Sandra‘s Closet

In April this year, I introduced you to CHANEL‘s amazing watch capsule collection CHANEL ELECTRO, with graphic codes borrowed from Electro culture.

In the 1990s, this music genre offered a radically original reflection of the night-time world and ambience within which it developed. Electronic music moved beyond the bounds of music to generate an authentic aesthetic culture. Performance became all-encompassing, a sensory, graphic experience that transcended sound. Inseparable from the venues where it evolved, Electro culture developed into a fully fledged artistic genre. At the heart of this narrative lies the confrontation between black and white and color. Color lights up white. Deep black intensifies color.

Needless to say, I couldn’t resist and am so happy about this new addition in my watch closet: PREMIÈRE ELECTRO watch that is a limited edition of only 555 pieces.

Steel case with black ADLC treatment. Steel caseback. Steel crown with onyx cabochon. Black-lacquered dial with neon pink CHANEL logo. Triple row steel chain bracelet with black ADLC treatment interwoven with neon rainbow leather strap. High precision quartz movement. Water-resistance: 30 meters. Functions: hours, minutes. Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.8 x 6.2 mm.

The watch bracelet comes in different sizes. I am wearing an XS.

And there is more. The Première introduces its Electro edition with 7 Watchmaking creations displayed in a presentation box.

PREMIÈRE ELECTRO BOX
PREMIÈRE ELECTRO BOX presents a graphic polyptych of 7 watches arranged to create an
ultra-vivid color field. An intense contrast between the depth of the black and the neon colors
of the leather straps that encircle the wrist. An ode to color and a promise of an easy, relaxed
look for every day of the week.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL and © David Biedert Photography
#CHANELElectro #CHANELPremiere #CHANELWatches

Next stop on the 40th Anniversary Tour — Downtown LA! OPI transports its consumers to the contemporary streets of downtown Los Angeles, where big city culture meets modern expansion for the Fall 2021 collection. With 12 colors in four different formulas in hues ranging from trans-seasonal to the dramatic, the Downtown LA Collection offers a versatile palette.

Gender-fluid hues of lilac and pink mix with warm autumn tones of metallic rose and rich auburn brown. Bold hues of raspberry, cherry red, plum, and green pine are counterbalanced by post punk dusty and dark shades of blue and gray.

«This fall, we’re continuing our hometown 40th anniversary celebration and exploring an area of the city that’s been shaped by the heritage of many cultures — downtown Los Angeles,» remarks OPI Co-Founder and Brand Ambassador Suzi Weiss-Fischmann.

«With this collection, we’ve blended historic downtown LA with new revival; this concept is epitomized by the shade Abstract After Dark, which is an updated version of Lincoln Park After Dark, OPI’s iconic vampy dark hue. Inspired by the glittering nights of Los Angeles, this new shade pairs deep blue hues of blue and purple with the shimmering sparkle of sunset along the city skyline.»

7th & Flower

Shade names speak to favorite downtown locales: 7th & Flower is an iconic intersection in the heart of the city, Isn’t It Grand Avenue is home to major art museums like The Broad and MOCA, Angel’s Flight to Starry Nights was inspired by the Angel’s Flight railway in Bunker Hill, My Studio’s on Spring is named after Spring Street, Graffiti Sweetie pays homage to all the vibrant murals, and Art Walk in Suzi’s Shoes is a nod to the art district’s many art walks.

Abstract After Dark

The 12 Downtown LA Collection shades will be available in GelColor, Infinite Shine and Nail Lacquer formulas, including:

Metallic Composition
A shimmery rose gold that’s a sketch of your imagination.
Graffiti Sweetie
Make a statement with this perfectly sweet crème lilac.
(P)Ink on Canvas
A pastel crème blush for your own interpretation.
Espresso Your Inner Self
Bring out your inner artist with a deep espresso brown.
7th & Flower
Bloom into a magenta motif with this ode to Downtown LA.
Art Walk in Suzi’s Shoes
A crimson crème red made for walking into galleries.

Violet Visionary

Isn’t It Grand Avenue
Channel museum nights with this intensely dark navy blue.
Angel’s Flight to Starry Nights
Twinkle with a shimmery wash of dusky cool blue.
OPI DTLA
A deep downtown gray you’ll absolutely fall for.
Abstract After Dark
A shimmery midnight purple that will spark your creativity.
Violet Visionary
Hue will be posing in this rich violet crème.
My Studio’s On Spring
A lush, deep green that’s a work of art.

My Studio’s On Spring

GelColor provides a salon-perfect finish with up to three-week wear, while Infinite Shine offers a highshine finish and traditional lacquer application. Nail Lacquer features a highly pigmented, rich formula for even application without streaking.

Launch date Switzerland: 16th August 2021
24.90 CHF per Infinite Shine (15 ml)
19.90 CHF per Nail Lacquer (15 ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI #OPISwitzerland #OPIDowntownLA

In 1921, Gabrielle Chanel smashed the codes of perfumery with the creation of CHANEL N°5. She introduced an olfactory revolution – with a radical, sleek laboratory bottle and a lucky number – into women’s daily lives.

A century later, N°5 is the most famous fragrance in the world.

To celebrate this very special year, CHANEL has created the Factory 5 collection: limited editions inspired by quotidian objects as a reminder that N°5 transforms everyday life.

«By taking popular consumer items out of their context and dressing them up in the aesthetics of N°5, we return to CHANEL’s first creative gesture: that of transforming a functional object into a desirable luxury item. That’s what CHANEL FACTORY 5 is all about: offering the experience of luxury in everyday life.»

This month, CHANEL deploys this industrial scenography across the world’s largest cities. These pop-ups, imagined as theme parks dedicated to N°5, immerse people in a world which mixes the black and white identity of N°5 and the bright colors of pop culture. The experience is intended to be entertaining and offers a journey around the 17 products in this limited edition collection.

In a factory setting, the public follows the product through the various production line workstations and ends its journey with a visit to the factory store where they can watch playful, offbeat demonstrations. In Zurich, you can explore it at Jelmoli until July 18, 2021.

Other pop-ups in Switzerland are:
Boutique CHANEL PARFUMS & BEAUTÉ in Geneva from now until August 15, 2021
Boutique CHANEL MODE Geneva from now until July 31, 2021
Marionnaud Bern from now until July 18, 2021
Manor Lugano from august 2 – 15, 2021
Manor Vevey from July 19 – August 1, 2021
Globus Zurich from July 19 – August 1, 2021

There is also a digital version for those who wish to see the CHANEL FACTORY 5 without going to the pop up.

FACTORY 5 COLLECTION
N°5 LA CRÈME CORPS 150 ML CHF 85.-
N°5 LE GEL DOUCHE 20 X 6 ML CHF 75.-
N°5 L’HUILE CORPS 250 ML CHF 85.-
N°5 LES GALETS DE BAIN 10 X 17 G CHF 75.-
N°5 L’EMULSION CORPS 200 ML CHF 65.-
N° LA POCHETTE SURPRISE CHF 75.-
N°5 LE GEL DOUCHE 500 ML CHF 75.-
N°5 L’ÉMULSION CORPS 5 X 20 ML CHF 65.-
N°5 LE SAVON 90 G CHF 55.-
N°5 LE GEL PAILLETÉ 200 ML CHF 85.-
N°5 LE GEL DOUCHE 5 X 20 ML CHF 55.-
N°5 EAU DE PARFUM VAPORISATEUR 100 ML CHF 183.-
N°5 L’EAU VAPORISATEUR 100 ML CHF 183.-
N°5 L’EAU VAPORISATEUR DE SAC 7 ML CHF 55.-
N°5 L’EAU RECHARGES VAPORISATEUR SAC 3 X 7 ML CHF 75.-
Two products are exclusively available only at Boutique CHANEL PARFUMS & BEAUTE in Geneva (Bongénie, first floor, 34 rue du Marché, 1204 Geneva)
GOURDE CHF 75.-
5 RUBANS AUTOCOLLANTS CHF 60.-

Stay tuned as I will show you my personal experience soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL

Shoe designer Amina Muaddi teams up with Wolford for a limited-edition collaboration including hosiery, leggings, bodysuits, jumpsuits, socks and a few skin-tight dresses.
Wolford, which sells everything from lingerie to beachwear and ready-to-wear apparel, is trying to get back to its roots as an innerwear brand — and hoping Muaddi can help.

The collaboration between Amina Muaddi and Wolford is a benchmark partnership. Both share the same DNA with regards to craftsmanship and commitment to excellence. Both share the same dedication for timeless contemporaneity and both are impassioned towards helping women express their identity and boost their confidence. A shared approach, avoiding fast-fashion, for a world with more consciousness.

Thong Tights

Amina Muaddi credits her Jordanian and Romanian heritage, as well as her time spent visiting family in Italy in her youth, as the DNA behind her eponymous label. Launched in 2018, it fuses a sense of opulence with timeless glamour, and is inspired by tastemakers from across the world. For Wolford, she created some truly outstanding pieces, among them the fabulous Thong Tights (finally!) and the Crystal Net Tights.

Crystal Net Tights

The collection is launching worldwide on July 5, 2021.
TO SHOP THE COLLECTION ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Wolford
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

On July 1st, 2021 the monthly Prada Timecapsule drop will be launched on prada.com – at 3pm CET – for 24 hours only. Launched for the first time on December 5, 2019 in Europe, Prada Timecapsule presents a new item on the first Thursday of every month, an online exclusive for just 24 hours.

Topical hues and vibrant color contrasts define the pop-inspired graphic pattern of the new Timecapsule shirt, decorated with an all-over animal pattern and a tiger motif at the back. Faded and irregular along the edges, the placed print creates a distinctive, vintage look, emphasizing each piece’s uniqueness. The triangle logo is reworked in a rubber detail. Available exclusively online for just 24 hours, the garment is decorated with a special logo created by OMA, the architecture firm founded by Rem Koolhaas, and with a serial number that makes it unique.

TECHNICAL DETAILS
Oversized – Short sleeves – Bowling collar – Breast pocket – Straight hem – Mother-of-pearl buttons – Rubber triangle logo on the front pocket – 100% Cotton – Sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL). Made In Italy. Price: CHF 950.

Next drop will be on August 5th, 2021.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Prada

On the occasion of its 110th anniversary, FILA celebrates its Italian heritage and its innovative spirit rooted in tradition, by partnering with icons of Italian excellence and embarking on a journey that highlights the spirit of Italian culture through unprecedented dialogues and unexpected collaborations. The spirit of Italy is reflected in the art of wellbeing, where meticulously made objects define an all encompassing lifestyle.

The Italian journey for FILA begins with a collaboration with ACQUA DI PARMA, a symbol of the Italian Arte di Vivere, the unique and vibrant mix of all that is loved about Italy – its nature, culture, and art. With a heritage almost as longstanding as FILA, ACQUA DI PARMA has been a symbol of Italian excellence, craftsmanship and style since 1916 when Carlo Magnani created Colonia, a personal fragrance destined for timeless success. Synonymous with the most sophisticated Italian style, ACQUA DI PARMA today is a leading player in the international luxury landscape, a Maison that draws on tradition to reinterpret it, while innovating and evolving, exactly like FILA.

Modernity, ease, dynamism, and a love for the vibrancy of the sun and open-air landscapes drenched in golden rays define both FILA and ACQUA DI PARMA, purveyors of a luminous Italian lifestyle. The collaboration happens en plein air, in the Mediterranean, and takes the shape of 1,100 numbered, limited-edition sets, presented in ACQUA DI PARMA’s signature sunny yellow and marked with vertical stripes in FILA’s iconic red and navy hues.

Inside, the two worlds are merged together as Blu Mediterraneo Arancia di Capri meets a terry-lined tyvek windbreaker, a replica of FILA’s iconic Aqua style from 1976, where a dash of turquoise and white was added to the blue that was signature for sailing, becoming a sportswear staple for boating. The journey begins by immersing in the scent and putting on the jacket, into the sunniest Italian fantasy, charging ahead with the feeling of being alive in a boost of energy and positivity.

ACQUA DI PARMA x FILA 110th Anniversary sets are exclusively available on acquadiparma.com and FILA.com.

FILA and ACQUA DI PARMA, two Italian icons, meet under the Mediterranean light to celebrate over a century of vibrant life. Grab this limited edition collab between FILA and ACQUA DI PARMA while you still can!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Rian Davidson / Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored.
#aquadiparma #fila #fila110 #filaglobal #italianicons
@acquadiparma_official @fila_global

This spring, I was invited to discover the new limited edition TOM FORD BEAUTY SOLEIL SUMMER 2021 collection, magnetizes with innovative new experiences of solar gold, through a virtual zoom meeting. Beforehand, I received a lovely package filled with lots of goodies from the American brand, such as the amazing Neughman pilot sunglasses that I put on immediately during the presentation.

«The warmth of amber and mix of florals render this fragrance original. SOLEIL BRÛLANT is addictive… the boldest version of Soleil.» – TOM FORD

First let me introduce you to the new SOLEIL BRÛLANT Eau de Parfum (available as in two sizes, 50ml flacon and 250ml.) An opulent, golden sun; a secluded island escape – SOLEIL BRÛLANT, the third expression in the Soleil franchise, releases sun kissed florals warmed by amber, conjuring a blazing encounter between gilded rays and bare skin.

The floral oriental scent is an invitation to an uninhibited summer, where high-shine solar brilliance mingles with the intense freshness of mandarin and bergamot. Spicy pink peppercorn gives way to an ornate and regal floral heart of jasmine sambac, tuberose and orange flower absolutes. As the sun and body embrace, the warmth of decadent amber intensified by resins, woods, and black honey nectar exudes a seductive vapor. Invigorating coffee Arabica and tonka bean awaken the extravagant smokiness of incense, vetiver, and leather.

The collection includes also two limited edition make-up products:

SOLEIL CREAM AND POWDER EYE COLOR – Black Sand
A two-tiered eye color, this duo creates deeply seductive eye look with an ultra-pigmented, black
cream base hue and a high-shine golden powder.

SOLEIL LIP GLOSS – Sunlust
This pearlescent gloss sweeps on golden, then shade-shifts into a soft shimmering rose-peach
glow with subtle shine.

Here are two other products of the SOLEIL collection that I personally love and you shouldn’t miss:

SOLEIL GLOW BRONZER – Gold Dust
This medium bronzer gives your skin a sun-kissed glow that’s genuinely healthy – it’s packed with nourishing ingredients. The lightweight formula is infused with finely milled shimmer that looks so natural.

SOLEIL BLANC SHIMMERING BODY OIL – Rose Gold
 Designed to give skin a sun-kissed glow all year round, this shimmering body oil is scented with amber, sandalwood and fresh floral notes to evoke the smell of summer.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Tom Ford Beauty and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

On June 8th we celebrate UN WORLD’S OCEANS DAY, that is supported by LA MER and the LA MER BLUE HEART OCEANS FUND. A cream that is good for your skin and the ocean… find out more in this blog post about the brand’s commitment and the newest collectible design.

The ocean covers over 70% of the planet. It is our life source, supporting humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on earth. Our blue planet, our beating hearts: Water comprises both in almost-equal amounts, a proportion so perfectly aligned that it’s impossible to call it coincidence. Faced with this fact, it’s clear that we cannot separate ourselves from our seas. The ocean’s wellbeing is our wellbeing, and protecting it ensures a bright future for us all.

THE OCEAN IN ALL OF US
No matter where we live—landlocked or lakeside, temperate or tropical— the ocean’s tides touch everything and everyone, connecting us as a global community whose future depends on the sea’s wellbeing.

Facts and what we can do ourselves to make it better:

50% of earth’s oxygen comes from the ocean
Protect the organisms that produce it by supporting the planting of mangroves and seagrass.

The sea has become 30% more acidic in the past 200 years due to carbon emissions.
Take fewer car trips and save one pound of carbon for every mile not driven.

80% of marine pollution originates inland.
Get involved in your neighborhood clean-up programs – local acts have a global impact.

LA MER’S IMPACT & COMMITMENT
The sea is the source of so many wonders: oxygen that sustains us, food that nourishes us, even the kelp that fuels our formulas. In return for these gifts, LA MER promises protection—honored through over 15 years of support for ocean conservation efforts around the world. And they’re just getting started.

2017 LA MER launches the LA MER BLUE HEART OCEANS FUND as a way to make charitable contributions that support ocean preservation efforts.

Chimney of the new vent field where hydrothermal activity is visible.

2018 Support for the Oceano Azul Foundation leads to the discovery of the LUSO Hydrothermal Field in the Azores, one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth, a unique zone of biological, geological and chemical importance that is now declared a Marine Protected Area.

Mangroves are rare, spectacular and prolific ecosystems on the boundary between land and sea.

2019 With LA MER’s assistance, The Nature Conservancy plants 400.000 mangroves in the Caribbean.

2020 EarthEcho‘s 30×30 initiative aims to build a global youth movement to protect 30% of our ocean by 2030.

PLUS, BY THE END OF 2025…
Over 75% of the LA MER packaging will be recycled, recyclable. reusable, refillable or recoverable.

In LA MER’s latest, limited-edition commemorative decorative jar, this luxuriously rich cream deeply soothes and moisturizes to help heal dryness and leave skin looking naturally vibrant. Miracle Broth™—the legendary soothing elixir that flows through all of LA MER—infuses skin with sea-sourced renewing energies. This year’s collectible design takes inspiration from bioluminescent corals, a glowing reminder of both the ocean’s magical power and the healing energy of Crème de la Mer.
Available now here for CHF 360.00 (60ml).

Your purchase of this commemorative Blue Heart Crème de la Mer does not impact La Mer’s charitable donations.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the respective organizations,  © Sandra Bauknecht and © LA MER
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored.

Enter an oasis of colour and vibrancy: MARNI brings its exclusive collection of limited-edition, artisanally crafted home accessories and bags to MATCHESFASHION, and it is sure to bring joy to the everyday, inside and out.

The Italian powerhouse created eclectic roving markets to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2014, instantly making the brand more accessible, and ever since, they’ve been constantly evolving. Now, following pop-ups in Hong Kong, Venice and Tokyo, MARNI MARKET has landed in London for the first time, and this is MATCHESFASHION’s spin on it.

For spring, the MARNI MARKET products offer ideas for decorating interiors and outdoor spaces, or renewing outfits with liveliness and color. Stools—which become coffee tables—cushions, rugs, baskets, trays and bags—many of which can also be used as plant pots—bring the playful soul of MARNI to the stage through unpredictable shapes and materials. The products of the collection feature a design that differs with irony from traditional canons, igniting imagination.

MARNI MARKET GOES AROUND sees the introduction of new hand-woven BASKET BAGS, emblematic designs of the Marni Markets, together with the STRIPE BAGS. With this Marni Market, debut the WOLLY BAGS: winking at the retro-inspired lines of the CROCHET BAGS, they are entirely covered in soft wool. The Market also presents the HAMMOCK BAGS available in a wide range of colored rainbows and in a sophisticated version with floral print, as well as cotton BOAT BAGS, characterized by timeless textures and oval PVC handles.

The MARNI MARKET GOES AROUND collection also includes the BUCKET BAGS and the MOICANA BAGS, entirely made of natural fique fiber, as well as the crochet FISH BAGS inspired by old blankets, available in a sophisticated version with elongated profiles, featuring distinctive prints of the Marni archives.

The Market welcomes a series of new metal and PVC knick knack trays and cake holders, to combine with fruit baskets, vases and magazine racks, made of the same material. The new striped crochet rugs and the HAMMOCK PILLOWS join the furnishing accessories, bringing a touch of joy to moments of relax through their colors.

Each product is one-of-a-kind and is the result of a collaborative venture with Colombian artisans who have been working with Marni for many years. Through MARNI MARKET GOES AROUND, Marni renews its commitment in engaging with local communities, in the attempt to actively preserve artisanal traditions and propel them into the present. All products creatively merge Marni’s aesthetic codes with the language of local traditions, attesting to the Colombian artisans’ visionary perspective in experimenting with materials and colors inspired by the natural world.

TO SHOP MARNI MARKET GOES AROUND PRODUCTS AT MATCHESFASHION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © MARNI, 2nd Picture © MATCHESFASHION /Photo: Jermaine Francis, styling by Chris Hobbs – #MarniMarket
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Another fun and cheeky collaboration from Olympia Le-Tan who joined forces with Portuguese artist and illustrator Rita Gomes a.k.a. Wasted Rita who has been amassing a huge following since starting her blog «Rita Bored» through her self-styled «natural born agent provocateur».

Emotional Iceberg, Girls Just Want to Cum or Sex Toys? Whatever you choose, please, louder for the people in the back!

To shop the collection, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Olympia Le-Tan and © Wasted Rita