Sandra‘s Closet

Are you wondering why I named this post Million Dollar Baby? Have a look at my neck… this amazing white gold and diamond choker necklace “EIFFEL MIDNIGHT” is worth CHF 1’190’000 and I had the great honour to wear it recently to a very exclusive event “La Soirée de la Couture Précieuse” hosted by Piaget and my humble self at their store in Zurich on Bahnhofstrasse (photos coming up soon). Believe me, it was hard to take it off…

My look: Houndstooth pencil dress by Alexander McQueen, pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps and Sac du Jour leather tote in emerald green, both by Saint Laurent, Limelight Gala watch, necklace and rose diamond ring, all by Piaget and Twenties stay-up by Wolford.
On my nails: Toasted Sugar by Tom Ford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Pascal Pazanda and © Sandra Bauknecht

Inspired by the innovation and seductive glamour of 1940s haute jewelry, PRADA presents a collection of cuffs, bangles, bracelets and earrings with a contemporary point of view. Each piece is finely crafted using artisanal haute jewelry techniques and exquisite detailing but is made with unexpected materials in daring colours and forms. The collection brings together PRADA’s signature Saffiano textured leather in rich shades of orange, emerald green and turquoise with bold formations of geometric crystals, inspired by the art deco era and the natural world.

A hibiscus flower motif taken from the S/S 2014 men’s and women’s collections appears in Saffiano leather on bracelets and in crystal on drop earrings. Exotic crocodile skin appears in different colours: jade green and ruby red amongst the others. Luxurious plated gold or palladium finishes the pieces, each a unique interpretation of a new modern decadence.

I love those pieces!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada

This fall, I hosted a very special event at my place: The PIAGET Rose Garden Party. Being an ambassador for the brand, I was very excited to invite my friends to explore the PIAGET ROSE collection and the amazing COCKTAIL inspired statement rings during a beautiful late summer night. My garden was filled with lots of Yves Piaget roses that have the most exquisite scent one can imagine and we all enjoyed this night surrounded by precious jewelry pieces, good friends and delicious food. Enjoy some impressions below!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Eddymotion and © Sandra Bauknecht

Recently I was invited to explore PANDORA‘s new Essence Collection during an extremely yummy lunch at the Park Hyatt in Zurich.

The contemporary concept is featuring a slender sterling silver bracelet with an accompanying assortment of 24 sterling silver charms, hand-finished from precious metals and symbolic stones, each representing an inner value. It taps into current trends for personal and emotional connection, presenting different women that are each expressing their inner values such as joy, trust, passion, confidence, love, courage, faith and wisdom.

The new Pandora Essence Collection is in stores now around the world and a wonderful gift idea for a dear friend, a beloved sibling or your dear mother for Christmas. It is also the perfect way to express the essence of you, something meaningful around your wrist that reminds you every day of the values you care about.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Pandora and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last night, Sotheby’s achieved the highest jewelry sale in history with a total of $199,512,930 (CHF 183,054,500) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The highlight of the auction was an enormous diamond known as “The Pink Star”, which sold for $83,187,381 (CHF 76,325,00), far surpassing its expected price of $60 million. It is the highest price ever paid for a gemstone at an auction.

Representing an anonymous buyer, the vivid and flawless 59.60-carat vivid pink diamond was bought by the famous New York-based diamond cutter Isaac Wolf, who has renamed it after the sale “The Pink Dream”. It received the highest color and clarity grades from GIA for pink diamonds. Mined by De Beers in Africa in 1999, the 132.5 carat rough diamond was painstakingly cut and polished over a period of two years and transformed into this stunning gemstone. It was presented for the first time at auction last night.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Sotheby’s and The Associated Press

Italian jewelry brand Pomellato has launched three amazing fragrances inspired by their iconic Nudo collection of rings with colored gemstones. The scents are designed for women who are independent and sophisticated in terms of style.

POMELLATO NUDO AMBER – inspired by Madeira quartz.

FLORAL ORIENTAL

Top notes: Orange blossom and Bulgarian rose
Middle notes: Sambac jasmine and amber
Base notes: Musk and vanilla from Madagascar

POMELLATO NUDO BLUE – the scent of London Blue topaz.

MUSKY FLORAL

Top notes: Bamboo, lemon and black currant
Middle notes: Peony, iris, freesia and magnolia
Base notes: White musk, amberwood, vanilla and heliotrope

POMELLATO NUDO ROSE – inspired by the Rose de France amethyst.

FRUITY FLORAL

Top notes: Pink grapefruit, peach, bergamot and watery fruits
Middle notes: Rose, water lily of the valley and pink freesia
Base notes: White musk, white cedar, sandalwood and cashmere

Pomellato Nudo Amber, Nudo Blue and Nudo Rose are available as Eau de Parfum Natural Spray 25ml (CHF 58.00), 40ml (CHF 82.00) and 90ml (CHF 114.00), Body Lotion 200ml (CHF 49.00) and  Body Cream 200ml (CHF 96.00).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Pomellato

Last month, during those last days of summer, I had the chance to shoot this fun project with Tiffany & Co. for their new Atlas collection. The beautiful Baur au Lac Hotel in Zurich was the perfect backdrop to showcase this infinity jewelry.

My look: Dotted silk shirt and dress, both by Prada, pumps in pale pink cracked leather by Miu Miu, Lady Dior bag by Christian Dior, cat eye embellished mirrored acetate sunglasses by Dolce & Gabbana, all jewelry pieces in white gold and watch by Tiffany & Co..

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Something you may have found completely tacky until now, will surely dangle soon around your neck. Whether you need help, are in love, a happy mood or just want to express some coolness, then those Lanvin nameplate necklaces are for you. Spotted first on the F/W 2013 runway and now on most fashionistas, such as Natalie Massenet and Anya Ziourova during fashion week, this jewelry-candy is flying off the shelves.

For me, there is nothing more important than love…
Available at mytheresa and net-à-porter.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, @ Diego Zuko

Get ready to add more jewelry pieces to your Tiffany & Co. wish list. Trendsetter and fashionista Olivia Palermo couldn’t resist the little turquoise box neither and sports the new Atlas collection already on her wrist.

The new line offers all the power and magnetism that made this celebrated design a fashion icon. Introduced in 1995, the collection is named for the mythic Greek god who holds aloft an enormous globe – an apt symbol for a collection that makes an impact around the world. The Atlas collection explores the raised Roman numerals of its archetype, the Atlas watch that was launched in 1983 and that was granted a rare U.S. patent for its originality.

The latest options continue the evolution of Atlas, with its classical Roman numerals styled in jewelry that is eternally modern, chic and sophisticated.

The clean-cut numerals assert their timeless beauty in the prime asset to own now: an Atlas bangle of spirited versatility. Tiffany circles the numbers in cutouts of 18 karat yellow, pink or white gold, defining style in lean, confident strides. Bordered with sparkling diamonds, this major design statement makes for bold band rings, as well, circled with diamonds or shaped in smooth, polished metal.

Other options that figure prominently include narrow bracelets with fine chains that drape the wrist and a great open medallion in gleaming sterling silver. Altogether the jewelry generates a sensuous play of light that casts a luster over dressing day and night.

Every variation on the theme shines with a chic sophistication that is the essence of Tiffany. Definitively American in its bold simplicity, Atlas embodies the strength of the brand, and of the stylish women who wear it all over the world. A true fashion statement of its own…

The Tiffany Atlas jewelry collection is available now at Tiffany & Co. locations worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.

STALACTITE-SHAPED CRYSTAL
A futuristic fantasy from Maison Martin Margiela

A striking new crystal cut has made a stunning début: Swarovski has teamed up with high-end, haute couture collective, Maison Martin Margiela, to launch a new type of crystal technology—the groundbreaking Crystalactite.

In the beginning of July during the Haute Couture week in Paris, in the chic Espace Yves Toudic, five as-yet-unseen, state-of-the-art crystal jewelry and accessories pieces, each featuring the new Crystalactite fusion technology, took center-stage at Maison Martin Margiela’s eagerly awaited Couture Show, entitled ‘Artisanal’.

What makes the Maison Martin Margiela Crystalactite for Swarovski totally unique is the fact that it is made using the pioneering Crystal Fusion technique, by which crystal is merged with matt white resin before it is cut, making gluing unnecessary. This is unprecedented, and the result is startlingly futuristic—an avant-garde and asymmetric beauty, inspired by the shape and structure of stalactites. Maison Martin Margiela showed how the five Crystalactite Haute Couture jewelry pieces can be turned into amazingly versatile accessories. A specially integrated clip mechanism enables them to be worn on the hair, clothing, or footwear, giving an eclectic, cutting-edge look that is way ahead of its time.

Please enjoy some of the amazing show pieces along with some exclusive backstage photos:

I have been so thrilled to discover that there is to be a Maison Martin Margiela Crystalactite for Atelier Swarovski collection based on the Haute Couture pieces. It will consist of a stunning pendant, ring, and bracelet, each displaying Maison Martin Margiela’s signature clean-lined asymmetry, lit up with Swarovski’s famous sparkle. Even better, it will be available for Christmas 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Product and backstage photos: Courtesy of Maison Martin Margiela Crystalactite for Swarovski
Show photos: Courtesy of Maison Martin Margiela