Chanel Paris – Bombay: A Dreamlike Setting

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My look: Fake fur jacket and hot pants, scarf, boots, bag, all by Chanel, bodysuit by Prada.

Yesterday, I attended the Chanel Pre-fall 2012 Paris – Bombay Métier d’Arts show in Paris which left me truly speechless. It was probably the most amazing show I have ever been to with an unbelievable decor. I took so many photos for you to see and dedicate this post only to the setting. The photos of the runway collection will be available here soon as well.
Enjoy this feast for your eyes!

Gate to India

Gate to India

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Tea time! The seats were placed at two long tables so that everybody was front row.

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Chaneltrain 2

On the huge centerpiece, a “Chanel train” was going around serving food and drinks.

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Chanel me 3

A nice gift bag was waiting for me at my seat with a beautiful photo book by Armanda Harlech and a bottle of Chanel’s new scent Jersey (more information on it coming up soon).

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Chanel PB Seating

We were served with tea, Indian lassis, champagne and yummy patisserie. OMG! A fashion show with food and drinks, this was the best! Please stay tuned for the photos of the collection which was as amazing and outstanding as its beautiful setting. Outside, my driver that Chanel had offered for the day was waiting for me… what a day!
Thank you, Karl, for this dream! I am still on cloud nine!

LoL, Sandra

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IMG_5036Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Style Diary: Anouschka

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Meet my London based friend Anouschka who has an amazing style. I truly love this outfit on her, the colour combination of red and burgundy is just divine.

Her look: Burgundy blazer by Stella McCartney, red lace skirt by Erdem, nude sweater by Miu Miu, earrings by Erickson Beamon, boots and clutch by Christian Louboutin.

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By the way, the plain brown paper bag is a discreet shopping bag from net-à-porter. In London, you can receive your deliveries like that. Good to know, isn’t it?!

LoL, Sandra

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IMG_4582Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Advent Calendar Day 7

Advent Calendar Day 7

Plopp is a German brand who came up with a fun idea: Decorate your sink with a new plug. Leopard print, festive X-mas styles and flag designs are among the favourites.
For € 14.90 each a cute gift.

LoL, Sandra

On My Way to Paris – Bombay

Chanel Paris Bombay

Chanel Save the date Paris Bombay

Today, I am on my way to Paris to attend the Chanel Métiers d’Art Pre-fall 2012 show. This défilé is always very interesting as it is made to the level of Haute Couture with the focus on the craftsmanship of Chanel’s Parisian couture ateliers.

Every season, Chanel picks a different location as inspiration wether it is a journey through time to the Byzantine age, an ode to Shanghai’s exuberance or a trip to Moscow. Interesting for me to observe is that „Kaiser Karl“ seems to choose countries with an uprising spending power, like Russia, China and now India.

I am really looking forward to Karl’s take on „Paris-Bombay“ today, isn’t he the modern maharaja of fashion already?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Sir Bhupindra Singh, Maharaja of Patiala © National Portrait Gallery, London; Invitation Courtesy of Chanel; karllagerfeld.com

Advent Calendar Day 6

HippieChic-Pictures-Chanel-09Mini cross-body classic flap bag in lambskin A65050 Y01480 12400

In rhinestones, black and white, with a fresh floral burst of pastels and acid shades,
CHANEL accessories this Christmas are the stuff of fairytales. From soft shades and
shapes to sparkle, blending fashion jewellery with feminine touches, this treasure trove
of contrasts is in equal parts rich and elegant.
Available in CHANEL boutiques from December 2011

Chanel Holiday 2011 – Stick to the List

In rhinestones, black and white, with a fresh floral burst of pastels and acid shadesChanel accessories this Christmas are the stuff of fairytales. From soft shades and shapes to sparkle, blending fashion jewelry with feminine touches, this treasure trove of contrasts is in equal parts rich and elegant and the perfect gift for all fashionistas.
Available in Chanel boutiques now.

Gentlemen, stick to the list, you cannot go wrong with those!

LoL, Sandra

HippieChic-Pictures-Chanel-04-1Camellia bouquet brooch in resin and enamel with glass pearls A61522 Y09255 Z3465

HippieChic-Pictures-Chanel-06Short necklace with glass cabochons A61041 Y09547 Z2634

December25-Still-Life-Pictures-Chanel-04Resin cuff embellished with strass camellia A60213 Y09977 Z2989

December25-Still-Life-Pictures-Chanel-08Satin evening clutch with strass bijoux clasp A69442 Y07437 94305

December25-Still-Life-Pictures-Chanel-09Square matte black acetate sunglasses embellished with black strass A40922 X01081 S5533

December31-Still-Life-Pictures-03Quilted lambskin jewelry box A68673 Y01480 94305
Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Advent Calendar Day 5

Trio Kerzen

Clinique Aromatics Candle Trio Set

I love the decor of the Aromatics candles set. Such a beautiful gift!
CHF 59.00 for 3 candles (3 x 70g)
Available at the Clinique counter nearest to you.

LoL, Sandra

Style Diary: Natalie

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Natalie Massenet, founder of Net-à-porter, looked so über-stylish at London’s V&A museum for the evening with Christian Louboutin that I had to share it with you.
Take inspiration from her amazing look with a printed top, statement heels and a standout skirt for outstanding evening chic.

Her look: Feather and sequin-embellished silk skirt by Matthew Williamson, printed silk-satin top by Theyskens’ Theory and Wales python lace-up pumps by Christian Louboutin.

LoL, Sandra

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Nat6Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Ain’t No High Heel High Enough

Ain't No High Heel High Enough

Recently, I was invited to an evening at the V&A museum in London with legendary French shoe designer Christian Louboutin, whom I had met earlier this year at La Soirée Monégasque in Monaco, and Net-à-porter founder Natalie Massenet. The event was linked to the launch of his first book and the 20th anniversary of the Louboutin empire.

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On Nov 21st, 1991 Christian Louboutin opened his first store at the age of 27. Now 20 years later, he still lives his passion for shoes.  Louboutin is a very interesting man and a true latitudinarian.

He was expelled from 3 schools, he ran away from home at the age of 12 and grew up in a household with many women, 4 sisters and his mom who gave him a lot of support and encouraged him to follow his dreams. At an early age, he had already developed an obsession for burlesque clubs and showgirls that has inspired him all his life.

Loubi & IChristian Louboutin with me…

IMG_4600…signing the book with a personal dedication for me.

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Meet Christian Louboutin and enjoy this insight into his world and life.

On happiness

“I don’t know how to be unhappy in life. This is a natural element that I have. For me, it helps me with my work. This is the great thing about designing, it should bring happiness.”

On destiny

“I don’t believe in destiny. I have loved drawing shoes from an early age but never thought that this would become my job.”

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On his childhood

„I learned a lot from my sisters and my mum. Women behave differently when they are by themselves and when there is no man around. I never thought that I had a special childhood but I had. My mum was very supportive and gave me complete freedom. She believed that it is important to be brought up in love. She was beautiful, even though her shoes weren’t. She was definitely not a shoe person!“

On shoes

“A shoe has so much more to offer than just to walk. Shoes are bringing posture to the whole body. They change the way you are walking, standing, behaving. They give you confidence. A customer once said while trying on a pair of my heels: ‘Look, I’m completely transformed and it’s cheaper than a facelift!’ “

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On his first success

“It was a flat shoe, the Love shoe”. Like the love birds that cannot be separated, I designed them. Only if you put the two shoes together, they are complete. I only sold those shoes in the first season and they were a huge success.”

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On his favourite heel height

“Ain’t no high heel high enough!” (started singing)

On his favourite shoe

“If there was only one shoe to be made, it would have to be a pump. It is like a beautiful face without make-up. If you have a good pump, the rest is make-up.”

On Princess Caroline of Monaco

“Caroline is the second fairy in my life. Caroline came in my store at a very early stage in December 1991. A journalist who did a story on new shops was by coincidence there and when she spotted Caroline, she wrote a huge article that brought me many buyers and sales went up.”

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On Folies Bergère

“I love Burlesque dancers. At the Folies Bergère, I saw all the shows, knew all the girls. So I decided to design for them. At one stage, I was even an intern at the Folies Bergère.”

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On the importance of the red sole

“It is my signature, it is clear how important it is. But now I don’t even think about it anymore. It is a funny story how it started. During my designing process for my third collection, I was thinking a lot of Andy Warhol, pop art, bright colours. The first prototype arrived and I was very happy with it, with the heel proportion, a Mary Jane with a big huge flower. Still, I was looking at the drawing and at the shoe, and something was missing. Looking at the sole, it was all black which was not on my drawing because you didn’t see the sole. Sarah, a model, was sitting on the floor and painted her nails in red. I grabbed the polish from her and started to paint the soles. The magic took place. The sole is like a message, the red a signal.”

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On sex

“You really need to be a criminal or a pervert to shock me! It is sad but you can even be sexy in bad shoes. Sexy is coming from a certain attitude.”

On independence

“I am very happy to not be a part of a big luxury company and do not plan to change it, because I enjoy my freedom very much. Freedom means a lot to me.”

On toe cleavage

“It is one of the important aspects of my designs, mainly because it gives the impression of longer legs. While working with the show girls, I learnt a lot. They are very specific with their shoes. Good balance is indispensable and to be able to dance while having the longest legs possible. This inspired me to create more toe cleavage.”

On his favourite thing to do

“Working.”

On his favourite colour

“Red.”

On his favourite quality in a person

“Tolerance and enthusiasm.”

On his nick name

“Laporo, Loubi, Bottinos or Los Bottinos which I hate.”

If I whet your appetite for a little Sunday shopping, you will find a great wish list below (just click here to be transferred). Channel Christian’s joie de vivre and enjoy your new shoes!

LoL, Sandra

The Louboutin Wish List

Advent Calendar Day 4

Louboutin Book

The perfect gift for all shoe lovers and Christian Louboutin aficionados: Delving into the designer’s imagination, this beautiful tome – created to celebrate the brand’s 20th Anniversary – contains over 300 pages of stunning photography, inspiration, biographic detail and even some pop-up art. Featuring a fold-out cover and with exclusive insight into his personal archives, this is a real collector’s item and will look fabulous on your coffee table or as a gift. Available at net-à-porter (“Christian Louboutin” by Christian Louboutin; foreword by John Malkovich, contribution by Eric Reinhardt, photographed by Philippe Garcia and David Lynch).

LoL, Sandra

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Taste of Fragrance: Angel

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ANGEL

Sautéed duck breast in a pink praline crust,
beets, turnips and raspberries, beet and citrus sauce

Intense Mexican mole sauce

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Serves 4

Preparation time: 45 min.

Cooking time: 7 to 8 min. (cooling time: 5 min.)


Duck breast

  • 4 duck breasts
  • 100g (1cup) of pink pralines
  • 50g (1/5 cup) of duck fat
  • Salt
  • Espelette pepper

Cut the skin of the duck breasts very thin with a small knife, taking care not to cut the fat all the way through to the meat.

Crush the pralines by wrapping them in a towel. Use the bottom of a heavy pot to crush them so that the pralines “burst”.

Season the duck breasts with salt and Espelette pepper. Place them in a very hot pan, skin side down, in a small amount of duck fat.

Cook on high heat for 4 to 5 minutes to sear the fat, which will melt.

Remove pan from heat and remove the separated fat from the pan, turning the duck breasts over to the meat side. Finish cooking them for 3 minutes in an oven preheated to 350° F (180°C).

Remove from the oven and take the duck breasts out of the pan. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

Finally, dip the skin side of the duck breasts in the crushed pralines and continue to sauté the “skin and pralines side” for 2 minutes in a very hot pan.


Garnish

  • 1 bunch of red beets
  • 1 bunch of yellow beets
  • 1 bunch of new turnips
  • 50g (1/5 cup) of butter
  • Salt
  • Espelette pepper

Peel the beets and turnips. Boil them separately in salted water.

Just before serving the dish, melt some butter in a pan and roll the beets and turnips in it to glaze them.


Beet sauce

  • 250g (1/2lb) of beets
  • Lemon zest cut with a peeler
  • Grapefruit zest cut with a peeler
  • Orange zest cut with a peeler

Use a juicer to extract beet juice. Pour it into a small saucepan with the citrus zest.

Reduce the sauce by ¾ over gentle heat until it becomes syrupy.


The little extra: mole sauce

  • 25cl ( 1 cup) of the cooking juice from poultry
  • 25g (1.1/3 tbsp) of Mexican mole paste (otherwise, bitter cocoa paste)
  • Raspberry vinegar
  • Salt
  • Espelette pepper

Melt the mole paste in a small pan, pour in the cooking juice and reduce by 1/3.

Season with salt and Espelette pepper and add a few drops of raspberry vinegar.


Presentation:

  • 30g (1/3 cup) of beet sprouts
  • 50g (1/2 cup) of raspberries

Cut each duck breast into 3 pieces and set them out on 4 plates.

Display the beets, turnips and a few raspberries on a serving plate, then pour a thin line of beet juice over the vegetables and top with beet sprouts.

Taste as is at first, then add the mole sauce.
Bon appétit!

LoL, Sandra