Sandra‘s Closet

Greetings from Saint Tropez at the French Riviera. I love this contradictory place with its jet setter elegance and quaint old town French style. One of my favorite brands at the moment is Zimmermann. Their luxe bohemian clothing is sure to evoke wanderlust and all of their offerings for the perfect beach wardrobe.

My look: Verity floral-print linen maxi dress and floral-print cotton headband, both by Zimmermann, Saffiano double handle mini satchel by Prada, round sunglasses with triple chain by Chanel, The Rockstud 105 leather sandals by Valentino and rose diamond necklace by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today’s post is dedicated to the new luxurious drops for the sporty girls – a must for extreme athletes who are into high fashion. These items may be too precious for actual use but can serve as the perfect decor for sport lovers.

Ping Pong Set James Monogram Eclipse Canvas by Louis Vuitton (€1500)

Table tennis, anyone? Ideal for travel, this sporty set includes two professionally designed ping-pong paddles, regulation balls in a custom holder, and an exclusive cover crafted of masculine Monogram Eclipse canvas, accented with an LV Circle medal.

Basketball by CHANEL (€1990)

As part of the accessories of the Métiers d’Art Paris-New York 2018/19 collection, this basketball is available in black with either silver or gold detailing. It comes with the matching harness that’s either detailed with silver or gold hardware on the black leather sling. Let’s start playing basketball…

Skateboard by CHANEL (Price on request, on the US website $7700)

With this, the skateboard has officially become a luxury item. The cruiser-style must-have by CHANEL is crafted from black lacquered wood that is accented with a white interlocking logo. Its underside features an embossed quilting pattern referencing the French house’s signature technique.

Surfboard by CHANEL (Price on request, on the US website $8900)

On the surfboard you can see a standout silver detail on the board which is made from aluminum, glass and polyurethane.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

When the heat wave hit Zurich, I took these photos in my garden of my new beach look that has become one of my favorites this summer. I definitely felt like ice in the sunshine and wished sometimes the CHANEL clutch was made of real ice cubes.

My look: Crystal-embellished lace maxi dress and knotted halterneck bikini, both by Alessandra Rich, set of two silver-tone calf hair brooches and leather platform sandals, both by Saint Laurent, ice cube clutch bag, straw hat, logo belt and logo earrings, all by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

CHANEL announces Margot Robbie as the face of the new fragrance GABRIELLE CHANEL ESSENCE. Beyond her talent and radiant beauty, the House was drawn to the captivating personality of the Australian actress and producer, who stars in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming film, Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood.

Created by Olivier Polge in cooperation with the CHANEL Laboratory of Fragrance Creation and Development, this new olfactory interpretation of GABRIELLE CHANEL reveals a trail that is more voluptuous and opulent, solar and enveloping. Composed around four white flowers revered by CHANEL (jasmine, ylang-ylang, orange blossom and tuberose), ESSENCE gives a majestic role to Grasse tuberose.

GABRIELLE CHANEL ESSENCE will be available as of September 1, 2019 in Europe, the USA, Canada, Latin America, Central America, the UK, South Africa and Australia.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © CHANEL #GABRIELLECHANEL #CHANELFRAGRANCE

Today’s post is dedicated to my favorite facial summer 2019 sunscreens that will protect your skin from harmful rays with these trusty products that work as make-up or do their job without. They won’t make you look pale or will clog your pores, but they will prevent your skin from aging through the sun.

Let’s start with the basics. The number on the container means it will last times that amount it takes your skin to burn in the sun. For example, if you’re a whiter shade of pale and it takes five minutes for you to feel the burn, and you have an SPF 15 on, you’re going to last 75 minutes before you need to reapply. So keep a handy reinforcement in your bag to keep topping up as the number is individual to the wearer. Check in with yourself to see what fits throughout the day.

Personally speaking, I love these cushions. Healthy glow make-up, that you can take with you wherever you go this summer thanks to their travel-friendly packaging. In the blink of an eye, the complexion is warmed up and corrected with a lightweight, non-cakey finish. Applied all over the face or in touch-ups, it instantly creates an endlessly buildable, glowing natural tan, while offering sun protection.

GUERLAIN Fresh Bronzing Fluid Make-up
Buildable sun-kissed glow – SPF 20 (available in two shades, I wear «natural») – CHF 40.00

CLARINS Mineral Sun Care Compact
Enriched with antioxidants –  SPF 30 (universal nude beige) – CHF 45.00

SHISEIDO Sports BB Compact
Very water-resistant – SPF 50 (available in three shades, I wear «medium») – CHF 43.20

For a more classical application to protect your facial skin, I recommend these products that also work perfectly under foundation without leaving your skin pale and white. Both provide instant hydration and long-lasting comfort for face, neck and décolleté. Skin’s youthfulness is preserved at all times.

CHANEL UV Essentiel Complete Protection
UV – Pollution – Antiox – SPF 50 – CHF 68.00

SISLEY Super Stick Solaire Teinté
Tinted sun care – very high protection – SFP 50 – CHF 70.00

Better looking skin starts with healthy habits. Therefore I recommend LA ROCHE-POSAY’s wearable sensor and the companion app to measure your exposure to UV, pollution, pollen and humidity. No battery is needed. You will get personalized advice and product recommendations as well, a skincare regimen tailored to you.

LA ROCHE-POSAY My Skin Track UV
Available on apple.com – CHF 69.95

LA ROCHE-POSAY Anthelios Shaka Fluide 
Invisible ultra-resistant for sensible skin – SPF 50 – CHF 31.90

Wishing you a beautiful and wrinkle-free summer!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Viktor & Rolf launched the Tulle capsule collection on the occasion of their 25th year anniversary last year, a reinterpretation of their iconic couture collections. Made in soft tulle fabrics, the garments serve as contemporary layering pieces available in a multitude of vibrant colour variations with kitsch slogans for the ultimate fashion statements. As the designer duo stopped doing ready-to-wear in 2015 to focus only on couture, this is for everyone who still wants to wear their amazing designs in daily life.

My look: Red sheer tulle cape, and Dream On. Icon 1.2 T-shirt, both by Viktor & Rolf Tulle,  «Paris Cosmopolite» Pré-fall 2017 Métiers d’Art Gabrielle bag, cuff and earrings, all by Chanel, lace flared pants by Givenchy, Bianca leather sandals by Saint Laurent, and embellished aviator sunglasses by Alexander McQueen.

Stay tuned for a full report coming up from Viktor & Rolf’s outstanding Haute Couture show last week in Paris to which I wore this look.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 

From bright sparkling eyes to bronzers, here are the key must-haves for summer 2019 to get on your radar. My beauty mantra for the hot season is simple: the less work I have to do, the better. As it turns out, we should all be embracing the fact that wearing a ridiculous amount of makeup in sweltering temperatures is never a good look. I recommend some sparkle for your eyes and the right amount of bronzer for a sun-kissed complexion. Enjoy!

NARS Exposed Cheek Palette (top left)
Cheeks are up front and versatile with a limited edition palette of six universally flattering shades in a breakthrough formula that delivers unparalleled color. LOVE! CHF 66.60

CHANEL Bronzer and Highlighter Duo in 317 Medium (top right)
Part of the Maison’s Cruise 2019 collection, this two face powders palette, consisting of a matte bronzer and a pearlescent highlighter, fits in every bag for immediate touch-ups. CHF 78.00

TOM FORD Soleil Contouring Compact in Bask (center left)
Blush, highlighter and bronzer in one for the perfect complexion. CHF 100.00

NUXE Multi-Usage Compact Bronzing Powder (center right)
Beautifying and long-lasting, this multi-usage powder with its yummy Huile Prodigieuse® fragrance (orange blossom, magnolia and vanilla) provides an immediate «healthy glow». CHF 35.00

ESTÉE LAUDER Desert Heat Eyeshadow Palette (bottom)
Turn up the heat with 9 silky shadows to emphasize, customize and dramatize your eyes. Matte and shimmer finishes, limited edition. CHF 72.00

BOBBI BROWN Molton Drama Eye Shadow Palette
Brighten your eyes with these ten highly pigmented colors in four different finishes, including 5 Chrome Metal Eye Shadows for a hypnotic glow. My favorite this summer! CHF 84.00

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

On Thursday I flew to London as guest of UBS to watch the UK premiere of «The Mother», a powerful narrative dance production based on Hans Christian Andersen‘s dark tale, choreographed by Arthur Pita and starring super ballerina Natalia Osipova, principal of the Royal Ballet, alongside multi-award winning dancer Jonathan Goddard, that was accompanied by an amazing original live music performance.

My look: Tempest ballet dress by Zimmermann, vintage shocking pink quilted heart-shaped vanity case and key necklace, both by Chanel, bow-embellished patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent and  Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

With my lovely host Gabriel Cohen, UBS Wealth Management, …

… and with primaballerina Natalia Osipova at the gala dinner.

After the ballet, I was invited by UBS to join the gala dinner at Skylon restaurant in the presence of the two dance superstars. A true pleasure to meet those outstanding talents in person, especially for me as I used to dance ballet professionally when I was younger.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

On Thursday evening, the Houses of CHANEL, FENDI (LVMH) and KARL LAGERFELD all came together at the Grand Palais in Paris to pay tribute to Karl Lagerfeld at a celebration designed, directed and staged by Robert Carsen.

The many facets of this extraordinary man were evoked through a tapestry of videos filmed throughout his life, interspersed with testimonials from people who knew him, as well as the generous «live» contributions of highly talented actors, musicians, dancers who interpreted some of the music and literature Karl loved so much.

Charlotte Casiraghi, H.R.H. Princess of Hanover, Andrea Casiraghi and Madame Emmanuel Macron paying tribute to Karl Lagerfeld.

Actresses Tilda Swinton, Fanny Ardant, Cara Delevingne and Helen Mirren, friends of Karl Lagerfeld, recited and read excerpts from works by his favourite authors, such as Virginia Woolf, Stéphane Mallarmé, Colette and Edith Sitwell.

Pianist Lang Lang at Karl Forever at the Grand Palais in Paris.

The extraordinary Jookin dancer Lil Buck, the brilliant violinist Charlie Siem (who played Paganini, one of the favourite composers of Karl Lagerfeld’s mother Elizabeth), Argentinian choreographer German Cornejo, accompanied by his troupe of 17 tango dancers and his 7-piece orchestra from Buenos Aires (Carlos Gardel was Karl Lagerfeld’s favourite singer and the tango was his favourite dance), the celebrated pianist Lang Lang (who played Chopin on the grand piano designed by Karl Lagerfeld for the 150th anniversary of Steinway), and American artist Pharrell Williams were also on stage to pay homage to the man who had deeply marked them and who was their friend.

The Steinway designed by Karl Lagerfeld on display.

These artists – as well as the 2,500 guests present at the Grand Palais to celebrate Karl Lagerfeld – were immersed in a spectacular exhibition of 56 giant enlargements of portraits taken throughout his life by some of the most famous photographers in a setting designed by Robert Carsen, inspired by Karl’s favourite colours: black and white enhanced with a touch of red.

In turn, the participants also paid tribute to the aesthete, this man of culture, photographer, creator… in an exceptional moment as grand as his talent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld, © Luc Castel and Julio Piatti

Since last year, barrettes have been trending crazily (for the previous post, click here please). But this season, hair clips with a message are making the humble hair accessory the piece of choice this party season. I mean, it’s not hard to see the charm in this trend, spotted everywhere on the streets of fashion week.

And who have we to thank for introducing this new frontier of self-expression? London designers are leading the party barrette trend. Ashley Williams’ diamante clips tap into the general mood of the fashionistas. Bestsellers this summer include the «fuck» and «witch» designs.

TO SHOP ASHLEY WILLIAMS HAIR CLIPS, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Kitsch‘s collab with influential hairstylist Justine Marjan, is another one to watch and will literally make your hair scream «glam».

TO SHOP KITSCH x JUSTINE MARJAN HAIR CLIPS, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

My personal must-have barrette screams CHANEL. Presented at the final collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld shown at Paris Fashion Week in the beginning of March, this incredible CHANEL pearl hair clip used by hairstylist Sam McKnight will surely be among «2019’s most Instagrammed accessories».

Crystal Interlocking G hair slide by Gucci

 Whichever word appeals to your personal truth, I can almost guarantee there’s a hair slide that says it. And if there is none, create your own. It is time for your statement hair!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands