Sandra‘s Closet

Besides their iconic little turquoise blue boxes, Tiffany & Co. have given us another reason to love them with the launch of a new microsite and mobile app called “What Makes Love True“, a triumphant social media splash!

It’s all about love and it plays to the hopeless romantic in all of us. This is one site you’ll want to book in a lot of time for browsing. There are heartwarming stories of true love from real-life couples, tales of happy-ever-after engagements, tips on maintaining a healthy but thrilling relationship, playlists for romantic moments and Tiffany’s most exotic picks for special locations in NYC (MET Roof Garden is a must). And if you aren’t already totally loved up with the site after all those features there’s also a a short film by Edward Burns all about love and couples in New York.

As for me, Tiffany’s site about love is love at first site!

LoL, Sandra

Fondazione Prada announces the opening of Ca’ Corner della Regina presenting the project of OMA/Rem Koolhaas for its permanent venue in Milan and a selection of works from the collection, kicking off a project that will promote cultural exhibitions, research and study of contemporary artistic languages and more.

The show, which opens on 1 June to coincide with the Biennale 2011 in Venice, will feature works from the Fondazione’s collection, including Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Anish Kapoor, Louise Bourgeois, Blinky Palermo, Bruce Nauman, Pino Pascali, Donald Judd, Francesco Vezzoli and many more.

Since its beginnings in 1993, the Fondazione Prada has left deep traces behind and today aspires to make more leading into the future. 
The exhibition “Fondazione Prada – Ca’ Corner della Regina” is curated by Germano Celant and definitely worth a visit.

LoL, Sandra

Exhibition details: Fondazione Prada – Ca’ Corner della Regina

Open days: Wednesday, June 1; Thursday, June 2; Friday, June 3, 2011


Public opening: Saturday, June 4 to Sunday October 2, 2011

While being in New York, one trend caught my eye: White nail polish.

Personally, I like the opaque version very much. It emphasizes the shape of the nails while looking cool and fresh. Moreover it suits every skin tone. The only downside is the maintenance as the white hue doesn’t last as long as other shades.

My favourite tone is Ecume by Nars, which is part of their recent summer collection.

Ecume is described as “An opaque white nail enamel that is at once vintage-inspired and avant-garde in sensibility.”

If you like to take it one step further, get inspired by stylesetter Alexa Chung. She painted little palm trees or tine hearts on her white fingertipps. I am loving it and you?

LoL, Sandra

Metallics have stayed being a huge trend this season. Gold in particular is everywhere and adorns especially handbags and shoes. Here are my two favourites for this summer. As sale has started almost everywhere, keep an eye on those two investment pieces.

Crafted with a sculptural peaked wedge heel, Yves Saint Laurent’s “Venice” gold leather sandals are sure to top every fashionista’s wish list. Complement the luxe hue with rich jewel tones and a statement ring to complete a glamorous evening look.

Add high-shine polish to your cocktail wardrobe with Gucci’s shimmering “Malika” metallic python leather clutch bag. Carry this trophy piece after dark to create this exciting new-season style. You might need nothing else…

LoL, Sandra

While being at the Baume et Mercier global press launch in the Hamptons, I met Jodi Belden who is the Associate Accessories Editor for Elle US. One thing is for sure, sophistication is in her DNA. Working for an American fashion magazine, it is no wonder that the beautiful blonde has created her own authentic, alluring personal style. She loves mostly pencil skirts and classy looks.

One evening, we went on a cruise together and Jodi mixed perfectly High Street fashion (lace dress by Topshop) with designer pieces (shoes by Prada and „Ipanema“ straw clutch by Anya Hindmarch), all from previous seasons. She especially paid attention to her accessories, kept her make-up simple and wore her hair in an effortless bun. I re-styled the look for you to shop. Just click on the little pictures.

Haven’t you always dreamt of looking like an editor? Here is your chance…

LoL, Sandra

Paige Reddinger (Forbes Life) and Jodi Belden (Elle US) with me in the middle.
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

For my Swiss and German based readers: The third 2011 Weltwoche Style Edition is available now featuring my vacation must-haves with travel and some very special hotel tips.
Get your issue now.

LoL, Sandra

Yesterday, during another Baume et Mercier workshop at the Montauk lighthouse, I met Kelly Killoren Bensimon, the ex-wife of French fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon. The beautiful brunette is a multitalent: A mother of two, an author, jewelry designer, former model, and former editor of Elle Accessories. She currently appears on Bravo The Real Housewives of New York City and is the editor at large for Hamptons Magazine, a free weekly with circulation of 40,000 to 50,000.

Kelly, who now resides in New York City and East Hampton, published the book „In the Spirit if The Hamptons“. As a connoisseur of Long Island’s East End, she gave us a wonderful insight of the lifestyle.

„The Hamptons are understated, a nice spoil to New York. Nouveau Riche is here definitely the wrong word. It is more of a relaxed and easy going beach community. It is a no hair and no make-up mentality. You can see many celebrities enjoying themselves, like Paul McCartney going sailing or Stella McCartney on the bike. Ralph Lauren drives his extensive vintage car collection around the area while Donna Karan raised her family here and brought a shop and a restaurant to Sag Harbour.

Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller even spent their honeymoon in the Hamptons. When it comes to partying, Puff Daddy’s legendary White Party is a must. A little revolution as Americans are not supposed to wear white before Memorial Day. The Hamptons are a magical place all through the year. In the winter months it is beautiful to bundle up and walk your dog on the beach. You can go horseback riding, enjoy indoor tennis and many more activities.

By the way, we call the Hamptons the Beach!“

– Kelly Killoren Bensimon

Kelly looked so pretty and sported the relaxed and casual Hampton style perfectly with her white cropped pants, the little tunic, the ballet flats and her beautiful new Baume et Mercier watch.
Like always, if you like the look, you can start shopping below.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The reason why I am in the Hamptons is the global press launch of Baume et Mercier’s newest addition to their watch family: The Hampton. Sandra’s Closet is one of the first ones to unveil this beautiful new creation.

Let me take you on a little trip to make you understand more about the idea behind the collection.

Baume et Mercier took inspiration from the Golden Twenties. It was the era of jazz, the emancipation of women like Marlene Dietrich and Louis Brooks and the spirit of the Great Gatsby. Most importantly, it was the beginning of leisure time. Recharging your batteries and the relaxed style of the Hamptons has transformed into a watch.

Alexandre Peraldi, Baume et Mercier’s Creative Director, had a myriad of models from the `20s, `30s and `40s to get inspired from.  The first Hampton collection had been launched in 1994 and today, it is celebrating its rebirth.

The new Hampton watch has a satine domed volume at 12 and 6 o`clock, an enhanced curve sapphire crystal and a curve case side at 3 and 9 o’ clock.

In different workshops, we learnt more about the design process which was very interesting. Below you can see some wax templates and first sketches.

Alexandre Peraldi got inspired by the Art Déco architecture that is emblematic for this period along with the amazing art community in the Hamptons. Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock were all part of this movement.
Below you can see the studio of the Pollock-Krasner house where one of the workshops took place.

Today, celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow, who is the brand’s ambassador, Stella McCartney, Cindy Sherman enjoy their vacation homes in Long Island’s happening East End.

For the straps, Baume et Mercier invented a new technology to achieve different levels of softness. The alligator cannot grow too big in order to have the perfect size of the skin’s pattern. The animals mostly come from Louisana and Florida.

The production of the sapphire glass takes 10-25 minutes per step.

The Hampton’s range for women comes with a quartz movement, the gentlemen’s watches with a mechanical one.

The prices are affordable, a key aspect for Baume et Mercier. The core collection for men for example is around CHF 3000, the emblematic pieces retail between CHF 7700 -13000.

For lunch we experienced a truly beautiful scenery. We went to the Kennedy house located directly at the beach where the advertising campaign was shot.

Even our pictures were taken and transformed into little pieces of art.

Italian photographer Francesco Carrozzini to the left with the beautiful Baldwin family that modeled for the campaign.

What a lovely day! Stay tuned for more to come and to see the final result of the new Hampton watch by Baume et Mercier.

LoL, Sandra

Greetings from the Hamptons! I arrived here yesterday after a very pleasant but long journey. Baume et Mercier, the well-known Swiss watchmaking company, invited me to experience and enjoy the seaside living in the Hamptons. During those three days, the new interpretation of the house’s famous Hamptons Collection will also be unveiled.

The claim is: Life is about moments. I am pretty sure that I will be able to share many of those with you in the next days. So please stay tuned for more to come.

Baume et Mercier sent me a booklet before the trip with all information needed that included also a very detailed list “What to bring” which I truly liked.

Last night, we started the experience with a lovely dinner at the Surfside Lodge in Montauk, NY. It is a place for surfers to hang out and is full of beautiful little details.

Here you can see me with my interpretation of the Hamptons style. I chose the maritime colour combination: White-blue-red and added some nautical stripes.

Blouse – Prada, Dress, Jacket and Shoes – Gucci, Bag, Earrings and Bracelet – Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

While Dior still hasn’t officially announced Galliano’s successor (and they won’t probably until September), the suspicion hardens that Ricardo Tisci, Givenchy’s Creative Director, will be the one. Since John Galliano’s unpleasant exit, Dior’s dresses have been stigmatised on the red carpet. In return, we have been spotting much more Givenchy lately. Might be a sign…

Liv Tyler, Mary-Kate Olsen and Alicia Keys wore Givenchy Haute Couture to the Met Gala in New York this month.

Naomi Campbell was a fringed beauty in an embroidered evening gown at the amfAR 2011 Fight Against Aids party in Cannes last Thursday. Photo: © PacificCoastNews

For the same gala, Courtney Love chose an absolutely spectacular Givenchy Couture gown with a plunging neckline and a sheer tulle-and-feather skirt.
Photo: © Francois Durand/Getty Images Europe

Beyoncé wore Givenchy for her video for her single Run The World (Girls)

As for me, Ricardo Tisci would be a great choice. I have been a big fan of his creations for a long time. He will surely infuse more gothic appeal to Dior but that doesn’t need to be bad, doesn’t it? And when Tisci leaves Givenchy, Haider Ackermann could succeed. I think I like that idea very much!

LoL, Sandra