Sandra‘s Closet

During the next days, I will show you the newest makeup looks for the Holiday 2011 season. The festive time of the year stands mostly for shimmering, dramatic colours. Giorgio Armani‘s Creative Makeup Director Linda Cantello has seeked inspiration from the ’30s. An inspiring era…which is setting the tone for the season. Pure lines, sophisticated colours, luxurious details… Art Deco in all its glory with one of its iconic materials: Madre Perla. Madre Perla inlaid in a precious case, heralding a must-have product. Madre Perla, too, in Linda Cantello’s colour inspiration, with subtle reflections and iridescent effects.

“Like a 1930s’ boudoir… A touch of lacquer and patinated metals add a sophisticated feel to satiny, pearlescent tones. Delicate shades reminiscent of the silk lingerie of the time.” (Linda Cantello)

FACE & EYES PALETTE
CHF 77.- (black lacquer case)

Inspired by Art Deco style, Giorgio Armani’s famous black case is decorated in real Madre Perla. Precision work done entirely by hand in the purest tradition of luxury craftsmanship. Inside are found three luminous, satiny powders in sand, champagne and aqua. Silky shadows that skilfully combine a featherlight texture with radiant colour. Blended over the eye area, the three shades sculpt and illuminate the eyes. Lightly dabbed onto the facial contours, the sand and champagne tones catch the light to increase the radiance of the complexion. The Face & Eye Palette is also available in Giorgio Armani’s iconic black lacquer case.

Eyes to Kill Gold Silver

EYES TO KILL EYESHADOWS
CHF 48.-

Giorgio Armani’s most spectacular shadow is revealed in a limited edition of three metallic shades subtly patinated: a gold, as an echo to antique gilt, a toned down silver plutonium, and an intermediate shade blending gold and silver. Thanks to Colorfil color matrix, these creamy, powder-free shadows adhere to the eyelid like a second skin, without ever fading or flaking.

Eyes to Kill Silver

Gloss Armani Pink

GLOSS D’ARMANI
CHF 41.-

A play of light and shade for the eyes… while the lips are adorned in vibrant lacquered shades. A real weave of colour, Gloss d’Armani offers comfortable, long-lasting hold, expressed in four limited edition shades: barely iridescent rosewood enhances the natural colour of the lips, while a velvety “amaranth” red and sienna intensely emphasise their shape. And an unexpected choice: a bold amethyst, which is vivid yet so translucent on application that it matches any skin tone.

Gloss Armani Purple

Gloss Armani Red

The beautiful collection will be available starting this month.
My must-have: Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow in Gold Silver.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani

Travel expert Kuoni and globetrotting consultant Thomas Erber have collaborated to present “Kuoni No.1”, a travel bag made of premium Barenia calfskin, created by the Swiss label “Van Astyn“ in association with Thomas Erber and Peter Nitz. It comes in an edition of 20 individually numbered pieces and is an object that ages with its owner and gracefully absorbs the traces of experience over many years of travels.

The bag is available exclusively for € 1890 at colette in Paris and through Kuoni Concierge in Zurich (+41 58 702 65 55). If you like it, you will have to hurry as there are only a few left.

LoL, Sandra

Designer Peter Nitz with me

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Alain Nathan for the still life pictures

Natalie Portman who’s now the face of Diorskin Forever, the latest foundation by Christian Dior, shows us what flawless complexion means. To achieve this “made to measure” – Haute Couture teint, Dior has introduced two new makeup products along with new lip shades to give your face the perfect radiance. Please scroll down for further details.

Dior Forever Fluid
Flawless Perfection – Fusion wear makeup – SPF 25

Diorskin Forever Fluid Foundation provides a new generation of fusional wear, fluid foundation. Its ultra-sensorial texture, bursting with made-to-measure perfecting skin care ingredients, melts into the skin for an absolutely perfect complexion that lasts all day long. The foundation blends seamlessly with the skin for a smoother, more even complexion day after day.

Price: CHF 68.50

Diorskin Forever Compact
Flawless Perfection – Fusion wear makeup – SPF 25

A true innovation, Dior has invented an exclusive manufacturing process to integrate a record quantity of skincare into a powder texture. For the first time, a powder complexion provides all the benefits of skincare in an ultra-soft and creamy texture. It melts into the skin like a cream for a velvety, non-powder finish and an ideal sensation of comfort throughout the day.

Price: CHF 80.50 (Refill CHf 59)

Rouge Dior and Forever – The Perfect Harmony
Haute Couleur Voluptuous Care Lip Blush

For the “Lip Blush” range, Dior has combined Diorskin Forever skin-coloured pigments with coloured pigments. The lipsticks match skin tone perfectly for an instantly beautiful makeup. This combination of complexion and lipstick provides a well-match and natural duo.

Price: CHF 48

For my Zurich based readers, I have some good news. Next week, from 17th-22nd of October three of Dior’s 12 international pro makeup artists are coming to Jelmoli to introduce the new products. This is your chance to get tips and a makeover from the international pros.

You can choose between two options:

■ An one hour makeover for CHF 60 (redeemable in products)

■ An one hour makeup lesson for CHF 120 (redeemable in products) in which the makeup pro applies the makeup to one half of the face and than explains to the customer how to create the look at home.

Book your personal makeup appointment for a Dior Haute Couture Makeup with an international pro by calling +41 44 220 40 65. For furter information on the makeup artists, please see below.

Jamie Coombes – UNITED KINGDOM

To design the outfit that won him admittance to the London College of Fashion, Jamie took inspiration from Mr. Dior. Sometimes those signs of destiny really mean something… His creativity and talent led to his rapid integration at Dior, where he worked for special events. In between fashion shows, magazine work and professional trips, he takes inspiration from his artistic passions.

What does Dior mean to you?

“A garden full of sensations, textures and colours that just have to be picked to give every woman style. It’s impossible not to be enchanted by the feeling of freedom the products provide.”

Eugenia Kameneva – RUSSIA

Dior introduced Eugenia to the world of beauty and luxury. It has been an interesting and challenging way that eventually led her to International Pro-Team. Eugenia’s mission is to emphasize the natural beauty of Russian women. The core principle she believes in and pursues – Dior was established and operates for women. Her creative energy is aimed first of all at the development and improvement of her team performance – the best make-up artists in Russia. Working closely with Eugenia over a number of years, many of them became well-known make-up professionals and are now welcomed by Vogue, Top Beauty, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour as well as at TV shots.

One of the key Eugenia’s interests is reading – she adores the works of classic Russian writers (Nekrasov, Pushkin, and Tolstoy) and they serve as the source of inspiration for her at work.

Your beauty must-haves?

“In metropolitan cities like Moscow women are facing an extremely hectic rhythm of life and are often under a time pressure. To be always beautiful and reduce the negative impact of aggressive environment, every woman has to have in her cosmetic bag a white Khol Eyeliner – it will help to “light” the look and mask the marks of fatigue. One more essential make-up ‘magic wand’ is Skinflash that can easily whitewash all skin problems while emphasizing the beauty”.

What does Dior mean to you?

“The world belongs to women and Dior affirms it.”

Junior Cedeño – SPAIN

Junior sees make-up as an art so he continually works on enriching himself to use it creatively. After studying at the European Institute of Design, he began working as a make-up artist for cinema and television. He then worked on fashion shows for top fashion designers where he absorbed techniques and tricks, that he adapted to his own professional secrets. He also met the famous Pat McGrath and, thanks to her, fell in love with Dior’s creative energy and freedom of tone.

What does Dior mean to you?

“Luxury, tradition, innovation and above all the fusion between art and glamour.”

Velvet Eyes, a repositionable, adhesive eyeliner patch providing the perfect doe-eyed look in one easy step, has been launched exclusively for “Vogue Fashion Night’s Out 2011” and will be exclusively available during the event at Jelmoli.

These new, limited edition Dior eyeliner patches allow you to create spectacular and sophisticated make-up in a fun, easy way. A veritable couture look that identically reproduces the expertise of the backstages professionals.

Designed by Dior make-up artists, the patches are available in four seductive versions.

■ Two pairs of matte, black, Effet Velours patches provide either a full and expressive line or slightly curved line for a graphic look.

■ One pair of Effet Brilliant patches, thanks to black Swarovski micro-crystals which decorate the line.

■ Finally, the last pair plays the Effet Haute Couture card, with three Swarovski crystals subtly positioned at the corner of each eye.

LoL, Sandra

“Blue has no dimensions. It is beyond dimensions, whereas the other colours are not.” 
– Yves Klein

During the last days, I have been telling you all about the vibrant blue fashion trend. Here you see an art work that would match perfectly: Yves Klein’s Victoire de Samothrace by Lalique, 2011. The sulpture  is a limited edition of 83 crystal pieces, in tribute to the late artist Yves Klein who would have been 83 years old this year, combining two artistic approaches, the one of Lalique and the one of Klein.

Yves Klein (1928-1962), inventor of the IKB (International Klein Blue), a distinctive ultramarine blue, is considered to be one of the most important protagonists of the post-war artistic avantgarde.
René Lalique (1860-1945) was a major player of the Art Nouveau and subsequent Art Deco movement. His perfume bottles and glass designs transformed the female shape into a sensuous and mysterious body within the decorative home.

This weekend, I was invited to the private viewing at Galerie Gmurzynska. The sculpture is based on its namesake, an iconic work from Greek antiquity held in the Louvre, for which Klein obtained the moulds in 1962. Lalique have recreated Victoire de Samothrace with the lost wax technique, which René Lalique used for his original jewellery creations. The works are individually crafted and sculptured by the master glassmakers, making each crystal edition unique.

The new version, to be made by Lalique’s craftsmen, is priced at £75,000. Daniel Moquay, the president of the Yves Klein Foundation, who is married to Klein’s widow, told the British Telegraph that he has approved the enterprise and the price: “It is not a copy, it is a reinterpretation in the spirit of Yves Klein. But it won’t be included in the artist’s catalogue raisonné. It is 100 per cent Lalique.”

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Just a quick post about the best red nail polish in a while. Chanel‘s summer launch 08 Pirate is the perfect shade and will be fortunately staying in the product range. As you know, I love Chanel nail polishes because of their texture and their brush.

For a different effect, I recommend Chanel’s limited edition mat top coat. The only bummer is that it doesn’t last long as using hand cream for example will slowly make it look shiny again.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A year of events in celebration of Gucci’s 90th anniversary culminated last week. During Milan fashion week, Gucci hosted a party at their Via Montenapoleone store. For this evening, a new limited edition canvas bag (see photo above) was launched that will only be available there.

Party guests were able to explore the shoe artisan corner where you could watch the different steps of manufacturing a pair of Gucci loafers live. Shoes bought that night were personalised with the buyer’s initials.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

In Florence Monday night, Gucci partied on and opened their new GUCCI MUSEO inside the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia located in Florence’s Piazza Signoria. It was in 1921 that Guccio Gucci opened his company and first store in Florence with a dream and a vision that still lives on today through a heritage of icons and values that continue to inspire the House.
Conceived by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, the GUCCI MUSEO is a living space encapsulating the House’s “Forever Now” philosophy. A permanent exhibition from its rich and culturally significant archive, which has been preserved and amplified throughout the years, will be juxtaposed with contemporary art installations supported by the Pinault Foundation. An icon store, bookshop, caffè and gift shop complement the exhibition spaces to create a destination location for visitors. The museum will be open from today all year round.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Getty Images

For 2011’s Cannes International Film Festival, Only The Brave Foundation and Le Baron have invited celebrities (Jude Law, Kirsten Dunst an many more) to sign a Diesel Black Gold denim, during their fabulous nights at Le Baron Piano Bar.

This denim is now sold by auction on ebay until 22nd September : all profits will be donated to the Only The Brave Foundation, that supports and develops a variety of innovative development projects in Africa.

Many celebrities attended last week’s S/S 2012 runway presentation in New York City, among them Gerard Butler with his date Petra Nemcova and the Roitfeld girls.

“It’s time to reflect.” This was written on the program at the Diesel Black Gold S/S 2012 show. There were dangling mirrors hanging down, perfectly reflecting the light and preparing the audience for a show full of metallics. I am in love with those shiny materials. As this is already a huge trend for F/W 2011, I am glad to see that this is going to stay for a while.
Let the light of Diesel Black Gold shine on me…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Diesel Black Gold

Remember last year’s hype about Chanel’s three limited edition nail polishes Les Khaki de Chanel that the French house released for Fashion’s Night Out.

This year for FNO 2011, it is going to be Les Jeans de Chanel, a collection of three über-cool blue shades: Blue Rebel, Coco Blue and Blue Boy.

NY’s Fashion’s Night Out is September 8th and luckily it looks like I will be there. If you are not around, check out if retailers in your city or country are participating here, and look up the list of online retailers here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The 29, St. Honoré collection, named for Lancôme’s Paris address is an homage for F/W 2011 by creator Aaron De Mey to the most sophisticated femininity and style – the Parisian woman. This seductive colour statement captures the glamour of the 1940s (complementing the ’40s runway trend) with luscious red lips, thick eyeliner and seductive smokey eyes.
Discover your inner femme fatale!

Maison Lancôme Blush – $48/CHF 65 – Limited Edition

Les Oeillades Eyeshadow and Brow Compact Quad – $54/CHF 75 – 02 Blondette Fatale – Limited Edition – with 4 subtle matte and iridescent shades to enhance eyes and define eyebrows and Ombre Absolue Palette – G10 Gris Fatale

Hypnôse Drama Mascara – $31/CHF 44 – 15 Gris Fatal – deep grey – Limited Edition

Le Crayon Khôl – $28/CHF 39 – 10 Black Gold or 11 Strass– a waterproof eye pencil with sparkles – Limited Edition

Le French Touch Absolu Lip Colour – $40/CHF 48 – Rouge Saint Honoré – highly pigmented red or – Rouge Faubourg – captivating carmine lipstick with red flecks of glitter – Limited Edition – Rouge 29 – a bluish red

Le Vernis Nail Polish – $16/CHF25 – 22 Rouge Saint Honoré or 23 Noir 29 – infused with mini multi-coloured flecks – Limited Edition. Use these hues individually or combine them for an ultra-sophisticated look.

Enjoy those behind-the-scenes photos below and get inspired for your F/W 2011 makeup look.
The collection will be available in Switzerland next month.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Barwerd Van Der Plas for Lancôme © 2011, Stills: Hondodigital for Lancôme © 2011

Here is an eye candy for all fans of Hello Kitty and Swarovski crystals among you:
First introduced in 1974, Hello Kitty has been winning over the hearts of the young – and young at heart – ever since. Being an icon of the pop culture, the oh-so-adorable little cat upgrades its look in a sparkling collaboration between the Japanese company Sanrio and Swarovski through jewelry pieces, charms, accessories and figurines. You might have to be a truly dedicated fan to be willing to spend such amounts of money on those playful sparkling pieces. But if you are, I am convinced that you will love those girly treasures.

Clutch, CHF 820

Ring Set, CHF 130

Charm Sitting, CHF 95

Necklace, CHF 330

Earrings, CHF 120

Helly Kitty fans might ask themselves: “What’s better than a Hello Kitty doll?”
Here is the answer: “A Hello Kitty doll covered in Swarovski crystals of course!”

Limited Edition 2011, CHF 10.000

With almost 20.000 crystals embedded into its surface by hand, this iteration of the the world’s cutest kitty is pretty glittery. And also rare – only 88 of them will be made.

The collection will be available starting in August in the 1900 Swarovski stores worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Swarovski 2011