Sandra‘s Closet

To support the release of her new album «Lover,» out this week on August 23, 2019 Taylor Swift announced that she’s working with British fashion designer Stella McCartney on a special—and sustainable—fashion collaboration, featuring organic fabrics, leather made from recycled polyester and vegetable waste oils, and even a reusable water bottle.

«She’s been a friend for a really long time, and also just a woman I respect so much,» Swift said of McCartney during an Instagram Live. The collection is inspired by the songs on the album, and is including a bomber jacket, purse, and many tees in all sorts of amazing pastel hues and tie-dyes. You don’t need to be a teenager to like those pieces…

Tune in to Taylor’s YouTube channel at 5pm EST on August 22, 2019 to see Stella and Taylor reveal more about their creative process.

The collection will be available in a special pop-up store in New York City called «The Lover Experience» that will take place between August 23-25, 2019 and online here. It seems to be the only place fans will be able to purchase the limited edition tees (at least for now). The jacket and purse, however, will also be available on Stella McCartney’s website starting the night of August 22, 2019.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Stella McCartney
via Instagram @taylorswift @stellamccartney #StellaxTaylorSwift

Today, I would like to introduce you to the new Jean Paul Gaultier fragrances that just have launched with a cute little story written in paradise…

IN GAULTIER’S GARDEN

One morning, Jean Paul Gaultier walked into his Factory. It was large and lively and happy. He looked at the women, and he looked at the men. And his mind wandered to leisurely pastimes. And he thought, «Women and men should spend time together, it is good.»

On the first day, he created a garden. The garden was magical and enchanting, and in the spirit of easy virtues everywhere!

On the second day, he created La Belle and Le Beau. Born from JPG Classic and Le Mâle, but as butt naked as their first day in this world. And they’re not even cold, those two! On the third day, he created the most delightful, divine and delectable sins … On the fourth day he rested. In his garden, the party was in full swing. Everyone was in the mood for discovery, adventure; of themselves and each other. And it smelled (al)most divine!

THE BOTTLES

Jean Paul Gaultier created the bottle of La Belle – and the bottle appeared. In the shape of a woman’s bust. It was red dipped in pink, and spoke of modesty as well as the most lascivious licentiousness. Around the neck, gold roses formed a necklace, a modest covering that serve only as an invitation to a final and temptation-filled unveiling …

Then, Jean Paul Gaultier created the bottle of Le Beau, and the bottle appeared. In the shape of a naked chest. It was green, and it shimmered. A leaf of vine, in gold, carefully placed where the eyes might linger.

Jean Paul Gaultier looked at the exquisite busts and exclaimed: «These two were made to lead us into temptation!» And they were.

THE PACKAGING

Jean Paul Gaultier created the casing of La Belle, and the case appeared in the garden. It was the softest green, almost almond, and amongst the foliage of this very modern Eden, matched with everything. Its gold letters gleamed, and it was oh-so-tempting to touch the fruit, – and it wasn’t even forbidden!

Jean Paul Gaultier created the casing for Le Beau, and the case appeared at the foot of a bush. It was emerald green, so dark, reminding us of all that is lush in this world. Its golden letters glimmering like the honey of original desire.

Jean Paul Gaultier looked at the two provocative, sexy cases, and said: «Presentation is everything – and nothing!» And it was.

THE FRAGRANCES

Jean Paul Gaultier opened the case of La Belle, took the bottle, and inhaled deeply the essence of the perfume. It smelled of oriental vanilla, but a vanilla so fresh, it quenched the soul. He could also identify vetiver; where the miraculous smell of fruit, a pear, was clearly pointing.

Jean Paul Gaultier opened Beau‘s case and, closing his eyes, inhaled (no denials here). The smell of coconut wood inspired a profound desire to relax, while the bergamot and the tonka bean whispered to him that lounging was the most refreshing of sins.

Jean Paul Gaultier inhaled both perfumes together, and declared: «They go well together. Forever and ever.» And thus a world was created.

PERFUMERS

Quentin Bisch and Sonia Constant teleported themselves to Gaultier’s garden.
As is their way, they emerged themselves into this strange and soothing exotic world. These two, who love to explore the world and who know it so well, came back mesmerised by The New Land, with a special place in their heart for La Belle and Le Beau. And as we know, the heart is never far from the nose.

Jean Paul Gaultier La Belle und Le Beau are available from now in the following sizes:

La Belle Eau de Parfum 100 ml / CHF 161.00
La Belle Eau de Parfum 50ml / CHF 118.00

Le Beau Eau de Parfum 125ml / CHF 120.00
Le Beau Eau de Parfum 75ml / CHF 89.00

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier

With the presentation of his latest Rolls-Royce Cullinan today, Michael Fux has commissioned a series of 12 one-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce Bespoke creations.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has dozens of colors reserved for numerous clients around the globe. Among the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars he has commissioned, Mr. Fux ‘owns’ ten Bespoke colors, more than any other patron of the brand. These colors can only by used by, or with, the permission of the client.

• Fux Fuxia Pearl (Phantom)
• Fux Fuxia (Dawn)
• Fux Blue Candy (Dawn)
• Fux Intense Jade Pearl (Phantom)
• Fux Aequus Green Jade Pearl (Wraith)
• Fux Purple Candy (Phantom Drophead Coupé)
• Fux White (Ghost)
• Fux Red Candy (Phantom Drophead Coupé)
• Fux Yellow (Phantom Drophead Coupé)

2019: ‘Fux Orange’ (Cullinan)
Mr. Fux challenged the designers to match the color to a vibrant orange ladies wrap that caught his eye in South Florida.
Working together for nearly a year, the teams delivered the perfect surface application of more than seven layers of finish polished by hand for multiple hours in the Surface Finish Center. The exterior even features black Cullinan wheels with pinstripe wheel centers in the bright ‘Fux Orange.’

The interior is decked in hand-crafted Arctic White leather with offsetting Orange stitching and Orange Rolls-Royce ‘RRs’ on the headrests. Arctic White is carried over to the box grain leather fascia, steering wheel control stems and carpets. The designers brought color contrast with ‘Fux Orange’ finished fascia veneer and lambswool floor mats.

2018: ‘Fux Fuxia Pearl’ (Phantom)
The ‘Phantom in Fuxia’ is Mr. Fux’s tenth commission.
The exterior color features the pearlized feature from his 2015 Fux Intense Jade Pearl with the bright vibrant hue from his 2017 ‘Dawn in Fuxia’.

2017: ‘Fux Fuxia’ (Dawn)
The ‘Dawn in Fuxia’ is finished a vibrant color, matched to a flower that Mr. Fux found in Pebble Beach in 2016. Mr. Fux had just been presented with one of the first highly personalized Dawn’s in the world in his eponymous color ‘Fux Blue.’ He then presented fuchsia petals from the Pebble Beach lawns to the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Design Team with a challenge to them to create a second Bespoke Dawn.

2016: ‘Fux Blue Candy’ (Dawn)
‘Dawn in Fux Blue’ is a stunning duo-tone blue and white Dawn sporting an exterior hued in Mr. Fux’s latest Bespoke ‘Fux Blue’. The magnificent finish including the Fux Blue Bespoke colored hood. The bright Arctic White interior offsets the luscious Fux Blue exterior and includes the sleek Piano White fascia and Bespoke Arctic White hand-wrapped steering wheel. The Arctic White leather surrounds the compartment and adorns Dawn’s rear deck. The white interior is highlighted by the vibrant Fux Blue Bespoke lambswool carpet creating a visually striking image.

2015: ‘Fux Intense Jade Pearl’ (Phantom)
This Phantom with ‘Fux Intense Jade Pearl’ exterior finish and a Fux Aequus Green interior matches the Wraith he commissioned in 2014. The interior is appointed in the highest quality leather in a vibrant color theme matching green throughout the front and rear compartments. More than a year of Bespoke color design went into this ‘One-of-One’ work of art that complements Mr. Fux’s Bespoke Wraith commissioned in 2014, and his collection of stunning, colorful Rolls-Royce motor cars.

2014: ‘Fux Aequus Green Jade Pearl’ (Wraith)
The two-tone car is presented in two specially developed colors; ‘Fux Aequus Green’ and Cornish White with Jade Pearl accents. Inside, the vibrant coluor theme continues with matching green across the interior, including leather seats, floor mats and carpets, leather covered stalks and steering wheel, with veneer parts. In true Michael Fux style, attention has been paid to even the smallest details with the speakers, front and rear vents and rear view mirror casing finished in the car’s unique green hue.

2011: ‘Fux Purple Candy’ (Phantom Drophead Coupé)
This Bespoke-named exterior color is a deep luscious ‘Fux Purple Candy’ finish with exterior and Arctic White exterior with contrast purple stitching. This is including the leather floor mats and boot finishing. Arctic White Veneer is used from fascia to the deck. The bespoke steering wheel comes with Arctic White veneer spokes and hand-crafted Arctic White leather.

2010: ‘Fux Arctic White’ (Ghost)
The exterior paint and trim are covered in a hand-polished Fux Arctic White paint, while the interior is upholstered in matching Arctic White leather. The white leather covers all interior surfaces including the steering wheel. Complementing the paint scheme is a matching presentation key box. In a bold break from stylistic tradition, Mr. Fux has had the traditionally veneered dashboard painted with a matching lacquer instead. All the interior leather is stitched with a contrasting Consort Red thread. Arctic white lamb’s wool floor mats overlay Consort Red carpets in the interior.

2010: ‘Fux Red Candy’ (Phantom Drophead Coupé)
The exterior is finished in ‘Fux Red Candy’ hand-polished to a high-luster.
The interior is upholstered in matching Arctic White leather. The white leather covers all interior surfaces including the steering wheel. All the interior leather is stitched with a contrasting Consort Red thread. Arctic white lamb’s wool floor mats overlay Consort Red carpets in the interior for a colorful finish.

2008: ‘Fux Yellow’ (Phantom Drophead Coupé)
This Phantom Drophead Coupé features an exterior Bespoke in ‘Fux Yellow’. The entire interior is in matching yellow leather, including the seats, headrests, steering wheel, door panels and, even the interior of the boot.
The trademark lambswool carpets are dyed in a perfect match. High-gloss carbon fiber is used in place of the traditional of wood veneer Rolls-Royce have been replaced by cutting-edge carbon fiber. The entire dashboard is black with yellow leather controls with the yellow hue extending throughout the cabin from the console, and the rear deck.

You might be wondering why I am showing this car collection. There are two reasons for it. First, I LOVE cars and second, how cool would it be to have this collection to match your daily outfits…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and via Instagram @fuxwithmichael

Yesterday evening, I went with friends for the first time spontaneously to the Zürcher Theater Spektakel. It was a fun and welcome alternative to an usual Saturday evening in Zurich, different, alternative and mind-opening. Founded in 1980 as an annual meeting of independent theatre groups, it quickly evolved into a cultural event of international appeal. Today it ranks among the most important European festivals for the contemporary performing arts, a popular venue for both renowned and upcoming theatre and dance companies from all over the world.

Walking to the festival already feels like being on vacation again.

The festival is spread over 18 days at the «Landiwiese». It feels like being somewhere else in the world. This superb, park-like site, located directly on the shores of Lake Zurich, hosts various different sized activities during the festival. Onsite restaurants and bars, performances under the open sky and versatile ad hoc events offer all sorts of entertainment to enjoy the open-air season.

Here are some of my photos that I took last night. Enjoy!

«Nieder mit den Alpen» (down with the Alps)…

… «freie Sicht aufs Mittelmeer» (unobstructed view of the Mediterranean), an initiative of the Social Muscle Club…

… that celebrated «ein Tisch für alle» (a table for everyone) last night.

All sorts of live acts attract the open-minded spectators.

People of all ages enjoy the atmosphere outside… watching the people themselves is already a spectacle.

You can even get open-air massages…

… relax on the beautiful shores of Lake Zurich…

… or buy some arts and crafts.

For the festival’s schedule, click here please. It goes on until September 1, 2019.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This month, Dior is releasing an all-new Rouge Dior Ultra Care lipstick line that is supposed to be longer lasting, more nourishing and better than ever. For the first time, actual flower oil is infused in this range that offers two textures.

Thank you, Dior, for my personalized lipstick!

I had the chance to try them before the official launch date and love that the result of both of them. Providing hydration and comfort for the lips while offering long lasting colour makes them the perfect go-to for anyone looking for everyday radiance. It’s so lightweight that you’ll probably forget you’re wearing it!

Rouge Dior Ultra Care Lipstick (21 shades) – CHF 51.50
Flower oil radiant lipstick – weightless wear

Rouge Dior Ultra Care Liquid (25 shades) – CHF 51.50
Flower oil radiant lipstick –  weightless wear and petal velvet finish

In the new promo clip below, Dior Makeup’s Creative and Image Director Peter Philips, the mastermind behind the collection, breaks down the formula of the new products and gives us an insight into what inspired them. Enjoy and happy weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos / Video: © Dior

If you’ve been to Verona and you’ve fallen in love with the city like me, you will like today’s outfit post. Besides the famous Arena di Verona Opera Festival, the picturesque Italian town has a lot to offer, from beautiful restaurants, little piazzas and many historic monuments to visit. Furthermore, Verona still feels like its Shakespearean legacy, and it is possible to recall the main moments of the timeless love story of Romeo and Juliet. When you overlook the city, you realise that there really could have been no other place more perfect than Verona to have set the story.

My look: Appliquéd denim jacket, Ace embroidered low-top leather trainers, and square-frame glitter sunglasses, all by Gucci, Allure ruffled silk-chiffon blouse by Temperley London, printed stretch-cotton wrap skirt by Mira Mikati, Kan I leather shoulder bag, flower fur key fob, ABClick letter key charm and embellished leather bag strap, all by Fendi.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The micro bag-as-necklace concept is such a great and practical trend for F/W 2019. Being hands-free and carrying all your valuables around your neck is the perfect option when hitting the dance floor. Furthermore, it makes you look like a young girl… remember when you left to your school trip with that pouch dangling from your neck and you hated it?!

Now, it is time to make peace with these stylish options below:

Studded pouch necklace by Saint Laurent

Le Pitchou mini textured-leather pouch by Jacquemus

Tri-pouch necklace by Loewe

Maria small leather pouch by Gabriela Hearst

Purse pouch necklace by Y’s

Which one is your favorite? I went for Gabriela Hearst… so sophisticated and stylish.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

«Women think of all colours except the absence of colour. I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony.»
Gabrielle Chanel

«Noir» and «Blanc,» the CHANEL absolutes, made elegant, timeless and iconic by Gabrielle Chanel and still the enduring signature of her House today. For F/W 2019, black and white, the ultimate symbolic (non) colours of CHANEL, are explored and reinterpreted by Lucia Pica, CHANEL Global Creative Makeup and Color Designer, for a stylized and sumptuous beauty collection.

From the formalized and abstract to the silken and sensuous, Lucia Pica infuses her new approach to these power colours of CHANEL with both an appreciation of their transcendent absolutism and an eye for the nuanced gradations of the spaces in-between.

In tune with the Modernist architectural and cultural environment of Paris, part of the embracement by CHANEL of black and white could be seen as a reflection of her time; the ebony and ivory of Art Deco interiors, the delineated graphic lines of the Moderne, the stylized photographic and cinematic images that proliferated, even those images of Mademoiselle herself… It is while bearing all of this in mind that Lucia Pica has approached the ultimate graphic colours of CHANEL, both celebrating and humanizing them – literally making them flesh, for the contemporary consumer.

Lucia Pica now sees these colours from the life of Gabrielle Chanel as part of a manifesto for modernity in beauty for contemporary women. Embracing the aura of the silver screen and the silver print, particularly concentrating on the gradations of colour to be found within these processes, sepias, greys and new «Rouge Noirs» emerge. Sparkling, shimmering textures add an all-over glow of glamour, while delineated and structured mattes make a more direct appeal. Altogether, the collection is a meeting of fantasy and reality, the stylized with the organic, a perfect harmony of absolutes.

«Black and white are the colours I relate most to Gabrielle Chanel; the time she lived in, the power she gave these colours, the way they appeared in her life. Black and white were in her surroundings, in the interiors, in the architecture of Paris as well as in the symbolism of her life.» Lucia Pica

LIPS
Rouge Allure Liquid Powder CHF 48.-
974 Timeless
978 Bois de Nuit
Rouge Allure Velvet Extrême CHF 48.-
128 Rose Nocturne (Edition Limitée)
130 Rouge Obscur

Rouge Coco Gloss CHF 39.-
814 Crystal Clear (Edition Limitée)
816 Laque Noire (Edition Limitée)

NAILS/HANDS
Le Vernis CHF 33.-
713 Pure Black (Edition Limitée)
711 Pure White (Edition Limitée)
Le Lift La Crème Main Galet 50 ml CHF 80.- (new!)
La Crème Main 50 ml CHF 64.-

EYES – The intense focus of the collection
Les 4 Ombres CHF 77.-
332 Noir Suprême (Edition Limitée)
334 Modern Glamour
Ombre Première Top Coat CHF 43.- (my favorites!)
317 Carte Blanche (Edition Limitée)
327 Pénombre (Edition Limitée)

Stylo Yeux Waterproof CHF 35.-
949 Blanc Graphique
88 Noir Intense (Repromotion)

Le Volume Ultra Noir de CHANEL CHF 47.-
90 Ultra Noir

FACE
Le Gel Pailleté CHF 60.-
(Edition Limitée)
A transparent shimmering gel

«There is an idea of extreme fantasy as well as reality in this collection, of something very stylized or delineated while embracing the day-to-day. There is a certain palpability to the texture; it is so real it becomes part of your skin. At the same time the sparkle hovers above it, becoming almost like an aura, a kind of glamour seen in films – LE GEL PAILLETÉ is very much about this.» Lucia Pica

The Noir et Blanc de CHANEL make-up collection will be available from end of August, 2019. The Le Lift La Crème Main (hand cream) will be available from beginning of September 2019.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL

On Saturday we celebrated Street Parade in Zurich, the most attended technoparade in Europe. I prefer leaving the streets to the ravers as I find it too crowded but I still enjoy the music very much. Therefore personally speaking the place to be is the Boum-Boum au Lac party in the exclusive garden of the Hotel Baur au Lac where I also stayed that day in a beautiful corner suite. As it rained the whole morning, it was tough to decide on the outfit. Finally the  sun came out and I went for this bohemian style.

My look: Veneto cropped off-the-shoulder crinkled ramie and cotton-blend gauze top, Veneto shirred crinkled ramie and cotton-blend gauze maxi skirt and raffia belt bag, all by Zimmermann, suede and wooden clogs by Miu Miu, beaded bracelet by Saint Laurent, gold-tone necklace with shell charms, and gold-tone and shell choker, both by Isabel Marant, bohemian headpiece by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

The most beautiful hotel terrace overlooking the parc. 

Baur au Lac owner Andrea Kracht and I got interviewed by Goss Ipa.

Photos from the Event: Ufuk Düzgün @ufukd_86
Photos on the terrace the hotel room: © Sandra Bauknecht

PRISON ART is the result of the entrepreneurial vision of Jorge Cueto, a former inmate of the Puente Grande federal penitentiary in Jalisco, Mexico. Unjustly arrested for fraud in 2012, Cueto spent 11 months behind bars before a judge determined there was no crime to prosecute and that he was innocent. Today, this organization helps former prisoners reintegrate into a normal life through creative artwork in Mexico.

Jorge Cueto launched Prison Art in late 2013 after being unjustly arrested.

This craftsmanship and know-how of PRISON ART is part of a project by premium tequila brand PADRE AZUL and tequila aficionado, PADRE AZUL co-owner and Swarovski partner Georg Weis. The new «Padre Azul Cristalino Añejo Tequila», limited to 1,000 bottles, is also a co-production with Swarovski, who have created the unique skull with an engraved number for each bottle. The bottle itself was designed for the special edition by PRISON ART and part of the proceeds will be donated to the charitable organization.

Cristalino Tequila, which uses a special process to remove the natural color, currently happens to be the new trend in Mexico. Crystal clear in the glass, «Padre Azul Cristalino Añejo Tequila» convinces on the palate with maturity and a finely honed composition of aromas.

The limited edition is an ideal gift for tequila aficionados, and once the bottle is empty, it remains a precious designer item. But that means acting fast, because only 1000 bottles are available worldwide for €1000 each. You can order your bottle here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prison Art, Swarovski and Padre Azul