Sandra‘s Closet

Recently, I followed YSL Beauty‘s invitation to a decadent dinner party that took place at Die Giesserei Oerlikon in Zurich. The YSL Beauty team transformed this amazing location into the most instagrammable spots with different areas all dedicated to the Maison’s iconic products, from the famous Libre scent, to make-up and skincare. After the dinner, we went downstairs to the underground club where we danced all night long.

The dress code said «all black with a touch of decadence» and needless to say, I went for a head-to-toe Saint Laurent outfit. All details of my look will be coming up shortly. Stay tuned and in the meantime enjoy the impressions of this fun night.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography #indulgeingold #yslbeauty
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Welcome to the Magentaverse! The world’s color authority has spoken, and this year, the smoke that wafted up from the Pantone conclave was tinged a deep, pinkish red: All hail Viva Magenta, Pantone’s 2023 color of the year.

What is Viva Magenta?

Pantone’s Color of the Year, Viva Magenta 18-1750, vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.

This year’s Color of the Year is powerful and empowering. It is a new animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint, an electrifying, and a boundaryless shade that is manifesting as a stand-out statement. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta welcomes anyone and everyone with the same verve for life and rebellious spirit. It is a color that is audacious, full of wit and inclusive of all.

«In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known.

Rooted in the primordial, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength.»

Leatrice Eiseman
Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute

While the color has deep connections to both the past and the present, the institute wants to be clear that it’s also a color that’s undeniably fitting for the present, a shade that encourages all people to live life boldly in the moment. I like the message behind that shade that is in between red and blue. Let’s dig into the Magentaverse…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
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For more than 160 years, creative exchange has taken place in tandem with the heritage and innovation of Louis Vuitton. These artistic collaborations have expanded the Maison’s universe, enlivening collections with imagination and surprising expression. With LV DREAM, Louis Vuitton celebrates these inspiring ideas and their creators as an expansive exhibition within the building of the former La Belle Jardinière department store, alongside a café and chocolate shop in collaboration with the Cheval Blanc Paris Chef-pâtissier, Maxime Frédéric.

Beginning December 12th, 2022, LV DREAM welcomes visitors to discover a rich exploration of Louis Vuitton’s collaborations through time and across a broad range of historic and contemporary pieces. Comprised of nine rooms with many interactive components, this immersive journey revisits the highly original interpretations in constant dialogue with the Maison. The exhibition plays out with endless dynamism spanning the earliest artistic undertakings such as window displays and perfume bottles; specially commissioned trunks; iconic Monogram reworkings by renowned artists; the diverse range of ready-to-wear collaborations; and the first three chapters of the Artycapucines collection of reimagined Capucine bags.

Inside, visitors will follow a circuit arranged according to themes such as «Louis Vuitton: As Seen»; «The World of Louis Vuitton According to Rei», and «Leather Goods in Fashion». Among the highlights: two portraits of Louis Vuitton by Alex Katz and Mister Cartoon that have never been exposed to the public. The World of Vuitton According to Rei, a room dedicated to Rei Kawakubo, artistic director of Comme des Garçons, who envisioned two capsules for Louis Vuitton: Party Bags in 2008 and Bags With Holes in 2014. Here, the scenography encourages visitors to experiment with the scale to feel as though they are actually inside the bags. Interactive scenography can also be found in Art Meets Fashion, the final space where a digital wall projects motion-sensitive animations adapted from collaborations with Daniel Buren, NigoÒ, Grace Coddington and Christopher Nemeth.

To extend the experience, LV DREAM introduces «Maxime Frédéric at Louis Vuitton» – a café and chocolate shop (Chocolaterie), both overseen by the renowned Chef-Pâtissier of the Cheval Blanc Paris. Among the leading names in the artistry of patisserie and chocolate-making, Maxime Frédéric honed his craft at the palace-hotels of Paris, including Le Meurice and George V, before joining the Cheval Blanc Paris in 2020 and winning the 2022 Gault & Millau Guide prize for Pastry Chef of the Year. Surrounded by tropical plants, the Café offers a lush respite for visitors with a specially developed selection of fresh pastries that play on the Maison’s motifs. The Chocolaterie, meanwhile, showcases a delightful assortment of chocolates that once again draw inspiration from Louis Vuitton codes, packaged in emblematic boxes.

Finally, in the gift shop, visitors can browse items developed with an exclusive LV DREAM design, along with a selection of small leather goods, accessories, fragrances, and publishing.

Conceived for Parisians and tourists alike, LV DREAM builds upon previous exhibitions that have explored the Maison’s history of collaborations. Here, imagination and creative output become an experience for all to discover.

Opening date: 12th December 2022
Location: 2 rue du Pont Neuf – Paris 1er (former Belle Jardinière department store)
Opening hours : Monday to Sunday, 11am to 8pm
Free admission to exhibition upon reservation via Louisvuitton.com
Free entry without reservation to «Maxime Frédéric at Louis Vuitton» and gift store

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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Prada announces the seventh installment of the Timecapsule NFT Collection. On December 1st, in celebration of the festive season, there will be an exclusive holiday drop of a gender neutral sweater along with a gifted NFT.

The latest NFT drop is #36 in the Timecapsule collection. Reimagining the traditional holiday themed sweater, the primary colours will be red and white, with black stripes visible on the bottom and on the cuffs. The Merino wool sweater is made with a special Norwegian jacquard knitting technique, while the PRADA logo and DECEMBER lettering featured on the sweater are made with an embroidery technique.

As with previous drops, Prada wants to continue to offer exclusive opportunities for their Web3 community. Timecapsule NFT holders will have the opportunity to gain access to exclusive events and experiences including invitations to special events such as Prada Extends and Prada Mode, which are held around the world. NFT holders from the first six drops will be in with an exclusive chance to attend Prada Extends Miami on the sidelines of Art Basel 2022. Earlier this month, previous NFT holders had the opportunity to attend the eighth iteration of Prada Mode, a traveling social club that provides members with a unique art experience along with music, dining and conversations, which featured an installation by artist Damien Hirst in Dubai.

Registration for Prada Extends Miami is available within the «Experiences» section inside the Prada Discord Channel. All information on the RSVP process is shared with community members on the Prada Discord Channel.

The Timecapsule drop is an online monthly event that takes place on the first Thursday of every month. Limited quantities of the Timecapsule Collection products are made available for 24 hours. Each limited-edition Timecapsule item has its own unique serial number (limited to 50 pieces) and is prepared for delivery with custom packaging. By purchasing the Timecapsule, customers will be able to redeem the related NFT. With this process, Prada maintains consistency and harmony between the exclusivity of the Prada Timecapsule and the rarity of the corresponding NFTs.

Each NFT includes the drop serial number and the serial number for its accompanying physical item, so there is a direct relationship between the physical and virtual products. NFT owners are eligible to participate in exclusive benefits and experiences, as well as gain priority access to future drops.

Prada Timecapsule NFTs are issued on Ethereum infrastructure, offering a secure and user-friendly experience. The Aura Blockchain Consortium provides the underlying NFT solutions and technology.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: ©Prada
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You know the Christmas season is around the corner when brands start to show up with their festive collections. This season, I was invited by MAC Cosmetics for the launch of Bubbles & Bows at Kraftwerk in Zurich. The evening was such a great success with lots of magical surprises from a drag queen’s live act to dancers performing in big plastic bubbles.

As the name and packaging suggests, the MAC Cosmetics Bubbles & Bows party kits and limited edition make-up are festive and fun – and very sparkly, too. The collection is not only a perfect holiday gift, but also a treat for yourself. With everything you need to create a custom going-out look this winter, from glowy eye creations and signature fluttery lashes, to bold festive lip shades, the magic will be all yours thanks to the legendary cosmetic brand. In stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
#MACHoliday #MACBubblesAndBows @MACCosmeticsSwitzerland
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Named «The Diamond», Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2022 is designed by long-time friend of the hotel, Sandra Choi for Jimmy Choo, and realised by set designer Simon Costin.

This magnificent sculptural creation is crafted from reflective mirrors and accented with light which pulses and undulates. The diamond has long been a special icon in the world of Jimmy Choo with Sandra often dreaming of what it would be like to step inside one – therefore the tree is created for guests to actually enter and stand inside to take in a magical and shining, diamond-refracted space. The tree is finished with a giant, glittering bow topper – a nod to one of the key design themes of the brand’s winter collection.

«Claridge’s is a London icon. The perfect blend of glamour and decadence – great things happen at Claridge’s. There’s a magic energy as you enter the doors that’s contagious, from the warmth of the staff to the discreet buzz of guests in the lobby. And at night the hotel invites you to party. Claridge’s is a London jewel, it’s multifaceted, like the diamond that inspired our tree, like Jimmy Choo.» – Sandra Choi

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Claridge’s ©/ Darren-Gerrish
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One more look from the Maldives. I just love this. The colors blend in so nicely with the beautiful island that is the postcard perfect backdrop.

My look: Ascu cropped open-back one-shoulder ribbed linen-blend top by Jacquemus, crystal-embellished stretch-mesh midi skirt by Alessandra Rich, cutout acetate butterfly sunglasses in shiny black smoke by Fendi, open-toe platform-sole sandals, and long silver floral earrings, both by Gucci, black bikini bottoms with white piping by CHANEL, Palmette crystal-embellished suede cross-body bag by Christian Louboutin, and Oyster Perpetual 36 with a turquoise blue dial by Rolex.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht taken by Munko at Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands
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Breaking news! Today, GUCCI announced that Alessandro Michele is exiting the House after nearly eight years with the brand. The Roman designer was hired by Tom Ford and worked than after Frida Giannini before taking over the helmet himself. With his maximalist vision, he changed the look of fashion and brought colorful looks to the runway. Unexpected color combinations, animals such as tigers, lions and bees were his favorites.

The Hacker Project, 2021

Michele had a flair for rule-breaking hookups. There was the F/W 2021 Hacker Project with Demna of Balenciaga, a Kering «colleague» and then a year later he collaborated with adidas collab. However, the brand was hit during corona and numbers haven’t been on the rise recently. GUCCI seems to suffer from brand fatigue.

Gucci x adidas, 2022

In a statement GUCCI CEO Marco Bizzarri said, «I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet Alessandro at the end of 2014, since then we have had the pleasure to work closely together as Gucci has charted its successful path over these last eight years. I would like to thank him for his 20 years of commitment to Gucci and for his vision, devotion, and unconditional love for this unique House during his tenure as Creative Director.»

S/S 2023 Welcome to Twinsburg show.

Alessandro Michele said: «There are times when paths part ways because of the different perspectives each one of us may have. Today an extraordinary journey ends for me, lasting more than twenty years, within a company to which I have tirelessly dedicated all my love and creative passion. During this long period Gucci has been my home, my adopted family. To this extended family, to all the individuals who have looked after and supported it, I send my most sincere thanks, my biggest and most heartfelt embrace. Together with them I have wished, dreamed, imagined. Without them, none of what I have built would have been possible. To them goes my most sincerest wish: may you continue to cultivate your dreams, the subtle and intangible matter that makes life worth living. May you continue to nourish yourselves with poetic and inclusive imagery, remaining faithful to your values. May you always live by your passions, propelled by the wind of freedom.»

Personally speaking, I felt that GUCCI has become kind of arrogant lately. Its loyalty towards people who have been supporting the brand since a very long time has kind of disappeared. Let’s hope that the there will be a new prosperity in all ways, also on a human level as I love the brand a lot!

Thank you, Alessandro, for all the magic!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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Last night, I got spoilt by CHANEL. The French Maison had staged its Cruise 2023 Paris – Monte Carlo collection in an amazing setting at Galerie Gmurzynska for me. As I hadn’t been to the show that took place in May on the pebbled beach in Monaco, it was a great opportunity to browse and try all my favorite looks from the runway before they will be officially in stores.

Inspired by the Formula One, CHANEL was heading a destination that is an integral part of its history, Monaco. It was a beautiful nod to Gabrielle Chanel who had built her villa La Pausa in 1929 on the heights of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, and also to the late Karl Lagerfeld, who loved to visit in the summer, from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, at La Vigie, his famous villa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

The collection? Imagining the luxurious and cosmopolitan beach lifestyle of the Côte d’Azur, as well as the Grand Prix and the ballet that Monaco is so famous for, Virginie Viard came up with some kitsch Formula-One inspired fashion (my favorite part of the show – the first jumpsuit in red and white is to die for), embroidered baseball caps, black-and-white swimsuits, glamorous sequins and ensembles in breezy crochet.

The accessories were playful and fun. Enjoy the photos to explore more.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © CHANEL
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Maldives memories… the clear turquoise waters, the white beaches of the Indian Ocean paradise are a magnet for anyone with an interest in marine life. There is a lot to do and on the other hand, there is nothing to do. The Maldives is a haven of peace, quietness, solitude, and relaxation. Something I absolutely needed.

However, as the scenery was so stunning, I booked a photographer to shoot some amazing outfits. While staying at the Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands resort, we had moved one day to a water villa where I shot this vibrant look overlooking the ocean. Personally speaking, the composition of these photos might be one of my favorites of all time.

My look: Manosque tiered taffeta maxi dress by Jacquemus (S/S 2020 «Le Coup de Soleil» Collection), pink high-heel platform mules by Versace, Baguette leather wallet on chain in pink by Fendi, toy choker necklace, and gummy bear hoop earrings, both by Balenciaga, and DiorSignature B1U cat-eye acetate and gold-tone sunglasses by Dior.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht taken by Munko at Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands
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