Sandra‘s Closet

This fall, Bulgari will bring back its historic snakehead motif on eight classic, must-have pieces. The green jade Serpenti bag in karung skin was already spotted by Tommy Ton on Giovanna Battaglia during the Haute Couture Fashion Week in Paris in July (see above).

Serpenti bag in green jade karung skin, CHF 2270 (small size), CHF 2490 (medium size)

The Mediterranean Eden collection is a series of handbags, clutches, and wallets that incorporates a distinctive clasp in the form of a snake’s head with malachite eyes.

Here are my other favourites from Bulgari’s F/W 2011 accessories collection. I especially adore the clutches.

Leoni handbag in metallic blue topaz wrinkled lamb leather with dueling lion heads at the clasp, CHF 2270

Serpenti Minaudière with light gold and black enamel décor, CHF 4830

Evening pochette in stone grey satin embroidered, CHF 7200

Photos: Courtesy of Bulgari

No, just kidding, it wasn’t me who went back to school, it was my daughter. So one of those very stressful mornings with no time to get ready as we had to leave pretty early. I am sure that all mums know what I am talking about.

Therefore I kept my makeup very simple, meaning just a little blush and some lipgloss (no eye makeup!). In case of an emergency, you can hide your eyes with big sunglasses.

My outfit: Blue Blazer and Python Flats by Zara (in stores now), White Shirt by Prada, Shorts by Blumarine, Sunglasses by Marc Jacobs, Python Boston Bag by Céline, Earrings and Ring by H&M, Bangles by Chanel and Bracelet (Souvenir from Istanbul).

Have a nice day!

LoL, Sandra

White shirt all buttoned-up to the very top (see Trend Alert F/W 2011: Buttoned-up Collars)

Set of ivory and gold bangles by Chanel, Bracelet bought at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

Ring by H&M

My favourite bag at the moment: The XL Boston Bag in blue python by Céline

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This winter, there is only one way to wear your crisp white shirt: buttoned-up to the very top. The wheel of fashion is always turning. On the runways, there were lots of masculine references, the season is all about the suits. Designers are paying tribute to the working girls and to keep things demure, no more cleavage is shown. But no worries, combined with a cool pair of shorts, the look is more about sophisticated minimalism instead of looking all prude.
My favourites are the shirts with embellished collars (Miu Miu and Christopher Kane) that are now in stores.

Enjoy experimenting!

LoL, Sandra

Princess Caroline of Monaco‘s daughter Charlotte Casiraghi graces the September 2011 issue of Vogue Paris. Photographed by Mario Testino, the twenty-page editorial features the stunning brunette in the must-have F/W 2011 pieces by the likes of Gucci, Balmain, Isabel Marant, Dior, Chanel, YSL, Versace and more. I have loved the photos so much that I wanted to share them with you. Isn’t she beautiful like her late grandmother Grace Kelly?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Mario Testino for Vogue Paris

Remember last year’s hype about Chanel’s three limited edition nail polishes Les Khaki de Chanel that the French house released for Fashion’s Night Out.

This year for FNO 2011, it is going to be Les Jeans de Chanel, a collection of three über-cool blue shades: Blue Rebel, Coco Blue and Blue Boy.

NY’s Fashion’s Night Out is September 8th and luckily it looks like I will be there. If you are not around, check out if retailers in your city or country are participating here, and look up the list of online retailers here.

LoL, Sandra

My last week in Istanbul was truly magical. I was impressed by the kindness and friendliness of the Turkish people and how wonderful and vibrant the city is. Shopping was a hell of a lot of fun. If you are based in Zurich and would like to experience some Istanbul fashion wonders, I recommend the newly opened shop Myracle – The Boutique (Freyastr. 21, 8004 Zürich).
Meryem Yalcinöz, who is Swiss with Turkish roots, carries yound Turkish designers as well as established brands like Machka and Ipekyol. Some of the shoes and jewelry pieces are even exclusively made for Myracle.

In case that I have whetted your appetite for a trip to Istanbul, Meryem also offers customized concierge services, from hotel recommendations to insider tips concerning dining and nightlife.
With her help, you can experience the city like a local.

LoL, Sandra

Being the last fragrant masterpiece from Gabrielle Chanel herself, Chanel N°19 entered the world of perfumery in 1970, created by Henry Roberts. The number 19 stands for the birthday of Gabrielle Chanel: August 19th. The year of its launch, she turned 87 and died only a few months later. The green fragrant trail with distinctive hints of iris has remained a bestseller among women all around the world.

A LITTLE ANECDOTE

One day, having ordered labels with the name “Coco” on them, she realized that it didn’t work for that fragrance. And so she called it “N°19”. Why N°19? Not long before her death, Coco explained why to her friend and confidante, Carmen Tessier.

“It is the day of my birthday, August 19. I was born under the sign of Leo – the lion. And I am just like the lion: I will bring out my claws to protect myself against being hurt. But believe me, it is har­der for me to lash out at someone than to have someone lash out at me.”

“So what do you think of this fragrance?” she asked, while spraying us with more. “Believe it or not but a man once stopped me in the street because of it. As I was leaving the Ritz, I felt someone touch my shoulder.

I turned around and saw a stranger. Before I could sharply brush off this intruder, he said, with an American accent: ‘Excuse me, I’m with two ladies who would like to know what perfume you are wearing.’

“I told him: ‘Why don’t you all follow me.’ And I took them to the CHANEL boutique, where – once we arrived – they realised who I was (…).”

MADEMOISELLE CHANEL SPEAKING WITH CARMEN TESSIER ABOUT N°19, “LES ANNÉES CHANEL” BY PIERRE GALANTE, 1972, P. 321-322

This summer, a new chapter created by Jacques Pole, begins: Chanel N°19 presents itself as delicate as a cloud of powder combining iris with musky notes to give a surprising fresh aroma:
CHANEL N°19 POUDRÉ

“I wanted to underline the importance of iris at CHANEL, while giving a new facet to N°19,” revealed Jacques Polge. “The desire to rework the original accord with other, more contemporary, powdery notes, came naturally to me.”

And so it is that the latest generation of the most sophisticated, beautifully soft and light musks has joined the world of N°19. Although clearly less green, N°19 POUDRÉ diffuses an incisive freshness on first contact with a zesty sensation of Grasse neroli and mandarin. Then Iris pallida appears, clinging to the dry swirls of Haitian vetiver root, bringing hints of powder cases and lipstick wax, archetypes of noble femininity. Iris fully expresses itself, enveloped in comforting and vel­vety white musk. A light almond impression from tonka bean gives the musk an even cosier feel. And then there’s that irresistible sensation of a cloud of scent on the skin…

TOP NOTES
Grasse Neroli
Mandarin Orange

MIDDLE NOTES
Jasmine Absolute
Iris Pallida

BASE NOTES
White Musk Notes
Haitian Vetiver
Tonka Bean

Available in Switzerland starting August 19th, 2011.
EAU DE PARFUM Vaporisateur 50ml, CHF 127
EAU DE PARFUM, Vaporisateur 100ml, CHF 183

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chanel

Grab some AE jeans and put together a look that’s made to wow. You could win $1,000 and see your winning outfit on AE’s New York Times Square billboard! Moreover, one reader is going to receive a surprise gift pack from American Eagle Outfitters.

To participate, enter the contest here on Sandra’s Closet and create a complete outfit (you can enter as many as you like). The contest runs from now until August 18, 2011 at 11:59pm PST.

Have fun and good luck!

LoL, Sandra

No, this is not the newest Tom Ford advertising campaign. It is part of the amazing pictures taken by Mario Testino during the recent wedding of Kate Moss with rocker Jamie Hince for the September issue of American Vogue. The newly weds channel a modern-day Mick and Bianca Jagger, re-creating the couple’s 1971 backseat wedding portrait by royal photographer Lord Lichfield
On Kate: Tom Ford velvet-and-fur coat. On Hince: Tom Ford red velvet jacket.

Kate Moss graces also the cover of the fashion bible. Mario Testino captured the famous  party guests plus the beautiful decorations and details so wonderfully that I wanted to share these with you. What a great inspiration for your own big day, don’t you think?

LoL, Sandra

Lara Stone with her husband

Paul McCartney with his daughter Stella

Naomi Campbell and Marc Jacobs

Like mother, like daughter: Kate Moss with Lila Grace
Photos: via Vogue

Bye-bye Turkey! I truly enjoyed my last night at the beautiful Çırağan Palace Kempinski İstanbul. The hotel was outstanding in everything and I would absolutely recommend staying here. Here are some photos of the restored historical Sultan’s Palace which is part of the hotel and where the 11 VIP suites are located with a private entrance.

My outfit: Blue Sweater and Dress by Alexander McQueen

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The Sultan suite one of the biggest in Europe with over 376 square meters is located on the second floor of the magnificent historical Palace overlooking the Bosphorus. It has hosted many royals and precious guests since its opening such as King of Spain – H. E. Juan Carlos II and the Queen; King of Jordan – H. E. Hussein and the Queen; the US former President Mr. Bill Clinton; Luciano Pavarotti and Liza Minelli, Oprah Winfrey and many more.

Staying in the Sultan Suite is a luxurious privilege with two master bedrooms and an astonishing marble bathroom with gold plated taps, guests enjoy 24 hour private butler service and absolute privacy. Rack rate: 30.000 Euro per night + VAT % 8

By the way, during my stay I spotted Zaha Hadid…

LoL, Sandra

Sultan Suite Master Bedroom

Sultan Suite Master Bathroom

Sultan Suite Second Bedroom

Sultan Suite Second Bathroom

Sultan Suite Living Room

Photos: Courtesy of Çırağan Palace Kempinski İstanbul