Sandra‘s Closet

Ladies and gentlemen, the next (re)generation is here and this is your chance to win youth in a bottle for three months!

Personally speaking, my beauty secret has always been the use of serums. I swear on them as they target the skin’s natural metabolism and strengthen every treatment. As I am constantly travelling and deprived of sleep, chronic inflammation – caused by outside stressors, such as pollution, UV light, and others – can be one of the reasons skin prematurely shows the typical signs of aging. As the LA MER research department discovered, through decreasing inflammation, you can effectively preserve the pre-existing collagen and elastin already found in your skin.

Therefore a decade after the launch of the beloved Regenerating Serum and inspired by breakthrough discoveries, LA MER re-engineers its cult-favorite with advanced science, new sea-sourced actives, and an added dose of Miracle Broth™ to accelerate skin’s natural renewal process. The new Regenerating Serum is formulated with plant stem cells, lightweight and quick-absorbing. With a new Metabolic Ferment, it helps skin activate collagen and boost the elastin production while reducing the appearance of evident fine lines, wrinkles and pores. This super-charged serum is free from parabens, phthalates and sulfates.

Like the rest of LA MER’s skincare line, the new Regenerating Serum is incredibly easy to use, too. To release key ingredients, shake gently and sweep 1 to 2 pumps over face and neck morning and evening. Follow with your LA MER moisturizer.

In stores now for CHF 390.00 (30ml).

While not exactly a budget buy, the new formula offers up cutting-edge ingredients from LA MER and it is absolutely worth the try. Great news is that five lucky readers get the chance to try the new Regenerating Serum for three months!

To participate, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header «LA MER NEW REGENERATING SERUM» to . All entries must be received until October 6, 2019. 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. Good luck!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © LA MER and © Sandra Bauknecht
@LaMer #LoveLaMer

Last Thursday, I went to Metzingen in Germany, a picturesque town close to the city of Stuttgart, that is dedicated to shopping. Once you arrive, you will think, that you made it to a gigantic American shopping mall – OUTLETCITY METZINGEN, where you can find high-end designer stores, such as Gucci, Prada, Burberry and many more with discounts of up to 70% all year round. The reason for my visit was the opening of the newly built BOSS Flagship Outlet that offers the complete product range on a sales area of over 5,000 square meters and that is the largest store of the HUGO BOSS Group worldwide.

To celebrate the occasion, over 600 guests, among them brand ambassadors, German supermodel Eva Padberg and actress Bettina Zimmermann, were invited to indulge in special treats, such as being sketched by an illustrator, or getting their new sweaters or T-shirts personalized. Eva told us that her favorite fashion trend for the upcoming season is pink, no wonder she wore a pink BOSS sweater and looked stunning in it.

My look: Dark blue leather biker jacket, long belted palm-leaf printed silk dress, white booties, and Taylor crossbody bag in black, all by Hugo Boss.

All pieces that I am wearing in this post are available now at the BOSS outlet store. OUTLETCITY METZINGEN is absolutely worth the visit and something special is coming up. On October 11 and 12, 2019, the shopping destination is celebrating in a big way with the FASHION CITY EVENT, that offers special performances, great promotions, shopping on friday until midnight and the start of an own CLUB for customers.

Stay tuned, as I will tell you more about it next week.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Hanna Ruff (Instagram @blubbhanna @hr_photodesign)
Photos during the event: © Sandra Bauknecht

On the occasion of Paris Fashion Week, RIMOWA has teamed up with legendary hairstylist John Nollet to create an unforgettable salon experience at the RIMOWA Paris Flagship.

Open to the public by appointment from September 28 until October 5, 2019, the visionary French hairdresser transforms the 2nd floor of the RIMOWA store into an unforgettable safari camp themed pop-up hair salon.

Inspired by the romantic mid-century safari camps, John Nollet’s Travel n’ Style Salon will offer an unique styling experience with bespoke luxury treatments created exclusively for this event including manicure by Dior.

As part of the salon pop-up, RIMOWA and John Nollet will be exhibiting a collection of unique custom cases built exclusively for the collaboration with the hairdresser’s tools of the trade in mind. Alongside the bespoke collection RIMOWA will also offer a limited number of its RIMOWA x John Nollet Classic Cabin S – the brand’s first ever titanium coloured RIMOWA Classic embellished with brown Italian leather accents. This mini capsule collection which also features a special leather luggage tag will be made available exclusively at the RIMOWA Paris Flagship for a limited time.

Event location:
RIMOWA Store Paris, 2nd Floor, 73 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris

Pop-up Hours:
10 AM -7 PM

Bookings:

+33 (0)1 55 80 71 50

Gosh, I love these pieces! Bravo, John Nollet and congrats, Rimowa for this collaboration!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © BOE, © Federico Torra

Even though I might seem stupid for some of you, I must confess that I had no idea what League of Legends is when I received the press release from Louis Vuitton. Therefore let me give you a quick introduction: It is an online multiplayer game and global phenomenon, that since its launch in 2009 has grown to become the most-played PC game in the world and a key driver in the explosive growth of esports.

Every year, Riot Games, the U.S.-based esports organization behind League of Legends, organizes the League of Legends World Championship for the planet’s best players and teams, which this year begins on October 2nd in Berlin for play-ins and group stages, continues in Madrid starting October 26th for the quarterfinals and semi-finals, and culminates with the final in Paris on November 10th.

For the event, Louis Vuitton is creating, in collaboration with Riot, an unprecedented, one-of-a-kind Trophy Travel Case to hold the Summoner’s Cup, the trophy awarded to the world champions and considered the most prestigious prize in esports. The winner also gets millions in cash.
The bespoke trunk, the first of its kind for an esports championship, will feature both some traditional Louis Vuitton savoir-faire along with cutting-edge, high-tech elements inspired by the League of Legends universe.

Louis Vuitton and Riot Games will also soon announce unique champion skins and a capsule collection designed by Nicolas Ghesquière, Louis Vuitton’s Artistic Director of Women’s collections, along with other League of Legend digital assets.

Personally speaking, I find it impressive that the famed fashion house will design League-themed items for both in the game and in the real world. Fashion is becoming more tightly connected to gaming and e-sports. Who would have ever imagined this?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Vuitton

One thing is for sure, Jeremy Scott is not only a fashion designer who is selling smiles but also a storyteller. Fashion needs fun now more than ever and he is giving it to us with his F/W 2019 collection for Moschino. Think «Dynasty» meets «Desperate Housewives» and indulge in these kitschy runway bags shaped like household cleaning products, hairspray cans, champagne bottles and more that should hit big on every red carpet. For the first time I can happily say that I am truly wishing for a washing machine…

Champagne bottle leather bag by Moschino

Left: Laundry detergent packaging backpack by Moschino
Right: TV dinners clutch by Moschino

Dishwashing bag by Moschino

Left: Washing machine round leather tote bag by Moschino
Right: Iron bag by Moschino

Hairspray bottle bag by Moschino

Let you inspire by the unconventional shapes and colors of the new Moschino bag collection. I am totally in love… this is my kind of fashion humor.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Moschino

Last Thursday, I was invited by Marionnaud to an intimate press lunch at George Bar & Grill in Zurich to discover exclusive perfumes by renowned and new brands that enrich the Marionnaud portfolio. Among those beautiful novelties, I found one niche fragrance house that has truly impressed me: ELEMENTALS, a collection of active perfumes, created according to the ancient chinese theory of the five elements, water, wood, fire, earth and metal, that create a connection and inspire a heightened sense of well-being. Only the most noble essential oils have been macerated in organic alcohol to transmit the beauty and energetic poser of each element in its natural state.

At lunch with Deana Wyland-Fries, Founder of ELEMENTALS

The brain behind the brand is Canadian-born and German-based Deana Wyland-Fries, feng shui consultant, teacher and master in Chinese horoscopes turned alchemist. She has lived on and traveled five continents, speaks five languages fluently and shares the memories of her journeys through the visualization of scent. ELEMENTALS is the quintessence of 20 years of experience along with 10 years of research and development. The result is a yet unseen marriage of ancient wisdom and the art of perfumery, with the sole purpose of enhancing the life force within you.

«Feng shui is the study of humans and the environment in time and space. Using scent to enhance energy in the context of feng shui and Chinese astrology did not occur to me until one fateful day in my garden in Dubai. I had just eaten a tangerine and absent-mindedly picked a kumquat blossom. I squeezed the two together and inhaled the scent. It was at this moment that I realized that I had created pure Wood Chi. It suddenly hit me. I wanted to use the power of scent to balance the elemental constellation in my client’s horoscopes!» – Deana Wyland-Fries

That was the beginning of a fascinating new journey and 10 years later, in September 2018, the lifestyle brand ELEMENTALS was born that is transforming the perfume landscape by taking the physical and emotional attributes of the elements into consideration using rare woods, florals, herbs and spices to create perfumes that are not only divine, but also envelope the individual in an immediate sense of well-being.

The ancient theory of the five elements – water, wood, fire, earth and metal – is fundamental to feng shui, as well as and Chinese horoscopes, traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts. Each direction of the compass, every hour, every minute, each organ in the human body as well as our emotions can be allocated to an element. What’s more, each individual is born with an element that governs his or her life. It is the constellation of the elements and their intricate relationship of growth, depletion and conflict that governs our lives. If our self-element suffers an imbalance within this constellation, so do we. We become stressed and off balance. We can, however, alleviate that imbalance by introducing the element that we need into our lives.

Deana states: «The secret to happiness, health and success is maintaining a perfect balance of the elements both around and within us. The olfactory is the strongest of our five senses as it is intrinsically linked to the brain. There are many tools we can apply to enhance the elemental balance in our bodies and our lives. My experience has shown that there is no faster way to enhance a person’s energy or sense of well-being than through the beauty of fragrance.»

Throughout our lives, we are instinctively drawn to the elements that are key to our well-being. This is the fundamental premise for choosing your ELEMENTALS fragrance. ELEMENTALS are not about which element you are. They are about what element you need at present. Deana asked us to smell the five fragrances and to choose our favorite one. Without her telling, she afterwards made an analysis taking our birth date and hour into consideration. It was absolutely fascinating how the choice each of us made was linked to the element missing.

Personally speaking, I was really blown away as Deana told me I am a rare five element child, meaning I have all five elements in balance and can choose. The scent I was most drawn to was Earth which made sense for me at the moment. I am a balanced individual with all five elements present within me but different circumstances bring out their different properties.

So let’s get started and let me introduce you to the five fragrances. The smelling part you have to do yourself at Marionnaud. Listen to your body, it will show you what it needs! By the way, ELEMENTALS are gender neutral.

EARTH

Earth is central to everything. Under the right conditions, Earth gives us all that we need to nourish our body and soul.
ELEMENTALS Earth is a warm embrace that transports us to a calm, healing and balanced space. A nurturing and soothing fusion that cocoons and grounds body, mind and soul.
Heaven notes: Acanthus Flower, Chamomille, Mimosa, Immortelle, Maté
Human notes: Broom, YIang YIang, Beeswax, Nagarmotha
Earth notes: Ambregis, Guaiacum, Silver Birch, Sandalwood
Eau de Parfum – Made in France – 100ml – € 155 / CHF 179

WATER

Water is essential to all life on Earth and represents the height of Yin Energy.
ELEMENTALS Water conjures up the clarity and freshness of a mountain stream gushing through the hills after the first melt of snow. An uplifting yet calming blend of herbs and spices combined with florals and aquatic notes that nourish the soul.
Heaven notes: Black pepper, Wormwood, Angelica root
Human notes: Lavender, Clary Sage, Violet
Earth notes: Ambregis, Seaweed
Eau de Parfum – Made in France – 100ml – € 155 / CHF 179

WOOD

Wood represents Spring and the rising Energy of the East. It is about growth and creativity.
ELEMENTALS Wood awakens your senses like a walk inthe woods on a sunny Spring morning. Precious woods are combined with bold florals and uplifting citrus notes to kickstart your Chi !
Heaven notes: Bergamot, Cedar, Grapefruit
Human notes: Iris root, Tagetes, Geranium
Earth notes: Patchouli, Palosanto, Guaiacum
Eau de Parfum – Made in France – 100ml – € 155 / CHF 179

FIRE

Fire is the pinnacle of Yang Energy. It is about power and passion. It is sensual, fickle and explosive.
ELEMENTALS Fire is a warm spicy blend of naturals that ignite your sensuality and gently caress the soul. Splashes of Ginger and Bitter Orange combined with luscious blossoms, energizing spices and rare woods awaken your spirit.
Heaven notes: Pink Pepper, Ginger, Bitter Orange and a touch of Cinnamon
Human notes: Rose Otto, Neroli, Geranium, Cloves
Earth notes: Cistus, Frankinsence, Hysopus Oil
Eau de Parfum – Made in France – 100ml – € 155 / CHF 179

METAL

Metal is the clear, crisp, yet sometimes unsettling air of Autumn. It is a time of year when we look inward and reflect. Metal is about wisdom, true leadership and introspection.
ELEMENTALS Metal sparkles with the brilliance of courage, strength and inner wisdom. An innovative marriage of pungent herbs and spices, infused with a hint of Birch Tar that melts into a sea of white blossoms, revealing a bold olfactory experience that is both regal and divine.
Heaven notes: Coriander, Cardamon, Fennel, Birch Tar
Human notes: Casablanca Lily, Tuberose, Jasmine
Earth notes: White Musk, Silver Birch
Eau de Parfum – Made in France – 100ml – € 155 / CHF 179

«I have three treasures that I guard and hold dear: 
The first is love;
The second is contentment;
The third is humbleness.
Only the loving are courageous;
Only the content are magnanimous;
Only the humble are capable of commanding.»
– Lao Tze – from the Tao Te Ching

A new addition to the five ELEMENTALS collection is QUIAN.
The I Ching – otherwise known as the Book of Change uses Hexagrams to speak to us about the quality of time, space and movement. The 15th Hexagram is one the most beautiful of the I Ching. It is comprised of the earth trigram on top and the mountain trigram below. It speaks of finding the treasure within through cultivating humility.
Qian envelopes you in a beautiful, comforting and harmonious blanket of love, contentment and humility expressed through the power of simple, yet noble florals, resins and spices.
Heaven notes: Bergamot, Cypress, Violet Leaves, Saffron
Human notes: Rose Otto, Tolu, Labdanum, Nutmeg, Pink Pepper
Earth notes: Aganwood, Nagarmotha, Frangipani, Peru Absolute
Qian – Eau de Parfum – Made in France – 100ml – € 189 / CHF 219

Thank you to Marionnaud and my friends for this crazy journey last Thursday!

At ELEMENTALS, ethics, sustainability, integrity and purity of intent at the core of its operation. All packaging is hand made from virgin fibre in Europe by a small family manufacture in Germany. Only the finest raw materials are used macerated in organic alcohol to allow the purity and power of the elements to shine through. ELEMENTALS are gender neutral, vegan, cruelty free, phthalate free, humankind and bee friendly.

 ELEMENTALS Home and ELEMENTALS Spa are currently in the pipeline… stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Marionnaud / ELEMENTALS and  © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Friday, I arrived in my happy place which is my old hometown Munich. Before the official start of Oktoberfest on Saturday, I went out with friends on Friday night wearing this quite daring dress. Unfortunately, it is always hard to find someone who is not only willing to take some photos and but also capable of doing so. This time, it was obviously a difficult task:-) – men can be so uncooperative – but I hope that you still enjoy this post.

My look: One-shoulder satin-trimmed crepe mini dress and feather cape, both by Balmain, black calf leather lace up Janis pumps by Saint Laurent, Satin Touch 20 denier stay-up stockings by Wolford, black and white grained leather bag with gold-tone metal details and single earring, both by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

September is always the «beauty month» – each week several brands host a press event to present their newest launches. Let me get started with one of my favorites, the press conference of  SISLEY Paris at Ynox in Zurich. The perfect location to indulge in the fall novelties that you definitely should not miss as well as yesterday’s must-have sandals… .

At the press conference with SISLEY National Make-up Artist David Hahmeyer and SISLEY General Manager Switzerland Florence Maraval.

Arty visuals, a strong statement with the signature zebra stripes, modern but not vulgar – the new SISLEY products are young, easy to use with professional results. Let me get started with the new foundation, the first one under CHF 100, that is available from now.

PHYTO-TEINT ULTRA ÉCLAT – an «augmented» version of the brand’s famous phyto-teint éclat foundation. More radiance, more shades, more skincare: that is the promise of this new foundation that now addresses every skin tone and comes in 14 shades (good to know: the shades with a plus have a warm undertone compared to the ones with normal numbers).

The new PHYTO-TEINT ULTRA ÉCLAT is formulated with a radiance-activating complex that combines minerals (zinc, copper, and magnesium) to give the skin a breath of fresh air. Radiance is boosted, skin is luminous, fresh, and flawless thanks to the oil-free formula which perfectly crosses make-up with skincare. It stays fresh and clear even in hot or humid weather. Skin imperfections and wrinkles fade.

Price: CHF 90.00 / 30 ml
In stores now.

LES PHYTO-OMBRES – long lasting radiant eyeshadows that will blow you away. They are packed with pigments and feature «light reflecting» mother-of-pearl, and they come in various finishes that can be combined in infinite ways to give your eyes radiance and depth. A new collection of twenty luminous, intense, magnetic shades, half-powder, half-cream, these eyeshadows blend seamlessly with the skin thanks to a gelled sugar and a film‑forming polymer that give them a smooth, melting, creamy texture.  Folds and fine lines on the eyelid are visually reduced rather than accentuated.

The make-up lasts all day and into the night 20 radiant shades, 4 colour families (the nudes, the smoky, the arty, the glows) and 5 finishes for multi-faceted possibilities: matt, satin, metallic, luminous, glitter. All the shades complement and echo each other so they can be worn alone, in combination, or on top of one another. The tailor-made result catches light or electrifies the eyes depending on the mood, time of day, or season.

Price: CHF 48.00 each
Launch Date: November 4, 2019

VELVET SLEEPING MASK WITH SAFFRON FLOWERS – SOS comfort intense repair. This nourishing mask supports dry, or occasionally dehydrated skin, in the repair process. Enveloping the skin in softness, it instantly soothes and provides necessary nutrition and hydration to particularly vulnerable skin.

Used as a sleeping mask, it optimizes the nocturnal repair of the skin. Upon awaking, the skin has recovered. Regenerated, the skin is more resistant, softer and more radiant. Apply 1 to 2 times a week. As SOS mask, it immediately calms irritations and relieves sensations of discomfort. The soothes skin is once again smooth, soft and supple.

Price: CHF 128.00 CHF / 60ml
Launch Date: October 7, 2019

TO SHOP SISLEY PARIS ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © SISLEY Paris

I am such a summer girl and I am always sad when the cold season is knocking at the door. Especially as I love wearing sandals. The dainty, super statement sandal has reigned as one of the most popular shoes of the summer, as seen on celebrities and street style stars who embraced the eye-catching look. Great news is that this fall the transition is easy and it’s not time yet to leave your high heel sandals behind as there are so many beautiful options to get you through fall.

LoL, Sandra

Metallic textured leather-trimmed suede sandals by Prada

Eve crystal-embellished metallic lizard-effect leather sandals by Attico

Crystal-embellished mesh and suede sandals by René Caovilla

Floral-appliquéd metallic leather sandals by Dolce & Gabbana

Swarovski crystal-embellished leather sandals by Prada

100 crystal-embellished metallic leather sandals by Gianvito Rossi

Marie Edwina 100 feather-trimmed satin and PVC sandals by Christian Louboutin

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

CHANEL will present its Cruise 2021 collection, created by Virginie Viard, Artistic Director of the Fashion collections, on Thursday May 7th, 2020, on the island of Capri in Italy.

From the 1920s, Gabrielle Chanel offered her clients lightweight and comfortable designs for yachting, coastal resorts, spa towns and other various sunny destinations such as the Riviera and the Lido beaches in Venice.

Capri’s seasonal CHANEL boutique will be open until October 20th 2019.

Since 2000 and under the impetus of Karl Lagerfeld, the CHANEL Cruise collection has become a much-anticipated rendezvous. CHANEL was the first House to introduce an actual runway show for its Cruise collection which invites us to travel around the world. It will be the first time the fashion house has presented a resort collection outside of Paris since 2016.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL