Sandra‘s Closet

A Small World hosted the pre-launch party of Zurich’s new hot spot Aura last Thursday.
The location is gorgeous, home to a bar and smoker’s lounge, a restaurant and a nightclub which can be booked for special events. The large room is surrounded by projectors that can be part of a presentation or show.

Getting ready at home, I put on some upbeat music that got me psyched for the night. Great for dancing, I chose a pretty short dress and comfortable boots. 
My look: Knit dress by Alexander McQueen, purple “punk”-style fur bag by Tom Ford, overknee boots by Gucci and cocktail ring by Roberto Cavalli.

With night in full swing and the lights low you can afford to get stronger with your makeup. I went for smokey eyes paired with dark bold lips. Here are all the products I used:

FACE
1 NEW Teint Visionnaire by Lancôme
Launched this month, this first hi-tech make-up duo pushes the concept of perfect skin to an all-new level by the help of a high-coverage corrector enriched with vitamin CG and a perfecting foundation that reconciles perfect coverage, a natural finish and skincare efficacy.
2 Maestro Eraser by Giorgio Armani (the perfect lightweight concealer)

EYES
3 Pure Chromatics Collector’s Palette Arctic Night (limited edition) by YSL
4 Eye Color Quad in 10 Titanium Smoke by Tom Ford
5 Long-Wear Eye Pencil in Jet by Bobbi Brown (glides on smoothly, stays in place for hours)
6 NEW So Intense Mascara in Black by Sisley
The most innovating mascara that thickens, lengthens, curls and nourishes in one.
Easy application! In Switzerland available from February 2013.

LIPS
7 Cremestick Liner inVelvetella by MAC
8 Rouge Dior in 786 Mysterious Mauve by Christian Dior

CHEEKS
9 Bronzing Blush Duo in Orgasm/Laguna by Nars (for the ultimate sun-kissed radiance)
10 Météorites Wulong by Guerlain (pressed powder, great for highlighting)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Aura, A Small World and © Sandra Bauknecht

The restaurant Parisa, one of my favourites that I visited in Doha, belongs to the Sharq Village and Spa. Traditional Persian dishes are served with a contemporary, modern twist. The perfect ambiance to suit the mood of my outfit.

My look: Printed silk-blend crepe top, matching wide-leg pants with side splits from thigh to ankle, leather pumps with ankle straps, all by Gucci (50% off), holographic faux leather clutch by Stella McCartney (new season, please click here for more information on this rising trend), cocktail ring by Roberto Cavalli and crochet-knit turban by Missoni (50% off).

I kept my make-up very easy, a little bronzer on the cheeks (24 Karat Shimmer Brick by Bobbi Brown – Limited Edition), mascara (Lash Queen Sexy Blacks by Helena Rubinstein) and red lips (Diorific 040 Marilyn by Christian Dior – Christmas look 2012).
On my nails: Coral Blame by Tom Ford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Happy New Year from Doha to all of you, my fabulous dear readers! I am looking forward to an exciting 2013 with you, and wish you all health, happiness and of course lots of style!
I decided last minute to fly to a sunny place. I had never been to Qatar before and am eager to share all of my impressions with you. In the photos you see me in my comfy outfit I wore on the flight upon my arrival in Doha.

My look: Leopard-print tracksuit by Dolce & Gabbana, sparkling scarf and studded ballet flats, both by Gucci, bi-colour Alice leather tote by Chloé. On my nails: Smoke Red by Tom Ford.

Stay tuned for the upcoming posts regarding my fabulous hotel, my New Year’s Eve celebration and much more! Let the party get started…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My visit to the Biennale des Antiquaires last week was absolutely amazing. I was surrounded by outstanding beauty, extraordinary antiques and exquisite jewelry. Karl Lagerfeld has staged, decorated and created the visuals for the event as well as the backdrop. And being such a talented artist, he came up with a temporary world within the Grand Palais (the home of his Chanel shows) that was as beautiful as the thousands of objects d’art.

My look: Structured tuxedo jacket by Balmain, floral and cherub-print dress by Dolce & Gabbana, flap-over zip bag by Tom Ford, Rockstud suede and leather ankle boots by Valentino, cuff by Céline, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis, Diorette earrings and ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie plus Velvet de Luxe 66 tights by Wolford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

As promised earlier, here are the details of my outfit that I wore to visit the Château de Malmaison with Piaget. The floral pattern of my sweater totally matched the Yves Piaget roses that were surrounding us with their beautiful scent.

My look: Rose-patterned wool sweater by Dolce & Gabbana, bib necklace by Matthew Williamson, stretch-leather leggings by Gucci, flap-over zip bag by Tom Ford and flat bow embellished ankle boots by Valentino.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I love violet nail polishes but finding the right hue can be pretty tricky. Christian Dior defined purple as a demanding and sophisticated shade, calling it the veritable “Queen of colours”. As for me, Tom Ford offers the two perfect shades for nails.

“African Violet” is a very bright hue that immediatly helps to make your skin tone looks more radiant. It is part of Tom Ford’s standard palette.

“Dominatrix” is a limited edition nail polish for F/W 2012. It has a hint of silver shimmer that gives it a very interesting metallic shine.

Available in Switzerland at Jelmoli for CHF 44.- each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The last days I have been travelling like crazy and I have so many exciting things to share with you. Here is a little teaser of what is coming up. On Saturday evening, I went to the launch event of Gucci Première, the Italian house’s new fragrance for women, at the famous Hotel Cipriani in Venice. Present at the exclusive dinner were also the face of the campaign, Blake Lively, with her boyfriend Ryan Reynolds, and of course Frida Giannini, Creative Director of Gucci, Salma Hayek and her husband François-Henri Pinault, CEO of PPR.

As Gucci Première is inspired by timeless Hollywood glamour, I chose this black and gold outfit matching the colour scheme of the fragrance:
Metallic-striped fringed leather dress, “Kelly” black and gold suede sandals, “Hysteria” patent leather clutch and belted suede leather jacket, all by Gucci from different seasons. Earrings by Chanel from the Paris – Bombay collection and Twenties fishnet stay-ups in black by Wolford. On my nails: “Smoke Red” by Tom Ford.

Stay tuned for photos of the dinner, more information on the fragrance and an amazing interview with Blake Lively.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This fall, Tom Ford introduces four new Private Blend fragrances. The collection, so-called JARDIN NOIR, is dedicated to four classical flowers: Narcissus, hyacinth, rose and lily. “When you showcase their darker and less innocent aspects, flowers can become so thrilling and beautiful, they could almost ruin you. That was the sensation I was after,” says Tom Ford.

Here are the four new amazing scents:
Jonquille de Nuit, Ombre de Hyacinth, Café Rose and Lys Fume.

Jonquille de Nuit

”Unusual top notes of wild Alpine cyclamen, acacia and angelica seeds, balanced with Egyptian violet leaf and bitter orange leaf absolute, provide a contrasting structure which allows the heady narcissus heart to spill into the senses. This powerful floral vibration is pushed, heightened, and teased to the brink—until a sensual, hypnotic base of orris and warm amber arrest this frenetic blossoming.”

Ombre de Hyacinth

”Merged with the rich earthiness of galbanum and the green drive of violet leaf, then enhanced with a glamorous veil of Magnolia leaf ORPUR and cool, incense-inflected Olibanum, lovely Hyacinth becomes a maddening enigma. It plays distance against desire with gem-like shimmers of pink peppercorn and jasmine absolute that tease and entice. The tension finally breaks as Persian galbanum, benzoin and musk pull back the curtain to reveal Hyacinth’s addicting sensuality.”

Café Rose (My favourite)

”Three precious rose essences dance with exotic spices and dark coffee. Saffron and black pepper entice the tight blossoms of Rose de Mai to unfurl. Then, the lush and saturated heart of precious Turkish rose oil and Bulgarian rose absolute creates an enveloping, narcotic haze—until a teasing bite of coffee essence cuts through the romance and awakens dervish passion. Incense resin, amber, sandalwood and patchouli surround this dance with sensual, creamy depth.”

Lys Fume

”Soft notes of Italian mandarin and pink peppercorn and cool, spicy nutmeg and turmeric entice you into a lush and overgrown garden of night-blooming tropical white lilies, tangled with ylang ylang from Moheli. The intoxicating air, soaked with this expansive floral effect, is streaked with the beautiful, sub-tropical melancholy of balsamic, South Indian davana essence and West Indian Demerara rum essence. A woody harmony of rich vanilla absolute from Madagascar, amber-toned cistus labdanum, styrax and oakwood creates a dreamy, hypnotic warmth.”

The collection will be available at all Tom Ford Private Blend counters from September 2012 in Switzerland. 50ml (CHF 250.-) and 250ml (CHF 660.-)

Gentlemen, pay attention. This fall, here is the elixir that will infatuate the ladies around you. TOM FORD NOIR includes notes of bergamot, verbena, caraway, baie rose, violet flower, black pepper, nutmeg, iris, geranium, rose, clary sage, opoponax, amber, patchouli, vetiver, civet and vanilla. A truly sexy composition.

Ladies, be careful. This scent is dangerous stuff!

Tom Ford Noir will be available from September 2012. 50ml (CHF 120.-) and 100ml (CHF 156.-).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford

For fall 2012, Mr. Tom Ford brings some fun makeup colours into our lives. The genius has always focused on the essence of femininity and this limited edition collection includes the probably most stunning autumnal pigments for the season.

All beauty enthusiasts, check out the best items here:

EYE COLOR QUAD in Enchanted
CHF 90.-

EYE DEFINING PENCIL in Exotic Teal
CHF 42.-

EYE COLOR QUAD in Emerald Lust
CHF 90.-

CHEEK COLOR in Narcissist
CHF 76.-

LIP COLOR in Aphrodisiac
CHF 62.-

ULTRA SHINE LIP GLOSS in Naiveté
CHF 55.-

NAIL LACQUER in Minx
CHF 42.-

Available in Switzerland from September 2012. If you cannot wait, click HERE to shop this amazing collection now. I want it all!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford

“It’s the chastity shoe. No one can get your toes in their mouth unless they have the key to your lock” said Tom Ford to Marie Claire magazine.

We used to lock our childhood diaries, but now it is time to lock our toes with this ultimate stiletto by Tom Ford. Super sexy with a golden padlock-detailed and a buckled ankle wrap, pointed toe and low-dipped vamp to elongate the leg. This shoe lets you get deeply personal and object of desire gets a whole new meaning…

Available also in white at Neiman Marcus and Tom Ford stores.

LoL, Sandra