Sandra‘s Closet

Greetings from beautiful and sunny Champagne where I spent some amazing days as guest of Moët & Chandon. I cannot wait to share with you this outstanding experience about champagne making. Here you see me in the Moët & Chardon L’Orangerie gardens in Epernay.

My look: Appliquéd cable-knit wool cardigan, tropical print silk cape shirt, tropical print pajama pants, and Ace embroidered low-top sneakers, all by Gucci. «Paris Cosmopolite» Pré-fall 2017 Métiers d’Art Gabrielle bag by Chanel and Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My search for the perfect day to night dress was over when I found this gorgeous embellished one. Mini stands in this case for minimal dressing effort with a huge effect. This showstopper makes a sharp and chic style statement. Combined with my favorite clutch ever, the Chanel cigar box, I love wearing it around the clock.

My look: Ruffle trimmed single breasted wool coat by Gucci, Showmanship Dark Rush dress by Mary Katrantzou, suede over-the-knee boots by Saint Laurent, and cigar box clutch by Chanel from the Coco Cuba Croisière 2017 collection. Tribale earrings by Dior and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I am just going to come right out and say it: striped shirting is probably the most versatile wardrobe trend you’ll ever come across. Being never out of style, stripes can be easily combined as seen here with my new Roksanda shirt and pieces from previous seasons. In fashion seasonless is the new timeless…

My look: Shearling vest and riding boots, both by Gucci, Frida ruffle-trimmed striped cotton-poplin blouse by Roksanda, drawstring shorts by Givenchy, shearling bag by Saint Laurent, cuff by Céline, T Wire Narrow 18-karat rose gold bracelet by Tiffany & Co, Tonda 1950 Galaxy by Parmigiani Fleurier, and Mitza ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

By the way, after the Polyvore disaster this week, this is my first collage done with Photoshop. It took much longer and doesn’t look as fancy as it used to but I am getting there. At the moment, I cannot get over the fact that all my data is lost, all my outfit pictures and much more. Nobody is responding to the broken link to get it. But I am not giving up and am ready to kick some…. . Can you imagine that I had around 50 posts prepared – all of which are gone! So mad and disappointed.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This post is a very sad one for me… and actually I am absolutely outrageous! Many of you always commented of the collages I do to highlight my different blog articles, especially for my outfit posts I have loved doing them. They kind of make my blog look different from others. The platform I used for it was POLYVORE, an online community where you could create fashion, art and interior mood boards in a very fun way, so much easier than Photoshop. I had visited the team many years ago in the San Francisco area and was amazed by their innovative team spirit. Actually, POLYVORE made me start my blog. I joined the site around 11 years ago and was immediately hooked by it. You could share your fashion sense and even enter several contests. After having won one with Marc Jacobs where I got a handbag, I thought that those collages would be the perfect way to create my blog in a very illustrative way and I started Sandra’s Closet in November 2009. Even my mum got hooked, she became very successful with art sets and was so happy to communicate with different members around the globe.

My first post from November 23, 2009 started with a Polyvore set.

Last Thursday evening, I was in bed working on my newest outfit post. During the past days, I didn’t have a lot of time due to my daughter’s birthday and the whole family visiting that I was happy to finally being back to blogging. Creating those mood boards on POLYVORE was one of the most relaxing activities for me, you could say, I was addicted and it was actually the most fun part of Sandra’s Closet for me. I also used it to organize all my outfits. All my clothes and accessories were arranged in different folders with years and comments. Sometimes, I would pack my suitcase by putting outfits together virtually on POLYVORE.

I modeled in the Polyvore Live Runway Show presented by Covergirl during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC in 2012.

But what happened that I am writing this… While I was in bed, the site started to crash. I thought it had a bug as this had happened before and messaged my mum if she was experiencing the same troubles which she confirmed. So I shut down my computer and went to sleep. The next morning, the site was gone. I started googling and actually almost fainted reading the news. POLYVORE got sold and its new owner Ssense shut down the site and its mood boards with no notice. Ssense, a luxury e-commerce company, said it had acquired the digital fashion database and search engine from Verizon subsidiary Oath Inc., and immediately began rerouting POLYVORE visitors to its homepage. All the work of 11 years gone. You will be wondering to find now some white spaces in older blog posts where the pictures were linked directly to POLYVORE and what makes me even more furious those empty pictures lead now to Ssense. They are using my traffic without my permission! This has to be against the law! Moreover, I am not the only one feeling betrayed. It is so unprofessional to just shut down the community without any warning. I am absolutely convinced that many members would have paid a monthly fee as a subscription model to stay on the site and to make it profitabel. On the POLYVORE blog, a post was released where the company said «we’re excited to share our directional collection of the most coveted labels in the world.» It also shared directions for Polyvore users to download their content and messages, with a deadline of May 10 which doesn’t work at all. It just shows a white page. I will fight to get my personal data and mood boards back which Ssense stole it from me. Members of the site, the so-called Polyfam (Polyvore family), responded with a gazillion of tweets decrying the move, as well as several online petitions asking Montreal-based Ssense to reverse its decision #BringBackPolyvore.

Together with Polyvore I hosted the More Than a Feeling with Swarovski Contest.

Shutting down POLYVORE without a warning is one of the most unprofessional moves I have experienced in my working career. There was no forewarning at all, and no consultation of it’s users, giving them time to exchange contacts and to get their data or even delete it. I think what they have forgotten was who made POLYVORE happen on a daily base – it was us, the users, and Ssense should really think about starting their new venture not with this bad energy. Karma is a bitch – good luck!

And I am working on my Photoshop skills in the meantime…

LoL, Sandra

Collages: © Sandra Bauknecht, via Polyvore

Happy Easter to all of you! I couldn’t resist my own blog post and went for the Prada bunnies. So cute… I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

My look: Rabbit intarsia jumper, matching cashmere and wool scarf and feather-embellished velvet headband, all by Prada, skinny denim pant with embroidery and shearling-lined leather mules, both by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Upgrade your chic can be so easy, just add the right accessory and a black simple dress transforms into something even more glamourous. Here I added a multi-strand pearl body chain necklace to a classic gown that you had seen me wearing before (for the previous post click here please) for an unexpected touch.

I sported this look to a MONTBLANC event that was held under the red-lit dome of the iconic Rainbow Room inside Rockefeller Center. I had a great time while looking out at the spectacular views of New York – a city that is said to have been built on a pioneering spirit, just like MONTBLANC was over 110 years ago. The lavish party saw brand ambassador Hugh Jackman and other famous celebrities making an appearance. Enjoy my photos of the night.

My look: Cropped fur jacket by Givenchy, Sara strapless bandage gown by Hervé Léger, cutout leather platform pumps by Saint Laurent, leather wristlet bag by Chloé, and multi-strand pearl body chain necklace by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

With Kate Bosworth in Dior

Hugh Jackman holding a speech, what a fantastic table I had across from Charlotte Casiraghi, Johannes Huebl and Olivia Palermo.

Matthew Morrison in Burberry

With lovely Divine Bonga, PR Montblanc Switzerland

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 

On Tuesday evening, ASMALLWORLD threw a party at Gallery Club, an intimate and stylish club in the heart of Zurich, to celebrate their «going public» event. It was time to glow up and enjoy this fabulous moment among dear friends and ASW members!

My look: One-shoulder stretch-knit jumpsuit by Stella McCartney, Betty chain red leather shoulder bag and pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps, both by Saint Laurent, single earring and cuff, both by Chanel. Diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography – THANK YOU, DAVID!

Yesterday, I had another front row experience than usual by attending the «going public» event of ASMALLWORLD at the SIX Swiss Exchange in Zurich as the first listed social media company there. At 9.01 am, the «ring the bell» celebration took place in Swiss style with a cow bell and it was very exciting watching the first trading day happening in full swing.

My business look:My look: Embroidered wool cape, silk wool jacket with ruffled hem, and matching pants, floral printed silk blouse, feline earrings with crystals, red silk scarf and embellished leather pumps, all by Gucci and Kelly So Black by Hermès. Pearl necklace by Chanel, Mitza ring and daisy necklace, both by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography – THANK YOU, DAVID!

Last week, I was in Milan for another UBS Unique event that I am going to tell you more about soon. Here you see me in the garden of the Four Seasons Hotel wearing a one-of-kind kimono by Rianna + Nina who create contemporary pieces from vintage silk scarves to elegant effect. All designs, which are available at for example at Matchesfashion, Browns, and Moda Operandi are made in Berlin where the designer duo resides.

Framed by Rianna + Nina: Rianna Nektaria Kounou and Nina Kuhn.

My look: Vintage patchwork silk kimono coat and vintage silk belt, both by Rianna + Nina, ruffle-trimmed cotton-blend cady jacket, ruffled-hem silk and wool-blend skirt, ruffled-neck chiffon blouse, Queercore embellished leather ankle boots, and GG Marmont matelassé shoulder bag, all by Gucci. Horsebit blue topaz diamond white gold ring by Gucci Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

A huge thank you to Tina Sturzenegger for taking the photos!

My avid readers know that I am totally addicted to yoga and ESTÉE LAUDER‘s Advanced Night Repair (please don’t laugh about the combination, it is actually a match made in heaven). For me, there is not one beauty regime happening without a drop of this beauty elixir before. I use it day and night, but the latter is the most important, this is when my night time ritual starts – along with the Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix for the delicate eye area that repairs, fortifies and hydrates. After I applied the products, I start my bedtime yoga session. This calms me down, helps me to digest the impressions of the day and relaxes me after a busy day.

Carolina Fischer-Waibel with me at her ATHAYOGA studio in Zollikon.

To give you an impression we took some photos at the beautiful ATHAYOGA studio in Zollikon (there is also one in Zurich city) while training with Carolina Fischer-Waibel who owns the studio along with her husband Roland Fischer (he photographed me – thank you!).

Strong pose – the Dancer’s pose

Some of the poses are pretty strong, so you have to be careful when doing them before bedtime as they might give you energy on the spot. Just do this routine one or two hours before laying down. Other exercises are more gentle and a great remedy to anyone feeling stress, anxiety or tension in the mind or body. It will help you to decompress and prepare for a good nights rest.

Yoga before bedtime can calm down your mind which helps you to sleep better.

Did you know that yoga before bed can be some of your best defense against insomnia? By calming down your body and your mind, you’re putting yourself in a better position for sweet and restful slumber. Stretching is so important for your body. A flexible body makes a flexible mind. If you add a little beauty secret, the effect is even better.

Never without my Advanced Night Repair!

Personally speaking I like to apply Advanced Night Repair before starting my 15 minute yoga bedtime routine, as I have the impression that my skin is perfectly prepared for extra pampering afterwards due to the activation of  the blood circulation through the yoga flow.

But why is this product so great? Here are some facts:

In 1982, Estée Lauder revolutionised the beauty world with Night Repair being one of the first beauty companies to make the link between DNA damage and skin ageing. Moreover, it was the first ever serum to launch, the first ever repair product and the first skincare product to use hyaluronic acid. The packaging of the little brown bottle was groundbreaking by being reminiscent of a pharmacy product. Over the last 30 years, many scientists have worked on Advanced Night Repair to constantly improve it.

In 2013, a new formula Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II was launched that has won 127 beauty awards worldwide (pretty impressive, isn’t it?!). The new pioneering product has patents valid until 2033. Every 8th minute, a ANR bottle is sold worldwide, which are around 4.5 million bottles a year.

I truly recommend trying ANR as you can easily apply it before the beauty products you like to use in general. I am sure you will see the difference after a few weeks and might be interested in other products of the Advanced Night Repair family such as the Advanced Night Repair Ampoules (I like to use them as a cure for two weeks four times a year) and the Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery PowerFoil Mask, a weekly treatment ask that resets the look of your skin after the visible assaults of modern life. Your skin looks instantly fresher and renewed. For cleansing, I absolutely recommend the Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm, a lightweight balm that melts to a cleansing oil to remove makeup and impurities. You’ ll love it!

If you like my outfit, visit SPORTLES (Thank you Megan Herak!). I am wearing Drapey V back by Onzie, Shakedown bra by Vimmia, and Captain ankle tight leggings by Alala.

Happy Weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Roland Fischer for Estée Lauder Switzerland