Sandra‘s Closet

Swarovski pursues its story and opens a chapter on the theme of love: Aura by Swarovski Collection Mariage. Boasting an olfactory composition inspired by moments of happiness in a marriage, it brings women good fortune and bliss.

The fragrance is composed of 3 main notes:

Sparkling and fruity, lychee blends perfectly with tea leaves to symbolise the seal of emotional commitment.
A delicate blend of peony and lotus evokes happiness, serenity and the promise of an eternal alliance.
In moments of intense love, white musk wraps women in a luminous and glittering aura.

This limited edition collection is available now.

Aura by Swarovski Collection Mariage EdT Légère CHF 73.- (50ml)
Prestige Edition EdT Légère CHF 121.- (50ml)
Makeup Jewel Crystal Gloss, Rose Scintillant CHF 73.-

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Swarovski Parfums

Exciting news: Maison Martin Margiela is the next fashion house to collaborate with H&M.
The collection for both, men and women, will be available on November 15th, 2012 in 230 H&M shops worldwide as well as online.

“MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA is one of the most important and influential fashion houses of the past three decades. I am so excited by this collaboration which will give fashion lovers around the world the chance to wear special pieces by MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA. This collaboration will be a great and memorable fashion moment“, says Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor at H&M.

“We are very happy to present MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA pieces with H&M, offering a new interpretation of our vision. The democracy of our fashion has always been at the centre of our creativity, and the collaboration with H&M allows us to push this instinct further. We will bring together the contrasting universes of the two houses in ways that will surprise all.” MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA

ABOUT MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA

MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA is a French fashion house which has always followed its own path, often outside the conventional fashion framework. The Maison believes in the absolute importance of the collaborative nature of its team rather than the individual, where its ideals are founded in the desire for concept and creativity. Constantly questioning the norms of fashion and presenting its pieces through the technique of deconstruction and transformation, the collections reinvent volumes, modify shapes, change the original use and movement of garments and derail classic notions of fashion.

The Paris-based label, whose elusive Belgian founder left the company in 2009, is loved by fashion insiders around the world for its avant-garde aesthetics. It might not reach the same level of anticipation as the collaboration with Versace did, but it will definitely be a successful and different combination!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M

For his S/S 2012 fashion show, Giorgio Armani, the king of nonchalant elegance, borrows the luminous magic of Southern Italian summer nights, “when the last rays of the sun shine a myriad of new shades upon the water, when the blue sky turns to night tinged with green, petrol blue and bluish gray hues flushed with violet, when darkness sweeps over the scenery metallic glints silver tones, pale gold and pink copper tints sparkle and when stars seem to float upon the water.”

Mother-of-pearl (NACRE) gives its name and forms the central theme. With his new Haute Couture Fragrance NACRE, Giorgio Armani accompanies his prêt-à-porter collection with a rare, highly limited and very luxurious fragrance.

It is an ode to mother-of-pearl which signs each of the 1000 numbered bottles in this edition with a plate bearing its name. No two plates are the same: each is unique, in tribute to the living character of a material born from the depth of the sea. The bottle itself is a piece of art.

The fragrance was developed by perfumer Marie Salamagne, at Firmenich. It has a really spicy woody smell to it, with a strong amount of iris. It’s unisex and definitely something everyone could wear! The iris chosen for Nacre has a very rare quality, combining the rich, creamy facet of iris, with a powdery, almost talc-like note.

Top notes: Bergamot, pink pepper and saffron
Middle notes: Iris absolute and musk
Base notes: Patchouli, vetiver woods and tonka bean

130 bottles of the 1000 limited editions are available in Switzerland now for CHF 690.- (100ml). In Zurich at Jelmoli. Definitely a collector’s piece.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani, © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I went to Bucherer‘s annual brunch at the lovely Chez Fritz restaurant at Lake Zurich in Switzerland. Highlight of the event was a fashion show in collaboration with Gassmann during which the guests could admire some of Bucherer’s fantastic high jewelry pieces.

My Sunday Look:
Neon wool-blend crepe biker jacket, pleated cotton top, cutout silk-blend jacquard skirt, all by Christopher Kane, patent faux leather belt, peep-toes in faux python with neon pink detail and matching new Grace multizip shoulder bag, all by Stella McCartney, earrings by Christian Dior and my new Culte sunglasses by Miu Miu.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

OPI has just launched a vintage Minnie Mouse nail polish line that includes four colours that are perfect for summer!

Nothin’ Mousie ’bout It – Don’t squeak it – SHOUT IT! This confetti light pink is tops!
(My favourite, I love the pale pink hearts in this nail polish, similar to OPI’s Heart to Resist)
I’m All Ears – 
Tell me how much you love this magenta shimmer.
If You Moust You Moust – 
You gotta pink what you gotta pink.
The Color of Minnie – 
You had this little mouse at “red.”

The cute collection will be in stores in Switzerland starting July 2nd, 2012.
CHF 23.90 per 15ml bottle.

LoL, Sandra

The legendary fashion house Paco Rabanne that ruled in the 1960’s has started to make a comeback.

In 2011, Indian designer Manish Arora had been hired as Creative Director of Women’s Ready-to-Wear and showed his first collection for the French brand, owned by Puig Beauty and Fashion Group, for the S/S 2012 season during Paris Fashion Week. Now, after only two seasons at the helmet of the house, he left. A split that appeared abrupt and unexpected.

This week, the Paco Rabanne House announced the appointment of Lydia Maurer, 29 years of age, as the new Artistic Director.

Born in Germany of a Colombian mother and a German father, she travelled throughout her childhood, following her parents between Europe and South America. Then at sixteen: Paris, and fashion. In 2006, 24 years of age, freshly graduated from Studio Berçot, Lydia starts working for Yves Saint Laurent. This is where she learns the precision and discipline of a great Maison. A change of scenery the following year with the launch and development of Rue du Mail, with designer Martine Sitbon. For four years, Lydia will learn the ins and outs of the fashion industry: an enriching and intense journey. Third encounter with Parisian fashion in 2010, Lydia Maurer makes joins the Givenchy Womens-ready-to-Wear studio where she takes care of the capsule collection, capturing the essence of Riccardo Tisci’s vision of the prestigious house.

Last November, Lydia Maurer took the reins at the Paco Rabanne studio. A role tailored to her, a bespoke experience. Serving a fashion ever in motion, honoring the body, Lydia is sensitive to the alliance of cultures. Fascinated by 60s and 70s arts, which emphasize the material and can transform metal into divine sculptures, she naturally inscribes her universe of creation into the heritage of the Paco Rabanne House.

It rejoices her: “It is a great honor to be taking on the artistic direction of such an emblematic house at the heart of Parisian creation. I am very impressed by the creative power of Paco Rabanne, a House that from the very start strips out all conventions, using, among other things, an assemblage of unexpected materials. A creative approach based on both technology and craftsmanship, resulting in a fashion that is instinctive and playful”.

Lydia Maurer will present her first S/S 2013 collection in Paris this upcoming October.

Outrageous and sometimes impractical designer Paco Rabanne came onto the scene in 1966, when he showed his first collection, a provocative manifesto titled “12 Unwearable Dresses in Contemporary Materials”, the dresses embellished with rhodoid sequins and plaques. Clothes suddenly became an artistic expression of their time. Courting scandal and plaudits, Paco Rabanne never mellowed in his mission to question the process of thinking and showing fashion, preempting the conceptual turn that designers would take as the 21st century neared.

Paco Rabanne 1966 – Photographed by Ed Pfizenmaier

With one-off handmade pieces, pioneering the recycling of materials, event clothing, and ephemeral items, throughout his career Paco Rabanne reveled in experimenting with revolutionary projects and adapting materials for his own uses: hammered metal, knitted fur, aluminum jersey, dresses made from paper or fluorescent leather or fiber glass, to mention just a few of the more emblematic examples.

Paco Rabanne – Vogue Paris 1969

In 1971, he was recognized as a couturier by his peers when he became a member of the storied Chambre Syndicale de la Couture.

In 1999, after more than thirty years of internationally acclaimed creativity, Paco Rabanne announced his retirement from the world of fashion. In 2010 he was decorated an Officer of the Legion d’Honneur by the Frech culture minister, a timely acknowledgement of his work as a visionary designer and innovation originator in the world of fashion.

Here are some of his iconic pieces:

1966 – Dress in aluminium disks

1996  – Plastic and metal bubble dress

1997 – Plastic and silvered metal space

1997 – Dress in transparent rhodoid and water

Given the history of the label, I hope that Paco Rabanne will be back amongst the most renowned avant-garde fashion brands in the very near future.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Paco Rabanne

Last night, I went to Volvo‘s VIP event “Switch to Pure”, the official presentation of their new V60 Plug-in Hybrid car.

Opening the evening, the acclaimed futurist Matthias Horx delivered the keynote speech about sustainable luxury: “Luxury and sustainability are no longer contradictory. Global markets, future mentalities and consumer behaviour change. One of the biggest trend over the next ten years will be ‘womanomics’, which is reflecting the increased influence of women in society.” Speaking of which, here are some quotes of powerful women in fashion:

Coco Chanel brought it to the point: „Luxury is not the opposite of poverty. It is the opposite of vulgarity.”

And British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood said in the Oct. 4, 2007 edition of The Telegraph: “Buy less, choose well. If you ask me what I think people should be getting next season, I’ll tell you what I’d like them to buy—nothing. I’d like people to stop buying and buying and buying.”

Speaking of choosing well, here is my “healthy fashion” look:
Cropped leather jacket (from a previous season) by Prada, eggplant-print silk-organza dress, raffia-trimmed PVC waist belt, cameo and onion clip earrings, eggplant and bell pepper bracelet, all by Dolce & Gabbana, “Diorette” ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie, flap-over zip bag by Tom Ford and studded leather ankle boots by Valentino.

During his speech, Matthias Horx said: “The woman is responsible for most of decisions made within a family, even which car should be bought.”

With this in mind, dear ladies, you should have a closer look at the new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid. You get three modes in one: Pure, Hybrid and Power, this is like a closet of cars. Each day, you can choose in which mood you are.

Green thumbs up!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A VARIATION ON EYES

An unforgettable face is often due to the eyes: playful, indiscreet, warm or seductive. In 2012, eyes by CHANEL take control. A multi-dimensional mascara, a high-precision eyeliner and eyeshadows that sweep warm and cool tones over the eyes…

Peter Philips, Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup, creates three mini collections dedicated to the eyes, in three colour expressions – coral, purple and brown.

Volume, length, curl. Why choose?

INIMITABLE INTENSE is designed for women who want it all, without compromise.

A sophisticated 3D effect is ensured by perfect harmony between the formula and brush:

– An enveloping and coating formula thanks to the patented blend of a vinyl copolymer and wax for an even result that enhances lashes over their entire length.
– A high-tech patented brush in soft and flexible white elastomer for even and optimal application on each lash, from root to tip.

Lashes are instantly stretched, curled and perfectly separated. A deep, intense gaze that fully unleashes its seductive power.

The iconic LES 4 OMBRES eyeshadow quartets and ILLUSION D’OMBRE eyeshadows stay in tune with three collectable interpretations that reveal eyes whatever the whim or mood…

LES 4 OMBRES enables to intensely adjust makeup with matte, satiny or scintillating effects.

ILLUSION D’OMBRE plays with metallic reflections for a halo of light or more accentuated and shimmering finishes.

Coral Expression: Illusion d’Ombre 88 Abstraction (new) and Les 4 Ombres 34 Éclosion
Purple Expression: Illusion d’Ombre 83 Illusoire and Les 4 Ombres 37 Variation (new)
Brown Expression: Illusion d’Ombre 89 Vision (new) and Les 4 Ombres 36 Intuition (new)

Les 4 Ombres de CHANEL                       CHF 77.-
Illusion d’Ombre                               CHF 47.-
Mascara Sublime de CHANEL Waterproof        CHF 47.-
Mascara Inimitable Intense de CHANEL        CHF 47.-

Available Mid June 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

As you might have realized already, some of this week’s posts have been dedicated to sustainable luxury. But what does this new fashionable expression actually mean?
Sustainability poses an opportunity to explore alternatives to the norm, to propose innovations and ideas for a closer connection of technology and nature, to develop and experiment with recycled and natural materials.

In our daily life, we are not willing to compromise very much in order to live and consume responsible-minded. Today, there are many brands who try new ways to combine both lifestyles. One of them is the Volvo Car Corporation.

Yesterday, we shot a short movie for the launch of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid in Switzerland.

Their new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid, and the economy benefits are just incredible. At the touch of a button, you can choose which of the three driving modes you want to drive at any given moment: Pure, Hybrid or Power – meaning you have „three cars in one“. The V60 Plug-in Hybrid can be recharged from a regular power outlet (230V/6A, 10A or 16A) at home or in a car park.

Yesterday, I had the car for the day and drove around the city of Zurich sometimes on pure electricity which was totally amazing. It is pretty impressive that it is not only totally silent, but you can accelerate reasonably hard in electric mode without the diesel motor kicking in. As you sink in the black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and inlays of blue-grey wood, you are definitely not thinking of going green.

Let me take you on a ride to some of my favourite spots in my recent hometown.

First stop: HOTEL BAUR AU LAC

I love this beautiful hotel set in its own park, with a stunning view overlooking the lake and the Alps. The terrace is one of my favourite places to lunch in the summer.

This weekend, the famous hotel park will host the opening event of Zurich’s ninth “Art in the Park”. The exhibition shows sculptures in the garden of the legendary 5 star hotel until August, 6th 2012. It is created and curated by Gigi Kracht, the wife of Andrea Kracht, the hotel’s sixth-generation owner, in collaboration with Gallery Gmurzynska.

A warm welcome upon my arrival.
My look: Orange-fuchsia bi-colour silk shirt and “Audrey” wayfarer sunglasses, both by Céline, stretch-leather leggings and green python “1970” bag, both by Gucci and booties by Chanel.

On my way, I received many compliments from people who loved my car.

Second stop: SHOPPING AT GUCCI

As you know, I love Gucci and I am a huge fan of their new sustainable collections. The trunk of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid has enough space for many shopping bags. Awesome!

It is always too much fun shopping with Stefano Polli, Gucci’s store manager in Zurich.

Third Stop: SUSANNE WISMER BLUMEN

I love my green oasis at home to relax and I always have flowers on display. Yesterday, I got my favourite ones: a huge bunch of pale pink peonies.

Fourth stop: RESTAURANT SEEROSE

Personally speaking, whenever I am there, I feel like being on vacation. Surrounded by the mountains and the lake, nature is embracing you in the city. Where else in the world can you find this?

By the way, when you switch to the “pure” almost silent mode, you have a similar effect while driving. You can hear the wheels on the asphalt and the wind around you. Such a beautiful and relaxing feeling.

I hope that you have enjoyed my little ride through Zurich!

The indicative price of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid luxurious “Pure Limited Edition” is starting at CHF 78.600,- in Switzerland.

After the initial batch of 1,000 cars for model year 2013 (of which 79 will go to Switzerland) this upcoming December, production of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will increase to 5,000 cars as of model year 2014.

Stay tuned for more… and a huge thank you to all who liked my facebook page. It has reached today over 30.000 likes!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

At Dufourstr.138 in Zurich’s Seefeld quarter, there is the most beautiful flower shop:
SUSANNE WISMER BLUMEN.

Entering this green oasis will never fail to take your breath away and to inspire you for your own interior decoration. The charming florist and her team truly pursue their passion for flowers.
With the ongoing floral fashion trend, you are at the exactly right place.

For all of you living abroad, just enjoy the photos below.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht