Sandra‘s Closet

My avid readers know how much I adore Alessandra Rich‘s designs. Her gowns are feminine and sophisticated with an edgy and ironic slant, for me my favorites on the red carpet.

After the Italian born designer had officially launched her eponymous label with her S/S 2010 collection, she has fast become a name synonymous with defined glamour loved by celebrities around the globe. She works from a showroom in London’s Mount Street, where I visited her to get her insider scoop on the British metropole, and an atelier close to Venice. In everyone of her collections, she shows her unique skill for making the elaborate fabrics of lace, ruffles and this S/S 2015 season fringes appear modern and extremely special.

Your favourite city?
LONDON. It’s where I spend my best time.

Your favourite hotel?
CLARIDGE’S, because it’s a classic.
49 Brook Street, London W1K 4HR, +44 20 7629 8860

Your favourite restaurant?
SCOTT’S, I love their oysters.
20 Mount Street, London W1K 2HE, +44 20 7495 7309

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
CONNAUGHT BAR. Perfect for a drink with friends.
The Connaught, Carlos Place, London, W1K 2AL, +44 20 7499 7070

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE. It‘s an intense experience.
Bow St, London WC2E 9DD, +44 20 7240 1200

Your favourite park?
HYDE PARK. It’s just around the corner from my office.
+44 300 061 2000

Your favourite shop?
VIRGINIA ANTIQUES on Portland Road. This vintage and second hand clothing shop is a Pandora’s vase.
98 Portland Road, Holland Park, London W11 4LQ, +44 20 7727 9908

Your must-have accessory?
RED NAILS. I always wear Lollipop by Essie.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
Anything from LED ZEPPELIN or PINK FLOYD.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
WALLPAPER CITY GUIDE LONDON To have smart tips about the city.

Thank you, Alessandra, for sharing your insider scoop on London with us!

TO SHOP ALESSANDRA RICH, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Olivia Palermo in a fringed lace gown from Alessandra Rich‘s S/S 2015 collection.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © AP Images

After CC creams have already revolutionised the cosmetics market, alessandro International is now launching the first Colour & Care nail polish. The new all-in-one nail regime offers an extra dose of active ingredients to strengthen the nail structure. Thanks to its light coverage the individual skin colour will be illuminated. CC Polish Colour & Care is the new must-have for all those no-make-up-lovers who want an extra dose of care.

The colour palette offers four nude shades that harmonise well with all skin tones.

In summary, the CC Polish formula offers six advantages with just one application:
– A high dose of care thanks to a valuable cocktail of active ingredients
– A corrective concealing effect to cover ridges, marks and irregularities
– Natural coverage for a radiant nude look
– ‘5-free’, avoidance of ingredients that are harmful to health (formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), camphor, formaldehyde resin, toluol)
– Skin-optimising effect due to individual colour selection
– Long-term regeneration of nail structure when regime is used

What a clever idea, I like! The new CC polishes are available now for CHF 17.90 each. For store locations in Switzerland please visit www.alessandro.ch.

LoL, Sandra

Paris-born Francis Kurkdjian is revered as one of the world’s most talented perfumers; he worked behind the scenes for many years, creating fragrances for fashion houses such as Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Versace, Dior, and Jean Paul Gaultier. In 2009, he introduced his own fragrance house, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, and created an alluring collection of scents. The acclaimed perfumer draws inspiration from his hometown, the City of Light.

His newest creation «À la Rose» is a tribute to femininity, a declaration of love for all women captured in a fragrance. Queen of flowers, the rose knows no boundaries and has inspired those in the creative arts for centuries.

A rosy duo in one fragrance: Two varieties of rose have bestowed the radiance and richness of their petals on this Eau de parfum: two hundred and fifty Centifolia roses from Grasse (May Rose) in the form of an absolute produce a very floral base note with sweet honeyed and carnal accents. One hundred and fifty Damascena roses from Bulgaria in the form of an essential oil create a top note with a playful blend of pear and lychee.

If you think that this is one of those in-your-face kind of rose perfume, you are mistaken, it is light and delicate. It is close to skin, perfect for the summer.

FLORAL/WOODY

Top notes: Damascena rose from Bulgaria, bergamot from Calabria and orange from California
Heart notes: Violet and magnolia blossom
Base notes: Woody cedar, musk and Centifolia rose from Grasse

In Switzerland «À la Rose» Eau de Parfum 70 ml is available now for  CHF 218.00 at Perfumery Osswald in Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Maison Francis Kurkdjian

A simple truth is that I like summer much better than winter and that I still remember those warm days I had in December when I I flew to Mauritius and stayed at the new beautiful LUX* Belle Mare resort. Even that it was raining most of the time, I could still wear something light.

My look: White lace embroidered slip dress by Thakoon, Rodizio clutch by Mary Katrantzou, Alice leather sandals with pearls by Saint Laurent, Amulette necklace by Cartier, candy necklace by Chanel, Tiffany T bracelet in rose gold by Tiffany & Co. and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

Speaking of which, while you are reading this post, I am on my way to sunny Los Angeles…
stay tuned for more.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Happy Birthday to my baby, L’OFFICIEL Switzerland, and welcome to the big anniversary issue, our biggest one so far, filled with lots of S/S 2015 fashion, beauty, jewelry, travel and more! As my team and my humble self as editor-in-chief celebrate our first year on the market, we have prepared a truly super packed March Issue!

Also check out our second issue of HOMMES, with an exclusive interview with Carlos Leal – BOTH ISSUES OUT TOMORROW! By the way, our subscribers had it already today in their mail box, to subscribe, please click HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of L’Officiel Switzerland

Every year, I am curious which shade will be announced by global color authority Pantone as the official color of the year. For 2015, it is a soothing and comforting tone, which could be an inspiration for a balanced and more fulfilling life: MARSALA. Much like the fortified wine that gives it its name, this tasteful hue with its grounding red-brown roots embodies a satisfying richness and a sophisticated, natural earthiness.

A hearty yet stylish tone, the impactful, full-bodied qualities of Marsala make for an elegant, grounded statement color when used on its own or as a strong accent to many other colors. I like it extremely in combination with mint green. It’s time to fill your wardrobe with the new It-shade!

Leather bustier by Kiki de Montparnasse

Fringed suede trench coat by Valentino

Textured-leather travel wallet by Smythson

Marsala, a slightly muted wine shade. It’s much deeper and more winter-friendly than last year’s bright, showy purple, Radiant Orchid, which means it’s kind of perfect to start wearing right now. If you’re into it, here are a some great beauty products in the hue:

Marsala for Nails: Chanel‘s Le Vernis in “639 Exception“, CHF 35.00

Baume De Rose Nutri-Couleur – Bloom Berry by By Terry

Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks in 11 Prune Impertinente by Yves Saint Laurent

5-Colour Eyeshadow in 876 Trafalgar by Christian Dior

This post is available in German and French on the Marionnaud blog. Check it out – there are more interesting products available.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Pantone, Etsy, Valspar Reserve, pica4u.ru – Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

Rodial founder, Maria Hatzistefanis, is a full-on business woman. In 1999, the former editor, who grew up in Greece, saw the need in the market for a serious skincare range. Now, almost 16 years later, the company has grown into a worldwide beauty brand that has recently launched its first makeup line (in Switzerland exclusively available at Marionnaud from April). The charming brunette likes to recharge her batteries over the weekend in the English countryside.

Your favorite place to be?
We have a place at the COTSWOLDS, UK, an area of hills open countryside and historic villages north of Bath and west of Oxford, where we go at the weekend. It is my sanctuary where I can chill, do a lot of yoga and be close to nature.

Your favourite hotel?
THE FIVE ALLS. It looks like somebody’s house, very homely.
Filkins, Lechlade, Gloucestershire GL7 3JQ, +44 1367 860875

Your favourite restaurant?
The DAYLESFORD ORGANIC FARM. They serve all organic food. I love their superfood salad with bee pollen.
Daylesford near Kingham, Gloucestershire, GL56 0YG, +44 1608 731 700

Your favorite tea place?
PATISSERIE VALERIE– the best place for the most delicious scones.
4 Southgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2DH, +44 1452 301584
208 High Street, Cheltenham, Gloucs, GL50 3FA, +44 1242 513465

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
COTSWOLD WILDLIFE PARK – my kids just love it. They even have lions there.

Your favourite activity?
WALKING the dog and the kids. It is our time when we can be together without any distraction, when they tell me all about their week.

Your favourite shop?
BAMFORD BARN for luxurious cashmere blankets, it’s all about at-home luxury.
Daylesford near Kingham, Gloucestershire,  GL56 OYG, +44 1608 731713

Your must-have accessory?
HUNTER BOOTS, they look stylish and are a necessity for long walks.

Your beauty musts for the weekend?
The RODIAL GLAM BALM MULTI that I use as a nourishing mask, it’s the ultimate multi purpose product, GLAM BALM LIP and STEMCELL SUPER-FOOD HAND CREAM.

The favourite music while you are there?
Anything by DAVID GUETTA, very uplifting and cool sounds.

Your favorite book to read over the weekend?
GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn, it lets your mind travel away.

Thank you, Maria, for sharing your insider scoop on Cotswolds with us.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Maria Hatzistefanis, © Sandra Bauknecht, © Jeremie Romain, via Eatlittlebird.com

My dearest readers, here is a kind reminder for you that time is flying and you only have one week left to enter the amazing contest with Etihad and L’Officiel Switzerland: win the ultimate shopping experience in Abu Dhabi with me. You will get amazing gift vouchers for the most luxurious shops. Just tell us what your #EtihadEssential travel item is? Mine would definitely be my Victorinox trolley that I love to take on all my travels.

For all information how to enter, please click HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Etihad

Two weeks ago, the lovely Net-à-porter team contacted me and asked if I would like to join their #EmpoweredBy campaign that they are running this month. As you know, Net-à-porter is my favorite online shopping destination and of course I felt very honored to be part of it. It is all about celebrating women all around the world who empower us!

Great news is that you can join the #EmpoweredBy campaign that I shot in Klosters last week as well. Here are the instructions:

1. W for Women
Raise your arms above your head to create a natural W shape with your body. Just like I did.
2. Tell the world
Post your W on Instagram and say who you are #empoweredby.
3. Pass it on
Add friends to your post, asking them to do their own W and share who they are #empoweredby.

My look: Biker layered coat by Givenchy, studded cross sweatshirt and wide-brim studded rabbit-felt hat, both by Saint Laurent, stretch-leather skinny pants by Gucci, fur boots by Prada Sport and Kelly So Black bag by Hermès.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Somewhere over the rainbow, there is my Valentine and it’s a Valentino! Just when I thought the Rockstud collection couldn’t get any more fabulous, I spotted those rainbow stripes that are absolutely divine. It’s amazing how even after several years, the Valentino Rockstud is still going strong and gets better and better each season. Here is my wish list on Valentine’s Day (in case anybody wants to gift me, I love number 6)!

1 The Rockstud printed leather clutch
2 The Rockstud printed leather shoulder bag
3 Printed leather and Plexiglas® sandals
4 1973 Rockstud printed leather point-toe flats
5 Nubuck, straw and canvas wedge sandals
6 Va Va Voom printed leather shoulder bag

7 Plexiglas® cuff

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Valentino