Sandra‘s Closet

We have a new hot spot in Zurich: the 80-seat restaurant LOUIS’ located on the lakeside in Wollishofen. The new place to eat  offers a unique view of the Zurich’s skyline along with a gastronomic experience at the highest level by chef Christoph Eisner and his team. Lars Krauss (pictured with me above at the opening last Thursday) has fulfilled his dream of owning a restaurant together with his business partner Verena Thalmann. Their passion for the project can be seen in every single detail.

The interior design is beautiful with white as the main color and four pastel shades that can be found in various furniture elements. The eye-catching chandeliers were specially made for the restaurant. A small but fine champagne bar and lounge area on the gallery invites guests to linger. In the summer months the urban feeling is complemented by a tastefully furnished terrace with 80 seats.

The seasonally changing menu offers special lunch dishes in the price range of CHF 25.00 to 30.00. Highlights are for example lukewarm beetroots with a mousse of smoked trout (CHF 17.00), fried duck liver with apple compote (CHF 21.00), roasted corn-fed chicken stuffed with lemon, ricotta and dried tomatoes, accompanied by vegetable couscous (CHF 39.00), sautéed fillet of sea bass with ratatouille (CHF 48.00) and chocolate mousse with milk rice (CHF 14.00).

Restaurant Louis’, Seestr. 457, 8038 Zurich-Wollishofen, Switzerland
Phone: + 41-44 221 15 15
Monday – Friday 10am – 12am
Saturday 6pm – 12am
Sunday closed

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Restaurant

Jeremy Scott had fun with Moschino signatures at his first outing for the brand. I am crazy for his witty pieces and had to have this quilted handbag, designed to look like a mini jacket. Finished with gold chain handles and multiple internal and external pockets, it’s sure to become a cult favorite among fashion lovers around the globe.

My look: College coat by Saint Laurent, printed satin-jersey mini dress and jacket quilted leather shoulder bag, both by Moschino, suede boots by Balmain, soft merino wool and cotton-blend tights by Falke, Mitza ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and Tank Américaine in yellow gold with diamonds by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

An oriental floral fragrance, CLINIQUE Beyond Rose is a scent that has been customized for a Middle Eastern and Gulf audience. Arabia’s past, presence and future meet in this sophisticated perfume spray that is both modern and complex. An exclusive blend of the most precious balms and resins handcrafted around a unique wild rose accord.

Rose as you have never known it… sheer layers that build into an intense experience, with hints of amber and a shock of pepper.

ORIENTAL FLORAL
Top note: White pepper, freesia flowers and mate leaves
Middle note: Damask rose, rose oil and osmanthus blossom
Base note: Amber, labdanum, styrax and benzoin

Available now in Switzerland at Globus Geneva, Manor Geneva, Manor Lugano, Jelmoli Zurich and Manor Zurich for CHF 140.00 (100ml).
TO SHOP CLINIQUE BEYOND ROSE ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Clinique, © Gregoire Mahler

At the Alexander Wang x H&M launch event last week in NYC, there was a huge pop-up store where we could buy the collection first hand before it will hit the stores worldwide on November 6, 2014. The photos of the night will be coming up shortly.

Alexander Wang‘s inspiration was sportswear that “could be translated to things you can use in other events or situations. That idea of sports at night came into my head.” This was the outfit I got myself at the pop-up store and I was curious to try its functionality right after I landed at my private yoga class. The pieces have absolutely convinced me, the breathable fabrics have great quality and deliver what they promise. I recommend getting your shopping list ready before hand as those items will be flying off the shelves.

My look: Breathable top and pants, beanie with logo, water bottle, towel and key chain with mini boxing gloves, all by Alexander Wang x H&M.

If you are looking for a great yoga class in Zurich, try the Iyengar Yoga Center. Maya & Vasili Vlachos (pictured here with me) are the best ones in town. I have been training with them for many years.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Sad news not only for the fashion world! OSCAR DE LA RENTA, the famous fashion designer, died yesterday on October 20, 2014 at his home in Kent, Connecticut at the age of 82, surrounded by family and friends and “more than a few dogs,” according to a statement signed by two of his company’s executives, stepdaughter Eliza Reed Bolen and her husband, Alex Bolen. De la Renta gave up the title of chief executive of his company in 2004, handing over business duties to the two of them, but remained active on the design end, continuing to show his collections during New York Fashion Week.

His death comes one week after it was announced that former Nina Ricci designer Peter Copping had been appointed as creative director of the Oscar de la Renta label. De la Renta is survived by an adopted son, Moises, a designer at the company.

The fashion designer after his show at New York Fashion Week on September 9 with Karlie Kloss (left) and Daria Strokous (right).

He had been diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and said at that time, “The only realities in life are that you are born, and that you die. We always think we are going to live forever. The dying aspect we will never accept. The one thing about having this kind of warning is how you appreciate every single day of life.”

Most recently, Amal Alamuddin wore a de la Renta-designed wedding dress when she married George Clooney. Here, he is pictured with the bride in a photo shoot for Vogue.

Fern Mallis, Executive Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) from 1991-2001, called him once “The Sultan of Suave.” De la Renta himself served as President of the CFDA from 1973 to 1976, and from 1986 to 1988. Óscar Arístides de la Renta Fiallo was born on July 22, 1932 in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Trained by Cristóbal Balenciaga and Antonio del Castillo, he became internationally known in the 1960s as one of the couturiers to dress Jacqueline Kennedy. The award-winning designer also worked for Lanvin and spearheaded the Pierre Balmain collection from 1993-2002, marking the first time an American designed for a French couture house. His eponymous fashion house is famous for its red carpet gowns, bridal and evening wear that has been loved by leading figures, from film stars to royalty, over decades until today.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta at this year’s Met Gala in NYC.

Stunningly beautiful: this gold bullion embroidered ball gown from the F/W 2013 runway.

First lady Laura Bush wore an icy blue gown by de la Renta to the 2005 inaugural ball and Hillary Clinton wore a gold de la Renta in 1997.

In 2006 Oscar de la Renta designed Tortuga Bay, a Leading Small Hotel of the World boutique hotel at PUNTACANA Resort and Club.

Oscar de la Renta was definitely one of the last great American couture fashion designers. If you want to own a piece of his last collection, I invite you to have a look HERE. I will absolutely get this two-tone silk-satin gown, as I love its cocoon-like cut.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Anne Leibovitz/Vogue, © Getty Images

The press conference for the Alexander Wang x H&M launch event took place on one of the probably rainiest of New York City mornings at the St. Patrick’s Youth Center, located close to Bleecker Street station. My hair was a mess due to the humidity but I was brave to take those pictures of my outfit before we went inside. As Alexander Wang is also at the helmet of Balenciaga, I chose an ensemble from his recent F/W 2014 collection.

Alexander Wang with me at the press conference last Thursday

My look: Tonal blue silk-blend oversized jacket and matching mini skirt with black jacquard pattern, both by Balenciaga, peplum-detail top and padlock mini studded leather shoulder bag, both by Alexander McQueen and crystal embellished biker boots by Miu Miu. Diamond bracelet and ring, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery, rose diamond necklace by Piaget.

The best scent to wear: Bleecker Street by Bond No. 9, a woodsy oriental gourmand that captures the spirit of the West Village with a blend of seductive, indulgently sweet notes.

Stay tuned for the photos from the party in the evening…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The epitome of bold luxury, M∙A∙C Ultimate combines an innovative design aesthetic with the sumptuous formulas of their Ultimate Lipstick and Sheer Mystery Powder. Ten new lip colours are utterly chic, while Sheer Mystery Powder smoothes onto skin in luminous hues that are barely there. Perfectly encased in modern geometric designs, this standout packaging features a sleek chrome finish in two cult-collectible accessories.

Ultimate Lipstick (CHF 36.00)

To Savour Light cool pink
Soft Pout Sheer pink peach with white pearl
Marque Soft light neutral pink
Ravishingly Rich Bright mid-tone orange
Femme-de-Luxe Bright pink
Catharina Fuchsia
Audacious Warm mid-tone red
Dangerously Chic Cool mid-tone red
Vogue en Violet Cool mid-tone violet
The Scene Deep berry

Sheer Mystery Powder (CHF 71.00)

Light Medium Pale ivory
Medium Plus Tan beige
Dark Secret Deep caramel
Deep Dark Caramelized brown

The collection will be available in Switzerland at Globus and as an online exclusive from January 2015.
(In other countries the launch will be earlier, in the US in December 2014.)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC

Leather is the way forward this season. Wherever you turn, there is the iconic luxe fabric. Skirts, vests or biker jackets; whatever wardrobe staple you’re after, make it leather – it’s the style for the A-List. If you are extra courageous, you’ll wear it head to toe.

My look: Biker jacket with fur details, leather biker vest, sheer blouse, studded leather skirt and Janis embellished suede ankle boots, all by Saint Laurent, fur bag by Fendi, diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery, Portofino midsize watch by IWC Schaffhausen.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Every addition to the Hermès universe has turned everyday rituals into pure acts of luxury, now the French Maison is turning its focus towards the bath time – a ritual as intense, intimate and precious as the act of applying perfume. Have a look at “Le Bain”, a new art of living through perfume.

At the heart of the new collection are the notes of the perfumes in the Colognes collection and the Garden Perfumes collection, but here they have new textures: creamy bubble bath, revitalising shampoo, hydrating balm, toning gel, soothing body milk and gentle soap…

Among the gestures, textures, colours and designs, choose your favourite for the day, for your mood. Change. Start again. Add some variety to the pleasure. Tomorrow is another bath, another perfume.

From left to right:
Collection Colognes, Shower Gel for Hair & Body, 200ml (CHF45.00)
Collection Parfums-Jardins, Shower Gel for the Body, 200ml (CHF 55.00)
Collection Parfums-Jardins, Body Lotion, 200ml (CHF 65.00)
Collection Colognes, Hand & Body Wash, 300ml (CHF 64.00)
Collection  Colognes, Moisturizing Balm for Face & Body, 200ml (CHF 69.00)
Collection Colognes & Parfums-Jardins, Set with 3 Soaps, 3 x 100g (CHF 75.00)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès and © Sandra Bauknecht

Before the show will be taking place tonight here in NYC, the Alexander Wang x H&M lookbook has been revealed. It’s all about sport with strappy scuba dresses, heavy grey sweatshirts, mesh-paneled leggings, cropped bra-tops, leather jogging pants (I LOVE), and must-have parkas.

For the accessory-minded, there are boxing gloves, beanies, and duffels in the mix, many items branded with a big fat WANG logo. Stay tuned and start planning your shopping list ahead of time. The collection for both, women and men, will hit the shelves worldwide on November 6, 2014. I am off to the press conference now… more to come soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M