Sandra‘s Closet

Today is a traditional Spring holiday in the city of Zurich, which is called “Sechseläuten” (In Swiss German: Sächsilüüte). Since the early 20th century, it is celebrated on the 3rd Monday of April of every year. Following the parade of the “Zünfte” (guilds), the culmination of this popular tradition is the burning of winter in effigy, in the form of the “Böögg” (cognate to bogey), a figure of a snowman prepared with explosives.

It is said that the time between the lighting of the pyre and the explosion of the Böögg’s head is indicative of the coming summer: a quick explosion promises a warm, sunny one, a drawn-out burning a cold and rainy one. So let’s keep our fingers crossed that this head will be falling off fast today!

As the roots of the festival go back to medieval times, I was inspired to this look: Printed silk-organza midi dress by Dolce & Gabbana, Skull studded leather box clutch by Alexander McQueen, Noeud 120 bow-embellished leather peep-toes by Christian Louboutin and Leonard 2 round-frame acetate sunglasses by Illesteva.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via NZZ and © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

On Sunday April 14, 2013, you can create your own étagère at Waldraud (Josefstr. 142, 8005 Zurich). Together with the two designers Susi & Bianca from Senza Cane, Waldraud organizes three workshops (each two hours with six people) where you can produce your own “étagère” (three-tier-server). Coffee and cake will be served!

To register for the morning workshop, 10.00-12.00 o’clock click here (3 places available).
The noon workshop, 12.30-14.30 o’clock, is already fully booked.
To register for the afternoon workshop, 15.00-17.00 o’clock click here (4 places available).

What to bring with you? As you will be drilling and working, don’t wear your finest Sunday dress. You can either bring your own china (plates, cups or saucers) or take the one provided.

Price for one workshop (two hours, 1-2 étagères for you to take home):
CHF 85 + CHF 60 if you want to use the china provided by Waldraud.
CHF 85 + CHF 20 if you bring your own china and just need the stick to create the étagères.

What a lovely idea!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Waldraud

Sometimes you have to be lucky… and in this case it was me. Coming pack from Los Angeles to repack for Paris Fashion Week, I had the chance to attend the opening party of the new Diesel Black Gold shop-in-shop at Jelmoli which is the biggest one in Europe. Especially for the night, Andreas Melbostad, Creative Director Womenswear, had flown in from New York. I was very honoured to be among the guests invited to an intimate dinner at Clouds afterwards where I got the chance to talk to the designer of Norwegian origin who had worked for the likes of Calvin Klein, Nina Ricci and Yves Saint Laurent before.

Andreas Melbostad with me

The new shop-in shop at Jelmoli

Dinner at Clouds

One day after I got back from Paris Fashion Week, just one week after the amazing dinner party, Diesel celebrated its recently opened shop on Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse.
And some famous guests came …

Two great parties in one week! Thank you, Diesel!

LoL, Sandra

For the outfit post, please click here.

Actor Adrien Brody with me

Joseph Fiennes, framed by his wife Maria Dolores Diéguez to the left and me to the right

Photos: © David Biedert, © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Diesel

Here is something for my Zurich based readers: This week, Mes Amis and Gut Juwelier are hosting together a Spring Reception where you can browse through the newest arrivals of interior decorations and jewelry designs while enjoying a glass of bubbly.

Please find below all the details:

Probably you can find some beautiful inspirations for your Easter weekend. For those, who cannot make it, enjoy the photos!

LoL, Sandra

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

Today, I went last minute Christmas shopping. For the first time in my life, I haven’t been prepared for the festive season at all. I haven’t even written one single Holiday card. (Apologies here to all who have been expecting one). The last weeks had just been so filled with projects that everything else got delayed.

Nevertheless, Sunday shopping before Christmas Eve is pure torture, especially the food department was all about panic buying. Flat shoes and comfy clothes were essential.

My look: Coat and grey washed leather Soft Stirrup, both by Gucci, loose-fit cotton-jersey top by James Perse, Renard woven-striped leather skirt by Rag & Bone, sequined Monogram wool scarf and hat, both by Louis Vuitton (a gift from my recent trip to Gstaad with Louis Vuitton, more to be posted soon) and ruffled leather ankle boots by Valentino.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Great news for my Swiss readers: This upcoming Sunday, 2nd of December, from 12 -6 pm, you have the chance to meet and greet the jewelry designer GABRIELE FRANTZEN at GASSMANN in Zurich.

You have seen me many times wearing her amazing designs. Now, you will have the chance to explore her famous “Sense & Sensibilty” collection that is in the meantime available in 20 different shades with your own eyes or get your fingers on the new S/S 2013 “Zoo” designs.

For my foreign readers, you can shop Gabriele Frantzen’s designs online at LUISAVIAROMA.COM.

LoL, Sandra

SENSE & SENSIBILITY EMERALD

FLOWER CHOKER

KISSING PANTHERS

PEARL DRAKE

TIGER PENDANT

ZOO

Photos: Courtesy of Gabriele Frantzen, © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week almost 300 guests celebrated the opening of the Moncler store in Zurich. Located at the prestigious Storchengasse 8, the shop carries the house’s impeccably tailored alpine outerwear for men and women as well as the Moncler Grenoble line that takes its name from the French village where the brand originated, along with fabulous accessories from cool hats to fashionable fur boots.

My look at the opening party: White padded gilet by Moncler Grenoble (Thank you, Moncler!), Millie tweed and wool-crepe dress by Stella McCartney, Swarovski crystal necklace by Lanvin, bow-embellished suede and snake-effect leather ankle boots by Miu Miu, small Boston bag by Céline.

Enjoy the photos of the night and the shop!

LoL, Sandra

Laurence Antiglio (Vestibule), Annina Frey (also dressed in Moncler Grenoble), me and a friend.

The lovely Moncler team, who came from Italy for the opening party, with me.

Guests received this exclusive gift.

Photos: Courtesy of Moncler and © Sandra Bauknecht

THOMAS SABO celebrated its newest fragrance launch in Zurich over the city’s rooftops at the Clouds Restaurant, located on top of Switzerland’s highest building Prime Tower.

German perfumer Geza Schön, the nose behind GLAM’N SOUL, is considered  “one of the most radical perfume designers” these days. He had flown in from Berlin and gave us some insight into his creative process and his visions behind the fragrance. I had a very interesting and fun conversation with him over lunch.

GLAM ‘N SOUL is an elegant, floral-fruity fragrance, dedicated to the self-confident, courageous and independent woman.

Top notes: Bergamot, lychee, pink pepper and violet.
Middle notes: Rose, water lily and magnolia.
Base notes: Vanilla, cedar and white musk.

Eau de Parfum 50 ml (CHF 84.90)

For perfumer Geza Schön, the combination of lychee and rose was so interesting for GLAM’N SOUL as both have similar components. He is not a fan of sweet fragrances, in general sugary notes play a secondary role in his creations. As for him, he likes “to smell the person behind the fragrance” and prefers transparent scents.

REBEL AT HEART is the very first THOMAS SABO men’s fragrance created by perfumer Mark Buxton. This extravagant scent belongs to the woody-aromatic fragrance family, aimed at the charismatic man with an international style and an authentic Rock ‘n’ Roll attitude.

Top notes: Cardamom, bitter orange and cinnamon.
Middle notes: Carnation, bay, caraway seeds and cedar.
Base notes: Tonka bean, vetiver, patchouli, incense and white musk.

Eau de Toilette 50 ml (CHF 74.90)

Both fragrances are available this fall at all Thomas Sabo stores and exclusively at Douglas.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills and Ad Campaign Photos: Courtesy of Thomas Sabo

Breaking insider news for all Cinderellas in Zurich: Tomorrow, September 8th, 2012, is your chance to get a pair of shoes for free. Sounds too good to be true, I know, but it is no joke!

Vögele Shoes is celebrating the opening of its new flagship store at Sihlstrasse 3 with the special “Nimm Mich” (“Take me with you”) campaign. This Saturday, the famous Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich will be filled with 500 single red pumps. Look for example on benches, fountains to live your Cinderella moment. Take the one shoe. Your “prince” will be waiting at the Vögele Shoes flagship store at Sihlstrasse 3 with the other one for you to take home your pair for free.

Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life, so ladies, hurry up to get your share!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Vögele Shoes