Sandra‘s Closet

I am writing you today from Milan where I am guest of OMEGA for a very special experience with Nicole Kidman whom I met already two years ago in Vienna at the Swiss watchmaker’s “La Nuit Enchantée“. When OMEGA invites you, you are always spoilt to something very special.

Last year, I flew to Shanghai for just one night to meet OMEGA’s long-time brand ambassador George Clooney (since 2007) for an evening of celebration. The award-winning actor and producer was part of a star-studded event where OMEGA showcased its new Seamaster Aqua Terra timepieces.

“Le Jardin Secret” – or the secret garden – was set up in Shanghai specifically for the event, providing the perfect atmosphere for the exclusive celebration. And the stars were not only the dazzling OMEGA timepieces on display and the celebrities on the guest list. An innovative, transparent roof on the venue allowed us a clear view of the celestial stars in the night sky.

During the night, George Clooney spoke about how his relationship with OMEGA began: “My father wore an OMEGA watch for many years. When I began working with the brand, I called my father to tell him the great news. He told me his OMEGA was in the attic and after finding it, he wound it up and it still worked. I gave it to OMEGA and they were nice enough to fix it up for me and I was able to give it to him for his birthday. I have a long, long history with the brand.”

Shortly after a welcome speech by Stephen Urquhart, President OMEGA, the lights dimmed and a short but powerful film was screened, focusing on the remarkable work done around the world by Orbis International, an organization supported by OMEGA and which is committed, with its Flying Eye Hospital, to delivering high-quality eye care to some of the world’s remotest regions.

Later in the evening, Dr. Hairong Cai, an ophthalmologist who works for ORBIS, talked about some of the medical treatments the organization had provided to two Chinese children. To the delight of the audience, the youngsters were escorted to the stage by George Clooney.

After granting her wish and dancing with the younger of the two girls, George Clooney removed the OMEGA De Ville Hour Vision Annual Calendar he had been wearing and autographed its strap and its presentation box. The watch was auctioned off later in the year and all of the money raised went to Orbis to support the remarkable work it does.

The evening concluded with a performance by popular French singer France Owlle.

Enjoy some more of my favorite moments of the night:

A warm welcome by lovely Raynald Aeschlimann, Vice President and International Director of Sales, Retail and Distribution at Omega.

A funny anecdote. OMEGA’s photographer looked like a copy of George Clooney…!

Stay tuned for more coming up! I am truly looking forward to tomorrow’s celebration with Nicole Kidman.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Omega and © Sandra Bauknecht

Miley Cyrus returns as the iconic VIVA GLAM‘s spokesperson with two surefire hits: a super-sexy bright orange LIPSTICK (CHF 28.00) and a coordinating LIPGLASS with sparkling pearl shimmer (CHF 26.00).

This limited edition M∙A∙C Viva Glam Fall 2015 Miley Cyrus collection will be exclusively available at all M·A·C counters and www.maccosmetics.ch from September 2015.

Every cent of the selling of those two products goes toward helping women, men and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. For more information click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of M∙A∙C Cosmetics

Sandra’s Closet is very proud to be the first one to announce the launch of the new Swiss based label “BRAND OF SISTERS“. The entire project is the brainchild of two visionaries, Martina Vondruska and Barbara Portaluri.

Martina Vondruska and Barbara Portaluri

The two brunettes had a fantastic idea, merging a fashion label with a social enterprise. The shared vision of the two founders is to combine the world of luxury together with the rough reality of most of the less fortunate «Sisters» around the world.

HALF OF EVERYTHING THEY MAKE GOES TO SUPPORT GIRLS AND WOMEN’S CAUSES AROUND THE WORLD. THAT IS 50 % STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE AND THE PROMISE THEY MAKE.

Brand of Sisters‘ first non-governmental organization (NGO) partner is Girl Rising – a global campaign for the improvement of girl’s lives through the power of education. Let’s believe in sisterhood where giving back and making a difference and caring for each other all come together. Shopping and helping others in one, what could be better, ladies?! So let’s have a look at what Brand of Sisters has to offer.

The new label invites the most desirable established and emerging designers to produce beautiful, unique and highly covetable pieces for their collections, launching their line with an iconic debut scarves collection from Italian designer Gabriele Colangelo.

Gabriele Colangelo with me

Some of you might remember his innovative designs from a previous post when Gabriele came to Switzerland for the opening night of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich 2013.

The first collection of 15 scarves is now available online HERE. Here are some of my favorites:

Scarf «Jason Martin»

Scarf «Fog in the Woods»

Scarf «City Lights»

Brand of Sisters believes in sisterhood where giving back and making a difference and caring for each other all come together. So let’s help them to make this great idea a huge success! Enjoy your virtual shopping spree and share their wonderful website and their powerful message.

Happy Thoughts Sisters!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Brands of Sisters/ © Daniel Reiter, © Sandra Bauknecht

For the fourth consecutive yearn CHANEL takes part in the “Only Watch” charity auction in favor of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. On November 7th, 2015 in Geneva, this unique piece will be up for auction. Before that, it will travel around the world, debuting during the Monaco Yacht Show, from September 23 – 26, 2015, followed by stops in Hong Kong (2-5/10), Beijing (9-12/10), New York (17-20/10) and London (24-27/10).

Why is this watch unique?

Since the birth of the House, exceptional savoir-faire has always been at the heart of CHANEL creations. MADEMOISELLE PRIVE collection pays tribute to watchmaking arts and skills such as enamelling, engraving, setting and marquetry, but also to the artistic crafts of couture.

To enhance these exceptional timepieces, CHANEL has called on the services of Maison Lesage, the guardians of a rare and precious expertise of embroideries. Mademoiselle Chanel loved the delicate elegance and subtle milky colour of the camellia, making it her favourite flower. This symbolic flower is gracefully reinterpreted in this unique model.

Fruit of an exquisite collaboration with Maison Lesage, the camellias are embroidered here with silk and metallic threads and natural pearls. This exceptional piece is hand-stitched in a highly delicate display of precision and refinement.

Technical description

CHANEL, Mademoiselle Privé for Only Watch
Unique piece manufactured in Switzerland.
« Mademoiselle Privé » watch in 18-carat white gold set with 140 brilliant-cut diamonds (~ 1.49 carat).

18-carat white gold case (37.5 mm) set with 60 brilliant-cut diamonds (~ 1 carat). Beige silk dial hand-embroidered with camellias made with 3 natural pearls, silk and metallic threads. 18-carat white gold hands. 18-carat white gold case-back. White satin strap. 18-carat white gold ardillon buckle set with 80 brilliant-cut diamonds (~ 0.49 carat). High precision quartz movement off centered at 5 o’clock. Water resistance: 30 meters. Wished Price: 40 000€

A true object of desire!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

La Roche-Posay Switzerland supports a great fundraiser together with the Theodora Foundation and you can be part of it. All you have to do is post a selfie with your favorite product of the brand on Instagram with the hashtag #yougivesmiles or download directly to the La-Roche Posay homepage. For every picture posted until March 31, 2015, one Theodora artist will visit a sick child in the hospital and give him or her back a smile.

So whip out your smartphone, overcome your fear of selfless, grab your favorite La Roche-Posay product and join the fun. Don’t forget any participation conjures a smile on a child’s face!

Here you see mine! I love their Eau Thermale that delivers the freshness of spring water to your face every time you need it during the day! And one tip, it makes your makeup last longer if you spray it after your application in the morning…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Roche-Posay and © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day and this year’s theme is MAKE IT HAPPEN which represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater efforts to tackle gender inequalities issues that still affect societies all over the world.

Launched for the first time in 1911, organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women’s groups, corporations and the media celebrate this special day, specific to their local context and interests.

Therefore, Net-à-porter will donate 20% of all profit made today to the UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality! Shopping for a good cause, I like! TO SHOP PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Here are some of my favorites of the month:

1 Braided leather sandals by Gianvito Rossi
2 Hendrix crepe and cotton-twill peplum top by Peter Pilotto
3 Laser-cut glossed-leather tote by Alaïa
4 Candy leather sandals by Saint Laurent
5 Slim fringed appliquéd leather tote by Marni
6 Suede skirt by Gucci

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Net-à-porter

Miley Cyrus is the new face of M∙A∙C‘s Viva Glam campaign. Every cent of the selling of the two products below goes toward helping women, men and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. For more information click here please.

Lipstick
Viva Glam Miley Cyrus
Hot Pink (Amplified)
CHF 28.00

Lipglass
Viva Glam Miley Cyrus
Hot Pink with Sparkling Pearl
CHF 26.00

In Switzerland available from February 2015 at all M∙A∙C counters and online at www.maccosmetics.ch.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of M∙A∙C Cosmetics

Great news for all fashion and art lovers! CHLOÉ has teamed up with contemporary arts organisation Studio Voltaire for a limited-edition collection of ready-to-wear that is on sale at a new Mayfair pop-up shop (upstairs, 39 to 40 Albemarle St Mayfair, London W1S 4TE), House of Voltaire, from now until December 20, 2014. Founded in 1952 by Gaby Aghion, Chloé has always encouraged and supported emerging creatives and innovative female talents, offering them a nurturing environment in which to express their ideas.

Clare Waight Keller, Chloe Creative Director and Joe Scotland, Studio Voltaire’s Director

Therefore it seemed all natural that Chloé’s creative director Clare Waight Keller recruited three female artists – Cao Fei, Karen Kilimnik and Jenny Saville – to create bespoke pieces for this special fundraising initiative. Established in 1994, Studio Voltaire was designed to support and promote both emerging and established artists, providing them with spaces to create as well as display their work.

But you don’t have to make it to London, you can also shop those limited edition pieces exclusively online at NET-A-PORTER.COM.
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My favorite piece: Crystal-embellished crepe gown by Chloé + House of Voltaire

1 Broderie anglaise cotton top
2 Broderie anglaise cotton shorts
3 Silk-jacquard scarf

4 Dilan suede tote

“For the first time, NET-A-PORTER is offering customers around the world the chance to invest in a piece of contemporary art, whilst supporting a worthy cause,” explained the online shop’s buying manager, Ben Matthews. I couldn’t agree more… what a lovely collaboration!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chloé and House of Voltaire, © David M. Benett/Getty Images for Chloe

When Tommy Hilfiger approached me to work together on this special project, I was immediately hooked. The American brand’s continued support of Breast Health International for the eight consecutive year marks the launch of a new limited-edition handbag. As my own mum suffered from breast cancer and fortunately fought this horrible disease, I know how hard this phase of life can be for the patient but also for her family. Buying this fantastic bag means: “Building awareness, raising funds and making a positive impact on the lives of women who are affected by breast cancer around the world,” as Tommy Hilfiger states.

The limited-edition handbag will retail for €299, and €100 of each sale will go directly to the Fund for Living. This global BHI initiative assists women with breast cancer by covering costs or addressing unique problems associated with their care that are not commonly covered by health insurance programs, such as transportation to a medical appointment or childcare during treatment.

The 2014 BHI campaign features no other than award-winning actress Naomi Watts photographed by Patrick Demarchelier. The handbag is available exclusively on tommy.com and in select Tommy Hilfiger stores around the world starting today.

For the social media campaign, I was asked to show the content of my bag. I truly love the different very useful features of this versatile fashionable companion such as many pockets, a keychain with red, white and blue tassels, a detachable tan strap that allows for use as a shoulder bag.

Here is what I in general carry around with me on a daily basis: Something to read like L’Officiel Switzerland, my iPad and iPhone (don’t you love my new Vanity mirror iPhone 5 cover by Moschino?!), a notebook by Smythson and my pen by Montblanc, a pair of sunglasses, credit cards and some cash, my make-up pouch filled with lipgloss, blush and a powder for quick retouches and of course my little Leica with which I capture all those moments I share with you on my blog.

I was asked to donate one item from the content of my bag and I would like to give this beautiful necklace with a key charm by Patrizia Pepe as a mojo. In the end of the social media campaign, one breast cancer patient gets the bag filled with little surprises from all around the globe.

Shopping for a good cause. Ladies, I am asking you what can be better?! Please help to support Tommy Hilfiger’s wonderful initiative and let’s all walk around with this must-have bag!
TO SHOP, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger and © Sandra Bauknecht

Today I would like to introduce you to the New York based premier environmentally friendly fine jewelry line MONIQUE PÉAN that is known for its one-of-a-kind designs, avant-garde style and unique materials, including sustainable fossilized woolly mammoth and walrus ivory as well as dinosaur bones.

Fossilized Woolly Mammoth And Opal Drop Earrings

Partnering with artisans around the world to support traditional craftsmanship and cultural heritage, MONIQUE PÉAN, founded in 2006, strives to raise awareness of art, culture and global environmental issues through design. Proceeds from the sales contribute to global philanthropic organizations such as charity: water, which provides clean drinking water and basic sanitation to people in developing nations.

Fossilized Woolly Mammoth And Black Guatemalan Jade Ring

In 2009, Péan was one of the recipients of the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award, and won the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award for Accessories that same year. Péan was raised in the Washington D.C. area and holds a B.A. in Philosophy, Political Science and Economics.

White Diamond Step Baguette Cuff

Now, you have the chance to pre-order her exclusive Resort 2015 line until August 26, 2014 for which she embarks on an archeological expedition with these most rare gems featuring prehistoric fossils. Conflict-free diamonds shine bright in the sleek settings that bring new meaning to modern relicts.

One Of A Kind Fossilized Woolly Mammoth And Dinosaur Bone Necklace

To pre-order, just click on the highlighted text below the photos to be transferred directly. Enjoy those rare treasures!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Monique Péan