Sandra‘s Closet

Are you looking to lighten up the mood at your office or home? Then look no further than to this playful doorstop from Loewe which is designed to look like a cactus, complete with colorful handcrafted textured flowers. Weighted with a stone at the center, it’s wrapped in woven leather and has a braided handle at the top so you can move it around easily. It makes a fun housewarming gift and is definitely a conversation starter.

To shop the cactus woven leather doorstop by Loewe, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

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

For Resort 2022, Maria Grazia Chiuri looked for sportswear as an inspiration and introduced a special sportswear line along the Dior Vibe sneaker. For the best shopping experience, Dior has been launching a series of pop-up stores around the world, which also present the new amazing Dior and Technogym Limited Edition series of home wellness products.

Within this new project Technogym and Dior have joined forces to devise these unique pieces, some of the most iconic of the brand – Technogym MyRun connected treadmill, Technogym multifunctional workout bench and Technogym exercise ball – reinterpreted in a white version enhanced with a Dior star, the founding couturier’s lucky charm, and the name «Christian Dior», the House’s emblematic signature, highlighted by five horizontal stripes in contrasting colors. Working out has just become so much more fun and stylish, don’t you think?!

The new Dior and Technogym Limited Edition products are available in Dior pop-up stores in Shanghai, Sanya, Beijing, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, London, Beverly Hills, Soho, and Tokyo, as well as in a selection of pop-ins – in Paris, Milan, Tokyo, New York and Seoul.

Please find below more information about the Dior and Technogym Limited Edition series:

TECHNOGYM MY RUN FOR DIOR

This stylish, compact and quiet treadmill connects to your tablet and offers a wide range of on-demand running and walking workouts. By simply placing a tablet on the MYRUN console users can choose the on-demand workout by their favorite trainer.

TECHNOGYM BENCH FOR DIOR

This innovative bench offers a maximum variety of exercises options in a small space. Its innovative design includes a series of dumbbells, elastics and knuckles that allow to perform over 200 exercises thanks to an extensive library of on-demand workouts available on the Technogym App. 

TECHNOGYM BALL FOR DIOR

Designed to keep you on the move even while sitting, Technogym Ball is both a seat and a wellness tool, with a complete exercise program for flexibility, toning and balance.

Produced in Italy at the Technogym Village, these special creations reflect a mutual commitment of inspiring a lifestyle that combines physical exercise and style to motivate people living a happier and healthier life.

LoL, Sandra

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

«I wanted a small part of the company’s profits to go to beautify all of humanity and I wanted people to work a fair amount of hours and be online the right amount of time, so that Technology and Humanism could be harmonised and a healthy balance between mind, soul and body could be restored, because the soul and body also need nourishment every day.» – Brunello Cucinelli

Another highlight of my trip to Umbria with Brunello Cucinelli and my NET-À-PORTER and MR PORTER family was visiting the manufacture. The palatial headquarters are modern, clean and providing the employees with a wonderful work environment. Initially established at the castle in Solomeo, the company was relocated to the valley below to completely newly constructed buildings.

The beautiful grounds of the company.

The ancient medieval buildings in the center of Solomeo now host the classrooms of the School of Contemporary Arts and Crafts –  a tuition-free arts school to teach traditional skills like gardening and, of course, tailoring, set up in 2013.

Happily reminded of my own fashion design studies.

Brunello’s wife Federica was born in Solomeo and ran a small clothing shop there in the village. During their early engagement in 1978, Brunello came across the idea to venture into a knitwear business with colorful cashmere sweaters. His first success, he told me, started in the German-speaking market, that showed a huge interest and appreciation for this unprecedented proposition and this allowed his company to quickly emerge. Cucinelli is no ordinary Italian fashion magnate. Today it is a cashmere empire selling luxury goods in the top segment with 7,000 employees and a turnover of €200m, but Cucinelli is also known for his «humanistic» approach to capitalism, based on respect for people and nature. In  the manufacture you can experience this approach fully.

When you enter the main building, you pass by the advertising campaign photo for F/W 2014 in which you see a long table in the Umbrian countryside with all the employees lined up for dinner. It was an actual photo taken during a company’s event. The quote for the picture: «All things come from the Earth.» – Xenophanes. Brunello Cucinelli is one big family!

Every day at midday, the entire staff is invited to the cafeteria for a family-style lunch complete with several courses, wine, and beautiful views of the Umbrian hills. Creating a nourishing work environment for body and soul is something that is very dear to Brunello Cucinelli. Around 5.30pm the power goes off and workers are encouraged not to work long hours and write after-hours e-mails. For Brunello Cucinelli being away from work is an important part of being effective at work.

The fashion designer, a lover of history, philosophy and country life, has also opened the doors to his office for us. A very intimate and welcoming gesture that impressed me. I entered a neat and tidy space, yet full of life. The books in the shelves are not only for decoration, Brunello indulges in them, always on the hunt for a great quote of inspiration. The room is also filled with articles about him and his company. Photos of his beautiful family add the personal touch. The view is spectacular, overlooking the beautiful tranquil Umbrian scenery.

Walking through the manufacture, I experienced the different steps of creating a stunning cashmere piece along with the impressive quality control. Once you see all the craftsmanship that goes into one item, you will appreciate it even more.

Later we went to «The Parco della Bellezza» on the outskirts of the village, at the grandly titled monument «Tribute To Human Dignity», a classically styled exedra with five arches, built from travertine. The creation stems from Brunello Cucinelli’s desire to leave a legacy behind that will stand the test of time, a symbol of his commitment to mankind and to create a park that could give new life to the breathtaking landscape of the valley below Solomeo. It also boasts a multitude of orchards, as well as wheat and sunflower plantations; it comprises a plant nursery, a naturalistic area, an olive grove with an olive oil mill, and a vineyard with a wine cellar that hosts an impressive collection of Italian wines.

Brunello Cucinelli concluded his speech to the World’s Great Leaders on the occasion of the G20 last year with this phrase: «From the time of Plato, through all the medieval scholastic philosophy, and then in the Enlightenment, up to idealism, positivism, existentialism and finally to the present day, the usefulness of contact with something beautiful, be it a painting, a book, or a landscape, is the seed from which the tree of wisdom grows, that wisdom that the human being cannot do without for their best life.»

At the Brunello Cucinelli company, treating people well is at the core of everything, and fostering a beautiful culture is as important as producing the most beautiful clothes. It seems that Italians really do it better or as Giuseppe Verdi said: «You may have the universe, if I may have Italy.»

TO SHOP BRUNELLO CUCINELLI AT NET-À-PORTER. CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

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

Being part of the NET-À-PORTER family comes with many privileges. It is my favorite online shopping destination, not only because of the great selection and the absolutely wonderful and outstanding personal shopping team, that always takes the best care of me, but also for all the amazing experiences and trips, plus all the wonderful people I met during these journeys.

As one of NET-À-PORTER‘s most loyal clients and someone with a passion for Italian craftsmanship, I was invited to join the team for a one-of-a-kind trip to Solomeo, the homeland of Brunello Cucinelli. Alongside my guest of choice, which was my fiancé, I was invited to an intimate tour of the manufacture and opportunity to explore Solomeo – a beautiful hamlet meticulously restored over the last 20 years. In addition, the MR PORTER Managing Director Fiona Firth co-hosted a dinner with Mr Brunello Cucinelli himself.

A warm welcome in our beautiful hotel room.

We arrived Thursday evening in Florence, where a car was waiting to take us to our hotel in Umbria, the Borgo Dei Conti Resort. After we quickly freshened up, we went down to meet the lovely NET-À-PORTER team for drinks ahead of a wonderful dinner.

Stay tuned for all my amazing experieneces during this trip. We had a private tour of Brunello Cuccinelli’s headquarters and manufacture, and  joined Mr. Brunello Cucinelli himself for an intimate dinner in his home in Solomeo. On Saturday morning, we went on an incredible tour of Assisi, followed shortly afterwards by a lunch. In the evening we had another amazing dinner in the surroundings of Solomeo before departing on Sunday morning.

I am so grateful for all the memories and encounters during this weekend that I will happily share with you during the next days. Thank you, Brunello Cucinelli, MR PORTER and NET-À-PORTER, for this amazing experience!

LoL, Sandra

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

For a second year, Louis Vuitton and the Automobile Club de Monaco present an unprecedented Trophy Travel Case for the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco™.

Hand-crafted in the Maison’s historic Asnières workshop on the outskirts of Paris, the trunk showcases Louis Vuitton’s traditional savoir-faire while drawing inspiration from the heritage of the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco™, celebrating its 79th edition this year. The iconic Monogram canvas is adorned with the red shade of the Monaco flag while the red lines, tracing the «V» for «Victory», are rimmed with a white strip, reminiscent of the unique urban route of the track where driving excellence goes hand in hand with power and precision. This tailor-made trunk, in the colours of the Principality, will hold the trophy depicting the 19 turns of the 3.337km track. The trophy will be awarded to the winner of the prestigious Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco™ on 29th May 2022.

This ongoing partnership reaffirms the affiliation between the iconic French House and the Monegasque organisers of one of the most legendary Formula 1 races, united by the values of tradition, transmission, and excellence, which have always been cherished by both. Held by the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) and under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II, the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco™ is one of the most glamorous and widely viewed events in the entire world.

It celebrates the greatest champions, including Fangio, Hill, Moss, Stewart, Senna, Prost, Schumacher and more recently Alonso, Vettel, Rosberg, Ricciardo, Hamilton and Verstappen. Today, «Victory Travels in Louis Vuitton». The Official Trophy Travel Case for the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco is another landmark in Louis Vuitton’s long history of creating bespoke travel cases for the world’s most iconic trophies, including the FIFA World Cup™, NBA Larry O’Brien Trophy, League of Legends Trophy, Rugby World Cup France 2023, Davis Cup, Roland Garros, and the America’s Cup.

LoL, Sandra

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

Finally my kind of cryptocurrency I love and trust! On April Fool’s Day, Tiffany & Co. announced it is venturing into the world of cryptocurrency. Now, the joke is up and while cryptocurrency may not be in the cards, the House revealed that it will sell a limited series of 499 18k yellow gold coins— TiffCoin—that celebrate the jeweler’s heritage and nod to the future of Tiffany & Co.

From 1973 until 2007, Tiffany & Co. offered Tiffany Money — actual silver and gold coins that could be exchanged for Tiffany & Co. jewelry. While the tradition is no more, the release of TiffCoin is an homage to this legacy. Each TiffCoin is individually engraved and numbered, featuring a T insignia with currency-inspired graphics. The exclusive 18k gold coin is 34.8 mm in diameter, 2.8 mm thick and comes in an exclusive TiffCoin case within the iconic Tiffany Blue Box® and retails for $9,999.99 USD.

Originally announced as a drop available for only 24 hours, there are still some available for good customers. By buying the TiffCoin, you will also get access to special events in the future.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Tiffany & Co. @ tiffanyandco
Tiffany, T&CO., Tiffany & Co., The color and word mark Tiffany Blue, and the design and word mark Tiffany Blue Box are trademarks of Tiffany and Company and its affiliates. © 2022 Tiffany and Company. All rights reserved.

Last weekend, I followed NET-A-PORTER and Purdey‘s invitation to go to the English countryside for a day of clay shooting – something that I had never done before. Being a very good customer at the online shopping destination means you get invited to very special experiences and this one was one of them.

As you might imagine, I was very excited about this trip and what to dress. I googled «Duchess of Cambridge in the countryside» and this inspired me to this country style look. As my house is still a big construction side, it became pretty challenging to find the boxes with my wellington boots and rain coats in storage. However I managed!

It’s important to dress appropriately, to make sure you stay warm, and dry throughout. You won’t have fun if you’re soaked through on the first drive, nor will you enjoy yourself if your swing is being hindered by your Mackintosh. I really liked my outfit that I put together with many layers that were comfortable and warm. A detailed post will follow.

Founded in England in 1814, James Purdey & Sons, or simply Purdey, is a British gunmaker based in London, specialising in high-end bespoke sporting shotguns and rifles. Purdey holds three Royal Warrants of appointment as gun and rifle makers to the British and other European royal families. The company also produces ready-to-wear and accessories.

Twinning with my lovely Alli from the Net-à-Porter team.

Being always at the forefront of advances in the design and building of guns and rifles, Purdey took out several patents for technical innovations over the years, of which many were adopted by other gunmakers.

In 1882 the company moved from Oxford Street to new premises on the corner of South Audley Street and Mount Street, where the company remains to this day.

Whilst James Purdey & Sons is best known as a maker of shotguns, it also produces rifles, both double-barrelled and bolt-action. The guns are custom-made, largely by hand. They are extremely expensive. A new Purdey shotgun starts at around £89000 and can be customized with special engravings. This one in the photo above costs around £120000.

In 2018, Purdey acquired the Royal Berkshire Shooting Group, which includes also the The Royal Berkshire Shooting School where the event took place. Located around 1.5 hours from Central London, the Shooting School is recognized as the finest facility of its kind, employing eight full time, professional shooting instructors and having one of the most expansive shooting grounds in the country.

As this was my first time shooting, I was accompanied by an instructor who provided me with the safety measures and guided me round the school to make sure I could access the full range of stands that are on offer. Shooting can become very addictive. I hit the clay on my third trial and was over the moon.

I had so much fun with Alli and Harry from my Net-à-Porter family.

Shooting is a sociable sport. It is best shared among friends, old or new. I loved spending the day together with my Net-à-Porter family and getting to know new people.

When the wind turned up, it got pretty chilly and I was very thankful for the warm tea and for the lovely lunch after the clay shooting. A huge thank you to Iona and her team for the great organization.

I had an amazing day filled with unforgettable memories.

LoL, Sandra

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

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Singapore unveils ‘one of one’ Phantom Orchid created by the marque’s Bespoke Collective at Goodwood in collaboration with artist Helen Amy Murray. It took two years to create this outstanding masterpiece.

The orchid was selected as an inspirational theme for resilience, beauty and strength. Orchids have long been a focal point for art through the ages, but this is the first time they have been chosen for a Rolls-Royce commission. The orchid is the most coveted of ornamental plants: elegant, exotic, graceful yet hardy.

«Phantom Extended, our pinnacle motor car, was chosen to be the ‘blank canvas’ for this commission,» said Michael Bryden, Lead Designer, Rolls-Royce Bespoke. «Our concept envisaged a balanced yet progressive design, which echoes the values of the Singapore region. The orchid is seen in many facets of Asian life, a reminder that the resilient adapt and thrive regardless of the evolving environment. Phantom is the only motor car in the world to feature the Gallery, a space that enables one to exhibit art, sculptures, or objects of self-expression in the sanctuary of Phantom’s interior. For Phantom Orchid, we collaborated with award-winning artist Helen Amy Murray to create a unique, hand-sculpted silk artwork. The delicate materials and techniques that were deployed in the creation of this piece are protected behind an application of pure glass, that runs uninterrupted across the fascia of Phantom. Finished in an elegant blend of Grace White, Havana and Smoke Grey with Dark Olive stitching, the interior evokes the calm and serene nature which is inherent to the character of Phantom.»

Helen Amy Murray and her team have undertaken pioneering bespoke work with Phantom’s Gallery – a wholly contemporary and luxury reinterpretation of a motor car’s fascia and instrument panel area.

Helen was inspired by several kinds of orchids, including the Singapore Orchid, spending over 200 hours relentlessly refining her design and artwork with a team of six.

«I started by focusing on the actual orchids, which promptly led me to realise that colour was key to capturing the essence of the species. I have created artworks featuring orchids in the past, but my idea for the Gallery was to create something in realistic full colour, which pushed us to refine our digital printing skills,» explains UK-based artist and textile designer Helen Amy Murray, adding that her work is usually more neutral and tone-on-tone: «This more recent return to colour was exciting!»

Murray started by illustrating the design by hand before creating a digital version that she could print directly onto the silk crepe satin. The final part of the process involved a meticulous hand-sculpting of the flowers, releasing layers of fabric to create a 3D effect.

ORCHID SANCTUARY
Within the interior, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Designer Yohan Benchetrit applied his talent to the Bespoke orchid-inspired Picnic Table Inlays in the rear of the suite which, when opened, gracefully reveal a beautiful layer of orchids set into Piano Black veneer. He added Bespoke treadplates emanating a similar theme sans text to welcome the owner and passengers into the motor car. The interior suite meanwhile was furnished with elegant, natural colours which provide a soothing ambience akin to an Orchid Sanctuary.

RESPLENDENT EXTERIOR
To complete this special ‘one of one’ Phantom, a unique paint was specially created using the latest paint technology. Arctic White was chosen as the base colour, while a tint of violet was added, inspired by orchids. Combined with fine glass particles through a special process, the result is a stunning pearlescent appearance. Under bright light, the paint technology creates a shimmering effect like no other, changing as an observer views the motor car from different angles. An eye-catching single coachline on either side of Phantom incorporates a Bespoke motif, inspired by an orchid, completing the theme.

Just as it takes patience, time and dedication to grow an orchid, similarly, crafting a Rolls-Royce is a process that requires time and passion — but with an end result that more than justifies the wait.
I am driving a Rolls-Royce Wraith at the moment and can only agree. It is such an outstanding automobile. The Haute Couture of the car industry!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Rolls-Royce

Early February will see the Year of the Ox draw to a close and the Year of the Tiger begin. The slow, gentle and hardworking nature of the ox, which manifested the mood of 2021, will be replaced by the speed, strength and power of the tiger in 2022.

Jackie 1961 small Tiger-print leather bag by Gucci

In celebration of the holiday, different versions of the animal define a curated selection of ready-to-wear and accessories—highlighting the multifaceted nature of the Gucci universe. Rich with significance for the House, the animal expresses the Creative Director’s fascination with the beauty of nature.

Tiger-print canvas bucket hat by Gucci 

Depicted against a backdrop of colorful greenery and flowers, a reimagination of an archival design by Vittorio Accornero, the creator of the Flora motif, the feline pays homage to the brand’s heritage.

Tiger-print cotton-jersey hooded sweatshirt by Gucci 

A contemporary version of the tiger mixes with the collection’s logo print, forming a connection between the House’s past and present.

GUCCI Tiger-logo GG-Supreme canvas tote bag

I was born in the Year of the Tiger – so needless to say I am in love with this collection and am looking forward to the new year ahead.

TO SHOP THE GUCCI – YEAR OF THE TIGER COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © GUCCI – Creative Director: Alessandro Michele – Art Director: Christopher Simmonds – Photographer and Director: Angelo Pennetta – Make up: Thomas De Kluyver – Hair: Paul Hanlon
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

For its 2022 Color of the Year, global color authority Pantone has for the first time created a brand new shade: Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri, a vibrant periwinkle blue with violet red undertones. The new Very Peri is the «happiest and warmest of all the blue hues,» blending the «faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red» to deliver an «empowering mix of newness» with a «carefree confidence and a daring curiosity that animates our creative spirit,» said the company in its announcement.

After the lockdowns of 2020, Pantone chose two colors, Ultimate Gray and Illuminating, to represent quiet reassurance and resilience in the face of difficult circumstances, as well as optimism for the future.

We are living in transformative times. PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri is a symbol of the global zeitgeist of the moment and the transition we are going through. As we emerge from an intense period of isolation, our notions and standards are changing, and our physical and digital lives have merged in new ways. Digital design helps us to stretch the limits of reality, opening the door to a dynamic virtual world where we can explore and create new color possibilities. With trends in gaming, the expanding popularity of the metaverse and rising artistic community in the digital space PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri illustrates the fusion of modern life and how color trends in the digital world are being manifested in the physical world and vice versa.

I personally love this sweet violet-blue shade that can be pretty powerful. It is a positive hue, a jewel tone, with depth and equal brightness, a colour that actually suits all skin tones. It has already conquered the runways and I am sure we will see it a lot in 2022.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands