Sandra‘s Closet

Aren’t these watches just so beautiful?! In an ode to life, HUBLOT once again displays its positive attitude by celebrating one of the world’s most popular holidays: El Día de los Muertos. Hublot imparts its interpretation on this life affirming celebration with the HUBLOT Big Bang One Click Calavera Catrina, the most carefree piece from the skull series.

Your attitude determines your altitude and at HUBLOT life is always viewed in the most beautiful and joyful way. The Big Bang One Click Calavera Catrina, launching at the 11th annual SIAR ( Salón Internacional Alta Relojería) watch fair in Mexico is a tribute to life. The Big Bang is ready for the big celebration transforming its iconic design into a party-ready, carefree, elegant and eccentric timepiece available in eye-catching fuchsia, purple, green, turquoise and blue.

Bringing to life the traditional face-paint of the «calaveras» and the sophisticated make up worn by the «Catrinas» (Elegant Skull) during the celebrations the timepieces showcased a lacquered dial in black or white, engraved with coloured lacquer. The colourful and elegant dresses are conveyed through the straps with stitched multi-coloured skulls and the bezel covered in a 42 sapphire rainbow.

There are three limited editions in total: a steel version featuring a white lacquered dial with a matching white leather and rubber strap (100x pieces – CHF 15.400), a ceramic version (100x pieces – CHF 16.400) and a King Gold version (50x pieces – CHF 27.400) both with matching black lacquer dials and black leather straps.

The One Click interchangeable strap system allows the Big Bang One Click Calavera Catrina to be transformed instantly and worn with blue or pink leather straps. The timepiece features the HUB1710 self-winding mechanical movement with a 50-hour power reserve.

Whether to pay tribute to El Día de los Muertos – an Aztec tradition dating back more than three centuries, and a celebration which has been recognised as part of world cultural heritage (UNESCO) since 2008 – or as a daily reminder to live fully, the Big Bang One Click Calavera Catrina tattoos the pulse of life to your wrist. A watch full of life and joy, it aims to transform every moment into a happy one.

Life in HUBLOT colors, I am on!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hublot

To be honest, nobody actually needs an excuse to head to Ladurée and grab some perfectly yummy macarons. Now, you have one reason more to go. A limited edition box and a sophisticated tea tin, emblazoned with the label’s signature motifs, such as the golden spider’s web and the tiger, is the latest outcome of the collaboration between the Maison’s new brand T by Ladurée Paris and English designer Charlotte Olympia.

«It was a fantastic experience going through the process of creating my unique tea and macaroon and I look forward to indulging in my dream teatime collaboration.»
Charlotte Olympia​

Charlotte Olympia has chosen an elegant and surprising gourmet tea to go with the tin. Composed of a subtle blend of Indian and Chinese black teas and flavoured with bergamot, almond and chocolate, it’s a truly delectable treat.

Leaf tea (100g): 30€
Gift Box (8 Macarons): 21.50€

Window display on 56, Maddox Street in London W1S 1AY

Available now at Thé&Beauté store 232 rue de Rivoli – Paris 1er, in Charlotte Olympia’s store on 56, Madddox Street in London and online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Charlotte Olympia and La Durée
© Sandra Bauknecht

Breast cancer … it’s a scary thought and all too many women assume that it won’t happen to them. Fact is though, every 19 seconds a woman is diagnosed with this terrible disease somewhere on this planet. So, don’t be ignorant, during breast cancer awareness month October go for a medical checkup, it might save your life. Moreover you can shop for a good cause by getting one of the PINK RIBBON 2018 products below. The Estée Lauder Companies’ iconic brands support the mission #TimeToEndBreastCancer to create a breast cancer-free world. In Switzerland they raise funds for the «Look Good Feel Better» foundation that helps people with cancer deal with the appearance side effects of cancer treatment.

LIMITED EDITIONS ESTÉE LAUDER
Advanced Night Repair with Pink Ribbon Keychain
Enjoy the #1 repair serum plus a collectible keychain, honoring and supporting breast cancer awareness.
CHF 149.00 (50ml) of which CHF 20.00 will go to charity.

Powerful Pink Color Collection
A make-up set with everything you need.
CHF 75.00 of which CHF 15.00 will go to charity.

Powerful Pink Contour & Highlight Minaudière
This golden, sophisticated clutch holds a Pure Color Lipstick, plus powerful pink makeup shades to sculpt and glow-on-the-go.
CHF 195.00 of which CHF 30.00 will go to charity.
All three available at Estée Lauder counters or online.

LIMITED EDITION BOBBI BROWN
Pinks with Purpose Lip Color Duo
Think pink with this set featuring two of our iconic, semi-matte lipsticks that deliver comfortable, full-coverage color in a single swipe.
CHF 59.00 of which CHF 15.00 will go to charity.
Available at Bobbi Brown counters and online.

LIMITED EDITIONS CLINIQUE
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+
Limited-edition bottle of the famous yellow lotion in a jumbo size for a great cause. Adorned with a 5-charm key ring including the Pink Ribbon.
CHF 89.00 (200ml) of which CHF 17.00 will go to charity.
Available at Globus and Jelmoli.

Moisture Surge – 72Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
Enjoy 72 hours of non-stop hydration, even after washing your face.
CHF 39.00 (50ml) of which CHF 7.00 will go to charity.
Available at Manor, Marionnaud, Import and Beauty Alliance.

LIMITED EDITION LA MER
Cleansing Micellar Water
This light, fresh, sea-inspired cleanser sweeps away dirt and micro-emulsifies makeup in one rinseless step.
CHF 60.00 (100ml) of which CHF 12.00 will go to charity.
Available at all La Mer counters.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

«A reflection on contemporary women»

Do you remember when I flew to Florence in the end of 2016 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of AUDEMARS PIGUET’s Royal Oak (for the previous post click here please)? It was love at first sight when I spotted the outcome of the creative collaboration between the Swiss watch manufacturer and my beloved Italian jewellery designer Carolina Bucci who was enlisted to reinvent the iconic watch model while paying tribute to its rich heritage. The Royal Oak Frosted Gold, which has been available in pink or white god so far, is absolutely divine and is still on top of my wish list.

This fall, they deliver another surprise with this eponymous 37mm limited edition Royal Oak in yellow gold. The shiny, silver-toned mirror, framed with the shimmering sparkle of a Frosted Gold case and bracelet, replaces the trademark «Tapisserie» Royal Oak dial. Described by its designer as «rebellious» in character, this is an attention-grabbing piece, made in the image of a contemporary woman: spontaneous, true-to-life and totally unapologetic.

Carolina Bucci’s original 2016 Frosted Gold design celebrated 40 years of Royal Oak for women. With this limited edition of 300 pieces, her design evolves in new directions. For the first time, the «diamond dust» finish appears in yellow gold – the designer’s favourite version of this precious metal. There’s novelty in the packaging as well, with a mirrored box bearing a Frosted Gold AP insignia. This mirrored box is also designed by Carolina Bucci, who believes in pulling out luxury watch packaging from the back of the closet to put it on display.

“For me, Royal Oak is the watch. I wear it all the time; it’s part of my style, my signature.”
Above all, being almost without precedent in the annals of the Manufacture, this mirrored dial is stunning. Carolina Bucci explains her inspiration with a certain, yet unexpected, creative logic: “With the first Frosted Gold design, I took the perfection of the Royal Oak case and bracelet and ‘roughed them up’ a little, juxtaposing the perfectly imperfect Florentine finish with Swiss watchmaking precision. Now I’m doing the opposite, taking the textured surface of the ‘Tapisserie’ dial and flattening it out into a perfectly smooth mirror. The motive for both is to create something interesting and unpredictable. It’s a fresh take on an icon made in the image of a contemporary woman. I know women with a great eye for keynote accessories who are going to love this. The mirror is always interacting with its environment, ever-changing according to what clothes you’re wearing, the décor of the room, the lighting, the time of day, the weather.”

“I designed the Royal Oak Frosted Gold in response to a challenge from Audemars Piguet.”

It’s a creation that has come with technical challenges. The mirrored dial is the most unforgiving component; only perfection will do. Carolina’s complete satisfaction with the result, which, has surpassed her own expectations, is testament to the Manufacture’s rigorous quality control, Carolina being known for her eagle eye and uncompromising standards.

Chairwoman of Audemars Piguet’s Board of Directors, Jasmine Audemars is an established fan of Frosted Gold and has been wearing the first edition 37mm selfwinding model since 2016. For her, “the creativity behind the Frosted Gold watch is simply amazing. It is both art and a very high level of technology. With Carolina Bucci, we created a kind of masterpiece.” She sees the new limited edition with its mirrored dial as «the final touch:» “It’s unique and fun. Who needs a selfie when you can look at yourself in your watch?”

This new limited edition ROYAL OAK FROSTED GOLD in yellow gold is in stores now for CHF 53’900.-.

Personally speaking, one of the most beautiful watches I have ever seen! Bravo Carolina for your creativity and bravo Audemars Piguet for this collaboration.

TO SHOP CAROLINA BUCCI’S JEWELRY DESIGNS SHE IS WEARING IN THE PICTURES, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: ©Audemars Piguet 2018

Mosaic. The very name conjures up images of art and light, the meticulous assembly of multi-coloured fragments of which the combination forms an artistic motif. In a 41 mm-diameter Arceau rose gold watch, 2,200 tiny juxtaposed leather squares form a horse profile inspired by the HERMÈS «Robe du Soir» silk scarf designed by Florence Manlik in 2018.

HERMÈS «Robe du Soir» silk scarf designed by Florence Manlik in 2018.

Set against an electric blue backdrop and matching strap, the colourful fragments are lit up by the rose gold glow of the round case with its asymmetrical lugs and slim leaf-type hands. The slender hours and minutes hands are driven by a self-winding Manufacture Hermès movement that can be admired through the sapphire crystal case-back. This horological creation imbued with the HERMÈS saddle- and leather-making heritage is issued in a 12-piece limited numbered edition.

It’s all there in a notebook kept safely under lock and key, harbouring the secrets of the Hermès artisan who imagined and developed this exclusive technique. A full year and a half of R&D was devoted to devising a process that her touch alone is capable of mastering. For several weeks, she patiently fashions a miniature work of art composed of thousands of variously coloured leather squares. First of all, no less than 3,500 tesserae are finely cut out from carefully selected full-grain calfskin. Subsequently, to fit inside the even smaller space afforded by the dial,
2,200 leather fragments compose an equestrian motif.

Such a piece of art.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès

After Patrick Starrr’s floral madness last spring, it is time to pack your bags for Destination Diva with his newest fall collection with M·A·C! Enjoy first-class colour as you jet-set away with sultry, smoky eye palettes and two très chic hues of Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour.

This collection is for the Ultimate Diva and will make anyone feel like the Primo Donna they were meant to be.

PATRICKSTARRR / Oh No She Beta Don’t Kit
Ultimate Diva Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour: cool nude
Sugah Mama / Eye Shadow x 4
Sugah Stick: soft caramel
Deception: cool medium brown
First Class: blackened brown
Damn She Olive: deep blackened olive
CHF 59.00

PATRICKSTARRR / Boy About Town Kit
Pattypout Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour: deep burgundy
Overpacked / Eye Shadow x 4
Primo Donna: golden bronze
Head Over Heels: mid-tone warm brown
Dance in the Dark: deep blackened brown
I’m Into It: dark red brown
CHF 59.00

This beautiful limited edition sets are exclusively available online now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics 
#MACPATRICKSTARRR @patrickstarrr @maccosmetics

A few days ago, Burberry announced the launch of limited edition products through a series of 24-hour releases across its Instagram and WeChat channels, as well as in-store at its flagship on 121 Regent Street, which will be the only physical place in the world to house this collection.

The move is to mark the inaugural S/S 2019 collection for Burberry from new chief creative officer Riccardo Tisci which he will show on the 17th of September 2018 at 5pm as part of London Fashion Week. Surprisingly, Riccardo Tisci has announced this morning via an Instagram post that the first piece will be already dropping today – a black Thomas Burberry Monogram logo T-shirt which Riccardo wears in the post himself along with other celebs (see below).

It’s a new step in the see-now-buy-now era and it will be the first time the brand has created a bespoke digital selling experience for their social channels. This kind of «drop» culture is similar of the strategy applied in the streetwear market, whereby new pieces are released on given days, mostly for a short amount of time. The reason behind it is to drive hype around their exclusivity. Nowadays, the luxury industry is trying to jump in this same direction in order to increase the consumer appetite.

For Burberry, the initiative also marks another step towards a complete brand remake under Tisci’s fashion sense. The Italian designer has also recently introduced a modernized logo.

121 Regent Street reimagined:
Opening Saturday 15 September, Burberry’s London flagship store will be completely reimagined by Riccardo Tisci. In addition to the ephemeral, limited-edition product releases, the store will also be home to individually themed rooms which collectively celebrate the past and future of Burberry through product.

At the heart of the newly transformed space, will be «Sisyphus Reclined», a three-floor scaffold immersive and interactive commissioned art installation by British artist Graham Hudson. The Installation will remain in store until the beginning of October.

The #ThomasBurberryBear at Marble Arch, London

Last week, Burberry also confirmed that it will no longer use real fur starting with Riccardo Tisci’s debut runway collection for Burberry. The fashion house also announced that it will stop the practice of destroying unsaleable products, with immediate effect as part of its five-year responsibility agenda.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Burberry
#ThomasBurberryMonogram #TheBSeries#mytshirt

In general, I know that summer is over when the first holiday press releases arrive at my doorstep. One that immediately has caught my eye was CLARINS Shimmer & Shine make-up look for Christmas 2018. All of a sudden I have started looking forward to the winter season. Here are those three beautiful products that will hit the shelves in Switzerland on October 8, 2018.
All are limited editions.

ILLUMINATING SCULPTING POWDER FACE AND DECOLLETE
CHF 46.00
Sculpt and highlight the complexion & décolleté with sheer, subtle gold shimmer. This silky smooth formula can easily be applied using your fingers on cheekbones, under the eyebrows, temples and décolleté.

INSTANT LIGHT LIP COMFORT OIL
CHF 30.50
This lip oil combines all the high shine benefits of a gloss with the soothing comfort of an oil. Its highly sensorial and lightweight texture never feels sticky.

GOLD MASCARA TOP COAT
CHF 35.00
Worn on its own or as a top coat, this mascara dresses your lashes in fine, golden sparkle. The double brush separates and defines each and every lash, even on the shortest ones.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Clarins

I have always been a big fan of M∙A∙C’s beauty kits as they offer a great choice of colors or brushes and make the perfect gift. Here are new launches that hit the shelves this week:

M∙A∙C Artist Edit Brush Kit
Basic – 89.00 CHF

M∙A∙C Artist Edit Brush Kit
Eye – 79.00 CHF

M∙A∙C Artist Edit Mini Lipstick Kit
M∙A∙C Idols – 63.00 CHF

M∙A∙C Artist Edit Lip Trio
Red – Nude – Pink – 63.00 CHF each

M∙A∙C Artist Edit Little MAC
Pink – Nude – 22.00 CHF each

M∙A∙C Artist Edit Total Babe – matte
79.00 CHF

M∙A∙C Artist Edit Metalista – metallic
79.00 CHF

Limited editions, available now, exclusively at M∙A∙C STORE ZURICH (BELLEVUE), M∙A∙C STORE LUCERNE (TRAIN STATION), M∙A∙C JELMOLI ZURICH and online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of M∙A∙C Cosmetics

Peru has been forever on my bucket list and I am planning to go there soon with avid hopes of climbing Machu Picchu and sipping coca tea with locals donning traditional Quechua garb. Before my dreams will come true, I can already indulge in the new OPI F/W 2018 collection that introduces 12 new colors inspired by one of the most ancient civilizations in the world.

An exciting journey for your nails, visiting one of the seven wonders of the world this fall with the Peru Collection by OPI. Seeking natural beauty with a bohemian vibe, inspiration was everywhere, from stunning geological sites like Rainbow Mountain to the magnificent Incan ruins of Machu Picchu. With deep roots in ancient culture visible across the country’s architecture, food and fashion, Peru offers visitors a transcendent, spiritual experience. I am thrilled to share a look at this extraordinary nail polish collection with you today.

From top left to top right: Lima Tell You About This Color! – Suzi Will Quechua Later! – Seven Wonders of OPI – Alpaca My Bags – Don’t Toot My Flute – Grandma Kissed a Gaucho
From bottom left to bottom right: Machu Peach-U – Somewhere Over the Rainbow Mountains – My Solar Clock Is Ticking – I Love You Just Be-Cusco – Come Se Llama – Yes My Condor Can-Do!

In Switzerland the collection will be available from August 14, 2018 for approximately 6 months.
The 12 shades will be launched in three different formulas:
Infinite Shine offers a high-shine finish with up to 10 days of wear and traditional lacquer application.
Nail Lacquer features a highly-pigmented, rich formula for even application without streaking.
GelColor provides performance with up to 3 weeks of shine-intense wear and stay-true color (in-salon only).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI