Sandra‘s Closet

Today, I was invited by SHISEIDO to a press conference at Metropol restaurant in Zurich to discover the new SHISEIDO Ultimune concentrate. It was wonderful to finally meet again in person, to indulge in a very yummy Japanese lunch and to discover a piece of traditional Japanese history and do a FUROSHIKI workshop, the art of Japanese gift wrapping.

The famous SHISEIDO Ultimune concentrate was the first product to target the immune system many years ago. It has immediately become a bestseller. 25 years of research and 200 beauty awards later, one is sold every 7 seconds. This fall, SHISEIDO’s #1 serum gets even stronger with an innovative anti-aging technology powered by 8 botanical ingredients. It activates skin’s inner defenses and stimulates its vital flow to lead your skin to its ideal condition.

Our skin is a fully active organ. The nerves and the immune system, both play an important role in the anti-aging process. SHISEIDO now targets also the vascular system to improve the blood circulation of the skin and unveils the ImuGenerationsRED Technology™. Inspired by major scientific discoveries it targets two factors involved in the maintenance of a strong and youthful-looking skin. By attacking two key cells, the Langerhans cells as well as the NK cells (natural killer cells), it boosts the skin’s self-defense system to fight external and internal factors that impact skin’s health and accelerate its aging.

Relying on unprecedented Lifeblood™ findings, it improves the vital network to constantly promote the delivery of essential nutrients and defensive cells to every corner of the skin. Maintaining a healthy vital flow will thus foster the skin’s ability to resist harmful factors and reduce the signs of aging appearance. The capillary network in our skin is dense and well-structured when we are young. With age, it gets weaker and disorganized, which leads to sagging skin.

The new technology works with two main ingredients:

1. Fermented Roselle Extract that helps to activate the NK cells to remove aged cells also called zombie cells
2. Houttuynia Cordata Extract that activates the so-called APJ sensors that are key factors for healthy capillaries to reinforce, extend capillaries and optimize the supply of nutrients and immune cells

Furthermore, the new Ultimune concentrate works with aromachology to support a stronger skin: the so-called IMUCALM Compound™ – a fragrance, blended with Lotus and Rose which has been scientifically proven to reduce stress hormones and strengthen the barrier function of the skin.

The new product promises after clinical tests:

• after three days, skin looks visibly more radiant
• after one month, skin is firmer and looks more resilient
• after one bottle (approximately 1.5 months when used morning and evening), wrinkles are visibly diminished and skin looks younger as renewed.

The new SHISEIDO Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate 3.0 is available now for CHF 102.00 (30ml),  CHF 151.00 (50ml) and CHF 176.00 (75ml). The serum bottle is refillable, 100% recyclable and comes from 94% naturally derived materials.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
@Shiseido #Ultimune #ShiseidoSkincare #PowerIsYou @globus

It is often said that what nature creates cannot be reproduced, as natural processes require both time and a complexity which are beyond the realms of human endeavour. Once again, Hublot has made the impossible possible by transmuting gold into its rarest and most exclusive form: gold crystal. This form of gold is unique, since it is impossible to reproduce two identical gold crystals. Beyond the fascination that gold has exerted on man since the dawn of time, it embodies everything that makes Hublot so distinctive: materials, minerals, metals; their fusion and their transformation into new forms of expression, unique and quite unexpected. An alchemy expressed both in the transmutation of the raw material and in the chemistry created by the spirit of the watch itself. This is the Spirit of Big Bang Gold Crystal.

THE MYSTERIES OF GOLD CRYSTAL
Hublot invites you into the heart of a unique form of expertise, into the mysteries of the most precious and fascinating metal, as well as one of the oldest, born as the universe was created during the Big Bang, 13.8 billion years ago.

The natural crystallisation of gold dates back tens of millions of years, to the time when the mountain ranges were formed. It was in these crevices in the earth that jets of pressurised heated water extracted the gold, redepositing it within seams in the rocks. As the rocks eroded, these seams were carried away by rain and water and deposited in the beds of rivers, creating nuggets of gold. On rare occasions, the right natural conditions would allow the gold to remain in its natural state: gold crystals, the rarest form of gold on earth.

A true alchemist for our times, Hublot has now mastered a unique technique allowing natural crystallisation to be reproduced almost exactly. By heating the purest 24-carat gold to its melting point of 1064.18 degrees Celsius, its atoms are vaporised into a gaseous mixture before interlocking as the temperature is lowered, forming an open angular structure. Thousands of small crystals join together to create an architecture which is random, unique, and impossible to reproduce. The most perfect of these crystals are then carefully selected, with no more than 20% of the crystals produced making the grade.

A GOLD AND LACQUERED DIAL
The expert hands of the master dial-maker apply the gold crystals to a black dial covered with a fine layer of transparent lacquer; the manufacturing process took this craftsman a year to research and develop, and the application must be undertaken in a controlled atmosphere to ensure no air bubbles can form on the surface. It takes around twenty layers of lacquer to encapsulate the gold crystals, and the dial is then polished to render the lacquer invisible, and perfectly smooth and uniform.

SPIRIT OF BIG BANG GOLD CRYSTAL
The Spirit of Big Bang is Hublot’s tonneau-shaped watch, and it adopts all of the design codes of the iconic Big Bang: the six H-shaped screws on the bezel, the lugs either side of the case, the overmoulded rubber screw-down crown decorated with the iconic H, the sandwich type construction. To provide a perfect contrast with the gold of the crystals, the Spirit of Big Bang Cristal d’Or’s case is covered in black ceramic and paired with a black alligator strap stitched onto rubber. Available in 39 and 42 mm, it will display the time for 50 hours without any winding of its Caliber HUB1710 automatic mechanical movement.

When Hublot gold sets the tone and rewrites the rules, the result is pure alchemy.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hublot
@Hublot #Hublot #SpiritOfBigBang #GoldCrystal

BIRKENSTOCK 1774 launches its second collection following their successful first collection launch at Frieze Los Angeles in January 2020. An exclusive first drop will be available at 1774.com and selected retailers worldwide from September 20th before the collection is released globally in February 2022.

BIRKENSTOCK’s favourite heritage styles are re-imagined with modern edge, as the iconic
Arizona and Boston designs arrive in seasonless developments that showcase new hardware, branding, and materials. Two styles from the first drop.

The full leather Arizona builds on the first season, as the signature slim leather sole is relaunched in embossed premium leather, with a crocodile effect in black. The signature BIRKENSTOCK buckle forms a classic basis of elegant versatility. This Arizona is crafted in a black tone with matte finished edges, for a timeless appeal.

An ode to the iconic Boston is translated in canvas straps on ultrasoft suede leather. With a nude, soft EVA outsole, the Boston is crafted in an anatomically shaped BIRKENSTOCK cork-latex footbed, wrapped in exquisite, smooth Nappa lining. The newly developed square buckle is for perfect adjustability.

The Boston is a unisex style and the Arizona is available until size 42 – both show the ultimate craftsmanship and unrivalled comfort that BIRKENSTOCK 1774 is renowned for. Distinctly 1774, both arrive with the logo imprinted in the footbed, with an additional exclusive shoe box and dust bag in 1774-design.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Birkenstock 1774 / Torvioll Jashari
@birkenstock1774 #birkenstock1774

I am invited to Gstaad this weekend for a fun birthday / wedding anniversary celebration. It feels good to go back to my home away from home, even though my favorite hotel, the Gstaad Palace, already closed for the summer season. When people ask me why I love this hotel so much, the explanation is easy. Everything that happens in Gstaad, happens at the Palace. The lobby is a vibrant yet cozy place where you can sit for hours to enjoy great conversations, amazing food with your friends or people who might have just met.

My look: Damask and jacquard tulle dress, floral-print crossbody bag, Made in Heaven pearl choker, and peace pearl-embellished pendant earrings, all by Moschino, La Di Da 130 two-tone metallic leather platform sandals by Aquazzura.

LoL, Sandra

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

Following on from Rouge Hermès, the founding gestures of Hermès Beauty, comes Rose Hermès. Composed of eight shades of Rose Hermès Silky Blush, two brushes, a Pommette blush case and three rosy lip enhancers, the new Rose Hermès collection of refillable and durable objects opens a new chapter for Hermès Beauty.

While Rouge Hermès is colour contained within a distinct line, Rose Hermès is the hue of a sensitive and radiant presence, the subtly nuanced continuation of a narrative composed of all the candid, tender, sensual, fresh, muted, intense and electric pinks the house has created since its origins.

I love the new products. With its round case and wide, off-centre mirror, Rose Hermès Silky Blush defies conventions. It is a disc of white and gold light in satin-finish permabrass, marked with the concave ex-libris created by Émile Hermès in 1923 and designed by Pierre Hardy to become an exceptional object for everyday use. It is distinctive for its lightness conceived for use from morning to night, anywhere.

Slipped inside its orange box then into its outer sleeve in recycled paper, this is a pure Hermès object: its use determines a gesture, a beauty ritual. As a sustainable object, it is refilled ny simply removing and replacing the powder pan.

Rose Hermès Silky Blush is a long-lasting powder that clings to the skin with the first touch. An ally in pink, its presence can be asserted or softened with a single gesture.
It is composed of key notes in a chromatic harmony of colours and scents. A new fragrance created by Christine Nagel in the same vein as Rouge Hermès reveals notes of arnica and sandalwood given a twist by hints of green tea.

The Blush Brush comes with a lacquered wooden handle and brushed metal ferrule. The goat bristle fibers, hand-assembled by a French brush-maker, exalt an everyday gesture. It enhances a daily ritual, inviting gentle application to the skin.

The Rosy Lip Enhancer is a rosy lipstick, gentle, subtle and gradual, sheer and translucent. It enhances the lips while hydrating them. It melts over the lips leaving a matt luminosity, a weightless and translucent halo that exposes emotions. It is inspired by the feel of Butler calfskin, developed by Hermès in 2012, whose butter-like name evokes smoothness in harmony with its soft, voluptuous finish and rich, full hand. This leather is often used in bags in natural shades starting with the Constance, an emblem of timeless elegance.

Rose Lip Enhancer borrows this candle wax texture, while also echoing another living legacy from the Hermès leather workshops: that of the warm, kneaded beeswax used by leather artisans to coat and protect their linen threads prior to saddle stitching. It is available in three pinks, all for a radiant smile.

Rose Hermès Silky Blush is available in eight shades for CHF 77.00 each.
Blush Brush (2 sizes) CHF 69.00 and CHF 104.00.
Rosy Lip Perfector is available in three shades for CHF 51.00 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès and © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: This post is not sponsored. However, I received the products to test them.

Narciso Rodriguez’s beloved signature musc is renowned for its timelessness and olfactive depth. Discover a new chapter in the story of for her and experience a new way to further customize Narciso Rodriguez’s signature musc with an intimate new fragrance ritual.

Originating in the Middle East, layering is a technique that allows the wearer to further define their olfactive signature. By combining multiple scents, it is possible to create a fragrance that is entirely your own. With the introduction of for her PURE MUSC, layering has become a central facet of the for her fragrance collection that allows you to customize your favorite for her scents for any occasion.

Inspired by the original for her, PURE MUSC pays homage to the iconic fragrance line’s signature musc. Reinterpreted and refined with a disarming purity, the heart of musc is enhanced with an exquisite floral bouquet—jasmine and orange blossom—while cashmeran lends warmth. A supremely addictive scent, for her PURE MUSC eau de parfum teases the senses and envelops the body, becoming a perfect base for layering.

Worn alone, for her PURE MUSC is purely addictive. When layered with other for her fragrances, PURE MUSC becomes even more captivating.  Layered with the original for her eau de toilette, an element of sophistication is added that is sublimely sensual. PURE MUSC layered with for her eau de parfum adds intensity and intrigue that is purely seductive. PURE MUSC plus for her fleur musc, creates a discreetly dramatic floral scent. For rich depth and a bold sense of mystery, layer PURE MUSC with the infinitely intriguing for her MUSC NOIR.

Express yourself by layering your favorite for her scents (you can use other fragrances of course) with for her PURE MUSC in a new, sensual ritual. The introduction of for her mini duos allows you to personalize your scent in an innovative on-the-go format.

Mini duo Pure Musc For Her EDP 20ml + Musc Noir For Her EDP 20ml: CHF 94.00
Mini duo Pure Musc For Her EDP 20ml + For Her EDT 20ml: CHF 94.00
PURE MUSC eau de parfum absolue, enriched with a synthesis of amplified floral notes, including exotic Ylang Ylang notes and increased Jasmine while soft creamy cedar wood, exclusively available in 100ml format.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Narciso Rodriguez
#PureMuscLayer

Munich has always been my happy place. I absolutely adore this city in which I had lived for eight years before moving to Chicago and then Zurich. Therefore I was so happy to be back to see my friends, to enjoy Bavarian food and to walk around the famous Maximilianstrasse for some serious shopping damage.

My look: Aliane patchwork floral-print linen midi dress by Zimmermann, Bougainvillea 105mm sandals by Aquazzura, gold-tone necklace by Saint Laurent, yellow beaded earrings by Oscar de la Renta, and denim tie dye cannage small Caro bag by Dior.

LoL, Sandra

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

The Met Gala is typically held on the first Monday in May, but this year, the event was postponed due to COVID-19 and falls right in the middle of fashion month. As Iris Apfel once said: «When we were small children, we all played dress-up and everybody had a good time, so why stop?». This is how Met Gala is for me, a huge party for everyone who loves to dress up and has never stop to indulge in fashion.

Ensemble, Christopher John Rogers (American, born 1993), F/W 2020; Courtesy Christopher John Rogers. Photo: HAPPYMONDAY / Courtesy of the Costume Institute

Also referred to as «fashion’s biggest night out,» the Met Gala is a fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This year, the Costume Institute will host its first two-part exhibition, on the theme of American fashion, during 2021 and 2022. Part one, «In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,» will open in the Anna Wintour Costume Center on September 18, 2021, and will remain on display when «In America: An Anthology of Fashion,» opens on May 5, 2022 in the period rooms of the American Wing. Both shows will run through September 5, 2022.

Below, you will find my personal selection of outfits, that I loved or didn’t like and hope you will enjoy it.

LoL, Sandra

Fashion that makes us dream – my favorite look of the gala: Iman in Harris Reed

Cracking the codes: Kim Kardashian in Balenciaga

Rihanna in Balenciaga Couture and Maria Tash jewelry and A$AP Rocky in ERL

Wild West: Jennifer Lopez in Ralph Lauren

Fitting the American theme of the upcoming exhibitions perfectly: Helen Lasichanh and Pharrell Williams in CHANEL

Sporting the American flag: Debbie Harry in and with Zac Posen

Trio infernal with an American «Statue of Liberty» touch: Sienna Miller in Gucci, Hamish Bowles in Thom Browne, and Emily Blunt in Miu Miu

Feathers were also a trending theme: Serena Williams in Gucci

One of my favorites last night: Zoë Kravitz in Saint Laurent

And another one of my favorite looks: Kendall Jenner in Givenchy

Julia Garner in Stella McCartney

Hailee Steinfeld in Iris Van Herpen

Donatella Versace in Versace

Whoopi Goldberg, Pierpaolo Piccioli and Carey Mulligan in Valentino

Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello in Michael Kors Collection

Literally eye-catching: Hunter Schafer in Prada

Gigi Hadid in Prada

A great look, but somehow not for her: Diane Kruger in Prabal Gurung and Jimmy Choo shoes

Beautiful: Emily Ratajkowski in Vera Wang

Mmh… definitely not my favorite look: Vera Wang in Vera Wang

Playing dress-up: Erykah Badu in Thom Browne

Making a statement: Cara Delevingne in Christian Dior

Flowers were a huge theme: Lili Reinhart in Christian Siriano

LOVE: Irina Shayk in Moschino

YouTuber Nikkie Tutorials (Nikkie de Jager), who came out as transgender last year, paid homage to activist and drag queen Marsha P. Johnson with this «pay it no mind» sash.

Anna Wintour wore a floral Oscar de la Renta gown.

Stunning in Oscar de la Renta: Karlie Kloss and designer Wes Gordon

Billie Eilish in Oscar de la Renta. Her bombshell gown symbolizes her activism for animal rights. According to The New York Times, she agreed to work with Oscar de la Renta on the condition that the designers would no longer use fur in their pieces.

Dan Levy in Loewe

Designer Virgil Abloh in Off-White

And here comes the golden king in his amazing outfit that revealed different layers: Lil Nas X in Versace

Photos: via Vogue.com

Challenging my inner Laura Ingalls Wilder… Driving with the MASERATI Ghibli Hybrid through the Swiss countryside in my Liberty floral print maxi dress, I remembered the American Western television series «Little House on the Prairie», that I loved to watch when I was a child. It is the perfect outfit for a picnic in the meadow.

My look: Liberty floral print maxi dress by Gucci, Lapee metallic-toecap leather ankle boots by Isabel Marant, Sunshine logo-embroidered woven tote bag, and raffia and stainless-steel bottle holder, both by Fendi, cat-eye acetate and metal sunglasses by Bottega Veneta, and Woody canvas-trimmed raffia sunhat by Chloé.

LoL, Sandra

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

Today, I would like to introduce you to a wonderful charily raffle by Glasswing International on THE FLOORR to win a pair of earrings worth $14,250 donated by Loree Rodkin.

The exquisite open pavé leaf earrings feature shield tops and are made in 18k white gold with a black rhodium finish; the pavé contains 2.30 ct multi-coloured diamonds and .40 ct brown diamonds. They truly are a joy to behold and a beautiful statement piece to add to your jewelry collection.

The raffle tickets start at $100 (£73/86€) and the money will be used to transform the lives of children and youth born into cycles of poverty and violence throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and in New York City.
Over the past fourteen years, Glasswing’s work has impacted the lives of over 1.5 million people, transformed over 100 schools into safe and stimulating environments, and engaged over 20,000 students a week with after-school programs.

The Seventh Annual Glasswing International Benefit Gala honors their dear friend and champion Carmen Busquets.

«I learnt a lot from the courage and gratitude of the children and youth we spent time with, and from their honest and fearless way of expressing how they feel. Raising money for them is incredibly rewarding but it doesn’t come close to spending time with these kids!» – Carmen Busquets

You can learn more about Glasswing and how to enter in the raffle here.

THE FLOORR Charity Raffle closes at 11.59am on September 23rd, 2021.
THE FLOORR will email the winner directly by September 25th, 2021. All non-winners will be notified via RallyUp. The winner will be randomly selected by RallyUp, using a certified algorithm to draw the winner from all entries purchased via the RallyUp platform. 100% of the proceeds of THE FLOORR Charity Raffle will benefit Glasswing International.

I already entered the raffle and hope you will, too.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Glasswing International, Loree Rodkin and THE FLOOR
This raffle «THE FLOORR Charity Raffle, Supporting Glasswing International» is organised by Glasswing International of 199 Water Street, 34th Floor, New York, NY 11038; and conducted by RallyUp of Tucson, Arizona. THE FLOORR Ltd and Sandra’s Closet have no role in and accepts no responsibility for the same.