Sandra‘s Closet

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Hugo Boss has launched an interesting art project with an exhibition at London’s Saatchi Gallery, that will run through September 2013, under the name “Red Never Follows” that showcases different art works by 20 international creatives, inspired by HUGO. To highlight the German brand’s history, the word “Follows” on the key visuals is spelled as “Fol20ws,” and Berlin based artist Steffen Seeger has painted the one line drawing, that stands for the house’s last 20 years.

Last night, he was in Zurich for an interactive art show at the store on Bahnhofstrasse. It was a pleasure to meet Steffen and I was very excited to get my own art work done by him. We partied on the shop’s terrace, while enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

My look: Two-tone stretch-jersey contour dress by Stella McCartney, coral shape heels and patchwork bag, both by Chanel, bracelet by Hermès.

In addition to the exhibition, the brand has launched a line of 20 celebratory fashion items that are  available online and in store.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hugo Boss and © Sandra Bauknecht

Between my recent trips to China and Iceland, I flew for one day to Berlin to shoot MCM‘ s amazing new collaboration with Craig & Karl: EYES ON THE HORIZON. I love the German capital (and that is not only because I was born in this country), it’s one of the most vibrant, energetic cities in Europe. It’s the combination of two facts that can be felt everywhere: its present anything-goes-and-anything’s-possible vibe and its somber past.

Let me take you on a tour around Berlin. I had so much fun with my very talented photographer Christoph Schemel. See for yourselves:

First stop: THE KURFÜRSTENDAMM
Known locally as the Ku’damm, one of the most famous avenues in the city is home to many shops, such as the MCM boutique, hotels and restaurants. It’s often considered the Champs-Élysées of Berlin.

Second stop: DAS STUE
Located right next to the Tiergarten (central park of Berlin), the stylish design hotel Das Stue offers all the comforts of a quiet urban refuge within the heart of Berlin.

Third stop: CAFE AM NEUEN SEE
Christoph and I had a fabulous lunch at this fun place outside in the garden area with waiter service (there is also a self-service beer garden part directly by the lake) and planned the rest of our shoot. I had a piece of very yummy cheesecake (German cheesecake is the best) that went so fast I forgot to take a picture.

Fourth stop: SIEGESSÄULE
Berlin’s “Victory Column” is a famous monument and probably one of the best known symbols of the city. The “Golden Lizzie,” as it is known in local slang, was originally built around 1864 to celebrate Prussia’s victory in the German-Danish war.

Fifth stop: BRANDENBURGER TOR
Located at the heart of Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate is standing at the western end of the avenue Unter den Linden. It has been a symbol for both, the divided Cold War city and the country’s reunification. Today, it is one of the metropole’s most-visited landmarks.

Last stop: GRILL ROYAL
Before I flew back to Zurich, we went to Grill Royal for drinks. This see-and-be-seen restaurant is still, after opening a couple of years ago, the place-to-dine and very popular with the celebrity crowd. Below you see me before the entrance on Friedrichstrasse.

I hope that you have enjoyed my day in Berlin! Cannot wait to be back soon…

My look: Ivory blazer, cropped metallic leather motocross pants, both by Balmain, black top by Tom Ford, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline, shoes by Gucci, key ring, clutch and backpack, all from the MCM x Craig & Karl Eyes on the Horizon collection. Rose necklace and ring, both by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos by Christoph Schemel

Gosh, it feels so good to be back in Zurich and to dress up again. One week in Iceland with no makeup and fancy clothes has been enough for me. Now, I am ready to bring back some glamour into my life! For a start, I had a fabulous girls’ lunch yesterday in the city…

My look: Striped stretch-silk chiffon top, printed cotton-blend brocade skirt, filigrane embellished gold-plated necklace, bucket bag featuring a floral and face print and matching heels, all by Dolce & Gabbana, ring “Mitzah” by Dior Haute Joaillerie and bangles by Chanel and Rasoir sunglasses by Miu Miu.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

When creating new nail polishes (remember the Sequined Manicure), U.K. brand Ciaté, helmed by Charlotte Knight, always surprises us. Imagine my excitement when I got the news about their upcoming launch this September: the FEATHER MANICURE.

Knight took inspiration from the runways when formulating this eye-catching trend, which involves gluing an actual feather on your tips.

Here’s how it works: Apply two thin coats of the nail polish, followed by a layer of Speed Coat Pro, and lay the feather on your nail before it dries. Seal in the plume with a second top coat and clip any excess feather overhang. One final top coat layer, and you’re done!

The three different kits will be available in September 2013.
In the U.K. and US: Sephora – In Germany: Douglas (Snow Owl- What a hoot) and Karstadt – In Switzerland, Austria and other countries: www.ciate.co.uk.

LoL, Sandra

All a Flutter

What a Hoot

Ruffle my Feathers

Photos: Courtesy of Ciaté

When I received the new Chanel skincare range, I have been without doubt all over the moon to try it. I can assure you that you will be blown away by this amazing trio!

According to the French Maison, our skin is programmed to know when it’s day and night, or even when it’s weekend time. Inspired by this fact, this new weekly wardrobe helps you to get radiance back, restore balance and to achieve a gorgeous glow. Within the first fifteen days, I have already felt a difference. This trio makes your skin look great and also your bathroom shelf – so worth the investment.

FOR DAY Le Jour de Chanel contains jasmine to energize and salicylic acid to exfoliate and brighten. CHF 105.00
FOR NIGHT La Nuit de Chanel. Its frankincense extract soothes the skin while hyaluronic acid plumps. CHF 105.00
FOR THE WEEKEND Le Weekend de Chanel is infused with rose water to comfort and soften, plus glycolic acid to smooth skin. (This product is a secret weapon. I like to use it when I need an instant boost.) CHF 130.00

In Switzerland available end of August 2013.
TO SHOP ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chanel – Photographer: Benjamin Henon

After I had visited Iceland’s Golden Triangle in the beginning of last week, I went all around the island and drove over 2000 kilometers. I passed the most stunning sceneries and experienced breathtaking natural phenomenons, which have truly inspired me. Europe’s most sparsely populated country is so untouched with a population of about 320,000 of which two-thirds are living in the Reykjavík area. The creatures you see most are sheeps and the famous Icelandic horses. Let me show you my journey around the island:

Skaftafell has been one of the most rewarding spots for me. I hiked along the trail that leads to the glacial tongue Skaftafellsjökull where you can witness this stunning natural phenomenon.

Fjallsárlón is a glacier lake near Vatnajökull that has some floating icebergs, very similiar but smaller than Jökulsárlón, which was my next stop:

Personally speaking, the large glacial lake Jökulsárlón in southeast Iceland was my favourite sightseeing spot on my trip. One of the natural wonders of the country, it developed into a lake after the glacier started receding from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.

The stunning scenery has been the setting for different Hollywood movies, such as Die Another Day, Tomb Raider and Batman Begins. I could have stayed there forever watching the icebergs floating towards the sea.

I passed some very cute fishing towns such as Höfn in the south-eastern part of the country.

Driving further east, I saw the mountain Búlandstindur that is truly breathtaking due to its pyramid-shaped stack of basaltic strata.

Dettifoss, located on the Diamond Circle, around Húsavík and Lake Mývatn in North Iceland, is an amazing waterfall. I even spotted a beautiful rainbow above its spray.

Watching whales has become one of the most common activities among foreign visitors to North Iceland. In fact, the cute town of Húsavík offers those excursions.

Being in the Lake Mývatn area, I decided spontaneously to hike to the top of the Hverfjall volcanic cone. Walking along the rim of the crater was pretty impressive.

My last stop before heading back to Reykjavík, was the waterfall of the gods, Goðafoss. The photo was taken around midnight. Isn’t it amazing how light it still was?!

Iceland has been an amazing experience, so different from what I had seen before in my life.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Before Chanel’s F/W 2013 makeup collection Superstition (post coming up soon) will finally become available here in Switzerland at the end of this month, we can indulge in the beautiful Chanel COLLECTION ROUGE ALLURE MOIRÉ which will hit the shelves this week. Inspired by the beauty and refinement of overflowing fabrics and ribbons, the warm and delicate moiré colours heighten the charm and mystery of intangible makeup.

Let’s take a closer look at those new irresistible products:

ROUGE ALLURE – CHF 48.00

Each name of the eight shades could be used to describe a seductive and mysterious woman. You just have to find out which one suits you best! Do you feel stunning, fierce or mysterious?

122 FAROUCHE A sensual and luxurious chocolate gleaming with silver shimmer.
124 AMBIGÜE A rosy brown warmed by bronze and violet plum pearl.
125 INDÉCISE A natural rosy beige enhanced with a coppery effect.
129 SURPRENANTE An intense pink with ultra-luminous fuchsia shimmer.
131 ÉTONNANTE A satiny apricot with golden pearl, both delicate and elegant.
132 IMPULSIVE A stirring reddish pink, enlivened with gold and silver.
134 AUDACIEUSE A bold rosy red with a more intense moiré effect.
135 ÉNIGMATIQUE A deep brownish red, lit up with gold and silver pearl.

ROUGE ALLURE EXTRAIT DE GLOSS – CHF 48.00

Ultra-shiny and highly concentrated with pigments, it combines the easy application of a gloss and the lasting hold of a lipstick.

71 RÉFLEXION A reddish pink glowing with freshness.
72 CONTROVERSY (pictured to the left) An intense violet plum.

LE CRAYON LÈVRES – CHF 34.00

The smile and the intensity of colour are accentuated by a pencil line tracing the lip contours.

68 ROSE POUDRÉ A slightly greyish pale pink gives precision to delicate shades.
69 ROSE ARDENT (pictured) A reddish pink with a bold character offers vibrancy to the most dazzling shades of the collection.

LE VERNIS – CHF 35.00

Always in movement, painted nails naturally play with the light. The partner of a bewitching smile, LE VERNIS comes in two satiny shades with shimmering reflections.

593 ROSE MOIRÉ A greyish pink for a delicate version.
595 ROUGE MOIRÉ A raspberry red for a seductive version.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

This is the most stylish I got in Iceland. First of all, it was freezing cold (Thank God, I brought this padded gilet with me!), second of all, I have never felt the urge to dress up or put on make-up. Everything is just laid back and very relaxing.

My look: Grosgrain-trimmed cotton-jersey sweatshirt by Saint Laurent, Pedal Star skinny-leg printed denim pants by Closed, white padded gilet by Moncler Grenoble, large studded backpack by MCM, sunglasses by Marc Jacobs, printed silk scarf by Gabriele Frantzen and biker boots by Chanel. Hat, souvenir from Iceland.

Being on “luxury withdrawal therapy” is kind of fun for one week, but now I cannot wait to bring back some glamour into my life. Stay also tuned for the upcoming post about the most breathtaking sceneries I have seen on the island.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Switzerland has a new beauty oasis, a very urban one: ease DESIGN SPA. A paradise in the city with a vibrant vibe, located in Zurich-West on the first floor of Puls 5. Of course, it doesn’t have this typical zen ambiance but that is on purpose. I enjoyed the facial treatment to funky music in a relaxing ambiance created by award-winning interior designers Dyer-Smith Frey very much.

The highly qualified team offers top quality service and a bundle of experience along with the comfort of a spa in the city.

Ease DESIGN SPA works with SALIN de BIOSEL from Italy. All products and treatments have been designed to be personalised “à la carte”. How does this work? By adding precious components aimed to solve your specific beauty problem, like a unique cosmetic recipe, you enjoy a treatment made exclusively to suit your skin needs.

Everything at ease DESIGN SPA is easy, even the online booking service. I hope that you will feel as much at ease as I did.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Ease Spa and © Sandra Bauknecht

ITALY MEETS ARABIA

Acqua di Parma‘s new Colonia Intensa Oud is absolutely wonderful, something we would like to smell on our men. Bringing together two different worlds, this unique fragrance blends the distinctive Italian freshness of the cologne with the richness of the finest ingredients of the Middle East. The fragrance is the portrait of a man who embodies the best of different cultures, and confident in his own unique identity.

Congratulations! Last month, Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa Oud won the 2013 Fragrance Foundation Award in the Men’s Luxury category in New York.

Top notes: Orange and Calabrian bergamot
Middle notes: Coriander, Amyris wood and Agarwood essential oil
(Agarwood essential oil is known to be a sign of charismatic, ancestral virility in the worlds of incenses, balms, particularly found in male Middle Eastern fragrances)
Base notes: Sandalwood, ceadrwood, patchouli, musk, wood and forest notes

A complete line for those who love this captivating fragrance in every aspect of their lives. The Eau de Cologne is available in 180ml and 100ml sizes, as well as in a Travel Spray 30ml format for those who want to enjoy the pleasure of this Eau de Cologne at any time and place.

Colonia Intensa Oud is now also available as a Shampoo and Shower Gel, Perfumed Deodorant and as a skilfully crafted Cube Candle for those who would love to spread the enigmatic notes of this Eau de Cologne in their daily routine and in their homes.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Acqua di Parma