Sandra‘s Closet

It is probably one of the cutest collaborations ever: Carven meets Petit Bateau in a romantic, feminine capsule collection. Gamine tops, lovely detachable collars, little dresses and shirt bodies will make a fashionista’s heart leap with joy. The collection is available now exclusively online. It will officially hit the shelves of Petit Bateau stores around the world on December 6, 2012. Be one of the first ones to own these must-haves before all others.

TO SHOP CARVEN FOR PETIT BATEAU CLICK HERE!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Petit Bateau

“Water is life is love is life is water is life is love is life is water”
This lovely surprise was waiting for me on my doorstep…

Evian® Natural Mineral Water has teamed with American designer Diane von Furstenberg for the design of its 2013 limited-edition bottle, marking the first time the brand has linked with a female designer. The projects reflects a playful celebration of life and features a nod to the designer’s iconic mantras with, “Water is Life is Love is Life is Water is…,” gracing the bottle in her distinct handwriting and an ubiquitous heart DVF logo in a special hue of red.

Since 2008, evian® has collaborated with the world’s most acclaimed designers including Issey Miyake, Paul Smith, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix and Courrèges. To date, 10 million Limited Edition bottles have been sold and distributed to over 150 countries worldwide.

Just in time for the festive season, the limited edition bottle will be sold in Switzerland from November at the retailers Globus, Manor, among others for CHF 2.40.

“I am so excited about this collaboration because I have always loved evian® and I think drinking water is one of the most important things we can do to love ourselves and love is life! To me it is all about living life to the fullest and I am so proud to work with evian® to spread such an important message.“ said Diane von Furstenberg.

About Diane von Furstenberg

Diane von Furstenberg first entered the fashion world in 1972 with a suitcase full of jersey dresses. Two years later, she invented the wrap dress, which came to symbolize power and independence for an entire generation of women. After a brief hiatus, Diane reemerged on the New York fashion scene in 1997 and re-launched the iconic dress, reestablishing her company as a global luxury lifestyle brand. DVF is now sold in over 70 countries worldwide, and has 54 freestanding shops. In 2005, Diane received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and one year later was elected to her current position as its President. Diane’s commitment to empowering women is expressed through fashion, philanthropy and mentorship. She sits on the board of the non-profit Vital Voices, and in 2010 established The DVF Awards to support and honor exceptional women and organizations.

If you are interested to hear Diane von Furstenberg speak about this collaboration in her own words, I invite you to step in her office by watching this video:

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of evian®, Diane von Furstenberg and © Sandra Bauknecht

Guerlain’s Christmas 2012 makeup collection was inspired by the brand’s fragrance Liu. It is Olivier Echaudemaison’s interpretation of the scent which was created in 1929 by Jacques Guerlain. Liu is a hymn to femininity and true love, which was inspired by the heroine of Turandot, Puccini’s opera. The story is about the young slave who chooses to commit suicide rather than reveal the name of her master with whom she is in love. The scent symbolized the power of secrets.

From scent to make-up, this bewitching journey transports us to the threshold of a fantastical and incredibly refined Asia. Golden mists, tapered eyes, a blood-red mouth… Beautifully enhanced by the opulence of the Orient, Guerlain’s modern heroine is Natalia Vodianova who stars once more in the house’s ad campaign.

LIU – Perfumed Shimmer Powder Face, Body and Hair

The magical light-as-air loose powder swathes the skin and hair in a silky halo with iridescent golden glints. The sensual universal shade softly illuminates the face, hair and exposed parts of the body from the curve of the shoulder to the top of the décolleté. A scintillating breath exudes luminous aldehydes, a sensual armful of roses and a caressing base of vanilla, iris and woody notes. CHF 112.-

LIU – Eye and Lip Calligraphy Palette

Another icon, the collector’s palette draws its inspiration from the art of calligraphy and Asian beauty rituals. Two fatal shades for the lips, carmine and blue-toned red, and three eyeshadows with an iridescent powder texture that plays on every tone of gold – bronze, copper and white. A matte black powder line that can be used wet or dry is the ultimate accessory for an unforgettable gaze. CHF 105.-

The Complexion Divas
Météorites Perles du Dragon (illuminating powder) and Météorites Wulong (pressed powder)

The legendary Météorites have been reinvented in two luxurious limited-edition versions. In the year of the dragon, they have been christened Perles du Dragon and Wulong – meaning “black dragon”. They pay tribute to this mythical animal, a symbol of the emperor of China, whose primary source of power lay in pearl, synonymous with happiness, wisdom and abundance. Perles du Dragon CHF  76.- and Wulong CHF 220.-

Écrin 4 Couleurs – Long-lasting Eyeshadows

This precious quartet, 500 Les Ombres Turandot, showcases a subtle monochrome palette for vibrnat and refined eye make-up. CHF 80.-

The Heroines’ Lipsticks: Shine Automatique – Hydrating Lip Shine

Available this fall in two colours: 700 Altoum, a gold adorned with tone-on-tone sparkle that is worn on bare lips or alternatively as a top coat and 760 Lou-Ling, an enchanting beautiful plum with a golden sparkle for an even more fiery effect. CHF 54.- each

Nail Lacquers

Dare to display ultimate sophistication down to your fingertips with limited-edition nail polishes in the same jewel tones 03 Altoum, a gleaming gold for a precious glow, 04 Lou-Ling, a stunning plum for spellbinding nails. CHF 36.- each

Personally speaking, I adore this festive make-up collection very much. The packaging itself is so luxurious and beautiful that you will enjoy the products whenever you hold them in your hands as much as putting them on your face. In stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Guerlain and © Sandra Bauknecht

Three new oriental fragrances that might reveal the Scheherazade in you hit the shelves this fall. Not only fans of the One Thousand and One Nights will love the precious essences of amber, vanilla, patchouli and rose.

Enjoy those scents that will at once transport you to warmer climes and enchanting Eastern places in thought.

Armani Privé – Haute Couture Fragrances
ROSE D’ARABIE “L’Or du Désert”

Giorgio Armani presents a limited edition of its Rose d’Arabie fragrance of the Armani/Privé line of couture perfumes in “La Collection des Mille et Une Nuits”. The sensual fragrance features amber and patchouli as well as saffron and Damask rose extracts. Elusive gold flecks mingle with the fragrance, dancing and twirling like desert winds so that its name L’Or du Désert is very suitable. The beautiful gold dust will leave a subtle shimmer on the perfumed skin.
EDP 100 ml – CHF 330.- Limited Edition available end of October 2012.

PERFUME CALLIGRAPHY by Aramis

Aramis goes Arabic with its newly launched unisex scent Perfume Calligraphy, that is geared towards the Middle Eastern market. Full of eastern promise and inspired by the beauty of the written word, the fragrance and its bottle, both reflect a perfect pairing of ancient crafts and high quality ingredients such as oud and rose. Additional notes include cardamom, lemon, cinnamon, myrrh, saffron, patchouli, amber and musk.
EDT 100ml – CHF 168.- in stores now.

L’AMBRE DES MERVEILLES by Hermès

“Lucent, translucent, luminous, generous, solid, indestructible, if the legend is true, if beads of yellow amber are the tears of the gods, they are tears of joy.”

The newest Hermès fragrance L’Ambre des Merveilles is full of magic and mystery. This extremely beautiful scent includes notes of amber, labdanum, vanilla and patchouli. The idea behind his latest interpretation L’Ambre, as in-house nose Jean-Claude Ellena explains, was “to make the woman more sensual and mysterious. For this new chapter, I wanted to relate one of the mysteries of amber, hovering between a delicious treat and sensuality, where vanilla meets the warmth of labdanum, and the moist quality of patchouli.” After a spritz or two, it is obvious that this fragrance does just that in perfection.
EDP 50ml (CHF 128.-) and 100ml (CHF 182.-) in stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani, Aramis and Hermès

To fight your upcoming winter blues, I recommend COLOUR! It is a great way to lighten up foggy days and grey skies. Here is a perfect outfit for you:

Vintage Whisper cotton slub-jersey top by Splendid, flared faille mini skirt by Miu Miu, leather and watersnake platform pumps by Nicholas Kirkwood, Saya printed silk-twill square scarf and Cayla embellished patent-leather clutch, both by Jimmy Choo in collaboration with Rob Pruitt.

Jimmy Choo has joined forces with contemporary artist Rob Pruitt for a fabulous, limited-edition range of handbags and shoes. Pruitt gained art-world attention in the late Eighties for his colourful, pop art-influenced work. Think panda-print flats, rainbow-hued pumps and crystal-adorned clutches. If you like the clutch and the scarf above, you might be also interested in those goodies below:

Angel Swarovski crystal panda minaudière and Devil Swarovski crystal panda minaudière

Anouk lace-covered leather pumps

Nixon printed patent-leather luggage tag

Wheel Loe angel and devil embroidered leopard-print calf hair loafers

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jimmy Choo

Another blockbuster fashion event took place this week in NYC. One evening after the Maison Martin Margiela with H&M launch party, Donatella Versace hosted a cocktail party to celebrate the opening of her new Versace boutique in Soho on 160, Mercer Street followed by a dinner at the Waldorf Towers.

A huge variety of celebrities chose to attend both events, with everyone from Gerard Butler and Kanye West to supermodel Linda Evangelista and close friend of the House Lady Gaga.

Carrying both menswear and womenswear ready-to-wear collections in addition to accessories, the store will also house special collaborations.

Kicking off the shop’s opening, Donatella Versace tapped Christopher Kane, who also creates the Versus line, to design a capsule collection of tees and other items with iconic Versace images pulled from the archives, which will be sold exclusively at the Soho store. With printed T-shirts being so à la mode, be sure that those tops will activate another fashion hype!

Below, find a complete list of celebrities who chose to wear Versace:

Donatella Versace entered the cocktail party at the boutique in a Fall 2012 black corset top with a Swarovski encrusted jewelled cross emblem on the front with a velvet pencil skirt (see photo below with Princess Charlene of Monaco).  She changed later for the dinner into another look from Fall 2012 (as you can see above with Lady Gaga) – she was perfect in a black Versace leather top with crescent-shaped neckline with Swarovski crystal details and Versace leather pants, completely embedded with Swarovski crystal details from the knee down.

Princess Charlene of Monaco wore a chic black Versace cocktail dress paired with thigh-high leather Versace runway boots with a gold capped-toe. She finished her look with a black Versace cashmere waistcoat with leather inserts.

Linda Evangelista wore a black velvet Versace coat from the Fall 2012 runway enriched by Swarovski crystal crosses.

Doutzen Kroes wore a Versace Fall 2012 black coat with flared skirt covered entirely in Swarovski crystals.

Bar Refaeli looked amazing in a fitted black leather cocktail dress with Swarovski crystals detailing with a matching leather jacket and black Versace booties.

Coco Rocha wore a black dress with metallic detailing from Versace Fall 2012 paired with black Versace Fall pointed toe pumps.

Alexa Chung here with Christopher Kane wore a look from the Versus Fall 2012 runway: a burgundy knit turtleneck top paired with a matching leather miniskirt.

Karolina Kurkova wore a black leather bomber jacket with intricate floral detailing with a pencil skirt with a matching pattern, paired with black Versace pumps and a black Versace clutch.

Leigh Lezark sporting a yellow cocktail dress with leather cutouts at the hem and on the side with a modern crescent shaped neckline. She completed her look with black Versace shoes.

Tali Lennox, daughter of Annie Lennox, wore a full look from Versus Fall 2012 – she looked fabulous in a fuchsia top, miniskirt, and huge fur coat. She completed her outfit with blue booties with fuchsia inserts.

Hunger Games star Alexander Ludwig chose a Fall 2012 look – he wore a blue floral printed suit with matching tie. He completed his look with Versace Fall boots with gold buckles and a black Versace belt with a medusa buckle.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versace

Finally, we can see the fruits of Maison Martin Margiela‘s amazing collaboration with H&M. Sam Taylor-Johnson shot the campaign (see above) and below you can enjoy photos of the recently revealed lookbook. The avant-garde Belgian fashion house is loved by all fashion connoisseurs. What do you think of it?

The collection will land in stores and online on Thursday, November 15, 2012.

And while you are reading this, I am in the plane on my way to New York City for the launch party of Maison Martin Margiela for H&M tomorrow night. Stay tuned for some amazing photos! I am getting heart palpitations from the excitement of just thinking of it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M and © Sandra Bauknecht

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and wearing pink is a great way of showing your support. I am in love with this uber-cute pink ruffled silk-mikado mini dress by Moschino and those lace-up fuchsia rubber rain boots by RED Valentino.

Many companies, such as Estée Lauder and Bobbi Brown, sell special products to raise awareness and funds by donating part of the retail price. This year, Estée Lauder compagnies’ Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign is celebrating its 20th anniversary in the fight against breast cancer and honouring the life and legacy of Evelyn H. Lauder, BCA campaign founder and Pink Ribbon co-creator. This is definitely worth supporting!

Evelyn Lauder Dream Compact by Estée Lauder
This irresistible collectible compact is an elegant way to show your support of Breast Cancer Awareness for women and men. Filled and refillable with Lucidity Translucent Pressed Powder, the Evelyn Lauder Dream Collection also helps raise awareness that early detection saves lives. In special honour of Evelyn Lauder, 100% of the suggested retail price of each Dream Compact sold will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® from August 2012 – June 2013. Available in Switzerland for CHF 120.-.

Limited Edition Pink Peony Set by Bobbi Brown

Exclusive set in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Bobbi will be donating $10 of every sale of this set during the month of October to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. Featuring the Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Pink Peony, an innovative blend of sheer powder and micro pearls to give skin a natural-looking glow, paired with a Mini Face Blender Brush topped off with a bright pink handle. It’s a fun way to put on your makeup and show your support. Available in Switzerland for CHF 60.- (CHF 5.- will be donated).

Pink Bouquet by Moschino
A fruity-floral fragrance that exhales a lot of positive energy, youthful freshness and euphoric notes while being romantic and feminine.

Top notes: Bergamot, pineapple sorbet and raspberry.
Middle notes: Jasmine, pink lily of the valley, violet and peony petal.
Base notes: Peach, oakmoss, gingerbread and musk.

Eau de Toilette Nat. Spray 30 ml CHF 54.00 – 50 ml CHF 81.00 – 90 ml CHF 107.00
Perfumed Deodorant Nat. Vapo 50 ml CHF 42.00
Perfumed Shower Gel 200 ml CHF 42.00
Perfumed Body Lotion 200 ml CHF 52.00

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Estée Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Moschino and net-à-porter.

In July, I showed you already a sneak preview of the gorgeous OPI The Man With The Golden Gun top coat, which contains real flecks of 18kt gold. For the previous post, please click here.

Of course, I was so excited to try it out myself and I have to say that it is an amazing product as it makes your manicure last forever. I wore it in Paris for fashion week and got lots of compliments for it.

Now I would like to present you the complete range by OPI for this holiday season, that pays homage to the 50th Anniversary of movie icon James Bond. This special line of nail polishes – named after the latest 007 movie Skyfall – features 13 limited-edition nail lacquers.

“From metallic and glitter finishes to jewel tones and even a jet black, these lacquers capture the film’s sophisticated and glamorous look.” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. The Skyfall nail polishes are even featured in the latest Bond movie by actress Bérénice Marlohe.

The OPI Skyfall Collection will be available in Switzerland starting November, 1st, 2012 for CHF 23.90 and CHF 49.90 for the top coat “The Man With The Golden Gun”.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Courtesy of OPI and IMDb

“Now that cinderella’s fairy godmother no longer exists, the couturier must be the magician,” said Christian Dior.

In a swirl of shadows and light, the Dior heroine leads the ball dance. She wears her glamour like a second skin. For the Christmas 2012 makeup collection, Tyen reinterprets the spirit of Dior grand balls with a contemporary elegance and a cheeky twist.

They were a constant theme beating at the heart of Monsieur Dior’s fashion and life. From the extravagant parties in Granville, his childhood home, which gave him a glimpse of his destiny in couture, to the follies of the Parisian balls in the roaring 20s, the couturier was profoundly fascinated by transformation. From the catwalk to the red carpet, his ball gowns have become every woman’s desire. A 18th-century look, revived and modernised. Fleeting and flamboyant, the Grand Bal embraces the fantasy of Christmas.

Palette Grand Bal Carnet de Maquillage (CHF 119.00) – Christmas Look 2012 Star Product – (Limited Edition)

Inspired by the dance cards held by young women in the 18th-century to remember their dance partners, this essential beauty kit is bound to be a must-have for the modern day party girl. The glamorous gold clutch features a pearl eyeshadow duo of platinum and gold, two shades of gloss, a mirror, and deep black eyeliner for quick touch-ups.

Poudre Or – (CHF 68.25 – Limited Edition)

Delicate skin dares to adopt subtle golden tints beneath the Diorskin powder puff, a loose powder to be dusted onto the cheekbones, shoulders and neckline… The sensuality of elegant evenings with a stylish scent of seduction.

Diorskin Poudre Libre in 431 Gold Dust

Palette 5 Couleurs (CHF 90.00 – Limited Edition)

Through the darkness, the eyes dazzle with light. A dramatic halo, a mirrored texture, shifting reflections that flutter like butterfly wings… The 5 Couleurs unfurls its multiple shades. The Dior Grand Bal heroine wears her masquerade right on her skin.

524 Fairy Golds
764 Night Golds

Grand Bal False Lashes (CHF 32.00 – Limited Edition)

For the first time Dior has created a collection of false eyelashes. Adorned with delicate silver drops or soft gold sophisticated Swarovski crystals, the gaze is shaded in mystery and sparkles with glamour, to defy the imagination. A fatal attraction.

001 Pearl Drops
002 Gold Crystals

Diorshow Liner Waterproof “Or” (CHF 34.00 – Limited Edition)

Like a gold thread etched beneath the lashes, the new Diorshow Liner Waterproof underscores the eyelid. Applied in generous flat tints or as a drop of light at the corner of the eye, it leaves its lustrous bronze imprint.

Diorific Lipstick (CHF 49.00)

A voluptuous texture, a glossy shine… The Diorific Grand Bal collection reveals a waltz of glowing couture shades in their precious jewel-case: festive red, brown with a sophisticated gold sheen, nude beige or falsely demure rosewood. Smoothed, shaped and sheened, the smile is perfectly designed. Captivating.

340 Diorling
520 Diva
653 Marilyn
677 Lady

Dior Addict Ultra Gloss (CHF 44.00 – Limited Edition)

It seeks to unsettle and distils its sensuality. Alone or as a topcoat, tinted in gold lamé or ceremonial red, Dior Addict Ultra Gloss lacquers the smile, transforming the sweep of a ball gown or boosting a super-slim silhouette. A little shot of glamour.

424 Lamé Gold
774 Ceremony Red

Diorific Vernis ($40 – Limited Edition)

More than an it-colour, Diorific Vernis is an it-accessory; an object of desire and a collector nail lacquer. In an exceptional collector’s edition that bridges fashion and finery, Dior relaunches this gem of a varnish. In a range of ultra-luxurious colours, Diorific Vernis is a jewel on the skin that the heroine of the Dior Grand Bal mixes or matches with her lipstick, to suit her outfit or mood. Red for the lips, sparkly black for the fingers; pearl-white on the fingertips and pink on the lips; glossy golden varnish with brown lip shade. She is ready to go to the ball. Never has her extravagance been more desirable.

011 Lady
751 Marilyn
207 Diorling
901 Diva

Golden Tattoos ($120.00) (Limited Edition – not available in Switzerland)

From the early years of his career, Christian Dior was fascinated by gold and its mysterious powers. It wasn’t long before gold became a refined signature of the house and Dior’s most magnificent couture outfits were adorned with gold accessories. Now, Camille Miceli, Dior’s Creative Director of costume jewelry, has created a limited edition set of Golden Tattoos, comprised of 24-karat gold micro particles that melt onto the skin. The set includes seven exclusive designs: two wrist chains, a Dior Dollisimio charm, pearl drop charm with the Christian Dior logo, three rings, and a Line A interlaced bangles.

Personally speaking, the Dior Grand Bal makeup collection is my favourite for Christmas 2012.
All products, except the Golden Tattoos, will be available in Switzerland from November 7th, 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior