Sandra‘s Closet

Let me introduce you to LUISAVIAROMA.COM‘s charity project “PUG DOGS FOR HAPPY KIDS” an exclusive one of a kind edition of 20 pug dogs, produced by Steiff, the German leader in the production of handmade plush toys & collectables.
Each piece is customized by a selection of the most prominent international fashion designers.

All proceeds generated from the sales will be donated to UNICEF to support disadvantaged children.

For the 4th Edition of Firenze4Ever Luisa Via Roma has asked each fashion blogger to “Adopt a Pug” for UNICEF. It was pretty tough to decide which one to take as designers such as Balmain, Emilio Pucci, Giambattista Valli, Mary Katrantzou & many more have come up with some pretty amazing pieces.

Curious which one I have chosen? Let me tell you that much: I was fighting with Bryan Boy over the Mary Katrantzou one and he was winning, haha. So I went for another one that I have truly fallen in love with. Stay tuned for the upcoming unique photo shoot with my little puppy.

The toys will be on display in store throughout the following Pitti week and will subsequently be available online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Kiehl’s – Since 1851, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care was founded as a classic pharmacy in the East Village neighborhood 160 years ago.

Kiehl’s founding family established their apothecary to fulfill the individual needs of every customer who came through its doors. Assuming the establishment from Mr. John Kiehl, the Morse family nurtured their community, cared for their customers as neighbors, and welcomed every visitor to Kiehl’s as if it were home.

In doing so, Kiehl’s founding pharmacists and chemists launched a tradition of personalized service that’s become legendary. Nearly 160 years later, the magic that is the “Kiehl’s experience” extends around the world as the company continues to delight patrons with its high quality products that assure the health of their skin and hair.

Today, the family’s message endures: “We are delighted to serve you.” In honour of this tradition, Kiehl’s proudly introduces the Limited Edition New York Heritage Collection, only available for a limited time in Kiehl’s stores worldwide now.

Comprised of four historical formulations that are still customer favorites today, adorned with limited edition black and gold packaging inspired by Kiehl’s New York roots, the collection features: Ultra Facial Cream and Moisturizer, Calendula Toner, and Original Musk Oil.

Ultra Facial Cream, CHF 39.90 (50ml)
Ultra Facial Moisturizer, CHF 39.90 (125ml)
Calendula Toner, CHF 59.50 (250ml)
Original Musk Oil, CHF 76 (50ml)

Last night, Zurich Kiehl’s store celebrated its 5th anniversary with the launch of  a special limited edition I LOVE ZURICH Ultra Facial Cream by Tara LaTrash.
Proceeds from each sale will go 100% toward Swiss Aids Charity.

CHF 39.90 (50ml), CHF 75.00 (125ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Kiehl’s and © Alexandra Pauli

As a culmination of the Fashion Days Zurich, the renowned Fashion Rocks event took place on Saturday evening for the first time in Switzerland. The charity party is a combination of music and fashion, raising funds for The Prince’s Trust. Unfortunately, that fact got kind of lost during the night.

Julien Macdonald with me

Absolute highlight was the spellbinding show from Julien Macdonald. The only question that I was asking myself was: Why did the British designer, who worked for Chanel and took over the reins from McQueen at Givenchy before launching his eponymous label in 1998, showed his F/W 2011 collection that I saw and wrote already about in February (for the previous post, please click here) instead of the new S/S 2012 line? I asked him, but he avoided the answer. My guess, the F/W 2011 collection is the much better one, at least for me! But it gets worse….

The final gown on the runway presented by Swiss model Ronja Furrer was worn already by Heidi Klum to the Oscar’s but is from Julien Macdonald’s F/W 2009 collection (see photos at the end of this post)! Excuse me? Zurich might not be a fashion capital like London and Paris, but we don’t deserve this old stuff!

Thumbs down, Mr Macdonald, don’t you have anything new to show?!

Enjoy the backstage and catwalk photos! The Paul Mitchell team was in charge for the hair and the extensions. And if you are more interested in charity than old gowns, I recommend a project in Tansania that the annabelle magazine presented that night. For further information, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Kate Winslet collaborates on a limited edition makeup collection with Lancôme to raise funds for her charity, The Golden Hat Foundation. The Golden Hat Foundation helps children with autism in a number of ways. Kate’s commitment started after the realisation of an Icelandic documentary in whichthe actress tells the tale of a child with autism: “A Mother Courage – Talking Back To Autism” (also as “The Sunshine Boy”).

So when Lancôme suggested collaborating on a fund-raising limited edition makeup line in partnership with her, promising to donate €150,000 from its sales profits to the Foundation, she jumped at the opportunity: “Lancôme’s instant offer of support was a huge display of confidence and generosity and I knew it would open many doors”, Kate said.

The Golden Hat Collection is a one-off line which comprises the basic beauty staples such as blush, lipstick and nail polish – each embossed with the Golden Hat symbol and Kate’s signature, available this month.

LoL, Sandra

L’ Absolu Rouge, N°132, N°340, N°341, N°343, each CHF 44, N°001 (La Base) CHF 35

Le Vernis, N°102, N°26, N°27, N°28, N°003, each CHF 25

Blush Golden Hat, CHF 65

Photos: Courtesy of Lancôme

A new little apple from the popular DKNY collection – DKNY Golden Delicious brings aromas of apple known as ‘Golden delices’. The very warm and senseous scent has just arrived in stores.

Floral Woody Musk

Top Notes: Mirabelle Plum, Golden Delicious Apple and African Orange Blossom

Middle Notes: Casablanca Lily, Lily-of-the-Valley, Vanilla Orchid and Rose

Base Notes: Musk, Sandalwood and Teak Wood

DKNY Golden Delicious EdP 30ml / CHF 55.00 – 50ml / CHF 85.00 – 100ml / CHF 118

DKNY Golden Delicious Shimmering Body Lotion 150ml / CHF 57.00

DKNY Golden Delicious celebrates luxury and splendor. Therefore DKNY Fragrances teamed up with Los Angeles based celebrity jeweler Martin Katz to create the world’s first million-dollar fragrance bottle for the new scent.
The bottle is carved from polished 14-karat yellow and white gold and features 2,909 precious stones sourced from all over the world; a 1.65 carat Turquoise Paraiba Tourmaline from Brazil, a 7.18 carat Oval Cabochon Sapphire from Sri Lanka, 15 Round Brilliant Vivid Pink Diamonds from Australia weighing 1.28 carats, 4 Round Rose Cut Diamonds weighing 0.32 carats, a 3.07 carat Oval Cut Ruby and a 4.03 carat Pear Shape Rose Cut Diamond. Hand-placed by designer Martin Katz, these stones create a stunning skyline of New York City that is so iconic to the DKNY brand.

The DKNY Million Dollar Bottle will be showcased across the globe and then sold on October 15, 2011 for a good cause on their Facebook page. Net proceeds from the sale will be donated to the global charity – Action Against Hunger.

For my Swiss based readers, you will be able to admire the Million Dollar Apple this week at Jelmoli from September 22 – 24, 2011.
On Friday, September 23, 2011, you have the chance for an exclusive preview from 11am – 5 pm. The first five readers who will come to the event and mention the code “1 Million @ Sandra’s Closet” will get a glass of champagne and a little gift from DKNY!

Good Luck!

LoL, Sandra

Still looking for a little Easter surprise. Here are some suggestions that are perfect for those who want to declare their love within a budget or feel good when helping others.

Dodo belongs to famous Italian jewelry brand Pomellato and is definitely their sweetest collection. The dodo pendants are a happy company of animals who speak the language of feelings and emotions. Each dodo reveals a little bit of who we are and what we want to say, sending a wonderful personal message to our loved ones.

Those who look like innocent little lambs and those who pass for big bad wolves often make a perfect couple. Why not giving such a sweet little Easter lamb instead of eating it?!

Charms lamb and wolf  starting at € 115 each, earrings starting at € 364 each pair.

Gucci introduces a limited edition charity bracelet to support earthquake relief efforts in Japan.  All proceeds from sales of the bracelet will benefit the Japanese Red Cross Society to support victims of the devastating Higashi Nihon Dai-Shinsai earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March.

Featuring a white-red-white web that recalls the colors of the Japanese flag, the bracelet carries a medal with a message that reads, “Gucci loves you.” The limited edition bracelet will be available from April 23, for CHF 120. Who doesn’t want to be loved by Gucci?

Vanessa Tugendhaft has also created two bracelets to salute and support the stricken nation: Bracelet Nobless – a diamond for Japan, something to remember.

The Nobless bracelet is available in two forms at affordable prices for larger mobilisation.
– a white unbreakable thread with a central motif without diamond in rhodium silver and red enamel : CHF 69
(CHF 13 will be donated to the Red Cross)
– a white unbreakable thread with a diamond trimmed central motif in rhodium silver and red enamel : CHF 129
(CHF 26 will be donated to the Red Cross).

Available through Kids and the City, phone +41 79 768 37 23.

Enjoy your Easter weekend and Happy Spring to everyone, it is really here!

LoL, Sandra

Tommy Hilfiger launches the fifth limited edition bag in aid of Breast Health International with Renée Zellweger. The famous 41-year-old Oscar-winning actress serves as the ambassador and showed her support for finding a cure for breast cancer. She was photographed for the campaign by Alexi Lubomirski.

“Because of the experiences of close friends and family members who have had to endure and battle the challenges of breast cancer, I am a passionate supporter of breast health education and charitable causes,” Renée said in a statement. “I am honored and grateful to be partnering with Tommy Hilfiger to raise awareness and funds to support the invaluable work of Breast Health International.”

The limited-edition bag will be sold in Tommy Hilfiger flagship stores, on tommy.com as well as through specialty stores as of May 01, 2011. This year it is made from tan suede and features a subtle gold details. It retails at €299 (CHF499 / $320); for every bag sold Tommy Hilfiger will donate €100 to the Fund For Living – an ongoing global campaign initiated by Breast Health International to support those diagnosed with breast cancer

Former ambassadors of the program include: Italian actresses, Claudia Gerini and Cristiana Capotondi; France’s first lady Carla Bruni and international supermodel-turned-acclaimed-photographer Helena Christensen. Ms. Christensen returned the following year as part of the creative team to photograph fellow supermodel Milla Jovovich for the fourth edition of Tommy Hilfiger’s limited edition BHI bag.

Definitely worth supporting! Thank you, Tommy!

LoL, Sandra

Every little girl like shoes and loves to walk around in mummy’s heels.

Therefore I have fallen in love with these little kids sandals by Lelli Kelly. The tiny heel is so cute. The straps are interchangeable and come with bows, flowers and logo.

Today is my little girl’s birthday and I am sure that she will be over the moon with her new shoes. Available in Zurich at Lolipop, for all other countries, please visit the brand’s homepage.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Now that the royal wedding is right in front of us, the princess trend is very big. In London, the epicentre of royality and the perfect fairytale setting to study the art of being a princess, this dream can come true for 7 days when signing up for the Princess Prep camp, an elite programme for girls age 8-11.

Eight little ladies are accomodated in a luxury flat in the heart of Kensington & Chelsea. All meals are served by a butler. Each day a real life princess (historical or living) is discussed and the girls have lessons in traditional etiquette. They visit the theatre and do volunteer work with a Royal Charity.

Professional US/UK staff, including trained night-nannies (not unlike Mary Poppins), meet the girls at the airport and supervise them 24 hours a day.
Session tuition is $3995 per princess (excl.flights).

If you like to enroll your daughter, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Jimmy Choo has collaborated with the Dynamo Camp to create the design for a limited edition pair of shoes.
With the help of the amazing creativity of the children at The Dynamo Camp, the limited edition snake skin peep toe sandal is vibrantly coloured and comes with a leopard printed lining.

The renowned Italian illustrator, Beppe Giacobbe, worked with the children to create and paint their shoe by telling them a story about a very special shoe brand that offer the most beautiful shoes in the world for the stars of stage and screen. The excited kids created 14 different imaginative designs of which one was selected and has been produced for sale as a special limited edition which will be available to purchase at Milan, Rome and online at www.jimmychoo.com.

100% of the profit from the sale of the limited edition shoes directly benefitting the charity. (To learn more about the Dynamo Camp, please click here.)

Shopping for a good cause! Two thumbs up!

LoL, Sandra

The American actress and singer and her two-year-old twins, Max and Emme, star in a special ad campaign for Gucci Kids that was shot in Malibu by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.
Gucci donated $1 million to UNICEF and $50.000 to Jennifer’s charity, the Maribel Foundation, which focuses on medical care for women and children worldwide.

The fashionable trio looks so adorable on the beach. Jennifer wears pieces from the absolutely gorgeous Resort 2011 collection. The theme of Frida Giannini’s cruise creations is “stylish travel“. Working with a neutral palette of khaki, rust, and army green, the designer also included elements of the equestrian world. This collection is super-wearable with a bit of military and a lot of urban cool. The safari looks present the sexy attitude and glamour Gucci is known for.

It is not surprisingly that I couldn’t resist. One of my favourite pieces is the military green silk jumpsuit. I rolled up the legs and teamed with some vintage Gucci sandals and a vintage Ralph Lauren belt. The  long 70s inspired earrings are from Chanel Cruise 2011.

Moreover, I truly adore the brand’s iconic saddle-printed silks in dégradé, a dip-dyed hem. The printed silk-crepe mini skirt (see below) had to be mine. I already wore it with a greige sweater by Stella McCartney, a patchwork Chanel bag and my beloved suede overknees by Gucci, all from F/W 2010. This is a great way of working your new cruise pieces into your winter wardrobe.

The Gucci resort 2011 collection is available now at Gucci stores or at www.net-à-porter.com.

LoL, Sandra