Sandra‘s Closet

First of all, let me tell you, I hate sun creams. For me, it is something I have to apply to protect my skin but cannot be bothered too much with. So my ideal solution is to use it once and be protected the whole day.

La Roche-Posay ANTHELIOS XL CREAM SPF 50 (50ml, CHF 30.00) has become my favorite. It is perfect for sensitive and sun intolerant skin, very water-resistant and its UVA protection twice stricter than the European recommendation (for sun care) thanks to its patented and photostable filtering system Mexoplex®. Its moisturising velvety texture leaves no white marks and works for the body as well as for the face! The range includes also a BB (50ml, CHF 30.00) and a Blur cream (40ml, CHF 30.00), both with SPF 50.

Like this, you can enjoy the sun to the fullest and read our big summer issue of L’Officiel Switzerland that is now at the newsstands nationwide.

Happy Weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

OPI introduces its new F/W 2015 nail polish collection that is taking inspiration from one of the oldest cities in Europe: Venice. 15 new shades (available also as GelColors) that celebrate the beauty of this magic place with the Adriatic Sea surrounding it.

All those shades will be available for at least 6 months.

The three limited edition hues will only be for sale for around 3 months. So hurry up to conquer your favorites when the collection will hit the shelves. In Switzerland from August 15, 2015 for CHF 19.90 each nail polish.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI

The opening of the annual outdoors exhibition ART IN THE PARK in the lovely gardens of the BAUR AU LAC hotel has been a highlight of Zurich’s summer social calendar since its beginning. Hosted by Gigi Kracht, in collaboration with Galerie Gmurzynska, this year’s INSIDE OUT is a solo showcase of sculptures by artist Allen Jones, one of the pioneers of British Pop Art.

His sinuous, brightly colored reinventions of the human form will be on display until August 23, 2015  in the property’s half-acre park set on the shores of Lake Zurich. The contemporary pieces, including «Taxi» and «Sprawl», are mostly abstract and use interlocking sheets of steel painted in colors like cobalt and primrose.

Gigi Kracht, the wife of Baur au Lac’s owner, Andrea Kracht, created the show and collaborates with the international art gallery Galerie Gmurzynska to choose the artists. Here she is having a dialogue with Allen Jones during the seated lunch.

Allen Jones with me

«Taxi»

Jürg and Raquel Marquard with Krystyna Gmurzynska

«Sprawl»

Mathias Rastorfer, Gigi Kracht, Krystyna Gmurzynska, Allen Jones and Andrea Kracht

German De La Cruz, Patrick Liotard-Vogt, Sima Akhlaghi and her husband Peter Merian with me

«The Conjurer»

Mathias Rastorfer (Galerie Gmurzynska) with Gigi Kracht and me

If you are interested in last year’s Art in the Park, click here for the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Art in the Park, © Dörte Welti, © Sandra Bauknecht

As the London men’s collections came to a close, a fashion show with a difference took place. The master of ceremonies, Mister Tom Ford himself, presented his Fall/Winter 2015 Menswear collection at Howick Place. Like a trouper on stage, he took the microphone to explain his new looks that were shown in groups of extremely handsome male models.

Ford mixed in an interesting way sportswear and suits, by adding sneakers to the formal looks. Houndstooth and leather, dufflecoats and psychedelic patterns, all elements reminiscent of the ’60s signed off the younger attitude of this F/W 2015 collection.

Being a gentleman of taste and class, he knows how to strike a pose. His designs are admired by both, men and women. His manners seem so British, the Texan boy is rarely seen. When he entered the room to start his show, he spotted me wearing one of his key looks of the season. With a big smile, before greeting everyone, he said: «Nice dress!». He is witty, he is funny and so handsome.

In the evening, the trendy, exclusive «Chiltern Firehouse» was the site of Tom Ford’s celebration for his latest men’s fragrance, NOIR EXTREME. A stylish crowd, among them Lily Allen, Alexa Chung, David Gandy, came to experience his new scent.

«With NOIR EXTREME, Tom Ford aims to capture that exact moment when a man reaches extreme new heights: his sophistication becomes magnetic, transfixing the world at large.»
Being known for decadent and opulent ingredients, this deep woody oriental scent offers a base of amber-drenched accords that give rise to citrus notes of mandarin oil and neroli, adding heat from spiced cardamom and nutmeg. At the heart of the fragrance is the tantalizing Indian Kulfi—an accord inspired by the ancient royal concoction prepared for 16th century Mughal Emperors. This milky creation, which traditionally consists of Himalayan snow combined with hints of pistachio, is delivered unexpectedly into the core along with floral notes of rose absolute, jasmine and orange flower. Elegant sandalwood and a melting vanilla ember, enigmatically sustaining the masculine fire finish off Tom Ford’s new fragrance creation.

Wearing many hats and managing them all with perfection, fashion designer, movie director, model or master of his own fragrance empire, he himself seems like the perfect «Noir Man» in an extreme version, contemplating his own American dream. The one we all would like to live…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford and © Sandra Bauknecht 

Here is the detailed outfit post of my look that I wore to the wonderful event with Ferragamo in Florence for their Signorina fragrances two weeks ago. The Orto Botanico Giardino Dei Semplici Firenze was the perfect backdrop for the presentation and of course the photos.

My look: White cady top, by Miu Miu, layered tulle midi skirt by D&G Dolce & Gabbana, Girl bag in multicolored tweed by Chanel, studded sandals by Alaïa, Buckle sunglasses by Salvatore Ferragamo, diamond ring and bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès and Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Jo Malone welcomes summer with the playful and carefree collection of scents «Blue Skies & Blossoms» that are all limited editions. So for all fragrance collectors among you, hurry up, those bottles will fly off the shelves. Honestly, if I had to decide which one is my favorite, I would completely fail as they are all extremely yummy.

Sakura Cherry Blossom Cologne
This floral scent captures the airiness of spring. Blossom fluttering on boughs. Pure and transient. Diaphanous layers of cherry blossom mingle with sheer notes of rose, brightened with sparkling bergamot.

Plum Blossom Cologne
The cerise splashes of plum blossom herald the promise of warmer days. Like nature’s fluttering rosettes, pinned to arching boughs. Architectural against the sunlit sky.

Osmanthus Blossom Cologne
Delicately exotic. This white flower captures the duality of apricot counterpoised with supple leather. Luminous petitgrain and luscious peach and orange flower ripple over voluptuous cashmere wood.

Available now. In Switzerland at Globus Geneva and Jelmoli Zurich for CHF 136.00 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Two weeks ago, I went to Geneva to film a new episode of Spotlight which will air this Saturday, at 7.45pm on Tele Züri. The reason? Tiffany & Co. celebrated the opening of its newest store at 21, Rue du Rhône.

Frederic Cumenal, CEO of Tiffany & Co. and Gitta Gräfin Lambsdorff, Managing Director Tiffany & Co., Germany/Austria/Switzerland, hosted the evening. The approximately 500 guests
were welcomed to a cocktail reception at the store where they were able to explore the magnificent new interiors across the store’s two floors and discover dazzling jewellery and the limited edition watches that the American jeweller has specially created to commemorate its return to Geneva.

The four limited edition cocktail watches, exclusively created for the Geneva opening.

Tiffany’s brilliant new store reflects the company’s global reputation as a luxury brand and a 178-year history that includes Geneva, where Tiffany first opened a branch in 1868.

Melvin Kirtley, Chief Gemologist Tiffany & Co., with me in front of the famous Tiffany Diamond.

TIFFANY DIAMOND
This legendary beauty was acquired by Charles Lewis Tiffany in 1878. To this day, the spectacular 128.54-carat fancy yellow diamond remains one of the most important gemstones on earth. It was a great honor to see this precious piece in real life in Geneva as it rarely travels, remaining at home on the main floor of the Tiffany flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

Star guest Paloma Picasso gave me a great interview that will air in the next Spotlight episode. To explore her newest collection for Tiffany, please click here.

Following the cocktail reception in the new store, we were then ushered to a glamourous marquee with a stunning Tiffany Blue Box entrance. With magnificent views to the Lake Geneva and the Jet d’Eau, we enjoyed a fantastic party with live performances by renowned saxophonist Chez Taylor-Francis, DJMike and DJ Viky Queen.

A fun evening that ended with the beautiful Jet d’Eau lit up in Tiffany blue!

If you are living in Switzerland, don’t forget to watch Spotlight this Saturday at 7.45pm! The trailer will tell you a little more about the episode…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Magali Girardin/ Tiffany and ©Sandra Bauknecht

Transparent trends took the runway for a whirlwind this summer season. While this might not be one of those looks you can easily adapt for, I took the challenge and sported this see-through dress in St. Tropez for a great night out.

My look: Lace and silk-blend chiffon midi dress (40% off on sale) by Dolce & Gabbana, laser-cut leather and suede platform sandals by Alaïa, high waisted shorts and  patchwork clutch, both by Prada, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis, Tiffany T bracelet in rose gold by Tiffany & Co., necklace and earrings, both from the Paris-Dubai collection by Chanel, diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

One of the most important designers in the history of American fashion, Donna Karan, has made a personal decision to step down from her day-to-day responsibilities as Chief Designer for Donna Karan International. She will remain with the company in an advisory role though and will dedicate her focus on her Urban Zen Company (available at Trois Pommes in Switzerland) and foundation, which she founded in 2007.

LVMH, the French conglomerate that bought the house in 2001, said there were no immediate plans to replace her as a designer, and the main Donna Karan collection would be suspended. It will not hold a show at New York Fashion Week in September.

DKNY (Donna Karan New York) cites New York City as a point of inspiration.

Donna Karan with models wearing looks from her DKNY Spring 1989 collection in Times Square.

Instead, according to an announcement, the company will reorganize its teams and structure to in order to substantially increase its focus on the DKNY brand, which is the more accessible line and currently responsible for 80 percent of Donna Karan International revenue.

Donna Karan with her beloved family

Over the past three decades, Donna Karan has inspired women around the world to embrace their power and sensuality. When she started her collection in 1985 she set out to simply make clothes for her and her friends. A little collection of simple black pieces that was all about need and desire. She quickly found out that she wasn’t alone- she had a lot of friends out there.

The debut of the Seven Easy Pieces collection in 1985, centering on a leotard-like bodysuit, with layers to transition easily from day to night.

Her philosophy of a sophisticated system of dressing, “her seven easy pieces“, a handful of interchangeable items that work together to create an entire closet for day and night, revolutionized the working woman’s wardrobe.

Donna Karan Pre-Fall 2015 collection

Donna Karan is an icon, visionary designer and a passionate philanthropist. She believes in dressing and addressing women. Her impact on American fashion has been extraordinary and she will continue to influence and inspire for years to come. If you are interested in reading her full bio, please click here.

Let’s honor Donna today and always. We look forward to celebrating her past, present and future in her memoir, which is due out in October 2015.

TO SHOP THE LASTEST COLLECTION BY DONNA KARAN, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Donna Karan, Condé Nast Archive/Corbis, AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis