Sandra‘s Closet

This week, Aspen in Colorado, one of the world’s most famous mountain resorts, plays host to the first ever CHANEL pop-up store in the USA. The ephemeral boutique, which is located at the Casa Tua, the classic mountainside restaurant and private club, presents the Métiers d’Arts Paris-Dallas collection, which Karl Lagerfeld showed in Texas last December.

Celebrating the virtuosity of the House’s ateliers and their specialized know-how, the pop-up store showcases the Wild West-inspired collection in a modern yet rustic environment that is a nod to Aspen. On the terrace, guests can take in the stunning, panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and immerse oneself in the rugged luxury of the stunning surroundings.

The CHANEL at Casa Tua Ephemeral Boutique will be open until July 6, 2014.

CHANEL Casa Tua Ephemeral Boutique
403 South Galena Street – Aspen, Colorado / USA – +1 (970) 544-2077

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel, © Getty

I love to make my flights as comfortable as possible and as I am frequently traveling around the world, I have some favorites to wear. This season it is definitely my Chanel backpack that even holds my laptop and the phone holder. They are stylish yet very practical and give you the opportunity to have your hands free.

My Look: Printed T-shirt by Ralph Lauren Black Label, mid-rise skinny jeans by Dolce & Gabbana, graffiti backpack, metallic patent phone holder and matching booties, all by Chanel, Limelight Gala watch, diamond rose ring and necklace, all by Piaget and Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Mid June, I was invited by the lovely Gigi Kracht to her iconic Art in the Park event which she celebrated for the 12th consecutive year. This time, a very special presentation of one of the last masterpieces of the twentieth century awaited the guests at Zurich’s Baur au Lac gardens.

In collaboration with Galerie Gmurzynska, which celebrate the 20th anniversary of their representation of the Yves Klein Estate, another puzzle piece of Yves Klein’s career was brought back to life. The Venus Project was the major concept behind much of the work that Klein completed during the fall of 1961 and the early part of 1962. When Klein’s career was cut short by his passing in June of 1962 this project was left unexecuted.

Gigi Kracht to the right with her daughter Muki

Me in front of the exhibition

Famous jeweler Laurence Graff with Andrea Kracht, owner of the hotel Baur au Lac

Granddaughter of Yves Klein Seffa Klein with her grandmother Rotraut Klein-Moquay

Yves Klein’s family had flown in for this special occasion. Daniel Moquay who is the new husband of Rotraut, Yves Klein’s widow, gave a great speech during the intimate lunch hosted before the official exhibition opening: “Yves Klein travelled in 1961 with Rotraut in America for the occasion of his solo exhibitions at Leo Castelli Gallery in New York and Virginia Dwan Gallery in Los Angeles. During his journey, he had this vision in Las Vegas of having a kind of classical columns where he would have placed his “Venus of Alexandrie” which was the Louvre model that he painted in International Klein Blue. Unfortunately, he could not achieve his project. Several years later, a developer in Las Vegas has approached us and we had this idea to complete Yves Klein’s wish. We made a special edition of 30 blue Venus in order to present them in a hotel in Las Vegas. Regrettably the business went bad and we never could achieve the dream. Today we wish to show this very special project for the first time and to present this unique edition of 30 blue Venus, as the acme of the entrance of this place. For the first time, we will find the presentation that exactly correspond to Yves Klein’s dreams. We just wish you to enjoy this work, and the serenity of it.

We will also realize the other happening of Yves Klein: “Sculpture Aérostatique“, which consists in 1001 blue balloons that the artist released in the sky, place Saint-Germain des Prés in Paris, at the occasion of his show at the well-known Iris Clert Gallery in 1957. This event has been recently realized a couple of time at the occasion of Yves Klein’s retrospective shows in different museums all over the world.”

There was so much love for detail during the exclusive lunch hosted by Gigi Kracht before the opening. Even the roses were colored in International Klein Blue (or IKB as it is known in art circles). The hue that was developed by Yves Klein as part of his search for colors which best represented the concepts he wished to convey as an artist.

LoL, Sandra

Gigi Kracht welcoming her guests

Photos: Courtesy of Art in the Park, Yves Klein Estate and © Sandra Bauknecht

I couldn’t be any happier and more excited. I am in a book, a real book that will be launched during Berlin Fashion Week on July 9, 2014 at the high fashion concept store The Corner.

The new coffee-table 208-page tome “Fashion Germany” is published by Prestel in German and English editions and presents the country’s increasingly important role in the world of fashion by telling the inside story of the designers, creative directors, stylists, photographers and journalists, who have placed Germany on the style map. The author Martina Rink (see photo left), who has become famous for her first book in a similar format, “Isabella Blow,” told WWD that “the Germans are way too modest about what they do and there are loads of them out there playing in the top leagues of international fashion.”

Today a label reading “Made in Germany” connotes quality, durability and attention to detail. Although it wasn’t always this way, the past decades have seen an emergence of high fashion coming out of Germany. Designers such as Jil Sander, Markus Lupfer, Dorothee Schumacher and Karl Lagerfeld, photographers such as Peter Lindbergh, Kristian Schuller and Armin Morbach; and models such as Johannes Huebl, Claudia Schiffer and Heidi Klum have become world-famous icons. I am sure that after reading those famous names, you can imagine my excitement to be featured in a book like this. Thank you, Martina!

To celebrate the launch in July, the book will also come with a special MCM cover in the brand’s iconic cognac logo print, embellished by an illustration of Irma, Jasmin Khezri’s famous character.

FASHION GERMANY by Martina Rink (without the MCM cover)
Prestel Verlag / ISBN 978-3-7913-4889-6
€39.59 – $55.00 – £35.00 – Can.$60.00
Europe Launch July 2014 / US Launch September 2014 / UK August 2014

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Martina Rink, MCM and Prestel

As you know, the new edition of L’Officiel Switzerland that is hitting the newsstands today is dedicated to beauty. When we put the issue together, we wanted to feature Swiss women who influence the world of beauty in our Alpine country. Above you see lovely Patrizia Schlatter (photographed by Robert Bellamy) who brought together with her business partner Marc Winiger a great idea to life: INTHEWHITEROOM, Switzerland’s first beauty walk-in centre located in Basel that combines classic cosmetic and medical aesthestic treatments under one roof, following its slogan “walk in and enjoy beauty“.

Massages, a nail studio, a cryosauna, tooth whitening, all is promised to be enjoyed on short notice. Alongside skincare and beauty treatments there is also a range of innovative cosmetic products from exclusive brands such Sisley, Ligne St. Barth, SBT, Butter London, Revitala and Alphasense.

The latter is also featured in the new L’Officiel magazine. ALPHASENSE SWISS COSMETICS is a great program invented by Tanja Medweth (see photo below) to fight the signs of cellulite. The gorgeous brunette who is also living in the Basel area researched for many years and came up with the help of scientists with a five-step program featuring a body roller to stimulate the circulation, a firming power gel that breaks the vicious cellulite cycle, a basic powder and a herbal tea that both help to eliminate overacidification in your body, along with slimming pants that worn at night emphasize the effect extremely.

Congrats to those two amazing women that help making our world more beautiful! And of course congrats to our Swiss national soccer team for reaching the round of 16!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of inthewhiteroom, Alphasense and © Robert Bellamy/L’Officiel Switzerland

Today, Zurich’s famous food festival starts again: the 3rd edition of IL TAVOLO kicks off with the opening night at Gate Gourmet, the leading independent provider of airline catering. I feel very honored to be in the second consecutive year the ambassador of the PARK HYATT ZURICH, which is one of the host hotels besides BAUR AU LAC, EDEN AU LAC, STORCHEN, THE DOLDER GRAND and WIDDER HOTEL.

At the photo shoot for the campaign this spring

The kitchen battle is on: At the recent Il Tavolo kick-off event at Blaue Ente with Andermatt-Investor Samih Sawiris this spring.

Here you see me at last year’s opening party at Bärengasse cooking alongside Park Hyatt’s famous chef Frank Widmer, author of the cook book “The Cook and the Cowboy“. I cannot wait for our revival tonight…

Il Tavolo is taking place from 25 to 30 June 2014. Tickets are available at Jelmoli + 41 44 220 46 00 or under www.ticketino.ch.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Il Tavolo, © Ilja Tschanen for Blick and © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is an exclusive preview that I am so excited to share with you. On Thursday, the third issue of L’OFFICIEL Switzerland with a focus on beauty and summer fashion will hit the newsstands. The cover story with Dita von Teese is a 14-page elaborate spread shot by Ali Mahdavi that showcases some iconic fragrances with an incredible mise-en-scène, courtesy of Vincent Darré. The images are complemented by an interview by Ali and his famous muse.

Isn’t this foil effect just stunning?! I hope that you will love this edition as much as I do… and don’t forget to like our Facebook page.

LoL, Sandra

The case of sports couture presents a win-win situation as you can wear something really stylish which is comfortable at the same time. This doesn’t happen so often in fashion. Here I paired up a mesh-trimmed dress with with a hooded sweater jacket athletic-inspired look.

My look: Cropped sweatshirt by Saint Laurent, mesh-trimmed silk crepe de chine dress, mesh bra top, elasticated leather ankle boots, nouveau python clutch and crystal earrings, all by Gucci, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Alexa Chung stars in Longchamp’s F/W 2014 advertising campaign for a second successive season sporting the new Le Pliage Héritage bag, the epitome of the brand’s leather savoir-faire, whose striking trapezoidal shape was inspired by the iconic Le Pliage, which celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

In a nod to heritage and tradition, the campaign was shot by Max Vadukul in the privately owned Château des Ormes, a jewel of French 18th century architecture on the banks of the River Vienne near Tours. I am convinced that the new addition to the Longchamp family will surely be a bestseller…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Longchamp

In summer I love long dresses with a bohemian vibe. Perfect for a stroll through the city.

My look: Printed layered maxi dress, green ‘Miss Sicily’ bag, coin earrings and cameo coin necklace, all by Dolce & Gabbana, wedges by Bottega Veneta, ring by Etro and sunglasses by Marni.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht