Sandra‘s Closet

As you might have realized already, some of this week’s posts have been dedicated to sustainable luxury. But what does this new fashionable expression actually mean?
Sustainability poses an opportunity to explore alternatives to the norm, to propose innovations and ideas for a closer connection of technology and nature, to develop and experiment with recycled and natural materials.

In our daily life, we are not willing to compromise very much in order to live and consume responsible-minded. Today, there are many brands who try new ways to combine both lifestyles. One of them is the Volvo Car Corporation.

Yesterday, we shot a short movie for the launch of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid in Switzerland.

Their new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid, and the economy benefits are just incredible. At the touch of a button, you can choose which of the three driving modes you want to drive at any given moment: Pure, Hybrid or Power – meaning you have „three cars in one“. The V60 Plug-in Hybrid can be recharged from a regular power outlet (230V/6A, 10A or 16A) at home or in a car park.

Yesterday, I had the car for the day and drove around the city of Zurich sometimes on pure electricity which was totally amazing. It is pretty impressive that it is not only totally silent, but you can accelerate reasonably hard in electric mode without the diesel motor kicking in. As you sink in the black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and inlays of blue-grey wood, you are definitely not thinking of going green.

Let me take you on a ride to some of my favourite spots in my recent hometown.

First stop: HOTEL BAUR AU LAC

I love this beautiful hotel set in its own park, with a stunning view overlooking the lake and the Alps. The terrace is one of my favourite places to lunch in the summer.

This weekend, the famous hotel park will host the opening event of Zurich’s ninth “Art in the Park”. The exhibition shows sculptures in the garden of the legendary 5 star hotel until August, 6th 2012. It is created and curated by Gigi Kracht, the wife of Andrea Kracht, the hotel’s sixth-generation owner, in collaboration with Gallery Gmurzynska.

A warm welcome upon my arrival.
My look: Orange-fuchsia bi-colour silk shirt and “Audrey” wayfarer sunglasses, both by Céline, stretch-leather leggings and green python “1970” bag, both by Gucci and booties by Chanel.

On my way, I received many compliments from people who loved my car.

Second stop: SHOPPING AT GUCCI

As you know, I love Gucci and I am a huge fan of their new sustainable collections. The trunk of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid has enough space for many shopping bags. Awesome!

It is always too much fun shopping with Stefano Polli, Gucci’s store manager in Zurich.

Third Stop: SUSANNE WISMER BLUMEN

I love my green oasis at home to relax and I always have flowers on display. Yesterday, I got my favourite ones: a huge bunch of pale pink peonies.

Fourth stop: RESTAURANT SEEROSE

Personally speaking, whenever I am there, I feel like being on vacation. Surrounded by the mountains and the lake, nature is embracing you in the city. Where else in the world can you find this?

By the way, when you switch to the “pure” almost silent mode, you have a similar effect while driving. You can hear the wheels on the asphalt and the wind around you. Such a beautiful and relaxing feeling.

I hope that you have enjoyed my little ride through Zurich!

The indicative price of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid luxurious “Pure Limited Edition” is starting at CHF 78.600,- in Switzerland.

After the initial batch of 1,000 cars for model year 2013 (of which 79 will go to Switzerland) this upcoming December, production of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will increase to 5,000 cars as of model year 2014.

Stay tuned for more… and a huge thank you to all who liked my facebook page. It has reached today over 30.000 likes!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

When Chanel sent me those backstage photos of the Resort 2013 show, I could not wait to share them with you. It is so nice to see the jewelry and details up close.
Personally speaking, this collection is absolutely divine and the floral embellishments on those dresses above leave me absolutely speechless.

“It is Coco rock, French rock with a very 18th century frivolity, one that’s been updated with new materials and new proportions,” Karl Lagerfeld explained.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chanel 2012 – Benoit Peverelli

Today’s post is dedicated to the beautiful Chanel Resort 2013 makeup look “Versailles de Chanel”. (For photos of the runway show that took place one week ago at the Bosquet des Trois Fontaines at the Château de Versailles, please click here.)

Generally speaking, pink eyes are not easy to pull off. Well, unless you are Peter Philips, Creative Director for Chanel Makeup. He makes pink eyes covetable as an everyday look with less mascara and an all over pink eyeshadow.

In a little interview, he gave further details on the look: “The makeup is inspired by the theme of the collection: Versailles. It’s a ‘pink’ makeup, between “girly” and “rebel”. I used “Ombre Essentielle-Rose Favorite” on the eyelids and “Joues Contraste – Rose Pétale” as a blusher.

Beige Khol liner ‘Clair’ in the eyes and I slightly enhanced the eyebrows. I kept the skin natural, to avoid the makeup from looking historical. Soft, pinkish lips I achieved by applying “Rouge Coco Shine – Evasion” and I topped the makeup off by placing a black velvet Chanel logo as a beauty spot on either the left or right side of the face (high on the cheekbones, under the eye). Last minute I added a subtle highlight with “Mouche de Beauté” a compact highlight powder.

The eyeshadow, highlight powder and velvet CC’s were created especially for this show.”

Skin prepared with HYDRA BEAUTY SERUM

The Complexion

VITALUMIERE
ECLAT LUMIERE
CORRECTEUR PERFECTION
POUDRE UNIVERSELLE LIBRE

MOUCHE DE BEAUTE – Exclusive Creation in Limited Edition – Collection “Versailles de CHANEL” available in specific point of sales in December 2012

The Eyes

OMBRE ESSENTIELLE “Rose Favorite” – Limited Edition  – Collection “Versailles de CHANEL” available in specific point of sales in December 2012

LE CRAYON KHOL ” Clair” (N°69)
CRAYON SOURCILS
RECOURBE CILS DE CHANEL

The Cheeks

JOUES CONTRASTE “Rose Pétale” (N°99)
Little black velvet CHANEL logo specially created for the show (won’t be sold)

The Lips

ROUGE COCO SHINE “Evasion” (N°48)

The Nails

LE VERNIS “Tendresse” (N°507)

I think that I will change the shape of my beauty mark for the next season…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL 2012 – Vincent Lappartient

On Wednesday evening, the opening night of the 65th Cannes Film Festival (May 16  to May 27, 2012), I was invited by Chopard to this year’s first “Montée des Marches” at the Palais des Festivals. (Each night there is the legendary black tie “Montée des Marches”, the famous red-carpet, by invitation only, where the 22 films in competition are screened.)

It is an amazing feeling to climb up those famous steps, the stairway to heaven. There are hundreds of people waiting behind the barriers to spot their favourite celebrities. The minute I got out of the limousine, I was absolutely speechless and full of emotions.

My look: Gown by Roberto Cavalli, fur stole by Blumarine, Pyramide bag by Prada (In case you are wondering why I didn’t choose a little clutch, I wanted to take my big camera with me.), earrings by Chanel, ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

This year, the Cannes Film Festival kicked off with the screening of Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom.

Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, the movie centers around two young kids (Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) who fall in love, and run away together into the wilderness, but the adult cast is pretty well-stacked in the acting department, featuring Hollywood stars like Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Jason Schwartzman.

Personally speaking, I am not the biggest Wes Anderson fan, but I have truly liked that movie. It is different and moving, featuring the best of Anderson’s iconic comedy whimsy. Moonrise Kingdom will be released later this month.

Bérénice Béjo, the Artist star, hosted the opening ceremony in a stunning gown by Louis Vuitton that blended in well with the red carpet. She introduced the audience to this year’s president Nanni Moretti and his A-list jury that includes Diane Kruger, Jean Paul Gaultier, Alexander Payne, Ewan McGregor, Raoul Peck, Hiam Abbas and Emmanuelle Devos.

During the 12-day movie marathon, they will choose from 22 competition titles to give out the coveted Palme d’Or prize on May 27.

Beth Ditto opened the festival with an amazing performance of ‘Candle In The Wind’.

Very funny, the famous singer was hurrying to get a photo with the jury:

Stay tuned for my best-dressed list of this night!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Tomorrow, May 14, “Kaiser Karl” will reign over the world of fashion once more. Lagerfeld will show his Resort 2013 collection for Chanel at Versailles. Of course, it will be a big production, but all details are still under wraps. Past Chanel Resort shows have been presented at the Lido in Venice (Resort 2010), and one of my favourites, in St. Tropez (Resort 2011). Their locations usually bewray the inspiration for the collection.

Versailles was the famous place where the French royal family ruled in extravagance for 100 years before the French Revolution. What does come to your mind? As for me, I could only think of excess, rich fabrics, opulence.

 I am truly curious what Karl Lagerfeld has been thinking of.  If anyone is up to the task to pay tribute to Marie Antoinette or to revive those decadent moments in time, it is definitely him. I am sure that he will surprise us as the setting has to be different from his S/S 2011 Chanel show that was based on Versailles’s extensive gardens (see above).

If you look in fashion history, this won’t be the first time Versailles has been used for a show.

In 2007, John Galliano rented out the palace for a huge spectacle – Dior‘s 60th anniversary couture show.

In 1973, five upcoming US-designers, Anne Klein, Stephen Burrows, Halston, Bill Blass, and Oscar de la Renta faced off against French couturiers Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, and Emanuel Ungaro in a runway spectacle that became known as the Battle of Versailles.

The French designers were certain of victory, due to their long tradition and know-how. But the Americans had a secret weapon; a vibrant group of eight African-American models plus the wish to conquer the European world of fashion. And the celebrity-packed audience of 800, including a tiara-wearing Princess Grace cheered to their performance. It was that chilly night changed the face and colour of fashion forever.

There have also been numerous fashion editorials photographed at Versailles over the years.

Above:
1 Shalom Harlow by Steven Meisel for Vogue October 1994
2 Diane Krüger by Gilles Marie Zimmerman for Paris Match March 2012
3 Trish Goff by Steven Meisel for Vogue October 1994

Please enjoy this little summary of some of the most beautiful ones, along with other palace-set shoots by Karl Lagerfeld himself.

Jessica Stam and Snejana Onopka by Karl Lagerfeld for Harper’s Bazaar Romania November 2007

Gisele Bündchen by Karl Lagerfeld for Harper’s Bazaar June 2007

Vanessa Paradis by Karl Lagerfeld for Tatler Russia July 2012

Stay tuned for the photos of the Chanel Resort 2013 show.

LoL, Sandra

Interesting choice: CHANEL has selected world renowned actor Brad Pitt 
to be the face of the upcoming advertising campaign 
for CHANEL N°5. The actor is the first male to represent the women’s fragrance. At least I cannot think of somebody else.

Chanel No. 5 was the first perfume launched by legendary French designer Coco Chanel in the early ’20s. It became associated with Marilyn Monroe after the actress famously said the fragrance was all she wore to bed.

I am pretty curious how the new campaign will look like and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel, Brad Pitt – © CHANEL 2012 – Greg Williams

Here is your preview of the beautiful Chanel Summer 2012 Makeup Collection:
SUMMERTIME DE CHANEL.

Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Makeup, replicates the natural glow of sunbathed skin with luminous bronze, gold and copper tones. Playing up a radiant complexion: Chanel embraces the season with perfect lips and nail shades, from fresh neutral shades to bright coral hues. I am pretty sure that the nail polishes will become a hit worldwide again.

COMPLEXION

Soleil Tan de CHANEL Harmonie Poudre de Soleil – Luminous Bronzing Powder
Bottom: 907 Sable Beige (Golden Beige), Top: 917 Sable Rose (Golden Pink)
CHF 80.- each

The new bronzers, each comprised of five unique shades lend subtle hints of warmth and shimmer to every complexion.
Blended altogether, the shades create a seamless bronzing effect; used on their own, the gold powders illuminate the complexion, while the darker shades sculpt the face when gently swept along its natural contours.

EYES

Ombres Contraste Duo – Eyeshadow Duo
37 Sable – Emouvant (Beige and Brown)
CHF 60.-

Le Crayon Yeux – Precision Eye Definer
47 Brun Intense (Deep Brown)
CHF 33.-

Le Crayon Khôl – Intense Eye Pencil
75 Pêche Cuivré (Coppery Peach)
CHF 32.-

LIPS

Rouge Coco Shine – Hydrating Sheer Lipshine
437 Empreinte (Soft Beige) and 447 En Vogue (Bright Coral)
CHF 46.-

Lèvres Scintillantes – Glossimer
327 Sirocco (Beige) and 337 Calypso (Coral)
CHF 41.-

NAILS

Le Vernis – Nail Colour
597 Island (Golden Beige), 607 Delight (Bronze) and 617 Holiday (Bright Coral), see photo of my nails below
CHF 35.-

Here my favourites of the SUMMERTIME DE CHANEL collection:

Soleil Tan de Chanel in 907 Sable Beige, Rouge Coco Shine in 437 Empreinte and 447 En Vogue, Lèvres Scintillantes in 337 Calypso, Le Vernis in 617 Holiday and Le Crayon Khôl in 75 Pêche Cuivrée

Available in Switzerland end of May 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel and © Sandra Bauknecht

It was an Underwater World at many of the S/S 2012 shows. Many of the designers took inspiration from the deep blue and created one of the most important fashion trends for the summer season.

I have outlined the most anticipated collections and pieces for you below, enjoy!

Karl Lagerfeld took the underwater trend to a complete new level with his S/S 2012 collection for Chanel. The scenery of his runway show looked like a stage setting for Ariel’s World. Some of the fabrics shimmered like fish scales.

As usual at Chanel, the accessories played a big role, such as beautiful shell clutches (unfortunately extremely expensive) and wonderfully designed coral-shape heels plus sea world inspired fashion jewlery.

Mary Katrantzou showcased a stellar take on the trend from under the sea with her scene-stealing prints, as seen on the Fishtank dress. Swarming with tropical fish and colorful coral reefs, this punchy piece is a fabulous way to play out your fashion fantasies.

The Versace S/S 2012 collection was all about starfish and seashell embellishments and studded seahorse shapes. The look was a mixture of sweet pastels, ladylike elegance  and studded biker pieces. Those glittering sea goddess gowns will surely be seen on the red carpet.

A great low-budget way to get started on the look is this fun statement starfish gold-tone ring by Versace.

Gigantic shark tooth necklaces were seen on the Givenchy S/S 2012 runway as well as many jellyfish inspired jackets and dresses. One of my favourite collections of the summer season.

You can shop a large selection of Givenchy at Matches and Farfetch.

There are many wonderfully designed blue coloured pieces in stores now that really represent the fairytale world of the deep blue. Stella McCartney drew inspiration from the sea waves for her S/S 2012 collection.

Here are some of best pieces to buy for the upcoming summer (from top left to bottom right):

Candy printed acrylic clutch by Jimmy Choo
Printed scuba-style top by McQ Alexander McQueen
Joan silk crepe-de-chine and lace dress by Stella McCartney
Printed silk kimono maxi dress by Issa
Paillette-embellished silk-georgette dress by Roberto Cavalli
Fish-charm corseted strappy sandals by Tabitha Simmons

LoL, Sandra

This was my look for a lovely dinner with friends: Ribbed neon pink cashmere sweater by Michael Kors, stretch-leather leggings by Gucci, Clematis leather clutch by Christopher Kane, “Audrey” sunglasses and green calfskin cuff, both by Céline, cocktail ring and sandals with coral shape heel, both by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Have a look at Les Roses Ultimes de CHANEL for Spring 2012. The limited edition collection has already launched in the States for Valentine’s Day and will hit the shelves in Switzerland Mid April.

Introduced for the first time in 1999, the LÈVRES SCINTILLANTES Glossimer collection has been a bestseller from the beginning. It is the perfect finish to your favourite lipstick look or naturally beautiful on its own: a high-shine glow.

Inspired by the femininity of the colour pink, the new LÈVRES SCINTILLANTES Glossimers offer subtle to striking shades with pure shine to intense sparkle finishes. From playful to provocative, there are a variety of pink shades to suit your mood and get you ready for romance this spring.

162 Surprise, 164 Plaisir, 165 Volupté, 166 Amour, 168 Désir, 169 Jalousie
for CHF 41.- each.

Les Roses Ultimes de CHANEL include four new limited edition Le Vernis shades of nail polish.

545 Attraction, 543 Frisson, 549 Distraction, 541 Tentation
for CHF 35.- each.

My favourite nail polish is 549 Distraction, a bright coral with a bluish undertone.

The future is definitely going to be rosy with CHANEL and I absolutely adore it.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel and © Sandra Bauknecht