Sandra‘s Closet

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
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THE MAGIC OF A MEDITERRANEAN AWAKENING
The Italian fashion brand forte_forte celebrates Mirto di Panarea
forte_forte and Acqua di Parma are teaming up for the first time in an all- Italian love story. The «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» moniker is the result of the collaboration between a fashion house with a dreamy allure, focused on creating timeless designs filled with emotions, and a Maison symbolic of the most refined Italian style. The two houses share a passion for craftsmanship and for Made in Italy culture, for the atmospheres of Italian landscapes and for a pure and spontaneous beauty inspiring a revitalising rebirth. They come together to celebrate Mirto di Panarea, one of Acqua di Parma’s most loved fragrances.
More than just another capsule collection, «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» evokes the magic of Spring and its rebirth, inspired by the aromas and colours of the fascinating Aeolian island. This kaleidoscope of emotions radiates a new freedom, fluttering on the wings of a butterfly and a dragonfly. An iridescent atmosphere, vibrating with light and energy.

forte_forte aims to eliminate the distance between clothes and the wearer, by placing the focus on feelings and emotions. This joint project between the brother and sister team of Giada and Paolo Forte began in 2002 with a limited collection of hand-finished tee shirts. The fashion house creates special designs in which the Made in Italy is represented by the quality of the garments and a constant research driven by the desire to create pieces that are in complete symbiosis with the wearer’s body. This concept perfectly matches with Acqua di Parma’s core values.

What does a fashion design share with a fragrance?
«In this exciting story, the alliance between a fashion design and a fragrance generates a dynamic choreography that transports us into a dreamlike world, filling our senses with emotions and magic. Together, they create an intimate and special bond with our soul and body, enveloping it in a wonderful embrace.» – Giada Forte

A mythical landscape that lives in the delicate and dreamy design created by forte_forte for the Maison. Butterflies and dragonflies spread their coloured wings, in a fluttering flight that celebrates freedom and rebirth and that is reflected in a kaleidoscope of flowers abloom. The radiant yellow Parma tones alternate with the violet of myrtle berries, the symbol of an island suspended in time, on an aquamarine background with pearlescent reflections. Everything vibrates with life, whilst in the air you can breathe the scents of aromatic herbs that grow spontaneously and free-flowing in the Mediterranean scrub ecosystem.

The heart of the collection is the Mirto di Panarea fragrance in the novel 100ml format. The luxurious aesthetics of forte_forte dialogues with the regenerating notes of the fragrance. The aromatic warmth of myrtle is combined with basil, sparkling citrus accents of lemon and bergamotto di Calabria. In the heart of the fragrance accents of sea breeze meet jasmine and rose. The base notes intensely shine with mastic and juniper combined with cedar and amber.

Joyful and modern, the motif wraps around the cylinder box and the green coloured glass bottle that calls to mind the fragile beauty of ceramics. Made with a bright and special iridescent paper, the packaging, like a forte_forte dress, surprises and makes you dream, creating an intimate and exciting bond with those who opt for this fragrance. The outer cylinder is embellished with a small crochet decoration, its shape recalls a warm and bright sun. The charm scoubidou around the bottle cap in cobalt blue and fluorescent yellow tones and with a precious gold medallion, can be transformed into a bracelet or an anklet, a hair clip or a colourful and joyful keychain.

Apart from the fragrance, «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» includes the Discovery Set with the three fragrances Mirto di Panarea, Arancia di Capri and Fico di Amalfi in 12ml vials. The box, entirely covered with forte_forte designs, invites you to discover the authentic essences of the Italian Mediterranean. The Mirto di Panarea scented candle, a unique interior design element, with the glass decorated with the kaleidoscopic motif of flowers and butterflies embossed also on the packaging, will fill the house with the sparkling awakening notes of the Mediterranean nature.

«forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» also embraces sustainability in line with the programme of the Maison «Acqua di Parma Futura». The outer packaging is made of fine paper approved by FSC, an international certificate for responsible forest management throughout the world.
The fragrance bottle, with a recycled plastic cap, features a separable dispenser to make recycling easier. «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» is a fragrant dream that unites two Italian stories in a tale of emotions.

Mirto di Panarea Eau de Toilette 100ml: CHF 153
Candle 200gr: CHF 87
Discovery Set: CHF 75

I am off to Italy today with Brunello Cucinelli… so excited for another love story!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Acqua di Parma
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Another year, another adventure! Follow Christian Louboutin as he embarks on a modern-day Odyssey through Athens and the Cyclades.

Playing tour guide to the designer, Mrs. Tependris, and her faithful poodle Pepe – created by Konstantin Kakanias, Christian’s dear friend and multi-faceted artist and illustrator.

Inspired by the land and the sea, the two limited-edition styles of Greekaba also play out in a variety of sizes and silhouettes. A rich artwork that tributes to the rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship of the Mediterranean.

You didn’t think they’d forget the shoes, did you? Explore the capsule that puts Greece’s rich cultural heritage firmly in the spotlight.

Consider this your one-way ticket to Greece!
To shop Christian Louboutin online, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Christian Louboutin
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Balenciaga presented his off-schedule Resort 2023 show on Sunday in the Big Apple. It took place at The New York Stock Exchange – a place the fashion crowd normally doesn’t have access to – and began with the ringing of the opening bell.

The French brand embarked on the unusual timing for a company first, under Demna’s direction, to hold a show in NYC. The invitation was a fat stack of fake 100s. And one thing is for sure, you need a good income to get those new pieces that will surely become a hit as Balenciaga revealed his collaboration with adidas in the last part off the show. Latex bodysuits fully covered models’ faces and send all focus on Balenci-adidas. Classic adidas pieces like Three Stripes tracksuits, hoodies, jerseys, and tees get the Balenciaga treatment, boasting updated oversized silhouettes.

The Balenciaga Triple S sneaker comes with the famous adidas stripes, either in white/black and blue/white colorways for CHF 975. However, for me the best pieces of the collection and something that will make its way into Sandra’s Closet.

The tight classic mini dress costs CHF 55 the adidas way (left) and CHF 1390 with the Balenciaga treatment (right). Sorry guys, but this is ridiculous. There I am out!

Balenciaga x adidas is now available only for one week until May 29 on Balenciaga’s webstore. So, act fast, but save some money as Gucci x adidas will officially drop in June. Gucci and Balenciaga both belong to Kering and they obviously like the German manufacturer of athletic shoes and apparel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Balenciaga
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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.

Ten years after its global collaboration, Louis Vuitton launches chapter two of its partnership with Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, hitting stores worldwide in January 2023.

Since the creation of Louis Vuitton in 1854, the Maison has nurtured strong ties with the art world, collaborating with a series of artists who have brought their unique vision to Louis Vuitton. These close relationships have produced often radical reworkings of the Maison’s most iconic creations, in the process rewriting the rules of creative collaborations between luxury brands and artists. Yayoi Kusama’s collaboration in 2012 (Part one in July 2012 –  Part two in October 2012) flourished through various universes of the Maison, from exhibitions, products and a series of unique window installations, which included a startingly life-like mannequin modelled after the artist herself.

Finale at the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2023 show in San Diego and some detail shots:

Yayoi Kusama, born in March 1929, is an avant-garde artist whose perspective is expressed through myriad techniques from sculpture, painting, installation, filmmaking, photography, and happening, to writing in a variety of styles. She is regarded as a precursor to Pop and Minimal art, yet her diverse art practices resist any singular classification. Yayoi Kusama’s artworks originated from hallucinations such as where the red flower patterns on a dining table’s tablecloth started to spread across the walls, floor, and even across herself…She has been battling her inner fears and obsessions and pursuing the mysteries of life by depicting the hallucinations she has experienced since her childhood. Please click here for a post about her retrospective in Berlin last year.

Look 51 Louis Vuitton Cruise 2023

As a celebration of the Maison’s relationship with the artist and to mark the 10-year anniversary of the first collaboration, a handful of leather goods were premiered during Artistic Director of Women’s Collections Nicolas Ghesquière’s Cruise 2023 fashion show at the Salk Institute in San Diego. These exclusive bags feature a reinterpretation of the artist’s obsessive dots across Louis Vuitton signature shapes as well as on new models. A true first taste of a transversal collaboration that, come January 2023, will radiate through all Maison categories.

More information will be disclosed at a later date.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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A fresh talent reflecting new horizons and showcasing different perspectives. Prada collaborates with the artist Cassius Hirst – known as Cass – to imagine the Prada America’s Cup sneaker anew, through a customised capsule collection of four styles, in 22 variables.

«I was painting shoes, taking photos, and turning those photos into complex vinyl stencils that became abstract designs. I would mask off part of the body of the shoe, and then wrap the whole shoe in the stencil. It looked crazy. I sent a photo to my dad [Damien Hirst], and then he sent a photo of that to Miuccia [Prada]. And she said, «This looks amazing, let’s do something» The best part about this project – this collaboration – was how willing Prada are to invest their time, to be open to ideas, to challenges. And to really commit to something new.» said Cassius Hirst.

Cassius Hirst painted his first pair of sneakers when he was 14 – a gift for his father, the artist Damien Hirst. Growing up in a household where exposure to art was inevitable, sneakers became his canvas: sculptural objects whose topographies were reworked through hand spray-painting, no two pairs exactly alike. His work has garnered a cult following, purchased by the likes of A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti, Offset, Rihanna, AJ Tracey and the late Virgil Abloh.

«The Cass x Prada collection finds parallels between the bold work of this fresh talent and the heritage of Prada – the sense of the hand, an excellence in manufacture, a constant search for innovation, a restless urge to re-examine and reinvent our history. Here, the iconic silhouette of the Prada America’s Cup sneaker becomes a canvas for creation, offered in a special capsule. Something unique, something new.» said Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Marketing Director and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility.

In a unique project with Prada Linea Rossa, Cassius collaborates to reinvent the America’s Cup sneaker across a full range of special pieces, reconfiguring its distinct surfaces to rework a 20th century design classic for a 21st century generation. The capsule is showcased in a still and motion- image campaign by Axel Morin – a surreal performance invading a pristine space, showcasing the Cass x Prada sneaker styles and custom-made, one-of-a-kind masks – each character simultaneously anonymous, yet unique. The soundtrack to the campaign film features music specially created by Cass.

The four Cass x Prada sneaker styles draw their names from the world of music, reflective of the interests of Cassius and the passions of his fans. ATT4CK, D3CAY, SUST4IN, REL3ASE are all named after the ‘envelope‘ or life of a sound, the stages of its evolution, reflecting this new evolution of the America’s Cup sneaker. The title of each style suggests their look and feel: the hard-edged, molded spikes of ATT4CK, sprayed with neon; the distressed leather of D3CAY, stripped and intentionally faded; the solid brights of SUST4IN, with overpainted white relief details; and the neon- spray finish of REL3ASE.

All styles are hand-worked in Italy by Prada in a meshing of traditional craft and cutting-edge imagination – wholly unique, no two pairs exactly alike, with signature labels each with a distinct CASS signature. Each pair is sold in a co-branded Prada box, featuring the logo of Cassius Hirst – a scan of his brain.

«The brain scan represents hope and knowledge in a world of shadows and uncertainty. The brain is where the thoughts happen – for me it all became about creativity and the creative process. I’ve learned that sometimes we have to look inside ourselves to see what’s really going on. We shouldn’t be afraid of that.» declared Cassius Hirst.

At the core of each of the Cass x Prada styles is the iconic America’s Cup sneaker: invented in the late ’90s for the sailing crew of the Luna Rossa, in all-leather, or leather with distinctive cross-hatched breathable bike fabric inserts. Ergonomic, technically innovative, the silhouette is immediately recognizable – the perfect canvas for seemingly endless reinvention.

The Cass x Prada collection is an edition limited to 3,000 pairs globally, sold through a selection of Prada boutiques and via prada.com.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Prada
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What happened when Donatella Versace and Kim Jones switched roles?
Versace by Fendi and Fendi by Versace, two iconic collections that celebrate their friendship and the cultural impact of Versace and Fendi. For Pre-fall 2022, the two houses joined forces and created FENDACE, for women and men.

The show took place in the courtyard of the Versace family palazzo on Via Gesu in September last year. What went down is that Kim Jones and Silvia Venturini Fendi of Fendi (first part of the show) and Donatella Versace of Versace (second part of the show) swapped houses  for one night only to design 25 looks for their erstwhile rivals. Relive the surprise unveiling from Milan and shop the designs from May 12, 2022.

Fendi by Versace on the Versace website and Versace by Fendi on the Fendi website.

Below you can explore my favorite looks. I personally find Donatella’s take stronger than the one by Kim and Silvia.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Versace / Fendi
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Joyfully embrace vibrant color with OPI’s Power of Hue Collection for Summer 2022! Featuring 12 limited edition shimmer shades in three different formulas, Power of Hue includes a palette of mood boosting, warm colors to activate and energize the mind and body, balanced by cooler, more therapeutic soothing hues.

Bold, bright pops of fuchsia, electric turquoise, and violet uplift spirits while candy-colored pink, lilac, and sky blue evoke euphoric feelings akin to a sugar rush. Versatile, adaptable rich rose and neutral shimmering hues balance feel-good shades of citrusy orange, vivid yellow, lime green, and hot pink that will animate any look.

«The global crisis that has overwhelmed our lives for the past two years gives way to a color direction that’s alive with energy,» remarks OPI Co-Founder and Brand Ambassador Suzi Weiss-Fischmann. «Invigorating aesthetics, therapeutic textures, and vibrating color combinations are at the heart of Summer 2022’s color story. This collection’s hyper-colored shades bring a sense of euphoria and escapism with mood-boosting effects.»

Sun-rise Up
Lead the way in this shimmery coral pink.
Sugar Crush It
Make cotton candy waves in this soft pink shimmer.
Exercise Your Brights
An electric hot pink that will crank up your volume.
Pink Big
Do BIG things in this shimmery fuschia.
Go to Grape Lengths
A daring shimmery purple that stops at nothing.
Don’t Wait. Create.
Make things happen in this bright shimmery lilac.
Sky True to Yourself
Beam your true colors in this shimmery sky blue.
Feel Bluetiful
An electric sparkly blue that will put you on cloud fine.
Make Rainbows
An iridescent lime green that spreads major joy.
Bee Unapologetic
Dare to be different in this vivid shimmery yellow.
Mango for It
A zesty orange shimmer that doesn’t hold back.
The Future is You
Take on the world in this shimmery golden tan.

Infinite Shine (CHF 24.90) offers a high-shine finish and traditional lacquer application, Nail Lacquer (CHF 19.90) features a highly-pigmented, rich formula for even application without streaking, while applications with GelColor, available at OPI professional service partners, provide a salon-perfect finish with up to three-week wear.

In addition to this vibrant collection, OPI is partnering with and donating $25k to the Trevor Project whose mission is to provide LGBTQ youth with free, 24/7 crisis counseling. Together, the goal is to support and amplify the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community and help build a more colorful future.

The launch date in Switzerland will be the 16th of May.
Be Bold. Be Colorful. Be Hue.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © OPI #OPIPowerOfHue
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A Sardinian summer
Time slows on sunbathed shores. Waves wash over golden sands. As lazy days drift into breezy evenings, a Sardinian love story blossoms. Discover the new JO MALONE LONDON Blossoms collection with two limited edition scents encapsulating an Italian summer.

Inspired by a chance discovery along the coast, Sea Daffodil is a solar floral fragrance, radiant with ylang ylang and rooted in warm vanilla entwined with creamy sandalwood.

Bitter Mandarin captures the spirit of a Mediterranean summer evening: a carefree buzz in the air. Citrus trees line Italian streets and ice-filled glasses clink with a bitter citrus spritz. Vibrant mandarin is deepened with a warm amber note and a pinch of precious orris for an addictive zesty allure.

These scents are joined by Silk Blossom, returning in a cologne and diffuser to tempt the senses.

Completing the line-up is an Orange Blossom Hair Mist and a Nectarine Blossom & Honey Diffuser. The lightweight hair mist is formulated with natural argan oil and pro vitamin B5 to help give hair a healthy shine while the diffuser can be used to energise the air with a playful, fruity fragrance.

The collection includes
Sea Daffodil Cologne
Bitter Mandarin Cologne
Silk Blossom Cologne
Orange Blossom Hair Mist
Silk Blossom Diffuser
Nectarine Blossom & Honey Diffuser

Available online at jomalone.com and in Jo Malone London stores from March 2022.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Jo Malone London 
@JoMaloneLondon #JoMaloneLondon #BrilliantBlossoms
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