Sandra‘s Closet

I just got back from Florence for a quick stopover before heading off for one month to China and had a lovely lunch at the Jules Verne Panorama Bar with the H&M Switzerland team. The view over the city of Zurich up there is breathtaking.

My look: Safari-print cutout cotton shirt (40% off) and matching skirt (50% off), both by Carven, white ‘Duffle 6’ bag and Janis leather pumps, both by Saint Laurent, earrings by Chanel and floral sunglasses by Dolce & Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Trio infernale: René Zibold, Gray Castillo and my humble self.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

LUISAVIAROMA‘s Firenze4Ever always feels like a summer festival, the days and nights are filled with amazing events and beautiful experiences. You get to meet famous designers, mingle with your fellow blogger colleagues and enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, Florence. Here you see me on the way to the store. More impressions coming up soon…

My look: Sheer plissé dress (50% off now) and cuff, both by Stella McCartney, Inga strappy sandals by Gucci and vine green Donna hobo bag by Alexander Wang.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Firenze4Ever is always an amazing experience. LUISAVIAROMA invites us to spaces that you usually don’t get to see like that. On Sunday night, we went to the beautiful Museo del Costume at Palazzo Pitti. The walk up the hill to the entrance offered some stunning views on Florence with the Duomo within one’s reach.

My look: Chunky-knit cotton-blend cropped sweater by Chloé, appliquéd leather and lace skirt by Jason Wu, white ‘Duffle 6’ bag and Janis leather pumps, both by Saint Laurent and cuff by Stella McCartney.

Robert Cavalli, the youngest son of Roberto, framed by Tina (Bagsnob), Hilary (Lyst) and me.

Inside the museum, we had a fabulous dinner.

Thank you, LUISAVIAROMA , for another amazing event!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last night was probably the best one I have ever had in Tuscany. I was absolutely determined to go to bed early but that didn’t happen. It was so much fun being re-united with my favourite blogger colleagues and of course the LUISAVIAROMA team. The first Firenze4Ever evening started off with cocktails at the store.

Our host, Andrea Panconesi, owner of LUISAVIAROMA, with my beloved Hilary from Lyst and my humble self.

Bryanboy and gorgeous Tina from Bagsnob.

In the car with Hilary on our way to the next stop: La Fattoria Delle Corti, a gorgeous location 20 minutes outside of Florence, in the Tuscany wine region.

Hilary and me with Tiani from Belmodo

My look: Printed jumpsuit with studs, matching chiffon poncho, both by Givenchy, pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps and Betty chain red leather shoulder bag, both by Saint Laurent.

Tiani, Tina and lovely Camilla with me.

Having fun at dinner with Bryan and Tina.

After we left the Fattoria, we went to the pool party at Roberto Cavalli’s mansion which was absolutely amazing. The ambiance, the house, the enormous gardens, every little detail was just beautiful. The music was outstanding and I danced until dawn. Before leaving, I even spoke to Roberto’s parrot as you can see in the last picture.

The decor reminded me a lot of the one that Roberto Cavalli created for the amfAR gala.

I am sure that you are curious how Roberto Cavalli’s palace looks like. It is amazing as you can imagine. I would like to respect his privacy but of course I have some photos for you. Enjoy!

I am off to more adventures today! Firenze4Ever is the best…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, I flew to Florence for the 7th edition of Firenze4Ever with LUISAVIAROMA. I love travelling in comfortable clothes that still look stylish. Here you can see me at the Zurich airport before heading off to Bella Italia.

My look: Black leather biker jacket by Saint Laurent, floral ptint top, oversized silk tapered pants and matching clutch bag, all by 3.1 Phillip Lim, flats with pale pink bow by Prada, ring by Roberto Cavalli and necklace with movable teddy bear by Dior.

If you are interested in live updates from Firenze4Ever, follow me on twitter or instagram (@sandrascloset).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, I have more amazing news! I am so excited and cannot wait for the weekend to come. This Saturday, I will be off to Florence to attend LUISAVIAROMA‘s amazing FIRENZE4EVER ON STAGE event. Those of you who have been following me since quite a while know how much fun it will be as I am back for the fourth time. At the end of this post you can find the highlights of the previous editions.

What is FIRENZE4EVER all about?
The cultural heritage of Florence, the most important Italian fashion destination online, the world’s most influential fashion icons, trendsetters and bloggers, an exclusive location and a fantastic live event… these are the ingredients that will spice up the three-day event hosted by LUISAVIAROMA.

This time, it is inspired by the era of rock, punk, grunge… one of the biggest F/W 2013 trends. FIRENZE4EVER ON STAGE is a salute to the music that defined an attitude and the attitude that continues to inspire fashion.

Francesco Mele with his fiancé Bianca Balti for Vogue Brasil August 2012 – She Rocks! by Fernando Lombardi

But it is not only about celebrating fashion, above all, it is an hommage to Florence and investing in its most precious resource: its culture. In fact, this season, it will contribute to the restoration of the fountain in the Vasca dell’Isola (Island Basin) in the Boboli Gardens, where the private Dinner Party closing the event will take place. On the evening of 17th June, the most cutting edge names of the international underground rock scene will be “ON STAGE,” including Francis and the Cats (with the celebrated Francesco Mele) and Goose, the Belgian alternative-electro band described by The Guardian as the link that joins rock, electronic and DJ-set.

An extraordinary edition where art, music and fashion meet between the virtual and the physical, thanks to the support of LUISAVIAROMA.

Some of the highlights of previous FIRENZE4EVER editions that I attended (January 2011, June 2011, January 2012) were for the example the Mulberry tea party book launch, my interview with Laudomia Pucci, the amazing dinner at the church, Pug Dogs for Happy Kids auction and of course all those fun style labs.

Here are my favorites. If you click on the photo, you will be transfered to the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Luisaviaroma, style.com, Vogue Brasil, © Sandra Bauknecht

True beauty comes from within (and make-up, of course). Without joking, beauty is a funny thing… and most of us might be most of the time focused on our own appearance, pursuing the goal of looking “the best” – at least externally.

Personally speaking, I think what really makes you beautiful is the right attitude. Being happy with yourself might give you this certain charisma and glow no beauty product can achieve. Live life to the fullest, don’t criticize yourself all the time. We spend too much time living in the ‘what if’ and ‘if I had‘. As Robert Brault puts it briefly: “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

As I don’t want to start the week too seriously, let’s get inspired by Bo Derek who said once: “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” My new Bvlgari bag definitely put a big smile on my face. And doesn’t a smile always make us more beautiful in the end… with this is mind, let’s jump on the latest trend.

My look: Safari dress by Pascal Millet (from his extremely beautiful S/S 2013 collection), ultraviolet Serpenti shoulder bag by Bvlgari (also availble in beige), pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps and crinkled print scarf, both by Saint Laurent, Happy Diamonds ring by Chopard, Tank Americaine watch in yellow gold with diamonds by Cartier, 4810 hoop earrings in pink gold with diamonds by Montblanc, bangles by Sal y Limon, floral sunglasses by Prada and Pearls stay-up by Wolford.

Have a great week!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Thank you for your e-mails concerning my make-up look that I wore to the MCM store opening in Zurich. Many of you have been asking for the details. Here we go! I have been a fan of blue eye shadow since many years. Therefore I was so happy to try the new MAC summer collections FASHION SETS and TEMPERATURE RISING.

The best blue shades with a hint of violet (perfect for green eyes): 
Left: EYE SHADOW Heroine Satin, a matte bright cobalt blue, CHF 26.00
Right: EYE SHADOW Fontainebleu Frost from a previous collection

To add depth to the eyes:
POWERCHROME EYE PENCIL Polished Jet, charcoal with pearl, CHF 29.00

For a radiant complexion: 
BRONZING POWDER Refined Golden, finely spun golden with soft pearl finish, CHF 34.00

A gorgeous and extraordinary shade for the lips:
LIPSTICK Caliente, a super dazzle violet, CHF  30.00

The new products are in stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Due to another amazing project that will be revealed soon, I had to cancel a very interesting trip to Grande Champagne with LOUIS XIII for the launch of their highly exclusive Rare Cask 42,6 cognac (one bottle is €18.000). Sometimes, I would love to clone myself…

For the first time in weeks, I had an afternoon free that I spent with a good book at my pool. It feels so great that we finally have summer in Zurich and being outside in your own garden is for me one of the most luxurious things on earth. It was a great opportunity to try my new retro-style bathing suit. In general, I like to wear bikinis as you saw me last year in Maui or in 2011, but this one-piece looks great and is perfect during those cooler days.

My look: Embellished bathing suit and sarong, both by Wolford, Bowletto bag by Karl Lagerfeld, Tribute Two textured-leather pumps by Saint Laurent, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline, earrings by H&M and bangles by Sal y Limon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

One evening in Cannes, I was invited by Chopard to the “Somebody to love” party at Canal+. Mark Ronson, face of Fan di Fendi pour Homme, whom I had met in 2011 at the Versace for H&M Launch Party in NYC, was the DJ for the night. I have to admit that I had far too much fun so unfortunately I didn’t take too many photos…

My look: Pink marabou jacket by Emilio Pucci, ruched taffeta and lace dress by Nina Ricci, gold python pumps by Tom Ford, earrings by Chanel, crocodile clutch by Nancy Gonzalez and Silver Glam stay-ups by Wolford.

LoL, Sandra

The Silver Glam stay-ups by Wolford are just perfect for adding that special something to your outfit, incorporating the pattern du jour: dots.

Looking gorgeous: Mark Ronson in Givenchy Homme

Spotted that night: Belgian martial artist and actor Jean-Claude van Damme

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht