Sandra‘s Closet

As announced in yesterday’s post, today is World Oceans Day, the United Nations day for celebrating the role of the oceans in our everyday life and inspiring action to protect the ocean and sustainably use marine resources. We can all do something for the environment. Even if you are not close to an ocean, you can make an effort to keep your local shores clean. This also works around Lake Zurich. Don’t forget, small acts can make a huge impact.

Today, in honor of this special day, I am wearing a look from Mary Katrantzou‘s beautiful Mary Mare collection. This shell print couldn’t be a better fit.

As the LA MER Blue Heart mission will donate $25 to the LA MER Blue Heart Oceans fund for each public post that will use #LaMerBlueHeart and #LaMerDonation together, I will surely post a picture to Instagram. The power of the sea lives within us all. Therefore I kindly invite you to also share your connection with the Earth’s ocean…

My look: Mary Mare Firenze shell-print linen midi dress by Mary Katrantzou, matching trainers in orange shells by Superga x Mary Katrantzou, Valensole raffia hat by Jacquemus, embellished woven straw tote by Rosie Assoulin, silver necklace with shells by Prada, and cat-eye marbled-acetate sunglasses by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

A decade ago, LA MER made a promise to come together in support of the ocean. Being entirely committed to protecting marine habitats around the world in in hopes to ensure future flourishing seas for generations to come, LA MER launched the BLUE HEART OCEANS FUND to further the brand’s initiatives, which help support ocean conservation efforts around the world. This year, LA MER is funding organizations that focus on educating future generations by empowering them to become change agents in their local communities.

It is a success story. In the past 15 years, LA MER has donated over $5 million and has helped to support the protection of 16 million miles of unique marine habitats across the globe.

Each year, the luxury brand presents a new jar for its hero product, the famous and iconic Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream, that deeply soothes and moisturizes to help heal dryness and leave skin looking naturally vibrant. The packaging for the 2020 Limited Edition Blue Heart Crème de La Mer is characterized by a shimmering hand-painted watercolor drawing inspired by the rippling waves of sparkling seas. The limited edition is available now for CHF 500 (100ml). Important to know is that buying the product has no impact on the donation.

If you like to participate in the the LA MER BLUE HEART mission and I would love to encourage you to do so, post a picture on Instagram (your profile needs to be public) using both hashtags, #LaMerBlueHeart and #LaMerDonation. LA MER will donate $25 for each post, up to $550,000, to the LA MER BLUE HEART OCEANS FUND to support its youth awareness projects on ocean conservation.

In the journey to protect the living connection we all have to the ocean, we know that even small acts of participation can make a huge impact. Tomorrow is World Oceans Day – stay tuned for my post dedicated to preserving our environment.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of LA MER and © Sandra Bauknecht

Today I would like to introduce you to an amazing digital contest and charity project powered by MSGM, the Italian fashion brand founded in 2009 by Massimo Giorgetti: LOGOS FOR THE FUTURE. MSGM’s followers are called to design an original logo graphic and to post it on Instagram with the hashtag #LOGOSFORTHEFUTURE, tagging @MSGM.

Massimo Giorgetti himself will select the 5 best logos, which will be featured in a limited edition capsule collection, soon to be launched on MSGM’s selling channels. Great news is that 100% of the collection profits will be donated to Save The Children Italia, to fund their campaign helping children in need of material and educational support following the Covid-19 emergency.

Winners will be asked for a high-res 300dpi+ scan or vectorial file for their logo submissions and will receive a €1000 gift card to spend on MSGM.it. Entries will be accepted until June 15, 2020.

I immediately decided to take part in this competition and designed a few logos that are inspired by childhood memories and the vibrant colours MSGM stands for.

Good luck!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MSGM and © Sandra Bauknecht
#LOGOSFORTHEFUTURE

Today’s post is for a good cause, tonight taking place exclusively on Instagram (@thedigitalcarpet), I will wear one of my favorite gowns ever. The Digital Carpet is a live event and everyone can join. No matter where you are, it starts at 7pm sharp and will be a moment of virtual escapism and fashion fairytale mirroring iconic red-carpet moments. Choose a dress code, get ready, send your look and donate to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

For my dear readers, here is my look beforehand. A red stunning gown created by LA-based fashion designer Monique Lhuillier. The daughter of a French diplomat always admired the lavish gowns her mother and other stylish guests would wear to high-profile events, moving her to create her eponymous eveningwear label. Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift and Emma Watson are all fans of the intricately detailed and expertly crafted silhouettes.

My look: Embellished one-sleeve tulle gown by Monique Lhuillier, gold bar clutch bag by CHANEL, gold red crystal scared heart earrings by Dolce & Gabbana, and leather platform pumps by Gucci.

I hope that I will get to wear this gown soon on a real red carpet though and don’t need to wait for Christmas …

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
Location: The Dolder Grand #thedigitalredcarpet #stylesolidarity
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

As much as I love fashion, I love medicine. The only reason why I didn’t become a doctor was that I didn’t want to wear a white coat every day and have short nails. I know it sounds superficial but it is true! During my law studies, I took a few semesters of forensic medicine because I was so interested.

Therefore I was absolutely fascinated by The Prada Group‘s latest commitment to support PROTEGGIMI with the aim of exploring the role science plays in contemporary society. This research project dives into male susceptibility to Coronavirus. Clinical data suggest that COVID-19 affects men more seriously than women: San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, supported financially by the Prada Group, will investigate the role played by male sex hormones in this imbalance.

San Raffaele Hospital in Milan

Coming on the back of the «Human doctors, warrior patients» project, a partnership with the Gianni Bonadonna Foundation to develop innovative cancer treatment and research, the initiative not only coincides with a period of global health crisis – researching why the pandemic predominantly affects men – but also reflects Prada’s forward-looking, original research, which seeks to foster dialogue between neuroscience and culture.

Prof. Andrea Salonia

The PROTEGGIMI project, developed by the San Raffaele research hospital in Milan and coordinated by urologist and andrologist Prof. Andrea Salonia, director of the San Raffaele Urological Research Institute and a lecturer at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, will seek to explain the disparity in the impact of COVID-19 on men and women and to assemble a European register of epidemiological data on COVID-19, broken down by sex. The project will also involve various research groups from Italy and across Europe.

According to the latest data, men account for 66% of deaths from COVID-19 in Italy – a percentage that rises as the age bracket gets younger – and they are also more likely to require treatment in intensive care, accounting for 82% of all admissions in the Lombardy region. Sex hormones, and testosterone in particular, could explain this disparity, at least in part.

«It is crucial to be able to examine separate data for men and women», Prof. Salonia explained, «if we are to understand whether testosterone levels are linked to the severity of the illness, and to assess any long-term impacts on the overall health of men who have recovered from the virus. We hope this research will produce its first results in the next few weeks».

Personally speaking, I am really looking forward to seeing the outcome of this research.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Prada

Fashionable face masks are in my opinion a very good thing. We need to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and not everyone owns the materials (or has the seamstress skills) to make their own. We should all be focused on keeping ourselves and our communities safe; and the less time we spend in judgment of the way others achieve that, probably, the better.

Instead of investing in the newest lipstick (unfortunately nobody is going to see this for a while), you might consider getting a face mask with cool patterns or create one yourself as I did. I used those CHANEL camelia stickers and the ribbon you get when you buy something at CHANEL. I have always kept them and now they serve a wonderful purpose. Scroll down to see me wearing it.

I want to underline that those masks presented in this post aren’t medical grade, so they can’t be used by healthcare professionals, but they will make us feel more beautiful and will make grocery shopping more fun while protecting yourself and helping others.

My dear friend and fashion designer Natasha Zinko came up with another great idea and is now retailing those upcycled reusable face masks from fabric leftovers from previous collections. 50% of each sale will be donated to Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
The hospitals covered are Charing Cross, Hammersmith, Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea, St Mary’s and the Western Eye.

TO SHOP THE FACE MASKS IN DIFFERENT COLOR AND FABRIC COMBINATIONS BY NATASHA ZINKO, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Please don’t want to bash those who enjoy looking cute while self-quarantining and social distancing. People are different and if it benefits their mental health, let them be. I am finding joy and some normalcy in those little things, dressing up makes me happy. Therefore I am continuing to inspire you on a daily basis. Thank you for your support!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Natasha Zinko and via Vogue
Disclaimer: Masks to be worn as a fashion accessory, no medical use has yet been proven.

Today, I would like to introduce you to my dear friend Erica Pelosini Leeman. If you don’t know who this bundle of energy is, then you’ve been sleeping under a rock. Being an extroverted Italian stylist, editor and creative director who’s contributing regularly to Vogue and other high-end fashion titles, she has been traveling constantly around the globe for fashion shoots and all sorts of glamorous events. As her hectic life has come to a halt this year due to the corona crisis, she took this unique opportunity to reflect and channel all her amazing energy towards creating something that can make staying at home a bit more pleasant: THE SURVIVAL BOX.

Erica Pelosini Leeman

SLEEP, EAT, RESET, HEAL and REPEAT – that is the motto. Survival Box’s goal is for everyone to be strong and survive this unique and challenging time and also to help families and children in need along the way! By buying a box not only are you gifting yourself some amazing goodies but you are also helping to further Erica’s mission of providing essential items and basic food to children and families in need deeply impacted by Covid-19.

Our lifestyle before the corona virus: Erica and I together on a yacht for the fragrance launch of Tom Ford Lavender Extrême in Gordes, at the De Grisogono Gala during Cannes Film Festival or celebrating Mary Katrantzou and her fantastic S/S 2020 show in Athens.

Erica, do you miss all your travels at the moment?
I would never have thought I would say this, but actually NO! However, I am of course missing my family in Florence but I am very happy that they are all safe in quarantine in our country side house with our  horses and dogs!
Just before everything started I was traveling nonstop, in one month I had been to Aspen 5 times, Milano, Florence, Germany, Paris, LA, NY, St Barth’s. First I thought, I hap planned to stay in the Caribbean but I got scared I couldn’t go back to California where I’m now super happy to be! For once home with my husband and my dog!

You HAVE so much energy. How does your day look like during quarantine?
You know me well! After spending some time organizing my closet, bags, shoes by colour (something I NEVER thought I would have time to do in my life), learning how cook something more elaborate than my green juice in the morning, almost getting a sun burn at my pool, I took some time off to think, about my friends and everything that is going on in the world at the moment. This was the point, when I decided to invest all my energy towards something good, to keep my friends healthy and strong but at the same time to help others that really need our support! There are so many innocent families affected by the corona crisis due to school closures, financial problems or domestic violence.

This was exactly when the idea of «the survival box» came to my mind, to pamper while staying at home, a box filled with many goodies that support everyone’s well-being and health.  We already got requests from hospitals to have the boxes delivered as a treat for their doctors and nurses. This made me so happy, to know that «the survival box» can also be a treat for those angels that are working on the frontline daily for all us.

How did you choose the products for the survival box? Did you know most of them before or did you go on a virtual «treasure hunt»?
I’m a total freak when it comes to health and well being. In my free time, I have always loved researching the best vitamins, workouts, super food, hair and beauty products. I literally put all this knowledge in my project so that everyone can boost their immune system while being at home and make quarantine a little bit more enjoyable so that we will all glow once this crisis is over. Everything to stay healthy, strong, hydrated, informed, styled, fit, and energized, you can find in the box !

From eating clean with Gr8nola’s charcoal gluten free granola, to chilling and getting some good sleep with Ouai Miracle Chill Bath Pills and glowing skin with Shea Marie’s new skincare line «The Feelist», to my favorite detox Sorate green tea, one of the best sources of antioxidants; then you can train with celebrity-obsession Body By Simone workouts, and get advice on how to age gracefully with Naturium Retinol cream and go-to kick Vitamin C from Vital Proteins. You will also get the ultimate clear skin routine from Zitstika, the perfect way to style your hair while at home with Mermade hair and advice from the experts in health, wellness, fitness, food, and beauty at C Magazine.

What is the first thing you will do once this quarantine time is over?
I have many amazing projects on hold that I hopefully can reveal then. But so far, I truly wish that I will be able to spend the summer with my family as this has always been our tradition.

SLEEP, EAT, RESET, HEAL and REPEAT – that is the motto. Survival Box’s goal is for everyone to be strong and survive this unique and challenging time and also to help families and children in need along the way! By buying a box not only are you gifting yourself some amazing goodies but you are also helping to further Erica’s mission of providing essential items and basic food to children and families in need deeply impacted by Covid-19.

30% of all the proceeds will be donated to charity. Furthermore, a 10% discount will be applied if you would like to gift a box to the amazing doctors, nurses and health care workers at the hospitals. A much well deserved treat after a long shift at the frontlines. And great news is – THE SURVIVAL BOX ships internationally.

As Erica says: «We are all in this together. Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay home.
BEING KIND IS COOL!»
Thank you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © THE SURVIVAL BOX – Instagram:@survivalbox.co and @ericapelosini

Celebrate upcoming Women’s International Day on March 8, 2020 in style and shop these limited edition T-shirts and clutch bags in support of Women for Women International, a charity that helps females affected by war across the globe. It’s a great way to support your sisterhood while looking absolutely stylish and unique.

International Women’s Day appliquéd embroidered canvas clutch by Olympia Le-Tan

100% of the profits (sale price of the product less operational and landing costs, including transportation fees, customs, duties, taxes, insurance, currency conversion, crating, handling and payment fees) from the sale of this product will go to charity.

TO SHOP THE LIMITED EDITION PIECES, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands – via Net-à-Porter
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

In response to Australia’s ongoing bushfire crisis and in addition to the Kering Group‘s $1 million AUD donation, Balenciaga has decided to release T-shirts and hoodies that feature an image of the vulnerable Australian Koala.

100% of the proceeds from the sale of these pieces will be donated to the most appropriate local conservation organization selected by the Kering Group and Balenciaga sustainability experts.

Balenciaga’s unisex Australia Bushfire Disaster Koala Hoodie and T-shirt are set to be sold exclusively from today on Balenciaga’s website.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Balenciaga and Canva

Marni renews its commitment to support philanthropic activities by promoting a charity initiative in collaboration with the OTB Foundation.

Throughout the holiday season, Marni will present a special blown glassware collection consisting of glasses, vases and bottles, which will be on sale in selected mono-brand boutiques across the globe starting from tomorrow, November 28th.

The initiative aims to support the «Future Brain» project – www.progettoheal.com – promoted by the Heal Onlus Association and dedicated to children hospitalized at the pediatric oncology department of the Bambino Gesù Hospital in Rome.

Each product is entirely handmade in Colombia through a meticulous artisanal process that requires time and care for every detail.

Through this initiative, Marni intends to promote permanent psychological assistance to young patients and their parents, through educational and recreational activities at the department.

Shopping for a good cause is a great reason to shop.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Marni