Sandra‘s Closet

During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin in July, one designer caught my eye: IRENE LUFT. I have loved almost every single piece she sent down the S/S 2015 runway. Airy, light, feminine, her designs made of PLAUEN LACE are breathtaking.

Based in Munich, Russian-born Irene Luft followed her mother’s tracks, a master tailor, and did her apprenticeship as a couture artisan. She graduated with distinction from the renowned German Master Craftsmen School for Fashion (Deutsche Meisterschule für Mode) and later from the Akademie für Mode & Design in Munich.

The most stunning detail of her work is the use of the famous PLAUEN LACE, a product of Saxon textile art, which has become a crucial part of every collection. The beautiful material was at its best in 1900, when it won the Grand Prix at the World Exhibition in Paris but fell into a deep slumber during the world economic crisis in the late 1920ies. As the first high fashion designer she revived and thereby somehow inherited the spirit of Plauen Lace, the tradition and know-how of a seemingly already lost part of fashion.

TO FIND OUT WHERE TO SHOP IRENE LUFT, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
I definitely want one of her amazing lace dresses!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Tata! Here are the first pics of of the highly-­anticipated collector toy, Barbie Lagerfeld, a collaboration between Mattel, Inc. and KARL LAGERFELD.

Taking inspiration from the the designer’s signature style, Barbie Lagerfeld is dressed in his likeness with accents taken from the real KARL LAGERFELD line. Borrowing from Karl’s iconic silhouette, the doll wears a tailored black jacket, white high-collared men’s shirt with French cuffs and black satin cravat finished off with fitted black jeans featuring the iconic all-over head print. The exclusive doll is adorned in accessories that include black fingerless gloves, sunglasses, black ankle boots and a leather purse with silver metallic accents.

The worldwide launch is set for Monday, September 29, 2014 during Paris Fashion Week. The Platinum-label Barbie Lagerfeld doll will be available in limited quantities (only 999 dolls will be produced) for approximately $200 USD or €200 Euro through exclusive retail channels including; NET-A-PORTER, select KARL LAGERFELD retail stores, TheBarbieCollection.com, and Colette in Paris.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld and Mattel, Inc.

Oh, the healthy glow, the purified pores and moisture just sinks in. Sounds to good to be true? The new CLINIQUE Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush is designed to clean even hard-to-reach areas like the T-Zone with two bristle types for customized cleansing. Your skin is left radiant and soft.

You might remember from a previous post that I like to use the Clarisonic technology to clean my skin at night. Therefore I was curious to try CLINIQUE‘s first cosmetic device. The US brand is known for the most effective products to enhance every skin type and concern. Personally speaking, I prefer the Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush as it is so much more gentle to your skin, very light and handy. The angled tip easily targets hard to reach areas.

HOW TO USE

I suggest you begin by using the Cleansing Brush once daily.

Remove makeup before use. Apply cleanser to moistened skin or brush head.

Massage in circular motion for 15 seconds on cheeks using white bristles. No need to apply pressure.

Massage in up-and-down motion for 15 seconds combined on T-Zone using green bristles.

Rinse and pat dry. Exfoliate and moisturize. Rinse brush head after each use.

The new Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush will surely revolutionise the way that women cleanse their skin just as its famed 3-step Skin Care System did over 40 years go!

The new cosmetic device is in stores now for CHF 149.00 (Refill CHF 25.00).
To receive the best results, I also recommend getting the following products: Liquid Facial Soap, Clarifying Lotion 2 and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Clinique

Last Wednesday, a secret event took place in the city of Zurich to launch Samsung‘s newest mobile phone GALAXY ALPHA, emphasizing the brand’s foray into the fashion crowd.

Ready-to-wear has laid its focus from the runway also to the world of high technology as many renowned fashion houses scramble to stamp their coveted logos on mobile handsets and other personal devices. Samsung for example collaborated in one-off projects with the likes of Giorgio Armani, Alexander Wang, Nicholas Kirckwood and Moschino. Therefore, I was very curious to arrive at the secret event …

Inside an unspectacular backyard at Kanonengasse, I was guided by a bouncer to the basement. There a room, reminiscent of an underground club in New York, awaited me.

When I entered, I was handed my very own new Samsung GALAXY ALPHA phone as a gift. It had a prepaid card so that I could use it immediately to read the text messages the guests were sent during the event.

Only 80 people were invited and I spotted among the illustrious crowd Swiss supermodel Nadine Strittmatter who had flown in from Paris where she is living.

Other highlights were the melting ice bar and different performances.

Ezgi Cinar, the brainchild of the secret event with me.

Menswear designer Julian Zigerli, one of Samsung’s ambassadors, had created 80 personalized mobile phone covers to choose from. As you see in the collage above, I went for the little mouse…

… and my friend Mel Guenthardt (photo below) for the cute owl.

The GALAXY ALPHA phone is available in Switzerland from the beginning of September 2014 in the colors Charcoal Black, Dazzling White, Frosted Gold, Sleek Silver and Scuba Blue for CHF 749.00.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Andrea Monica Hug, © Ezgi Cinar, © Melanie Guenthardt and © Sandra Bauknecht

On August 23rd 2014, Angelina Jolie married Brad Pitt in a secret ceremony in the South of France wearing a stunning Atelier Versace creation designed by Donatella Versace. The first photos are out and here is even the sketch of the amazing gown.

The white silk-satin gown was gathered at the bust with an elongated train, detailed with the embroidered drawings of her children that got reproduced also on the silk veil. Donatella Versace accessorised her creation with a pair of white Versace silk satin pumps. “Beauty, class and brain. That’s you Angelina. I wish all the best and happiness to you and your wonderful family. Love, DV“

To the newly weds, all the best! They are really an amazing couple and it was a true pleasure meeting them. Enjoy some of their best moments below…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Hello Magazine, Bunte, People Magazine, US
© Sandra Bauknecht, Sketch: Courtesy of Versace

Yes, I still can get very excited about press announcements and this one really made my heart leap with joy as I am a huge nail polish aficionado.

This month, the 10th Zurich Film Festival will take place and Dior is launching two limited edition nail lacquers to celebrate this occasion. The two shades 228 Reflects (golden sparkles that also look beautiful over any other nail color) and 808 Night Shock (a metallic shiny black) will be available from September 10, 2014 at Globus Zürich, Globus Glatt and at the ZFF Festival Center at Sechseläutenplatz for CHF 37.00 each.

My international readers might recognize the nail polishes as they were part of Dior’s first pre-fall collection ‘Dior Colour Icons’. Unfortunately the beautiful red shade 888 Tout Paris won’t be available in Switzerland. But let’s be happy we can get our hands at those two exclusive ones! I just love that kind of stuff!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior, ZFF and © Sandra Bauknecht

Swiss Gentlemen, today’s your lucky day! Five of you have the chance to win a 50ml bottle of Salvatore Ferragamo‘s Acqua Essenziale Blu Eau de Toilette Natural Spray.

The extremely masculine, yet sensual oriental fougère fragrance is inspired by energetic sea water aromas and the power of waves and nature, blending luxurious Mediterranean ingredients and innovative molecules.

The fragrance arrives in an elegant glass flacon iridescent in shades from darker to lighter blue that will embellish every bathroom shelf. Salvatore Ferragamo Acqua Essenziale Blu is available as 30, 50 and 100ml Eau de Toilette, accompanied with a perfumed 200ml shower gel.

ORIENTAL FOUGÈRE

Top notes: Cardamom, Lemon and Calabrian Bergamot
Middle notes: Atlas Cedar, Lavender, Cascalone and Cypriol Oil
Base notes: Patchouli, Ambroxan, Tonka Bean and Benzoin

To participate in the contest, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header “Acqua Essenziale Blu” to contact@sandrascloset.com. All entries must be received until September 8, 2014. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules. The winner has to have a Swiss address.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Salvatore Ferragamo

Dear September, a warm welcome from my side! I hope that you will save the Swiss summer 2014. Like probably most of you, I had constant clothing dilemmas with this sort of dreadful, end-of-days weather we have been getting this year.

As you see, I have started to wear my new Pre-fall 2014 pieces already in August, adding some vibrant colors to lighten up the mood and my new diamond ring makes me feel like the sunshine is at least wrapped around my finger. Whenever I look at it, my heart beats a little faster… isn’t it just a dream?!

My look: Geometric print cotton sweatshirt, LTN printed crepe skirt and printed modal and cashmere blend scarf, all by Peter Pilotto, Paris fringed suede ankle boots and Monogramme embellished shopper tote, both by Saint Laurent, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget, diamond earrings by Cartier and baguette diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht