Sandra‘s Closet

Today, I would like to introduce you to something very Swiss: the iconic pencil sharpening machine by Caran d’Ache, an instrument that has become a cult object for its precision and its design. Now, it get’s a new look in red to give it a truly Swiss appeal.

For more than eighty years, the Caran d’Ache pencil sharpener has been a favourite tool of generations of schoolchildren, artists, and lovers of writing. The machine has retained the charm that has been strongly linked to innovation and excellence since 1933.

The collector edition is limited to 4478 pieces symbolizing the altitude of the prestigious Matterhorn. In stores now for € 210 / CHF 199. I really would love to get one. It is so vintage and so fashionable for your desk.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Caran d’Ache

A bridge between East and West, a bridge between the past and the present – something that perfume and tea share.

How can we overcome the transience of the body? How can we cross the boundaries between time and space? At Shui Tang in Zurich’s Niederdorf I learn more. The place has something magical, just like the owner Ms. Meng-Lin Chou, who transports me into her world with a wonderful ceremony of the traditional infusion beverage. The painstaking preparation is enough to make my to-go cup of morning coffee feel Philistine.

Creating rare moments for sharing and pleasure, tea is considered an alchemical and Taoist bridge. Life is a river with two banks, yin and yang, one side is male, the other female, one reflects the material, the other the spiritual world. Both are polar opposites to each other, yet related forces that form a whole perpetual cycle. Tea is like a ship that helps you float from bank to bank. While doing so, you can forget the time.

That’s what I’m doing at Ms. Chou. I am glued to her lips while I sip a delicious infusion. «The more cultivated a Chinese household is, the smaller the cup,» she says. «Many customers have claimed that sitting at the antique Chinese table, sipping the traditional Chinese Gongfu Tea is enough to infuse a magical power.» As I watch her when she prepares the tea, I believe that too, because time seems to stand still. Rare and precious moments that we easily forget in our fast-paced world.

Perfume used to be like tea a sacrificial offering in the past in order to manipulate the gods. Fragrance reflects the alchemy of the exterior, tea the interior. In Bulgari‘s latest creation, they become one.

In the most hidden corners of the province of Yunnan at an altitude of 3000m, the rare black tea, that is used for the fragrance, is harvested between 2000-year old trees. Just like in the 11th century it is produced without electricity from the village farmers. Hand-harvested at precipitous elevations and carefully dried in the sun, those tea leaves can fetch more money per ounce than gold.

Today, tea is a product in our affluent society, which stimulates thinking. 3000 years ago, it was used exclusively as medicine.
During the early ’90s, nobody would have thought that the traditional infusion could also be a perfume. But Bulgari has never followed current trends and launched in 1992 «Eau Parfumée au thé vert», inspired by the idea of ​​hospitality. First, the novelty was intended not as a traditional fragrance, but as refreshing ceremony for customers in the Bulgari shops.

The unisex revolution was a huge success and can now be found in many hotel rooms as amenities. Other tea inspired scents have followed (see the complete collection above). The new «Eau Parfumée au thé noir», a powerful interpretation of the exclusive type of tea from Yunnan, enriches the collection with a different olfactory territory and promises to become another bestseller.

Inspired by millennial Chinese black tea, it is an intense luxury fragrance for men and women that imprints itself indelibly on the skin with its floral and woody notes. The top notes are as palpable as those of a rose. The fluid and woody notes of black tea accord and patchouli strongly interact with the sensual and captivating harmonies of oud. Like yin and yang, an interplay, sensual and captivating.

EAU PARFUMÉE AU THÉ NOIR

WOODY – FLORAL
Top Notes: Rose Absolute – Bergamot Essence
Middle Notes: Black Tea Accord – Magnolia Essence
Base Notes: Oud Wood – Patchouli

Eau de Cologne Intense Spray
75ml (CHF 104.00) and 150ml (CHF 169.00)

Home & Bath Collection
200ml Body Lotion (CHF 63.00), 200 ml Shampoo & Shower Gel (CHF 52.00), 3 x 150g Soap Set (CHF 69.00), 15 x 12 gr Refreshing Towels (CHF 50.00), 325g Candle (CHF 99.00) and 600g Candle (CHF 168.00)

Guest Set
75ml EdC + 75ml Shampoo + 75ml Shampoo & Shower Gel + 75ml Hair Conditioner + 75ml Body Lotion + 75g Soap + 12g x 2 Oshibori (CHF 128.00)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bulgari and © Sandra Bauknecht

Get the look: Ruffled off-the-shoulder dress by Alexander McQueen, Colorado suede sandals by Aquazzura and Rockstud leather pouch by Valentino.

A softer take on color for 2016: For the first time, the blending of two shades – Rose Quartz and Serenity are chosen as the PANTONE Color of the Year.
As consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent. Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.

Nail Polish – Bloomsbury Way Blossom by Nails Inc

The prevalent combination of Rose Quartz and Serenity also challenges traditional perceptions of color association. In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design. This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumer’s increased comfort with using color as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage.

LoL, Sandra

Ermanno Scervino S/S 2016

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and via Pantone

This week during Maison & Objet Salon in Paris, Lalique and Steinway have announced the launch of Masque de Femme, a new piano – a work of unique and customized art – designed by the famous French crystal maker.

Nature’s beauty and structure have always informed great design. Lalique worked on an elegant design for Masque de Femme focusing on two of its iconic motifs, ‘Coutard’ and ‘Masque de Femme’.

The Coutard design was created by René Lalique in 1935 for the famous Coutard fountain and represents a geometric motif of water droplets evoking both the Art Nouveau and Art Deco genres through restrained symmetry and shape. To adorn the same fountain, René Lalique created the Masque de Femme pattern inspired by his love of women and nature. This design is a classic and avant-garde work of art that reveals the face of the mysterious nymph, Arethusa surrounded by aquatic life.

In total, 1043 individual Lalique crystals adorn the Masque de Femme piano: – 1025 black crystal Coutard cabochons – 2 Masque de Femme panels: 80×80 mm – 2 Masque de Femme panels: 30×30 mm – 2 Swallow panels – 12 Coutard panels (4 on each leg of the piano).

To make an instrument that combines the best of Steinway & Sons and Lalique, its artisans had to be extremely meticulous. Requiring two years of development to perfect the exact techniques needed to ally the crystal and traditional materials of Steinway, this piano took over 500 hours of work to install the crystal elements alone.

Each Coutard cabochon perfectly blends with the piano, like drops of water that come alive on the black lacquer with an elegantly restrained tactile quality. Each crystal has been worked, shaped, cut, polished and signed at the Lalique factory in Alsace and then placed on the piano in the workshops of Steinway & Sons in Hamburg.

This magnificent grand piano (Steinway Model B) is a wonderfully balanced and versatile piano that does extremely well in intimate settings, teaching studios and mid-sized venues. The Model B is the favourite grand piano among private customers.

Dimensions: Length 211cm x Width 148cm.
The piano, available in black, will be taken on a world tour in 2016 that will include concert dates with renowned artists. At the end of this global tour, the piano will be auctioned off.

Most of you know how much I adore playing the piano and this piece of art would definitely make it even more fun.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Steinway & Sons and Lalique

A hijabista is the Muslim equivalent of a fashionista, a trend-loving Muslim woman or girl who dresses stylishly while conforming to the Islamic modesty code. This market is still untapped but for sure very lucrative. Muslim shoppers spent $266 billion on clothing and footwear in 2013 according to a report by Thomson Reuters. That’s more than the total fashion spending of Japan and Italy combined and the number is expected to almost double to $484 billion by 2019.

Dolce & Gabbana has realized the potential and is launching a collection of hijabs and abayas for their Middle East customers. The modest garments have all the flair and iconic details such as lace or prints of any other Dolce & Gabbana collection. They are styled alongside the label’s fantastic accessories like fashion jewelry, oversized sunglasses, and statement bags. I am absolutely convinced that Muslim customers with a taste for luxury fashion will adore this new line.

It will be interesting to see if the collection will only sell in the Middle East or if online platforms such as NET-A-PORTER, MATCHESFASHION and LUISAVIAROMA will take this opportunity as well.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

Get the look: Ruffled silk-chiffon mini dress by Chloé, So Kate 120 patent-leather pumps by Christian Louboutin and Flavia Cheers glittered acrylic box clutch by Edie Parker.

A new season, a new year,
a new opportunity to celebrate
love, hope, joy and life,
welcome 2016.

I have started the new year with a digital detox. No blogging, just relaxing. This little break has been absolutely needed. So I have fulfilled my first resolution in 2016.

Some of you are always asking me how I clean my closet. The ones who have been following me for a while know that I don’t, I like to keep everything. Every single piece will have its time again.

If you don’t have the space or prefer having a neat, organized closet, I recommend this little trick. Hang all your clothes in a reverse direction, so that the open end of the hanger is facing you. After wearing an item, put it back the normal way.

In the end of 2016, you will see which pieces you have never touched and you can surely let got of those.

LoL, Sandra

Last week, a little package arrived on my desk. It immediately caught my attention as it said «GET LONG LEGS» – Heels for Your Shoes.

The fun idea by the eponymous young Swiss label promises up to 4cm of longer and sexier legs with the help of adjustable shoe inserts. Three different heights are available depending on your personal need or of course the shape of your footwear. Due to the softness of the wedge-shaped non-slipping inserts, they are extremely comfortable to wear. A travel bag is also included so that you can slip your little secret companions in your weekend bag or suitcase.

For men and women, one size only. Available for CHF 22.80 at GetLongLegs.com.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Getlonglegs

Goth glam with a quirky twist – this Halloween we’re all about velvet, flowy 70’s dresses and fun accessories. H&M offers a great selection of dress-up pieces for adults and kids (see below):

Such a cute Halloween collection for kids at H&M.

Use Halloween as an excuse to bring out your inner glam goth. (Not to be confused with glam rock.) For inspiration, turn to fictional style icons like Morticia Addams, Jessica Lange in «American Horror Story: Coven» or Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer in «The Witches of Eastwick».
Or just Cher, period.

Michelle Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon and Cher floating in style in «The Witches of Eastwick».

This season’s It-item – the 70’s maxi or midi dress – is the perfect hero of the glamoween look, and don’t forget to top it off with the perfect shade of “blood” red for lips and nails.

If you are more opting for an investment in something you could wear all year, I recommend brands such as Balmain and Givenchy this season. They have great velvet dresses with that certain goth attitude that could be transformed with the right accessories into the perfect Halloween outfit. And then it is truly time for GLAMOWEEN!!!

Get the look: Feather and raccoon jacket and velvet ruffle midi dress, both by Givenchy, satin belt by Balmain, embroidered collar by Vivetta, «Black Spider» hairband by Caterina Capelli, double feather-embellished silk-trimmed leather tickler and My Tie leather and silk-charmeuse cuffs, both by Kiki de Montparnasse and Horatio leather and jacquard platform sandals by Paul Andrew.
Glamore Lipstick – Virgin by Illamasqua.

LoL, Sandra

Photo (Cover): Magnus Torsne, Styling: Emma Elwin
Photo «The Witches of Eastwick»: All Over Press
Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

To celebrate the Rugby World Cup, CHANEL has designed four leather rugby balls featuring the iconic quilting of the House. Gabrielle Chanel, a keen sportswoman herself often referred to menswear in her designs. Today Karl Lagerfeld throws her the ball by creating a sporting accessory that is both collector and perfectly in tune with the zeitgeist.

Exceptional quality, attention paid to every detail and artisanal savoir-faire, the CHANEL rugby ball comes in four colourways: white, burgundy, navy blue and black.
The CHANEL rugby ball is available on special order.

A good reason to start to play rugby…

LoL, Sandra

Still: Courtesy of Chanel

Today I would like to introduce you to the Apple Watch® Hermès, a new collection of Apple Watch in stainless steel with finely crafted leather bands in distinctive styles from Hermès, including the Single Tour, Double Tour and Cuff, while respecting the design and functionality of the Apple Watch.

Single Tour

The Single Tour with the 38 mm stainless steel case comes in fauve Barenia leather, noir Box leather and capucine Swift leather, while the Single Tour with 42 mm stainless steel case comes in fauve Barenia leather and noir Box leather.

Double Tour

The Double Tour pairs w ith the 38 mm stainless steel case an d is available in fauve Barenia leather and bleu jean, capucine and étain Swift leather.

The Cuff

The Cuff pairs with the 42 mm stainless steel case and is available in fauve Barenia leather only.

Across the collection, each stainless steel case features an etching of the Hermès signature and includes a customizable face with three exclusive dial designs inspired by Clipper, Cape Cod and Espace Hermès watches.

Pricing & Availability
Apple Watch® Hermès starts at $1,100 (US) for the 38 mm stainless steel case with the Single Tour, $1,150 (US) for the 42 mm stainless steel case with the Single Tour, $1,250 (US) for the 38 mm stainless steel case with the Double Tour and $1,500 (US) for the 42 mm stain less steel case with the Cuff.

The collection will be available at select Apple retail stores, select Hermès stores, specialty stores and department stores beginning October 5 in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, the UK and the US. For more information on Apple Watch Hermès please visit www.apple.com/apple-watch-hermes or www.hermes.com/applewatchhermes.

Personally speaking, a match made in heaven!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès