Sandra‘s Closet

Prada announces the ninth installment of their Timecapsule NFT Collection. The drop on February 2nd continues to expand Prada’s reach to the Web3 community, allowing for unique experiences for NFT holders.

The latest NFT drop is #38 in the Timecapsule collection. This is the second, in a three-part series of shirts featuring special prints by Italian photographer Enzo Ragazzini from his archive from the 70s’.

Titled INTERFERENZA OTTICA ART PRINT BY ENZO RAGAZZINI 1975, the February shirt will feature a design made in 1975 from Enzo Ragazzini with the optical interference technique, using mechanical devices of his own invention (the «rotating plane» for the circular patterns and the «rotating drum» for horizontal patterns). This work was then digitized in 2017.

The shirt is in popeline, featuring the Prada enameled triangle logo with «FEBRUARY» transferred on the back of the shirt. Each shirt comes accompanied by its own gifted NFT, which serves as an invitation to join Prada’s exclusive Crypted NFT community.

As an extension to this month’s announcement, Prada is extending their Web3 community to those who have purchased a Prada Timecapsule before the NFT initiative launched back in June 2022. First launched in December 2019, these Timecapsule collection holders can now claim their own Timecapsule NFT, in sync with their existing physical product. More details will be shared on the Prada Crypted Community on Discord.

Prada continues to give behind-the-scenes opportunities as they offer «Prada Crypted» Discord community members access to unique events and experiences. For last month’s drop, one Prada Timecapsule NFT Holder and guest were hosted in Milan for a Prada exclusive experience which included an invitation to the Prada Menswear Fall/Winter 2023 fashion show. Once again, Prada is offering one NFT holder the chance to enjoy an unparalleled experience for its upcoming Prada Womenswear F/W 2023 fashion show on February 23rd.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: ©Prada
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The Cartier brothers, who travelled extensively, observed, and drew inspiration from the beauty of the world, preserving it, and above all, enriching it. The Maison’s latest high jewelry collection BEAUTÉS DU MONDE continues this tradition. From the perfect arrangement of a bird’s feathers to the abstraction of a traditional Japanese motif, Cartier never ceases to marvel at all the beauty in the world and convey it through its sumptuous and spirited High Jewellery creations.

THE OCELLE NECKLACE
OF ALL BIRDS, THE PEACOCK IS POSSIBLY THE MOST FASCINATING

It was through his passion for the Islamic arts that Louis Cartier perceived the power of blue and green. For him, the discovery of this chromatic combination was so powerful that it became part of the Maison’s palette under the name of «peacock motif.» This combination quickly became a Cartier signature. The Ocelle necklace from the Beautés du Monde collection pays tribute to the bird with two opals weighing 16.59 and 6.19 carats respectively, and a 21.18-carat Zambian emerald. In addition to the colours, the necklace incorporates the form of the eyespots that characterise the peacock’s plumage. These are miniaturized, multiplied and highlighted by an onyxtrim. Partly overlapping each other and mobile, these small feathers bring great suppleness. The fluidity of the ensemble attests to the excellence of the Cartier workshops, as does the custom cuts of the opals and emerald, which are mounted on their culasse to create an invisible setting. The upper opal detaches to be worn as a brooch.

THE SPLENDENS NECKLACE
FAITHFULLY REPLICATING THE UNDULATING FINS OF A FIGHTING FISH

Was never the intent of this necklace, which introduces a new animal into the Cartier bestiary; rather, it was the desire to abstractly represent the delicate nature of their floating fins while creating a High Jewellery necklace. A creative stroke of handiwork made with a cascade of spinel beads selected for their harmony of colours and increasing size. Each bead is held within a type of invisible cap by a tiny nail whose surface plays with the light like water would over the scales of a fish. This exceedingly supple bib necklace is lined with nine oval and pear spinels totalling 27.79 carats. Remarkable for its chromatic uniformity, the ensemble is studded with square- and lozenge-shaped diamonds that electrify this fluid necklace, which seems to flow along the body’s curves.

THE CAMAIL NECKLACE
CARTIER CAN SEE BOTH LIFE AND MOVEMENT IN NATURE’S PERFECTION

A bird’s plumage thus becomes the abstract motif of a choker. Inspiration came to the artisans as they gazed in wonder upon the 42.44-carat ensemble of five Zambian emeralds, remarkable in their pear-shaped beauty. Each gem is highlighted by a curve of square diamonds trimmed with custom-cut onyx. The design thus creates a strong sensation of movement. Behind this rhythmic composition lie two feats of jewellery-making prowess: first, the necklace’s suppleness and second, the prong-less settings of the emeralds which seem to rest on top of the diamonds. In reality, each stone is precisely fitted onto a crescent-moon paved with diamonds that is integrated into the border. This creation renews and explores the chromatic harmony between white, green, and black that appeared around 1910 and has since become an emblematic combination of the Maison. The black of onyx, lacquer and enamel provides contrast, suggests volume and depth, and highlights geometric motifs. This combination heralded the Art Deco movement, of which Cartier was a pioneer.

THE OBI NECKLACE
FOR CARTIER, THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD IS ALSO THE BEAUTY OF TRADITIONS

Drawing inspiration small calibrated rubies. Thanks to from Japanese fabrics the very delicate custom-cut onyx decorated with inserts,the angles are marked, the rising sun motif, the Obi necklace pays tribute to the culture of Japan, an inspiring land cherished by the Maison for more than a century. A rare ensemble composed of eight cabochon-cut emeralds, including a 12.53-carat specimen from Zambia, provides the starting point. The gemstones become the heart of the radiant motifs, linked together. The roundness of the cabochons contrasts with the motif ’s geometry, which is punctuated by volumes accentuated, and the entire necklace gains depth. Green, red, and black: a signature chromatic harmony for Cartier, which since the beginning of the 20th century has dared to create unprecedented combinations. The colour black represents a new modern entry into the Cartier universe, and is now emblematic of its style. In keeping with Cartier’s tradition of transformable pieces, the pendant motif detaches to be worn as a brooch.

Below you can enjoy some making of photos that show the amazing craftsmanship behind those pieces.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CARTIER
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When Gabrielle Chanel adopted tweed as her own, it was to gift its comfort to elegant, sporty and resolutely modern women. When Patrice Leguéreau, Director of the CHANEL Fine Jewelry Creation Studio, took his inspiration from it in 2020, it was to create the first High Jewelry collection dedicated to tweed, with as its central masterpiece the « Tweed Couture » necklace.

Positioning the elements of the strands of the « TWEED COUTURE » Patrimony necklace on the sheet before setting.

Re-created today, this technical and aesthetic tour de force now forms part of the CHANEL High Jewelry Patrimoine. And it assures tweed a definitive place among the major inspirations of the CHANEL Fine Jewelry Creation Studio.

Assembly of the « TWEED COUTURE » Patrimony necklace.

Taming tweed. Transforming its softness, reinterpreting its weave and the irregularities that deepen its fleecy qualities, and mastering its suppleness in gold, pearls and gemtones. This is the dream that is realized in the « Tweed Couture » necklace. Unfolding in a host of radiating lines of varying lengths, it evokes a dense yet astonishingly light weave, created through a number of innovative processes.

Threading the chain that creates the horizontal weave of the tweed through the strands. First mounting of the chain before dismantling it for setting of the « TWEED COUTURE » Patrimony necklace.

The first of these is the articulation of rose gold and platinum threads to create minuscule hinges, rings and joints that infuse the whole structure of the necklace with suppleness. They are complemented by settings of equal lightness, in which each stone appears to be freed from claws or beads, to be fully revealed in the light.

Assembly of the « TWEED COUTURE » Patrimony necklace.

Rows of infinitely delicate pink sapphires, intense and crystalline red spinels, velvet-smooth pearls and diamonds of dazzling clarity weave the warp and weft of the tweed to re-create its downy thickness. A row of pearls, meanwhile, punctuated in the center by a 10.20 carat DIF type IIa cushion-cut diamond, delicately accentuates the base of the neck. Finally, the back of every element has been polished to ensure the necklace is as light and comfortable as tweed.

Adjustments of the center stone, a cushion-cut diamond of 10,20 carats of the « TWEED COUTURE » Patrimony necklace.

In its perfect embrace of the curve of the neck and its re-creation of the tweed weave, the « Tweed Couture » necklace elevates suppleness to the level of a creative principle, as exalted by the mastery and savoir-faire of the CHANEL Fine Jewelry Atelier. In its freedom and inventiveness, it celebrates the uncompromising boldness of Mademoiselle and takes its place in the CHANEL High Jewelry Patrimoine.

«The « Tweed Couture” necklace, which combines most of the technical challenges we had to face in 2020, was the most ambitious piece in this High Jewelry collection. For example, more than 980 articulations were assembled to create the exceptional suppleness of the necklace. That’s why today, CHANEL is proud to donate this exceptional piece to the Patrimoine department as a precious testimony of our creativity and savoir-faire.» – Patrice Leguéreau

Gabrielle Chanel and the tweed jacket of her English Duke lover changed fashion for ever. The fabric was also the inspiration for Virginie Viard’s F/W 2022 collection for CHANEL.

TWEED BY CHANEL

In the 1920s, Gabrielle Chanel had a love affair with the Duke of Westminster and discovered the lifestyle of the English aristocracy.
The Duke had an indisputable influence on the designs of Mademoiselle, who notably borrowed his tweed jackets to offer reinterpretations of them in her collections.
Tweed is a thick, soft woolen fabric that takes its name from the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders. While it has been part of the CHANEL vocabulary of style since the 1920s, it entered the Maison’s world of jewelry in 2020, with an initial collection of 45 High Jewelry pieces.

Work on « TWEED COUTURE » Patrimony necklace.

The most expensive piece in the 2020 collection, the « Tweed Couture » necklace has been reproduced for the occasion in order to join the pieces in the CHANEL High Jewelry Patrimoine department, such as the « 55.55 » necklace from the “N°5” High Jewelry Collection.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL #TweedDeCHANEL #CHANELHighJewelry
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A timeless icon perpetually reinvented, the Lady Dior has enjoyed an extraordinary destiny. With its architectural lines exalting the cannage pattern, it encapsulates the very essence of Dior style, its audacious elegance.

Season after season, this emblem’s aura shines on, at the crossroads of modernity and excellence. It has become, more than ever, an object of art and desire, revisited by artists from around the world. Through the most fascinating detour, the Lady Dior is thus transformed into a unique oeuvre, merging heritage and creative visions.

For the seventh edition of the Dior Lady Art project, Ghada Amer, Brian Calvin, Sara Cwynar, Alex Gardner, Shara Hughes, Dorothy Iannone, Minjung Kim, Zhenya Machneva, Bouthayna Al Muftah, Françoise Pétrovitch and Wang Yuyang – from Egypt to the United States, from Qatar to China – have each risen to the challenge of reinterpreting and transforming the iconic bag.

A meeting between Dior and the cultures of the world, this new inspiring carte blanche showcases virtuoso techniques and craftsmanship, driven by a spirit of innovation and limitless inventiveness. Each detail, thought out with infinite meticulousness by the eleven artists, is a tribute to singularity and savoir-faire, opening the doors of the imagination. As a final touch, each of the exceptional reinventions extends the artistic expression to the inside of the bag, revealing several poetic surprises. A celebration of joy and freedom.

All bags are highly limited and in stores in January 2023.

LoL, Sandra

MINJUNG KIM

BRIAN CALVIN

FRANÇOISE PETROVITCH

ZHENYA MACHNEVA

ALEX GARDNER

DOROTHY IANNONE

BOUTHAYNA AL MUFTAH

SARA CWYNAR

GHADA AMER

WANG YUYANG

SHARA HUGHES

Photos: © Dior
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Prada announces the eighth installment of their Timecapsule NFT Collection. The drop on January 5th follows a successful 2022 campaign where Prada embraced the Web3 community and opened their reach to new audiences, allowing for unique experiences for NFT holders.

The latest NFT drop is #37 in the Timecapsule collection. Kicking off the new year, the first three months will present a series of shirts featuring special prints by Italian photographer Enzo Ragazzini from his archive from the late 60s’ and early 70s’.

Titled INTERFERENZA OTTICA ART PRINT BY ENZO RAGAZZINI 1969, the January shirt will feature a design made in 1969 on the occasion of the Enzo Ragazzini exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London (ICA) with the optical interference technique, using mechanical devices of his own invention (the «rotating plane» for the circular patterns and the “rotating drum” for horizontal patterns). This work was then digitized in 2017.

The poplin shirt’s front pocket features the Prada enameled triangle logo and a transfer on the back with the word «JANUARY». Each shirt comes accompanied by its own gifted NFT, which serves as an invitation to join Prada’s exclusive Crypted NFT community.

As with their S/S 2023 fashion show, one Prada Timecapsule NFT Holder and a guest will be offered the opportunity to be hosted in Milan for a Prada exclusive experience including an invitation to the Prada Menswear F/W 2023 fashion show on January 15. More details will be shared on the Prada Crypted Community on Discord.

LoL, Sandra

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

In 1987, CHANEL presented its first watch creation, the Première watch, designed for women by its Artistic Director Jacques Helleu. Choosing the octagonal shape of the stopper of the N°5 perfume bottle for its case and dressing it in black lacquer and borrowing the interlaced leather and chain strap of the iconic quilted bag for its bracelet, the Première surprised the watchmaking world that until then had been governed by masculine codes.

In 2022, the CHANEL Watchmaking Creation Studio presents the Hors-Série PREMIÈRE Haute Horlogerie capsule. Composed of 3 creations, the capsule is inspired by the first watchmaking creation of the House, the Première watch, and by its iconic gold interlaced chain. Black and gold set with diamonds, with bracelets that are oversized, many-faceted or dressed with the symbols of the House, the Hors-Série PREMIÈRE watches embody the audacity of an era.

«Exaggerated, agglomerated, superposed, stacked, I have chosen to pay tribute to Première by playing with excess,» says Arnaud Chastaingt, Director of the CHANEL Watchmaking Creation Studio.

Hors-Série PREMIÈRE Iconic Chain
18K yellow gold case. Black-lacquered dial. 18K yellow gold chain bracelet set with 625 diamonds (~14.28 carats), interlaced with shaved black velvet. High precision quartz movement. Functions: hours, minutes. Water-resistance: 30 meters. Dimensions: 19.7 x 15.2 x 7.5 mm. Diamonds: 625 brilliant-cut diamonds (~14.28 carats). Limited to 5 pieces. *Technical description of a size XS (wrist size: 150 mm).

Hors-Série PREMIÈRE Chain Charms
18K yellow gold case. Black-lacquered dial. 18K yellow gold chain bracelet set with 112 diamonds (~3.39 carats), interlaced with black
velvet. 6 charms in yellow gold, onyx and diamonds representing symbols of the House: number 5, lion, camellia, Gabrielle Chanel, comet and byzantine motif. High precision quartz movement. Functions: hours, minutes. Water-resistance: 30 meters. Dimensions: 19.7 x 15.2 x 7.5 mm. Diamonds: 283 brilliant-cut diamonds (~4.82 carats). Limited to 5 pieces.

Hors-Série PREMIÈRE Gourmette Chain
18K yellow gold case. Dial set with 116 brilliant-cut diamonds (~0.37 carat). 18K yellow gold gourmette chain set with 1016 diamonds (~3.89 carats). High precision quartz movement. Functions: hours, minutes. Water-resistance: 30 meters. Dimensions: 19.7 x 15.2 x 7.5 mm. Diamonds: 1132 brilliant-cut diamonds (~4.26 carats). Limited to 5 pieces. *Technical description of a size XS (wrist size: 150 mm).

Love those models so much…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: © CHANEL #CHANELPremiere #CHANELHauteHorlogerie
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

There are fashion collaborations and there are major fashion collaborations. Louis Vuitton & Yayoi Kusama‘s 2023 partnership is very much of the latter, encompassing both the universes of women and men through ready-to-wear, bags, shoes, accessories, luggage and trunks and fragrances, these wide-ranging and intricate collections appear in two parts, with distinct thematic directions reflecting Yayoi Kusama’s motifs and motivations.

Cruise 2023 Show

Yayoi Kusama has partnered with Louis Vuitton two times now. Kusama, who’s consistently produced variations of her signature polka dot art since the 1970s, is one of the world’s most famous artists thanks to the enduring popularity of her Instagram-friendly Infinity Rooms and instantly-recognizable polka-dotted pumpkins.

The last time that Louis Vuitton met the magic of Yayoi Kusama was in 2012. Yet this relationship never ended – ten years after, it evolved, and expanded with conversations continued and extended.

For collectors and Kusama fans alike, Louis Vuitton’s capsule offers once more a rare opportunity to get luxury goods laden with the artist’s touch. There is the appeal of the artisanal process applied to certain items — Louis Vuitton’s craftspeople developed a special technique to make some of the 3D paint daubs look «wet,» as if they’d just been painted by Kusama’s hand — and that this is the first time that Kusama’s art has been applied to LV menswear.

Kusama’s touch even extends to a special edition of three perfumes, complete with matching monogrammed canvas case.

Drop 1 will launch on 1st of January 2023 in China and Japan, followed by the rest of the world on 6th of January 2023.
Drop 2 will be available in Louis Vuitton stores starting 31st March 2023.

Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama’s collaboration will be celebrated within a fully immersive visual landscape, ranging from window displays, to Pop-ups, to anamorphic billboards, alongside AR experiences, an XR game and a dedicated advertising campaign.

LoL, Sandra

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

Makeup can be one of the best ways to treat yourself or a loved one for the holidays. Christmas and New Year’s Eve are also the perfect occasion to dress up and try some festive makeup looks! Bobbi Brown released an amazing  limited edition Holiday 2022 collection that I don’t want you to miss, and not only because of its gorgeous packaging.  The collection features two palettes, a highlighting powder, lipsticks and some great gift sets. Let’s have a closer look as I tried it for you.

«Tis the season to sparkle and shine. You’re invited to get all decked out and go out on the town. Spark holiday spirit with brilliant beauty gifts and be your brightest self all season long.»

LUXE EYE & CHEEK PALETTES
The stars of the collection that feature artist-curated shades that light up eyes with rich metallic, matte and sparkle finishes for multidimensional color and brighten cheeks all day with a luminous, luxurious sheen.
Incandescent Glow (my choice) – Copper Glow
CHF 92

HIGHLIGHTING POWDER
Glow all in this holiday season with this bestselling highlighter that glides onto skin for radiant, pearl-illumination. It illuminates lids and cheeks with an enchanting gleam.
Pink Glow
CHF 69

LUXE LIP COLOR
Statement lips. Luxe Lip Color delivers creamy, hydrating, full-coverage color at its most Luxe and all decked-out in a limited-edition holiday design.
Metro Red – Neutral Rose (my choice) – Claret
CHF 52

This season, Bobbi Brown offers also many different holiday gift sets, sparkle makeup sets, skincare gift sets and more.

My three favorites are from top to bottom:
EXTRA INDULGENCE SKINCARE SET
This limited-edition set gives dry, parched skin extra indulgence with a double dose of (giftable) hydration to last through the season, featuring a full-size Extra Repair Eye Cream intense, full-size Extra Repair Moisture Cream Intense, and a limited-edition Makeup Bag.
CHF 198

BEST OF BOBBI BROWN ULTIMATE GIFT SET
This limited-edition 9-piece set of Bobbi Brown bestsellers offers everything you need to make it through the holidays—and come out glowing. The set is tucked in a giftable travel bag—perfect for creating celebratory beauty looks at home or on-the-go, wherever the holidays take you.
CHF 155

MINI CRUSHED LIP TRIO
These 2 limited-edition, holiday-ready lip sets are the perfect stocking stuffers for lipstick lovers everywhere.
CHF 42

The collection is available at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Counters and at www.bobbibrown.ch.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography and © Bobbi Brown
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Jimmy Choo x Timberland have joined forces again for a collaboration that sees Timberland’s iconic Original Yellow Boot re-imagined through the luxurious lens of Jimmy Choo creative director Sandra Choi, alongside Harlem’s Fashion Row and designer Shanel Campbell. The result? A reinvented classic.

The fusion of outdoor heritage with Jimmy Choo’s signature glamour and «the gritty energy of New York» is inspired by the ’90s hip-hop scene. The most desirable piece of the collection? A limited edition design that is fully embellished in Swarovski crystals and set on a slim 115mm heel with a pointed toe. I LOVE!

LoL, Sandra

Wheat Timberland Nubuck Ankle Boots with Jimmy Choo Graffiti (also available for men)

Black Timberland Nubuck Ankle Boots with Crystal Logo

Hot Pink Timberland Velvet Ankle Boots (also available for men)

Black Timberland Patent Knee High Boots with Detachable Harness

Gold Timberland Shimmer Suede Ankle Boots with Swarovski Crystals

Photos: © Jimmy Choo
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Prada announces the seventh installment of the Timecapsule NFT Collection. On December 1st, in celebration of the festive season, there will be an exclusive holiday drop of a gender neutral sweater along with a gifted NFT.

The latest NFT drop is #36 in the Timecapsule collection. Reimagining the traditional holiday themed sweater, the primary colours will be red and white, with black stripes visible on the bottom and on the cuffs. The Merino wool sweater is made with a special Norwegian jacquard knitting technique, while the PRADA logo and DECEMBER lettering featured on the sweater are made with an embroidery technique.

As with previous drops, Prada wants to continue to offer exclusive opportunities for their Web3 community. Timecapsule NFT holders will have the opportunity to gain access to exclusive events and experiences including invitations to special events such as Prada Extends and Prada Mode, which are held around the world. NFT holders from the first six drops will be in with an exclusive chance to attend Prada Extends Miami on the sidelines of Art Basel 2022. Earlier this month, previous NFT holders had the opportunity to attend the eighth iteration of Prada Mode, a traveling social club that provides members with a unique art experience along with music, dining and conversations, which featured an installation by artist Damien Hirst in Dubai.

Registration for Prada Extends Miami is available within the «Experiences» section inside the Prada Discord Channel. All information on the RSVP process is shared with community members on the Prada Discord Channel.

The Timecapsule drop is an online monthly event that takes place on the first Thursday of every month. Limited quantities of the Timecapsule Collection products are made available for 24 hours. Each limited-edition Timecapsule item has its own unique serial number (limited to 50 pieces) and is prepared for delivery with custom packaging. By purchasing the Timecapsule, customers will be able to redeem the related NFT. With this process, Prada maintains consistency and harmony between the exclusivity of the Prada Timecapsule and the rarity of the corresponding NFTs.

Each NFT includes the drop serial number and the serial number for its accompanying physical item, so there is a direct relationship between the physical and virtual products. NFT owners are eligible to participate in exclusive benefits and experiences, as well as gain priority access to future drops.

Prada Timecapsule NFTs are issued on Ethereum infrastructure, offering a secure and user-friendly experience. The Aura Blockchain Consortium provides the underlying NFT solutions and technology.

LoL, Sandra

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