Sandra‘s Closet

My flight to Zurich is canceled tonight, so I get to enjoy one more evening in Boston. Against the city’s skyline in the golden sun, I’m wearing a seductive yet cool look: denim with lace cut-outs at the legs, paired with a matching lace top. A clutch with New York’s skyline adds a playful twist across borders.

Fashion always comes full circle, and brands from the ’90s and 2000s, think Blumarine, are experiencing a powerful revival. Today, I’m celebrating that spirit in my own way.

My Look: Floral Chantilly lace top, and lace-trimmed low-rise wide-leg jeans, both by Blumarine, Carmella NYC Skyline beaded clutch by Staud, embellished leather necklace by Alessandra Rich, sunglasses by CHANEL, and Jodie suede platform sandals by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Anouk Bauknecht
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While I am spending time in Boston, I wanted to share a few memories from Seoul, South Korea. The city itself feels like a living artwork, especially during Frieze, with its vibrant streets, dazzling lights, and unique rhythm creating an atmosphere that is as inspiring as any gallery.

For this moment, I wore an outfit that also appeared on My Style Rocks. Sophisticated and stylish, it blended seamlessly into the dynamic backdrop of Seoul. Fashion, like the city itself, becomes a language of expression, sometimes effortless, sometimes lost in translation, but always full of energy and meaning.

As worn in Episode 117 of MY STYLE ROCKS SEASON 2.

My look: Logo silk shirt, and matching logo wide-leg silk pants, both by Versace, Marble Silk Constance III mini bag, Ex-Libris Marble silk twilly, H Equipe earrings and matching H Equipe pendant necklace, all by Hermès, and leather platform pumps by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / @travel_addict_mia
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A tribute to joy & optimism
Veuve Clicquot and Simon Porte Jacquemus, French designer and founder of the eponymous brand, are pleased to unveil a poetic and joyful reinterpretation of La Grande Dame 2018, the Maison’s prestige cuvée, as a limited edition. Exuding sunlit optimism while honouring the beauty of artisanal tradition, a standout design is signed by Simon Porte Jacquemus as an artistic expression with a crafted touch.

The collaboration unites two creative universes illuminated by the joy that is deeply rooted in their respective identities. The emblematic Veuve Clicquot yellow, first introduced in 1877, radiates the colour of the sun, while Simon Porte Jacquemus remains eternally inspired by his solar Southern French roots.

Present throughout this collaboration, the iconic yellow of Veuve Clicquot plays a role both visually and symbolically. Here, Simon’s favourite colour illuminates the drape, like a ray of sun that rises from linen. Yellow, a symbol of joy, also blends with silver and natural tones, adding both warmth and modernity.

At the heart of the collaboration is a shared homage to women. The story of Madame Clicquot, an exceptional woman who boldly took the reins of the House in 1805 when women had few rights – and was named ‘la grande dame de la Champagne’ after her death -captivated Simon, whose mother is his forever muse and who conveys the strength and sensuality of women through his designs.

This limited edition is instantly recognisable for its handwritten logo and signature by Simon on an irregularly edged yellow label embossed with sun rays. The bottle is draped with white linen evoking the timeless elegance of family heirlooms that have been carefully washed, sun-dried, and starched with Marseille soap. This white linen is also a reference to an old Italian method used to keep bottles cool: a cloth is soaked in water and then wrapped around the flask to maintain its chill during hot summer days. The fluid calligraphy in yellow embroidery suggests a surreal, almost living presence, as though gently written by hand.

«La Grande Dame 2018 is the outcome of simple materials, meaningful gestures, and strong women’s stories, yet it is ultimately a celebration of – and for – optimistic and memorable moments,» adds Simon. «From the bright and joyful spirit to the excellence in savoir-faire, I admire and share the same values as Veuve Clicquot.»

Bridging the codes of couture and champagne, the gift box is sheathed in a «toile du Marais» fabric with sun rays and a ribbon alternating the Veuve Clicquot logo and Simon’s signature. It reflects Simon’s innate love of objects and his belief in the poetry of everyday life.

Masterpiece «Le Rafraichissoir», a fresh take on champagne service
A custom rafraîchissoir (cooler) extends his eye for sculpture into functional design. Simon revisits the At Home Champagne Ritual by breathing new life into the rafraîchissoir, an object rooted in the refined culture of the 18th century, which has left an indelible mark on the history of Maison Veuve Clicquot. True to his aesthetic, he infuses it, and more generally the idea of the traditional champagne service, with imaginative yet subtle details.

Inspired by Medici vases, the design composed of a champagne bucket and a glass cooler (which can be used together or separately), also incorporates personal references such as the rounded square handles and a fish trompe l’oeil that nods to Simon’s Mediterranean roots. Upholding the savoir-faire of metalsmithing, he collaborated on the design with Camille Orfèvre, recipient of the prestigious ‘Meilleur Ouvrier de France’ award, which recognizes exceptional craftsmanship. With an atelier in the Marais, the master artisan remains one of the last orfèvres (metalsmiths) in Paris and possesses an EPV (Company of Living Heritage) label. The silverware pieces are crafted from silver‑plated metal, meticulously worked for over 40 hours, spread across several non‑compressible weeks, using the traditional techniques of haute orfèvrerie. Each stage is performed by hand, and the creation of each piece involves up to seven distinct crafts: repousser, polisher, engraver, enameller, silver‑plater, cabinet‑maker, and silversmith. This reflects the precision and richness of the French silversmithing tradition.

A limited edition that is manufactured only on request, customizable and limited to 50 pieces. Le Rafraîchissoir also includes a glass set and a flight of exceptional vintages of La Grande Dame: 2018, 2012 in Magnum and 1990, Simon’s birth year, in Jeroboam. This selection of vintages and bottle formats offers a unique journey into how time and bottle size impact the aromatic evolution of wine.

«Beyond fashion, I have all these obsessions around design and contemporary art,» says Simon. «For Veuve Clicquot, I envisioned how people would feel the warmth, craft, and emotion in the appearance of this fine La Grande Dame 2018 vintage.»

La Grande Dame 2018, a deep and precise vintage
La Grande Dame 2018, 25th vintage of the cuvée launched in 1972, is the expression of a centuries-old craftsmanship and an unprecedented year, offering a maturity of grapes close to perfection.

For more than two centuries, Veuve Clicquot has cultivated ‘L’Art du Pinot Noir’ according to Madame Clicquot’s vision. Madame Clicquot used to describe this delicate grape variety as «the only one capable of producing wines of unmatched finesse and freshness.»

Under the expertise of the Cellar Master, La Grande Dame 2018 embodies a perfect mastery of aging in the service of the Art of Pinot Noir. It is a wine with a solaire soul. Its color is bright and luminous. Its deep and precise style is characterized by subtle finesse and freshness, expressed through its salinity.

La Grande Dame 2018 offers the sensation of an ideal balance, with perfect harmony and intensity for this vintage.

Julia and Emma Roberts at the launch party during New York Fashion Week (Photo: via Vogue)

A joyful celebration
To reveal this unprecedented collaboration, Veuve Clicquot and Simon Porte Jacquemus have conceived an unveiling during the opening of New York Fashion Week.

An advertising campaign, imagining a poetic and joyful journey between Reims, the historic city of Veuve Clicquot, and the South of France, home of Simon Porte Jacquemus, has been directed by Jonas Lindstroem with photos by Jack Davison.

Following the US launch on September 9th, the collaboration will then roll out in UK, Italy and France in September / October 2025.

Recommended selling price for la Grande Dame 2018 by Simon Porte Jacquemus: €220.
Le Rafraîchissoir: Price upon request.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Veuve Clicquot
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DRINK RESPONSIBLY!

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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