Sandra‘s Closet

Capitalising on its position in London’s most fashionable district, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London announces an exclusive partnership with French high end luxury Maison Chloé, as the S/S 2015 collections arrive in stores, commencing Thursday 12th February 2015.

In celebration of London Fashion Week, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is offering guests a special package in luxurious accommodation, with the opportunity to own the Drew ahead of London Fashion Week and experience a limited edition Chloé afternoon tea at The Rosebery with Chloé Fizz champagne cocktails.

Drew medium textured-leather shoulder bag

The Chloé Debuts package starts at GBP 1,722 and includes:
• One night’s accommodation for two in a Knightsbridge Turret Suite with sweeping views of the UK’s fashion capital
• À la carte breakfast for two people over looking Hyde Park
• Personalised service at Chloé on Sloane Street to receive Chloé’s ‘Drew’ bag
• Chloé Love Story perfume
• Chloé-inspired afternoon tea for two people in the enchanting tea room, The Rosebery

The Rosebery

For an aficionado experience in February 2015, guests visiting The Rosebery for a limited edition Chloé-inspired afternoon tea and a Chloé Fizz cocktail will be able to view a mannequin showcasing the fashion collection in the lobby of the hotel and two vetrines displaying the Drew bag in a variety of different colours and patterns.

Drew small python shoulder bag

The Drew bag is a delicate, modern saddlebag with round, sculpted lines, it features an elegant turn lock system, in perfect harmony with its knotted fob chain and horseshoe pivots. Available in three sizes, this cross–body style offers an effortless transition from daytime to evening, with crisp raw edging on sumptuous materials.

Terms and conditions
The package is valid from Thursday 12th February 2015 to Monday 9th March 2015. Reservations are subject to availability, inclusive of VAT at 20% and 5% discretionary service charge, subject to availability. Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly on +44 (0) 207 201 3773, or through the direct on-line reservations service, www.mandarinoriental.com/london.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Manadrin Oriental and Chloé

In June 2014, Cash & Rocket will return for its third consecutive year, and this time the amazing Valentino‘s Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli want to make this journey even bigger and better and are once again participating in the charity event, which will take place from June 5th to 8th, 2014.

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli with me

Seventy women from the worlds of fashion, music, cinema and business will begin the car tour from the striking Piazza San Marco of Venice which ends in London, with stops along the way in Geneva and Paris. The donations collected will help support three important humanitarian organizations – Shine On Sierra Leone, OrphanAid Africa and Sumbandila – to support African children and their families with health assistance and educational programs in Sierra Leone, Ghana and South Africa.

For the occasion and to further support the project, Maison Valentino will donate 20% of proceeds from the sale of several products from the Rouge Absolute Signature capsule collection and six other special products especially created by Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli.

These special items will be available at www.valentino.com and www.net-à-porter.com and in Valentino boutiques in Paris and London.

Maria Grazia Chiuri, Co-Creative Director, came in first last year raising the most amount of money and she is determined to beat her own personal record. She will be personally involved in fundraising monies and will drive one of the thirty-five red sports cars that will travel 1600km, from Venice to London.

“As a woman and mother, I am very happy to be able to help other women and children. I am profoundly convinced that it is essential to give them an opportunity for development and education, which gives me a chance to give back what I have received” – Maria Grazia Chiuri.

The Valentino team can be followed along the different stages of the race through the dedicated donation website Just Giving. Let’s help Maria Grazia to win once again first place and to collect the most donations!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino and Cash & Rocket

“London’s where I was brought up. It’s where my heart is and where I get my inspiration.” – Alexander McQueen, January 2000

The amazing Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition is coming to London – and great news is that you can buy a ticket from 10am tomorrow morning (Advance booking is advised – this can be done in person at the V&A; online; or by calling 020 7420 9736 (booking fee applies)). After endless rumours that it would, the V&A announced that it will host the exhibition from March 14 to July 19, 2015 in partnership with Swarovski and supported by American Express.

The original version of Savage Beauty at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York in 2011 was organised by the Costume Institute and became one of the Museum’s top 10 most visited exhibitions. Now, this outstanding large retrospective of the late designer’s work is to be presented in Europe for the first time,  showcasing McQueen’s visionary body of work. Spanning his 1992 MA graduate collection to his unfinished A/W 2010 collection, McQueen’s designs will be presented with the dramatic staging and sense of spectacle synonymous with his runway shows.

For me, a must-see again!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Alexander McQueen

Happy Easter to all of you, my fabulous readers! This year, I would like to share with you some of the probably most stunning Easter eggs ever seen, coming from the house of Fabergé, a name that is synonymous with eggs of the most luxurious kind.

In New York City, Fabergé has been sending the residents on their biggest ever egg scavenger hunt to raise millions for charity. Almost 300 giant egg sculptures were scattered around the city’s five boroughs. The jeweller had commissioned renowned artists, designers and architects to create the two-foot tall eggs as part of a citywide art display. Among those participating in the project are Tracey Emin, Mark Quinn, Zaha Hadid, Ronnie Wood, Peter Beard, Diane von Furstenberg, Marchesa, Oliver Theykens and Bruce Weber.

Those amazing egg sculptures are auctioned off (bidding has already started) until April 26 on Paddle8 to raise money for the conservation organization, Elephant Family. The hunt will also gather funds for Studio in a School, a program that brings visual arts to New York City’s public schools.

Some of the amazing egg sculptures by famous artists such as Jeff Koons or Julian Schnabel will close on Paddle8 at 12:00pm EST on Tuesday, April 22nd. Live auction begins on Tuesday, April 22nd at 07:00PM EST.

Fabergé is hoping that the New York initiative will repeat the success of The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt in London in 2012, which set two Guinness World Records and raised more than $15 million for charity.

In London, Fabergé has teamed up with Harrods for a creative collaboration that will run until 21st April 2014. An exhibition space has been set up in the famous department store, with the famed Brompton Road windows and façade dressed in Fabergé flags, telling the story of the legendary jewelry house.

On display is a a rare masterpiece, an original Fabergé Egg – The Apple Blossom Egg, together with other historic Fabergé treasures. This Egg was designed in 1901 and is beautifully crafted in gold, diamonds and nephrite.

Harrods Exclusive
To celebrate the extravaganza, Fabergé has created a limited-edition Spiral Tassel Pendant, available exclusively at Harrods. The modern, playful, diamond-set egg comes with a stunning gemstone tassel, finished with amethyst, tsavorite, or spinel.

Happy Easter Sunday!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Fabergé

This upcoming Saturday, London’s Victoria & Albert Museum‘s hotly-anticipated new fashion exhibition will officially open its doors. Dedicated to ‘The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014‘, it illustrates the history of Italian Fashion from the Second World War to the present day, and will be held until July 27th 2014. It features many looks from the archives of different Italian designers which pay tribute to the quality of the Made in Italy style.
Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7, +44 (0)20 7942 2000

To celebrate the opening, NET-A-PORTER and the The Victoria & Albert Museum present a 22-piece limited edition jewelry collection that will be available as an online exclusive with 10% of all sales being donated to the V&A. Below you can explore my favorite pieces.

LoL, Sandra

Gold-plated, resin and macramé lace clip earrings by Dolce & Gabbana + V&A

Swarovski crystal and resin necklace by Marni + V&A

Set of two gold-plated knuckle rings by Moschino + V&A

Gold-tone agate clip earrings by Etro + V&A

Set of three palladium-plated woven bracelets by Missoni + V&A

Photos: Courtesy of NET-A-PORTER and The Victoria and Albert Museum

What could be more British than London rain? This fact inspired Master Perfumer Christine Nagel to capture the different moods of a downpour, from the soft sparkle of a morning shower to a wild rainstorm at night for Jo Malone‘s upcoming limited edition LONDON RAIN collection.

“The initial concept from Jo Malone London was to create a scented portrait of London to conjure up the romantic and deeply intense rainy days,” says Nagel.

I find the weather inspiration such a great concept and I cannot wait to indulge my nose in those four new scents.

Rain & Angelica
Glassy beads of dew, awakening a London park at dawn. A revitalising scent, enlivened with herbaceous angelica and juicy lime on an earthy base of vetiver. Aqueous and clear.

Wisteria & Violet
A soft morning shower, soaking purple wisteria cascading over London stone walls. Infused with the wet-petal scent of violets and water lily. Rainwashed and intoxicating.

White Jasmine & Mint
An afternoon cloudburst, drenching gardens exuberant with jasmine, lily, orange flower and rose. Eccentric with its dash of scrambling wild mint. Enchanting and refreshing.

Black Cedarwood & Juniper
Midnight rain. Seductive with the carnal touch of cumin, chilli leaves, and aromatic juniper. Dark with cedar wood. Humid with moss. Modern and urban.

LONDON RAIN Limited Edition
In the UK and other countries available from March 2014. Each Cologne 100ml RRP £82 / €100.
In Switzerland available in the beginning of May 2014. Each Cologne 100ml RRP CHF 130.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

I cannot wait to fly to London soon to visit The Burberry Beauty Box in London’s Covent Garden. This new retail concept brings the house’s must-have fashion and beauty together in an innovative format that allows you to explore the connections between make-up, fragrance and accessories through personalised physical and digital experiences.

Featuring the full Burberry Beauty collection of make up and fragrance, as well as limited edition beauty products, the new space also houses accessories including sunglasses, scarves and an exclusive selection of bags, available only in the store. A new look will be revealed each month, available to experience in store.

Below you can discover some of Burberry signature looks:

Brit – an irreverent look inspired by music

Body – a natural, nude look

Tender – a fresh, dewy look

Icon – a timeless look inspired by the Burberry icons

All products are gift-wrapped in exclusive Burberry Beauty Box gift packaging. Payments are taken using a mobile point of sale system on iPads and iPhones, which also offers the option of digital receipts. What a great concept! Love it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Burberry

ARIZONA MUSE is not only a famous model, the face of Estée Lauder‘s new scent Modern Muse, but also a mother and extremely sweet and charming young woman. During New York Fashion Week she shared her travel tips for Great Britain’s capital with me.

Your favourite city?
LONDON – I love this city, I live there, I am half English and very patriotic.

Your favourite hotel?
FIRMDALE HOTELS – The interior is so cute, every room is different and the food is amazing.
For example the HAYMARKET HOTEL, 1 Suffolk Place, London SW1Y 4HX, +44 20 7470 4000

Your favourite restaurant?
GRANGER & CO – They have very healthy and delicious food. They are on Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill, an exciting pretty street, very close to where I leave.
175 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2SB, +44 20 7229 8944

Your favourite dish there?
My favourite dish is their MISO PORRIDGE for breakfast.

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
THE BOX – The best place for a crazy night out.
11-12 Walker’s Ct, London W1F 0SD, +44 20 7434 4374

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
The TATE MODERN – A really interesting building and there are a lot of great things to do near there, too.
Bankside, London SE1 9TG, +44 20 7887 8888

Your favourite park?
RICHMOND PARK – It is so wild, so large, you can just roam around there the whole day, spotting deers. It is absolutely beautiful.
Richmond, Greater London TW10 5HS, +44 20 8948 3209

Your favourite shop?
JOSEPH – They have the most amazing choice and the shops are so lovely to walk into.
299 Fulham Road, London SW10 9QH UK,  +44 20 7352 6776

Your must-have accessory?
An UMBRELLA – A must for London.

Your favorite playlist for vacation?
THE XX – I absolutely love their music. It is an English indie pop band, formed in Wandsworth, London in 2005.

Your favorite scent to wear in London?
Obviously it is MODERN MUSE around the world.

Thank you, Arizona, for sharing your insider scoop on London with us!

LoL, Sandra

Last week in London, I stayed for the first time at the Haymarket Hotel which I adored. My avid readers know that I am usually loving the Browns Hotel but sometimes a little change is great. Today, I was supposed to fly again to the UK for a wonderful press trip with Cowshed but had to cancel last minute… so I enjoy those sweet memories.

My comfy look: Black double-breasted wool coat with gold bars by Givenchy, the perfect grey cashmere sweater with suede elbow patches by Saint Laurent, jeggings by Marc by Marc Jacobs, studded biker boots and sunglasses by Miu Miu, Bamboo leather tote by Gucci, diamond rose ring, necklace and Limelight Gala watch, all by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I spent the last days in London –  a city that I love very much. The double decker buses, the black cabs, and the red telephone boxes, some of the iconic sights on the streets of the British metropole, symbolise gorgeous design while fulfilling their purpose with efficiency. The same goes for my Givenchy sweater – it’s comfy and stylish in one. You need one of those printed must-haves in your closet this season!

My look: Black double-breasted wool coat with gold bars and printed cotton sweatshirt, both by Givenchy, black pants by Alexander McQueen, textured-leather tote by Gucci, Susanna studded leather ankle boots by Chloé and rose ring by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht