Sandra‘s Closet

Among the world’s most desirable seaside destinations, Saint-Tropez conjures cinematic village scenes and internationally renowned hospitality. For the second consecutive year, Louis Vuitton proposes a new iteration of the restaurant, Arnaud Donckele & Maxime Frédéric at Louis Vuitton, at the White 1921 Hotel, located near its historical store. Opening on May 25th and conceived as an elegant oasis under the culinary vision of star chef Arnaud Donckele and chef pâtissier Maxime Frédéric, this multi-sensory concept puts forth inspiration and discovery, from the neo-gastronomy menu to the chic and breezy ambiance where guests can experience the summer art de vivre of Louis Vuitton.

First collaborating at the Cheval Blanc in Paris, Arnaud and Maxime reunite here, renewing a combined vision that plays out like a gustative journey amidst a legendary backdrop. Situated on the famed Place des Lices, the restaurant showcases a new menu along with a colourful twist to the iconic Louis Vuitton Monogram – from the table service to the décor. Both hailing from Normandy, the chefs have created a four-hand menu that reflects a shared passion for reimagining the Maison’s long-standing savoir-faire as a dining experience that begins even before the composition of each dish. Whether a rustic yet finessed tomato tart; wild prawn with a verveine-scented sorbet; roasted chicken with oregano served with herb-infused garden vegetables and a potato mousseline, Arnaud Donckele transforms premium, locally sourced ingredients into a sensorial voyage through the Provencal and Mediterranean region.

Maxime Frédéric, meanwhile, creatively interprets classic French desserts such as a raspberry pavlova and vacherin ice cream cake that can be enjoyed from day through evening. Embracing a philosophy towards food that extends from the freshest ingredients to meticulous execution, their approach brings a lively touch to every dish and is in perfect harmony with the artisanal values inherent to Louis Vuitton.

Naturally, Saint-Tropez provides a chic yet relaxed atmosphere for the restaurant, where rattan furniture is trimmed with natural elements of macramé, and upholstery throughout features the painterly Monogram motifs in an elegant orange colour scheme from the LV By the Pool Resort collection. Indeed, the colours also hark back to the Côte d’Azur of the 70s and 80s, a return to the Golden Age of the French Riviera. Back then, orange, yellow and ochre were very much in evidence on house facades, beaches, clothing and interior design. The terrace is surrounded by greenery enlivened with signature Louis Vuitton flower accents.

With the return of the restaurant comes a new Louis Vuitton Art de la Table collection suited to the relaxed chic of Saint-Tropez. The collection will be available from May 31st. Crafted in fine, extra-white Limoges porcelain, this seasonal range of dinnerware evokes a tropical paradise awash with flowers, coral and starfish. From the principal plates to the multi-use bowls, teacups and saucers, the motif enhances the summer table setting with an enchanting flourish. To accompany the Art de la Table collection, tablemats are also proposed and sold in limited edition in Louis Vuitton stores.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these raffia tablemats are handwoven. Their classic round shape is accentuated by an orange border, echoed by a delicately embroidered Monogram Flower in the center – a perfect match with the LV Resort orange tableware collection.

The Saint-Tropez Women store is also where visitors can discover the latest Resort Collection, LV By the Pool. Near the restaurant, the offer reveals in vibrant designs enhanced with natural materials such as hand-crocheted raffia and vivid tones of coral and turquoise, across ready-to-wear, bags, shoes, textiles, accessories and more. A tiled watercolour effect defines several bag styles while key silhouettes exude a laid-back allure. To carry through the holiday and beyond, the Saint-Tropez ONTHEGO MM Raffia comes in a limited edition for Saint-Tropez. Meticulously hand-crocheted by expert artisans over three days, the bag endures as a cherished souvenir item for years to come. Tucked behind the store, a serene garden environment welcomes clients who wish to enjoy a hot or cool refreshment. Amidst lush vegetation, the seating features the tiled Monogram of the LV By the Pool collection.

Throughout the season, visitors can explore Saint-Tropez thanks to not only the Louis Vuitton Summer Resorts City Guide set, but also a customised Mini Moke vehicle. Available on request, it can shuttle guests between the Cheval Blanc Hotel, the store and other dedicated spots to seize on all the unforgettable summer moments.

Arnaud Donckele & Maxime Frédéric at Louis Vuitton
Hotel White 1921
Place des Lices – 83990 Saint-Tropez – France

Opening Hours:
From May 25th to June 1st –12:30pm – 10:30pm (lunch & dinner upon reservation on www.louisvuitton.com)
From June 1st to October 8th – 3:00pm – 10:30pm (dinner upon reservation on www.louisvuitton.com)

Louis Vuitton Women Store
Louis Vuitton Saint-Tropez
48, rue François Sibilli – 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
Opening Hours: From Monday to Sunday, 10:00am – 8:00pm

Louis Vuitton Men store
Louis Vuitton Saint-Tropez
53, rue François Sibilli – 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
Opening Hours: From Monday to Sunday, 10:00am – 8:00pm

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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After the Belgian fashion designer Dries Van Noten has decided to step down as creative director of the brand that bears his name at the end of June, leaving behind an admired and successful business, a body of work that remains inspiring and distinct, his designs have been on even higher demand.  I love this stylish, yet comfortable look from the S/S 2024 collection that I am wearing in this post on the Commonwealth Avenue in Boston.

Tomorrow, I will be on my way to the US again… any idea where I will be heading to?

My look: Checked crepe T-shirt, and jacquard-knit straight-leg pants, both by Dries Van Noten, Petite Malle H27 bag, all by Louis Vuitton, Kurillos chain-embellished leather pumps by Manolo Blahnik, and oval-frame gold-tone and acetate sunglasses by Celine.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Anouk Bauknecht
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I have always been obsessed with the designs of Victoire de Castellane. This summer, she offers a fresh take on the Milly Carnivora collection with new fine jewelry designs that pay homage to Milly-la-Forêt, Mr. Dior’s beloved garden.

Embellished with colorful lacquer and imbued with the atelier’s savoir-faire, the whimsical flowers celebrate Mr. Dior’s passion for nature and the creative director’s artistry. She has dreamed up bewitching flowers and gave life to fantastic blooms, lacquered in colorful hues, sprinkled with diamonds or precious stones.

A signature tonique by Dior Fine Jewelry’s Creative Director, lacquer is meticulously applied by hand and accented by gold and diamonds to complete the color palette of this extraordinary herbarium. It is just one more way this reimagined line embodies Dior savior-faire.

Necklace CHF 31.000, Earrings CHF 18.500, Ring CHF 19.500
I am in love…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior
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On our last evening at the beautiful One&Only Kéa Island Resort, we enjoyed a wonderful farewell dinner at the hotel’s Atria restaurant hosted by Net-à-Porter and YSSO, the London-based, Greek jewlery brand that I told you more about in the previous post.

The table setting with olives and green hues was once more breathtaking and the rising full moon made the scenery completely poetic. The dress code said «Greek Chic». Alexia Karides, who co-founded YSSO with her mother, explained us a little bit about her inspiration and limited-edition collaboration with the brand.

We received the iconic Flower Bud earrings as a gift. A blooming flower, captured in sweeping gold arches, the earrings depict the light and energy stored within a flower bud before opening.

An amazing trip – a huge thank you to Iona and her team –  for all these magic moments and memories to take home.

You can shop YSSO online at Net-à-Porter here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © Sandra Semburg
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While being with Net-à-Porter at the new One&Only Kéa Island Resort, I discovered an interesting Greek London-based jewelry brand, called YSSO, which is celebrating craft, design and heritage.

Founded in 2020 by the mother-daughter duo, Alexia and Stalo Karides, who share the vision of modern jewlery with ancient beginnings. Combining their unique experiences — Stalo is an archaeologist and art historian with over 30 years experience in jewellery making and Alexia is an ex-corporate lawyer turned brand creative director — the two creatives tap into their Greek heritage to design organic and sculptural pieces, each handcrafted and completely unique.

«I AM PROUD TO WORK EXCLUSIVELY WITH ARTISANS IN ATHENS, GREECE WHO USE AGE-OLD JEWELLERY MAKING TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICES TO BRING OUR DESIGNS TO LIFE.» – ALEXIA KARIDES

MODERN GREEK DESIGN
YSSO is a celebration of balance and harmony; ancient and modern. Their work is defined by the rich history and natural beauty of Greece. Drawing inspiration from the home country’s diverse landscape — they are incorporating elements from the sea, mountains, and flora — and partner exclusively with Athenian workshops in order to highlight traditional Greek jewlery making and goldsmithing techniques.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN PRACTICES
Craftsmanship is at the very heart of the brand. They work exclusively with a workshop in Athens dedicated to preserving Greece’s goldsmithing and traditional jewlery making techniques. By taking a more considered approach, they aim to reduce the significant risks and challenges posed by mass production to the survival of artisanal skills and to the planet. YSSO jewellery carries on the stories of craftsmen and the knowledge passed down for generations. Each piece is as unique as the hands that made it. They also prioritize the use of recycled and locally-sourced materials in addition to employing environmentally conscious production techniques.

With Alexia Karides inside the shop at the One&Only Kéa Island

One&Only Kéa Island partnered with YSSO on an exclusive jewlery collection, paying tribute to Kéa’s rich heritage and landscape. Taking design inspiration from the island’s reverence for acorns, a symbol of fertility, renewal, and new beginnings; with elements of rope motifs, a nod to nautical lifestyle, and «tetras» coins representing the four ancient city-states of Ioulida, Korissos, Karthaia and Piiess.

A limited-edition collection handcrafted at YSSO’s Athens workshops and sold at the hotel’s boutique.

YSSO NOTTING HILL
If you are in London, you can discover YSSO at a 3-week summer pop-up on Ledbury Road.
79-81 LEDBURY ROAD, W11 2AG
4 JUNE – 24 JUNE, 2024

You can shop YSSO online at Net-à-Porter here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © YSSO
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As part of its partnership with UNICEF*, Louis Vuitton presents its new 2024 Silver Lockit collection, created in collaboration with House Ambassador, Millie Bobby Brown, who is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. She models the designs from this year’s collection, which once again illustrates Louis Vuitton’s tireless commitment to this global humanitarian organisation in its efforts to help the world’s most vulnerable children.

As with earlier editions, this collection features the emblematic miniature Lockit engraved with the word ‘LEARN’. This term is particularly meaningful to Millie as it shines a light on her actions to raise awareness of children’s rights and well-being, always advocating for a better world where children can grow, learn, be protected and thrive. For the first time, a full collection is proposed, consisting of an individual earring, a bracelet, and a pendant. The bracelet comes in four colours this year: red, blue, pink and black, and the pendant is redesigned with a longer chain. All products of this 2024 collection are engraved with the word ‘LEARN.’ The Silver Lockit, silver bracelet and necklace, from the permanent collection are still available.

«I am very proud to be a part of this project and to contribute through the design of this new Silver Lockit collection, which also supports an organization that’s incredibly dear to my heart. It’s my wish to ensure all children are provided access to an education.»

– Millie Bobby Brown

Louis Vuitton has raised more than $22 million for UNICEF since 2016 through sales of the Silver Lockit collection, which features new editions every year. For every Silver Lockit bracelet purchased, $100 is donated to UNICEF, and $200 are donated to UNICEF for every Silver Lockit earring and new pendant purchased.

The new edition will be available in stores worldwide as of 30th May 2024. The campaign for this new Silver Lockit collection will be revealed on the Louis Vuitton social channels starting 31st May 2024.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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*UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.

This week, I followed Net-à-Porter‘s invitation to Greece for a so-called Aegean Escape at the new One&Only Kéa Island Resort, that will officially open its doors in June 2024. Honestly, I cannot wait to share all these fabulous moments with you. Let me get started with the Aquazzura Alfresco Lunch at Bond Beach Club on the second day.

The setting featuring lemons and tableware from Aquazzura Casa was breathtaking and I matched the yellow striped decor without knowing. On display was the beautiful new Aquazzura Riviera collection, that is exclusively available at Net-à-Porter.

Inspired by Mediterranean summers and La Dolce Vita, we enjoyed a beautiful lunch in an amazing setting on beautifully embroidered linens in an array of joyful patterns and vivid colors. I cannot wait to show you every moment of this trip. Thank you to the wonderful Net-à-Porter team for spoiling me rotten!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Aquazzura
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Be seduced by the vibrant atmosphere of the Aquazzura summer collection celebrating your favorite holiday destinations: a colorful, sunny, fruity selection that will make you dream of fashionable adventures.

You can choose between tote or clutch bag. Each is decorated with beads in a geometric pattern featuring the Mediterranean destination at the center, and made from raffia in a structured shape outlined in leather trims. Team it with the matching slides that will be a beautiful addition to your warm-weather wardrobe.

Whether you’re traveling to Ibiza, St. Tropez, Sicily, Mykonos or dreaming of making the trip, this collection will immediately boost your mood.

THE COLLECTION IS EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT NET-À-PORTER.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Aquazzura
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The internationally acclaimed artist and photographer and my neighbor Michel Comte has created the exclusive MC Eyewear eyewear collection in collaboration with the innovative Zurich eyewear store  Optiker Zwicker. A connection rooted in a random encounter in a vintage shop to a long-standing passion for unique eyewear,  the joint venture sets new standards in design and individuality – a true testament to Comte’s lifelong dedication and the traditional expertise of Optiker Zwicker.

Michel Comte with me in his atelier

Comte, who photographed icons such as Louise Bourgeois, Miles Davis, Jeremy Irons and Karl Lagerfeld, was 18 years old, when he had his first custom made glasses at Optiker Zwicker. After meeting Yves Saint-Laurent for the first time at Kronenhalle restaurant in Zurich, he was immediately drawn to the designer’s eyewear that immediately after, Michel Comte designed his first pair of glasses and had them made by the oldest optician in Zurich. Since then, Comte has created his own pairs of glasses at different places and at different times.

Michel Comte: «Today I’m back in my hometown and am lucky enough to be working with optician Zwicker – where it all began – and launching a special eyewear collection.The glasses in this new collection are for people who want to make a statement. They are for everyone who knows that glasses not only improve vision, but also underline their personality.»

The MC Eyewear eyewear collection currently includes three models: Nearco, Luna and Bianca – each named after important figures in Comte’s life. Nearco was his racehorse in the 1970s, Luna was his dog while living in Los Angeles, and Bianca, his Himalayan cat, was named in honor of social and human rights activist Bianca Jagger. Further designs are already being planned. Each frame is designed in Switzerland and carefully made from acetate in Germany in Wissing. The frames can be worn as both optical glasses and sunglasses. The cost of a model is around CHF 1,250.

The MC Eyewear collection is now available exclusively at Optiker Zwicker am Paradeplatz in Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Michel Comte / Optiker Zwicker and © Sandra Bauknecht
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But(t) there is always another side to the story … :-).
I love the collaboration between Jean Paul Gaultier and KNWLS, the south London based brand designed by Charlotte Knowles and Alexandre Arsenault. The epic pieces fuse the disruptive femininity and fierceness of the UK-based label with the punk rebellion, grit and glamour of the famous French couture fashion house.

My look: Shearling-trimmed leather vest, printed mesh turtleneck top, and printed mesh flared pants, all by Jean Paul Gaultier x KNWLS, Aevitas leather platform ankle boots by Versace, elephant mini crystal-embellished suede shoulder bag by Loewe, gold aviator sunglasses by Chloé, JUSTE UN CLOU bracelet in rose gold with diamonds, LOVE bracelet SM in white gold, LOVE bracelet SM in yellow gold with 10 diamonds, LOVE bracelet in rose gold with 4 diamonds, and CLASH DE CARTIER bracelet SM in rose gold, all by Cartier, and Coco Crush bracelet in yellow gold by CHANEL Fine Jewelry.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Felicia Sewerinsson @feliciasewerinsson
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