Sandra‘s Closet

I am part of a very interesting and extraordinary project for the launch of the new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid with different events taking place during the next days.

Starting today until this upcoming Monday, June 11th 2012, Volvo Switzerland is turning Zurich Main Station into an open street art studio. Seven Chinese artists will constantly repaint, respray and restyle the new car, expressing their interpretation of the sustainable mobility of tomorrow. Stop by if you get a chance to get an exciting insight into China’s contemporary art scene.

Tonight’s opening night presented an amazing live art and dancing performance. Volvo’s brand ambassador, Melanie Winiger, former Miss Switzerland winner and model, was dressed and painted all in black, followed by strokes of gold. Famous guest of the night was Andres Andrekson aka Stress, (see last photo below).

Richard Monturo, Volvo Vice President of Global Marketing, and Swiss chef Pascal Schmutz with me in the middle.

Stay tuned for more to come – especially if you are curious how the “three-dimensional canvas”, the new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, looks like. The two of us went on a little adventure trip today. The whole event is also streamed live via webcam at volvoartsession.com.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

One of the biggest trends at the moment is SUSTAINABLE LUXURY and Gucci has hopped on board the green side of life by launching a new “Sustainable Soles” line of footwear made with biodegradable plastic, which is part of its pre-fall 2012 collection and said to hit stores by the end of June.

The collection will include two styles, both designed by Frida Giannini, Gucci’s Creative Director:

The “California Green” men’s sneaker, available in both low- and high-top versions, includes bio-rubber soles, vegetable-tanned calfskin uppers, bio-shoelaces, and tongues with the Gucci logo printed in green on recycled polyester labels.

The “Marola Green” slip-on, which features cutout details and Gucci’s trademark interlocking Gs, will be sold in a variety of glossy hues, including blush, taupe, and black.

The shoes are made from bio-plastic, a biodegradable material in compost which is used as an alternative to petrochemical plastic. The material also has a shorter degradation process compared to that of traditional plastic.

“This new project conveys the house’s mission to interpret in a responsible way the modern consumer’s desire for sustainable fashion products, all the while maintaining the balance between the timeless values of style and utmost quality with an ever-growing green vision.”

The news comes on the heels, as it were, of Gucci’s biodegradable “Liquid Wood” sunglasses, which are manufactured by Safilo with wood fibers from sustainably managed forests, lignin from the paper-manufacturing process, and natural wax. I was able to explore one of the first prototypes (see photo below) and I truly liked them.

“Biodegradable” is a new catchphrase at Gucci – an inspiring example of how to combine sustainability with luxury.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci, Safilo and © Sandra Bauknecht