Sandra‘s Closet

Every fall, the Zurich Film Festival takes place and provides a platform for the most promising filmmakers from around the globe. It aims to promote exchange between emerging directors, successful film workers, the film industry and the general public by showing the year’s greatest discoveries and most anticipated films.

Wearing a black Monique Lhuillier gown and Christian Louboutin shoes and bag.

I attended the opening night of the 18th Zurich Film Festival that kicked off at Zurich Convention Center with the European premiere of the inspirational Netflix production THE SWIMMERS. The film was presented personally by director Sally El Hosaini and actor Matthias Schweighöfer. The President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis, who had just returned from NYC, emphasized the unifying effect of cinema on people and set the mood for the 11 festival days with his speech.

The cast of THE SWIMMERS as well as the real Yusra Martini on stage at the opening night.

I can absolutely recommend watching this amazing movie that tells the true story of sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini, both talented swimmers, who were forced to flee the civil war sweeping their native Syria in 2015. They make the dangerous crossing to Europe in a refugee boat. When the engine fails on the open sea, they use ropes to pull the boat behind them for hours, saving numerous lives. Once in Germany, they met a swimming teacher (played by Matthias Schweighöfer) who trained them for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

«It is not just an inspirational film that reinforces our belief in the good of people,» explained Artistic Director Christian Jungen in his speech, «With war once again raging in Europe, it is also an extremely important film of our time, because it throws a spotlight on the plight of refugees. Cinema is the medium of empathy that allows us to view the world through the eyes of others.»

The Zurich Film Festival runs until October 2, showing 146 films, including a record 38 world and European premieres with star guests like Eddie Redmayne, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sir Ben Kingsley, Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, Til Schweiger, Daniel Brühl and Iris Berben in attendance.

Christian Jungen, Elke Mayer, Matthias Schweighöfer, Ignazio Cassis, Yusra Mardini, Sally El Hosaini, Nathalie Issa, Corine Mauch, Sven Spannekrebs at the Opening Night.

If you didn’t get a chance to watch it, THE SWIMMERS will be available on Netflix from November 23, 2022. Please watch the movie, it will change the way you look at the refugee situation tremendously.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of ZFF, © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

This week, Hermès celebrated its theme of the year «Vive la Légèreté» in Zurich in an intimate celebration at Kunsthaus. The motto was translated in multiple ways into a breathtaking setup, from the airy clouds decorating the swings where you could take a photo to the dreamlike pegasus installations at the open ceiling. Yvonne Leuthard, Press & Influence Manager Hermès Switzerland, explained to me that those pieces were used at another event in Paris before. Sustainable luxury is something very dear to the French Maison.

Ease became a subject of inspiration to which creatives and craftsmen were invited to respond. Hermès has always been a house dedicated to the quality and sensuality of materials and textures. Known for its precision and artistic complicities, a plethora of its offerings feature silk, soft and light as air.

Thierry Outin, General Director Hermès Switzerland, Sara Mathivet, Store Manager Hermès Zurich, and Florian Craen, Executive Vice-President Sales & Distribution, who had flown in from Paris for the night, welcomed the guests. Dancers dressed in floral costumes performed at the cocktail reception as well at the dinner and made the celebratory event a success.

The food was vegetarian with several outstanding courses prepared by Franzoli, from a fresh herb consommé to a «fir branch» to an amazing pavlova that was presented in a shape of a mountain. The titles of the courses were very pictorial, «the lake», «the undergrowth», «the meadow», «the glacier», «the forest», and «the summit», all inspired by Swiss landscaping.

The culmination of the night was a «golden rain» from above that gave this feeling of lightness and hope. Lightness is when the everyday becomes miraculous, it is in the gentleness of a smile, the tenderness of a touch, the gracefulness of a gesture and the beauty of a night like this.

Thank you, Hermès, for having me!

LoL, Sandra

My outfit was perfectly matching the theme with my winged heels and the cloudy skirt.

The Hermès crocodile gang.

With Kim Dang from NZZ

Photos:  © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Recently, I had the honor to host a wonderful event with Patek Philippe to celebrate their wonderful ladies watches in collaboration with Beyer, the oldest authorized watch and jewelry retailer in the world. The evening took place at Atelier Peter Nitz in Zurich Niederdorf.

On my wrist the beautiful complicated watch 4948R with annual calendar and moon phases.

Women and watches. It’s complicated! In today’s world, ladies are as active as men in business, social and many other life spheres. This has obviously an affect on their style, how they incorporate fashion into their daily life. There is indeed a huge trend in women being interested in complicated watches. On display at the event were many watch models combining function with fashion. Patek Philippe is the perfect choice for women who are intrigued by complications as much as those attracted by appearance.

From left to right: Philippe Meyer, Beyer Head of Marketing, Serge Forster, Patek Philippe Boutique Manager Zurich, my humble self, Peter Nitz, and Alexandre Pouly, Patek Philippe Area Manager.

Since Patek Philippe was founded in 1839, it has been devoted to female clients. Its pocket and pendant watches, lavishly decorated with refined artisanal techniques, attracted sophisticated female customers. Queen Victoria purchased a timepiece in blue enamel in 1851 at the London Universal Exhibition. The manufacture leveraged its craft with complicated ladies’ watches, creating the first Swiss-made ladies wristwatch for a Hungarian countess in 1868. The manufacture’s first chiming wristwatch in 1916 was a ladies’ five-minute repeater.

A growing demand for wristwatches over the ensuing decades allowed Patek Philippe to demonstrate affinity with female tastes by crafting many models and collections. In 1999, Patek Philippe released the Ladies Twenty~4, which proved an outstanding success. Its unique name showing that it is the perfect companion for any time of day or night. In 2018, Patek Philippe further developed the collection with a self-winding wristwatch. The Twenty~4 Automatic: a timepiece for modern, self-confident women with its sleek elegance complements every facet of daily life.

Understanding the savoir-faire that goes into a Patek Philippe watch is mind-blowing, whether ultra thin, simple or complicated, the precision of Patek Philippe movements fitted in manual winding watches is impressive. The same goes for  the various self-winding movements with a number of high performance mechanisms. Even the quartz movements of Patek Philippe watches are built with the same high quality standards that apply to its mechanical movements. On top, from marquetry, gemsetting, guilloché, chainsmithery, and more, the specialist artistic techniques have a long and glorious history at the Swisswatch manufacture.

One of the reasons why luxury watches are typically so expensive is because the supply of many timepieces does not come close to matching the demand. The best and outstanding quality is at the core of watchmaking at Patek Philippe. You might accuse the brand of intentionally cutting supply to drive prices up, but in reality, their strategy is about keeping the value of their products high by retaining a sense of exclusivity.

During the past years, the luxury watch market has been booming and prices have been skyrocketing. Buying the right watch can be a great investment, and looking at recent auctions, the brand to invest in is by far Patek Philippe. The most expensive watch ever sold at auction worldwide is the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010, which fetched US $ 31.19 million in Geneva on November 9, 2019, and the most expensive pocket watch is the Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication, fetching US $ 23.98 million in Geneva on November 11, 2014. Until now, at least 101 watches have been sold at auction for over two million US dollars, and at least 160 watches have been sold at auction for over 1.5 million US dollars. Among the top 10 of these watches, eight are Patek Philippe watches.

Serge Forster, Patek Philippe Boutique Manager Zurich, in conversation with a guest.

If you are interested in buying a watch, I always recommend building a relationship with an authorized dealer of your choice, and accept that you may face significant waiting times to receive your dream model. Don’t forget, anticipation is the greatest joy. I am waiting myself for the Aquanaut Luce Ref. 5267-200A in olive green, see in the collage below.

Beyer Chronometrie on Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich is Switzerland’s oldest watch retailer. Eight generations of the Beyer family business have looked after the most beautiful aspects of time for more than 260 years. Since 2011, the first retailer-managed Patek Philippe boutique in Switzerland has been handled by Beyer. With a strong emphasis on tradition, you will get the best service and help in finding your dream watch.

During the event, I held a presentation about the newest fashion and watch trends that I will happily share with you to finalize your choice. Personally speaking, I have always tried to foster an understanding of the detailed craftsmanship that goes into a luxury product, be it a watch, a dress or a bag. Appreciating the work behind the product and seeing it as an investment for many years to come is sustainable shopping at its core.

That evening guests were invited to explore that leathercraft is an art form driven by a passion for exquisite materials and goods. Guided by master craftsman Peter Nitz, the ladies experienced how a tailor-made and handmade watch travel case is created. Peter and Julien explained the  process and everyone was able to try the stitching themselves. Leather crafting, just like any other skill, requires not only practice but also the correct techniques upon which to properly build those skills. Peter Nitz covers all aspects of leather crafting and leatherworking.

Julien, who worked for Hermès in Paris before joining the Atelier Peter Nitz, is explaining the first steps of the stitching process.

In his atelier you can create exquisite bespoke luxury bags and leathergoods of your own with him and his team. You can also take private lessons or participate in group courses, either as a complete beginner or experienced craftsman to learn how to create a bag. Soon, Peter will open its first store in Zurich’s Niederdorf close to his atelier where customers can explore his line of bespoke and beautifully crafted handbags.

After having heard all about the newest color trends, the ladies had a lot of fun choosing the perfect color combinations for their handmade watch travel case they were gifted with. While enjoying great food and a glass of champagne, the ladies indulged in wonderful conversations with each other. Coming back to women and watches, it is actually not  so complicated … we just want the best!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Fabrizio Vignali @iziophotography for Patek Philippe and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

10 years ago, I attended the launch event of Lancôme’s iconic «La Vie Est Belle» Eau de Parfum on a rainy day at Dolder in Zurich. This September, the French beauty house invited me again to celebrate one decade of its intoxicating notes with a fun party at Samigo Amusement. The weather was much better and the location offered all sorts of instagrammable spots and entertainment, from glitter tattoos to turning the wheel of fortune.

Until today, Julia Roberts is the face of the campaign. Her radiant personality and iconic smile symbolize the epitome of feminine grace and happiness that the scent aims to capture. With notes of Iris spring flowers, intoxicating patchouli, delicious praline and sensual warm vanilla, it is a gourmand scent. Over the years, several flankers have been launched. The fragrance is a true embodiment of Lancôme’s heritage with the «Crystal Smile» bottle, first designed in 1949 by Georges Delhomme.

Top notes: Pear and black currant
Middle notes: Orange blossom, jasmine and iris
Base notes: Praline, tonka bean, vanilla and patchouli

Life is beautiful – this was the message of the night! A beautiful event with memories to be cherished for a long time.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
@lancomeofficial #Lancome #LaVieEstBelle #MakeTodayBeautiful
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Supporting female entrepreneurship is something dear to my heart. In March I was invited to an intimate dinner to elect the 2022 Bold Woman Awardees. An invite I joyfully accepted. For 50 years, the House of Veuve Cliquot has awarded businesswomen who have built, taken on or developed a business. To date, 350 women in 27 countries have been honored. In Switzerland 18 bold businesswomen were already awarded and in 2022, there are two more.

On the 1st of September, Veuve Clicquot presented the two Swiss winners in a special ceremony at Aura restaurant in Zurich. Unfortunately, as I hosted an event for Patek Philippe that night, I couldn’t join the celebration. However I would like to congratulate the two winners:

Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award 2022:

Antonella Santuccione Chadha – WOMEN’S BRAIN PROJECT
Women’s Brain Project is a scientific organization addressing the influence of sex and gender on mental and brain diseases.

Antonella Santuccione Chadha , who is a doctor specialized in clinical pathology, neuroscience and psychiatric disorders, received the award for being her pioneering work in Alzheimer’s research. Not only is she the Chief Medical Officer at Altoida, a Swiss-American start-up company, she also founded the Women’s Brain Project with three colleagues to research the female characteristics of brain diseases. Her company received special attention with scientific publications on the gender-related differences in Alzheimer’s disease.

Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award 2022:

Fanny Queloz – ARTS & DESIGN MANUFACTURE
Arts & Design Manufacture offers exclusive artisanal creations in the realization of high-end watchmaking projects.

Fanny Queloz was recognized as a young entrepreneur, and administrator of Arts & Design Manufacture. The company in Chaux-de-Fonds was founded in 2019 and offers exclusive handcrafted watchmaking creations. The 32-year-old is committed to maintaining and developing this craftsmanship so that the company can continue to establish itself in a niche market. The relationship with her employees is particularly important to her. She works a lot with local subcontractors and strives to offer innovative materials with respect for the environment. All processed raw materials are certified, controlled and traceable in compliance with the «REACH» guidelines.

If you would like to find out more about this year’s awards and the guidelines, click here for the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Veuve Cliquot
@veuveclicquot #boldbyveuveclicquot #VeuveClicquotxWomen
DISCLOSURE: This is a paid collaboration. Drink responsibly!

Before leaving on my digital detox holidays, I attended the beautiful Hair Ritual by Sisley Paris Summer Party at the Signau House & Garden Boutique Hotel in Zurich, which is a real oasis in the city. The weather was beautiful and the garden offered the most instagrammable spots. The reason for the party was the launch of the newest addition to the Hair Ritual by Sisley Paris: the Gentle Purifying Shampoo with Java Tea extract. It gently cleanses and refreshes the scalp while instantly eliminating surface impurities, sebum and styling product residue, leaving a fresh and delicately scented trail.

We could see first hand during the product presentation on the models how their hair was left looking fresher, lighter, more voluminous, glossy, and radiating vitality.

On display was the complete product range. Another recently launched product that I can highly recommend after having tested it for some weeks now is the Restructuring Nourishing Balm. I love this «silky balm» that instantly transforms into an oil for a sensorial experience. Especially created for damaged, dry and brittle hair, this deeply nourishing pre-shampoo balm acts on the hair fibre to intensely nourish, repair and restructure. You don’t need a lot of product. It’s best used as an overnight application for an intense restorative action: instantly, the texture of the hair is visibly transformed. The hair is intensively nourished and restored and left feeling glossy, silky, and shiny.

If you need a speedy effect, you can also apply it for around 30 minutes for an immediate result. The hair is more supple, and the frizz is controlled.

Last but not least, if you are leaving for warm weather destinations, don’t forget to get the Hair Protective Fluid which forms a film that protects the hair from the harmful effects of the sun, sea and swimming pool water. The formula also contains two filters for an optimal protection against UVA and UVB rays. The colour of natural, coloured, bleached or highlighted hair is protected. More than a protector, it has a beautifying action as well. This lightweight textured spray delightfully fragrances the hair with citrus and woody notes of verbena, lemon, peach blossom and amber.

TO SHOP HAIR RITUAL BY SISLEY PARIS ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Hair Ritual by Sisley Paris
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Saint Tropez is all about the good life, it lives to the rhythm of crazy days and wild evenings. While being here in the South of France, I have barely found the time to post as one event is after the other. Many fashion brands are hosting fantastic parties. One night for example we were invited by Dolce & Gabbana to La Sauvageonne for great food, yummy Dolce & Gabbana rosé and of course lots of dancing. The dress code said «DG Savannah», so I went for this beautiful dress from the new Pre-Fall 2022 collection along with the fun leopard boots.

My look: Ruched sequined zebra-print jersey mini dress, leopard-print pointed-toe boots, Dolce embellished printed leather shoulder bag, emerald green crystal clip-on earrings and emerald green crystal necklace, all by Dolce & Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht – the photos of the look were taken on the terrace of my suite at Byblos St. Tropez
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

Celebrating the spirit of summer captured in the TB Summer Monogram collection, Burberry journeys across the world for a series of immersive takeovers in iconic holiday destinations and striking pop-up shops, among them Loulou Ramatuelle. The restaurant and beach club belongs to my favorite destinations in Saint Tropez, as it offers the best of all, relaxation, great food, and party to the fullest.

For all fashion lovers, it is also the perfect place to be as the entire summer (until September 30, 2022), deckchairs, cabanas, cushions and parasols are dressed in the emblematic beige and the coat of arms of the British brand. And then if the desire to prolong the experience takes shape, a selection of pieces for men and women is offered in an entirely dedicated pop-up, where you can indulge in a beautiful selection of silk dresses, cotton shirts, swimwear and sunglasses for an elegant summer.

Other Burberry takeovers take place in:

ANANTI COVE, BUSAN
1 – 31 JULY

TANJONG BEACH CLUB, SINGAPORE
15 JULY – 27 JULY

CASA JONDAL, IBIZA
1 – 31 AUGUST

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © Burberry
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

Right now I am enjoying my holidays in Saint Tropez to the fullest. After a very long night at Les Caves du Roy, and only 3 hours of sleep, I pulled myself together and joined my dear Barbara Sturm and Ayda Field Williams at Dr. Sturm’s new St. Tropez Spa, located at 6 Traverse de la Gendarmerie, for an anti-inflammatory morning with cold pressed juices and mini express facials.

Inside the new Dr. Barbara Sturm spa in St. Tropez

On display was also the absolutely amazing new luxury activewear line AYDA launched by Robbie Williams‘s wife Ayda, who is as sweet as she looks. Designed with the most buttery fabrics, high-performance details, and athlete-tested functionality, those pieces will help you reach peak joy. Her motto is «Fucking Fantastic», life is too short for camel toes and visible panty lines! For sweats that make you feel sloppy or sports bras that feel like jail. Say bye bye to muffin tops and hello to odor-eating, sweat-wicking, equal pay promoting, always-has-your-back performance gear that never lets you down… and always holds the girls up!

Ayda is luxury activewear dedicated to bringing JOY into the everyday motions of life.

The idea for AYDA has bounced around founder Ayda Field Williams’s brain for years. After being stuck at home and in athleisure 24/7 during quarantine made her realize that she could work with a team to improve on what was out there. The voice that said «Yes!! You can!!» finally grew louder than the voice that said «No, you can’t.»

Team Ayda set out to create clothes that could seriously perform but didn’t sacrifice on the playfulness. Bright, bold colors. Inventive details. Undeniable comfort. Clothes that brought joy. Clothes that make you wanna skip. Clothes that feel like rainbow sprinkles!!

Having fun with Ayda Field Williams and Barbara Sturm.

There’s so much to love about every piece in the collection. Everything from the power mesh panels that elevate while providing support and stretch, to the adjustable velcro straps that are both comfortable and forgiving for those days when you need a little more. Team Ayda scoured the universe for Goldilocks of fabrics: soft, sculpting, with great recovery to last and last. You will surely love the collection as much as I do!

It was a fucking fantastic morning with many amazing women… thank you, Barbara and Ayda for having me!

LoL, Sandra

With amazing Kinga Lampert, who is the co-Chair @bcrfcure the highest rated breast cancer organization in the US and largest private funder of breast cancer research worldwide.

Swimwear designer Melissa Odabash also enjoyed the morning.

Presenter and model Sylvie Meis 

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © ShopAyda
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

This year, for the 20th anniversary of Art in the Park at the Baur au Lac in Zurich, Hauser & Wirth presents five bronze sculptures by celebrated artist Camille Henrot, one of the most influential voices in contemporary art today. The outdoor installation of major bronze works is organized in partnership with the Baur au Lac and Gigi Kracht, curator, collector, writer and founder of the Art in the Park.

With Gigi Kracht 

Born in 1978 in Paris, France, Camille Henrot lives and works between Berlin and New York City. She is married and has two little sons that are 4 and 1 year old. The practice of the French artist moves seamlessly between film, painting, drawing, bronze, sculpture, and installation. Henrot draws upon references from literature, psychoanalysis, social media, cultural anthropology, self-help, and the banality of everyday life in order to question what it means to be both a private individual and a global subject.

With Camille Henrot during the lunch.

A 2013 fellowship at the Smithsonian Institute resulted in her film «Grosse Fatigue,» for which she was awarded the Silver Lion at the 55th Venice Biennale and that was also on show at the Gucci Museo in Florence in 2014. She elaborated ideas from «Grosse Fatigue» to conceive her acclaimed 2014 installation »The Pale Fox» at Chisenhale Gallery in London. The exhibit, which displayed the breadth of her diverse output, went on to travel to institutions including Kunsthal Charlottenburg, Copenhagen; Bétonsalon – Centre for art and research, Paris; Westfälischer Kunstverein, Münster, Germany; and Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, Japan. In 2017, Henrot was given carte blanche at Palais de Tokyo in Paris – a beloved location for fashion shoes – , where she presented the major exhibition »Days Are Dogs,» She is the recipient of the 2014 Nam June Paik Award and the 2015 Edvard Munch Award, and has participated in the Lyon, Berlin, Sydney and Liverpool Biennials, among others.

Next to «Mon Corps de Femme» (2019) displayed in the Baur au Lac gardens

Henrot has had numerous solo exhibitions worldwide, including the New Museum, New York; Schinkel Pavilion, Berlin; New Orleans Museum of Art; Fondazione Memmo, Rome; Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, Japan, among others.

«Undelivered Message» (2016)

In the Baur au Lac gardens, three sculptures from Henry’s Monday series (2016-2017) are on display, as well as the impressive «Mon Corps de Femme» sculpture (2019) from the Attachment series (2018-2022) that is a resembling a body caught between two opposite forces; the rising flames reminiscent of Flamboyant Gothic architecture and the meting, heaviness of a sagging belly.

«Retreat From Investment» (2025)

As every year, Gigi Kracht invited us to her wonderful Art in the Park luncheon in the two Michelin star Pavillon restaurant during which we could talk to the artist. Before the lunch, we had the chance to stroll through the wonderful gardens and preview the pieces beforehand.

With Kenny Schachter, artist, critic and curator based in New York City, at lunch.

The show can be enjoyed at the Baur au Lac garden until July 17, 2022.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise