Sandra‘s Closet

Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel, located in the heart of the Eternal City, is collaborating with Prada this festive season for a jointly designed Christmas tree that stands radiantly in Hotel de Russie’s Valadier square.

A grid of white LED triangles on an octagonal base of luminous logos makes up the nearly 5-metre-high tree, culminating in a shining Prada triangle. The avant-garde polygonal structure inspired by the iconic geometry of Prada gives a contemporary feel to the spectacular staircase that leads into the historic monumental garden. The collaboration between Hotel de Russie and Prada is a symbol of style and modernity that represents a tribute to the excellence of «Made in Italy».

To complete the Hotel de Russie’s Christmas decor, the hotel’s time-honored tradition of festive decorations welcomes guests as they step into the lobby. Co-founder and creative director of Sebastian Flowers Italy, Frank uit het Broek, has created a setting which features an interplay of red, gold and green along with lights, sparkling details and symbolic ornaments that include carousels, sweets, red ribbons and Father Christmas.

The Hotel de Russie Festive Season:
Christmas Eve Dinner (Saturday 24th December)
Christmas Brunch (Sunday 25th December)
New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner ( Saturday 31st December)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hotel de Russie
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For F/W 2022 Dolce & Gabbana were challenging the dress codes for the metaverse. The outcome? Superheroine proportions in vibrant colors, a new tailoring that focused on a triangle silhouette with extremely broad shoulders that signal power and confidence.

My look: Cropped wool-ponte blazer, and matching wrap-effect wool-blend ponte midi skirt, both by Dolce & Gabbana, lace bralette, lace leggings and chain and leather waist belt, all by CHANEL, Medusa Aevitas embellished satin platform pumps by Versace, and graffiti classic city tote bag by Balenciaga, leather, faux pearl and crystal choker, and silver-tone, crystal and faux pearl clip earrings, both by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
The photos were taken in front of the Dolder Grand in Zurich.
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True luxury should last forever … Personally speaking, being able to show your true authentic self is the highest form of luxury for me. Since an early age, I have followed that motto and I have always believed in investing into things to treasure for decades to come. Quality over quantity is the key. Luxury, like happiness, is the blurry notion of something good that happens. Everything you see on SANDRA’S CLOSET is part of this journey.

When it comes to perfumery, I am a huge fan of KILIAN PARIS. Twisting traditional French luxury with his own audacious take, Kilian Hennessy has created his contemporary vision of perfumery. With long-lasting accords that recall luxury fragrances of former eras, the House is uncompromising when it comes to the quality of the ingredients.

On top, Kilian Hennessy established a practice in tune with our times: a favorite perfume is bought only once and refilled for life.

With sustainability in mind, insisting on well-crafted design with timeless style, a KILIAN Paris flacon is perpetually refillable, making it an everlasting collector’s piece. Styled after elegant, sophisticated barware, they are beautiful scented objects of desire to last a lifetime. To the brand’s Founder, the words ‘disposable’ and ‘luxury’ are incommensurable. Luxury should live with us and go beyond us, like an object our great-grandchildren might find and cherish as part of their heritage.

«To me, a true luxury product must have in its DNA the capacity to be passed on from generation to generation. True luxury should last forever!» – Kilian Hennessy

HOW TO REFILL YOUR FLACON

1. Unscrew the cap and carefully remove the atomizer from the original Kilian Paris perfume bottle.

2. Turn upside down the refill and insert its end into the cavity of the original perfume bottle.

3. Rotate the refill bottle clockwise until the liquid starts fillin up the original perfume bottle.

4. Rotate the refill bottle counterclockwise to extract it from the perfume bottle cavity.

5. Tighten the original perfume bottle with the original cap.

While less waste and a lighter carbon imprint are the result of doing things a little bit differently from the start, KILIAN Paris understands that the gesture is small relative to what remains to be done and the future evolutions of the beauty industry in view. Sustainability, especially in the context of KILIAN Paris’s unique approach to packaging already in place, is an area where the brand seeks constant self-revision and improvement.

A KILIAN Paris perfume addiction is declared once and refillable always, making the brand an «eco-luxury» native, a small but significant gesture in leading luxury back to its lasting nature.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Sanjeev Velmurugan
The photos were taken at the KILIAN PARIS counter at Jelmoli Zurich.
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Today, I would like to introduce you to Gucci Après-Ski – a selection of pieces envisioned for mountain leisure and beyond. Drawing from the easygoing allure of winter getaways, the offering expands upon the House’s vision of a travel-minded lifestyle while continuing the strand of surprise that runs through its collections.

Gucci Après-Ski encompasses the duality of sportier and refined aesthetics often seen off- piste, showcased in an assortment of skiwear-inspired coordinated sets, updated iterations of signature handbag lines including the Gucci Horsebit 1955, Gucci Diana, and GG Marmont, lug-soled boots inspired by cold-weather footwear, and ski mask silhouettes from Gucci Eyewear among other styles.

The lineup also introduces a special preview of ready-to-wear and accessories from a forthcoming chapter of adidas x Gucci as well as a set of aluminum hard-sided trolleys, created in collaboration with the Italian luxury luggage maker FPM Milano, in a continuation of the House’s Gucci Valigeria travel narrative.

The Gucci Après-Ski selection is captured through stills by Mark Peckmezian and a film by Akinola Davies Jr. in a new campaign that follows a cast of characters as they embark on an alpine escape. The friends unwind against the backdrop of scenic peaks and charming chalets within a retro-tinged film and imagery that embody the cozy conviviality of the offering.

Gucci Après-Ski will be available in Gucci boutiques, as well as on gucci.com, with special Pop-Ups in Courmayeur, Cortina, Courchevel, Verbier, and Kitzbühel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci #GucciApresSki
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Campaign Credits: Art Director: Christopher Simmonds – Photographer: Mark Peckmezian – Director: Akinola Davies Jr – Make up: Daniel Sallstrom – Hair: Shiori Takahashi

When I saw the teddy dress on the F/W 2022 runway, I knew immediately this piece needs a place in my closet. Cozy, comfy, yet stylish and glamorous, it is the perfect choice when it comes to a black tie winter gala, or when you want to attend an outdoor event in style.

My look: Teddy Bear Icon camel hair-blend coat, Mito camel hair maxi dress, Tannas bag, and Hoopyt headband, all by Max Mara, Iriza 100 patent-leather pumps by Christian Louboutin, necklace and silver-tone, crystal and faux pearl clip earrings, both by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
The photos were taken in front of the Dolder Grand in Zurich.
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The Barbour for Chloé capsule – the first luxury Maison to collaborate with the British heritage brand – spans ready-to-wear, bags, shoes and accessories.

This new collection combines the distinguished history of both brands to create a range that is contemporary, practical and stylish. Using Barbour’s tradition and heritage and the elegant finesse for which Chloé is renowned, this capsule celebrates free-spirited femininity and sophisticated comfort with the Dani and Dustyn waxed jackets, inspired by the brand’s classic silhouettes and Chloé’s iconic frilled jackets.

TO SHOP THE BARBOUR FOR CHLOÉ CAPSULE COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chloé
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For F/W 2022, British designer Ian Griffiths, who joined Max Mara in 1987, seeked inspiration after seeing the major retrospective of the work of Sophie Taeuber-Arp at the Tate Modern in London. She was not only an artist, but also an architect, a dancer and a designer at the same time. During the turbulent early decades of the twentieth century, she met at Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich, with fellow artists of the avant-garde including Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Giorgio de Chirico, Max Ernst and Guillaume Apollinaire night after night. Their performances, publications, recitals and readings produced an astonishing new aesthetic: Dada, a call for peace corresponding with the outbreak of World War I, which resonates with the times we are living in now.

Max Mara F/W 22

From the beginning, Max Mara’s ethos has been to turn ideas into garments that women will not only desire but want to live in: an all-round wardrobe for the modern, stylish yet elegant strong woman. Always respecting the philosophy and iconic elements of the brand, the colour camel, for example, Ian Griffiths is constantly looking for styles that show self-expression. Whimsy was the desired effect of the teddy bear material for F/W 2022, which the designer cut not just into oversized enveloping coats, but also full skirts both short and long, dresses and even sweatpants.

Personally speaking, I was immediately drawn to the Mito camel hair maxi dress, «the teddy dress». This long dress comes with fitted sleeveless bodice in double pure camel fabric, with a slightly low waist. The wide skirt is made of pure camel teddy fabric, with slant pockets on the sides. It is lined with monogram fabric and comes with a concealed back zip fastening. For me, a must-have for my museum. Stay tuned to see me wearing it very soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Max Mara and © Sandra Bauknecht
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The Bavarian fragrance house LENGLING MUNICH, launched by Ursula and Christian Lengling in 2014, presents a new perfume with the catching name WHAT ABOUT ME. After the opening of their first flagship store in the heart of Munich at Frauenplatz 10 this year, the founding couple is once again focusing on the creation of a unisex luxurious perfume full of exciting contrasts. Inspiration for the intense and sensual unisex scent is neither the past nor the future, but what really counts: your own life now, the preciousness of the moment and the awareness of transience.

«We defy all odds and celebrate vibrancy with powerfully fruity ume notes and a fresh gin accord. At the same time, we surrender to our hidden longings with subtle melancholy… A very intimate perfume – self-confident and mysterious.»
Ursula Lengling, Creative Director.

LENG-Note: Joy of Life – Ume, Juniper, Pepper, Bergamot, Tangerine
LING-Note: Desires – Sandalwood, Iso E Super, Geranium, Patchouli, Musk

WHAT ABOUT ME is available as perfume in the end of November 2022 for CHF 245.00 for 50ml in selected stores, such as Perfumery Osswald in Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Lengling Munich
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Next-level protection meets functional art, the show-stopping Bea Bongiasca x WOLF Atlas Safe features four watch winders and customized storage for every piece in your collection, all in eye-popping color combinations and kaleidoscopic patterns. Forged in American steel, UL tested and certified for burglary and fire, the Atlas is an impenetrable fortress.

In 2013, Bea Bongiasca founded her eponymous brand the same year she graduated from the Jewellery Design course at Central Saint Martins. Her unique creations are akin to art and every style is handmade in Italy. Bea’s focus is on jewellery as an art form, a concept that is pivotal to her design process. The same concept she applied on the safe. A world-class choice to keep your jewelry and valuables safe while being a great addition to your interior design.

More details and product specification and Installation and logistics available upon request. Please contact .

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
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This was the outfit that I wore to the MAC Bubbles and Bows Party at Kraftwerk in Zurich. The Valentino Pink PP collection is one of my favorites off all time and it was the perfect match for the theme of the night. Time to glam up!

And by the way this is not my last all pink look… stay tuned.

My look: Silk-moiré mini shirt dress, silk-moiré shorts, bow-detailed wool and silk-blend crepe bralette, wool-blend cape, One Stud mini leather shoulder bag, stretch-knit tights, VLogo signature earrings, and Discobox 180mm platform pumps, all by Valentino.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!