Sandra‘s Closet

One week ago, the 14th Zurich Film Festival opened with the European premiere of director Peter Farrelly’s drama GREEN BOOK, that for the first time in the festival’s history led to standing ovations. Farrelly and Academy Award® nominee Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) attended as honored guests.

My look: Vintage eagle plaque shoulder bag and vintage eagle earrings, both by Chanel, button-embellished tweed gown by Balmain and platform sandals by Alaïa.

After the screening, the after party took place at Globus Bellevue. Partying in a store is always a great experience…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
© Schweizer Illustrierte / Olivia Pulver and © Getty Images / Andreas Rentz

Last Wednesday, I was invited to the opening of FRED SEGAL at GLOBUS in Zurich. The iconic store, founded in 1961 on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles (click here for a previous post about shopping in the City of Angels), that became the heart of L.A. pop culture celebrated its debut in Switzerland and Europe. Now the famous mix of fashion, design, lifestyle and art is available at Lintheschergasse 7 and online. No need to fly to the States or Japan anymore. Let yourself be inspired and check out the young and contemporary selection from designers like CLUT GAIA, EACH x OTHER, BAN.DO, TATA HARPER or ROCHAS.

My look: Leopard-print jumpsuit with peplum detail by Stella McCartney, Ark small acrylic clutch by Cult Gaia, patent-leather pumps by Miu Miu, and tasseled clip-on earrings by Oscar de la Renta, rose diamond necklace and rose diamond ring, both by Piaget, cuff by Chanel, and «So Real» sunglasses by Dior.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Globus and © Sandra Bauknecht
#GlobusLovesFredSegal

Last night, I was invited by JELMOLI to celebrate the opening of their contemporary fashion department on the second floor that features brands like Peter Pilotto, Jonathan Simkhai, Diane von Furstenberg, Rochas, Alexandre Vauthier and Koché among others.

The event was very unexpected and a real experience. Check-in began on the street in front of the department store (queue was shockingly long), then we boarded open-air buses and were driven to the underground delivery station below JELMOLI where the fashion show and party took place. A very successful and fun night.

Quick stop at the LA MER counter at JELMOLI before the event with a friend for a luxury treatment session that I can only recommend.

My look: Fringed printed cotton and silk-blend jersey dress by Loewe, embellished woven straw tote by Rosie Assoulin, ankle boots Kole by Chloé, bi-colour chain necklace by Prada, cuff by Stella McCartney, rose diamond ring by Piaget and faux-pearl tassel earrings by Oscar de la Renta.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

«Every trip is experienced three times: when you dream it, when you live it and when you remember it.»

Last week, I attended the FALCONERI show in Verona, which took place at the Calzedonia Headquarter. The group auditorium turned into a real airport for the event, transporting us – the audience – into the waiting atmosphere of the departure.

Amazing atmosphere before the show.

Front row with my German colleagues: Annette Weber and Viktoria Rader, both of Glamometer.

The music started and the models walked, some accompanied by dogs, next to treadmill baggage, suitcases trolleys and chairs reminiscent of a boarding situation. A beautiful journey through the new F/W 2018 color palette of the brand which goes from neutral beige and grey to colorful hues of pink, lilac, sky blue and turquoise. The collection is perfect for travelling and everyday life, comfortable but stylish, modest but luxurious. Perfect looks to fly to the destinations where FALCONERI is present today, such as Milan, Rome, Moscow, Athens, Munich, Vienna, Bern and now opening Lisbon.

The collection is divided in three parts:

• «Natural Performance» is dedicated to sportswear, as cashmere meets the active world.
• «Knitwear Lovers» is for the customer who is looking for warmth and softness in comfortable sweaters and coats to wear both, day and night.
• «Orient Express» celebrates Asian elegance by presenting coats and jackets with natural textures and kimonos in precious paisley fabrics. The most trending part of the collection.

On the men’s runway, there were lots of noble and sophisticated materials for sweaters and warm, enveloping jackets – a modern and dynamic look for today’s jet-setting connoisseur, a new concept of clothing created for all situations from daily commitment to leisure time.

Located in Avio, Trentino region, FALCONERI was acquired in 2009 by the Calzedonia Group. In 2013, the production has been brought back to Italy. Since 2014, thanks to the cutting-edge Shima Whole Garment technology, the brand can directly produce a complete item without seams.

For more information about FALCONERI, I invite you to visit the brand’s homepage.

After the show, lovely Elena Ciuprina sketched me in my FALCONERI outfit. What a beautiful and fun memory. Then, it was time to kiss and fly back home to Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Falconeri and © Sandra Bauknecht 

«The story of La Mer is one of hope, healing, and one man’s deep respect for the power of the living sea.»

Dear readers, let me invite you to my home to discover the hero, the icon, the original moisture miracle by LA MER.

In the beginning of September, I hosted a lovely intimate dinner with LA MER at my house for my dear friends. The evening was filled with everything we as women like – from discovering skincare products to sharing beauty secrets, from great conversations to playing games. Under the eye of a sea god with great abs, real mermaids were swimming in the pool while we enjoyed lots of PERRIER-JOUËT bubbly and a four-course gourmet meal.

A huge thank you the LA MER team – pure women power!
From left to right: Quynh Arguello, Jasmin Aziz and Maike Kiessling with me.

During dinner, Quynh and Jasmin gave us a lovely insight into the journey of the famous cream that began when Dr. Max Huber suffered burns in an experiment gone awry. Scientist by day, star-gazer and dreamer by night, he hoped to unlock the legendary healing powers of the sea he held so dear.

Living by the ocean, he was constantly inspired by marine life, especially the extraordinary, self-regenerating properties of giant sea kelp. Eventually he created his own method of unlocking potent activity from such pure ingredients, using the power of fermentation, an art that works like alchemy. Perfected over 12 years, after nearly 6,000 experiments, this transformative process finally produced the iconic cell-renewing Miracle Broth™ by using light and sound energies to amplify activity. The elixir that soothed his skin still flows through every LA MER product today.
Every time the Miracle Broth™ is created, it all begins with a starter drop from the previous batch – the unbroken link to Dr.Huber’s very first Crème de La Mer.

I am truly a LA MER fan. I like that the fact that I don’t need to worry about finding the right product. It is one cream, available in different textures and accompanied by additional products such as body care must-haves, serums, masks and more. Here I am explaining my addiction to the brand’s self-tanning lotion.

As I am having very dry skin, I love to indulge in the original texture of the Moisturizing Cream. For those who will try it for the first time, don’t forget to warm the product between your fingers before you apply it. If you prefer a lighter texture, I recommend using the Moisturizing Cool Gel Cream or the Moisturizing Soft Lotion.

During dinner we were able to try many different LA MER products and even enjoyed a fish sabayon served in the famous white jar.

On display was a preview of this month’s launch: to celebrate Crème de la Mer’s transformative touch, a vintage edition is available now featuring one of the brand’s earliest jar designs.

After dessert, the ladies were invited around the pool to chance their luck by playing «Message in a Bottle». Our lovely sea god fished them for us. Each of us was gifted with a little note and three even got some extra surprises.

It was a beautiful summer night filled with laughter and fun. A huge thank you to LA MER for this beautiful idea and to all my lovely girlfriends for coming!

LoL, Sandra

All Photos: © André Hengst – www.on-eyes-photography.ch
#LoveLaMer www.lamer.ch

Last Thursday, KARL LAGERFELD & REVOLVE celebrated the launch of  the «KARL LAGERFELD X KAIA» collection with an exclusive event hosted by Cindy Crawford’s supermodel daughter Kaia Gerber at the REVOLVE Social Club in Los Angeles with over 200 international influencers and special guests. The highlight of the night was a performance by Kaia’s best friend and singer Charlotte Lawrence and the opening of the «KARL LAGERFELD X KAIA» pop-up shop which is still open today from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.at the REVOLVE Social Club.

Kaia at the launch event dressed in pieces from the «KARL LAGERFELD X KAIA» collection.

An embodiment of the Los Angeles-chic, style-savvy consumer, REVOLVE Clothing is the premier online multi-brand retailer of premium millennial fashion with a collection of more than 500 of the world’s most coveted established and emerging brands in women’s and men’s designer apparel, shoes and accessories.

Late night performance by Kaia’s best friend singer Charlotte Lawrence

Guests included Kaia Gerber, singer Charlotte Lawrence, Presley Gerber, Larsen Thompson, Will Peltz, Larsa Pippen, Amanda Steele, Draya Michele, Jen Atkin, Brittany Sky, Madison Pettis, Raissa Gerona and Michael Mente. Fashion influencers included Desi Perkins, Lottie Tomlinson, Sophia Smith, Rachel Lindsay, Mary Lawless Lee, and more.

The «KARL LAGERFELD X KAIA» collection is exclusively available now at Karl.com und Revolve.com. Starting September 14, 2018, the limited-edition pieces will also hit the stores.

LoL, Sandra

Beautiful siblings: Kaia and Presley Gerber at the event.

Photos: Courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld

Last night, I attended the opening celebration of BREITLING‘s newly designed boutique, situated in a prime location on Augustinergasse in Zurich. During this dazzling, high-profile red-carpet event, VIP guests and customers were treated to a cocktail party and dinner, followed by a concert performance by Swiss pop star Baschi. A full-scale mock-up of a Breitling Jet Team aircraft in front of the boutique caught the eyes of passersby, who took the opportunity to be photographed with the impressive flying machine.

#SquadOnAMission – Me surrounded by the Swiss Air Force’s Patrouille Suisse elite aerobatic squadron at the Breitling opening.

BREITLING CEO Georges Kern was joined at the opening event by an impressive roster of special guests, including former World Cup Alpine ski racer, Winter Olympic gold medalist, and pilot, Dominique Gisin, multiple Ironman champion and duathlon specialist Ronnie Schildknecht, celebrated Swiss chef René Schudel, Breitling Jet Team leader Jacques Bothelin, and members of the Swiss Air Force’s Patrouille Suisse elite aerobatic squadron.

With Breitling CEO Georges Kern at last night’s opening.

Georges Kern was excited about introducing Breitling’s new industrial-loft point-of-sale concept in Zurich, one of the brand’s home towns: «Our redesigned boutiques respect Breitling’s long heritage, but they do so in a stylish, contemporary environment. It is essential, as a global brand, to have a significant presence in key cities around the world. We have already launched flagship boutiques in Beijing and London, and today we are opening our doors to a new generation of Breitling enthusiasts in the country where the company was founded in 1884.»

Breitling’s newest brand ambassador, internationally renowned model Ronja Furrer, was also in attendance along with her boyfriend singer Stress.

Redefining industrial-chic luxury, the boutique’s interior space is divided over two floors. On the ground floor, Breitling’s watches are presented in vitrines and display cases whose design reflects the urban-loft ambience.

Upstairs is a bar and lounge area where visitors can escape from the hustle and bustle of the city just outside the boutique’s doors and enjoy a drink while exploring some of Breitling’s iconic collections.

Ronnie Schildknecht, Breitling CMO Tim Sayler, Jacques Bothelin and Dominique Gisin at the boutique opening.

Along with Adrian Bindella, CEO of Zett-Meyer, Steven Biedert, Breitling’s Brand Manager in Switzerland, and the brand’s celebrity guests, Georges Kern cut the ribbon, officially opening the Breitling Boutique Zurich.

Following the boutique opening, guests enjoyed cocktails an «unplugged» concert performance by Baschi, one of Switzerland’s most popular musicians. The singer arrived in style on a motorcycle created by iconic British brand Norton, one of Breitling’s partner companies.

The mock-up of the Breitling Jet Team aircraft – with its imposing dimensions (a height of 12.3 meters and a wingspan of 9.46 meters) – attracted attention throughout the event. It served as a stage for Baschi’s concert, and also provided a perfect photo opportunity.

A great night with a lot of fun, thank you, BREITLING, for having me!
Stay tuned for the outfit post coming up soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images for Breitling
© Getty Images

Yesterday evening, I attended the Zoofäscht 2018 – one of the highlights of Zurich’s social calendar. The black tie event takes place every second year and collects money to support the Zurich Zoo. This time, CHF 500.000 were raised for the new «Lewa Savannah» that will host giraffes, zebras, rhinos and ostriches. After 60 years, the giraffes can finally return to Zurich.

My look: White mink shrug by Prada, Zhenya cutout metallic bandage gown by Hervé Léger, printed metallic leather box clutch by Dolce & Gabbana, Bianca metallic elaphe sandals by Saint Laurent, crystal and pearl-embellished drop earrings by Miu Miu, Tonda 1950 Clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier, diamond bracelet and ring, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

All professional photos by David Biedert Photography and via Schweizer Illustrierte
All others © Sandra Bauknecht 

Let’s Play!

Yes, play! Because playing means being together, because it’s a way of learning about ourselves and others, a way of letting chance have its say, of both controlling and letting go. Because it is joyous, jubilant even. Because play reshuffles the pack. Because play is movement, freedom, imagination, fantasy, seduction, lightness. Where there’s play, there’s hope! But yes! After all, don’t players form a kind of alternative society? Doesn’t play itself form the outline of an utopia? Could we create, could we invent, could we even just imagine if we didn’t play? Certainly not at Hermès in any case, where our first comrade in play was the horse. Who knows, maybe that is the secret of our longevity. For a hundred and eighty years, this house has never stopped playing.

Pierre-Alexis Dumas
Artistic Director of Hermès

Mid June, I flew to Paris as guest of HERMÈS (those who have been following me on Instagram have already seen many photos and impressions), to celebrate the Maison’s theme for 2018 which is «Let’s Play», evoking emotions of whimsicality and playfulness. Each year has a theme that celebrates the French iconic brand’s vision and creative direction. As Pierre-Alexis Dumas said: «This year, Hermès is inviting you to play. It is meant to encourage people to break down barriers, let loose and have fun.»

With Pierre-Alexis Dumas, artistic director of Hermès. Under his direction, the firm has seen its biggest growth in decades, with sales of 4 billion euros in 2014.

The story of HERMÈS’ year themes started in 1987 with the «Year of the Fireworks» to celebrate the brand’s 150th anniversary and was conceived by the late chairman and chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas. Since then, it has been a consistent feature of the brand and each year, new amazing themes take place.

Past Year Themes:
2012: The Gift of Time
2013: The Sporting Life
2014: Metamorphosis, an Hermès Story
2015: Flâneur Forever
2016: Nature at Full Gallop
2017: Le Sens de l’Objet

The concierge was announcing my arrival at the festivities.

When I was in Paris, HERMÈS turned the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild into a «Play House» and  interpreted the game in all its forms: board games, optical illusions, televised games, charade games, casino, and a musical quiz, just to name a few things that played with our senses that night.

When I arrived, I was greeted by my name by the concierge in the courtyard. Two sphynx-inspired ladies portraying the famous woman-headed lions of greek mythology were guiding us through the hallway up to the playrooms.

The dress code said «overdressed with a sense of humor» and everyone came up with the most amazing, hyper-elegant, extravagant, quirky looks.
It was definitely worth putting some effort in your outfit as the French brand spared no expense in showing its company theme «Let’s Play» by transforming the location into an immersive fun fair. Games were everywhere besides champagne and yummy food, both in the living rooms on the ground floor and the first floor. At each game, there were actors to explain the rules, to bring them to life, to hand out little nuts…

This Hermès Fantasy was equipped with all of the elements you could possibly imagine: from a wheel of fortune to roulette, from an area where you could play «sit and run» to skittle dog.

«We are a traditional company of craftsmanship and a creative company of today,» noted Hermès CEO Axel Dumas. Even he – a sixth-generation scion of Hermès founder Thierry Hermès – isn’t immune to the brand’s playfulness.

With Axel Dumas, CEO Hermès

Stay tuned for the detailed outfit post to follow about my playing cards-inspired look and enjoy more impressions of this fantastic night below.

LoL, Sandra

Time to play…

Get lucky or die trying

Skittle Dog!

Spin the wheel!

So much fun to play musical quiz.

Closet life: posting live from the event.

A huge thank you to Françoise Garnier, Hermès Switzerland, for inviting me and for taking all the photos! We had such a great time together.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Hermès

Last month, I flew to the Cannes Film Festival, and spent some amazing days there. Those who have been following me on Instagram have already seen a sneak preview of my experiences. One of them was a private dinner hosted by Charlotte Casiraghi to present her first jewellery collection with Montblanc, so called «Les Aimants by Charlotte Casiraghi».

Needless to say that the location, the magnificently modern Villa La Favorite, was just perfect for this intimate gathering. The Côte d’Azur is the home of the monégasque royal family, so of course Charlotte had an idea what the most suitable party venue could be. Guests from within her circle of family and friends, as well as models Toni Garrn, Cindy Bruna and French actress Virginie Ledoyen enjoyed a first look at the new jewellery collection on the terrace of the magnificent Belle-Époque property while sipping a glass of champagne.

Left: MAN RAY (1890-1976) Nancy Cunard, 1927
Right: The new jewelry collection «Les Aimants» by Charlotte Casiraghi

Inspired by a 1920s photograph of Nancy Cunard (1896-1965), the writer, heiress, political activist, and muse to some of the 20th century’s most distinguished writers and artists, who was also known for wearing stacks of large African wood and ivory bangles, the line features a range of circular charm necklaces, rings and bangles made in black and white resin. Charlotte had the concept of attraction between opposites in mind, therefore the jewelry pieces come with a magnetic silver part to enable the stacking and give women the freedom to customize versatile and contemporary styles by pairing them in a creative way.

During dinner, Parisian duo Hollydays, introduced by Charlotte Casiraghi as dear friends to her heart, performed their original blend of pop and electro music while guests enjoyed a delicious menu that was also a creative interpretation of the theme with the contrasting colours and textures.

CEO of Montblanc, Nicolas Baretzki and Charlotte Casiraghi wearing pieces from the new collection «Les Aimants»

The party continued late into the night when more guests joined the after-party… Following its Cannes debut, the new collection is now available in Montblanc boutiques globally as well as on the brand’s e-commerce.

Enjoy more photos of this beautiful night below…

LoL, Sandra

French actress Virginie Ledoyen

Festival de Cannes jury member Khadja Nin

With Nicolo Oddi, founder & CEO Alanui, at dinner

Pierre Niney and Sveva Alviti

Creative Director of Montblanc, Zaim Kamal worked closely with Charlotte Casiraghi to create the new jewellery collection «Les Aimants».

Toni Garrn

With lovely Cindy Bruna, one of my favorite VS Angels

Sisters: S.A.R. Alexandra De Hannover and Charlotte Casiraghi

Photos: Getty Images for Montblanc and © Sandra Bauknecht