Sandra‘s Closet

“Lively. Radiant. Lush… A colour of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.”

Ladies and Gentlemen, drum roll please, it is official, EMERALD GREEN is the colour of the year according to Pantone, the authority and market leader in colour. One of the season’s hottest fashion trends, the timeless shade was seen on many S/S 2013 runways such as Gucci (my favorite), Kenzo and Burberry Prorsum (combined with another trend: metallics).

ICE Watch has launched a new unisex watch model in collaboration with Pantone dedicated to the trendy emerald tone, in two variants: emerald and white/white and emerald. 
Other trend colours will follow in the future.
ICE Watch Emerald White – CHF 109.00

From fashion to beauty, there are many ways to wear this vibrant colour from day to night and it’s a definite go-to for your next shopping trip!

Belted silk-twill blouse and matching silk-twill flared pants, both by Gucci, suede platform pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti and Lulu leather shoulder bag by Saint Laurent.

Don’t forget to look for some gorgeous makeup products that will complement your new season look, now may be the best time.

A great way to get started with the new style are nail polish shades in sea hues. Draw attention to your manicure and you will be really hitting the trend.

The best ones available are: CHANEL Le Vernis in 657 Azuré and 667 Bel Argus (CHF 35.00 each), DIOR Vernis Bird of Paradise Duo 001 Samba (One Shot, CHF 47.00) and YVES SAINT LAURENT La Laque Couture 36 Vert D’Orient (CHF 38.00).

The nail polish shades are part of my two favourite summer beauty looks by DIOR and CHANEL. Have a look yourself how beautiful those collections inspired by enchanting animals are:

DIOR – Bird of Paradise

Inspired by Christian Dior‘s passion for color, the new collection tells the tale of an exotic faraway. Drawing from nature’s tropical paradises, the Bird of Paradise collection embraces the vibrancy of nature and translates to versatile, wearable shades for summer.
In stores now.

My personal must-haves:

DIOR 5 Coleurs Eye Shadow 374 Blue Lagoon (One Shot, CHF 92.00)
The legendary 5 Couleurs case is coated with shimmering pigments, inspired by the golden reflections of a peacock’s feathers. Stunning!

DIOR Diorshow Liner Waterproof Aqua Green (One Shot, CHF 34.00)
Add a fun pop of color to your eye makeup with this limited edition liner.

L’Eté de Papillon de CHANEL

Another amazing collection comes from the house of Chanel. Creative Director of Makeup Peter Philips was inspired by the dazzling colours of butterfly wings and created electric shades for the eyes. A stunning effect is achieved is through the application of colorful mascaras.
Available in Switzerland starting end of May 2013.

My personal must-haves:

CHANEL Stylo Eyeshadow 47 Blue Bay (CHF 47.00)
This exclusive creation is easily applied to highlight eyes with gleaming colour. The smooth-gliding pen has a cooling, water-infused formula for a shimmering veil on lids or precise definition.

CHANEL Mascara Inimitable Waterproof 37 Lime Light (CHF 47.00)
The iconic mascara in a long-wearing, waterproof formula that won’t flake or smudge comes this season vibrant limited edition shades of blue, green and yellow.

To complement such a vibrant beautiful eye makeup, choose lips in orange, apricot hues, following in the footsteps of Tangerine Tango, which was the shade of 2012…
Stay tuned for an upcoming post in which I am wearing this beauty look.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel, Dior, Ice Watch, Style.com and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week, Montblanc hosted a gala evening at the Park Hyatt Zurich to present their ‘Signature for Good’ 2013 campaign to the Swiss audience. I was kindly ask to come on stage to speak about this wonderful initiative and to share some of my most impressive moments during the Montblanc Pre-Oscar Charity Brunch at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles.

My look: Embellished dragon-print silk-cady dress by Emilio Pucci, Catwalk patent leather bag with crocodile print and bow-embellished patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent, 4810 hoop earrings in pink gold with diamonds by Montblanc, Tank Americaine watch in yellow gold with diamonds by Cartier and Gran Gala tights with gold shimmer by Fogal.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is the look that I wore to the Forte_Forte “10” presentation at Vestibule.
I am completely in love with 3.1 Phillip Lim’s S/S 2013 collection, such cool and easy-to-wear pieces.

I Heart Nueva York cotton-jersey tank, printed silk skirt with trompe d’oeil shirt sleeves tied around the waist and Pashli two-tone mini shark embossed leather satchel, all three by 3.1 Phillip Lim, black leather biker jacket and Janis leather pumps, both by Saint Laurent, earrings and ring, both by Chanel, graphic floral sunglasses by Prada and colourful elastics by Scoopy Loop (Those new trend bands from L.A. are also great for tying your hair).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

At the moment I am obsessed with braids and biker jackets. The two of them in combination add just the right amount of sweetness and rock allure to every outfit.

Today’s look: Black leather biker jacket (also available in red) and suede ankle boots, both by Saint Laurent, flared barnacle-intarsia dress by Alexander McQueen, cashmere and silk-blend cardigan by Miu Miu, earrings by Dolce & Gabbana, ring by Etro, Birkin bag by Hermès and black velvet deluxe tights by Wolford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This was my look that I wore to the Omega press conference with Nicole Kidman in Vienna for the launch of their new Ladymatic models:

Stretch-jersey crepe top by Alexander McQueen, pleated brocade mini skirt and tiger-embroidered leather shoulder bag, both by Kenzo, suede ankle boots by Saint Laurent and black velvet deluxe tights by Wolford.

I am very much in love with this Kenzo bag as I still adore the tiger embroidery but had seen too many of the iconic sweaters on the streets recently…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Sorry for bringing you bad news twice today, first we have heard that Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau’s passed away at 81 yesterday and it has been announced that former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher died this morning peacefully following a stroke. She was 87 years old.

The Iron Lady was not only an outstanding politician, but also a fashion icon. On both sides of the Atlantic, Maggie Thatcher is being considered as the originator of the power look for women. She opted for tailored skirt suits and pussycat bows. One of her clever tricks to show power was funnily enough that she never wore pants. Her signature pearls, shoulder pads (to stand literally “shoulder to shoulder” with men), handbags, and royal blue hues were a sign of control. Throughout her career, she turned her looks into POWER DRESSING!

Let’s honour her with this look inspired by her: Iris wool-twill blazer and matching Alyssa pencil skirt, both by Stella McCartney, polka-dot silk-twill pussy-bow blouse by Saint Laurent, Amelia patent-leather pumps by Jimmy Choo, croc-effect and textured-leather bag by Lanvin and multi-strand pearl necklace by Kenneth Jay Lane.

R.I.P. Maggie Thatcher!

LoL, Sandra

Amazing news this Sunday! For three days, you have the chance to pre-order before all other customers this softly looped black silk-mousseline bow tie by Saint Laurent – one of my favourite accessories for S/S 2013 which has sold out everywhere.

The neat leather band can be adjusted for the perfect fit. Wear yours with white to pay homage to the label’s iconic heritage. It will surely transform every outfit into a complete new look. Hurry as this must-have will sell out extremely fast.

TO SHOP THE SILK-MOUSSELINE BOW TIE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Saint Laurent and via Vogue

Here is the outfit that I wore to the Rodial Beautiful Awards 2013 in London. The photos were taken in the beautiful lobby and bar of the St. Martins Lane Hotel.

My look: Asymmetric leather dress, bow-embellished patent-leather pumps and Apophis cuff, all by Saint Laurent, earrings and bag, both by Chanel, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis and Twenties stay-ups by Wolford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I have to admit that when I saw the new Saint Laurent campaign yesterday, I didn’t dare to post it because of April Fools’ Day. But this is no joke! Marilyn Manson, the ’90s rocker, is the new face. Of course, this has nothing to do with the image we have had of the brand so far. Looking closer, Hedi Slimane‘s pick may not be as surprising as it seems.

For F/W 2013, the designer’s went for grunge-heavy designs, mixing plaid shirts with babydoll dresses. First, I didn’t like it at all but slowly I am getting used to this high street look in good quality. Recently, I had a conversation with another fashion editor who said “probably he is already one step further ahead of us…” and that made me think. She might be right…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via style.com

This Easter weekend has been absolutely perfect so far, of course excluding the weather. Here in Zurich, it has been snowing today. Totally crazy. In the morning, I went to a friend’s house for a lovely Easter brunch. It was so great to be with the people I haven’t seen in a long time.

My look: Double breasted jacket by Saint Laurent, black Féline tee with gold foil by Brian Lichtenberg, Kate ankle boots by De Siena, Zurich bag by Milli Millu, fox snake and statement necklace, both by Gabriele Frantzen, ring by Roberto Cavalli, bangles by Sal y Limon and python print stretch-leather skirt by Utzon (The Danish brand makes amazing leather pieces of great quality, click here to visit their homepage).

I hope that your Easter egg hunt was successful!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht