Sandra‘s Closet

To embody the most beautiful S/S 2020 pre-collection, Virginie Viard has chosen Caroline de Maigret, ambassador of the House. She was shot by photographer Leila Smara at the legendary CHANEL address at 31 rue Cambon in Paris.

For this pre-collection, Virginie Viard has imagined a very Parisian silhouette, with a cool and chic allure that lights up everyday life. The soft, comfortable lines emphasise the masculine-feminine spirit characteristic of CHANEL, further illustrated by the choice of materials such as tweed, denim, leather, satin and cotton poplin.

A yellow and gold tweed jacket with four pockets is worn naturally with faded jeans. Tweed also comes as a black and white checked blazer whose rigour is softened by an ethereal jabot blouse and a pair of diaphanous shorts in cotton poplin.

Tweed is feminised as a sensual and graphic bustier top accompanied by trousers in quilted leather. Leather, again, is printed with silver pinstripes for a straight-cut jacket and trouser ensemble.

Ease and freedom of movement are at the heart of the CHANEL silhouette. A tweed trouser suit with an ultra-fluid cut worn over a jersey top, a very soft long coat in cotton tweed combined with white jeans, and a casual chic ensemble in printed satin all perfectly correspond with this philosophy.

To walk, move, to come and go in the utmost comfort, the shoes are flat or have a small square heel: derby shoes in patent leather, slingback pumps in fishnet, flat sandals trimmed with chains and loafers in crêpe and grosgrain embellished with a rhinestone comet. A small tote bag in quilted leather has integrated handles and a strap allowing for two ways of wearing it. Finally, couture jewelry – multi-strand sautoirs, pearl necklaces, cuff bracelets, curb chains and XL chain belts – punctuates all the silhouettes.

With the S/S 2020 pre-collection, Virginie Viard reinvents the essence of the Parisienne and her nonchalant elegance. She infuses her with a youthfulness that reflects the eternal and contemporary allure of the CHANEL woman. Discover the collection in boutiques from January 2020.

Just so beautiful…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
#CHANELPreCollection

Opening tomorrow, under the impetus of La Réserve and the vision of excellence upheld by its owner Michel Reybier, the Eden au Lac hotel is reinventing itself as La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich. A new 5-star establishment in Zurich, the hotel has been completely redesigned to provide an elegant and timeless experience in the heart of an imaginary yacht club dreamed up by creator Philippe Starck.

Thanks to its unique location in the city and on the waterfront, the hotel provides a unique lifestyle
perspective on Zurich with 40 rooms and suites in eight categories, ranging from 22sqm to 79sqm, as well as two bars and restaurants that offer spectacular views of the city and the lake. To be enjoyed as a family or among friends, La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich is an atypical and highly modern place that is both majestic and sophisticated.

Guests are now welcomed via the side entrance for enhanced comfort and privacy. The wooden staircase leading from the reception area to the upper floors has been preserved. A large elevator set in a fine glass shaft enables guests to admire the stained-glass windows by artist Ara Starck, who creates «moving landscapes that are perpetually morphing throughout the day as the light pours through.»

The rooms are all located on the upper floors overlooking the lake. Created by Philippe Starck like onshore sailors’ cabins, they invite their guests to dream of regattas, adventures, light breezes and indulge in the soft light from the terraces or private balconies.

A bar restaurant adjoining the lobby, a smoking lounge with a treasure cellar and a rooftop restaurant – La Réserve Eden au Lac is changing the culinary scene in Zurich. On the ground floor, with its large bay windows opening onto the outside, Eden Kitchen & Bar promises to be an essential meeting point in the city. Light-colored floors, red wood and boat oars and hulls are just some of the design cues that create a warm and relaxed atmosphere and serve as reminders of the hotel’s attachment to the lake. The large open kitchen stages a non-stop show, in which everyone can admire the expert touch and creativity of the teams headed by Italian chef Marco Ortolani.

«Eden Kitchen & Bar evokes the memory of the yacht clubs where young people used to gather for regattas canoe, skiff, kayak or sailing races. Joyful places where everyone had a lot of fun, drinking and dancing around the large bar.» – Philippe Starck

Perched on the sixth floor and accessible directly via the glass elevator in the lobby, La Muña overlooks the city from its tree-lined roof terrace and has taken over the former attic beneath the hotel’s spectacular dome. La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich’s second restaurant is a treasure chest, mingling imaginary memories of moments spent on the lake with extraordinary objects found in the city and around the world.

The furniture also looks as if it has always been here, in this imaginary «harbor-master’s office»: with comfortable light-colored leather or slightly old-fashioned floral fabric upholstery, and rugs picked up during trips to Persia and Asia. Two outdoor terraces are accessible, one of which can be entirely privatized. Whether on a sofa or at a table, under the huge parasols, guests can enjoy a relaxed and festive atmosphere while sharing the Japanese Peruvian specialties of chef Tomoko Gunji Hangartner (Miya).

La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich
Utoquai 45, CH-8008, Zürich
Phone: +41 44 266 25 25
E-mail: info@lareserve-zurich.com

Cannot wait to experience this new hot spot in Zurich myself…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich / © Grégoire Gardette

Panerai celebrates the Year of the Rat with a special edition of 88 units decorated using the
ancient technique of sparsello. This technique is named after the tool, like a little scalpel, which is used to make incisions. These are then inlayed with gold threads which are carefully hammered to fill the recesses. This operation takes up to 50 hours of work for each watch. Chinese astrological tradition depicted and enhanced by Italian craftsmanship.

Panerai recalls the evocative thousand-year tradition of the Chinese Zodiac with the new Luminor Sealand – 44 mm (PAM00863), a special edition created to anticipate and accompany the Year of the Rat which will officially start on the 25th of January 2020.
For Panerai this is a true tradition within a tradition which started in 2009 with the celebration of the Year of the Ox and culminating today, in the 12th year, with the Luminor Sealand – 44 mm dedicated to the Year of the Rat. This is the 12th Panerai Luminor Sealand model and marks the end of the 12- year cycle in which each year is distinguished by a sign of the zodiac represented by an animal.

Both ambitious and brilliant, those born under this sign use their intelligence and shrewdness to adapt to any situation, easily overcoming the problems and pitfalls of everyday life. They are also endowed with inspiration and intelligence, qualities which they share with the rat, the animal represented on the steel cover of the Luminor Sealand – 44 mm dedicated to it.

A distinguishing feature of every Sealand, the decorated cover – with a signalling mirror inside.

The mechanical movement of the new Luminor Sealand – 44 mm is the P. 9010 Calibre with a power reserve of three days provided by twin spring barrels, and rapid time adjustment which also changes the calendar. Water-resistant to a depth of 10 bar (about 100 metres), the new Luminor Sealand – 44 mm is fitted with a semi-matt calf strap, gold in colour with beige stitching, and it is presented in a pear wood box. It is supplied with a second strap of black rubber, a special tool for changing the strap and a screwdriver to remove the buckle.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Panerai

Holiday season is over but we all want the party never to stop. Depending on your budget, here are really amazing pieces to include some iconic classics as well as some new trends into your wardrobe. Decide for yourself if you want to go splurge or steal.

LoL, Sandra

Inject your wardrobe with this season’s must-have hue and shop one these cocktail dresses, both with a deep V-neck, front closure and in a deep emerald hue.

Splurge (left): Iconic Karolina crystal velvet mini dress by The Attico (my favorite! – the cut and the embellishments are divine, good news is that it is marked 40% off)
Steal (right): Isabella floral-jacquard mini dress by Rat & Boa

The perfect artsy dress for your next art gallery opening or museum reception, sophisticated and stylish in one.

Splurge (left): Lovers-print silk-georgette dress by Valentino (marked off 40%)
Steal (right): Statue-print dress by Zara (marked off 65%)

Polka-dot prints were making waves on the S/S 2020 runways. Get ahead of the style game and order your gown for your next black tie gala.

Splurge (left): Tiered polka-dot organza gown by Carolina Herrera
Steal (right): Antonia polka-dot off-the-shoulder dress by Rat & Boa

Animal prints have become a fix wardrobe staple with leopard leading the way. Go for the iconic Dolce print if your budget allows it.

Splurge (left): Leopard-print silk-blend midi dress by Dolce & Gabbana (the original one is now marked down 40%)
Steal (right): Ruched leopard-print stretch-mesh mini dress by Ganni

The LBD is always a great alternative for party dressing. Trending now are cuts that play off the traditional elements of a tailored blazer such as pockets and embellished buttons.

Splurge (left): Double-breasted wool blazer dress by Balmain
Steal (right): Dress with jewel buttons by Zara (marked off 40%)

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands, Collages: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Breaking news for the print media. No photoshoot was required in the making of the newest issue of VOGUE Italia that has swapped photos for illustrations to help reduce its carbon footprint.

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@David_Salle featuring @LiliSumner in @Gucci styled by @TonneGood

«All of the covers, as well as the features of our January issue, have been drawn by artists, ranging from well-known art icons and emerging talents to comic book legends, who have created without travelling, shipping entire wardrobes of clothes or polluting in any way. The challenge was to prove it is possible to show clothes without photographing them. This is a first, Vogue Italia has never had an illustrated cover: and as far as I know no issue of Vogue Italia in which photography is not the primary visual medium has ever been printed.
Thanks to this idea, and to these artists’ process, the money saved in the production of this issue will go towards financing a project that really deserves it: the restoration of Fondazione Querini Stampalia in Venice, severely damaged by the recent floods», says Emanuele Farneti, Editor-in-Chief Vogue Italia.

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Female figure wearing @Gucci by Vanessa Beecroft @VBuntitled

Vogue is looking to make a change. In December, Vogue’s editors penned a mission statement vowing to celebrate diversity and community, and to preserve the planet that will be shared by all 26 editions of the magazine.

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@DelphineDesane@DelphineDesaneStudio featuring @AssaBaradjiofficial in @Gucci

In Farneti’s editorial he states (translated from Italian) about the recent September issue: «One hundred and fifty people involved. About twenty flights and a dozen or so train journeys. Forty cars on standby. Sixty international deliveries. Lights switched on for at least 10 hours non-stop, partly powered by gasoline-fueled generators. Food waste from the catering services. Plastic to wrap the garments. Electricity to recharge phones, cameras… .»

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@Cas_Amandaa @Cas_Namodafeaturing @Ambar_Cristalz in @Gucci

Last year, the McKinsey & Company consultancy projected that the global garment industry would expand by two-thirds by 2030 and be responsible for one-quarter of the global carbon footprint by 2050 compared with 2% in 2015. Great news is that the trend of sustainability is industrywide. Experts say luxury consumers in particular are willing to pay more for sustainable garments and items that don’t exploit workers.

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@Yoshitaka_Amano featuring @LindseyWixson in @Gucci

The January issue includes eight different illustrated covers as well as articles about clothes made from scrap fabric and second-hand pieces. It will be at the newsstand on January 7, 2020.

Great initiative from Vogue Italia but one question I am asking myself is: «Is this the future of the end of print media?»

LoL, Sandra

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@MiloManara_official featuring @OliviaVinten in @Gucci

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@Paolo.Ventura featuring @FeliceNovain @Gucci

Photos: © VOGUE Italia

2020 has started so well … enjoying the beautiful sunny weather in Gstaad with family and friends. Here you see me at Wasserngrat restaurant, located at an altitude of 1,920 metres above sea level, with breath-taking views of the stunning mountain scenery.

My look: Oversized faux fur coat by Balenciaga, ski print bodysuit, logo headband and snow boots with spikes (Coco Neige F/W 2019), black and white cashmere scarf, embellished leggings and tortoise shell sunglasses (Resort 2020), and Chanel 19 tweed bag, by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

To celebrate the Chinese New Year in 2020, which falls on January 25th, Alberta Ferretti presents «It’s My Year», a small capsule collection dedicated to the Year of the Rat. The icon of this collection is the famous, fun mouse character, Topo Gigio®, that was created in the late 1950s in Italy by Maria Perego and that became a worldwide phenomenon, with the help of «The Ed Sullivan Show.»

Maria Perego with the mouse puppet Topo Gigio in 1961

TO SHOP THE ALBERTA FERRETTI CAPSULE COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Alberta Ferretti and © Mondadori, via Getty Images
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Happy 2020 to everyone! I hope that the new year will be the best year of your life. May all your dreams come true and all your hopes be fulfilled! For me, 2020 has started fantastically as I got engaged at midnight at the Gstaad Palace. A new decade has begun … may it be as amazing as it started.

My look: Red sequined long dress, rhinestone-embellished faux-pearl necklace, and white fox fur stole, all by Dolce & Gabbana, champagne cross-body bag by Moschino, and laser-cut leather and suede platform sandals by Alaïa.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

It is not only the last day of the year, but also the last day of the decade and I would like to share with you my favourite outfits of 2019. A little retrospective recalling my most fashionable moments. 12 months, versatile looks, shot in many different places in the world.

To a fabulous 2020, to a fabulous new decade, wishing you only the best and I hope that you will keep following Sandra’s Closet for the next years to come!

LoL, Sandra

JANUARY 2019: To a Sparkling 2019

French Cancan – Crucial – Wasserngrat Lunch

Winter Wonderland – Gstaad, Come Up and Slow Down – Women in Power

Happy Birthday – 100 Years of Bauhaus

FEBRUARY 2019: London Fashion Week Look

Times Square – La Pausa – New York City

She’s in Fashion – Hello Sunshine

MARCH 2019: Vienna Opera Ball

International Women’s Day – Never Rest – Find Me in Milan

Spring – The New Story – It’s All in the Attitude

APRIL 2019: Swiss Girl

Travelling to São Paulo – Brazil – Belgrave Square

Tina – Formula V

Paris Fashion Week – Cherry Blossom

 MAY 2019: Cyprus Nights

Summer Kick-Off – Girl Power – Best Never Rest

Where the Wild Things Are – Awesome Sequins

JUNE 2019: Red & Turquoise for Spring 

Save the Ocean – An Evening with Ballet – Jewels

Art Basel – Beat the Heat

 JULY 2019: Like Ice in the Sunshine

Dream On – Vacation – Let’s Play Ballet

Rose Garden – French Riviera – Just Keep Swimming

AUGUST 2019: Viva la Svizzera

Greetings from Verona – Kiss a Frog – Street Parade 2019

The Weekend Read – Comfy Chic

Orchid Print – Lavender Extrême

SEPTEMBER 2019: Pulp Fiction

Atelier Swarovski – Arriving in Munich – Boss Outletcity Metzingen

Life is Better with a Dog – Modern Princess

Sleeping Beauty – Bohemian

OCTOBER 2019: Borgo Santo Pietro

Chill & Relax – Golden Fall – Vivamayr

La Vie Bohème – Camouflage

NOVEMBER 2019: Halloween

Greece – CHANEL – La Mer

Home – Magic Weekend – Femme on Trend

DECEMBER 2019: Merry Dolce Christmas

You Can Do It – Celebrate – This is My Love

 Unchained – #IMACHRISTMASTREE

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Burberry has revealed its Chinese New Year 2020 campaign which stars brand ambassador Zhou Dongyu alongside models He Cong and Liang Jiyuan, and is captured by photographer Leslie Zhang.

The campaign highlights a collection in vivid red, featuring refined tailoring and sports-influenced pieces, as well as new iterations of Burberry’s iconic Union sneaker and Lola bag.

A limited-edition Thomas Burberry Monogram motif, inspired by the Chinese zodiac and animated with an original illustration in honour of the Year of the Rat, appears throughout.

The collection is available to purchase now in select stores globally.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Burberry / Leslie Zhang