Sandra‘s Closet

Meet Tom Pecheux, the Creative Makeup Director for Estée Lauder. The internationally acclaimed make-up artist was in charge for the Derek Lam S/S 2012 runway beauty looks.

I was invited to go backstage before the show to interview Tom which was just wonderful. His thoughts on makeup
 are so modern, he has an amazing aura.

Tom Pecheux with me

The best compliment for the Parisian beauty guru that is loved by celebrities and top photographers all over the world?
To hear someone say “I feel great” and not “this make up is great”.

Enjoy the photos I took backstage and the interview! You will be up-to-date how your makeup should look like for next summer.

What was the inspiration behind your makeup look for the Derek Lam S/S 2012 show?

The inspiration was sort of that modern relaxed archtitecture on the West Coast, California, sunshine, earth – this kind of juxtaposition between both. The juxtaposition between masculine and feminine. If you look at the make-up, you have a very bright yellow which is generally a very feminine colour, but it is in a masculine finish. It is almost matte, a light satin finish, instead of being shimmery. The cheeks are very softly sculpted. Sunkissed, bronzey. I took the pink out of the lips by using a yellow tone which neutralized the pink, so that you get a „not-so-girly“ finish.

When Derek showed me his collection and he told me about his inspiration, I felt immediatly the warmth of the West Coast. When you go to L.A., you see colours that you don’t see anywhere else, the sand is special. So I wanted the yellow to present the warmness that you find in California.

How do you apply it?

It is super easy to apply. First the concealer with the finger. Some loose powder. After we start with the colour to apply. A powerful eyebrow mixed with a little bit of black and brown depending on the skin tone. A brown shimmery shadow just under the brow bones to create a even darker and stronger look. I really want the girl to feel powerful.

The yellow shadow I am using on the eyelid for a nice contrast. It is a colour that many people are afraid off so I took that challenge to make it look good. For the transparent, high-shine pout I just put a sheer, shimmery yellow gloss without a lip liner.

What is your beauty must-have for the next season?

This is hard to say. If you are a makeup artist, you don’t stick to just one thing. But the focus for the S/S 2012 is definitely on the eyebows, you should concentrate on getting them beautifully shaped and defined.

I do love the yellow. I love to find a way to use colour a little bit frightening, to make it work. To make a girl look gorgeous, to show that it is not weird. It is basically challenging myself not to get bored.

Estée Lauder’s spokewoman Hilary Rhoda with me

Do you have a favourite face?

No, not really. I mean I love beautiful women. But what I truly find interesting is to work on women that are not models and to realize how much you can give like for example during Fashion’s Night Out.

Estée Lauder’s slogan is „Every Woman can be beautiful“. Not every woman will look like Constance or Hilary. But every woman in her own world will look gorgeous. It is also not about trying to look like somebody else. It is more about feeling good, happiness and confidence.

In your opinion, should a woman always wear makeup when she leaves the house?

If you feel good, you can leave the house without. I don’t like the rules, I like to break them. Try different things, like an unusual colour. You may like it or you may not but the most important thing is to not get stuck. Enjoy exploring new things and you will feel beautiful and confident.

I couldn’t agree more with Tom! So I am ready for the yellow eyeshadow and you? Unfortunately we will just have to wait until January 2012 to get our hands on Estée Lauder’s limited edition Pure Colour Gloss in Citron Kiss and Pure Colour Eyeshadow Palette.

But isn’t anticipation the greatest joy?

LoL, Sandra

Photos:  © Sandra Bauknecht

„When I am doing a little California dreamin’, I am in a beautifully appointed Mid-century home, like the Kaufmann house in Palm Springs, by Richard Neutra. The clean minimal interior, the wide open desert landscape, the informality of living in nature yet also sheltered in rational and soul warming architecture; that is my mind wandering to a place of salubrious comfort. But it’s not all strict lines and raw space. Somewhere, there is Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack crooning by the piano and Angie Dickenson is lounging by a crystal blue pool. Mid-century louche and luxury, in my dreams.“

– Derek Lam

Last Sunday in New York was a very touching day marking the 10-year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center. While the city was filled with ceremonies commemorating this tragic event, the fashion world was looking ahead.

Derek Lam showed his S/S 2012 collection that day and went from East Coast to West Coast for inspiration. The designer, who had grown up in California, came up with a crisp, sharp tailored look. Very American, very preppy with a slight retro touch. The prints added a resort feeling. One of my favourites was the white linen trench coat with the shiny black leather trim. I am sure that this collection will be loved especially by business women all around the world. Anna Wintour seemed to like it a lot, but see for yourselves…

I was invited to go backstage before the show and enjoyed exploring the clothes in advance. Please stay tuned as I interviewed Tom Pecheux, Estée Lauder’s Creative Director for Makeup, who had created the makeup look for Derek Lam’s S/S 2012 show. I have got some beautiful behind the scenes shots of which some are already included here. Hope that will like it.

By the way, I spotted some German celebrities front row. Don’t miss the end of this post to see who was there!

LoL, Sandra

Derek Lam

Stephanie zu Guttenberg in a red Prada dress

Lilly & Boris Becker

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Saturday, Barneys New York celebrated the launch of their new womens F/W 2011 campaign „Carine’s World“ with a gigantic party in New York City. Many celebrities attended, but the real highlight of the evening was definitely the karaoke performance of Anna Dello Russo and Carine Roitfeld on stage.

The new campaign for the American department store was cast by Carine Roitfeld, former editor-in-chief of French Vogue. Friends, family members, people she admired over years for their style, were featured in the newest must-haves. Carine worked alongside renowned photographer Mario Sorrenti and Barneys New York Creative Director Dennis Freedman.

In the store, you can find some installations with quotes that I enjoyed very much. I hope that you do, too!

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Below you can find my personal favourites of the campaign. For more information, go on Barneys.com.

LoL, Sandra

Naomi Campbell in Fendi

Carine on Naomi:
“I met Naomi 25 years ago at the beginning of her career and worked with her often. She is of course a legendary model and an icon, but one thing that people don’t know about her is that she has a very big heart.”

Shop the Fendi collection at Barneys.com.

Jessica Hart in Marc Jacobs

Carine on Jessica:
“Jessica is the Australian girlfriend of my son Vladimir’s best friend. So pretty, natural, and elegant. She’s got a spontaneous, sporty allure and she’s always smiling.”

Shop the Marc Jacobs collection at Barneys.com.

Melanie Huynh in Yves Saint Laurent

Carine on Melanie:
“Melanie is a stylist and was my assistant for 3 or 4 years. We have stayed close – I am even godmother to her daughter. She is ravishing and brings a lot of grace to the Saint Laurent clothes. She looks like a princess.”

Shop the Yves Saint Laurent collection at Barneys.com.

Izabel Goulart in Mugler and Gianvito Rossi

Carine on Izabel:
“Izabel, a Brazilian, is one of my most recent discoveries. She is a very, very beautiful girl that I first saw at a Victoria’s Secret runway show.”

Shop the Mugler and Gianvito Rossi collection at Barneys.com.

Theodora Richards in Rodarte

Carine on Theodora:
“Theodora has inherited the daring style of her father, Keith Richards, and it suits her divinely. She’s also very spirited and lively and has an incredible presence.”

Shop the Rodarte collection at Barneys.com.

Photos: © Barneys

Meet beautiful Miroslava Duma, the former fashion editor for Russian Harper’s Bazaar. Today, she works as a freelance writer for numerous publications. Miroslava, daughter of the Russian senator Vasilay Duma, has become known as an international fashion icon. I think she is absolutely stunning. Here are some photos of her that I took after the Lacoste show.
Isn’t this look divine?

Her outfit: Waistcoat by Jil Sander, Clutch and Shoes by Prada, Jewelry by Tom Binns.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This morning I headed early to Lincoln Center to see the Lacoste S/S ’12 show which was full of stripes and ’60s silhouettes.

For Felipe Oliveira Baptista‘s first womenswear collection as Lacoste’s new designer, he created a more playful feel than his predecessors, proving that he is not afraid of change. He mixed sunny primary colors with vibrant brown and classy navy and went for a new twist on cuts as seen on exaggerated arm holes. All in all, the collection has got a certain kind of sexiness which is pretty promising to me. What do you think?

LoL, Sandra

A little gift waited for me on my chair.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The Tommy Hilfiger Men S/S 2012 collection celebrates the house’s iconic look, true preppiness.

Tommy seems like being on a mission to turn the world into a preppy place. With the success of his own Prep world pop-up tour, the American designer created with the help of consulting designers Simon Spurr and stylist Karl Templer, a collection filled with colour blocking, varsity jackets, chinos, seersucker and nautical stripes. Colours inspired by pop art made even classic knits and polos a bit twisted. The camouflage prints reminded me a little too much of Prada, but they were still fun.

A surprising and very wearable collection: Highly civilized, slightly rebellious! Well done!

Enjoy all the behind the scenes and runway photos!

LoL, Sandra

Male models waited for the arriving guests with a cool bottle of beer. What a lovely idea as the sun was burning down on the High Line in Chelsea where the show took place.

Look who is there: My favourite Gossip Girl character Chuck…

Forget Blair Waldorf: Actor Ed Westwick with me

Ed Westwick, Brad Richards, James Marsden, and Kellan Lutz

Ed Westwick with artist Todd DiCiurcio and musician Jake DArc to his right.

James Marsden with American Pie protagonist Kellan Lutz

Actor James Marsden with me

Great dress on Dee Hilfiger

LET THE SHOW BEGIN:

Tommy Hilfiger

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Fashionistas lining up in front of the Chanel store to get…

…a free manicure…

…with the three gorgeous shades of Les Jeans de Chanel.

I took the three bottles home, yippie!

Estée Lauder‘s face since 2007: Stunning Hilary Rhoda.

A little warm-up for me for my upcoming interview with Estée Lauder’s Global Creative Director Tom Pecheux on Sunday.

Two Estée Lauder spokeswomen: Liu Wen talking to Constance Jablonski.

Gorgeous presentation of Jo Malone‘s new scent: Wild Bluebell.

Hair guru Frédéric Fekkai

Lydia Hearst

Supermodel Doutzen Kroes…

…doing graffiti with designer Christian Cota.

Open your eyes, it is him…

…me with designer Prabal Gurung.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I came across those photos from my trip to Istanbul that I had taken with my new small Leica camera and completely forgotten about. The purple light of the night had been so beautiful and my outfit had just blended in.

My look: Pink and black striped dress by Alexander McQueen, clutch and sandals by Prada, necklace by Etro, ring by Roberto Cavalli and watch by Roger Dubuis.

On my finger nails: Ballerina Pink by Estée Lauder
On my toe nails: Purple Passion by Estée Lauder

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Welcome the latest fragrance by the house of Lancôme, Tresor Midnight Rose.

This very feminine scent (floral-woody-musk) comes in a beautiful purple flacon. It is like a new dose of Parisian romance, like love at first sight.

Top notes: Raspberry, rose absolute

Middle Notes: Jasmine, peony, currant buds and pink pepper

Base Notes: Virginian cedar, musk and vanilla.

Lancôme Trésor Midnight Rose EDP, 30ml (CHF 64), 50ml (CHF 95), 75ml (CHF 125), available in September.

Actress Emma Watson is the new ambassadress of Trésor Midnight Rose and is killing us with cuteness. Below you can see some behind the scene photos of the new commercial shot by Mario Testino in Paris. The handsome young guy is Cyril Descours.
So romantic!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Shot on location by Barwerd van der Plas for Lancôme © 2011

For F/W 2011, many new fragrances will or have already hit the market just recently. Today, I would like to give you a brief summary of what is worth getting your nose on. Enjoy!

SENSOUS NUDE – Oriental Floral

Sensuous Nude is a new version of the original perfume Sensuous from 2008 and a fragrance reminiscent of the summer due its beautiful coconut accord.

Top Notes: Bergamot, pink and black pepper and mandarin

Middle Notes: Lily of the Valley, jasmine, coconut water, white honey and musk

Base Notes: Sandalwood, vanilla, amber, helioptrope and woody notes (that were created with a new technology, so-called Melted Wood Nature Print, for a more natural scent experience)

Sensuous Nude EDP, 30ml (CHF 60), 50ml (CHF80), 100ml (CHF114)
Sensuous Nude Body Veil – rich body cream 200ml (CHF 60)
Sensuous Nude Touch On Fragrance – light silky serum 10ml (CHF 54).

Advertising campaign was designed and executed by photographer Craig McDean, and advertising face is Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana, who posed on Californian beaches for this campaign (first photo on top). The fragrance is in stores now.

VIOLET BLONDE – Floral Woody Musk

Tom Ford has launched a new fragrance, named Violet Blonde which is based on powdery notes of violet and iris.

Top Notes: Violet leaf, pink pepper and Italian mandarin

Middle Notes: Tuscan iris absolute, Tuscan orris butter and jasmine

Base Notes: Musk, vetiver, suede, cedar and benzoin.

Tom Ford Violet Blonde EDP, 30ml (CHF 90), 50ml (CHF132), 100ml (CHF200)

Lara Stone was chosen to feature the campaign of the whole line that was shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. In stores in Switzerland Mid September 2011, in the US already available.

BURBERRY BODY – Chypre Fruity

Burberry Body is a feminine and effortlessly sensual fragrance with an eclectic combination of refined ingredients.

Top Notes: Green absinthe, peach and freesia

Middle Notes: Rose absolute, iris and sandalwood

Base Notes: Woody cashmeran, creamy vanilla, amber and musk.

Burberry Body is available in a wide range, featuring EdP Intense in different sizes, EdP in different sizes, Body Oil and Body Milk.

Supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley features in the new campaign shot by Mario Testino to promote the range, wearing nothing but a gold trench – and a few drops of the scent of course that is in stores now. 
The scent has so far been featured on Facebook, giving fans a chance to preview the scent. The page has had a staggering 8 million ‘likes’ as the brand continues to push the boundaries of digital media. The new fragrance is available since beginning of September.

PRADA CANDY – Oriental Vanilla

Prada has launched a new feminine perfume called Candy. As for me, this is the most surprising new scent on the market, very sweet , very girly and very unusual for the Italian brand.

Top Notes: Musk

Middle Notes: Benzoin

Base Notes: Caramel and vanilla.

Prada Candy EDP is available in three different sizes (30,50 and 80ml), with shower gel, body lotion and peeling.

The face is young French actress Léa Seydoux known for her role in The Beautiful Person (La Belle Personne) shot by Jean Paul Goud. Prada Candy is in stores now.

VERSACE YELLOW DIAMOND – Floral

Versace started its perfume line inspired by crystals in 2004 with Crystal Noir, and then launched the lighter and fruitier Bright Crystal in 2006. In 2011, a new addition is presented, “a crystal that turns into a diamond”: Yellow Diamond, a transparent and airy floral scent.

Top Notes: Neroli, lmon, bergamot and pear sorbet

Middle Notes: Orange blossom, freesia, mimosa and water lily

Base Notes: Amber, musk and guaiac wood.

Versace Yellow Diamond is available as 50 and 90 ml EdT, with deodorant and body lotion.

The face of the campaign is Australian model Abbey Lee Kershaw, shot by Mario Testino in Paris.

TOMMY HILFIGER EAU DE PREP TOMMY GIRL – Floral Fruity

The Tommy Hilfiger Group is launching two new fragrances – Eau de Prep Tommy Girl and Eau de Prep Tommy (for men). The fragrances reflect the preppy lifestyle which means sporty yet elegant. Let me give you more facts about Eau de Prep Tommy Girl:

Top Notes: Pink peppercorn, green apple and pear

Middle Notes: White roses, violet and hawthorn

Base Notes: Sandalwood, patchouli and musk.

Eau de Prep Tommy Girl EdT, 30ml (CHF46), 50ml (CHF76), 100ml (CHF96)

The fragrances will launch in Switzerland starting October 24, 2011.

SISLEY EAU D’IKAR  for Men – Woody Aromatic

Let me introduce you to the first ever masculine fragrance from Sisley named Eau d’Ikar. The composition is based on the note of mastic, a Mediterranean tree that grows in Corsica where the d’Ordano family’s origins are. A wonderful new composition for men.

Top Notes: Mastic, bitter orange, bergamot, lemon and carrot seeds

Middle Notes: Mastic absolute, iris, jasmine, orange pekoe tea, reeds, leather, wood and spices

Base Notes: Green cistus, sandalwood and vetiver.

Eau d’Ikar EdT, 50ml (CHF90), 100ml (CHF145)

The artwork bottle, symbol of a myth revisited, was designed by Polish sculptor Bronislaw Krzysztof. The new fragrance will be available from October, 1, 2011.

Have fun exploring those new fragrances in real and stay tuned for more releases to come! My personal favourites are Sensous Nude and Eau de Prep Tommy Girl!

LoL, Sandra