How fun is this Maslin & Co reversible leopard-print brushed-cotton beach towel?! Cut in the shape of an animal hide and made in Portugal, it’s crafted from brushed-cotton with a soft and absorbent terry reverse. It comes with handy black leather holster, too – perfect for carrying along the beach.
LoL, Sandra
During Haute Couture Fashion Week in Paris last week, I was invited by Louis Vuitton to explore the new Haute Joaillerie collection: ACTE V at their newly opened showroom at Place Vendôme. Old sketch books from the house were also on show as well as the high-finished jewels in diamonds and brilliant stones.
V as in the Roman numeral 5 is the leitmotif in the house’s fifth high jewelry collection. V is also the modern ideogram,the Maison’s signature stylised by Gaston-Louis Vuitton during the Art Deco period, in which he was a major player, chairing the Exhibition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in 1925.
Here are some of the most stunning pieces of the new ACTE V collection, of which each jewel is constructed on the basis of a V:
The Genesis Necklace
The cornerstone of the collection is presenting the V as in the shape of this pixelated gem, a 87.92-carat triangular Australian black opal.
White Gold – 1 Australian Opal: 87,92 cts – 1 Tourmaline: 8,60 cts – 1 Sapphire: 5,07 cts – 2 LV Star Cut Diamonds: 1,04 ct / 1,07 ct – Diamonds
The Genesis Ring
This is another amazing piece of Vuitton’s new High Jewelry collection. The exceptional 20.94-carat blue grey Burmese sapphire was extracted from the Pien Pyit mine in Mogok valley.
White Gold – 1 Burmese sapphire: 20,94 cts – Sapphires: 1,44 ct – Diamonds
Cuff bracelets were the star items of jewelry in the ’20s and for ACTE V, they are crafted with an avante-garde aesthetic transporting the idea of women travelling and breaking free:
The Apotheosis Cuff
White Gold – 1 Tsavorite Grenat: 16,51 cts – Onyx – Diamonds
The Apotheosis Bracelet
White Gold – Diamonds
The Apotheosis Necklace
White Gold – 1 Paraïba Type Tourmaline : 7,93 cts – 1 Emerald: 0,41 ct – Diamonds
The Metamorphosis Necklace
Platinum – 2 Panjshir Emeralds: 5,29 cts / 4,23 cts – Diamonds
Below you can enjoy some exclusive behind the scene photos of the artwork behind such a jewel.
In this collection, Louis Vuitton brings together extraordinary gems discovered after diligent searches the world over. This know-how is crystallised in a ring with a red Tanzanian spinel weighing over 20 carats, boasting a brilliance similar to that of diamonds:
The Metamorphosis Ring
Platinum – 1 Red Spinel: 20,03 cts – Diamonds
With ACTE V, Louis Vuitton pays tribute to outstanding and hard to find stones, their quality criteria and the emotions they arouse. They are the soul of the jewel: at the heart of the piece, they make us dream and indulge in the beauty of their colors.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton and © Sandra Bauknecht
Here is the outfit that I wore to the wonderful dinner hosted by Net-à-Porter on Wednesday in London to celebrate Mary Katrantzou. To honor her and as I am a huge fan of her work, I wore one of her uber-fabulous designs from her S/S 2014 collection.
My look: Cropped printed satin-gabardine top and structured printed satin-gabardine skirt, both by Mary Katrantzou (great news, both pieces are now on sale), suede platform sandals and embellished python bag, both by Prada, Apophis cuff by Saint Laurent.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Yesterday, I flew to London for a very special and intimate dinner hosted by Net-à-Porter to celebrate one of my favorite designers Mary Katrantzou at the Blakes hotel. It is always a pleasure as Alison Loehnis, President of Net-à-Porter, brings together the most amazing women from all over the world.
Here you see me with my friend Anouschka whom I also had met at a previous event of Net-à-Porter. Some of you might recognize her from this post a few years ago when we went to an evening at the V&A museum with legendary French shoe designer Christian Louboutin. Funnily enough, we realized that we both went to the same school in Germany… what a small world. We stayed in touch and it is always great fun seeing each other.
Trio infernale reunited: Lupe and Anouschka with me.
My beloved Mary Katrantzou with me.
Meeting new friends last night: Olivia Buckingham from Hong Kong…
… and my stylish soul sister Sarah Somberg from San Francisco.
What a great gift: A one-of-a-kind art work by Mary Katrantzou.
It was an amazing night and I fell asleep like a little baby in my beautiful suite at the Blakes. A place I can totally recommend if you are looking for a small luxury boutique hotel. Stay tuned for the details of my outfit coming up soon…
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
When I saw Wolford‘s new advertising campaign shot by no other than Mario Testino, I was really impressed. The Austrian hosiery brand lives clearly a new spirit. Testino, who is one of the world’s most influential photographers, creates images, that evoke the essence of an emotive, self-confident femininity that is sensual and aesthetic whilst being stylish and provocative.
TO SHOP WOLFORD ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Wolford
There is a new hot spot in the Mediterranean Sea with the opening of the Cavalli Ibiza Restaurant & Lounge. Situated in the most exclusive area of the island, the new Cavalli experience presents his entertainment & nightlife concept in the heart of the promenade that welcomes yachts into the harbour of Ibiza Marina.
Recreating an astounding tropical garden of 2.000 square metres with a beautiful view, the property symbolises the three main worldwide renowned beacons of ‘made in Italy’ excellence: Fashion, Food, Design.
It features an open-air restaurant where luxury and innovation are merged in the décor and in the details to create a unique ambience, allowing the clients to live a ‘total experience’ in pure Cavalli style. The menu offers an incredible selection of traditional Italian recipes infused with Tuscan influences, as well as innovative new style dishes. It will also be possible to taste and appreciate, among others, the Tenuta Degli Dei red wine produced in the Tuscan winery owned by the Cavalli family.
The club & lounge embody the glamorous soul of the designer, hosting exclusive and fashionable parties and events where guests can sip on Roberto Cavalli Vodka-based cocktails. The music and lighting culminate in an experience that begins in the magnificent garden with 500 plants perfuming the Ibiza night: think jasmine, honeysuckle and magnolia…
«The pleasure of listening to enjoyable music, accompanied by great food and good company in an elegant and sophisticated setting … This is the philosophy of the Cavalli Restaurant & Lounge. I wanted to communicate all my passion for beauty and sensuality combining them in a hospitality project in Ibiza» says Roberto Cavalli.
Roberto Cavalli already owns Cavalli Caffè in Florence and Saint Tropez, while the others managed through licences are located in Kuwait City, Beirut, Dubai and New Delhi.
The next openings will be Riyadh, Bahrain and Doha. Furthermore, the Roberto Cavalli Group has also opened with licences, the Cavalli Club in Milan, Dubai and the Cavalli Miami Restaurant & Lounge.
Cavalli Ibiza Restaurant & Lounge
Paseo Marítimo Juan Carlos I 07800 Ibiza (Spain)
For reservation +34 971 192 197
www.cavallibiza.com
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Roberto Cavalli
Last night, a true football thriller took place in Brazil. I watched the game at a friend’s house and couldn’t be more proud of the outcome. A beautifully taken extra-time goal by Mario Götze helped my home country win the 2014 World Cup final 1-0 against Argentina at the Maracanã. With the win, Germany became the first European side to win the World Cup in the Americas and pulled even with Italy for the second-most titles all-time, one behind Brazil’s record five. The team had not lifted the trophy since 1990, when West Germany defeated Argentina in the final.
I flew in from Berlin yesterday afternoon where I got myself the perfect outfit. Check out Wear Your Flag, a fun website with all sorts of items to show your national pride!
My look: Strapless dress by Wear Your Flag, jeggings by Donna Karan, jelewed nappa leather box bag by Saint Laurent and biker boots by Chanel.
On my nails: I created the flag design with “Need Sunglasses” by OPI, “Valentine Red” and “Tuxedo Black“, both by Bobbi Brown. Start with a layer of yellow and then work your way up with red and black as the last step.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Here is my look that I wore to the Dior dinner in Paris on Monday evening with Charlize Theron. This time, I went for classy outfit in neutral colors.
My look: Smoking blazer by Balmain, strapless top, matching shorts and pearl necklace, all by Chanel, pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps by Saint Laurent, bag by Dior, Diorette ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
This week in Paris with Dior, I had barely time for anything but I managed to have a quick shopping spree on Avenue Montaigne, the famous shopping street in the 8th arrondissement. Personally speaking, it is one of the most beautiful destinations to indulge in high fashion in the world. It boasts numerous stores, such as Givenchy, Chanel, and Saint Laurent, as well as other upscale establishments such as the Plaza Athénée hotel, with is under construction at the moment.
My look: Smoking blazer by Balmain, slub cotton-jersey top by James Perse, red skinny stretch-leather pants, Sac Du Jour leather tote
and red ankle boots, all three by Saint Laurent, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis, Diorette ring and earrings, both by Dior Haute Joaillerie.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Inspired by the great northern lights in Finland, deep blue fjords in Norway, and colorful houses in Copenhagen, Nordic Collection by OPI brings the diverse colors of its namesake region to nails and toes for F/W 2014. This new collection of 12 lacquers features a palette ranging from spicy browns in shades of bronze, cinnamon and caramel to rich purples in wine, black cherry and blue-violet hues, with accents of creamy coral, pink and sea green.
Nordic Collection by OPI includes the following shades in both nail lacquer and GelColor formulas:
Going My Way or Norway?
No two ways about it… this caramel is delicious!
Ice-Bergers & Fries
“Wood” you like a chocolate shake with that?
OPI with a Nice Finn-ish
This light, mellowed bronze completes me. The end.
My Voice is a Little Norse
This prismatic super-shimmer is worth shouting about.
Can’t aFjörd Not To
Whatever it takes, get your hands on this extravagantly creamy coral!
How Great is Your Dane?
Pass up this cinnamon coffee? You’re barking up the wrong tree!
My Dogsled is a Hybrid
Enliven your environment by wearing this creamy sea green.
Suzi Has a Swede Tooth
That’s why I always have this strawberry candy pink on hand!
Do You Have this Color in Stock-holm?
Stock up! This icy blue-violet is in hot demand!
Thank Glogg It’s Friday!
The start of the weekend is nothing to “wine” about!
Viking in a Vinter Vonderland
You can conquer anything in this powerful, deep purple.
Skating on Thin Ice-Land Watch out!
This black cherry is dangerously close to gorgeous!
Nordic Collection nail lacquer shades each feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Nordic Collection by OPI will be available in both nail lacquer and GelColor from August 13, 2014 for CHF 23.90 per bottle.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of OPI