Sandra‘s Closet

It is the last day of the year and I would like to share with you my favourite outfits of 2017. A little retrospective recalling my most fashionable moments. 12 months, versatile looks, shot in many different places in the world. I am proud of myself as I wrote each day of 2017 a post.

To a fabulous 2018, wishing you only the best and I hope that you will keep following Sandra’s Closet for the next years to come!

LoL, Sandra

JANUARY 2017: Gstaading

St. Barts –  Formal Jumpsuit

FEBRUARY 2017: Let’s Go Bananas!

Boom – Smile – I Feel It All

Le Toiny – Spring Faves

MARCH 2017: Rock It!

Lace, Bows and Pearls – One-Shoulder Dress – Theatre

Seeing Things Clearly – Hello from Lugano

APRIL 2017: Easter Sunday

Wonder Woman Meets Superwoman – Greenery – Tennis for a Good Cause

Swan Lady – Blind for Love

Business Meeting – Chanel Airlines

MAY 2017: Power Pairings

Chanel Coco Cuba – On the Way to St. Tropez – Open

Running in Heels – Ruffles

High Strung – Spring Into Summer

JUNE 2017: Art in the Park

Block Heels – Hello New York – Strolling Through Venice

Masquerade Ball in Venice –  Stars, Stripes and Polka Dots Now

Florence – Paris I Love You

JULY 2017: Sun Memories

Ibiza – Boho Garden

Rainbow Stripes – Grecian Goddess in Provence

AUGUST 2017: Show Some Shoulder

We Should All Be Feminists –  Always a Bridesmaid – See U Later

Flashback Street Parade – Take a Hike – Casual Friday

Pucci at the Pool – Hydrangea – Cherish

SEPTEMBER 2017: Cruise

Not-So-Basic-Black – Sneakers & Dresses

OCTOBER 2017: Rock the Rainbow

Movie Night – Hublot Wiesn – Premiere

Must-Haves – Ballet

Fall Beauty – An Ice Bear in Milan

NOVEMBER 2017: Vintage Florals

Teatro alla Scala – Milan Style

Girl on Fire in Erdem x H&M – My Happy Place

DECEMBER 2017: Prada Cloudbust

Fondue Time – The Sequined Jumpsuit – Merry Christmas 2017

Marrakesh – Let’s Get That Party Gstaaded – Live for the Moments

Be Bold – Union Jack Style

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Marking 15 years of fine watchmaking, the French Maison launches its first all-black Tambour, contributing to an industry-wide «noir moment». Created in 2002, the Tambour marked Louis Vuitton’s watchmaking debut. The timepiece is identifiable by its unique shape and design, engraved in the steel, the 12 letters of the name Louis Vuitton encircle the case like the 12 hours on the dial. The watch itself appears to be sculpted directly from a block of metal, evoking a sense of strength and solidity.

The new entirely matte black timepiece comes with a noble aesthetic, the perfect accessory for men (or ladies) who travel, for men who love refined, contemporary, urban objects. The Tambour All Black comes in two versions with interchangeable straps fitted with Louis Vuitton’s innovative patented system. At twelve o’clock, the dial bears the famous V signature invented by Gaston-Louis Vuitton in 1901 to adorn the famous Steamer Bag.

The Tambour All Black Chronographe gives the watch a sporty feel while retaining its elegance: a new instrument housed in an imposing 46 mm case, driven by a self-winding caliber. The crown is in steel, overmoulded with black rubber for more drive.

The Tambour All Black Petite Seconde has an understated, sophisticated look. The small second function nestles at 6 o’clock, at the heart of a 41,5 mm case powered by a self-winding movement.
Raised to the ranks of an icon fifteen years after its creation, the Tambour remains on-trend with this All Black version presenting a restrained, contemporary and masculine design.

Those two models would be a great choice to join the powerful trend towards all-black watches. Enjoy the last day of the year…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

In the ’90s, John Galliano gave the famous Union Jack a high fashion rehabilitation and in the beginning of the century, Vivienne Westwood’s interpretation of the red, white and blue became an icon for post-punk British creativity. The Union Jack of today has shed its skin of sneery Cool Britannia rebelliousness. Now, Gucci‘s Alessandro Michele shows us that it is all about flying the flag, just not as we know it.

My look: Fur coat by Etro, Union Jack embellished wool sweater, fur-felt wide-brim trilby hat, skinny denim pant with embroidery and Horsebit-detailed collapsible-heel metallic leather loafers, all by Gucci, classic Union Jack inspired flap bag by Chanel. Horsebit blue topaz diamond white gold ring by Gucci Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Are you planning your festive look for New Year’s Eve? Check out GUERLAIN‘s holiday make-up collection that has some gorgeous, limited edition, collector’s pieces. Comparing to what other luxury brands have been releasing this winter, GUERLAIN is surely one that got the attention of many. I don’t want to keep you waiting any longer so let’s begin.

GOLD PALETTE (LIMITED EDITION) – CHF 105.00
In a lacquered compact with stylised palm leaf motifs inspired by Art Déco style, nestled in a black and gold case, the new Guerlain Gold Palette offers a complete make-up set (face, eyes, brows and lips) to create a Gold & Chic look that’s a must for spending New Year’s Eve with the Great Gatsby. Its Wet & Dry texture lets you intensify the colours each time you wet the brush. The shades can be applied on their own or layered, dry or wet, for a buildable result rising in a crescendo, from day to night.

METEORITES GOLD LIGHTS (LIMITED EDITION) – CHF 80.00
This refined box in the style of an antique jewel holds the delicate Météorites pearls. For the first time this year, they come in golden colours (white, yellow, pink, champagne). This unique combination enfolds the complexion like a beautiful piece of jewellery that lights up the face. The Gold Pearl Météorites bathe skin in a halo of light, revealing all of its radiance.

TERRACOTTA GOLD LIGHT (LIMITED EDITION) – CHF 80.00

It perfectly enhances your natural sun-kissed glow and catches the light thanks to the precious hints of gold contained in the formula. It’s made with incredibly fine mother-of-pearl and imitates the dazzling light of skin that’s been left silky by the sun. Enriched with moisturizing active ingredients, it won’t dry out the skin and it ensures lasting comfort.

ROUGE G DE GUERLAIN LIPCOLOR (LIMITED EDITION) – 65.50
Cast in a gold and black fine jewellery pack that reveals a mirror on opening, Rouge G adorns your lips with an incandescent stroke of colour. This season, Guerlain has designed two exclusive (limited-edition) shades for its star lipstick. Ultra-pigmented, creamy and plumping, it lets us play with different intensities and stays true on our lips all night long.

• 822 Glamorous Cherry – this red illuminates the complexion of brunettes
• 823 Flaming Red – creates an intense effect for blondes

GOLD LIGHT TOPCOAT (LIMITED EDITION) – CHF 33.00
A limited-edition topcoat in Gold Light to dress your lashes, eyebrows and hair with precious hints of gold.

Enjoy your week!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Guerlain

Expensive handbags now come with raincoats (yes, I know, your Hermès Birkin also has a cover for protection). But! Suede meets spring showers? No problem anymore…

My favorite? Chanel‘s must-have It-bag. And if you just want to show the trend with your favorite handbag in your closet, visit Handbag Raincoat, a.k.a. the most genius items you probably didn’t realize existed. Coming in a variety of sizes, depending on how big your purse is, it will protect handbags from inopportune weather.

LoL, Sandra

Chanel S/S 2018

Balenciaga S/S 2018

Valextra Raincoat for Iside Medium Bag

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Christmas can be magic and I wish that this holiday has brought only the best for you. I hope you have experienced the same pleasure like me feeling like a child again, cuddling with your new fashionable toys.

My look: Lace tiger shawl dress and leopard shaped backpack, both by Dolce & Gabbana, bow-embellished patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent, and Horsebit blue topaz diamond white gold ring by Gucci Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

«Like a blanket that always stays with you – it has sentimental values.» – Nicolò Oddi

Sometimes, it is fascinating how a fashion item can rise to fame in a short amount of time, mostly thanks to Instagram. One piece that has been spotted all over is an oversized cuddly cardigan handcrafted from 980 grams of Cariaggi cashmere. Created by Nicolò Oddi in dialogue with his sister and muse Carlotta in the beginning of 2016, luxury Italian label ALANUI is defined by its colorful jacquard knitwear that pays homage to Native-American iconography, focusing on this one style only.  The production of one ethnic-style cardigan can take up to 11 hours.

Carlotta Oddi in her own design, a fringed pink jacquard-knit cashmere cardigan by ALANUI.

Carlotta Oddi herself steers a large part of that success – after all, she’s probably the label’s best testimonial. She’s admired by many for her individualistic look, which can also be seen in her 97,700 Instagram followers. It all started a few years ago when Carlotta flew to Hawaii with a large vintage cardigan in her suitcase, a gift from her brother Nicolò, a piece that became her travel companion and that inspired both siblings to create their own line.

TO SHOP ALANUI CARDIGANS ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

This season the siblings have added for the first time sweaters with fringe, cardigans with hoods, ponchos, and small accessories like cashmere hats. Moreover they launched their first collaboration with the concept store Colette. Today, the must-have knitwear has spread like wildfire, selling worldwide across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Canada, and the USA. A statement of pure luxury that has inspired other designers to copy it.

ETRO seeked inspiration from ALANUI this season. I have to admit that I like those cardigans a lot and great news is that they are much cheaper. Who would have thought this?
From left to right: Fringed red intarsia wool cardigan, reversible intarsia blue wool-blend and jacquard jacket, reversible intarsia multi colored wool-blend and jacquard jacket, and fringed black and white wool-jacquard cardigan, all by Etro (all 40% off on sale).

By the way ALANUI means «large path» in the Hawaiian language. This might be a good omen, and it will carry them a long way further.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Alanui, Net-à-Porter and via Instagram @carlottaoddi

«Christmas trees are the strongest ‘souvenir’ of my happy childhood.» – Karl Lagerfeld

I love Christmas trees and my favorite one (besides my own) can be found at London’s Claridge’s Hotel where in the eighth consecutive year a creative visionary has been invited to reinterpret the tree in their own distinctive style. This December, it is Karl Lagerfeld, one of the fashion world’s most influential creative forces, who created the stunning festive installation, a sixteen foot high inverted tree with silver gilded roots topped with a multi-faceted mirrored star which reflects rays of magical light across the art deco lobby. Reminiscent of a silver stalactite, the tree is hung with traditional silver lametta decorations, silver butter leather feathers and snowflakes handmade by craftsmen in Germany with tree candles giving a warm, inviting glow. Under the centerpiece sit hand sewn white Icelandic sheepskin rugs to reflect a recent snowfall.The famous designer was inspired by his own childhood memories of Christmas.

The Claridge’s Christmas Tree has long been a festive Mayfair landmark, drawing visitors and Londoners alike to marvel at its magnificent and ever-changing design. Scroll down to explore Claridge’s Christmas Tree designs through the years.

2016: SIR JONY IVE AND MARC NEWSON

2015: CHRISTOPHER BAILEY FOR BURBERRY

2014: DOLCE & GABBANA

2013: DOLCE & GABBANA

2012: KALLY ELLIS OF MCQUEENS

2011: ALBER ELBAZ FOR LANVIN

2010: JOHN GALLIANO FOR DIOR

2009: JOHN GALLIANO FOR DIOR

Merry Christmas to all of you – may you all sparkle as these beautiful trees with joy, love and laughter.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Claridge’s

What if your instincts were guided by your sense of smell,
leading you towards new adventures?
What was long suspected has finally been proven…
the power of scent unconsciously influences our behaviour.

My avid readers know that I am a perfume junkie and I love niche fragrances. This week, I came along a new scent that I have fallen in love within a second: PSYCHEDELIC LOVE by INITIO from the Carnal Blends collection.

FLORAL POWDERY
Bergamot, Rose, Hedione, Heliotropin, Myrrh, Vanilla, Almond and Patchouli
CHF 199.00 (90ml)

A transgressive reference to psychedelic trips, this fetishist composition has the effect of a double-action bomb: first, it triggers an immense, addictive and egotistical pleasure, before diffusing itself and titillating its target, who is left completely hooked.

What is this scent of subversion?
Stupefying fragrance – The signature of this narcotic bomb lies in three essential ingredients: rose, hedione and heliotropin.

While hedione activates the brain regions linked to pleasure and the libido, heliotropin goes even further. Equally tender and illicit, this crystalline powder hides its intentions well. Beware of its creamy, powdery and floral facets, wavering between vanilla and almond!

Used in over doses, heliotropin becomes a psychoactive substance. A forbidden shiver rushes over the skin. A substance under strict regulations. Its possession is strictly controlled by law, because heliotropin is used for the chemical synthesis of MDA, a prohibited drug and substitute for ecstasy. Confronted with this diabolical indulgence, no one is safe from an olfactory obsession that can soon become a real addiction!

Scientists have long rejected the idea that certain fragrances are capable of releasing sex hormones. However, a team of researchers from Bochum University (Germany) demonstrated that specific scented molecules known as hedione (methyl dihydrojasmonate) can activate brain regions linked to the libido, triggering impulses and attraction in their wake.

This discovery led to the creation of Carnal Blends, an unprecedented collection by INITIO in which all of the formulas are enriched with hedione – a word very aptly derived from the Greek hedone (meaning «pleasure»), a mysterious molecule that plays the role of the final detonator.
Each of these fragrances dares to showcase fantasy raw materials, carnal notes and passionate, distinctive accords, celebrating rebellious olfactory compositions capable of arousing pleasure and inciting physical attraction.

INITIO takes fragrances to new heights, with enhanced powers that defy the imagination.
Wild nature and the science of pheromones fuse deeply together within the formulas, working their magic imperceptibly. The Magnetic Blends, that include a pheromonal molecule, are great to be blended. I adore wearing MAGNETIC BLEND 7 (Musks – CHF 190.00 (90ml)) under PSYCHEDELIC LOVE.

INITIO fragrances stir your instincts. Ladies, no man is safe anymore. Trust me, those are the sexiest scents on the planet! You will thank me forever…

In Zurich available at Jelmoli.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Initio

For the S/S 2018 season, the sheer clothing is here to stay, runways all over the world have been caving in to the alluring aesthetic, proving that the sexiest of fashion trends is still going strong. I embraced this look for the black tie ASW Foundation Gala Dinner, that was followed by an extravagant after-party with a live band in the lobby of the Gstaad Palace. One must celebrate when one has the opportunity! Live for the moments you can’t put into words…

My look: Ruffled tiered lace gown and floral-print velour and stretch-tulle lingerie set, both by Alessandra Rich, Bianca leather sandals and velvet waist belt, both by Saint Laurent, 2.55 quilted bag with attached hanger by Chanel (Front Row Only F/W 2016 collection), «Diorette» ring and earrings, both by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography