In honor of the U.S. Open, which begins today, American Vogue has commissioned custom-made tennis balls. Eleven designers and one tennis legend have turned the classic yellow piece into a new and glamorous realm. Which one is your favourite? Do you prefer pearls, rhinestones, spikes, lace, or Maria’s ruby-red pout?
My favourite? Eddie Borgo‘s cones and spikes might scare off the opponent. Players, proceed at your own risk.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Vogue, © John Manno
Welcome to the world of Acqua di Parma
Indulge yourself in Italian grandeur and explore the brand that stands like no other for understated luxury, sophistication, elegance, exclusivity and authenticity. All those pillars that are synonymous with being “Made in Italia”. The lifestyle brand, that is also known as a celebrity perfume classic, has existed for almost 100 years.
Its history began like an alchemy in 1916 in a small Italian factory with the creation of Colonia, the origin of the legend. The refreshing, crisp and subtle fragrance that was so different from the perfumes that were the vogue in those years. Until today, Colonia has got cult status.
In 1993, Acqua di Parma was bought by three famous Colonia-lovers and entrepreneurs, Luca di Montezemolo (Chairman of Ferrari), Diego della Valle (CEO of Tod’s) and Paolo Borgomanero (Shareholder of La Perla), who were eager to reinvent the brand.
A very important chapter opened in the company’s history when LVMH bought into the hundred-year-old Italian house in 2001. Today, Acqua di Parma offers a huge selection of luxury goods, from the famous Home Fragrance Collection (scented candles for the home) to the Home Collection (linen and terrycloth products), the Collezione Barbiere (shaving products and accessories) and the Tournée Collection (leather accessories). Fragrance aficionados love the Blu Mediterraneo and Blu Mediterraneo Italian Resort ranges (fragrances and cosmetics inspired by the most natural and exclusive locations on the Italian Mediterranean) and sophisticated ladies around the globe buy Le Nobili from Acqua di Parma (feminine fragrances inspired by the “noblest” flowers of Italian gardens).
Acqua di Parma also supplies the suites of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels in the world with its Luxury Hotel Line, which embodies the inimitable Italian style of Colonia.
I had the huge honour to meet and interview Acqua di Parma’s CEO and President, Gabriella Scarpa, in person. The Italian lady, “una bella bionda” is what you would call a “power woman”. Holding multiple positions, she is also the Country General Manager of Christian Dior Couture and LVMH Perfumes and Cosmetics. After LVMH had bought Acqua di Parma, Scarpa took over the reins of the company in 2003 and brought it to success. Keeping up with Gabriella is hard, she is full of dynamite, a very passionate and feminine lady.
She is proud of her country’s heritage values and its craftsmanship. “The way the Italians make their products has a lot of tradition and Acqua di Parma’s roots are all very artisan. We are inspired by these regions with their own characteristics, such as Tuscany or Sardinia. Italy is a wonderful place to live.”
She was in Zurich for the opening of the new Acqua di Parma corner at Jelmoli which brings us this iconic Italian style, the atmosphere that is loved around the world to Switzerland.
Do you like to travel?
I travel a lot for business reasons and I love to travel ! This is part of my lifestyle. I travel around the world and my favourite cities are New York obviously, London, Paris all these cities that have excitement in them. And of course China now. Asia is giving you lots of energy and excitement! And travelling for Acqua di Parma, I enjoy seeing how the brand is sold in those countries and to meet people who really enjoy our Italian style.
Do you have a favourite fragrance from Acqua di Parma?
Yes! I did the Iris Nobile actually for myself. Since my early days, I had been a fan of Miss Dior 1947. I only used extract because I preferred the higher concentration. After a while, the original Miss Dior 1947 perfume was discontinued and I was all of a sudden without my favourite scent. This was the moment for Acqua di Parma to enter the female world. Women had been asking for such a product for a long time.
Personally speaking, I knew that our first fragrance had to be a chypre floral scent, very elegant and modern. Obviously I thought about iris, which is also the emblem of the city of the Florence and a symbol for aristocracy. For Le Nobili, I wanted to create a world in which sophisticated women can recognize themselves. This concept represents also the world of the Italian villas with their famous gardens, another Italian tradition which has inspired us. We travelled around these beautiful villas and identified the flowers, the plants which were mostly used and beautiful to see. Iris is a very delicate flower, they only bloom fifteen days a year from 1st to 15th of May. In Florence, behind the Piazzale Michelangelo, there is this garden of iris, which is open for tourists, too. Moreover, there is a contest in which participants around the world compete to create the most beautiful and newest iris. In that particular year, the winner was an Australian who grew a very special blue flower that we used. Interesting to know is that we use the concrete of iris for the fragrance which takes three years. Once you have the concrete, you have to wait three years for it to dry and from a ton, you just get a few spills of fragrance. So it is extremely expensive. In fact, nobody in the perfumery used the extract of concrete because of its value. We launched it in 2003 and it was immediately a big success. After a few years, in 2009, I created Magnolia a very refined and wonderful plant which is different from iris.
New this fall! Iris Nobile Sublime – The new fragrance for women that is a flanker to 2004′s Iris Nobile. The notes feature mandarin, neroli, ylang-ylang, orange blossom, rose, jasmine, iris pallida, wood, cedar, acacia, birch, patchouli and musk. Acqua di Parma Iris Nobile Sublime will be available in 75 ml Eau de Parfum.
How are you involved in this creative process?
From the very beginning, the concept is always mine. After that, I transfer the idea to the marketing team, they transfer it to the fragrance people. Luckily enough, we have François Demachy, one of the most famous nose in the world, working for us. He is the creator of all our LVMH fragrances. He loves Acqua di Parma and because of his connections, we got to the famous fragrance houses to create the ingredients exactly as we wanted them. Now with François Demachy, we work with Italian producers, many of which are in the South of Italy with their own plantations working almost exclusively for us.
And for example the story of Gelsomino is very bizarre in a way but also very significant, because the “gelsomino” (jasmine) for fragrances didn’t grow in Italy anymore. Three years ago, we decided to create the Gelsomino fragrance and to get a new plantation in the South of Italy where it is more sunny and easy to grow that beautiful plant now used for Acqua di Parma and Guerlain, only for these two brands. I am proud that we revived the tradition of gelsomino for the fragrances.
Where are you from originally?
I’m from Milan and my family is from Venice.
Do you feel more Northern?
Yes, I’m more Northern, but the South is giving us all these amazing products like the oranges, the mandarins, the cedars, the bergamot among many others. All these fragrances derive from a fantastic, unique cultivation. All our ingredients are coming from Italy.
Everything from Acqua di Parma is produced in Italy?
Yes, everything is produced in Italy!
How is it for you to head a French haute couture company and in the same time an Italian brand. What’s the biggest difference regarding the mentalities for you?
It’s actually not very different because at the end of the day, we talk to the same people. The difference from Dior, obviously it’s a big brand and so it’s more commercial in a way, more international and more decisive. Both brands have different means but their quality is the same. For Acqua di Parma, it is very important to keep it Italian which is sometimes hard, because you cannot find everything in the country. This is why we adapted our production to our original produce of Italy. So this is the main difference.
Looking at our communication, it is also standardized on a model, that only changes the name of the product or the flowers. It is very simple. So another big difference is that we are not a fashion brand, we don’t have a designer and a fashion show. We are selling what we are very basically.
On the website, there are five words to describe Acqua di Parma: Quality, creativity, elegance, exclusivity and selectivity! If you could add three more, which ones would that be?
The real thing, emotion and fashion!
How strong is the Asian market for you?
We waited with the launch quite a while because 80% or 90% of the market is skincare and make-up, so the fragrances are not so strong depending on the countries, mostly 5% maximum 10%. Asia is not a fragrance market. Therefore for us, it was very important to enter in the right way, to make a difference.
We started in Korea because the Korean’s are very much attracted by the Italian brands and European heritage. We had the opportunity to create the first counters in the middle of the cosmetics so even that we were just fragrances, we were very successful from the very beginning. In Japan, we launched at Isetan, a famous chain, that had asked for the brand many years ago. China was completely different. The Chinese were building up new cities, new shopping malls which became the most luxurious in the world. I have to say they are copying a bit the American model but in the highest way. When we negotiated with them, as we were interested in opening so many stores, they were also interested in getting the brand. We got fantastic spaces from the very first beginning.
Many Chinese celebrities and VIPs knew Acqua di Parma from their travels around the world. Everybody came to visit the first counter in Beijing at Mitsukoshi, which is the most luxurious department store, with all the high end brands having their own boutiques. Being attracted by our tradition, the men began to use the Collezione Barbiere which is fascinating. Chinese men don’t shave, they don’t have a beard, but they like the texture, the presentation, the packaging, the fact that it is luxurious, that it is Italian and they adore the atmosphere.
In fact, we sell a lot of Collezione Barbiere and skincare because it’s different from many others. Of course, a lot of our iconic Colonia, along with Magnolia, Iris, honestly we sell everything. The Asians have become friends of Acqua di Parma and are more into fragrances now. Moreover, the young generation is more occidental than oriental.
Nowadays we have eleven counters, one boutique, another one to be opened this year, and people are really passionate about the brand and very much loyal. They buy all the line, and I mean all the line!
Do you have a bestselling product that is successful around the world?
Yes, it is definitely Colonia.
Speaking of fragrances, it’s always Iris or Magnolia. In Asia, the Blu Mediterraneo collection is stronger than in Europe, because those scents are less complex in terms of structure and ingredients. The candles are very strong in the U.S. followed by the UK and also Asia.
You have collaborated with Maserati among others. Why them?
Our partnerships are very much authentic, we want to live the Italian myths – and Maserati is one of these. They exude the same elegance and heritage. Ferrari, for example, is different – it’s wonderful but it’s more show. So we did many projects with them.
How can I imagine such a collaboration?
For example when we do events, we use a Maserati to shuttle our guests.
Have you ever thought of a special scent for Maserati?
We were actually thinking about it. Could be that one day we are doing something special.
Have you done bespoke scents?
No, we haven’t done bespoke scents yet!
Do you offer other personalized services?
Yes, you can have your initials on the bags as well as on the fragrance bottles which will be done in Italy. We even have a special cap to conserve the personalized cap which is really unique. It takes like three hours to produce just the lid, all handmade. People want to keep it. This has happened very often with our products, even with the candles.
Are the candles all handmade?
Yes, absolutely and it takes hours and hours to do them. They burn only inside, the outside remains beautifully intact. Therefore, people like to keep them for decoration.
Do you sponsor certain events?
We are sponsor of the FAI, which is the Fondo Ambiente Italia, a fund also of ancient villas and cultural things and of Mille Miglia, the very famous antique car race. This is our world, because obviously the owners of these cars are very sophisticated and love culture. Funnily enough, they all love Acqua di Parma, it may be surprising, but when we go to the Mille Miglia, everybody comes to our lounge and says: „ OMG! I use Acqua di Parma since ever, you are here, I love this brand, please don’t change it – it’s wonderful, I love this!” It’s really a tradition.
Would you say that the American perception of the brand is different?
Yes, in the U.S. it’s different, Acqua di Parma is known as the brand of the celebrities. The story behind it is very funny; in the ’30s, ’40s, ’50s, the American actors came to Cinecittà in Rome to exchange movies. They used to come to Italy and get their clothes made, especially the men. They went to the famous Italian tailors where Acqua di Parma at that moment, was distributing its signature Colonia. This is how they met the brand and brought it back to America. So it became immediately the fragrance of the stars. Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn among other very famous names were using Acqua di Parma. And even today, it has still remained the product of the stars – in the U.S. everything is about celebrities.
Have you ever worked with an ambassador?
No, but we have some agents working for us on different initiatives in Los Angeles because of the Italian Film Festival in California. We have contacts with some actors: Jude Law or Al Pacino for example is someone who comes to Italy very often and has bought a lot of Acqua di Parma, really a lot…!
Elton John buys huge amounts of Blu Mediterraneo, like a hundred pieces and puts them in all of his houses. This is happening very often. People are buying for all their houses, for their boats and so on – they want to have their property fragranced.
If you wished for an ambassador, who would that be? Probably someone Italian…
It’s evident. Once, the owner was Montezemolo (Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is an Italian businessman and Chairman of Ferrari. He is aristocratic and widely regarded as a stylish, classic dresser). He is the Italian successful, elegant, aristocratic man. He can impersonize the best what we are representing. If you look at our communication for the Colonias, we are representing a very elegant man, either with a tuxedo, either with a suit – it’s a very elegant man. And he is successful because he has a capability, a character. It’s transmitted character – that’s very important.
Another guy, who represents Acqua di Parma very much, is Giovanni Gastel, the famous photographer who shot a lot of campaigns for Guerlain, Dior, Tod’s in the past and who is the perfect gentleman. You see in the manner, in the education, in the physique, in the way he dresses – he’s the face.
Would you say that Acqua di Parma is still more a male company? Or has that changed?
No, it is the same, regarding the style, we can have the same for women, obviously. And when we talk about women, you can have Lavinia Borromeo, who is very much similar to you, very elegant in a sophisticated way. She is not bourgeois, she is not putting on many many things just to show off. It’s the real elegance, the real aristocratic. It is the manner, it’s the way they act while being very simple people. They don’t play the role of the sophisticated, but they are sophisticated, because they don’t play. So it’s something that they have inside. Something that is difficult to express, something that comes from the class. The class, that is important.
You have one Acqua di Parma SPA in Porto Cervo. Will there be more?
For the moment being, that is the only one. Our Acqua di Parma SPA is located within the exclusive Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. This represents the selectivities like nowhere, because they only have five hundred members which are chosen by the club and not chosen by the fact that they are rich. It’s a club of selected members depending on their origins and their class. And so this is the preferred place for us to be. Finding another place of the same level is difficult, as we want something special!
Do you have any special products in the SPA?
Yes, we have a line of products which are used for the therapies and methods, a range of 22 products which are specific for the SPA.
What are your future plans?
The advantage of Acqua di Parma is that this brand can go everywhere. It can go into the spa, into the hotel, into the leather goods, into accessories, it can go everywhere. We could build a hotel of our own, I don’t know. That brand has such a personality today, such a recognition and a reputation around the world. We can do whatever we want but we have to be authentic and pay attention not to lose our originality. Everything has to be made in Italy, so this is another limitation for us.
Look at our boutiques for example. The concept is very unique, very Italian from tip to toe in the sense that we use only Italian materials, only Italian artisans. It’s proof of the Italian capability to do wonderful things, to produce real handmade things of a certain quality. The brand is a way to promote Italy in the world.
How do you create the amazing ambiance in your stores?
Some of the furniture for our boutiques is made by a very small family-owned Italian company. In addition, we work for example with Poltrona Frau, which re-edited a chair from the ’50s for us – and we covered it with the same leather of our leather collection. So everything is very unique. We have tables covered in leather, glasses that are handmade, the mosaics made one by one, it’s amazing!
First of all, we want our customers to sit down and relax. For that reason, we have different chairs, sofas and so on. It is a different situation to pay while you are seated and comfortable. We want for them to live an experience and they are all so amazed that they buy everthing you propose them. In this way we gain the loyalty of our customers, the respect and they talk about us, so it’s all about word of mouth in the end.
What do you think is like the entrance product for the brand ? Personally speaking, I started buying the candles and explored the brand from there.
It depends a lot on the customer’s interest and taste. Obviously the candles are very much the entry for countries like the Anglo-Saxons. It is depending on the culture.
Soon the company will be celebrating its 100th anniversary, in 2016. Are you preparing a special celebration already?
Yes, we will have a celebration, I am already thinking about that! But cannot tell you more.
Do you have one baby in the company that you’re so proud of, like “your baby”?
They are all my babies. I have been with Acqua di Parma for many years and helped to create a whole universe.
You are such a powerful woman and you also have children. How have you balanced both, professional and family live?
Yes, I have two children, but I have no time to follow them. They grew up with nannies but as I’m a good cook, whenever I was at home, I organized these big parties for our friends with their kids. I cooked a lot in my life, actually whenever I could. And this was a way to keep them very much linked to me. We have a very fantastic relationship. I have to say I owe very much to them, because I was never there. I travelled a lot.
Did they go to boarding schools or did they stay at home?
They stayed at home. My daughter is a nuclear physicist, something very different. She studied in Italy, and did after her doctorate an MBA. Today, she works for the Bayer Group – after five years in Berlin, she’s now in Pittsburgh. She has a fantastic life travelling around the world.
My son is studying marketing communication in Italy, and he will graduate in the end of the year. Afterwards, he will go to the U.S. to get his MBA. And probably he will live there too, because he is very American.
I have pushed them a lot to go outside, obviously I love my country but for young people at this moment in these years it’s not so exciting and not so promising. Outside, there are plenty of opportunities. It’s also an experience they have to do, learn languages, learn how to live with other mentalities and after that they could come back with all their experience. I think it’s good for them.
So I’m not a real good mother, but I love my children.
I wouldn’t say that. There are some mothers who are always there physically but they are not there for their children. It is more about quality time.
This is what my children always told me, when I excused myself during the years, saying: “I’m so sorry that I’m never here”. They answered: ” But you have no idea: Many mothers that are staying at home, are always depressed, always crazy, always shouting. Our friends admire us because we have a brilliant mother who is always happy.” That is true, I’m always happy and very optimistic. I have always talked to them about respecting their job and finding a profession that lives up to their own expectations. We love to work, even that you have to make sometimes sacrifices regarding your personal life or even physically. Obviously, travelling a lot has an impact on your body that you have to resist. Most importantly in life, you have to learn how to manage stress. There are so many people stressing themselves just for nothing. People that have crazy lives are not stressed. Personally speaking, I think that it depends very much how much you love what you do. If you are passionate and satisfied by what you do, you don’t feel stressed.
How long did you stay home when you had your children?
For example, when I had my son, I stayed home three days. It was Saturday, Sunday, Monday… The morning I had to go to the hospital, my boss called me and asked: “Where are you?” I said, “I’m in the hospital, sorry but I am in labour.” I had worked until the last day and had been travelling with a certificate of the doctor. This might be the reason why my son is a bit nervous sometimes. But in the end, I had responsibilities, I was number two in the company at that time, I couldn’t stay home. My son never knew a different system because when you stay at home for the first three years and go back to work, it’s a trauma for the children.
An intimate question. Where you with your husband all the time? Have you brought up your children alone?
No. My first husband used to travel a lot like me. But we tried not to be gone at the same time. After I had divorced him, I married the man that has been by my side now for thirty years. He is a finance guy and more organized than me in terms of life. He’s very good with the children and has two of his own, so we have four children alltogether.
It is amazing what you have achieved. Congrats on your success!
The fact that I am here to talk with you about Acqua di Parma is a success for me, because it means that you are interested.
Yes, I absolutely love it!
So it is a success for us, because it means that people like you really appreciate the job we have done. So thank you very much !
Thank you! We could go on and on and on…
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Acqua di Parma, © Susanne Riz and © Sandra Bauknecht
Today is the start of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, United Kingdom, officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad. So time to show your Olympic spirit.
Bally’s men’s West H. sneaker collection makes it easy to show your national pride. Fly the flag for your own nation.
Twelve casual leather sneakers pay homage to twelve different countries. Each West H. sneaker features a national flag screen printed with a cool vintage effect that includes Great Britain, Switzerland, the USA, Germany, Italy, France, Japan and more.
And Bally’s charming Bally-rina is back, this time to captivate us with her sporty London 2012 Olympic spirit in a specially designed women’s sneaker and tote.
The red stitched Athena high-top sneaker features a back zip which cutely reveals the very sweet Bally-rina whimsically waving a gymnastics ribbon in blue, red, green and yellow colours. The same motif can be found on the Hanoe fabric tote.
Both, Bally’s West H. sneaker collection and the Bally-rina collection are available in store and online. Bally offers free shipping at the moment for the sportive collection. Just enter promo code SPORTBALLY at checkout.
For collectors and most loyal fans of the Olympic Games, the Coca-Cola collector’s box Special Olympics five glasses grouping is available exclusively at Colette now. The 5 glasses come with a collector bottle and a tote bag.
Celebrate the 2012 London Olympics with the commemorative Butter London‘s Olympic Heavy Medal Collection. The set includes three beautiful, metallic nail lacquers worthy of standing upon the winners’ podium, all limited editions.
Colours: The Full Monty, Diamond Geezer and The Old Bill.
Solange Azagury-Partridge has designed the Britannia Hotlips ring to celebrate the games. The renowned iconic Hotlips design featuring the British flag is a fun and original lucky charm- one last good luck kiss for the athletes!
For all winners among you, take sartorial gold in Markus Lupfer‘s playful sequin medal-embellished merino wool sweater. Decorated with signature charm and wit, this piece is sure to turn heads.
Take a playful approach to the sporting season with these ‘2012 Olympics’-inspired briefs by Team Great Britain’s Creative Director Stella McCartney. Cut from a blend of white cotton and silk, this colorfully embroidered pair will make a whimsical addition to your lingerie drawer.
Just click on the highlighted text to shop those must-have pieces.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Bally, Colette, Net-à-porter, Solange Azagury-Partridge and via Telegraph
Vertu, the market leader in luxury mobile phones, has added an elegant and feminine feel to its latest smartphone, Constellation which has resulted in the birth of Constellation Candy. Constellation Candy is on offer in a collection of bold summer shades, created to seamlessly complement and enhance the discerning lifestyle of the fashion forward female. The Constellation Candy touchscreen model offers an unrivalled range of category leading exclusive services.
Constellation Candy Tangerine- 7,400 euro, 6,500 pounds
Inspired by the turn of the season and the bright hues of summer, Constellation Candy is available in mint green, raspberry and tangerine, with 0.34 carats of natural gem stones, all delicately handset in a reduced setting around the pillow on the front of the phone: Rubies for the Raspberry Candy; Tsavorites for the Mint Green Candy and Orange Sapphires for the Tangerine Candy. Each Constellation Candy uses only the highest quality exotic alligator skin on the back plate and for the complementary handset slip case.
Constellation Candy Mint Green- 7,400 euro, 6,500 pounds
Each Constellation Candy is hand made by a single craftsman using only high performance materials, such as a single piece of flawless 3.5” HD multi-touch sapphire crystal for the screen, an 8 megapixel camera with an intricate ruby surround on the shutter key, polished ceramic pillow, surgical grade stainless steel with satin and polished finish, highest quality leather on the back plate of the phone as well as Vertu’s unique high fidelity sound system.
Constellation Candy Rasberry- 7,400 euro, 6,500 pounds
Vertu prides itself on being a pioneer of delivering relevant, tailored luxury information and services direct to a mobile handset through Vertu Concierge and continues to expand this proposition to deliver an unparalleled customer service.
Registering a Vertu Constellation Candy handset provides access to an array of exclusive services designed to ensure that a Vertu owner’s life is beautifully arranged. At the heart of these exclusive services is the independent concierge service, designed to meet the needs of Vertu’s discerning customers. Vertu owners will receive expert assistance, recommendations and priority bookings around the clock. Vertu Concierge can arrange anything from bespoke gifts to money-can’t-buy events and experiences and are 100% committed to fulfilling a Vertu owner’s every request.
Examples of Vertu’s exclusive opportunities available from Vertu Concierge (subject to availability):
VIP personalized styling at Stella McCartney (see my card above)
As London’s leading female fashion designer, Stella McCartney needs little introduction. Her stunning designs make waves on red carpets and fashion pages across the world.
Vertu owners’ can enjoy a similarly A-list experience at her flagship London store with an amazing opportunity available only through Vertu. Vertu owners’ only need to call concierge to receive a Private Wardrobing Card giving access to a wealth of VIP treatment at no cost.
The card includes the contact details of a wardrobe consultant to help choose the most show-stopping pieces from Stella’s range of luxury ready-to-wear clothing, accessories and perfume. Vertu owners can book a private store appointment – or request one at home, workplace or hotel – and receive personalised styling and a limited-edition gift.
The card also entitles a Vertu owner to a car service from a central London location to the store and back; gift service; shipping to home address on request; and same-day delivery in central London.
Global Fashion Weeks VIP Access
New York, London, Milan and Paris are the most prolific and world renowned fashion hubs, where couture is central to local culture. During Fashion Week, models, celebrities, socialites and members of the press gather to scoop the inside track on new designs and styles for the upcoming season, while a host of catwalk shows and glamorous parties add to the event’s firm hold on the social calendar.
Attendees catch a glimpse of this year’s haute couture before anyone else, amid the ultimate in style and sophistication. A Vertu handset owner can enjoy a highly bespoke fashion week experience with invitations to all the most influential shows.
With Vertu’s Constellation Candy, a door is opened to a world of exclusive privilege to discover a life beautifully arranged.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Vertu and © Sandra Bauknecht
As you might have realized already, some of this week’s posts have been dedicated to sustainable luxury. But what does this new fashionable expression actually mean?
Sustainability poses an opportunity to explore alternatives to the norm, to propose innovations and ideas for a closer connection of technology and nature, to develop and experiment with recycled and natural materials.
In our daily life, we are not willing to compromise very much in order to live and consume responsible-minded. Today, there are many brands who try new ways to combine both lifestyles. One of them is the Volvo Car Corporation.
Yesterday, we shot a short movie for the launch of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid in Switzerland.
Their new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid, and the economy benefits are just incredible. At the touch of a button, you can choose which of the three driving modes you want to drive at any given moment: Pure, Hybrid or Power – meaning you have „three cars in one“. The V60 Plug-in Hybrid can be recharged from a regular power outlet (230V/6A, 10A or 16A) at home or in a car park.
Yesterday, I had the car for the day and drove around the city of Zurich sometimes on pure electricity which was totally amazing. It is pretty impressive that it is not only totally silent, but you can accelerate reasonably hard in electric mode without the diesel motor kicking in. As you sink in the black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and inlays of blue-grey wood, you are definitely not thinking of going green.
Let me take you on a ride to some of my favourite spots in my recent hometown.
First stop: HOTEL BAUR AU LAC
I love this beautiful hotel set in its own park, with a stunning view overlooking the lake and the Alps. The terrace is one of my favourite places to lunch in the summer.
This weekend, the famous hotel park will host the opening event of Zurich’s ninth “Art in the Park”. The exhibition shows sculptures in the garden of the legendary 5 star hotel until August, 6th 2012. It is created and curated by Gigi Kracht, the wife of Andrea Kracht, the hotel’s sixth-generation owner, in collaboration with Gallery Gmurzynska.
A warm welcome upon my arrival.
My look: Orange-fuchsia bi-colour silk shirt and “Audrey” wayfarer sunglasses, both by Céline, stretch-leather leggings and green python “1970” bag, both by Gucci and booties by Chanel.
On my way, I received many compliments from people who loved my car.
Second stop: SHOPPING AT GUCCI
As you know, I love Gucci and I am a huge fan of their new sustainable collections. The trunk of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid has enough space for many shopping bags. Awesome!
It is always too much fun shopping with Stefano Polli, Gucci’s store manager in Zurich.
Third Stop: SUSANNE WISMER BLUMEN
I love my green oasis at home to relax and I always have flowers on display. Yesterday, I got my favourite ones: a huge bunch of pale pink peonies.
Fourth stop: RESTAURANT SEEROSE
Personally speaking, whenever I am there, I feel like being on vacation. Surrounded by the mountains and the lake, nature is embracing you in the city. Where else in the world can you find this?
By the way, when you switch to the “pure” almost silent mode, you have a similar effect while driving. You can hear the wheels on the asphalt and the wind around you. Such a beautiful and relaxing feeling.
I hope that you have enjoyed my little ride through Zurich!
The indicative price of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid luxurious “Pure Limited Edition” is starting at CHF 78.600,- in Switzerland.
After the initial batch of 1,000 cars for model year 2013 (of which 79 will go to Switzerland) this upcoming December, production of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will increase to 5,000 cars as of model year 2014.
Stay tuned for more… and a huge thank you to all who liked my facebook page. It has reached today over 30.000 likes!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
One of the biggest trends at the moment is SUSTAINABLE LUXURY and Gucci has hopped on board the green side of life by launching a new “Sustainable Soles” line of footwear made with biodegradable plastic, which is part of its pre-fall 2012 collection and said to hit stores by the end of June.
The collection will include two styles, both designed by Frida Giannini, Gucci’s Creative Director:
The “California Green” men’s sneaker, available in both low- and high-top versions, includes bio-rubber soles, vegetable-tanned calfskin uppers, bio-shoelaces, and tongues with the Gucci logo printed in green on recycled polyester labels.
The “Marola Green” slip-on, which features cutout details and Gucci’s trademark interlocking Gs, will be sold in a variety of glossy hues, including blush, taupe, and black.
The shoes are made from bio-plastic, a biodegradable material in compost which is used as an alternative to petrochemical plastic. The material also has a shorter degradation process compared to that of traditional plastic.
“This new project conveys the house’s mission to interpret in a responsible way the modern consumer’s desire for sustainable fashion products, all the while maintaining the balance between the timeless values of style and utmost quality with an ever-growing green vision.”
The news comes on the heels, as it were, of Gucci’s biodegradable “Liquid Wood” sunglasses, which are manufactured by Safilo with wood fibers from sustainably managed forests, lignin from the paper-manufacturing process, and natural wax. I was able to explore one of the first prototypes (see photo below) and I truly liked them.
“Biodegradable” is a new catchphrase at Gucci – an inspiring example of how to combine sustainability with luxury.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Gucci, Safilo and © Sandra Bauknecht
British luxury automaker Aston Martin has debuted the Dragon 88 range of automobiles (DBS Volante, Virage Coupe and V8 Vantage S) at the Beijing Motor Show.
My favourite is the DBS Volante special edition “Year of the Dragon” that features bespoke details that pay tribute to the dragon, a creature that represents power and fortune in Chinese folklore. They take the form of 24-carat gold wing badges, embroidered headrests and commemorative sill plates. Just 88 examples were produced for each model and will only be available in China.
One of the exclusive colour options selected “to chime with traditional Chinese art and imagery” is burgundy in combination with bright red which I absolutely adore. And below you can see that this colour combo would look also stunning on you, ladies!
Burgundy collarless blouse by Miu Miu, red stretch pencil skirt by Diane von Furstenberg, red Tribtoo suede pumps by Yves Saint Laurent and small flap bag by Chanel (Vintage).
LoL Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Aston Martin
Land Rover unveiled a Range Rover Evoque Special Edition with Victoria Beckham in Beijing, China this week. The exclusively designed four-seat coupe Special Edition is the result of a collaboration with Land Rover Design Director, Gerry McGovern, and Victoria Beckham.
This special edition comes with the hand-finished matte gray paint, unique 20″ gloss black forged alloy wheels and rose-gold details. Inside, there are dark mohair carpets combined with tan leather, bold baseball-style stitching chosen by Beckham and matching luggage. It is powered by a 2-liter turbocharged engine producing 240 horsepower with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Range Rover Evoque Special Edition with Victoria Beckham will begin deliveries in October.
Victoria Beckham has been surprising us with new jobs continuously, international pop star, award-winning fashion designer, style icon, supermom, and luckiest wife in the world. She can now add automobile designer to her list.
LoL, Sandra
Photo: Courtesy of Land Rover
Looking for some attention on the street? This limited edition bicycle will surely be helpful. Designed by Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana it celebrates their passion for the athletic and healthy lifestyle. Applying their magic touch this time to a bicycle, Dolce & Gabbana swathes the frame in their iconic leopard print which is hand-finished.
The Animalier bicycle aims to impress with fine detailing, such as the Dolce & Gabbana signature logo on the back of the saddle and on the bell. Once again, the love for Italy and its traditions have inspired the designers in the choice to design their first bicycle.
The bicycles will be available from this month for €1700.- at select Dolce & Gabbana boutiques worldwide: Milan, Florence, Rome, London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Munich, Berlin, Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai.
Call it exercise couture!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana
Yesterday, we had the most beautiful weather in Zurich. The sun was the perfect background for the baptism of one my best friend’s little baby girl. I chose a quite extreme coloured outfit and as I always say, don’t take fashion too serious, have fun and experiment. So my friends came up with some interesting associations like a Stabilo pen or one even knew the matching Mercedes car for me.
Jessica Lace Dress and Keke Lace Jacket by Christopher Kane, Bag and Shoes by Miu Miu, Tulle Necklace by Lanvin and Hat by Chanel.
I loved the flowers and cake so much that I added some photos to this post.
Have a lovely Sunday!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
