Sandra‘s Closet

During Paris Fashion Week, the lovely Mary Katrantzou welcomed me at her showroom to explore her newest F/W 2013 up close.

For fall 2013, Mary Katrantzou surprised. Her designs have developed, trading her focus on bold prints and vibrant colors for strong silhouettes and new shapes, without loosing her identity. Monochromatic hues, embroideries that look like print giving this outstanding collection an effect that has been even more striking on me. Referencing Edward Steichen’s iconic imagery, the turn of the century’s photography, Mary created dream-like pieces.

My favourites? The eerie landscapes and ghost-like dresses, as innovative as the legendary photographs they are reminiscent of.

Mary Katrantzou with me

I was so proud when I found myself in a folder at the entrance of the showroom with “celebrities” wearing Mary Katrantzou. Thank you!

To the left: MISTY MARIA dress, to the right: REFLECTO coat

New clutches for F/W 2013

Me in SANFRAN dress and FREELAGO clutch

Me in DIJON PINK blouse dress with matching leggings

Wearing VERSICOLOR coat

I love the FAUWI dress

Sporting two-layered ORLYON dress

Mary’s jacquards are among her bestsellers. Here you see me in the new KARDIA dress.

Amazing REFLECTOR dress.

Like a ghost: Me in TIA MARIA dress.

If you like the designs as much as I do, then I have a great surprise for you:
YOU CAN PRE-ORDER THE BEAUTIFUL MARY KATRANTZOU F/W 2013 COLLECTION NOW!
TRUNKSHOW ENDS ON MARCH 16 AT 11 PM EDT.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Sometimes you have to be lucky… and in this case it was me. Coming pack from Los Angeles to repack for Paris Fashion Week, I had the chance to attend the opening party of the new Diesel Black Gold shop-in-shop at Jelmoli which is the biggest one in Europe. Especially for the night, Andreas Melbostad, Creative Director Womenswear, had flown in from New York. I was very honoured to be among the guests invited to an intimate dinner at Clouds afterwards where I got the chance to talk to the designer of Norwegian origin who had worked for the likes of Calvin Klein, Nina Ricci and Yves Saint Laurent before.

Andreas Melbostad with me

The new shop-in shop at Jelmoli

Dinner at Clouds

One day after I got back from Paris Fashion Week, just one week after the amazing dinner party, Diesel celebrated its recently opened shop on Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse.
And some famous guests came …

Two great parties in one week! Thank you, Diesel!

LoL, Sandra

For the outfit post, please click here.

Actor Adrien Brody with me

Joseph Fiennes, framed by his wife Maria Dolores Diéguez to the left and me to the right

Photos: © David Biedert, © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Diesel

Let me introduce you to one of my favourite beauty treatments at home:
The Glamoxy™ Snake Mask by Rodial, heralded as ‘Botox in a bottle’!.

RODIAL – ALTERNATIVES TO SURGERY

In the age of chemical peels and invasive cosmetic procedures, the London-based brand has captured nature’s power by creating a range of super-effective skincare that delivers targeted treatments to specific skin concerns. In all Rodial products, Pomegranate Ellagic Tannin, with its natural anti-ageing, firming and collagen-boosting properties, is combined with breakthrough natural ingredients clinically tested to show results.

The Rodial Glamoxy™ Snake Mask has an innovative black “peel off” formula that visibly improves skin radiance and texture. Amino acids and licorice brighten the skin tone while enriched minerals deep cleanse and purify pores to remove excess oil, dirt and impurities. It also contains dipeptides, inspired by the potent effects of the Temple Viper venom, to help reduce the appearance of fine lines.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

1. Apply a fine, even layer to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eye area and hairline (and be truly careful!). Leave it for 15-20 minutes or until completely dry.

2. Gently peel off the mask from the outer edges like a snake sloughs its skin. This can be a little painful and feels more like a waxing. But the result is all worth it. Rinse off any residue with warm water. You can enjoy immediately a younger looking and more radiant skin. Can be used once or twice a week. I use it as a deep cleansing once a month.

THE FACE BEHIND RODIAL

Grecian-born Maria Hatzistefanis started her career as a beauty journalist. It was then that her entrepreneurial instinct foresaw the potential of a luxury skincare range that would offer an alternative to plastic surgery and injections.

Maria started the company in 1999 and grew it into a global brand now available in more than 1000 doors and 35 countries worldwide, with a huge celebrity following.

The Glamoxy™ Snake Mask by Rodial is available in Switzerland at Marionnaud for CHF 69.00 (50ml). And some very exciting news, next week I will be leaving to London to attend the Rodial Beautiful Awards 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Photos used for the collage: Courtesy of Rodial

On my last day in Los Angeles, I had a little time to walk down Rodeo Drive and to meet with my Beverly Hills girlfriends at the Beverly Wilshire for a drink before heading to the airport.

Bonnie Star (to the left) is a famous American jewelry designer, who made the wonderful cuff that I am wearing on the photo, modeled after nineteenth-century French lace.
(For a previous post on Bonnie, please click here).
Claudia Deutsch (to the right) is the owner of the Artspace Warehouse gallery in Los Angeles that offers high quality original artworks from established and emerging international artists at affordable prices for every budget. She brought this new concept also to Zurich, check out the Kunstwarenhaus.

My look: Striped glossed rayure-effect blazer and flat tote bag, both by Saint Laurent, classic white tee by Burberry London, stretch leggings by Stouls, long tank top by Rick Owens, skull silk scarf by Alexander McQueen, boots by Balmain, gold lace cuff by Bonnie Star and 4810 hoop earrings in pink gold with diamonds by Montblanc.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

While being in Paris, I couldn’t resist this beautiful trio from Dior‘s Cruise 2013 nail lacquers collection. Setting the right tone for summer, the three shades, inspired by fresh fruits, Mango 438, Lime 602 and Pastèque 658, would compliment the gorgeous Dior S/S 2013 dresses perfectly. Just beautiful!

The nail polishes are available exclusively at the Christian Dior boutique, 30 avenue Montaigne and Bon Marché in Paris. Enjoy your tutti-frutti!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Runway photos: Via style.com

While doing my tour around Los Angeles, I had to stop at one of my favourite shops in town: Opening Ceremony.

My look: Printed stretch-satin jersey top, striped low-rise skinny jeans, both by Balmain, crystal cat’s-eye sunglasses by Prada, flat tote bag by Saint Laurent, patent leather jeweled heel lace-up oxfords by Miu Miu and 4810 hoop earrings in pink gold with diamonds by Montblanc, dotted socks by Fogal.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is something for my Zurich based readers: This week, Mes Amis and Gut Juwelier are hosting together a Spring Reception where you can browse through the newest arrivals of interior decorations and jewelry designs while enjoying a glass of bubbly.

Please find below all the details:

Probably you can find some beautiful inspirations for your Easter weekend. For those, who cannot make it, enjoy the photos!

LoL, Sandra

Tom Ford presents his new fragrance inspired by the mystery and luxury of the Middle East. Evoking the untamed beauty of the Arabian Peninsula, SAHARA NOIR is an ode to the enchanting power of one of that land’s most treasured ingredients: frankincense. The composition is built around this precious desert resin, which can be found at all three main stages of the development of the fragrance. Exclusively available in the Middle East.

ORIENTAL FLORAL
Top notes: Bitter orange, frankincense, calamus, cistus and cypress.
Middle notes: Beeswax, jasmine, papyrus, rose, frankincense and cinnamon.
Base notes: Ambreinol, balsam, benzoin, labdanum, oud, vanilla, frankincense resin, cedar and agarwood.

Good news is that Sahara Noir is said to launch in Europe this May.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford

And of course, last but not least, here are all the details of my look that I wore to the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich International Closing Night:

Sequined mini dress with chain detail and marabou cape, both by Balmain, Kelly So Black by Hermès, cocktail ring by Roberto Cavalli, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis and Tribute Two textured-leather pumps by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I have been meaning to show this post to you since quite a while but time just flies. Nevertheless, everything you see here, is in stores now which is a very good thing. I am sure there are some looks that have been shown on the runway of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Days Zurich International Closing Night last November that you will surely adore. So let’s get started.

Arzu Kaprol is known for her architectural femininity. A Paris Fashion week must, the designer of Turkish origin was inspired by “bones” for her S/S 2013 collection that she has kept in a muted color palette. Very pretty!

Dimitrios Panagiotopoulos is the designer behind the one of my favorite labels presented at the FDZ: Dimitri. A graduate from renowned fashion school ESMOD like me, he had worked for Jil Sander, Vivienne Westwood and Hugo Boss before launching his own label in 2007. His S/S 2013 designs are vivid and colorful, feminine and seductive.

Berlin-based designer Dawid Tomaszewski founded his eponymous label in 2009. His designs are inspired mostly by art and architecture. For S/S 2013, he came up with an extremely eye-catching collection in luxurious fabrics, of which every piece has the potential to become a favorite.

The culmination of the International Closing Night was the S/S 2013 show of New York-based designer Charlotte Ronson, who is part of the famous Ronson family. Her twin sister Samantha is a famous DJ and her brother Mark, a music producer and the face of Fan di Fendi pour Homme.

Charlotte Ronson backstage with me

Backstage she told me that water had been her main source of inspiration for this lovely slightly romantic collection. She combined ocean’s blues and greens with light yellows reminiscent of the sun. Her all time favourite, floral prints were of course also part of Charlotte’s designs. Personally speaking, what I liked most, was the mix of feminine details with a sporty approach, which took her looks from sweet to cool. Well done!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht