Sandra‘s Closet

In the second collaboration between the Swiss watchmaking manufacture and the brilliant American artist Shepard Fairey, HUBLOT presents the Classic Fusion Chronograph Shepard Fairey timepiece. A veritable titanium sculpture to be worn on the wrist, it symbolises the natural cycles of life and the unity between different cultures.

Hublot is staying true to its motto «Be the first, be unique, be different» by deepening its commitment to its «Hublot Loves Art» programme. After unveiling new collaborations with artists Takashi Murakami and Richard Orlinski, Hublot is today presenting its third watchmaking work of art of the year, the Classic Fusion Chronograph Shepard Fairey.

As its name indicates, it has been designed by American artist Shepard Fairey. Painter, graphic designer, DJ, illustrator, street artist, skateboarder and founder of the OBEY Clothing company, Fairey – also known by his pseudonym Obey – is probably the most politically influential artist of his generation. His works include the famous «Obama Hope» poster, an iconic image from Barak Obama’s electoral campaign in 2008, as well as the piece entitled «Liberté, égalité, fraternité» which he created as a symbol of hope for France after the 2015 terrorist attacks.

His works are on show in the world’s most prestigious museums such as the Smithsonian in Washington, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the MoMa in New York, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, to name but a few. He has been a Hublot ambassador since 2018.

Hublot and Shepard Fairey chose a watch from the Classic Fusion collection as the basis for their second collaboration. On this piece, the American artist, greatly involved in the project, chose to bring to life a piece symbolising a mandala, an ornamental symbol whose origins can be traced back simultaneously to several cultures across the planet. The mandala represents harmony, the cycle of life and the elements, as well as the precious nature of time in the mind. Here, this pattern is brushed and engraved into the titanium, the material used to create the bezel and the 45-mm diameter case. This work continues on the dial, which has also been finely cut to reveal the self-winding chronograph movement, a calibre HUB1155 offering a power reserve of 42 hours. In the centre, the hands display Fairey’s signature «Star Gear» mark. Fitted on a lined black rubber strap, the black stainless steel deployant buckle is also brushed.

The Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Shepard Fairey timepiece is available now as a limited edition in the Hublot e-shop and boutiques. Hublot and Shepard Fairey have agreed that this timepiece will help to raise funds for Amnesty International, an NGO formed of over 10 million people in 150 countries, which campaigns to put an end to human rights violations, in accordance with the theme of global harmony represented by the design engraved on the watch.

Price: € 21.700 – Limited Edition of 50 Pieces

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hublot

Hello beautiful weather! Time to put on some fun pieces. Do you know what shibori and macramé are? My beautiful and super comfy jumpsuit is printed with a Japanese shibori – inspired pattern.  Shibori (from the verb root «shiboru» – «to wring, squeeze or press») is a Japanese manual tie-dyeing technique, which produces a number of different patterns on fabric. Macramé is a crafting technique that uses knots to create various textiles as seen on my bag and shoes. I love the combination of both beautiful craftsmanships and hope you will like it too!

My look: Hesper floral print jumpsuit by Ulla Johnson, navy multi espadrille small shell-charm macramé tote bag by Altuzarra, chain-embellished macramé and leather pumps by Bottega Veneta, crystal-embellished cat-eye acetate sunglasses by Saint Laurent, Mitza ring by Dior Fine Jewellery, metal glass pearls leather earrings by CHANEL (Cruise 2020), and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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To celebrate the 100th year of the N°5 perfume’s fame, Patrice Leguéreau, Director of the CHANEL Fine Jewelry Creation Studio, has imagined the «Collection N°5», the first High Jewelry collection ever to be dedicated to a perfume.

A first in the history of High Jewelry, this collection showcases all the facets of a perfume, interpreting the eternal mystery of the N°5 perfume with virtuosity. From the bottle to the sillage, one hundred and twenty-three extraordinary pieces express the different facets of the perfume. With its hundred years of fame, only a perfume as mysterious and iconic as the N°5 perfume could inspire such a majestic High Jewelry collection.

In 1921, the first «perfume for women with the scent of a woman» composed by Ernest Beaux and Gabrielle Chanel made a commotion. With the absolute modernity of the fragrance, the purity of the bottle and the mystery of the name, the N°5 perfume was nothing short of a revolution. In 1932, Mademoiselle shattered the codes of French High Jewelry with her one and only collection in platinum and diamonds. These «Bijoux de Diamants» introduced new ways of wearing and took jewelry into another realm… that of allure. In 2021, Patrice Leguéreau decided to bring these two domains together with the «Collection N°5».

«Gabrielle Chanel approached these two universes with the same visionary values, focusing on audacity and the quest for excellence. I wanted to rediscover that creative gesture with this collection, which has been conceived like a journey through the meanderings of the N°5 perfume’s soul, from the architecture of the bottle to the olfactive explosion of the fragrance.»

The zenith of this precious collection is the extraordinary 55.55 necklace that expresses all the codes of the fragrance which radiate through an exceptional gemstone crafted in its honour, a 55.55-carat custom-cut diamond.

«This is an unprecedented approach» observes Patrice Leguéreau. «We started with a rough diamond that we had cut, not to make the biggest stone possible, but to obtain a perfect octagonal diamond weighing 55.55 carats.»

The harmonious shape, in an emerald cut, the symbolic weight of 55.55 carats, the D Flawless quality of this stone and the 18-carat white gold bezel set with 104 round diamonds and 42 baguette diamonds testify to CHANEL’s perfectionism and exceptional levels of creation and technical mastery. The profile of the stopper, the silhouette of the bottle, the fastener shaped like the lucky number, and the cascading of pear-shaped diamonds in different sizes, cut one by one, mould this piece into an ultimate tribute to the perfume.

Figurative as much as it is abstract, the 55.55 necklace goes further than an exercise in style. It symbolizes the embrace between the spirit of the N°5 perfume and the most exceptional jewelry making. With an incomparable suppleness, this fascinating and eternal item of jewelry adds its own stone to the story of CHANEL’s first perfume, which has become a myth.

But the tale does not stop here because CHANEL has chosen to keep the necklace 55.55 in its Patrimoine. Thus, this extraordinary piece will forever be a part of the history of CHANEL’s High Jewelry and the symbol of the unbreakable ties that unite place Vendôme with the N°5 perfume.

Stunning, beautiful – an iconic piece that has already made history.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL

«Embroidery is to Haute Couture what fireworks are to Bastille Day.» – François Lesage

I love CHANEL‘s Métiers d’Art collections, that are always a visual treat for the senses, showcasing the craftsmanship for which the luxury house is revered. Those runway shows take place each year outside the traditional fashion schedule.

The name itself reveals it: Métiers d’Art means «art professions». They are considered demi-couture, right between ready-to-wear and haute couture; although the designs are not bespoke, their ornamentation and craftsmanship rely on couture techniques. The collections and their elaborate themes are brought to life by the small specialist workshops that CHANEL began buying in 1984, in order to preserve the expertise and craftsmanship associated with French luxury, among them the buttons and accessory maker (Desrues), costume jewelers (Goossens), embroiderers (Lesage and Montex), feather and flower makers (Lemarié), milliners (Maison Michel), shoemakers (Massaro) and so on. Today these ateliers have become essential to the everyday running of the fashion house, providing CHANEL with everything from lace to embroidered buttons.

For the Métiers d’Art collection 2020, named Paris – 31 Rue Cambon, Virginie Viard, who was with CHANEL’s haute couture department for more than 30 years before taking the helm as the Maison’s creative director in 2019, brought the show back to the legendary designer’s apartment, creating the magnificent set-up that placed emphasis on Coco Chanel’s famous mirrored staircase.

Her favorite look of the collection was number 34, and it was also mine. It is a piece of art, created using the intricate trompe-l’œil embroidery done specifically at the ateliers of Lesage, and the attention to detail is undeniable.

The story began in 1858, when Charles Frederick Worth opened his haute couture fashion house, and started making use of the prodigious talent of the embroiderer Albert Michonet, whose studio was purchased by Albert and Marie-Louise Lesage in 1924. This was the beginning of a period of fruitful and close collaboration with the best-known names of the time. They introduced tambour embroidery to the studio using the Lunéville technique, which could respond to the voracious demand for beaded and sequinned gowns during Les Années Folles.

In 1949, on the death of his father, François Lesage (1929 – 2011) took over management of the company at the tender age of 20. For 50 years, he has cleverly combined the skills of a traditional craft with meeting the pioneering requirements of the new generation of fashion designers. In 2002, the company became part of the CHANEL family.

Coming back to Look 34, that I am wearing in this outfit post. It features the Lunéville technique that involves using a crochet hook to chain stitch small decorations (black and gold beads) to the underside of the fabric. In this case, over 25,000 gold beads and 35,000 black tube beads are used to form the embroidered braids, before the seamstresses at the tailleur atelier carefully place them along the edges and cuffs of the wool tweed jacket and trousers. The classic handbag was created to complement the look, crafted in the same red-and-black wool tweed and finished with the embroidered braid detailing all around the edges.

Why am I explaining all of this to you? Those pieces are one-off creations that continually push the boundaries to showcase the fine arts that are only alive and well today because of CHANEL’s continued patronage. If you love fashion, you will appreciate the craftsmanship of those eternal items. This look is very dear to my heart.

My look: Tweed jacket with embroidery, matching tweed pants, and classic handbag, layered pearl necklace with bows, and two-tone slingback shoes, all by CHANEL (Look 34 Métiers d’Art 2020 Paris – 31 Rue Cambon),  velvet and Leavers lace-trimmed stretch-tulle halterneck bodysuit, and gold-tone, enamel and faux pearl clip earrings, both by Saint Laurent, and Carretto-print face mask, by Dolce & Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
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I am N°5, an abstract perfume by Gabrielle Chanel, which she created in 1921 with Ernest Beaux, perfumer to the tsars.

This year, the best-known perfume in the world of the world CHANEL N°5 celebrates its 100th anniversary. Its name is universally renowned. Its wake, a revolution. Its bottle, an unmatched masterpiece.

I am the avant-garde, emerging at the same time as cubism, dadaism, and surrealism. I am their olfactory counterpart, and like them, I break the codes; like them, I write a new language and invent a collage of scents. I am the first abstract perfume.

Created in 1921, N°5 threw habits and conventions to the wind from the start. At the beginning of the 1920s, Gabrielle Chanel had already changed people’s views on fashion by suggesting a new allure. Her first perfume is consistent with her pioneering designs, simple yet well thought through.
Revolutionary in its composition, N°5 is also the first perfume imagined by a woman for women.

I am a manifesto, that of modernity, a dazzling bouquet. Mademoiselle boosted the jasmine, the ylang-ylang, and the rose, yet no single identifiable note is left in my wake. Thanks to the magical alchemy of the aldehydes, I throw people off the scent, not evoking any one flower, to become «a woman’s fragrance with the woman scent».

Whether it be Marilyn Monroe turning it into a myth by confessing she only wore a few drops in
bed, or Andy Warhol screen printing it as a pop art icon, over time N°5 has acquired the status
of a global cultural phenomenon.

I am a magic number, the 5, her favorite number which had brought her luck ever since childhood. Mademoiselle is said to have chosen N°5 because it was the scent in the fifth sample, the one she preferred.

First perfume to be advertised on TV, it has inspired some of the greatest image masters — Helmut Newton, Irving Penn, Ridley Scott, Jean-Paul Goude or Baz Luhrmann to name a few — and become a visual symbol that has never lost touch with the contemporary creative scene.

I am the perfume of perfumes, embodied by the greatest celebrities.

Because the world’s most popular perfume of all time needs adequate representation, it has chosen muses who, throughout the world, embody elegance and seduction without undermining their own personality: Catherine Deneuve, Carole Bouquet, Nicole Kidman or currently Marion Cotillard are among the ambassadresses who, by their spirit and modernity, lift N°5 into the eternal feminine pantheon for posterity.

I am a symbol, which the G.I.s took back to America at the end of World War II as a souvenir of Paris and the taste of liberty, the badge of French chic, and the very essence of the CHANEL style.

Mythological status has never consigned N°5 to museum shelves, even though it has been part
of the permanent collections in the MoMA, New York, since 1954. Through its history, its image
and its very essence N°5 remains the backdrop to countless stories, even the most intimate. N°5
is made for those who, like Mademoiselle Chanel, choose who they want to be, and become it.
It is a perfume which, like a coat of invisible armor, gives the strength to face life. Backed with its
100 years of celebrity, N°5 will always be one step ahead.

I am a legend, timeless, continually reinventing myself, as in Verlaine’s «Familiar Dream»: I am «neither quite the same, nor altogether the other». From L’Extrait to L’Eau and from L’Eau to Parfum.

On the cusp of 2021, which is fully dedicated to N°5, the House of CHANEL presented me with this unparalleled coffret. Created in collaboration with the CHANEL Métiers d’Art and Baccarat, this restricted edition is reserved for friends of the Maison and contains five numbered objects. Four of CHANEL’s artisan partners have reinterpreted one of the emblematic aspects of N°5 in their own unique way. I am sure that you can imagine my excitement when I received this beautiful box.

1 The Medaillon Keychain by Desrues
Made of gold-plated brass, this medaillon keychain created by costume jeweler and accessory maker Desrues, is adorned with a black disc embossed with number 5. The inside of the number, the rim of the medaillon and the ring are all trimmed with a twisted braid.

2 The Paperweight by Baccarat
Designed and made in Baccarat‘s famous glass-making studio, this paperweight recalls the faceted edges of the N°5 bottle stopper, which was inspired by the Place Vendôme in Paris.

I am an emblem, a simple bottle in laboratory with sharp angles and crystalline transparency, and a stopper cut like a diamond evoking the Place Vendôme. The ultimate, universal reference in the history of scent bottles. The imprimatur of CHANEL’s triumph.

3 The 5 Patch by Lesage
The number 5 takes the form of a black and gold silk-spangled patch in this piece by the Maison Lesage. Woven in the same style as the iconic CHANEL tweeds and embroidered in sequins and lacquered bugle beads, it can be ironed on to clothing thanks to its heat-activated adhesive backing.

4 The Camellia by Lemarié
Inspired by Mademoiselle Chanel’s favorite flower, this camellia brooch was designed and crafted by the Maison Lemarié using the N°5 packaging. One by one, each petal is cut out using a special punch. The flower is then assembled by hand, a product of the feather and floral designer’s unique know-how.

I am an allegory of modernity, French elegance, and eternal femininity.

5 N°5 Eau de Parfum 100ml
While composing the Eau de Parfums in 1986, Jacques Polge declared that «N°5 challenges the ephemeral nature of things.» By adapting the characteristics of N°5 to the new concentrations used in modern perfumery, he successfully demonstrated the extent to which it is and always will be relevant. A work of style that never strayed from the aesthetics of the original Parfum, the Eau de Parfum became a worldwide success that was represented for nearly 10 years by the unforgettable Carole Bouquet.

The best is yet to come as an exceptional piece has found its way into Sandra’s Closet. A beautiful clutch bag reminiscent of the CHANEL N°5 packaging. A must-have that will always remind me of 100 years of the iconic fragrance. I cannot wait to finally sport it when everything is open again. Stay tuned for something very special coming up…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL and © Sandra Bauknecht
#N5 #CHANELFRAGRANCE #100YEARSOFCELEBRITY #CHANELOFFICIAL #INSIDECHANEL @chanelofficial

Say cheese! In Switzerland, you do that literally all the time, as it is the cheese capital of the world. Being such an integral part of its cuisine, the infamous cheese fondue and raclette are prime examples. During my stay at the Gstaad Palace, I ate at least once or twice a week at the so-called «Fromagerie» (French for cheesery), where those photos were taken. In case you wondering about the sausages, Swiss people like to start with a «Plättli» (little plate) of dry meat.

As this kind of food is pretty heavy and also very odorous, I recommend wearing something comfy. I love this mountain look, it is the perfect combination of being stylish, yet cozy. And the best is yet to come, the back of the sweater is open, so you don’t get too hot!

My look: Crochet-knit collar mohair-blend sweater, and crystal-embellished pleated wool tartan midi skirt, both by Miu Miu, crystal-heart drop clip earrings by Alessandra Rich, wide bow hair clip by Jennifer Behr, Aria 105 suede pumps in dark blue by Aquazzura, and Cassandra medium YSL-plaque dark green leather cross-body bag by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

Remember playing dress-up during your childhood? Well, you’re about to take a walk down memory lane with this new makeup collaboration by Coach and Sephora. The two brands have collaborated to debut a collection of makeup that playfully reimagines the American fashion house’s iconic mascots, Rexy, Sharky and Uni. All housed in colourful and glittery hardware, those palettes will make your time spent at your vanity tables even more enjoyable than it already is.

I am most excited about the Rexy and Sharky eyeshadow palettes, which offer a wearable selection of shades that can take you from day to night in a range of finishes – from buttery mattes and bold metallics to soft shimmers.

COACH X SEPHORA COLLECTION – SHARKY EYESHADOW PALETTE
A limited-edition eyeshadow palette created in collaboration with Coach, featuring six eyeshadows in soft mattes, metallics, and shimmers.
CHF 63.90

COACH x SEPHORA COLLECTION – REXY EYESHADOW PALETTE
A limited-edition eyeshadow palette created in collaboration with Coach, featuring six eyeshadows in buttery mattes, bold metallics, and soft shimmers.
CHF 63.90

COACH x SEPHORA COLLECTION – UNI FACE PALETTE
A limited-edition face palette created in collaboration with Coach, featuring a soft and creamy blush, radiant highlighter, and matte bronzer.
CHF 63.90

The new Coach collection is available now in Switzerland at manor.ch/sephora.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sephora 

A trend borrowed from Lady Di’s iconic off-duty style, pants tucked into knee-high boots, has already made the leap from the runway to the streets, and is sported today also on my legs. It gives your outfit such a cool and relaxed take on luxury. It is my styling trick if the pants are too long…

My look: Vichy embellished houndstooth tweed bomber jacket, and matching Vichy embellished houndstooth tweed tapered pants, both by Alessandra Rich, intarsia wool-blend turtleneck sweater by Dolce & Gabbana, grosgrain-trimmed wool-blend felt cap and grooved cabochon clip earrings, both by Saint Laurent, camellia brooch by CHANEL, black suede knee boots by The Attico, and Cassette chain-embellished padded intrecciato suede shoulder bag in dark brown by Bottega Veneta.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

Today, I received the Pre-Watches & Wonders 2021 preview from Cartier that I wanted to share with you immediately. It is all about precious diamond watches, that are all standing out for their elegance, mastery of design, and fiery stones.

«Because Cartier is above all a jeweller, Cartier watches, whether they are for men or women, blur the lines between these two founding professions of the Maison, allowing for the best of both worlds. This is why our creations transcend all categories. They are not just instruments for telling the time, nor are they simply jewellery. They are a third type of object with their own uniqueness. Cartier watches only resemble themselves.
The complexity of Cartier watchmaking is due to its duality. It is being able to express creative freedom while working under technical constraints. This intellectual challenge is exciting. And the challenge is all the greater when aesthetics take precedence over the rest. It means that we must master the technical side, making it feel like second nature so that emotion is able to emerge. This intuitive intelligence has always been evident in our designs. The creative process is the result of a controlled tension between the head and heart, an alchemy from which meaning and identity emanate.» – MARIE-LAURE CEREDE – Director of Design for Watchmaking at Cartier

REPTILIS WATCH

Like a precious brocade, the diamond-paved chevrons weave into each other, edged with princess-cut diamonds. Like precious scales, these mobile elements snake around the wrist like a flexible, hinged ribbon. At the centre, a rectangular dial accentuated by four diamond hour markers. Light bursts forth, reflects and resonates all over.
12.8 mm, thickness: 6.6 mm
18K rhodium-finish white gold
Case and bracelet set with
232 brilliant-cut diamonds (3.75 cts)
and 70 princess-cut diamonds (6.06 cts)

ROSARY WATCH

Geometric elegance with the richness of random paving all the way to the heart of the dial. Everything is treated graphically; the refined design is pushed to the extreme between round and square. The tempo of its forms is born from the rhythmic succession of curved discs, paved and set with a small black square, evoking an Art Deco influence. At 12 o’clock lies a singular hour marker, also a black square.
17 mm, thickness: 8.26 mm
18K rhodium-finish white gold
Case, dial, and bracelet set with
1191 brilliant-cut diamonds (5.57 cts)

PANTHÈRE SONGEUSE WATCH
Making its emblematic animal the guardian of its precious hours is the approach that Cartier has taken this year, presenting a new interpretation of the feline through three exceptional timepieces. Designers, artisans… when it comes to this incarnation, jewellery and watchmaking speak the same language. Since 1914 when it first appeared on a wristwatch in the form of a spotted coat of diamonds and onyx, now, more than ever, the feline is THE Cartier signature.28.4 mm, thickness: 7.8 mm
18K rhodium-finish white gold
Case, dial and panther head set with
1116 brilliant-cut diamonds (4.57 cts)
Pear-cut emerald eyes (0.04 ct),
black onyx nose and sapphire spots (0.25 ct)
Bracelet set with
325 brilliant-cut diamonds (9.15 cts)28.4 mm, thickness: 7.8 mm
18K rhodium-finish white gold
Case, buckle, dial and panther head set with
734 brilliant-cut diamonds (2.95 cts).
Case and dial with enamel
Pear-cut emerald eyes (0.04 ct),
black onyx nose and sapphire spots (0.38 ct)
Blue alligator leather strap
Numbered limited edition of 30 pieces28.4 mm, thickness: 7.8 mm
18K rhodium-finish white gold
Case, dial, buckle and panther head set with
1039 brilliant-cut diamonds (4.67 cts)
Pear-cut emerald eyes (0.06 ct),
black onyx nose and black lacquer spots
Black alligator leather strap

All five watches have quartz movements.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Cartier

As promised here is are all the details of my outfit I wore in yesterday’s post. Perfect for slipping on after a bath for relaxing evenings at home, while indulging in your beauty routine or after a dip in the pool, Fendi‘s hooded robe is cut from naturally absorbent cotton-terry. It’s trimmed with black velour and features the brand’s logo on one pocket. For the ultimate style statement, wear it with the matching face covering, silk eye mask and slippers.

My look: Cotton-terry hooded bathrobe, silk-satin face covering, silk-satin eye mask, and FF-logo shearling slippers, all by Fendi. Rose Céleste necklace, Rose des Vents and Rose Céleste necklace, Astro Dior aquarius necklace, Rose Céleste medaillon necklace, and Oui bracelet, all by Dior Fine Jewelry.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © David Biedert Photography
The photos were taken at Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich.
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.