Sandra‘s Closet

Kilts, bagpipes, unicornsand the legendary Loch Ness monster –experience all this and more with the Scotland Collection by OPI!

Inspired by fashion trends for the season, including windowpane plaid and classic houndstooth in unique fabrics with detailed embellishments, this collection includes 12 new shades for F/W 2019 in various shades of purple, blue andred, along with pops of orange, dark green and taupe.

The striking landscapes of Scotland are represented in these hues, from rolling hillsides filled with purple heather bloom (Good Girls Gone Plaid (hero shade), Boys Be Thistle-ing at Me, You’ve Got that Glas-glow, Edinburgh-er & Tatties) to fiery foliage in brilliant shades of red, orange and deep green (A Little Guilt Under the Kilt, Red Heads Ahead, Suzi Needs a Loch-smith, Things I’ve Seen in Aber-green) to thousands of miles of coastline and numerous lakes and rivers in every shade imaginable of blue (Rub-a-Pub-Pub, Nessie Plays Hide & Sea-k, OPI Grabs the Unicorn By The Horn, and Nice Set Of Pipes).

“After seeing so many variations of plaid forecasted for fall fashion, we knew we’d end up in Scotland for inspiration this season,” declares OPI co-founder and brand ambassador Suzi Weiss-Fischmann. “The collection’s hero shade, Good Girls Gone Plaid, captures the moody, ethereal beauty of Scotland in autumn. Its dark amethyst hue takes on the appearance of super trendy black in certain light, but with much more dimension thanks to the jewel undertones.”

Scotland Collection by OPI is available in Nail Lacquer (CHF 19.90), Infinite Shine (CHF 24.90) and GelColor formulas for in-salon treatments from Mid August 2019 for at least 6 months.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © OPI

Only Watch is a biennial charity auction of unique timepieces created by the finest brands for research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It will be held in Geneva on November 9, 2019 for the 8th time. 40 million Swiss Francs were raised in the previous 7 editions with 99% of proceeds going directly to research projects of AMM, the Monaco-based association (Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies).

LOUIS VUITTON is taking part for the sixth consecutive time in Only Watch and presents a bold and unique piece: the «Escale Spin Time» watch with a dial inspired by tattoo art, that I don’t want you to miss as it is so beautiful.

Made using Grand Feu champlevé enamelling and painted by hand, the dial is a creation by Anita Porchet, one of the greatest independent enamellers in fine watchmaking. The dial required 200 hours of work and used two specific traditional techniques which are only mastered by very few artisans in Geneva: Grand Feu champlevé enamelling and miniature painting.

The dial is a white gold plaque, recessed by hand and covered with Grand Feu enamel. Three shades of enamel — black, turquoise and transparent — were selected to bring out the floral design. The choice of powders, the repeated layers, as well as the finesse of the grain meant that many hours of meticulous work had to be undertaken before the dial could go through a series of firings at 840°C.

Then came the miniature painting process. During this final stage, around ten colours were applied one after the other using a brush, each one requiring drying time in a furnace heated to 100°C.
The delicate design of the 18-carat white gold hand forms the stem of a rose on this dial, which is set with white diamonds and rubies. To mirror the exquisite beauty of the dial, the bezel, lugs, and 41 mm diameter case crown made of titanium and white gold, are also set with white diamonds.

The Escale Spin Time for Only Watch contains the LV79 caliber, which cleverly displays the time in a playful manner using rotating cylinders. Here, each cylinder is set with diamonds, a process which required 40 hours of work. The patented self-winding movement was entirely developed and assembled by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton and highlights the expertise of Louis Vuitton watchmakers.

The exceptional creation is presented in a custom Monogram canvas watch case — also hand-painted — recalling the floral pattern of the dial. Finally, the watch also comes with four alligator straps — black, red, green and white — and is fitted with an 18-carat white gold ardillon buckle set with diamonds. The 2019 Escale Spin Time for the Only Watch auction is a delicate, technical object; a precious tribute to traditional and exceptional fine watchmaking craftsmanship.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton

Bid farewell to the heavy oriental, woodsy fragrances you wore on those cold days. Summer is here, and your perfume wardrobe is due for an update. As you are sporting your espadrilles with your favorite sundress, reach for fresh citruses, florals, and other sparkling uplifting notes to wear on your escapades in the sun, salt, and sand. Below my three favorites that fit the bill.

LIGHT BLUE SUN by Dolce & Gabbana
Inspired by sunny days and romances, this delicious fragrance is conveyed with a summery coconut water accord.

Fruity Floral
Top Notes: Lemon, Granny Smith Apple, Ozonic Notes and Coconut Nectar
Middle Notes: Jasmine, White Rose and Frangipani
Base Notes: Ambergris, Bourbon Vanilla, Cedar and White Musk
Eau de Toilette CHF 68.40 (25ml) and CHF 91.80 (50ml)

RISING SUN by Shiseido
Specially formulated without photosensitive or phototoxic ingredients, this mood-lifting Eau de Toilette can be even worn in the sun.

Fruity Floral
Top Notes: Lemon and Mineral-Marine Accord
Middle Notes: Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine Absolute and Rose
Base Notes: Coconut, Mirabelle Plum, Cashmerean and Musk
Eau de Toilette CHF 75.60 (100ml)

ANGEL EAU CROISIÈRE by Thierry Mugler
A new summer edition of the iconic gourmand perfume inspired by the leisure atmosphere of summer cruises and flavours of fruity cocktails.

Fruity Gourmand
Energetic Cocktail Facet (Top Notes): Mango, Grapefruit and Black Currant Sorbet
Voluptuous facet (Base Notes): Patchouli and Pralines
Eau de Toilette CHF 69.00 (50ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht  and Courtesy of the Brands

For F/W 2019, Louis Vuitton has collaborated with Alex Israel on a textile collection featuring the Los Angeles-based artist’s trademark vibrant pop aesthetic.

Alex Israel in front of his famous Wave paintings.

An original and strikingly modern addition to Alex Israel’s searching exploration of art and branding, the cultural and the commercial, the new eight-piece collection features playful and beautiful scarves, shawls, blankets and a bandeau.

Pink silk square

It begins with a collection of scarves which use Israel’s celebrated Wave paintings as the basis of a radical and remarkable update of the simple, elegant medium of the silk square.
The Wave scarves use a cutting-edge, technically innovative quilting technique. One side of each scarf is padded to recreate Israel’s Wave paintings’ puffy texture, while the reverse features the House’s iconic Monogram pattern.

Israel has designed four colour combinations across three sizes (classic, giant and jumbo- which doubles as a blanket), a new approach to sizing that creates original and modern ways to wear and use the classic square.

Sky Backdrop Monogram shawl in blue

The collection’s Sky Backdrop Monogram shawls are made in a delightfully airy silk and cashmere blend onto which Sky Backdrop paintings, another of Israel’s most recognizable series, are transferred in two different colourways using Louis Vuitton’s state-of-the-art digital printing.

The collection’s final piece, the double-sided, brightly coloured Desperado bandeau, features a ludic desert scene with cacti and cars inspired by the artist’s 2015 bronze sculpture, Desperado, and a Sky Backdrop overprinted with the House’s Monogram.

This new collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Alex Israel – following on from the artist’s recent Arty capucines bag and packaging for Les Colognes Perfumes – is an inventive and playful new chapter in the House’s long history of working with celebrated artists on its textiles range.

Love it so much: Louis Vuitton x Alexis Israel Arty capucine bag

After creative legends including Sol LeWitt, James Rosenquist, Andrée Putman, Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince, Stephen Sprouse and Yayoi Kusama, Israel becomes the latest artist to bring his talents to these «blank canvases».

The Louis Vuitton-Alex Israel textile collection is available in a selected network from now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © LVMH, © Louis Vuitton, © Gagosian
Photographer: Dan Martensen for Louis Vuitton
Fashion: Karla Welch for Louis Vuitton

From bright sparkling eyes to bronzers, here are the key must-haves for summer 2019 to get on your radar. My beauty mantra for the hot season is simple: the less work I have to do, the better. As it turns out, we should all be embracing the fact that wearing a ridiculous amount of makeup in sweltering temperatures is never a good look. I recommend some sparkle for your eyes and the right amount of bronzer for a sun-kissed complexion. Enjoy!

NARS Exposed Cheek Palette (top left)
Cheeks are up front and versatile with a limited edition palette of six universally flattering shades in a breakthrough formula that delivers unparalleled color. LOVE! CHF 66.60

CHANEL Bronzer and Highlighter Duo in 317 Medium (top right)
Part of the Maison’s Cruise 2019 collection, this two face powders palette, consisting of a matte bronzer and a pearlescent highlighter, fits in every bag for immediate touch-ups. CHF 78.00

TOM FORD Soleil Contouring Compact in Bask (center left)
Blush, highlighter and bronzer in one for the perfect complexion. CHF 100.00

NUXE Multi-Usage Compact Bronzing Powder (center right)
Beautifying and long-lasting, this multi-usage powder with its yummy Huile Prodigieuse® fragrance (orange blossom, magnolia and vanilla) provides an immediate «healthy glow». CHF 35.00

ESTÉE LAUDER Desert Heat Eyeshadow Palette (bottom)
Turn up the heat with 9 silky shadows to emphasize, customize and dramatize your eyes. Matte and shimmer finishes, limited edition. CHF 72.00

BOBBI BROWN Molton Drama Eye Shadow Palette
Brighten your eyes with these ten highly pigmented colors in four different finishes, including 5 Chrome Metal Eye Shadows for a hypnotic glow. My favorite this summer! CHF 84.00

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Do you remember when fashion lovers around the globe were craving for the limited edition pieces, such as the Book Tote, that were only available in DIOR‘s Mykonos pop-up store (for the previous post, click here).

This season, DIOR presents DIORIVIERA, a new capsule collection created by Maria Grazia Chiuri, that celebrates the beauty, leisure and art of farniente. A bright and sunny wardrobe, like an invitation to travel, dedicated to the most delightful Mediterranean getaways, the promise of an eternal summer, from Forte dei Marmi, Capri to Mykonos, from Marbella, Saint-Tropez to Ibiza. Great news is that the beautiful items are this season all available online and of course in the respective local holiday boutiques.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior
#Dior #DiorRiviera #DiorCruise #MariaGraziaChiuri #PamelaHanson

Pride is good… and so much more fun with this dedicated capsule collection created by Jeremy Scott for Moschino.

«I’m excited to announce I was able to convince Playboy to let me alter their iconic logo to read as GAYBOY for pride month and create an 8 piece capsule collection at the PLAYBOY pop-up in Soho with the net proceeds going to support the Trevor Project.»
– Jeremy Scott

The 8 piece capsule collection is available online by clicking here to be transferred directly. The only piece for women is this cool cropped sweater below – a must for my closet!

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: Courtesy of Moschino and Playboy

Ladies, here are your next-level neons. The summer glo-up gets glossy with Converse x OPI Neons Summer Collection 2019. From your flashy nail art to your neon Chucks, stay shining.

This electric-charged collaboration features Converse One Star slides plus Chuck Taylor All Star High and Low Top silhouettes in shades to match new Neons by OPI nail lacquers, available in a fun and playful palette including bold neon hues of yellow, orange, purple, teal, blue and hero shade pink.

Great combination (the name of the nail polishes are in parentheses): Chuck Taylor All Star Low Tops are available in neon purple (Positive Vibes Only) and yellow (PUMP Up the Volume).

The Chuck Taylor All Star High Tops are available in bold shades of pink (V-I-Pink Passes) and blue (Music is My Muse). The shade names are inscribed on Converse’s iconic vulcanized rubber sole.

Converse One Star Slides are available in bright hues of pink (V-I-Pink Passes) and teal (Dance Party ‘Teal Dawn). Another shade featuring the bright monotone aesthetic is Orange You A Rockstar, which is also part of the 4-piece mini nail polish pack (CHF 24.90).

The Neons by OPI will be available in GelColor, Infinite Shine (CHF 24.90) and Nail Lacquer (CHF 19.90) formulas. PUMP Up the Volume (yellow) and Music is My Muse (blue) will be available in GelColor and Nail Lacquer formulas only.

GelColor provides a salon-perfect finish with up to three-week wear, while Infinite Shine offers a high-shine finish and traditional lacquer application. Nail Lacquer features a highly-pigmented, rich formula for even application without streaking.

The Converse capsule will be available globally from Converse.com and select retailers. The Neon by OPI collection will be available from mid-June 2019, for at least four months in Switzerland. The Converse x OPI shoes can be purchased from SCHUH and delivered to Switzerland here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI, Collages: © Sandra Bauknecht

Switch on electric summer feels! New naturally charged lip and eye shadows serve a wonderstruck summer of bronzing. Specially designed in gold-flecked marbleized packaging, MAC Electric Wonder Collection is the newest limited edition collection from MAC, and it includes five lipsticks, five lipglosses, four cheek colors, one cheek palette, and two eyeshadow palettes.

EYESHADOW X 12: DESERT LIGHTNING, CHF 71.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

DESERT LIGHTNING Light yellow beige (Matte)
DUABANDITA Red with blue pearl (Veluxe Pearl)
IS IT THE BEAT Deep black (Matte)
RETROSPECK Beached blonde (Lustre)
SO JADED Seafoam green (Veluxe Pearl)
DECEPTION Cool medium brown (Frost)
FRESH INNOCENCE Ivory frosty warm white (Frost)
BIG ATTITUDE Dirty grey (Frost)
MARZIPAN Muted plummy taupe (Matte)
GOLDEN BROWN Golden brown (Veluxe Pearl)
FOOL’S GOLD Dirty olive gold (Frost)
BRUN Muted blackish/brown (Satin)

EYESHADOW X 12: NATURAL VICE, CHF 71.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

DIAMOND BUTTERFLY Silver white shimmer (Frost)
FAB ACCENT Soft nude (Matte)
DESERT ROSE-MANCE Warm golden peach (Veluxe Pearl)
CORK Muted golden brown (Satin)
SUN TWEAKED Soft frosty pink (Frost)
PLEASING TO THE EYE Dirty mauvy pink (Matte)
MAGMATIQUE Warm reddish brown (Matte)
REBEL PEBBLE Cool deep muted brown (Satin)
STRUCK GOLD Bright yellow gold (Frost)
VALLEY OF THE GODDESS Orange beige (Matte)
GO WILDER Pearly red brown (Veluxe Pearl)

IGNITE WONDER FACE PALETTE, CHF 65.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

GIRL WONDER Peachy pink
SEVEN WONDERS Rose gold
WONDER YEARS Warm berry pink
WONDER WHO? Soft champagne beige
SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL Champagne gold
ANY WONDER Bronze

ELECTRIC WONDER IRIDESCENT POWDER, CHF 41.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

SERENITY SEEKER Warm gold
INTO ETERNITY Rosy pink

NEXT TO NOTHING BRONZING POWDER, CHF 42.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

CANYON DREAMIN’ Yellow brown
SUN-SOAKED STRIP Warm light red brown

LIPGLASS, CHF 26.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

MARBLE FAUN White with gold pearl
NATURAL FREAK Bright yellow gold
CORAL OF THE WILD Light corally nude
ROCK STARZ Cool bronze
MAKE ME MERCURIAL Berry with slight pink

LIPSTICK, CHF 28.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

FEELIN’ SEDIMENTAL Light corally beige (Satin)
THE NATURALIST Warm peachy nude (Lustre)
LET’S MESA AROUND Light bubble gum blue pink (Lustre)
LIFE IN SEPIA Muted mauvey brown (Matte)
NATURAL BORN LEADER Muted red berry (Matte)

BRUSHES, CHF 40.00 to CHF 67.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

126SES Split Fibre Large Face Brush (CHF 67.00)
243SES Split Fibre Eye Blending Brush (CHF 40.00)

Limited Edition. Available now at MAC counters.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of @MACCOSMETICS #MACSWITZERLAND

On Saturday, June 8th, is World Ocean’s Day that is celebrated around the globe yearly. The LA MER Blue Heart Oceans Fund is committed to helping protect marine habitats through awareness-raising initiatives and charitable donations. Striving to ensure a future with flourishing seas for generations to come, LA MER donates $25 to the LA MER Blue Heart Oceans Fund every time someone post a public picture on Instagram using the hashtags #LaMerBlueHeart and #LaMerDonation this June until $650.000 will be reached in total.

Limited-Edition Blue Heart Crème de la Mer CHF 490.00 (100ml)

For summer, LA MER has some other limited edition goodies that you should not miss. Experience the sun-inspired radiance of Soleil de la Mer™ with:

The Bronzing Powder CHF 105.00
This velvet-to-the-touch bronzer creates a look of glimmering sun-kissed glow any day of the year. Harmonious and illuminating shades blend perfectly to highlight and contour the complexion. Skin looks radiant with a sun-warmed, illuminated glow.
The Glowing Body Oil CHF 120.00
My personal must-have each summer. With its rich blend of Vitamin E and nourishing oils, this luxurious, limited-edition body oil softens and conditions to create a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow. Layer over skin for a touch of shimmer and youthful luminosity.

The Lip Voluminizer CHF 95.00
Such an amazing new product! This lip gloss aka voluminizer has a beautiful iridescent sheen with an irresistible sensation. Infused with cell-renewing Miracle Broth™, this serum-inspired treatment instantly plumps, visibly softens lines and defines the look of lips.

All products protect your skin or lips with anti-oxidants and nourish with healing hydration, just one try and you’ll realize why nothing less than LA MER will do.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of LA MER – Cover Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht
#LoveLaMer #LaMerBlueHeart #LaMerDonation #GiftedByLaMer #SoleilDeLaMer