Sandra‘s Closet

GABRIELLA SCARPA

The CEO and President of Acqua di Parma, Country General Manager for LVMH Italy Perfumes and Cosmetics and Dior Couture lives in Milan and travels a lot. Her favourite destination, of course, her home country: Bella Italia
“Wherever you are, the lifestyle is there.”

Your favourite region: TUSCANY
It is one of the most beautiful places in the world. There you have everything you want: The wonderful panorama with stunning hills, flowers and colours. You breathe good air and have fantastic restaurants, trattorias and nice people.

Your favourite restaurant: DA CAINO, Via della Chiesa, 4, Montemerano, 58050 Manciano (GR), + 39 3273594882
I love to go to Da Caino in South Tuscany, which is close to the Hotel Terme di Saturnia. It is rated two Michelin stars and very famous. It is in Montemerano, a pictoresque old little town where you can also find fantastic family-managed trattorias.

Your favourite place to stay in Italy: RELAIS TENUTA PALAZZACCIO, Asciano, +39 0577 718600
It is an old, recently restored tower of the fifteenth century, managed by a family with only few rooms that offer all the modern comforts without missing the charm and magic of its secular history. The panorama is to die for with the unique contour of the Crete Senesi embracing you. The best is to go there with friends and to take all the place. Moreover you have fantastic places to eat being in the midst of the Chianti and Montalcino area, the home the best red vines.

Your favourite souvenir: LOCAL PRODUCTS like red vine, prosciutto and olive oil

Your must-see in Italy: CAPRI
It is very fascinating.When you visit this small, beautiful island, you are going to live an experience. It’s different from other places, there is no mass tourism.

Your favourite hotel in Capri: HOTEL QUISISANA CAPRI SPA RESORT, Via Camerelle, 2, Capri, +39 081 837 0788

Your favourite city in Italy: ROME
It has so much culture and an inspiring atmosphere.

Your favourite travel accessory: An ACQUA DI PARMA BAG, of course!
Those luggages are so easy to use, very practical, of great quality while being very elegant.

Thank you, Gabriella, for sharing your insider scoop on Italy with us!

LoL, Sandra

Finally, I can tell you very exciting news for all fragrance aficionados and Chanel lovers among you: COCO NOIR is here, Chanel’s newest fragrance. The famous French house didn’t want any information to go public before and journalists and bloggers had to sign a press embargo not to post the information earlier.

COCO NOIR is the third fragrance named after house founder Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, joining Coco (1984) and Coco Mademoiselle (2001). Created by Chanel’s master perfumer Jacques Polge, it represents Coco Chanel’s love of the “dazzle of black and Venice”.

1936 – Gabrielle Chanel on Roussy Sert’s yatch in front of the Lido of Venice

Jacques Polge on his creative process: “For Coco Noir, I thought of Coco and of Coco Mademoiselle too, because it’s also part of the history. I wanted to continue exploring an entire esthetic range of CHANEL perfumery, a range that distinguishes itself from the Florals, one that is illustrated by Bois-des-Iles and Cuir de Russie. I took it up with Coco. It’s what I like to call the CHANEL Coromandel culture, what you see and feel in her apartment. The night vision of the ‘Orient that starts and ends in Venice’ imposed itself upon me and that is where I wanted to go.”

Top Notes: Grapefruit note and Calabrian Bergamot
Middle Notes: Essence and Absolute of Rose, Absolute of Jasmin, Narcissus Note and Rose Geranium Leaf
Base Notes: Brazilian and Venezuelan Tonka Bean, Indonesian Patchouli, New Caledonian Sandalwood, Bourbon Vanilla and White Musk

Available in 50 ml (CHF 146.-) and 100 ml (CHF 210.-). In Switzerland from August 20, 2012.

COCO NOIR has an “animal sensuality – a great nocturnal Baroque”. The perfect scent for the next season to finish off you opulent winter looks. If you like oriental fragrances, this will definitely be something for you.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: V.H. Grandpierre © All Rights Reserved / Courtesy of Vogue Paris, Courtesy of CHANEL – Julien Claessens et Thomas Deschamps

The pearl is one of the oldest gems in the world. There have been many ancient legends handed down from one generation to the next on those precious jewels. The Roman Empire considered pearls to be status symbols. According to the myth, Cleopatra bet her lover Marc Anthony that she could provide him with the most expensive banquet the world had ever seen. The day of the feast, Cleopatra, who was wearing an enormous pair of extremely precious pearl earrings, dropped one of them in a vessel containing vinegar that dissolved it completely which was more expensive than most lands.

For the ancient Greeks the pearl was a symbol of love and marriage. Thanks to Coco Chanel, they stand today for the ultimate statement of style. Coco loved pearls and used several necklaces of various sizes for a more dramatic effect.

Pearls can make you look more radiant. In Europe, the most popular shades have been white and pink-rose to flatter fairer skin tones whereas in Asia, natural-coloured golden pearls have enjoyed great popularity since many years.

Finally, pearl farmers have succeeded to cultivate golden pearls in a shade that suits all skin tones, “Vanilla Overtone” is lighter and more radiant. Bucherer is the first European jeweler, that is offering this new colour in a large selection. To celebrate the launch, I was invited to a Golden Pearl High Tea in collaboration with Falcon Private Bank at the Haute restaurant overlooking Zurich’s rooftops. Everything matched the golden tone of the pearls, from the shimmering pastries to the sparkling champagne and the exclusive tea.

And as a diamond is a pearl’s best friend, enjoy how beautiful the two look in combination.
Available at Bucherer, Bahnhofstr. 50, CH- 8001 Zurich, Phone +41 44 211 2635.

LoL, Sandra

RING with one natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearl (15,2 mm), brown brilliant diamonds (total 2.65 ct), and brilliant diamonds (total 0.69ct), CHF 21000.- / € 13990.-

NECKLACE – Yellow gold with 12 natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearls (10 – 11mm), CHF 6600.- / € 5900.-

PEARL NECKLACE with natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearls and interchangeable clasp with brilliant diamonds (11 -14.9mm), CHF 15800.- / €13300.-
Interchangeable clasp, CHF 4800.- / € 4300.-

EARRINGS – Yellow gold with natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearls and brilliant diamonds (10.4mm), CHF 2850.- / € 2550.-

BRACELET – Yellow gold with natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearls (8 – 8.9 mm), CHF 12800.- / € 11400.-

Photos: Courtesy of Bucherer and © Sandra Bauknecht