how to love unconditionally. You deserve the best, and I promise to do everything in my power to give you just that!

Whenever I could, I took Anouk with me to work.

My daughter is the mastermind behind most of my photos and we love to travel together. Like here where she shot me in the DMZ zone between North and South Korea in 2018.

As you turn eighteen in those troubled times I just want to say one thing to you – always cherish your friendships and never betray love that is true. I wish you the courage to grab all the opportunities that will come by you and I wish you the perseverance to live your life to the fullest.

Before you will move away for your studies to the US and I will become an empty nester, I promise we will do a big party for you! I will not only miss my daughter, but my best friend, my sport buddy, my best travel companion and my photographer :-). Not to speak of our hours of laughter and your delicious cheese cake. In love, your mummy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht