Sandra‘s Closet

One month without my mother.
The sadness is still heavy, like a secret shadow I carry with me. I hesitated for a long time whether to share these pictures and words, because grief is intimate, and yet, it is part of life. And I believe it’s important to find light even in the darkest chapters.

«Grief is the price we pay for love.» – Queen Elizabeth II

She always wanted her farewell to be bright, colorful, and full of joy, no gloomy speeches, but laughter, champagne, and celebration. Because life continues, and she believed that death is not the end, only a checkpoint on our journey.

She wished for a forest burial, her final resting place embraced by nature. I carried her urn from the ceremony to the tree, sometimes smiling, sometimes crying, because grief is not one single face, but many. My sister said something in her speech that will stay with me forever: «The ashes become one with the tree, so I can embrace our mother again.»  A thought both heartbreaking and comforting, because it makes her presence eternal.

At her farewell I wore color because fashion is my language, my way of expressing love. A Dolce & Gabbana skirt whispering «Mama, I love you» in every language, and a matching bag with a mother, two daughters, a dog, and a cat, exactly her world. Through clothes I painted the immensity of my love for her.

What touched me deeply: my childhood friends traveled from far away to stand by my side. Their presence was a gentle reminder that love weaves us together across time and distance, and I am endlessly grateful.

She was extraordinary, and she taught me to embrace life with both elegance and humor. And so I honor her not only in grief, but in light. And now life moves forward, I’m on my way to Boston with my daughter, filled with gratitude and excitement for this new journey ahead.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Today feels heavier. Giorgio Armani has left us, and with him goes one of the last true visionaries of fashion. It’s strange to think of a world without him because his presence was never loud, never overbearing, yet always unmistakably there. He shaped style in a way that was subtle but powerful, whispering instead of shouting, and somehow that made his voice even stronger.

When I think of Armani, I think of clarity. His lines were always clean, his choices deliberate, his signature impossible to miss. You didn’t need to check the label to know it was his work, you simply saw it, and it carried his name without a word being spoken. That’s what made him unique: the courage to be simple, and the genius to make simplicity extraordinary.

«Money cannot buy elegance.» – Giorgio Armani

His Journey

Armani’s path was anything but ordinary. Born in Piacenza, Italy, he didn’t step straight into fashion. He first studied medicine, then served in the army, and later worked as a window dresser before entering the world of design. These detours shaped his sharp eye for detail and his quiet discipline.

The Armani empire

In 1975, he founded his own label and that year, I came into the world too :-). Our timelines have always been parallel in that way: while I was taking my very first steps in life, he was taking his bold first step into building an empire.

From that beginning, fashion was never the same. He stripped away the stiffness of traditional tailoring, introducing unstructured jackets and a softer silhouette that allowed people to move freely while still looking impeccable. Hollywood quickly embraced his vision, and soon the world followed. What began as a single idea grew into an empire spanning clothing, fragrance, interiors, even hotels—all carrying the same unmistakable touch: timeless, elegant, unmistakably Armani.

Armani Privé F/W 2025 – Femme Fatale and the Female Dandy

A Legacy of Elegance

For decades, he gave the world beauty without excess, elegance without noise. He redefined how people dressed, how they moved, how they saw themselves. His designs weren’t just clothes, they were a kind of confidence, a second skin that felt effortless yet refined.

And now, he’s gone. Another one of the greats, another light fading from the stage of our time. But in my heart, I can’t help but believe he isn’t truly gone. He’s somewhere else now, perhaps already in the company of my dear mother, who left just a month ago. I imagine them meeting, two souls filled with grace, sharing a quiet smile in that endless place beyond us.

Armani’s legacy will live on in every soft shoulder line, every perfectly cut jacket, every timeless silhouette. And for me, his passing will always be tied to the memory of my mother, two lives that embodied elegance in their own ways, now side by side.

Rest gently, Maestro. And give my love to her.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Armani
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Hotels have long been known for their signature scents, but now, Mandarin Oriental is going a step further by creating their own new signature color: Celadon Green, developed exclusively with the Pantone Colour Institute. Inspired by traditional Asian ceramics, the shade embodies calm, refinement, and cultural heritage—yet Mandarin Oriental has transformed it into something contemporary and experiential.

The color is not just part of the design language; it’s woven into every detail of the brand. Guests encounter Celadon Green in delicate pastries at The Mandarin Cake Shop, in mooncakes presented in elegant green boxes, and even in cocktails that reinterpret the hue with matcha and fresh herbal notes.

Fashion and travel collaborations extend the story further. Limited-edition Sunspel T-shirts at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London and Globe-Trotter luggage collections allow travelers to carry a piece of Mandarin Oriental’s identity beyond the hotel walls. At the spa, soothing tones of Celadon Green complement treatments designed to relax body and mind, turning color psychology into an integral part of the experience.

To celebrate the launch, Mandarin Oriental has also taken Celadon Green global with playful Pantone «chip» installations, creating stylish photo moments from London to Bangkok.

More than just a shade, Celadon Green is Mandarin Oriental’s way of turning design into lifestyle, luxury you can see, taste, wear, and feel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Mandarin Oriental
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It’s official: after nearly four decades, Anna Wintour has named her successor at Vogue. The legendary editor, whose sunglasses and sharp bob have become symbols of authority in fashion, won’t be disappearing anytime soon as she will continue to hold global power across Condé Nast. But the day-to-day reins of Vogue US are now passing to Chloe Malle.

Chloé Malle (Photo via Vogue)

Chloe is no stranger to the world of style and storytelling. The daughter of acclaimed actress Candice Bergen and French director Louis Malle, she grew up with a natural connection to art, film, and culture. After studying literature at Brown and time spent in Paris, she carved out her own career inside Condé Nast. She led Vogue.com, co-hosted the magazine’s podcast The Run-Through, and most recently has been behind some high-profile features that blended sharp cultural insight with a modern digital voice.

Chloé Malle in a Vanity article in 2009 next to her mother Candice Bergen.

What makes her appointment exciting is that she represents both continuity and change. On one hand, Chloe understands the brand’s DNA, she’s been inside Vogue for years and knows its rhythm. On the other hand, she has grown up in the digital era and brings an ease with multimedia, social conversation, and new ways of reaching audiences that feel essential for the future.

Chloé with her late father Louis Malle at age 8.

And yet, Anna Wintour’s presence still looms large. With her global roles intact, she will continue to shape the overall vision. That means Chloe will be navigating both independence and mentorship, putting her stamp on the American edition while still working under the shadow – and protection – of fashion’s most powerful figure.

The result? A fascinating new chapter. We can expect more experimentation with digital storytelling, a fresher editorial voice, and maybe even a subtle softening of the magazine’s famously rigid tone. But make no mistake, Anna still holds the scepter. That tension between legacy and renewal is exactly what will make the next few years at Vogue so compelling to watch.

LoL, Sandra

Photos via @chloemalle
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On my way to celebrate a dear friend’s birthday, I chose an outfit that felt both unusual and comforting, a soft, easy ensemble paired with a beautifully detailed vest, platform sneakers, and touches of rose gold shimmering through my shoes, my bag, and the vest itself.

Since losing my mother, life has felt like an endless attempt to find my way back. Grief makes even the smallest things heavy, and yet fashion gives me little sparks of light, a reminder that creativity, beauty, and self-expression can gently guide me forward. It’s not always easy, but these small steps every day matter.

My look: Embellished wool and silk-blend twill vest and Open Disco leather wedge sneakers, both by Valentino, printed mesh top, and matching printed mesh flared trousers, both by Jean Paul Gaultier, Screen rectangular sunglasses by Loewe, 4810 hoop earrings in pink gold with diamonds by Montblanc, and Nina leather bag by Gabriela Hearst.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Anouk Bauknecht
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Louis Vuitton is embarking on a bold new chapter with the arrival of La Beauté, its first dedicated make-up line. Rooted in the Maison’s codes of travel, creativity, and savoir-faire, the line promises not just products, but collectible objets d’art designed to be cherished over time.

At the helm of this debut stands Dame Pat McGrath, DBE, appointed as Creative Director, Cosmetics. Known as one of the most influential make-up artists of our era, McGrath brings her signature artistry and innovation to Louis Vuitton, shaping a universe of beauty built on emotion and bold expression.

The initial collection focuses on three pillars: LV Rouge lipsticks in 55 shades, LV Baume lip balms in 10 luminous variations, and LV Ombres eyeshadow palettes in 8 chromatic harmonies. Each product is housed in sustainable and refillable packaging designed by Konstantin Grcic, combining modern responsibility with Louis Vuitton’s heritage of craftsmanship.

To mark the launch, the Maison unveiled a striking campaign captured by Steven Meisel and directed by Damien Krisl. House Ambassador Hoyeon, joined by models Ida Heiner, Chu Wong, and Awar Odhiang, embodies the brand’s vision of empowerment and femininity. Against surreal landscapes of crimson deserts and pink lakes, the imagery blurs the line between dream and reality, presenting beauty as both a lifestyle and an art form.

LV Rouge Complete Lipstick, €140
LV Baume Complete Lip Balm, €140
LV Ombres Complete Eyeshadows, €220
LV Rouge  and LV Baume Refills, €60
LV Ombres Refill, €80

The worldwide launch will be on August 29th, 2025 in a selection of Louis Vuitton stores (in Switzerland, available in Zurich only) and on louisvuitton.com following the worldwide digital pre-orders on August 25th.

While the creative vision and ambition of La Beauté are undeniable, the launch highlights a broader shift within luxury beauty. Over the past two years, prices in fashion and cosmetics have climbed to unprecedented heights, while service and quality often feel as though they are heading in the opposite direction. For many customers, the experience of walking into a boutique to indulge in a small luxury has become complicated: appointments are required, stock is limited, and spontaneity is replaced by waiting lists.

Luxury, at its essence, should feel effortless, joyful, and special. Increasingly, it risks feeling transactional, less about craftsmanship, more about access. Perhaps Louis Vuitton’s new beauty line will deliver on its promise of «heirloom-worthy» products. But as price tags rise, one can’t help but ask: is this still true luxury, or simply the performance of it?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton / Sandra Bauknecht
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After some heavy weeks, I chose color and sparkles again. Going to lunch with my daughter and my star-reading, high-energy friend Alexandra Kruse reminded me that life keeps moving, and joy can return in unexpected ways. This outfit carries brightness for the days when the heart feels heavy, a little reminder that love, light, and connection always find their way back. Stay strong!

My look: Pink poplin shirt, and poplin and jersey miniskirt, both by Miu Miu, heiress flex shoulder bag in crystals by Alexander Wang, Monolith 55mm leather loafers, all by Prada, cat-eye sunglasses by Gucci, and J12 Mademoiselle La Pausa watch by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Anouk Bauknecht
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Rest in Peace Mama 🖤
October 26, 1946 – August 8, 2025

«Some bonds are written in the soul, untouched by time, unbroken by goodbye.»

One week ago, I said goodbye to my beautiful mom, a truly sensational mother, a loving wife, and a soul who adored animals, especially her dogs, with all her heart. She gave everything for us.

She called me her little Goldfish, and for 50 years, we spoke every single day. My Dad always said I was the other end of the umbilical cord that was never cut and he was right.

When she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, they gave her three months but she fought for a year and a half, facing it with courage, grace, and that unstoppable energy she carried all her life, the same energy she passed on to me. She was a true warrior.

It still feels unreal. This past week, I have felt paralyzed, lost in the silence where her voice used to be. But I know that she would want me to keep going, to follow my path, to live fully, just as she always told me to.

She taught me so much about love, resilience, and believing in your dreams. Long before it was a trend, she was manifesting the life she wanted. She inspired me not just as a mother, but as a human being.

She was my safe place, my constant, my heart. There is no part of me that isn’t shaped by her love. I will miss her laugh, her voice, her everything… but I will carry her with me, always.

Thank you, Mom, for every sacrifice, every hug, every moment. You were, and will always be, my forever home.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

One of my favorite outfits of the season, bold, playful, and full of character.
Wearing my go-to Balmain lipstick heels, a statement brooch, and this striking trompe l’oeil dress with a face motif. Fashion meets illusion and I’m here for it 💋

As worn in Episode 94 of MY STYLE ROCKS Season 2.

My look: Printed jacquard-knit mini dress, B-Buzz Dynasty Make Up tote bag, lipstick brooch, and 95mm Lipstick pumps, all by Balmain, gold-tone, enamel and faux pearl clip earrings by Saint Laurent, and hair clip by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / @whbeyaz
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There’s something dangerously luxurious about slipping into a fabric that does all the talking. Today’s look? Tailored, fluid, unapologetically refined. A shirt and trousers that don’t cling, they glide. That don’t shout, they suggest quiet confidence.

Why choose this fabric? Because it doesn’t wrinkle under pressure – and neither do I.
Light as air, smooth as confidence, and cool enough to keep up with a busy schedule (or a graceful exit). Perfect for days when you want to feel composed on the outside, even if your inbox says otherwise.

Style should feel good. This one feels incredible.

My look: Tallow silk shirt, and matching Tallow relaxed pants, both by Zimmermann, Cassette medium padded intrecciato leather shoulder bag in porridge, and Intrecciato rectangular sunglasses in green/brown, both by Bottega Veneta, deep gold Rockstud metallic flat sandals by Valentino, 18-karat gold, sapphire and diamond necklace by Suzanne Kalan, and gold necklace with charms by Foundrae.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Anouk Bauknecht
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