Sandra‘s Closet

«Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach. Flexibility is a requirement for survival. Have the will of a tiger, the strength of a leopard, and the heart of a lion.»

I like being a cat lady. If I was an animal, I would love to be a big cat. In my world, leopard is a color. This season, the classic print has been given a serious rebranding, and has been spotted allover. The best brand to look out for animal prints is by far Dolce & Gabbana! No doubt about that.

My look: Kim leopard-print cotton-blend chenille jumpsuit, and Sicily small crystal and leather handbag, both by Dolce & Gabbana, laser-cut leather corset belt by Alaïa, Mitza ring by Dior Fine Jewellery, grooved cabochon clip earrings and Cherry leather platform ankle boots, both by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / @georgiashane
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Chen Fenwan graduated from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and currently lives and works between Guangzhou and Foshan. When she was younger, she was heralded as one of the top upcoming paper artists in China by the media. Most of her works lie in the language of paper, bringing imagination of narrative on flexible materials, usually with large scale and multi-dimensional pieces. She excels at combining her personal experience with universal memories, in which the emotional tension of collective resonance gather to communicate with a wider audience and inhabit public spaces.

Hello, Walls, 2022

Universe of Paper Cuttings 2022

Paper artist Chen Fenwan was named as one to watch by the Chinese Modern Art Archive (CMAA) in 2019. In 2022, her two in-site works Hello, Walls and Papercut on the Earth’s Window exhibit in Art Field Naihai Guangdong. In 2021, The West Lake in Vectorial Dynamic was created as a public work through solicitation. One of her Representatives Lucky Garden participates in the 2021 Chengdu Biennale Exhibition, as well as the ten-year exhibition of Zhejiang Art Museum in 2019. Infinite has been touring exhibited for 11 times from 2018 to 2021. In recent years, she has taken «symmetry» as her personal research topic, to continue to her large-scale artworks such as A Symmetrical Nature series and Jintian in Tianjin, constantly giving new understanding to stage by way of contemporary paper cutting.

A Symmetrical Nature, 2019

Jintian In Tianjin, 2021

For HUBLOT, she has created the Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon in a limited edition of 88 pieces.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chen Fenwan / Hublot
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Drawing inspiration from the traditional Chinese art of paper cutting, the Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon layers its hands, wheels and H-shaped screws to form a 3D silhouette of an eastern dragon. Hublot presents a rubber strap with a marquetry design for the very first time. Created in collaboration with the Chinese artist Chen Fenwan, this limited edition of 88 pieces is the perfect fusion of tradition and modernity, combining metaphors and symbols in the spirit of Hublot: first, unique, different!

In the Chinese calendar, 2024 marks the return of the Dragon, which comes around every 12 years. This celestial creature, revered in Chinese culture, is associated with prosperity. A symbol of luck, strength and wisdom, the dragon is also an imperial icon that embodies life and immortality. Loong is a symbol, an icon, and the universal auspicious meaning is the foundation of Loong culture. Equivalent to the year 4722 in the Chinese calendar, 2024 marks the year of the Wood Dragon. Through artist Chen Fenwan’s paper-cutting expertise, Hublot pays homage to wood through the natural fibres that form the soul and spirit of paper.

So, can you recognise what’s hidden within the dragon?
This piece is a metaphor for the ‘Art of Fusion’ and the art of continually reimagining materials and their areas of expression. A symbol of Hublot’s philosophy, the Hublot creates a different way to interpret times, through its distinctive features. The components of its pieces: hands, cogs or screws, are positioned in multi-dimensional layers to form a dragon’s silhouette created in paper cut-outs by the Chinese artist Chen Fenwan. The dragon’s head made up offive layers that alternate between hands, wheels and H-shaped screws, with a body and scales that extend onto the strap. The colours, reflect those of the paper cut-out sculpture created by Chen Fenwan.

A metaphor for the «Art of Fusion»
Celebrating the Year of the Dragon, this watch is also a metaphor for the «Art of Fusion» embodied by the eastern dragon. Also known as the Loong, it takes on the features of nine different animals—the eyes of a prawn, the horns of a deer, the mouth of a bull, the nose of a dog, the whiskers of a catfish, the mane of a lion, the long tail of a snake, the scales of a fish and the claws of an eagle. A dragon whose metamorphosis has taken place over several thousands of years. Under Chen Fenwan’s touch, this sacred animal, talisman and totem, celebrates one of the greatest cultural legacies of Chinese art: the art of paper cutting. This is a craft that originated in China around 2,000 years ago, coincinding with the invention of paper. Chinese paper cutting has been on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2009 and is used to express the moral principles, philosophies and aesthetic ideals of its creators. It is used in festivities to honour events such as weddings and births, and paper-cut decorations symbolising happiness and good luck are intrinsic to Chinese New Year celebrations.

Hublot invites Chinese Tradition into 2024 with a Hublot first: a rubber strap with a marquetry design
Hublot has invited Chinese artist Chen Fenwan to combine traditional Chinese «sculpture in the round» with contemporary art, creating a majestic and dynamic loong, which conveys an auspicious atmosphere as it rises to the heavens. This artwork symbolizes the ever-renewing totem of life. Expressing Hublot’s philosophy ‘Be First, Unique and Different. In a 42 mm titanium case, Hublot transposes the layered effects of paper cutting into a multi-level dial construction overlaying a base panel with several levels of appliqués that incirporate the aesthetic codes of Hublot’s components.The dragon’s silhouette extends onto the rubber strap, which features a rubber marquetry motif—a first for Hublot. Each of the dragon’s scales is coloured and nano-vulcanised to be integrated into the strap. This delicate decorative operation is carried out entirely by hand and takes around 8 hours per strap.

The Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon, offered in a limited edition of 88 pieces, comes with a second, titanium-grey Velcro fabric strap. This Chinese New Year celebration features an HUB1710 automatic movement and power reserve of 50 hours.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hublot
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I started the New Year well with an amazing trip to Bahrain. Situated on the Persian Gulf between Qatar and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia, to which it is connected by the King Fahd Causeway, it comprises a small archipelago made up of 50 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands, centered on Bahrain Island which makes up around 83 per cent of the country’s landmass. The capital and largest city is Manama. Here I took these pictures while strolling around. I love the juxtaposition of modernity and tradition.

In terms of dress code, it is respectful to cover your shoulders and knees. I recommend wearing a scarf in case you want to visit a religious place.

My look: Broderie anglaise belted top, and matching broderie anglaise linen flared pants, both by Zimmermann, 23P light blue quilted caviar leather small classic double flap bag, and matching 23P caviar quilted mini chain belt bag, and sunglasses, all by CHANEL, Chevaloscope scarf 90 in rose/blue/multicolore by Hermès, and Dellena 100 leather wedge sandals by Jimmy Choo.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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The Louis Vuitton initials become the emblem of a new culture of LVERS: a state of mind founded in warmth, wellbeing, and welcome-ness.

Employed in graphics and embellishments, the marque represents a culture of a diverse global community connected by a like-minded appreciation for the core values of the Maison: the discernment, the savoir-faire, and the curation of its iconographic elements. The sentiment fuels an attention to detail from the macro level of the techniques and materials of garments and accessories to the micro level of buttons, rivets and zips; each component treated with the same amount of love.

The LVERS emblem likewise nods at the slogan of Pharrell Williams’ home state: «Virginia is for lovers.» Revived from the archives, a Marque L. Vuitton Déposée logo appears throughout the collection.

The collection will be in store starting January 4th.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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Remember … you are the star of your own life! Make the most out of it! Bondage is only for fun – no one should live a life in chains. The secret to living is giving and even forgiving. What seems to be negative at first sight might end up as your biggest blessing! To a fantastic 2024!

My look: Black latex bondage gown by Christopher Kane, Kelly Pochette Cut clutch in black Swift leather with gold hardware by Hermès, large CC logo gold Goossens earrings by CHANEL (Cruise 2011), and Angel leather platform sandals by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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FaceGym‘s innovative approach to at-home skincare, Faceshot™ works as a two-in-one microneedling and liquid vitamin treatment to deliver a gentle but effective exfoliation. The device encourages skin renewal, strengthens the complexion and reveals new layers of skin underneath, while the micro-abrasions initiate the repair process. Developed with medical-grade stainless steel microneedles, Faceshot™ creates active pathways to help the AHA penetrate deeper into the skin where it’s needed to give longer-lasting results.

With FaceGym’s ‘Faceshot™’ tool you can achieve studio-standard results at home as you can increase cell turnover, giving your skin a smoother texture and tone by reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles.

TO SHOP FACESHOT™ AT 20% OFF , CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © FACEGYM
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Make a list and check it twice, you’re going to want all 14 limited edition shades from OPI’s Terribly Nice Collection for Holiday 2023. The collection embraces everyone’s inner duality with seven playful, sweet, and cheerful «nice»shades and seven bold, sexy, and provocative «naughty» hues. With a palette featuring a colorful mix of nontraditional and traditional holiday shades, Terribly Nice captures the feel-good energy of the season and allows wearers to unapologetically be themselves.

In the «nice» assortment, highly-saturated colors have a rainbow effect that’s joyful and uplifting, including metallic shades of golden cream, rose gold, and lavender. Shimmering hues of white with lilac undertones and a jewel-toned fuschia give nails dimension, while sparkly lilac glitter and deep lavender crème offer one of the season’s trendiest hues in different finishes. The «naughty» selection incorporates darker jewel tones and strong metals, including metallic shades of gray gold and warm gold, as well as a black multicolored glitter. Teal, brown, and forest green hues feature elegant shimmer finishes. The collection is rounded out with a classic red crème with burgundy undertones.

«The holiday season is a special time for people, and nails play a big role in creating that celebratory feel,» explains OPI Co- Founder and Brand Ambassador Suzi Weiss-Fischmann. «Nails are bolder during the holidays, and even have a touch of camp this season, with nail art and embellishments ranging from elegant to over the-top playful, accentuating and completing holiday looks. OPI’s Terribly Nice collection includes lots of shades packed with glitter, shimmer, and metallic tones–I’m already thinking of what festive clothes I’ll pair with these holiday hues! It’s never too early for the holiday season.»

 

Terribly Nice Collection shades will be available in GelColor, Infinite Shine and Nail Lacquer formulas. GelColor provides a salon-perfect finish with up to three-week wear, while Infinite Shine offers a high-shine finish and traditional lacquer application. Nail Lacquer features a highly-pigmented, rich formula for even application without streaking.

• Recommended retail price per Infinite Shine 15 ml: 24.90 CHF (at the discretion of retailers)
• Recommended retail price per Nail Lacquer 15 ml: 19.90 CHF (at the discretion of retailers)

Be a Little Bit Naughty and a Little Bit Nice this holiday ‘23 with OPI’s Terribly Nice Collection.. In stores now or available online here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © OPI #OPITerriblyNice #OPISwitzerland
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Gentlemen, may I have your attention. This is a fashion must: The Damier got reinterpeted by Pharrell Williams for S/S 2024 and it is f…g hot!

DAMOFLAGE / Damier meets camo
Damoflage splices the heritage Damier pattern of Louis Vuitton with camouflage in a reflection of two diverse domains of style, in simultaneous tribute to Pharrell Williams’ long-time friends in Paris.

Employed in three hues across accessories, workwear, indigo denim, pyjama silhouettes, in the intarsia of knitwear and furs, and in the jacquard of tailoring, the pattern morphs the signifier of Louis Vuitton with a defining factor in the personal style lexicon of Pharrell Williams. The outdoor sensibility of camouflage is echoed in colourised landscape motifs featured in prints and jacquards across blanket coats, blousons, pyjamas and shirting, and in coats and bags laser-cut all-over in the Louis Vuitton flower pattern.

DAMIER / Colours starting with yellow
An expression of synaesthesia, primary colours invigorate Louis Vuitton’s classic Damier chessboard graphic.
A foundational element in Pharrell Williams’ early familiarisation with the Maison, the Damier is reimagined in a series of new adaptations. An 8-bit Atari Damier motif created by the American pixel artist ET Artist digitalises the pattern.

Coloured Damier expressions appear in tailoring, pyjamas and denim. The grain of the Damier leather is interpreted in stitch-like 3-D pigment print in outerwear and tailoring. A pied de poule take on the graphic nods at the heritage men’s wardrobe, while a hand-embroidered Damier pearl decoration adorns tailoring, sportswear and workwear.

The collection will be in store starting January 4th.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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Theatrical and striking, Louis Vuitton’s XXL zippers put a fun twist on contemporary pieces. I wore this ensemble for tea time at Claridge’s Hotel in London where the Christmas tree was the perfect backdrop for this outfit.

My look: XXL Zip leather insert coat, XXL Zip tight fitting dress, and Petite Malle H27 bag, all by Louis Vuitton, studded Tan-Go platform pumps by Valentino,  gold-tone, enamel and faux pearl clip earrings, both by Saint Laurent, button-embellished metallic jacquard-knit cardigan by Balmain, and pearl necklace by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Felicia Sewerinsson @feliciasewerinsson
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