Sandra‘s Closet

Gabrielle Chanel was seduced by the camellia. With no fragrance or thorns, it is a flower of simplicity and purity, much akin to the ethos of Coco Chanel. Compared to the opulence of a rose, she preferred the camellia’s sobriety and geometric roundedness, with classic and consistent ordering of the petals, intelligible yet beautiful, like the woman that she was.

It is also a flower of duality, for dandies and courtesans. Androgynous and ambiguous, the camellia has an image of a forbidden flower that resonates with Mademoiselle Chanel’s taste for provocation and seduction. I am a huge fan of the CHANEL Camélia jewelry collection, that is the promise of a unique look for all the women who wear it.

This fall, CHANEL offers new interpretations of the camellia flower on rings, brooches, chokers, bracelets and more, that are available in store from this month. The emblematic flower is reinterpreted through a selection that opens access to the fascinating universe of the Maison’s symbols. Please enjoy your exclusive preview of dream pieces… I already put some on my wish list.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL

A match made in heaven! Maison Ladurée and the Olympia Le-Tan brand have teamed up to create a collector’s edition macaron box and an exclusive collection of two embroidered book clutch bags.

Olympia Le-Tan took inspiration from its famous book clutch bags to design a macaron box shaped like a book with gilt-edge pages encasing a cheerful array of scrumptious Ladurée delights. The Ladurée pastry chefs have created a special citrus Rose Champagne macaron for this occasion.

«Le Buffet Festif» box with a selection of 9 macarons is available at Ladurée from September 8th.

The two limited edition Olympia Le-Tan x Ladurée embroidery book clutch bags will be available only from certain Olympia Le-Tan retailers and online olympialetan.com from September 15th.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Olympia Le-Tan / Ladurée

DIESEL honors Genoa, the birthplace of jeans, and celebrates Made in Italy by presenting a reproduction of the oldest jeans fabric ever documented in history.

Dating back to 1760-80, local townspeople and laborers in Genoa were first seen (and depicted) wearing jeans as part of their daily wardrobes. Colors ranged from standard indigo to brown to white. A nativity figurine by Pasquale Navone (1746-1791), shows a man with denim trousers (woven diagonally, 2 to 1, in a blue cotton weft and white linen warp) that appear remarkably similar to iterations from the modern era. This sculpture represents the oldest historical instances of jeans; it may be viewed at Museo Giannettino Loxoro, which is situated in Genoa.

DIESEL has replicated the original fabric and garment as they existed three hundred years ago. It was done by using handmade Italian textiles and workmanship. The re-creation was exhibited this week at Genova Jeans fair in Genoa, where DIESEL was invited to celebrate the heritage of Made in Italy jeans. As to the accuracy of the denim’s reproduction and integrity, the fabric and garment are certified and verified by the art, textile and costume historian Marzia Cataldi Gallo.

The inaugural edition of the fair brings to life the history, evolution and innovation of jeans-making in a multifaceted showcase that, additionally, emphasizes sustainability; a series of immersive, informational experiences were on display. This includes a multi-part exhibition from DIESEL that centers on the heritage of its jeans, its journey towards a more sustainable denim product and practice, and how the company has utilized jeans to help transform the world of advertising.

Ultimately, this initiative serves as another spoke in DIESEL’s For Responsible Living strategy, which is a company-wide mandate to continuously shift its culture, business practices and footprint into a more sustainable arena. By participating in Genova Jeans, DIESEL further demonstrates its commitment to promoting and pushing for increased sustainability in the world of jeans.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Diesel

Prada presents the ninth drop of the new Prada Timecaspule, an exclusive product for men and women: exclusively at prada.com the first Thursday of every month, for 24 hours only.

This time, the marine world inspires the graphic pattern of the new Timecapsule shirt, crafted using an original technique reminiscent of tattoos. Faded and irregular along the edges, the placed print creates a distinctive, vintage look, emphasizing each piece’s uniqueness.

The shirt is also enriched by a contemporary rubber badge logo on the chest pocket. Available exclusively online for just 24 hours, the garment is decorated with a special logo created by OMA, the architecture firm founded by Rem Koolhaas, and with a serial number that makes it unique.

TECHNICAL DETAILS
Oversized – Short sleeves – Bowling collar – Breast pocket – Straight hem – Mother-of-pearl buttons – Rubber badge logo on the front pocket – 100% Cotton – Sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL). Made In Italy. Price: CHF 950.

The shirt is available here. Next drop will be on October 7, 2021.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Prada

Around two years ago, I told you the first time about #Togetherband, a movement started by Bottletop, the sustainable British accessories brand, to bring awareness to the 17 Global Goals formulated by the UN in 2015 through a partnership with the UN Foundation, WWF, Project Everyone, Eco Age, Global Citizen and the Founding Partner UBS.

Now, they have launched sunglasses in collaboration with Little Sun, a nonprofit global partnership that promotes and builds solar energy for communities without access to electricity. For every pair bought, a solar-powered lamp will be donated to a child without electricity in sub-Saharan Africa to help them read books, do homework and take them to new exciting places.

I am wearing the Alé sunglasses.

The sunglasses frames are constructed using 100% recycled polycarbonate. It’s a strong material made from post-consumer waste like old CDs and electrical appliances. #TOGETHER sunnies are also carbon negative, which means they offset more carbon than is emitted through their creation and distribution.

• Gender neutral eyewear
• Frames made from 100% recycled polycarbonate
• The lenses are UV category 3
• For every #TOGETHER product you buy, a tree is planted

Those classic sunglasses shapes work on so many faces. Alé is great for square and triangular faces, Rae works on round and oval face shapes, and Kai is perfect if your face is more rounded.

YOU CAN ORDER THE YELLOW SUNGLASSES ONLINE HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Bottletop / #Togetherband and © Sandra Bauknecht

The delicate figurine named Vivienne arrived at Louis Vuitton as if by magic in 2018. Initially a decorative object, she has proven capable of adapting to any environment, occasion or style to become the Maison’s beloved contemporary mascot.

Her family has expanded to include 11 unprecedented jewellery creations. Vivienne pendants pay homage to the cultures that are dear to Louis Vuitton, and these precious globetrotters know no borders.

Here the romantic Vivienne Plum is adorned with poetic pink gold plum blossoms, diamonds and red lacquer, and features a delicate bow on her back. There, transformed into a furry black and white animal who loves fresh bamboo, the adorable Vivienne Panda in white and yellow gold, diamonds, onyx and lacquer symbolises luck, peace and friendship. Korea’s ancestral embroidered garment, known as Hanbok, is enhanced by the carved and polished pink and white gold, diamonds and blazing lacquer of Vivienne Hanbok. As powerful, protective and brave as a Japanese samurai, Vivienne Samurai, dressed in yellow and white gold, diamonds and red and black lacquer, skilfully wields a Katana, the emblematic sword of those venerable warriors.

Now meet Vivienne Surfer, the most athletic of all, sporting blue lacquer and a long board adorned with the LV Monogram signature. And look who’s back: Vivienne Casino, reinvented in white and yellow gold, platinum, diamonds and lacquer. Bedecked in hearts, spades, diamond shapes and LV initials, an engraved deck of playing cards in hand, she is a champion of blackjack, poker and roulette. The magnificent Vivienne Rainbow radiates joy, emotion and hope thanks to an exquisite pavé gradation of 154 multicoloured gems. The astonishing Vivienne Royal, wearing a crown of yellow gold and diamonds and dressed in a blue lacquer robe punctuated with fleur-de-lys, pays homage to Paris’s Place Vendôme – the worldwide epicentre of jewellery and home to one of the most majestic Louis Vuitton stores.

The vivacious Vivienne Petite Malle featuring yellow and pink gold, diamonds and lacquer is never without her miniature handbag, whose shape recalls the Maison’s original trunks. Framing the face of Vivienne Monogram, petals of mother-of-pearl engraved with Monogram canvas motifs beautifully complement her eye of sculpted wood and her body shimmering with pink gold and diamonds. This piece elegantly evokes the Maison’s century-old trunk-making heritage. Lastly, Vivienne Celebration, in white and yellow gold set with 36 coloured stones and 124 diamonds, conveys a festive atmosphere. Specially created to celebrate Mr Louis Vuitton’s bicentennial birthday, she masterfully combines a mix of materials with traditional jewellery-making expertise.

Forever mischievous, each of these fetish figures pushes the boundaries of her mysterious aura by hiding a secret: the pendant can be converted into a brooch.

A trunk, exclusively designed for these precious mascots, opens like a treasure chest to reveal an array of miniature stages, drawers, trays and mirrors. Nodding to the origins of the Maison, this unique jewellery box offers a home for each limited edition Vivienne, thus perpetuating the excellence of Louis Vuitton, which makes the Art of Travel a true art of living.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton / © Piotr Stoklosa
DISCLOSURE: This post is not sponsored. I am loving it!

Looking back, the ’90s feels like a golden era—the Game Boy! The Spice Girls! The last cell phone-less generation! but most of all when it comes to the fashion. Do you remember the impossible-to-forget popcorn shirts – aka magic bubble shirts, or scrunchie shirts, as they can also be called – from the late ’90s/early 2000s? They are back! A shirt that’s initially tiny enough to fit a doll, but expands large enough to fit your boyfriend, and that everyone had put on the «never again» fashion list, is making a comeback. I unpinned mine with a matching bra top.

My look: Cropped satin-cloqué cardigan, satin-cloqué sports bra, and Bite layered distressed denim and cotton-piqué shorts, all by Alexander Wang, mirrored-platform metallic-leather sandals by Miu Miu, green flap pocket bag with colorful strap (Look 5 Pre-collection Summer 2021), horn layered necklace by Isabel Marant, Louise long necklace by Louis Vuitton, and Loulou heart-shaped acetate sunglasses by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Anouk / Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

I have been meaning to show these products since quite some time as I have used them all summer long. The shades are so perfect to get that glow we all love during the summer time. In combination with my new LA DOUBLEJ accessories, a must! Hurry up, they are selling out fast… to shop, click on the highlighted product description.

PINK GLOW LUXE EYE SHADOW PALETTE
Complete with four rich, rosy shades, those shadows can be applied dry for instant impact or applied with a damp brush for a soft, dewy look. Formulated with a light-reflective and pigment-rich blend, this set is made to take you straight from work to the bar. I’m sold.

MINI LONG-WEAR CREAM SHADOW STICK
A must-have—now made mini. Perfect for trying out or taking on the go. A long-lasting, do-it-all eye shadow that’s a stroke of genius—just swipe and go. This budge-proof formula stays put for 8 hours. The best shade? GOLDEN PINK of course.

HIGHLIGHTING POWDER
Pearlescent Glow Highlighter – Create subtle illumination or full-on glow with this silky enhancing powder in PINK GLOW ( a soft pink shimmer).

EXTRA LIP TINT
Lightweight, sheer and ultra-moisturizing, this Extra Lip Tint in BARE PINK has all the benefits of your go-to balm, plus a just-bitten pink stain that brings out the best in lips. Our favorite part? The subtle stain blends in with your natural lip color, so it’s instantly your perfect shade (and everyone else’s, too).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Bobbi Brown and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

«Some scents explicitly capture real aspects of my life. For example, every note of OMBRÉ LEATHER is connected to the American west of my childhood. The PARFUM builds on the wild, unbridled sensuality of the original scent…it is a heightened expression.» – Tom Ford

Tom Ford just launched the newest perfume edition, OMBRÉ LEATHER PARFUM, a warm and spicy rich floral leather scent for women and men, which captures the American west with magnified notes of violet leaf, cedarwood, and green tobacco. Perfumer Sonia Constant composed both, the original OMBRÉ LEATHER and the new OMBRÉ LEATHER PARFUM.

Building on the untethered, tactile sensuality of the original scent, OMBRÉ LEATHER PARFUM intensifies the distinctly rich, luxurious leather signature with surprising new additions. Violet leaf absolute orpur breathes a powerful, intensely green air, giving way to the elegant, woody sensuality of cedarwood. Harvested before the monsoon season to produce an elevated extract, jasmine sambac absolute India orpur offers an intense, fruity floral facet recalling honeysuckle. Deep leathery and woody notes laced with green tobacco undercut the floralcy, stoking a creamy sensuality while a double concentration of orris heart pulses beneath, releasing a captivating, addictive pull.

Key Notes: Black Leather, Violet Flower, Jasmine Flower

About the Bottle: Packaged in a matte-black flacon with a faux-leather plaque, the OMBRÉ LEATHER PARFUM flacon captures the bold, tactile sensuality of the spicy leather scent.

Personal Recommendation: I love combining it with TOM FORD Lavender Extrême. It is such an interesting combo.

Available in the beginning of September 2021 in Switzerland.
OMBRÉ LEATHER PARFUM 50ml (CHF 156.00) and 100ml (CHF 256.00).
TO SHOP THE NEW SCENT ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Tom Ford Beauty and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Blended by the breathtaking beauty of Santorini and its amazing sunsets, I wore this vibrant look for a night out in Oia. It is an amazing destination to have your vacation with its Cycladian architecture, the picturesque scenery, and the volcanic landscape. Every corner offers a photo opportunity. Make sure to wear flat sandals or wedge platforms for exploring the stone paved alleys of the Greek island. Another thing to have in mind is that the stones might get really slippery, thus you must be careful and don’t risk your safety for a picture.

My look: GG diagonal silk kaftan, GG Multicolour platform espadrille, GG Marmont Multicolour small shoulder bag, and cat-eye marbled-acetate sunglasses, all by Gucci,  faux-pearl tassel earrings by Oscar de la Renta, Oyster Perpetual 36 with turquoise dial by Rolex, and J’Adior bracelet set by Dior.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Anouk / Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.