Sandra‘s Closet

“Think of the prep world as a grosgrain ribbon encircling the globe!”
Lisa Birnbach

As if Tommy Hilfiger wasn’t preppy enough; he is taking the show on the road this spring with Prep World, a unique limited edition capsule collection of 60 pieces for both genders.

Helping him with the ambassadorial mission is Lisa Birnbach, author of “The Official Preppy Handbook“, the recent “True Prep: It’s a Whole New Old World“, and just for tommy.com, “The Prep World Gobal Guide”, which will include local lifestyle recommendations.

The line, that will be in stores and available on tommy.com starting April 28, include everything you need to become a true prep, from the signature blazer to the Oxford dress, accessorized with such accoutrements as boat shoes, duck boots, Ping-Pong paddles and badminton rackets.

Inspired by Nantucket in the summer, Hilfiger will bring his brand’s DNA around the world with a global “Prep World” tour.

Starting in the French capital , the first showcase Americana style cottage has been placed this weekend in front of the Centre Pompidou. Parisians can explore the “Preppy Look“, something that reflects the American identity. Other cities will follow to experience the airy beach cottage, among them Stockholm, London and Tokyo.

And by the way, Hilfiger calls it a drop-in store in his very preppy way. So don’t be so vulgar to name it a pop-up… Some pop, but true preps, they drop!

Still looking for a little Easter surprise. Here are some suggestions that are perfect for those who want to declare their love within a budget or feel good when helping others.

Dodo belongs to famous Italian jewelry brand Pomellato and is definitely their sweetest collection. The dodo pendants are a happy company of animals who speak the language of feelings and emotions. Each dodo reveals a little bit of who we are and what we want to say, sending a wonderful personal message to our loved ones.

Those who look like innocent little lambs and those who pass for big bad wolves often make a perfect couple. Why not giving such a sweet little Easter lamb instead of eating it?!

Charms lamb and wolf  starting at € 115 each, earrings starting at € 364 each pair.

Gucci introduces a limited edition charity bracelet to support earthquake relief efforts in Japan.  All proceeds from sales of the bracelet will benefit the Japanese Red Cross Society to support victims of the devastating Higashi Nihon Dai-Shinsai earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March.

Featuring a white-red-white web that recalls the colors of the Japanese flag, the bracelet carries a medal with a message that reads, “Gucci loves you.” The limited edition bracelet will be available from April 23, for CHF 120. Who doesn’t want to be loved by Gucci?

Vanessa Tugendhaft has also created two bracelets to salute and support the stricken nation: Bracelet Nobless – a diamond for Japan, something to remember.

The Nobless bracelet is available in two forms at affordable prices for larger mobilisation.
– a white unbreakable thread with a central motif without diamond in rhodium silver and red enamel : CHF 69
(CHF 13 will be donated to the Red Cross)
– a white unbreakable thread with a diamond trimmed central motif in rhodium silver and red enamel : CHF 129
(CHF 26 will be donated to the Red Cross).

Available through Kids and the City, phone +41 79 768 37 23.

Enjoy your Easter weekend and Happy Spring to everyone, it is really here!

LoL, Sandra

Tommy Hilfiger launches the fifth limited edition bag in aid of Breast Health International with Renée Zellweger. The famous 41-year-old Oscar-winning actress serves as the ambassador and showed her support for finding a cure for breast cancer. She was photographed for the campaign by Alexi Lubomirski.

“Because of the experiences of close friends and family members who have had to endure and battle the challenges of breast cancer, I am a passionate supporter of breast health education and charitable causes,” Renée said in a statement. “I am honored and grateful to be partnering with Tommy Hilfiger to raise awareness and funds to support the invaluable work of Breast Health International.”

The limited-edition bag will be sold in Tommy Hilfiger flagship stores, on tommy.com as well as through specialty stores as of May 01, 2011. This year it is made from tan suede and features a subtle gold details. It retails at €299 (CHF499 / $320); for every bag sold Tommy Hilfiger will donate €100 to the Fund For Living – an ongoing global campaign initiated by Breast Health International to support those diagnosed with breast cancer

Former ambassadors of the program include: Italian actresses, Claudia Gerini and Cristiana Capotondi; France’s first lady Carla Bruni and international supermodel-turned-acclaimed-photographer Helena Christensen. Ms. Christensen returned the following year as part of the creative team to photograph fellow supermodel Milla Jovovich for the fourth edition of Tommy Hilfiger’s limited edition BHI bag.

Definitely worth supporting! Thank you, Tommy!

LoL, Sandra

Thierry Mugler’s limited summer edition fragrances 2011 arrive on the market, providing us with a trio of extravaganza Angel Sunessence, Alien Sunessence and for men A*Men Pure Havane.
At a first glance, the whole concept promises and tempts with the outstanding designs of the flacons, just like the essences they conceal inside.

Angel Sunessence Ocean d’Argent for the Temptress

One of the biggest make-up trends for summer is a supernatural look with the emphasis on the lips. A radiant skin with glowing cheeks is important. The lips are coloured with see-through lipsticks and glosses in sorbet-coloured hues. Vibrant and colourful are the nails in eye-popping shades like blue and green. Nail lacquer has really become a fashion statement like a must-have accessory.

Here is all you need for a supernatural look for summer that is easy and fast to achieve, that will make you look much younger and that works perfect on hot days. If you like, you can add a touch of mascara. Please find herewith my favourite products for this season.

LoL, Sandra

1 This spring Estee Lauder has stepped up their nail game by introducing sixteen nail polishes in a new long lasting formula.

The king of color, Creative Director, Tom Pecheux has created the mesmerizing shades of which eight are limited, among them the extravagant hues: Wicked Green and Wild Blue. My must-haves! CHF 34

Wicked Green

Wild Blue

2 Dior Summer 2011 is Electric Tropics, and the stars of the collection are two bronzing powders, called Diorskin Nude Glow Healthy Glow Summer Powder.

The one that I use is the lighter one with a soft pink tone, so-called Aurora (001), see photo to the left.

The darker powder is named Sunset (002) and is slightly peach-coloured.

One-shots

CHF 68.50 each.

3 Dior’s Electric Tropics Collection also includes two catwalk duo nail polishes.

These are the vibrant orange Aloha (638) that I wear below and the bright jelly pink Paradise (558). Each is packed with a super glossy topcoat to add a special flash of shine to your summertime nails.

One-shots

Available now for CHF 54 each duo.

4 Dior Addict Crystal Gloss – Jelly Gloss Spotlight Shine comes straight from the runway, it features a featherweight formula with a flash-plumping, “spotlight shine” effect.

Shades Available:

Sweet Peach (047) – the one I use
Luminescent Peach (087)
Luminescent Rose (077)
Sweet Rose (037)

CHF 44 each

5 Lancôme’s new L’Absolu Nu is a bare lip sensation!

Enriched with enhancing pigments to reveal the radiance of beautifully replenished lips, it enhances your natural lip tone in a veil of shiny, translucent colour while leaving them moistured for up to 8 hours. My favourite tone is 302 Voile de Rose.

CHF 44

6 A flawless complexion and peach-soft skin! Moisturization and radiance in one easy step.

HydraQuench Tinted Moisturizer by Clarins continously moisturizes and colours the complexion with a transparent finish, giving it a natural radiance and healthy glow. It protects against UV rays (SPF 6, 100% mineral filter), pollution and free radicals. Available in several shades to suit all skin tones.

Available starting Mid April for CHF 49

7 Colour Quench Lip Balm by Clarins provides you with long-lasting shine and moisture.

The best is the fruity flavour that makes you want to lick your lips all the time. This ultra-shine gloss helps your lips to appear fuller and more beautiful day after day.

My personal favourites are:

04 Rasberry Smoothie
05 Delicious Plum
06 Sweet Papaya.

CHF 26 each, available Mid April in 8 different shades.

8 Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm by Clarins – an innovation from the Clarins Laboratories.

This is an amazing product which combines crystalline transparent colour with the repairing benefits of a lip balm. The minute you apply it, you feel a unique sensation of softness and comfort. Trust me, it works!

Available in three colours:

01 Crystal Coral
02 Crystal
03 Crystal Red

CHF 35 each

Well-known motorcycle manufacturer Yamaha and luxury fashion house Hermés have joined forces to produce the very unique concept bike named VMAX. With its four-cylinder engine and brushed metalwork, the VMAX is the very epitome of the muscle bike. Now the 180-year old French company, with its origine in equestrian saddle making, has returned to its roots and adorned the fabulous motorbike with the finest leather materials, covering everything from the headlight cover to the exhaust pipe.The idea was, according to Yamaha and Hermès, to “reinforce the sculptural lines of this unique object and underline its emotional power.”

So how do you go about buying one, assuming you’ve got the cash? It’s a goddamn beautiful bike. You can order the VMAX 1700 for 44500€TTC with Yamaha. The delivery is expected 1 to 4 months after having placed the order. On request, Hermès can add their flair.

For my Zurich based readers, good news, the bike is at the moment on display in the Hermès shop, Bahnhofstr.28A.

LoL, Sandra

Christian Dior admired his beloved muse, Mitzah Bricard, as much for her refined and distinguished taste as for her mysterious personality that inspired him throughout his career.

Legend has it that Mitzah used to wear a panther print chiffon scarf at her wrist to hide a scar. Fascinated by her elegance, Mr Dior decided to include this magnificent Jungle motif in his collections from 1947 onwards.

“Madame Bricard is one of the rare people for whom elegance is their sole reason for living,”
Christian Dior.

The Jungle panther print corresponded perfectly to the world of Haute Couture. It was reproduced numerous times in chiffon, taffeta and silk and as become an emblematic House reference.

In 2011, Dior presents the famous print in a limited edition make-up collection composed of a limited edition numbered eyeshadow palette and two shades of nail varnish (912 Ebony – 622 Camel). Thus the Mitzah legend lives on at Dior.

Discover below how to apply the Mitzah palette eyeshadows:

1. The camel shade emphasises eye colour. Apply to the lower eyelid then blend gently upwards. Apply also to the lower lash line.

2. The Ebony shade intensifies  the eyes. Apply it along the upper and lower lash lines. Blend with the camel shade.

3. The Nude shade brightens  and opens the eyes. Apply to the inner corner of the eye.

Photos: © Courtesy of Dior, © Sandra Bauknecht

In Switzerland the collection will launch Mid April.
The limited Mitzah palette is CHF 135. The two limited nail polishes are CHF 37 each.

LoL, Sandra

Just as there’s a tea to suit every taste and disposition, there is a Tea Cologne for every style and mood. Jo Malone unveils a limited edition collection, inspired by the most quintessential of British traditions: the Art of Tea. 

The Tea Collection, in five modern and unexpected fragrances, encapsulates Jo Malone’s hallmark simplicity and elegant restraint: Assam & Grapefruit, Earl Grey & Cucumber, Fresh Mint Leaf, Sweet Lemon and Sweet Milk.

And of course the Tea Collection lends itself to being personalised with Jo Malone’s unique philosophy of Fragrance Combining™. In true British style, the collection allows you to combine your Tea Fragrance Blend, with a dash of Sweet Lemon or a splash of Sweet Milk. 

You are invited to visit your nearest Jo Malone counter to test those lovely scents now.
Available in 30ml for CHF 68.

Assam and Grapefruit is a refreshing and energetic aroma, invigorating like the first morning cup of tea. It opens with notes of grapefruit, violet and rhubarb. The heart includes Assam Indian black tea and rose, spiced with cardamom and placed on the base of patchouli, almond and musk.

Top notes: grapefruit, violet, rhubarb
Heart: Assam tea, rose, cardamom
Base: patchouli, musk, almond

Earl Grey and Cucumber is a playful interpretation of the most famous English tea brand, made from black tea, bergamot and citruses. The composition opens with apple, bergamot, jasmine and aquatic notes, with cucumber, angelica and davana in the heart, on the base of vanilla, bees wax, cedar and musk.

Top notes: bergamot, apple, jasmine, water notes
Heart: angelica, cucumber, davana
Base: beeswax, vanilla, cedar and musk

Fresh Mint Leaf is a refreshing aroma based on green mint. It starts with notes of basil, mint, and bergamot. The heart is composed of water jasmine and rhubarb, laid on the base of mate tea, cedar and musk.

Top notes: basil, mint, bergamot
Heart: water jasmine, rhubarb
Base: mate, musk, cedar

Sweet Lemon is a fruity mixture that you can combine with any of the previous fragrances from this collection. The composition starts off with sparkling lemon, bergamot and rhubarb. Middle notes include pineapple, freesia and peach, placed on cypress, cedar and musk nuances.

Top notes: lemon, bergamot, rhubarb
Heart: pineapple, freesia, peach
Base: cypress, musk, cedar

Sweet Milk, as well as the previous fragrance, serves as an “additional tea flavor” and can be combined with the other fragrances of the collection. Its gourmand composition begins with star anise, heliotrope and bergamot. Milk and caramel are in the center, rounded by almond, vanilla and musk.

Top notes: star anise, heliotrope, bergamot
Heart: milk, caramel
Base: vanilla, almond, musk

Jo Malone will launch a new, limited-edition perfume from May 2011 called Sakura Cherry Blossom destined to celebrate the beauty and transiency of blossoming cherry trees in the springtime. The composition was created by perfumer Christine Nagel working in tandem with the Jo Malone Creative Studio in London.

“A symbol of beauty and new beginnings, cherry blossom trees grow throughout Japan and for centuries have been celebrated in every medium, from poetry to painting. No flower captures the Japanese aesthetic as powerfully as the cherry blossom.”

Top Notes: bergamot, mandarin, cardamom
Heart: rose, mimosa
Base: musk, woods

Sakura Cherry Blossom works very well in combination with French Lime Blossom or Orange Blossom.
Available in 30ml (CHF 68) or 100ml (CHF 130).

My personal favourite combinations are at the moment: Earl Grey & Cucumber with Sweet Milk and Cherry Blossom with French Lime Blossom.

Definitely my cup of tea!

LoL, Sandra

Yesterday in New York City, influencers from the worlds of fashion, art, philanthrophy, business and entertainement came together like last year at Christie’s Bid to Save the Earth. After a live auction, the Runway to Green fashion show took place that must have accelerated every fashionista’s heart. The pieces on the catwalk from over 25 designers including Prada, Gucci, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Thakoon and many more were from the upcoming F/W 2011 collections.

Now, those must-haves are available on net-à-porter, but only on the US site. No worries, my dear European and Asian readers, they also ship to us. A minimum of 10% of net-proceeds from the sale of each item will benefit Alliance of Climate Protection, Natural Resource Defense Council and United Nations Environmental Programme’s Billion Tree Campaign. Shopping for a good cause and your chance to be the first to wear a stunning piece from the next season. Do I need to say more..?!
Ready, set, go!

LoL, Sandra

The countdown is on. Available exclusively via www.navyboot.com starting on the 17th of April 2011 at midnight CET is a collabration of superlatives. Top Formula 1 racing driver Michael Schumacher and Navyboot Creative Director Adrian J. Margelist have joined forces to devise and develop four luxury sneakers for men that set new footwear benchmarks in their materials, style and design.

18-carat gold, water snakeskin leather and polished crystals: welcome to Navyboot’s limited “MSone” luxury sneaker collection.

To put it in Formula 1 terms: these shoes are right on the pace!

MSone triology: Afternoon/ Night/ Morning

Each of the new models boasts outstanding material quality, with the leathers used extending from nappa calfskin to salmon, water snakeskin, pearly ostrich leg and karung, all combined with polished crystals and 18-carat-gold adornments. Sneakers have never shone in such exclusive materials before.

The whole upper of the new sneakers features clean and stylish lines. One unmistakable detail, however, is the hand-stitching around the tongue. Most of the lacing is concealed. The design of the sole combines the key elements in this limited collection: the Navyboot trademark artichoke, Michael Schumacher’s initials and seven stars representing his seven world championship titles. The metal colour of the stars embodies the car industry, and is applied by hand. MSone sneakers are a masterpiece of handcraft right down to the finest details!

The highlight is definitely the Starboot, the absolute eyecatcher in the new MSone collection. A high-top shoe made completely from red-dyed karung, the leather of the water snake. Seven 18-carat gold stars adorn its heel, while even the lacehooks have been lovingly handcrafted in 18-carat gold.

MSone Starboot

A Collector’s Box with the full new MSone trilogy is also being produced, in a limited edition of 888. Each box will feature its own metal plate stamped with the box’s serial number. EUR 3 000, sizes available: 39-45

The Starboot Collector’s Box is limited to just 88. Here, too, each box will have a metal plate showing the box’s serial number. EUR 5 000, sizes available 39-45

Every Collector’s Box comes with a Certificate of Authenticity in the form of a book specially created for the project. Its cover will be signed by Adrian J. Margelist for the Triology Collector’s Box, while that of the Starboot Collector’s Box will bear Michael Schumacher’s personal signature.

The new Navyboot MSone sneaker collection will be launched at a major event in Shanghai on the 16th of April, with Michael Schumacher and Adrian J. Margelist in attendance and be part of Formula 1’s 2011 Chinese Grand Prix weekend.

LoL, Sandra