Sandra‘s Closet

My German speaking readers will know what I am talking about. Silvia Seidel was an icon. In 1986, she played the role of Anna in the eponymous television series, followed by a motion picture in 1987, a young ballerina who finds herself paralyzed after a car accident, and afterwards learns how to walk and dance again. Because of her, ballet schools in Germany were flooded with little ballerinas. Personally speaking, she had absolutely inspired me to follow my love for dancing to that day. The dress codes were all pink, ballet slippers and tutus.

Tonight, I heard that she killed herself last week at the age of 42. I am shocked and devastated at the tragic loss of such an inspirational, extraordinary talent that unfortunately had the peak of her career at a too young age.

Rest in Peace, Silvia and thank you for the inspiration!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © dapd und © Sandra Bauknecht

OPI has a very special treat in store for all of you this Holiday 2012! In celebration of James Bond’s Golden Anniversary OPI is releasing their first-ever 18 karat gold leaf top coat “The Man with the Golden Gun” together with a complete nail polish collection of 12 shades (The Spy Who Loved Me, Casino Royale, You Only Live Twice, Die Another Day, Skyfall, GoldenEye, The World Is Not Enough, Moonraker, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, The Living Daylights, Live And Let Die, Tomorrow Never Dies) dedicated to the famous spy.

“For 50 years Bond beauties have graced the big screen with their dazzling looks and opulent style, and gold has always played a prominent role,” commented Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI’s executive VP and Artistic Director, in the press release.

Inspired by the world of 007, this stunning top coat contains real 18 karat gold and comes packaged in a special limited edition collectable gold bottle – the ultimate holiday gift!

Burgundy and golden nails were all over the F/W 2012 runways. So get your hands on this combination for the ultimate new season manicure. Available October 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI

In stores now are OPI‘s new six limited edition nail lacquers and a new shatter, inspired by Sony Pictures’ The Amazing Spider-Man.
With an all-star cast including Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, this highly-anticipated series reboot opens in theaters nationwide in 3D on July 3, 2012.

The film villain’s reptilian look can be replicated with a high-fashion twist by using the new deep green shimmer Shatter coat.  Shatter the Scales is inspired by graffiti art and works when painted over any dry OPI hue. Adding top coat takes Shatter the Scales from matte to glossy in seconds.

Shatter the Scales

The line features six nail lacquers in addition to Shatter the Scales, ranging from white, coral and pink to mood-setting hues of blue, nickel and yellow-green:

From left to right:
Shatter the Scales
Green shatter top coat.

My Boyfriend Scales Walls
Climb new heights with this cityscape white.

Call Me Gwen-ever
Girlfriend, be sure to pick up when this urgent coral calls.

My Boyfriend Scales Walls
Climb new heights with this cityscape white.

Just Spotted the Lizard
Be seen in this reptilian yellow-green.

Number One Nemesis
Show your metal in this sparkling nickel.

Into the Night
This perfect midnight blue was made for prowling.

Just Spotted the Lizard on my nails

This limited edition promotion is available in Switzerland for CHF 23.90.
Have fun flying high with those new must-have shades and stay tuned for OPI’s newest collection coming up that is inspired by Germany, my home country with funny names for the shades such as “Don’t Pretzel My Buttons”, “Nein! Nein! Nein! OK fine!” and “Every Month is Oktoberfest”.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI and © Sandra Bauknecht

PRADA presents A THERAPY by Roman Polanski

On Monday, this short movie has been shown within the 2012 Cannes International Film Festival Official Selection – Classics Section, in the presence of Roman Polanski, Nastassja Kinski and Festival Director Thierry Fremont. The surprise screening was an idea by Polanski and Fremont themselves. ‘A Therapy’ was shown before the scheduled projection of the restored movie ‘Tess’.

Roman Polanski explains: “A game, a thought, that through friendship and mutual respect has become true. When I was asked to shoot a short movie for Prada, I did not think that I could really be myself, but the reality is that in the total freedom I was given, I had the opportunity to reunite my favorite group of people on set and just have fun. The chance to dwell on what the fashion world represents nowadays and the fact that it is accompanied by so many stereotypes is fascinating and at the same time a bit upsetting, but you definitely can not ignore it. It’s very refreshing to know that there are still places open to irony and wit and, for sure, Prada is one of them.”

Enjoy this short movie of three minutes starring Helena Bonham Carter, who plays a lady chattering on her society-woman problems, while an increasingly distracted Ben Kingsley begins paying attention instead to her Prada fur coat that’s hanging on a coat rack. Now, we know retail therapy IS the answer!

LoL, Sandra

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Thursday night, the Trophée Chopard in partnership with Variety Magazine at the Martinez Hotel took place. Each year at the Cannes Film Festival, Chopard rewards the talent of two young actors. And the Swiss jewelry and watch brand seems to have a good nose for their awardees. Many gifted performers, such as Marion Cotillard, Léa Seydoux, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Diane Kruger and Gael Garcia-Bernal, have received the Trophée Chopard before.

The exceptional patron in the person of Sean Penn honoured this year’s rising stars, Shailene Woodley for her co-starring (and Golden Globe-nominated) role in The Descendants and Ezra Miller for his performance in We Need to Talk About Kevin, with a beautiful laudatory speech.

Shailene looked radiant in her black silk devore velvet gown combined with the strappy ‘The Egrette’ sandals, both from Jason Wu‘s F/W 2012 runway collection

Ezra Miller gave a very moving thank you speech.

The awardees, Shailene Woodley and Ezra Miller, to the left with Sean Penn and Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, to the right.

After the award presentation, we went upstairs to the Chopard Lounge where the amazing highly exclusive (by invitation only) after party for around 200 guests took place. The terrace was filled with celebrities and we danced until dawn.

Caroline Scheufele in a peach-coloured long gown by Emilio Pucci and Chopard jewelry with me

Eva Herzigova in Alexander McQueen with Bérénice Béjo wearing a pretty polka-dot dress with a cinched waist and paired  with a pair of glittering Chopard pearl earrings, of course.

Bérénice Béjo with me

Lana Del Rey in an ivory single-breasted suit by Moschino.

Very sweet Shailene Woodley with me.

Awardee Ezra Miller with me

Famous Spanish actress Paz Vega and face of L’Oréal Spain in a sequined dress from Giorgio Armani‘s S/S 2012 runway collection that reflected the light interestingly and Chopard jewelry with me.

Chinese actress and singer Fan Bingbing with me. Her forest-green fully embellished gown with a plunging neckline by Elie Saab that gave all the attention to her sensational Chopard jewelry looked stunning on her.

L.A.-based film producer, movie studio chairman and co-founder of Miramax Films Harvey Weinstein with me. He came without his wife Georgina Chapman, who is the founder of Marchesa.

Highlight of the night was Lana Del Rey‘s amazing performance. I love “Video Games”…
The singer is amazingly sweet and charming to talk to.

Lana’s necklace from Chopard’s Red Carpet Haute Joaillerie collection, is a one-of-kind piece that is original, unexpected with a tinge of humour. Composed of pink rubellites, diamonds and onyx, it has a maximum magnitude, brilliance and fire.

Lana Del Rey, Caroline Scheufele, Marion Cotillard and Ezra Miller

Eva Herzigova and Sean John Combs (P.Diddy)

This was such an amazing night! I truly love my job! Stay tuned for a detailed post on my look coming up soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Greetings from the Croisette in Cannes. My last days were filled with amazing parties, events and I met many celebrities. It is such a busy time, please accept my sincere apologies for the delay of posting.

On Thursday, I went to the beautiful Chopard lounge, located on the 7th floor of the Hotel Martinez, to explore the stunning Red Carpet Haute Joaillerie collection, which I will show you in the next days. Cannes is crazy those days. There are so many people on the streets waiting to spot some celebrities. If you don’t have a bagde (Thank you, Chopard!), you will have no chance to come anywhere close.

My look: Leather jacket by Prada, pleated top and skirt, studded Pyramide bag, all from Prada‘s S/S 2012 runway, sandals with coral shape heel by Chanel, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline, cuff by Stella McCartney and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

Stunning view of the Croisette.

Lunch at the beach at Z Plage.

Later, I went for a little shopping spree on the Croisette and spotted…

… Ben Stiller and Chris Rock gathered for the photo call for Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes. (By the way, this is my favourite terrasse to have a drink).

Sacha Baron Cohen‘s Dictator embellishes the entrance of the Carlton Hotel.

I hope that you have enjoyed the impressions of the Croisette. More to follow soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

At the Cannes Film Festival, the Palme d’Or is awarded to the winner of the Best Film category every year.

Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, redesigned the prestigious trophy in 1998 – a delicately curved 18ct gold stem with a small heart at its base, reminiscent of the symbol of the firm. The stem is adorned with leaves appearing to have been caught in mid-motion and it rests on a crystal cushion shaped like an emerald-cut diamond. This precious detail makes each Palme d’Or unique, for Mother Nature never creates two identical crystals…

In 2000, the symbolic object was joined by two additional Palmes, identical replicas of the Palme d’Or only smaller. They are presented every year to the Best Actress and Best Actor staring in a competing movie. In 2011, the Palme d’Honneur, previously awarded sporadically, has become a yearly tradition. This sister to the Palme d’Or, mounted on a smoked crystal, is from then on awarded every year at the beginning of the Festival to an important director never before honoured in Cannes. All these trophies are hand crafted every year in the workshops of Chopard by its craftsmen. Please enjoy those beautiful photos of the making of the Palme d’Or.

LoL, Sandra

Wax Sculpting Step 1

Wax Sculpting Step 2

Opening of the Mould

Investment Casting Step 1

Investment Casting Step 2

Investment Casting Step 3

Palme d’Or Casting

Cleaning

Flame Polishing

Second Cleaning

Setting on Crystal

Photos: Courtesy of Chopard

Designers took inspiration from the Roaring Twenties for their S/S 2012 collections, favoring elegant hemlines and intricate beadwork. The mood is flapper, but spring’s Deco dresses are about high gloss, loosening up the idea of evening. Fresh in stores now, explore the must-have pieces below encapsulating the highly coveted collection’s ’20s aesthetic.

For a masterclass in tapping spring’s ’20s-inspired trend, look no further than Gucci‘s stunning S/S 2012 collection. Art Deco motifs inspired Frida Giannini‘s lavish designs. Those dropped-waist dresses adorned with exquisite fringing will definitely be on my shopping list.

1 Striped python jacket by Gucci
2 Fringed leather skirt by Gucci
3 Chain-embellished sequined silk dress by Gucci
4 Double-layered silk-georgette dress with metal clasp by Gucci
5 Metallic-striped fringed leather dress by Gucci
6 Cracked-leather and suede sandals by Gucci
7 Garçon evening case by Gucci

The dreamy Etro S/S 2012 collection could have stepped straight from Fitzgerald’s pages. It was packed with fringes, intricate beading and embellishments that were colourful for a modern twist.

1 Bold printed silk-blend dress by Etro
2 Bead-embellished silk mini dress by Etro
3 Embellished silk-georgette dress by Etro
4 Abstract tiered necklace by Etro

Romance was in the air at Alberta Ferretti with Gatsby-esque pieces, from beaded dresses to delicate lace and tulle fabrics. Seriously, what more could a modern-day Daisy need?

1 Bead-embellished tulle and silk dress by Alberta Ferretti
2 Papaya-hued beaded silk-chiffon and tulle dress by Alberta Ferretti
3 Lace and silk-georgette dress by Alberta Ferretti

This S/S 2012 fashion trend is preparing us for the upcoming American film adaptation of The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s legendary novel set in the Roaring Twenties. It will be directed by Baz Luhrman and star Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan and Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby. It is said to be released on December 25, 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Swarovski once again adds sparkle to the big screen! Julia Roberts stars as the queen in Mirror Mirror, a fresh and funny retelling of the Snow White legend, wearing spectacular handmade costumes adorned with over 100,000 SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.

Oscar®-winning costume designer Eiko Ishioka (Immortals) put her imagination to the test. “The Swarovski crystals were used in Eiko’s designs in creating three spectacular handmade costumes for the Queen, adorned with over 100,000 SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS in nearly twenty colours, including the outrageous golden costume ball and blood-red party dress, as well as the elaborate wedding gown,” said assistant costume designer, Martine Gagnon.

In theatres now, Mirror Mirror features breakout star Lily Collins (The Blind Side) as Snow White, a princess in exile, and Oscar®-winner Julia Roberts as the evil Queen who ruthlessly rules her captured kingdom. Seven courageous rebel dwarfs join forces with Snow White as she fights to reclaim her birthright and win her Prince (Armie Hammer) in this magical adventure comedy, directed by Tarsem Singh (Immortals, The Cell).

A visually stunning movie for the whole family!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Jan Thijs. Copyright 2012 Relativity Media. All rights reserved.

Get your sword and parrot ready for some nail fun in May with the new OPI Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides collection featuring six limited edition cool pastel lacquer shades and the treasure trove, so-called Silver Shatter top coat, a crackling shimmery two-texture silver finish, following on from the success of OPI’s Black Shatter top coat.

Disney’s highly-anticipated fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise is directed by Rob Marshall and features an all-star cast, including Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz.

Jump on-board the Black Pearl to find your own treasure with those new shades:

Sparrow Me the Drama, a cool shade of pink. Steady as She Rose, a pearly pale pink. Skull & Glossbones, a desirable nude with a hint of pale khaki grey.

Mermaid’s Tears, a sea foam pale pastel green. Stranger Tides, uncharted shade of oyster. Planks A Lot, a lavender purple shade.

And apart from The Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides collection, OPI has more exciting news. Due to its big success, the Shatter line will be expanded in May with the addition of three new trendsetting shades: Blue, Navy and Turquoise.

With nautical hues of cobalt, indigo and sapphire, these blues provide the perfect look for summer nails in one simple step. Inspired by graffiti art, Shatter leaves behind a crackled, two-texture finish when painted over any dry OPI hue. Adding top coat takes Shatter from matte to glossy in seconds.
Cannot wait to dip my finger nails in those hues!

LoL, Sandra