Sandra‘s Closet

«I decided who I wanted to be, and that is who I am.» Gabrielle Chanel

The bold, independent character of Gabrielle Chanel would determine her fate and change the course of history. In 2017, CHANEL created a fragrance in her honor, a reflection of her extraordinary, determined and passionate spirit: GABRIELLE CHANEL. From the scent to the bottle—both firsts in the history of CHANEL—and the choice of name, it pays tribute to the woman she was before Coco Chanel.

This creation is an expression of Gabrielle in the radiant light of her personality laid bare. It illustrates the liberated woman who revolutionized an era with her visionary take on the world, fashion and beauty. Driven by an inner strength, she was an avant-garde inventor who changed the rules, broke with convention, and made her voice heard. This namesake fragrance is her aura. It personifies the freedom to be unique, to truly be one’s self.

In 2019, GABRIELLE CHANEL Eau de Parfum is reinvented with GABRIELLE CHANEL ESSENCE. Familiar but unlike no other, this new olfactory variation shows a more vibrant and opulent side. Inspired by the very essence of Gabrielle’s radiance, the fragrance shines with intensity, inviting all women reveal their true selves, to follow their instincts by expressing their freedom and speaking their mind. The voluptuous scent works its magic to reveal each individual identity. Solar, it heightens the dazzling charisma of the woman who wears it with warmth and luminosity.

Margot Robbie is the face of the campaign, for the previous post click HERE please.

«With GABRIELLE CHANEL ESSENCE, I wanted to cut to the essentials, to the heart of the fragrance, and reaffirm it with a more voluptuous trail.»
– Olivier Polge, House of CHANEL Perfumer-Creator

This grand floral immediately produces a solar vibration on the skin and makes the woman who wears it shine. Its vibrant heart, stirred by the four white flowers revered by the House, «like a chorus in CHANEL fragrances», radiates throughout the composition. The essence of creaminess, Grasse tuberose plays a majestic role. Elegant and slender, opalescent white, the delicate star-shaped flower prevails as the most fragrant of the plant kingdom. Grown in Grasse exclusively for CHANEL and extracted using a process specific to the House, it is divested of its usual leather, waxy, green and animal facets.

Softened in such a way, it reveals a modern quality, as if smelled in the open field. The enigmatic scent, warm and opulent, is a natural expression of its petals’ velvety texture. The other flowers serve to transcend it: jasmine, the essence of intensity; ylang-ylang from the Comoros, the essence of radiance; and Tunisian orange blossom, the essence of freshness.

A fragrance is like a musical composition…

A matter of balance, the art of creation… To highlight this floral nectar, Olivier Polge, in cooperation with the CHANEL Laboratory of Fragrance Creation and Development, revisited the entire composition. The luminous and airy GABRIELLE CHANEL becomes solar and enveloping with the ESSENCE. He gave the top notes a softer whisper of citrus and added a tangy dash of red berries, and heightened the sensual, voluptuous trail with base notes of sandalwood, vanilla and white musk.

Available from August 31, 2019.

GABRIELLE CHANEL ESSENCE Vaporisateur 50 ml CHF 127.-
GABRIELLE CHANEL ESSENCE Vaporisateur 100 ml CHF 183.-

Furthermore, there will be two amazing additions to the original fragrance GABRIELLE CHANEL offering two new ways of perfuming: a Twist and Spray and a Hair Mist. Two new products to enrich a line that already features a Foaming Shower Gel, a Moisturizing Body Lotion and a Deodorant Spray. A fragrance ritual that prolongs the floral, luminous and solar trail of GABRIELLE CHANEL.

With its new travel-friendly design, GABRIELLE CHANEL Eau de Parfum is easy to slip into your purse and take with you wherever you go. Simple and intuitive to use, GABRIELLE CHANEL Twist and Spray gives you the freedom to wear fragrance at any time of day.

In a travel-friendly format you can slip into your purse, GABRIELLE CHANEL Hair Mist offers a new approach to perfuming. Spray directly on your hair or brush to scent your locks with the sunny, floral notes of the fragrance. Its new formula makes hair look smoother, softer and shinier, while intensifying the trail of GABRIELLE CHANEL.

Both also available from August 31, 2019.

GABRIELLE CHANEL Eau de Parfum Twist & Spray 3×20 ml CHF 151.-
GABRIELLE CHANEL Parfum Cheveux 40 ml CHF 70.-

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL, #GABRIELLECHANEL #CHANELFRAGRANCE

Here is your weekend read straight from the pool where I am enjoying the beautiful weather wearing those new and beautiful pieces.

My look: Paisley-print cotton-terry towel, printed canvas turban, gold-tone crystal earrings and gold-tone crystal cuff, all by Etro, leopard-print wrap bikini top and matching leopard-print bikini briefs, both by Stella McCartney, gold-tone body chain by Chloé, Pompom-embellished leather flat sandals by Dolce & Gabbana, sunglasses by Chanel, and woven basket bag «Cannes» edition by Miu Miu.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is the glorious family of bags and luggage, the House’s fascinating icons that carry the whole Louis Vuitton saga with them. They proudly sport the Monogram, the renowned trunk-maker’s seal, a canvas created by Georges Vuitton in 1896 in homage to his father, the founder.

Nicolas Ghesquière has brought it to life in a thousand different ways, taken it to the limit, and crafted it in all the colours of the rainbow! «It’s the House icon to be treated with the utmost respect,» he explains. «It has real graphic purity. And I like giving it other personalities, which renew its desirability.» With Nicolas Ghesquière, it has been switched around for the Monogram Reverse and given oversized expression with the Monogram Giant. Always driven by a love of beauty, it is passed down from generation to generation.

The Monogram Speedy Bandoulière
Created in 1930, the iconic Speedy today features a shoulder strap for even greater freedom of movement around town and wherever you go.

The Monogram Giant Boîte Chapeau Souple
The perfect little city bag with a charming style, reminiscent of elegant and grand travels around the globe.

The Monogram and Monogram Reverse Dauphine Bumbag
A charming version of the Dauphine allowing for freedom of movement.

The Monogram and Monogram Reverse Dauphine
A marvel straight from the seventies, an impeccable House creation that is more up-to-date than ever, playing on all the Monogram’s variations.

The Monogram NéoNoé
A great House classic, initially created in 1932 to hold champagne bottles. Indelibly linked to the pleasures of a gentle stroll and adding a little sparkle to life.

The Monogram Petite Malle
Inspired by photographer Albert Kahn’s trunk, it is already a House icon. The Petite Malle is a timeless classic, now and always.

The Monogram Giant Onthego Tote Bag
The best friend of women who want to keep everything close at hand. It draws admiring glances with the brand new Monogram Giant design.

LoL, Sandra

© Photographer: Craig McDean
Fashion: Marie-Amélie Sauvé

The shape of Egyptian pyramids is thought to represent the primordial mound from which the Egyptians believed the earth was created. There is something enticing about their structure with its mesmerizing symmetry, yet captivating simplicity. This F/W 2019 season, designers were inspired by the structural benefits of this three-dimensional triangle shape that allows an evening handbag to provide spaciousness with plenty of room to store the necessities of the night.

Personally speaking, those pyramid bags have a luxury feel, and retain an element of the mysterious that I truly love. Which one is your favorite?

LoL, Sandra

Pyramid bag in black and gold stripes by CHANEL

Embellished  pyramid bag by CHANEL

Pyramid metallic leather clutch by Saint Laurent

Pyramid bag by LZL

Lia leather pyramid bag by Nita Suri

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

Animal prints have been trending since a long time, but this F/W 2019 season, it’s time for the zebras to cross. The black and white stripes were spotted on many runways, including 3.1 Phillip Lim, Saint Laurent and Paco Rabanne.

 Get ahead of the fashion tribe and indulge in the new zebra-print pieces that are all the rage these days. I put the best ones together for you! And don’t forget to scroll to the end for an amazing surprise…

Zebra-print silk kaftan by Oscar de la Renta

Tori zebra-print silk-satin headband by Jennifer Behr

Zebra-print mid-rise skinny jeans by Saint Laurent

Dumont zebra-print toquilla straw Panama hat by Sensi Studio

My favorite: Pussy-bow lace-trimmed zebra-print crepe de chine blouse and asymmetric zebra-print crepe de chine midi skirt, both by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini

Luna zebra-print calf hair shoulder bag by Wandler

Left: Embellished zebra-print satin maxi skirt by Versace,
Right: Zebra-intarsia knitted midi skirt by Hervé Léger

For the smart shoppers among you, here is the surprise. Some amazing zebra-print pieces are extremely marked down and perfect investments for the F/W 2019 season:

1 Lace-trimmed zebra-print satin top by Chloé (50% off and extra 20% at checkout)
2 Alma 85 zebra-print calf hair ankle boots by Aquazzura (60% off)
3 Shiva 105 cutout zebra-print calf hair pumps by Aquazzura (60% off)
4 Stafford belted zebra-print calf hair coat by Joseph (80% off)
5 Blossom tiger-print sequined chiffon wrap top by Rixo (70% off)
6 Leather-trimmed zebra-jacquard coat by Alexander McQueen (70% off)

Happy weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

For my shoot with TOM FORD in Gordes, I did my make-up with those beautiful products from the LAVENDER EXTRÊME collection that the team had placed in my hotel room. As I am having green eyes, everything purple works very well for me because it makes my eye color pop.

The lipstick is a deeper, lavender purple with pink undertones and iridescent violet pearl throughout. I love it as the color makes your teeth seem a lot whiter. It doesn’t look like in the advertising when you apply it, as it has more of a glossy, metallic finish with a few sparkles. You can easily build up the coverage but it will never be fully opaque like in the ad picture. It wears well for many hours and is very hydrating at the same time.

Left: Tom Ford Extrême Badass Mascara
Right: Tom Ford Lip Color in Lavender Extrême

The SHADOW EXTRÊME shades are my favorites, formulated with long-wearing polymers and also water-resistant, so they’ll glide on smoothly using your fingertips or a brush without settling between creases. I love this extra sparkle for my eyes.

From left to right: Tom Ford Shadow Extrême in TFX10 Black, TFX7 Deep Purple, TFX13 Pink, and TFX12 Dusty Rose.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford Beauty and © Sandra Bauknecht

In July, I travelled with TOM FORD to Gordes in France for the launch of the brand’s newest unisex fragrance, LAVENDER EXTRÊME. An extremely beautiful scent that I fell in love with from the first encounter, different from everything I had smelled before. The iconic lilac flower is upended, translated from its storied origin in Provence and into a fresh subversion of itself. Different types of lavender are mixed together, developing diverse facets, from an adrenaline-pumping freshness to an amber-like facets and layered with Italian bergamot and citrus. For the base note, the relaxing scent of lavender gets a shot of electricity with a spicy, warm oriental tonka, and benzoin drydown. Extremely sexy, seductive and long-lasting – exactly what TOM FORD stands for.

For the social media campaign, I was honored to be part of this amazing shoot in the lavender fields close to Gordes, wearing this stunning outfit by TOM FORD.

My look: Light jersey mock neck cape dress, leather pumps with padlocks, vintage purple «punk»-style fur bag, silk-chiffon headscarf, and Linda sunglasses, all by Tom Ford, leather and suede waist belt by Balmain.

Housed in an all-silver, sleek bottle, LAVENDER EXTRÊME is the epitome of understated glamour. In Switzerland available now at Jelmoli, Globus Zurich and Globus Geneva for CHF 340.00 (50 ml).

Enjoy more photos below and stay tuned for the make-up look coming up soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Virgile Guinard for Tom Ford / © Sandra Bauknecht

Balmain‘s Pre-Fall 2019 or David Koma‘s F/W 2019 collection are both boasting the animalistic trend with beaded ornates that curve from the hip up towards a single padded shoulder. Dragons or serpents, both are stunning examples of an opulent yet unfussy approach to design. Wear them with smoky eyes and your hair pinned into a bun to highlight the shoulder cutout or opt for the skirt with a turtleneck during the day.

One-sleeve crystal-embellished stretch-jersey mini dress by Balmain

Embellished cutout stretch-cotton velvet mini dress by David Koma

Embellished cutout stretch-cotton velvet mini skirt by David Koma

And as usual, here is a little tip to channel the season’s dramatic sense of glamour on sale:

Left: Snake-embroidered beaded velvet mini dress by Valentino (60% off)
Right: Snake-embellished tulle gown by Valentino (60% off)

Time to unleash your inner snake in the Garden of Eden and to transform into a fierce, yet seductive woman.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

«Sometimes you just need to allow inspiration to find you—wherever in the world it may be.» – Duro Olowu

Nigerian-born, London-based fashion designer Duro Olowu, the prince of prints, created his first-ever makeup collection with Estée Lauder, that I don’t want you to miss as I spotted it myself in British Vogue. Beautiful, vibrant and full of life are the six customized make-up products, inspired by his own effortlessly stylish clothing collections, which celebrate freedom of expression, individuality, and the strong, confident woman who wears them.

Being trendy has never been of interest to Duro. He has always been more interested in the culture of style to create pieces that effortlessly stand the test of time. His prints are inspired by his Nigerian, Jamaican, and British backgrounds, as well as his love of art. About his creative process he says: «Fabrics always tell a story, and, when mixed well, exude the kind of joie de vivre and allure I am constantly inspired by.»

In Switzerland, the Estée Lauder x Duro Olowu collection is only available online.
CLICK HERE TO BE TRANSFERED DIRECTLY. Great news is that shipping is free until this Sunday, Aug 4, 2019.

LoL, Sandra

Duro Olowu with me

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Courtesy of Estée Lauder, Magazine in Collage: British Vogue

Yesterday, I celebrated the Swiss National Day among dear friends at Seerose, beautifully located at the coast of Lake Zurich. I chose my outfit in the colors of the flag, red and white and hope, that you will like it!

My look: Off-the-shoulder cropped lace and open-knit top and paneled lace and open-knit midi skirt, both by Alexander McQueen, platform leather pumps by Gucci, white Duffle 6 bag by Saint Laurent, white camelia sunglasses and long pearl earrings, both by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht