Sandra‘s Closet

For the fourth consecutive year, I am here in Cannes for the Film Festival with Chopard and I couldn’t be any happier about it. Each time, I live an amazing experience that feels like being in a fairytale. Even that I might have been a little exhausted after my short trips to Dubai and Shanghai last week, the moment I entered the red carpet, I was full of energy.

The Montée des Marches, as walking the red carpet is officially called in French, is magic. This year, I had the chance to watch the Homesman, a western drama with Tommy Lee Jones and Hilary Swank, that takes part in the Cannes competition. It gives an absorbing, melancholy look at the hard lot of women in the Old West. Absolutely worth watching, a very different and interesting movie.

My look was all about the ongoing tribal trend for S/S 2014: Burgundy red plissée gown with cut-out details by Givenchy, black sequined fur stole by Blumarine, tribal sandals, leopard-print clutch, bracelet, all by Louis Vuitton, earrings by Chanel and Mitza ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

Enjoy the impressions of Sunday night:

Getting ready in my hotel room…

… where Chopard surprised me with amazing goodies and the right magazines!

Arriving at the red carpet in the limousine is always a great experience.

Cannes is crazy during the film festival. So many people are trying to spot the many celebrities around.

After the screening, we went to Silencio, a pop-up restaurant and night club that you might know from Paris. It was a great night and I have already so much more to show you… so please stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Those who have been following me on instagram have got already an impression how fabulous my trip to Dubai was this week. Karl Lagerfeld had chosen the Emirates destination as the place to present the Chanel Cruise 2015 collection. You would imagine that past presentations in St. Tropez, Dallas and the Palais de Versailles among others would be hard to top. Think again. It’s Karl Lagerfeld. It was a feast for the eyes, an amazing experience, like the fairytale of One Thousand and One Nights.

The guests, among them celebrities such as Dakota Fanning, Vanessa Paradis, Freida Pinto and Tilda Swinton, were brought by junks to a manmade island off the coast of Dubai where an enormous golden hangar covered in an interlocking double C’s lattice awaited us. From far away it looked like traditional Islamic fretwork.

We were asked to wear flat shoes (even that flats are trending at the moment, this was a challenge for me) as we walked through the sand. With an outdoor temperature of around 36°C, it felt like a beautiful evening in the desert. We were greeted in the souk tents with refreshing lemonades and Arabic coffee while enjoying the Dubai skyline.

Inside comfy, cushioned seating around the catwalk, yummy hors d’oeuvres, champagne and gigantic fake palm trees awaited us.

In the middle of the location, the food was on display that we enjoyed after the show, from mini pita-shawarmas and falafel with date chutney to pistachio baklava.

The show was beautiful, Karl Lagerfeld dreamed up his “idea of a romantic, modern Orient, a new One Thousand and One Nights.” He mixed precious and costume jewelry and played with the sickle-moon motif. Those pearl crescent-moon hair pieces and Bedouin-inspired cuffs are divine. Aladdin’s slippers, harem pants, ghutra-pattern-inspired jackets, mosaiced skirts, necklines and embroidered leather camellias bring the Arabian culture into the Chanel style in a respectful and culturally sensitive way.

It wouldn’t be Karl Lagerfeld though if he didn’t add some humor to his collection. I adore the tunic tops hemmed in a sequined version of the Dubai skyline and the golden jerrycan bag will surely be on many shopping lists.

After the dinner, we enjoyed a private concert by Janelle Monáe.

Vanessa Paradis with me after the show

Sweet Dakota Fanning

Tilda Swinton giving an interview outdoors

When we walked back to the boats through the candle-lit sandy path, it felt like a million-and-one Arabian nights. Thank you, Chanel, for this beautiful night. In the September issue of L’Officiel Switzerland, you will find an exclusive report and some amazing pictures. Stay tuned!

While you are reading this, I am already on my way to the next adventure. For one evening, I fly to Shanghai with Omega for an exceptional dinner with George Clooney.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Chanel

While you are reading this post, I am back in the Middle East. This time, I followed Chanel‘s invitation to Dubai. Here, the French house’s Cruise 2015 show will take place tomorrow evening.

The last time I flew with Emirates in their new amazing A380 was in January with Thierry Mugler for the launch of their newest fragrance Alien Eau Extraordinaire. In this post, I will tell you all about this fantastic trip to Oman.

The A380 is an experience in itself. The world’s largest passenger jet has a twin-deck, which means business and first class are on the top floor. Every business class seat has a built-in mini-bar, a personal storage area and a privacy divider. And here comes the best, there is even a real bar on this floor where passengers can mingle and enjoy a drink.

I spent one night in Dubai before leaving on a fun road trip to the Six Senses Zighy Bay resort which is located on the northern Musandam Peninsula in the Sultanate of Oman.

When you arrive on top of the mountain, you will surely be taken by the breathtaking scenery of this hidden gem. The resort is as spectacular as its setting, with the natural beauty of Oman’s rugged mountain landscape on one side and a sandy beach on the other.

I have to say, I was amazed how fast you find total inner peace here through the power of nature. The resort is built on sand and you throw away your shoes in a second. Feeling the sand beneath your toes, you tantalize your senses, you enjoy an exciting remoteness and a barefoot luxury beyond imagination.

The team of Thierry Mugler invited us to “lâcher price” which means to let go and the Six Senses Zighy Bay offers the perfect surrounding. Being committed to environmental responsibility, the resort offers fresh, organic food prepared with ingredients that are cultivated in the region.

I stayed at a private villa with my own pool, 24-hour butler service and my own bike to drive around the resort. The rural charm of the rooms is amazing and I loved taking an outdoor shower in the morning.

One day, we went on a cruise. We had no cell phone coverage to really let go. It was such a beautiful afternoon that I absolutely enjoyed.

Let’s have a closer look at Alien Eau Extraordinaire, the new addition to Thierry Mugler‘s Alien family, created by Dominique Ropion and Veronique Nyberg.

Pierre Aulas, artistic director at Parfums Mugler, explained me more about this beautiful floral fragrance launch. He is very charming and a genius when it comes to both, marketing and fragrance creating.

ALIEN EAU EXTRAORDINAIRE

Delicate floral notes transport a unique freshness and femininity. Exuding pure optimism, this scent is perfect for summer.

Top notes: Tunisian Neroli, Tea and Bergamot
Middle notes: Tiare Flower and Heliotrope
Base notes: Cashmeran and White Amber

It was such an amazing trip… Stay tuned for my upcoming post from Dubai, this time with Chanel!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is CHANEL‘s summer 2014 makeup look: Reflets d’Eté.
Mix. Match. Mismatch. It’s a season of colour creativity. The shades of summer add a playful stroke to your beauty ritual, with vibrantly versatile options from LÈVRES SCINTILLANTES Glossimer and LE VERNIS Nail Colour. Coordinate shades of gloss and polish to accentuate a bronzed-skin look, or contrast lips, tips and lashes with a bright, shimmery eye for a sweet colour clash. The pairing possibilities are endless . . . the bolder, the better.

EYES

Illusion d’Ombre CHF 47.00
Mirage Bronze – Utopia Luminous lavender (Limited Edition) – New Moon Irridescent copper (Limited Edition)

Mascara Inimitable Waterproof CHF 47.00
Violet Touch Purple with gold shimmer (Limited Edition) – Orange Touch Orange with gold shimmer (Limited Edition)

Style Yeux Waterproof CHF 35.00
Ambre Dore Gold

LIPS

Lèvres Scintillantes CHF 41.00
Hello Jelly light rose (Limited Edition) – Sexy Jelly fuchsia  – Happy Jelly coral – Sunny Jelly orange

NAILS

Le Vernis CHF 35.00
Eastern Light White beige (Repromote, Limited Edition) – Sweet Lilac Lilac (Limited Edition) – Pink Tonic Fuchsia (Limited Edition) – Tutti Frutti Soft coral – Mirabella Orange (Limited Edition)

TEINT

Le Blush Crème de Chanel CHF 54.00
Cheeky Rose with bronze tint (Limited Edition)

In Switzerland available in the beginning of June 2014.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Last Thursday, I was invited for a beautiful evening, dedicated to fashion, aesthetics and beauty, in short FAEBAU at the Alta Aesthetica private clinic, located in Rheinfelden, east of Basel. The house, which is specialized in esthetic surgery, opened its doors in March 2012 in the former Grand Hôtel des Salines. A truly breathtaking building overlooking the Rhine. During a panel show, I was able to give an insight into my world as editor-in-chief of L’Officiel Switzerland and to share my own beauty secrets that you also find here on Sandra’s Closet.

My look: Aubine embellished satin-twill dress and Falabella crystal-embellished faux leather clutch, both by Stella McCartney, red leather boots by Prada, art deco earrings by Chanel and rose diamond ring by Piaget.

A huge thank you to Katrin Roth for the lovely panel discussion!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Uta Gruetter and © Sandra Bauknecht

To enhance your fragrance trail, CHANEL offers three new shimmering products for the body in limited edition, so catch them while you can!

Unfurling the notes of CHANCE, CHANCE EAU FRAICHE and CHANCE EAU TENDRE, they perfume and illuminate the skin with a subtle pearly sheen. Believe me, even if you don’t wear those scents in general, you will love those fun products.

CHANCE SHIMMERING BODY CREAM
Its rich and silky texture wraps the body in an iridescent veil and moisturises the skin, leaving it delectably soft. Its floral scent prolongs the trail of CHANCE, while its subtle pearly shimmer further enhances the skin. 
CHF 106.- (200g)

CHANCE EAU FRAICHE SHIMMERING TOUCH
Like a caress of the skin, its velvety gel texture is applied in subtle touches to enhance the fresh and vibrant trail of CHANCE EAU FRAICHE. Its delicate shimmer is a must for highlighting and putting a sparkle in your décolleté.
CHF 75.00 (25g)

CHANCE EAU TENDRE SHIMMERING POWDERED PERFUME
Refined and feminine, the application with a powder puff deposits a cloud of tenderness on the skin and a fine dusting of shimmer on the body. A delicate and subtle illumination with a fruity-floral scent that revives the CHANCE EAU TENDRE fragrance for ever-greater softness.
CHF 90.- (25g)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

No time to dress in the morning? Some essentials are a great way to save time as they mix and match easily with other pieces from your closet. This season, I recommend a leather biker jacket and a black slim cardigan. They work with everything. Finish off the look with a statement bag and some fun jewelry and you will be ready in a sec!

My look: Leather biker jacket and leopard print scarf, both by Saint Laurent, appliquéd leather and lace skirt by Jason Wu, cashmere and silk-blend cardigan by Miu Miu, white lace bralette by Abercrombie & Fitch, large Pashli satchel by 3.1 Phillip Lim, shoes by Gucci, rose diamond necklace by Piaget and pearl necklace by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today is a very special day for me. My baby is born. The first edition of L’Officiel Switzerland is hitting the shelves. Last night, we celebrated the launch with a wild party. The photos will be coming up shortly. I still need to recover from yesterday…

I am so happy with the outcome and hope that you will like it, too. On the cover is the gorgeous Patricia Schmid dressed in Chanel photographed by Marco Grob.

Here you can see us three during yesterday’s press conference at the Park Hyatt Zurich.

I was thrilled to welcome also the President of Les Editions Jalou Marie-José Susskind-Jalou, her son Benjamin Eymère, who is the CEO of the company, as well as Deputy CEO at L’Officiel Magazine Nicolas Reynaud who had flown in to celebrate the launch with us. Les Editions Jalou is a legendary French family business since 1921 and I am proud to be part of the family now.

Let me know how you like Switzerland’ s first international title!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert © Sandra Bauknecht

Sometimes, I am proud of myself, especially if I spot immediately an object of desire for the next season. In this case it has been CHANEL‘s amazing to-die-for backpack for S/S 2014 (see previous post from last November 2013 here please) which Karl Lagerfeld has transformed into a backboard for creativity, turning it into an arty and luxury accessory.

Playing with conventions the famous designer has personalised the backpack and given it an authentic and worn appearance: graffiti, tags, splashes of paint and colours, added details like scoubidous, snap hooks and luggage tags.

Every motif was specially conceived and reproduced thanks to a specific printing procedure which allows for a wide variety of shades and several colour effects. “There’s a certain lightness and a certain kind of humour in all this,” Lagerfeld declared.

Available in two sizes (as well as a third tote-shaped version) and three colours, the CHANEL backpack is available in the CHANEL boutiques, and also for a limited time at Colette, from now to March 8th 2014, where it is adorning the windows at the moment during Paris Fashion Week.

Colette – 31, rue Cambon 213, rue Saint-Honoré – 75001 Paris – France

A veritable reflection of Karl Lagerfeld’s endlessly renewed creativity, the CHANEL S/S 2014 backpack symbolises the instantly recognisable quintessence of the Maison: the union of luxury and fashion. A collector’s piece and THE bag of the season!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

First launched in 1982, CHANEL‘s Les 4 Ombres, the ultimate cult palettes for the eyes, have enjoyed a tremendous success over all those years. In 2014, a new chapter is added with 8 new quads inspired by the house’s famous tweeds, the fabric Coco Chanel loved so much. Each palette contains four eye shadows, of which each represents a colored tweed thread.

I have been a huge fan of these products and was all excited to try the new ones. Just one word, they are amazing and offer everything your little beauty addict heart desires.

Just like the house’s iconic tweed jacket, these palettes can be worn in many different ways to create natural, intense, almond-shaped or smokey eyes! At the end of this post, you can find the tutorials for each of those looks, created with Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Tissé Vénitien.

Les 4 Ombres – CHF 77.00

202 Tisse Camelia
204 Tisse Vendôme
208 Tisse Gabrielle
214 Tisse Mademoiselle
224 Tisse Riviera
226 Tisse Rivoli
228 Tisse Cambon
232 Tisse Vénitien (see below)

Stylo Yeux Waterproof – CHF 35.00

905 Smoky Grey
906 Marron Glace
908 Iris
909 Bleu Metallique

Le Volume Waterproof – CHF 47.00

10 Noir
20 Brun
30 Vert Grise

Available in Europe (including Switzerland) starting Mid Mars 2014.
And now enjoy the tutorials on a sunny Sunday afternoon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel