Sandra‘s Closet

After my crazy traveling, I came back to Zurich to attend a special event at «The Nest» of the Hotel Storchen as Hublot and Andreas Caminada’s castle of Schauenstein celebrate 20 years with the special edition Big Bang Unico All Black Schloss Schauenstein. For this occasion, Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe and friends of the brand, such as retired cross-country skier Dario Cologna, who won four overall World Cup victories, and four Olympic gold medals, Swiss World Cup alpine ski racer Corinne Suter, and profi golfer Joel Girrbach came to Zurich.

With Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe

The Art of Gastronomy 

Blending meticulous expertise and a passion for fine artistry with time, gourmet cuisine and Haute Horlogerie share essential elements. Precise timing is vital for chefs, from ordering to plating up on the pass and through to service. This shared mentality has intertwined Hublot with the world of gastronomy. Hublot admires haute cuisine and those who convey their savoir-faire onto their dishes, skillfully fusing ingredients to create uniqueness while staying authentic. This connection has fostered remarkable partnerships and, notably, the iconic Big Bang Unico Gourmet watch. 

Final touch by 3 Michelin stars chef Andreas Caminada.

This expansive universe continues to evolve, illuminating new opportunities to explore the bond between Hublot and a chef, starting in 2017 with the one and only Andreas Caminada. 

Big Bang Unico All Black Schloss Schauenstein

A Tale of Fusion 

The story of the Big Bang Unico All Black Schloss Schauenstein goes all the way back to 2004 when Hublot redefined luxury watchmaking with the concept of «The Art of Fusion,» blending traditional craftsmanship with avant-garde materials. Around the same time, Andreas Caminada took his culinary odyssey to new heights, taking over the historic Schauenstein castle, earning him prestigious Michelin stars for his innovative cuisine. 

With Andreas Caminada

Over the past two decades, both Hublot and Andreas Caminada have personified the art of individuality in  their respective fields. Hublot’s groundbreaking creations, including the iconic Big Bang and Classic Fusion lines, mirrored Caminada’s unrelenting pursuit of perfection and culinary artistry at the castle. This shared dedication naturally led to an inevitable partnership in 2017, when the 3 Michelin Stars chef joined the Hublot Family as a brand ambassador. Since then, Caminada has garnered numerous acclaims, including the Sustainable Restaurant Award, and continues to amaze with each passing year. Collaborating in events such as the Art of Fusion Night in 2019 alongside Hublot, this culinary maestro consistently reinvents the fine dining experience, remaining true to Art of Fusion ethos. This relationship culminates in a collaborative celebratory watch, the perfect tribute to such a talent. 

The Schauenstein Castle is located in the village of Fürstenau, known as the smallest city in the world, in Switzerland’s Grisons canton. This captivating setting exudes a timeless allure and embodies the cherished ‘Swissness Attitude’ valued by Hublot. Within the acclaimed triple Michelin-starred restaurant, Chef Caminada immerses guests in an exploration of culinary awakening, echoing Hublot’s philosophy of perpetual exploration in crafting extraordinary pieces. 

Gorgeous location for the launch event: The view from «The Nest» of the Hotel Storchen.

In honor of the 20-year jubilee of the Schauenstein castle and of Caminada’s culinary prowess, Hublot unveils its new Big Bang Unico All Black Schloss Schauenstein, underscoring its commitment to distinction and support for the best in their fields. 

Sporting the new beauty on my wrist. I love the size of the 42mm case.

As the watch’s name suggests, the concept revolves around the color black, highly prominent throughout the various features of the timepiece, a design philosophy inspired by Andreas Caminada’s looks and reflecting Hublot’s desire to explore ‘invisible visibility’ in high fashion style. The watch features a 42mm microblasted black ceramic case, offering a sleek, modern aesthetic, with black plated H-shaped polished and microblasted titanium screws and a satin-finished black plated titanium with black rubber crown. The bezel, made of satin-finished black plated titanium with black rubber inserts, complemented by the satined and microblasted black plated titanium pushers, add depth and texture to the design. The sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment ensures optimal visibility. Additionally, the microblasted black ceramic case back is engraved with a depiction of Schauenstein’s castle in shimmering silver tones. 

Elevating the watch, the matte black dial serves as a canvas for the applied silver-toned logo of Andreas Caminada on the small seconds counter, reflecting the spirit of culinary fineness. The black plated satin-finished titanium hands provide striking contrast against the dial, emphasizing legibility and style. 

At the heart of the Big Bang Unico All Black Schloss Schauenstein beats the in-house Hublot HUB1280 self-winding chronograph movement. Introduced in 2010 as the first movement designed by the manufacture, the Unico calibre saw refinement in 2018 with the launch of the 1280 reference, a slimmer iteration tailored to a broader range of wrists, used in this new release in collaboration with chef Caminada. 

With super sweet Corinne Suter

The watch proudly exhibits its inner workings with a skeletonized dial, offering a glimpse of the column wheel automatic winding mechanism that orchestrates its chronograph functions, and a date at 3 o’clock. Boasting a 72-hour power reserve and enhanced accuracy, it incorporates five patents for facilitated assembly, modernized architecture, and increased performance. The Unico 2 calibre offers a sleek 42-mm case and notable technical developments, including gentler winding, faultless chronograph display, and exceptional shock resistance, further emphasizing the best for the best with this limited edition. 

The Big Bang Unico All Black Schloss Schauenstein comes in a presentation case complete with a black ceramic and black titanium deployant buckle clasp on the black lined rubber strap. Each watch is accompanied by a signed booklet by Andreas Caminada, a custom-engraved knife, and a knife block, reflecting Caminada’s passion for precision and authenticity in watchmaking and gastronomy. 

Limited to just 20 pieces, each watch is a symbol of exclusivity and craftsmanship. The price is set at CHF 25,900 or EUR 29,600.

LoL, Sandra

With Dario Cologna

With Lucy Tallo, owner of PRticular

Profi golfer Joel Girrbach

Photos: ©Hublot Dominik Orth –  Instagram @orthart , © Sandra Bauknecht
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The Louis Vuitton Pre-fall 2024 collection is being presented on April 18, 2024 at the Long Museum in Shanghai, which was founded by husband-and-wife collectors Mr. Liu Yiqian and Ms. Wang Wei, and is named for its elongated funnel shape. The largest private museum in China, it holds the country’s richest collection, including traditional, modern and contemporary Chinese art, Chinese revolutionary art, and contemporary works from Asia, Europe and the United States.

On the occasion of the first Voyager Show, the House reveals a vibrant collaboration with artist Sun Yitian. Known for her photorealistic paintings of toys and other mass-produced objects, she has collaborated on an exclusive series that colourfully animates the Pre-fall 2024 collection, spanning ready-to-wear, leather goods, trunks, accessories and fragrances.

Born in 1991 in Zhejiang, China, Sun Yitian lives and works in Beijing. She has been presented in solo exhibitions at galleries in Paris, Berlin, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Throughout her work, she explores the tension between «Made in China» mass production and artistic value, bringing items that may initially seem unremarkable or of little value into the context of galleries and museums. For her first collaboration with a luxury Maison, her work is further transposed to wearable pieces, introducing the element of savoir faire. Sun Yitian imagined toy-like animals including a pink rabbit, yellow duck, spotted dog, leopard, zebra, penguin and swan. They interact playfully with iconic and everyday pieces as the latest collectible series in which contemporary artists bring their distinct world to the universe of Louis Vuitton.

«The connection between paintings on a canvas and the viewer is somewhat static and silent, a form of observation with a certain distance. However, when my artworks are translated into clothing, bags, or perfumes, they become much closer to people, and this interaction is lively and unpredictable. It creates an equal relationship of use,» says Sun Yitian.

The process involved discussions between Sun Yitian and the Louis Vuitton where creativity across different materials and techniques manifested into design. Extra-large and subtly whimsical, her artwork makes a bold statement as prints or embroidery on ready-to-wear that complements Pre-fall 2024 silhouettes by Nicolas Ghesquière, Louis Vuitton Artistic Director of Women’s Collections. Whether a cheerful leopard grinning on a petal pink coat or skirt; the duck in profile on a sky-blue hooded windbreaker; or an inflatable rabbit with Monogram flower eyes filling the front of an A-line dress or T-shirt, the looks signal bright, youthful energy.

With the addition of Sun Yitian’s animals, signature bags are reinterpreted in ‘Animogram’ canvas. From a zebra on the Alma in Epi calfskin to the duck and its shadow atop the On The Go tote in reverse varnished calfskin, each animal is paired with a key shape. Another version involves highly crafted animal coin purses associated with a specific bag and colour base such as the rabbit coin purse paired with a Noé in glossy white Monogram leather. New to the Pre-fall collection is the Mini Square Trunk, a handheld, hard-sided design that features either the dog in smooth calfskin or the leopard in grained leather, both with colourful quilted interiors. Bag charms, meanwhile, are dimensional and exude cuteness, from the leopard key holder that matches the Pop Flower collection to the XL inflatable rabbit happily clinging to each bag.

Sun Yitian’s Animogram creation extend to shoes with the menagerie popping up on several styles: printed on Monogram nylon mules; as leather patches on the Lous open back sneakers, or as playful lace accessories and in corresponding colour ways for the LV Archlight sneakers. The entire menagerie comes together as a detailed family portrait on the Carré 90 scarf and appear individually as well, accented with a graphic Louis Vuitton border.

Finally, Sun Yitian’s collaboration has inspired three limited editions of its iconic perfumes Spell on You, Imagination and Heures d’Absence, enriching the fragrance stories with playful decors. For the first time, these Louis Vuitton perfumes are adorned with precious charms – an animal and the LV signature pendant – attached to a fine golden chain. The pink rabbit joins Spell on You, its color resonating with the pink juice of iris pallida blended with sophisticated rose evoking romance with a touch of mischief. The orange leopard is paired with Heures d’Absence with its free-spirited and contemporary bouquet of mimosa, jasmine and May rose. The yellow duck returns to animate Imagination, a daring fragrance bursting with an amber accord with citrus and Chinese black tea. Each perfume, composed by Master Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, comes in colorful packaging specially decorated by Sun Yitian featuring glossy LV Monograms. Specially for the occasion, Imagination has its own travel case in Reverse Monogram adorned with the duck.

In all their forms, Sun Yitian’s animals will be memorably linked to the Louis Vuitton Pre-fall 2024 collection as an artistic expression rendered with fun and fantasy.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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Unveiled at Watches & Wonders 2024, this creation from the e CHANEL COUTURE O’CLOCK Collection is an extraordinary haute horlogerie tribute to haute couture. The CHANEL Watchmaking Creation Studio, inspired by the lively atmosphere in the rue Cambon atelier, orchestrates a choreography of couture busts to the rhythms of «My Woman» by Al Bowlly, a melody that Mademoiselle liked to hum.

The chandelier with diamond droplets, the plinth inspired by the upholstered sofa and the gold embellishments all evoke Gabrielle Chanel’s apartment. Mounted on a long gold chain necklace dotted with diamonds is the key for winding the mechanism of this unique piece, in which the time is displayed on tape measure. At once a musical box, a clock and an automaton, this exceptional piece was crafted by the expertise of a large team of highly skilled artisans. From the diamond-encrusted droplets of the miniature chandelier to the meticulously crafted and tuned musical mechanism, this unique creation is a tour de force of technical and aesthetic sophistication.

Unique Piece
Glass dome
Faceted onyx stone trimmed with 18K yellow gold set with 36 diamonds (3.60 carats)
Chandelier in 18K yellow gold with black coating, 18K yellow gold candlesticks
and 26 pear-cut diamonds tassels (~6.24 carats)
5 busts in natural aluminum ceramic trimmed with black leather ribbons each decorated
with one 18K yellow gold brooch set with 6 brilliant-cut diamonds
(~0.40 carat). Tripod in steel with black coating and 18K yellow gold handle set
with 22 diamonds
(~0.31 carat). Top and lower ixing in 18K yellow gold.
Ribbon in natural aluminum ceramic printed with 24-hour and minutes indexes in black lacquer
Fine pearl and support in 18K yellow gold with black coating, and 18K yellow
gold indicator set with a baguette-cut diamond (~0.22 carat)
Base covered with a marquetry of 245 pieces of onyx trimmed with 18K yellow gold
circle set with 160 brilliant-cut diamonds (~23.04 carats) and 18K yellow gold feet.
Manual-winding movement
Power reserve: ~7 days
Functions: hours, minutes
Dimensions: 19.8×34.2cm
Diamonds: 336 brilliant-cut diamonds (~30.92 carats)
26 pear-cut diamonds (~6.24 carats)
1 baguette-cut diamond (~0.22 carat)
18K yellow gold winding key set with 229 brilliant-cut diamonds (~5.98 carats)
18K yellow gold long necklace set with 132 brilliant-cut diamonds (~8.27 carats)

Haute horlogerie craftsmanship at its best.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. #MADEMOISELLEPRIVEBOUTON #MADEMOISELLEPRIVEPIQUEAIGUILLES #J12 #CHANELPREMIERE #CHANELBOYFRIEND #COCOCOCO #CHANELCOUTUREOCLOCK #CHANELWATCHES #CHANELHAUTEHORLOGERIE – Carats and materials are indication only. The values are non-binding.

Here comes the second model of the CHANEL COUTURE O’CLOCK Collection, that I absolutely adore. A tape measure motif is printed on the double-wrapped black and gold leather strap. The case in titanium and 18K yellow gold is adorned with a charm of a figurine of Mademoiselle in yellow gold and black lacquer set with a diamond.

Limited edition
18K yellow gold case
Titanium caseback with “LIMITED EDITION” mention
18K yellow gold and black lacquer Coco charm set with 1 brilliant-cut diamond
(0.01 carat)
Black-lacquered dial
Double row printed black leather strap with tape measure, golden leather trim and
lining with 18K yellow gold ardillon buckle
High precision quartz movement
Functions: hours and minutes
Water-resistance: 30 meters
Dimensions: 19.7×15.2mm
Diamond: 1 brilliant-cut diamond (0.01 carat)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. #CHANELPREMIERE #CHANELCOUTUREOCLOCK #CHANELWATCHES #CHANELHAUTEHORLOGERIE – Carats and materials are indication only. The values are non-binding.

Here comes my first must-have from the CHANEL COUTURE O’CLOCK Collection. The PREMIÈRE watch is reinterpreted and adorned with charms of a spool of thread, a thimble and a figurine of Mademoiselle in steel coated with yellow gold* and black lacquer. The charms are attached to a woven leather bracelet that echoes the chain of the classic CHANEL bag.

Limited edition
Steel case coated with 18K yellow gold (0.1 micron)
Steel caseback coated with 18K yellow gold (0.1 micron) with “LIMITED EDITION”
mention
Black-lacquered dial
Steel chain bracelet coated with 18K yellow gold (0.1 micron) interlaced with black
leather strap
Steel Couture charms coated with 18K yellow gold (0.1 micron) and black lacquer
High precision quartz movement
Functions: hours and minutes
Water-resistance : 30 meters
Dimensions: 19.7×15.2mm

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. #CHANELPREMIERE #CHANELCOUTUREOCLOCK #CHANELWATCHES #CHANELHAUTEHORLOGERIE – Carats and materials are indication only. The values are non-binding. – *0,1 micron

At Watches & Wonders 2024, CHANEL presented some absolutely stunning novelties that I would love to present you one by one.

The graphic aesthetic of Mademoiselle’s atelier and the tools used by her seamstresses and their exceptional savoir-faire are the inspiration for a new CHANEL Haute Horlogerie and Horlogerie capsule collection: COUTURE O’CLOCK. Thimbles, scissors and pins, the tools of the daily work in the rue Cambon ateliers, are transformed into exceptional pieces, blending watchmaking, jewelry and the finest craftsmanship. The iconic watches of the House of CHANEL are enriched with new interpretations combining creative boldness, technical sophistication, excellence of materials and refinement of details.

Stay tuned as I will show you my absolute favorite in the upcoming posts. Treasures of watchmaking and jewelry savoir-faire, these watches in gold set with precious stones are worn as jewels.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. #MADEMOISELLEPRIVEBOUTON #MADEMOISELLEPRIVEPIQUEAIGUILLES #J12 #CHANELPREMIERE #CHANELBOYFRIEND #COCOCOCO #CHANELCOUTUREOCLOCK #CHANELWATCHES #CHANELHAUTEHORLOGERIE

April 22nd is Earth Day. AVEDA has launched an interesting project on that occasion. Skip a hair wash day to save an average of 6 gallons of water per person! «The Power of Every Drop» campaign in collaboration with @charitywater presents a limited-edition Botanical Repair™ Strengthening Overnight Serum bottle with artwork inspired by the Yoruba heritage of Nigerian Visual Artist Laolu Senbanjo @laolunyc.

AVEDA will donate CHF 20 from every purchase of this exclusive bottle (CHF 56) to long-time partner charity: water to fund clean water projects around the globe because access to clean water creates a ripple effect of better health, education, and opportunities. One family will have access to clean water for 8 months with the purchase of one bottle from April 1, 2024.

703 million people in the world don’t have access to clean and safe water. Every drop makes a difference. Over 700 million people live without access to safe drinking water. Your support helps change that. Help AVEDA spread awareness for the clean water crisis by posting your no-wash style using #NoWashDay #AvedaNoWashChallenge – when we come together, small actions make a powerful impact.

More Style, Less Water

When AVEDA sent me some products and asked me to join their campaign to not wash my hair for one week, I was smiling. This is an easy task for me as I wash my hair only once a week in general. To keep it long and healthy, that is the first step. You can train your scalp to not produce so much oil with time. I never have greasy hair. I plan my gym classes in which I sweat towards the last days of my cycle and make only exceptions when I am at the beach. I style it after washing with my DYSON Airwrap™ and use my heatless curl headband during the week.

I kindly ask you to try it for yourself. You can extend time between washes with these Aveda haircare products, to keep your hair feeling and looking fresher for longer.

Botanical Repair™ Strengthening Overnight Serum
It builds bonds, while repairing three layers of hair and reducing the appearance of split ends. I use it almost every night as it adds a nice texture to my hair.

Scalp Solutions Refreshing Protective Mist
This refreshing mist provides all-day antioxidant protection and helps control excess oil for 48 hours.

Shampowder™ Dry Shampoo
Conquer second day hairstyles with this dry shampoo. Perfect for absorbing excess oil, impurities and sweat with powerful plant powders, this dry shampoo powder instantly adds volume and texture to refresh style. I love to use it to add volume to my roots after washing.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / AVEDA
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As part of Milan Design Week, Off-White™ is releasing a limited-edition rug, which also takes center stage at the brand’s Via Verri flagship with an immersive floor-to-ceiling installation and a takeover of its windows.

Spanning 170×240 centimeters, the rug is available in only 40 pieces and is coming with a numbered label.  The design is marked by a floral pattern in a deep blue shade and bold lettering in popping yellow reading «Don’t walk here.» Crafted in Germany with a double-layer felt lining, the rug is to retail at €1,250 euros exclusively at Off-White™ Milano Verri store, beginning April 15, 2024. The brand will also host live DJ sets in-store on April 17 and 18, extending opening hours to 9pm in honor of the occasion.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: PR © Off-White™
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DESIGN ANCORA GUCCI PRESENTS FIVE DESIGN ICONS AT ITS FLAGSHIP STORE ON VIA MONTE NAPOLEONE

From an idea of Creative Director Sabato De Sarno, GUCCI Design Ancora is a special project co-curated by Michela Pelizzari. From April 15 th 2024, five icons of Italian design, reedited and customized, are showcased in an immersive exhibition conceived by Spanish architect Guillermo Santomà at Gucci’s flagship store in via Monte Napoleone, 7.

From April 21st 2024, a special edition of the objects will be available online on gucci.com.

• Storet by Nanda Vigo for Acerbis (1994, reedition 2020)

• Clessidra rug, Portaluppi Pattern Project by Nicolò Castellini Baldissera (great grandson of Piero Portaluppi) from an iconic design of Piero Portaluppi, edited by cc-tapis (2024)

• Parola by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni for FontanaArte (1980)

• Le Mura by Mario Bellini for Tacchini (1972, reedition 2022)

• Opachi by Tobia Scarpa for Venini (1960, reedition 2021)

«Through Design Ancora, Gucci doesn’t simply celebrate old icons, it creates new ones,» explains Michela Pelizzari, founder of Milan based creative agency P:S, which co-curated the project, «The aura emanating from the brand spotlights five pieces by Italian masters that are perfect from a design standpoint but less known to the general public.»

The chosen objects represent the golden age of Italian design, while also reminding us of the important relationship between designers and brands, craftsmanship and industrial production. All objects are re-edited in Rosso Ancora, the red hue chosen by De Sarno to mark the beginning of Gucci’s new creative chapter.

Gucci Design Ancora comes to life at the Gucci flagship store in Via Monte Napoleone, 7.
In every room, the curved walls in green a color chosen by Sabato De Sarno contribute to blurring boundaries and creating a metaphysical space in which each object appears on its own, displayed as an idea rather than as a mere product.

«If we had put the objects all together, we would have created a living room. Instead, we decided to remove the boundaries given by how we use these objects and create a sort of limbo,» explains Guillermo Santomà, who is known for a multidisciplinary approach merging design, architecture, sculpture and scenography, «Floating objects don’t have meaning or a function. They are just shape, materiality, color.»

The same visual approach is applied to the windows on Via Monte Napoleone, 7. In one of them, a pair of Gucci Cub3d a limited edition sneaker created combining 3D printed elements and the House’s own Demetra material float in the middle of the air and rotate on their own in a magnetic installation. In another one, a 3D printer is displayed as a unique object customized by Santomà himself.

Definitely worth seeing when you are in Milan!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci
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This is a collaboration made in heaven for me. Scents and coffee … two of my most favorite things. Diptyque, in collaboration with the famous Café Verlet in Paris, has unveiled its newest collection, «The Art of Gourmandise / Les Délicieuses», merging the essence of Parisian café culture with the brand’s renowned olfactory craftsmanship.

This collection unveils four elegantly crafted limited edition scented classic candles illustrated by artist Clym Evernden expressing the flavours of a typical French cafe:

Café (Coffee) – embodying the richness of freshly brewed coffee
Chantilly (Whipped Cream) – light and sweet with a dash of vanilla
Biscuit (Cookie) – a spicy, patchouli-infused aroma
Fruits Confits (Candied Fruits) – a tangy plum scent.

The fragrances evoke the rich ambiance of a Parisian café, each a nod to the history of Café Verlet, established in 1880 and acclaimed for its finely tuned flavors.

Complementing the candles are the Coffee Bean Lid and Parisian Café Tray.

Available from the beginning of April 2024, these olfactory delights can be found online, in Diptyque boutiques and at selected retailers, inviting all to indulge in the world of Parisian gourmandise and to enjoy the playful illustrations of a whimsical Paris at your home.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Diptyque and Café Verlet
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