Sandra‘s Closet

Last Thursday felt like the perfect start to Art Weekend in Zurich. With Art Basel about to begin, the city was already buzzing with collectors, artists, curators, and friends arriving from all over the world. There was a special energy in the air, the kind that only comes once a year when the art world gathers in Switzerland.

With General Manager Mandarin Oriental Savoy Dominik G. Reiner and German Artist Paul Schrader

My evening started at the Mandarin Oriental Savoy Zurich, where I attended an intimate reception for German artist Paul Schrader, whose works are currently on display throughout the hotel. I was particularly impressed by how naturally his pieces fit into the elegant surroundings of the Savoy.

His work has a quiet confidence that immediately draws you in without demanding attention. Just as enjoyable as the exhibition was meeting Paul himself, warm, approachable, and refreshingly down-to-earth.

With Christoph Niemann at Tao’s

Later, I joined Galerie Gmurzynska for a dinner at Tao’s celebrating the opening of Christoph Niemann’s exhibition. Niemann is one of those rare artists whose work manages to be clever, playful, and sophisticated at the same time. His ability to transform everyday ideas into visual stories has earned him international recognition, and the exhibition is a wonderful reflection of that creativity.

What made the evening truly special, however, were the people. The conversations flowed effortlessly, old friendships were renewed, new connections were made, and there was a shared excitement for the week ahead.

Tao’s Zurich

A wonderful evening, a beautiful reminder of why Zurich becomes such a captivating place every June, and the perfect beginning to what promises to be an inspiring Art Basel week.

LoL, Sandra

With wonderful Galerist Isabelle Bscher of Galerie Gmurzynska

Friends for a long time: Marco Diemer 

Handbag designer Peter Nitz with whom I hosted an event for Patek Philippe a few years ago.

Photos: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Savoy and © Sandra Bauknecht
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Now in its 24th edition, Art in the Park returns to the iconic grounds of Baur au Lac this summer with a compelling solo presentation by Norwegian artist Ida Ekblad. Initiated and curated by sixth-generation owner Gigi Kracht, the annual sculpture exhibition has long been a fixture of the Zurich cultural calendar and a highly anticipated prelude to Art Basel.

Having attended many editions over the years, this is one of those Zurich summer highlights I return to time and again, and if you have been following Sandra’s Closet for a while, you will no doubt have seen my coverage before. What Gigi Kracht creates here each year is simply remarkable.

With Gigi Kracht at a previous Art in the Park event.

Running from June 15 to July 21, 2026, and opening in parallel with Zurich Art Weekend, this year’s edition is realised in collaboration with Zurich gallery Karma International. Ekblad, whose work is held in collections including the Kunsthaus Zürich, Centre Pompidou and MOCA Los Angeles, brings a new body of work that extends her sculptural and painterly practice into both the park and the hotel’s interior salons.

Book of Boredom by Ida Ekblad

Two monumental bronze sculptures, THE JINXED PORTRAIT (2026) and BOOK OF BOREDOM (2022), will anchor the outdoor presentation, their hand-painted surfaces entering into dialogue with the park’s remarkable tree canopy.

Joining them is the white bronze bench NATTSYN FOR DAGSYN (2022), adorned with a rose motif and previously shown at the Kunsthaus Zürich. A particular highlight is the world premiere of Ekblad’s Kraken Möbel series, a group of wooden objects that blur the boundary between sculpture and design, inviting visitors to interact with the space in entirely new ways.

Ida Ekblad

Indoors, a new series of paintings and works on paper continues Ekblad’s signature language of gestural abstraction, layered colour and poetic text. The exhibition is free for everyone to visit.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Baur au Lac and Kistefos-Museum, © Sandra Bauknecht
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To celebrate the 30th anniversary of its iconic Twingo, Renault has partnered with internationally renowned designer and contemporary artist Sabine Marcelis to reimagine this iconic model, unveiling an artistic vision of the original Twingo launched in 1993.

Sabine Marcelis, the latest winner of the ELLE DECO International Designer of the Year Award, has established her as one of the world’s most influential designers. Her impressive art installations have captivated international audiences, from design and art lovers at Art Basel to visitors to museums around the world.

Renault has commissioned Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis, that is known for her work with pure, elegant forms, her particular affinity with light, and her mastery of technologies that push the limits of what’s possible when it comes to making better use of materials, to revisit the iconic Twingo. The project began with a detailed exploration of the Twingo, returning to its most recognizable features: its iconic single-volume silhouette, its characteristic headlights, its modular interior with its incredible sense of space and luminosity.

This was followed by meticulous work on the play of transparency and the interplay between color and materials. The result is striking: a Twingo like no other, yet faithful to the very essence of the iconic model, 30 years after its creation.

«The collaboration with Renault began with an invitation to rethink Twingo as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations. It was a fantastic opportunity, and a new field of exploration for me, as I’d never designed a car before. Working on such an iconic and popular car was a real challenge, especially given the scale of the project. It was an opportunity to create something truly innovative and memorable,» says Sabine Marcelis.

This collaboration between Renault and Sabine Marcelis is a true testimony to the values of artistic and creative freedom. Renault’s commitment to electric cars – the concept has been retrofitted with an electric motor – and Sabine Marcelis’ innovative approach to materials and design create the perfect synergy to celebrate the anniversary of the iconic Twingo, revealing the car in a whole new light. Unique and unexpected, this concept is the meeting of the emblematic Twingo and the designer’s artistic vision, offering a refined reinterpretation of the vehicle.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Renault
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Tiffany & Co. has opened its first Miami holiday pop up coinciding with this year’s Art Basel. Steps away from Tiffany & Co.’s permanent Miami Design District store, the House expands on its presence and influence in South Florida with its first café and dedicated holiday pop-up store in Miami. Inspired by Tiffany’s holiday campaign featuring archival designs from the legendary artist, Andy Warhol, who worked with the brand from 1956-1962, the pop up celebrates Warhol with its bright neon accents, intentional paint spills and acrylic framed art.

A quote from Warhol is prominently displayed above the brand’s coveted high jewelry stating: «More than anything people just want stars.»

The Tiffany Co. x Andy Warhol holiday campaign film is starring Hailey Bieber and is a tribute to the artist’s legendary Factory and love for the holidays.

The façade also creates a striking backdrop for the limited-run holiday pop-up store that features a curated assortment of House’s most coveted gold and radiant diamond jewelry from collections like Tiffany T, HardWear, Elsa Peretti, Jean Schlumberger and the jeweler’s newest icon: Tiffany Lock. As the House’s latest collection— created for all genders—Tiffany Lock is a bold visual statement about our personal bonds with others and how these bonds inform who we are.

The colorful Tiffany & Co. Café is offering a selective menu of light meals, coffee, tea and desserts; a perfect place to relax and enjoy Miami Design District’s latest jewel. No reservations required; walk-ins are welcome.

The Tiffany & Co. holiday pop up and café in the Miami Design District, located at 160 Northeast 40th Street, will remain open from now through January 31, 2023.
Open Monday through Sunday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Phone Number: +1.305.428.1390

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Tiffany & Co. @tiffanyandco @kaiandsunny
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Dame Zaha Hadid passed away in Miami on March 31, 2016 at the age of 65. On the 5th anniversary of her death, Galerie Gmurzynska presents an immersive homage to the visionary architect.

The Great Utopia, The Russian and Soviet Avant-Garde, 1915, 1932, 1992, © Galerie Gmurzynska

The shared interests between the gallery and Zaha Hadid for the Russian avant-garde fortuitously crossed paths in 1992 at the monumental exhibition «The Great Utopia,» at the Guggenheim Museum for which Zaha Hadid designed the rotunda – the first architect tasked with reimagining the Frank Lloyd Wright architectural icon. From early in her career, her peerless aesthetic was deeply inspired by Kazimir Malevich and the Suprematists, on whom she prepared her graduation thesis in 1976.

Zaha Hadid and Suprematism installation at Galerie Gmurzynska in 2010 (click here for a previous post).

The gallery’s active collaboration with Zaha Hadid from 2010 until her death began with the idea to again combine her knowledge of the Russian avant-garde with her architectural practice, which had advanced deeper since the Guggenheim exhibition. Thus, in 2010, the exhibition «Zaha Hadid and Suprematism» was held at Galerie Gmurzynska’s headquarters on Paradeplatz in Zurich. The exhibition and book, published together with Hatje Cantz, became a global event. This first collaboration with Zaha was followed by many other exhibition projects, including at Art Basel.

With Zaha Hadid in 2012 during a dinner at Art Basel when she signed the book for me (for the post click here). 

On the occasion of the important Malevich retrospective held in 2014 at Tate London the star architect was asked to take part in a long documentary about Malevich with the BBC. Part of this documentary included an interview with Galerie Gmurzynska CEO Mathias Rastorfer and Zaha Hadid about Malevich and the nature of architecture and art.

The final project completely planned by Zaha Hadid was again to show the dramatic development of her architecture in the context of another foundational modern master: Kurt Schwitters. The exhibition architecture was planned entirely by Hadid, and the selection of works by Schwitters was as well rigorously curated by her. Hadid unfortunately died before the opening of the show and left behind an architectural monument remaining unchanged in the Galerie Gmurzynska on Paradeplatz, open to the public.

The latest exhibition at Galerie Gmurzynska titled «Abstracting The Landscape» was conceived and created with the same team with whom the gallery planned and executed all Zaha Hadid exhibitions since 2010. It has been a fruitful and euphoric collaboration for all involved, for which Galerie Gmurzynska expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the entire Zaha Hadid design and archive team. In this spirit of long-term collaboration and the highest respect for her perpetual vision, historical projects with models and drawings, as well as sculptural objects realized since her passing have been individually selected to be integrated into a custom floor design displaying Hadid’s best traits. The exhibition also features site-specific objects, as well as never-before exhibited designs. It will be open until July 31, 2021.

I was able to shoot different looks inside the exhibition which presented me with an amazing backdrop. Stay tuned for all the posts coming up soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Galerie Gmurzynska, © David Biedert Photography

Last week, Art Basel took place, that brings the international artworld together, with leading galleries  from all over showing the works of over 4,000 modern and contemporary artists. Creating an exciting, region-wide art week, Art Basel is one of three shows – others are taking place in Hong Kong, and Miami Beach. I went there for the First Choice Preview on Tuesday, that you can only visit by invitation only, wearing one of my favorite outfits of the season.

My look: Lace-trimmed printed silk-twill bustier top, printed stretch-jersey leggings, and gold-tone and printed silk-twill earrings, all by Versace, black oversized tuxedo jacket by Stella McCartney, classic Paris D’Orsay pumps with bow and metallic-trimmed leather clutch, both by Saint Laurent, Mitza ring by Dior Fine Jewellery, and Tonda 1950 Galaxy by Parmigiani Fleurier.

Inside the fair, there is also the Collectors Lounge, where the event’s main sponsors have their dedicated areas and which you can only visit by invitation. As guest of UBS, I enjoyed my time at the UBS Lounge that was decorated by Costa Rican artist Federico Herrero. Later, I went for a glass of champagne at the Ruinart Lounge that showed the artworks of Brazilian artist Vik Muniz. Luxury beauty brand La Prairie partnered with three up-and-coming Swiss female artists to interpret the beauty, the mystery and the enduring timelessness of the gaze, resulting in the creation of three photographic installations.

I got asked what my favorite artwork is and I replied: «I love fashion – for me that is wearing art on my body». But of course, there were many amazing pieces to be discovered. Enjoy!

A big thank you to my hosts Gabriel Cohen, UBS Wealth Management, and Natascha Lander, UBS Chief Investment Office, Wealth Management.

I hope you like my look and the little excursion into the art world…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I had a crazy afternoon, driving back from Como to Zurich where I had literally fifteen minutes to get changed. Then I jumped in the next limousine to go to Basel to attend an exclusive gastronomic experience hosted by Audemars Piguet during Art Basel.

The famous watch manufacturer had invited the Roca Brothers, Joan (head chef), Josep (sommelier) and Jordi (in charge of the desserts), from Spain to prepare a very special dinner.

Their famous restaurant El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Catalonia, Spain which opened in 1986 was first located next to their parent’s restaurant Can Roca, but moved to its current purpose built building in 2007. It holds three Michelin stars and has been named the best restaurant in the world by the magazine Restaurant in 2013, after having been ranked second in 2011 and 2012.

The cuisine served by the restaurant is traditional Catalan, but with an interesting twist. Personally speaking, I find their dishes based on perfumes, and with unusual presentations, the most captivating.

They have created menus based on fragrances such as Calvin Klein’s Eternity or Carolina Herrera. This has resulted in a perfume being released by the restaurant itself, called Nuvol de Ilimona, which we were able to smell last night during the first dessert served, a lemon distillation. Smelling and tasting the food at the same time is an orgastic explosion.

CEO Audemars Piguet François-Henry Bennahmias with me last night

Audemars Piguet spoilt us last night with this feast for the senses! Thanks a lot for this amazing invitation! Below you can see the yummy menu…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Photo Roca Brothers: Nacho Alegre for WSJ. Magazine

We all know that Karl Lagerfeld is a genius and he has proved it once more with his S/S 2014 runway show for Chanel for which he had transformed the Grand Palais into a gigantic white-walled hangar of paintings and sculptures, very Art Basel-like. All seventy-five artworks that served as the backdrop for this artsy collection were made by Lagerfeld himself.

On the runway, he showed amazing backpacks, toughened with a spray-painted version of the iconic logo and colorful chains that will surely fly off the shelves.

Ladies, get yourselves on the wait lists now (I am already on). Those backpacks are the next season’s must-have and in the meantime check out the ones by MCM.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

During this year’s Art Basel, Annette Weber (Instyle), Sue Giers (Closed) & Jenny Falckenberg (Unique Art Concepts) invited me for a very special dining experience to Pret A Diner, a pop-up restaurant at the Elizabethan Church in Basel. Located in the heart of the Swiss city, this neo-Gothic church was transformed into a space of sensory excellence and we enjoyed the creations of Michelin-starred chef Tim Raue. The location reminded me a lot of the amazing dinner I had with Luisaviaroma at a church in Florence a year ago.

German magazine Bunte wrote about the evening and called me a style icon, thanks for that! If you like my look, please click here for the previous post with all the details.

Lovely Sue Giers (Closed) with me

The amazing location at the Elizabethan church

Old buddies: Sanjiv Singh (Lacoste), Fabien Mollet-Viéville (MelonDistrict) and my humble self.

A warm hug from Jenny Falckenberg

My German peers: Thorleif Griess-Nega (Instyle Men) and Inka Marnette (Instyle, Bunte)

Me with EVA & ADELE who claim to be a living artwork.

Speaking of which, I would like to show my two favourite masterpieces spotted at this year’s Art Basel: Sylvie Fleurie‘s “Kelly Bag” and Jani Leinonen‘s amazing art work which has been fascinating me since many years.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

It is time for some glamour again. One week before leaving for China, the Art Basel took place and I was invited for a special dinner at a church. All photos of the evening will be coming up shortly. In the meantime, enjoy my outfit post.

My look: Flame-effect lace dress (40% off) by Alessandra Rich, white ‘Duffle 6’ bag and Janis leather pumps, both by Saint Laurent and snake ring by Roberto Cavalli.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht