Sandra‘s Closet

Fashion foodies gather, Vetements is launching the first ever «Vetements Burger». Crafted by trained artisans with the highest quality ingredients, the vegetarian burger comes in a combo meal, which features sustainable iconic monogram packaging. I don’t know about you, but eating junk food with this sleek packaging just doesn’t seem as bad for you. However, I am in detox and also not in Russia, so I’ll skip this meal. The burger is at the moment only available exclusively at KM20 restaurant in Moscow, as it is created in partnership with concept store KM20.

Vetements loves to transform the absolutely mundane into branded, expensive collectors items, but let’s see if this burger signifies a change in gastronomy or whether this is just another one-off product to get us talking. For fashionistas it will definitely be a happy meal.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: @vetements_official, @km20conceptstore

This Easter, I went on a special egg hunt and found an amazing treasure, a beautiful new watch at the newly opened TAG Heuer boutique in Zurich. Located on the prestigious Bahnhofstrasse, it is the fourth flagship store in its home country of Switzerland, complementing its existing Geneva, Zermatt and Lucerne point of sales.

Launched in 1860, in Saint-Imier at the very heart of the birthplace of watchmaking, by a bold young named Edouard Heuer, it is owned since 1999 by French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH. The name TAG Heuer combines the initials of «Techniques d’Avant Garde» and the founder’s surname.

Capturing TAG Heuer’s motto, originally introduced in 1991, «Don’t Crack Under Pressure», are prominent partnerships and brand ambassadors that express the brand’s passion for action and high performance, among them actors Chris Hemsworth and Patrick Dempsey, ATP next-generation tennis players Alex de Minaur, Frances Tiafoe, Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger Aliassime, and big wave surfer Kai Lenny. They are athletes, surfers, actors, pilots. Whatever the conditions, they want to make history and break records. No matter the pressure, the public and adversity, they never give up, they never back down from any challenge. Therefore you can imagine my excitement to be also a TAG Heuer ambassador, as I breathe the same energy. I never give up, I never let myself down. If I have a vision, I go for it, no matter what!

So which watch did I choose you might ask? You will be amazed. It’s not a ladies watch, not a diamond watch. I went for this amazing masculine Carrera Automatic Chronograph that sets a blistering new pace in prestige timekeeping in sumptuously chic black and rose gold. Housed in a 44-mm steel polished, fine brushed case, the legendary Calibre HEUER02 Automatic movement now comes outfitted with splendid finery. Sober yet stellar, 18K 5N rose gold accents the entire timepiece, from hands and indexes to the watch’s crowns and push-pieces.

The black brushed dial sits under a sapphire crystal dome, locked in with a ceramic black tachymeter fixed bezel. Inside, the manufacture Heuer 02 movement made with a vertical clutch and column wheel – signatures of improved chronograph timekeeping and high-quality manufacture movements – will last 80 hours with an impressive power reserve. The sporty yet elegant design is highlighted by a black alligator strap and steel folding clasp, exuding strength and speed.

The Carrera model has a beautiful story. In 1962, CEO at the time Jack Heuer, the great-grandchild of Edouard Heuer, wanted a clean and well-proportioned chronograph designed for drivers and inspired to the world of motor racing. When he heard the Spanish word «Carrera», used for the renowned Carrera Panamericana race, he loved the sound and the multiple meanings – including road, race, course and career – so much that he quickly decided that the product had to be called «Carrera». The Heuer Carrera was launched in 1963 and since then it has been a symbol of the brand and one of the most popular sport chronographs ever designed.

I personally love that this 44-mm case adopts well to my small wrist. It symbolizes strength, power and diversity for me. I see myself wearing it with a romantic floral dress as well as a business suit. Stay tuned for many unexpected combinations, for this certain twist, for this «je ne sais quoi» attitude that makes the difference. But don’t feel pressure, or at least don’t crack under it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. 

During the festive season, the Maison Cartier unveils an innovative pop-up store in Zurich: The «Cartier Winter House». Located on Rennweg 22, a few steps from their boutique, Cartier Winter House is a 150 m2 space spread over three floors, much like a «Chocolaterie». A warm and welcoming venue set to open its doors today this year. From Tuesday to Saturday up to 24th December, visitors will be able to discover chocolate creations with unique flavours.

On the ground floor: Workshops and tastings, a hot chocolate bar and customisable chocolate bars, to enjoy in the boutique or to take away!

Then venture upstairs to the first floor of this pop-up boutique to discover the brand’s iconic creations or the exclusive services on offer. Bespoke engraving, touch and try and a cord bar. A perfect opportunity for visitors to find the ideal presents for their loved ones or to just enjoy themselves, whilst sipping on a hot chocolate in a special gourmet tea room.

Finally, the third floor of this venue will be dedicated to more private events, such as digital conversations with friends of the Maison, digital presentations on the Haute Joaillerie collection, and also chocolate-themed dinners skilfully orchestrated by a reknown Swiss chef.

Cartier has held the city of Zurich close to its heart since the opening of its first boutique in 1978, as Laurence Bourgeois, Managing Director of Cartier Switzerland attests, «Zurich is an avant-garde city in terms of architecture, art and design. Cartier naturally found its place there.» The Maison also opened its new boutique at Bahnhofstrasse in 2018.

Practical information:
From 5th to 24th December (open on Sunday 6th and Sunday 20th December)
Hours: 10 am to 7 pm – Tuesday to Friday
Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Thursday Dec 24th from 10 am to 5 pm
Address: Cartier Winter House, Rennweg 22, 8001 Zurich

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Drawings: © Cartier

Starting from today, NET-A-PORTER and MR PORTER will be the privileged multi-brand online retailers of Watches & Wonders, a global concept that celebrates watchmaking excellence throughout the world. Hosting digital and offline events, this concept will bring some of the industry’s most revered luxury watch brands to the online shopping destination’s extensive customer base, starting from today. Fourteen watchmaking Maisons will feature as part of this initiative, together for the first time.

A great example for a super informative masterclass for Net-à-Porter’s EIP clients last June.

Over the course of the campaign, NET-A-PORTER and MR PORTER customers will be able to enjoy a calendar of activity, including exclusive EIP (Extremely Important Person) virtual events and small-scale appointment-based activity, virtual one-to-one appointments and interactive Instagram Live conversations hosted by NET-A-PORTER and PORTER’s Editor in Chief, Sarah Bailey, and MR PORTER’s Senior Watch Editor, Chris Hall.

In anticipation of the celebrated campaign, and in response to extensive customer research across both retailers, NET-A-PORTER and MR PORTER will also introduce a number of new website enhancements to the luxury watch shopping experience, including an improved size guide and the addition of trend-driven, occasion-based and material filters. Further developments will follow in the near future.

One of my favorite watches that I got at Net-à-Porter: Panthère de Cartier Manchette 22mm 18-karat rose gold and diamond watch by Cartier

The arrival of Watches & Wonders on NET-A-PORTER and MR PORTER marks a significant moment for the industry, bringing together the leading watch and jewellery players, and establishes the luxury retailers as the ultimate global shopping destinations for fine watches. Following on from the Watches & Wonders digital platform that occurred on NET-A-PORTER’s Tmall flagship store in April, this new initiative marks the beginning of a year-long programme and showcases a unique tri-fold industry approach to the fast-evolving luxury watch landscape.

With Alison Loehnis at a Net-à-Porter event

«By teaming up with the world’s premier watch showcase, we want to provide an international platform for the most exceptional timepieces, supporting an environment where their stories – and those of their iconic makers – can come alive and be accessed by watch lovers across the globe.»
– Alison Loehnis, President, NET-A-PORTER & MR PORTER

NET-A-PORTER will introduce the latest creations from Cartier, Hermès, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger LeCoultre, Piaget and Vacheron Constantin.

Bovet’s limited-edition Dimier Recital 27 Green that will launch at Mr Porter.

MR PORTER will host a curated offering of the most recent creations from across 13 prestigious watch Maisons including Cartier, HYT and Panerai, and will introduce two new brands: Ulysse Nardin and Bovet. Ulysse Nardin will launch with eight timepieces, including the Blast Rose Gold; Bovet will launch with four timepieces, including the limited-edition Dimier Recital 27 Green.

Another beauty in my closet shopped at Net-à-Porter: Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet

Personally speaking, I love being an EIP at Net-à-Porter. The personal shopping department is divine and the events I have been invited to were always superb. I bought two watches for myself and I am super happy with the service provided by my favorite online retailer.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Net-à-Porter, © Mr Porter © David Biedert Photography, © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

As promised in yesterday’s post, here are the two new fragrances created by Serge Lutens that will hit the shelves in September 2020. Two special creations that I don’t want you to miss. Poetic, eclectic – just as their creator himself.

FILS DE JOIE

«A laugh awaits a sentence, a word or a situation to proclaim itself. A laugh may burst forth or be stifled by a hand that tries to contain it. But if it is sincere, it cannot be contained. On the skin, its fragrance is Lady-of-the-Night, a paradoxically radiant scent!»
Serge Lutens

Dominant notes
Jasmin – Ylang ylang – Musc
Olfactory impressions
Radiant, intimate, nocturnal

This nocturnal and sensual fragrance plunges us into the exhilaration of laughter. A rare and intimate, yet significant side of Serge Lutens’ personality. Childhood memories of the surreal atmosphere in a bar in northern France leave a lingering taste of excitement tinted with disillusionment. Loud hoarse voices and «making ends meet upstairs». This mundane yet murky and boisterous life finds its reflection in mesk ellil, or night-blooming jasmine. A profound and haunting fragrance.

Black collection – Fils de joie
100ml – 180€ / 50ml – 120€
Discover the 2020 limited edition of «Fils de Joie» : a Moorish designed packaging signed by Serge Lutens.

PÉRILLEUSEMENT VÔTRE

«Despite the risks, we stand at the brink of dizziness on the edge of a cliff weathered by salt water. At this moment, we entrust our fate to what awaits us. Whether we tread on dangerous ground or lose sight of the way, rose stays true to itself and oud overpowers all else!»
Serge Lutens

Dominant notes
Oud – rose
Olfactory impressions
Determined, courageous, splendid!

A fragrant psychoanalysis. An uncompromising creation which reflects the need to take great personal and creative risks and to seek the singularity which society perceives as dangerous. The moment to embark on a personal journey. What defines us, our uniqueness, or our destiny? At what moment of the journey does the artist bloom? An intimate and personal olfactory creation which lays its creator bare.

Gratte-ciel collection – Périlleusement vôtre
100ml – 290€

Both fragrances are available at the Palais Royal and Saint-Honoré Boutiques, on Serge Lutens website sergelutens.com, and in selected points of sale.

TO DISCOVER THE WORLD OF SERGE LUTENS ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Beautiful interior design inside the Serge Lutens Palais Royal Boutique

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

Last Sunday, we took a beautiful boat and cruised around the island of Capri. One stop that I truly recommend for every fashion lover not to miss is the amazingly beautiful DIOR pop-up store which is set up at Il Riccio Restaurant & Beach Club, part of the Capri Palace Jumeirah.

Arriving by tender through the stormy sea is quite an experience. The location will take your breath away. From the cliff, overlooking the azure waters of the Mediterranean, this unique setting on a balcony is perched on the rock.

Paying an ode to la dolce vita, Maria Grazia Chiuri’s capsule summer collection, titled Dioriviera, includes alongside exclusive Dior Maison objects, sailor tops and summer accessories, such as the iconic Dior Book Tote, Saddle and Diorcamp bags. The must-have pieces are revisited with the motifs of the Dior Around the World line, inspired by the sketches of Roman artist Pietro Ruffo.

This signature joins Toile de Jouy and bayadère stripes on the cushions, parasols and personalized beach cabins of the lounging area, entirely redecorated by the House for the occasion as a testament to the irresistible lure of sun-drenched escapism and an evocation of the good life.

J’adior Capri! Stay tuned for the little souvenirs I got… and just saying the shopping bag itself that you get when you buy something, is worth the spree!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I love Aquazzura shoes and I love their stores. Each one of our boutiques has a very different feel but share a common thread. One of my favorite ones is located at the heart of Milan in Via Sant’Andrea, 12. While I am furnishing my new house, this interior design has fully inspired me. I adore its fine custom made décor in fine, sophisticated materials, such as French marble, blown glass, velvet and brass.

You can shop a large selection of Aquazzura shoes online at Net-à-Porter.

The black and white stripes, which are recurrent features of the brand and which are being used for their shoe boxes for example, look so great together with the pale pink furniture and glossy lacquer paneling walls, inspired by 70’ Italian style. The beautiful interior was designed by Casa do Passadiço’s interior designers, Cláudia and Catarina Soares, in collaboration with Aquazzura’s Edgardo Osorio.

The golden brass wall is covered of thousands of hand-cut golden scales, creating a pattern that is reminiscent of the gold pineapple, another iconic symbol of the brand. Another highlight of the shop is the mouth-blown Murano glass chandelier, which adds to this intimate luxurious parlour a contemporary elegance and luxury.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Aquazzura
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

After the announcement of Sergio Rossi’s death, another creative mastermind has left us. This morning, I received the announcement that «it is with great emotion and sadness that the House of Hermès learned on the 4th of April 2020 the passing of Leïla Menchari, the Queen of Enchantment as Michel Tournier called her.»

The book in English entitled «Leïla Menchari, the Queen of Enchantment» can be ordered online on the Hermès website and shows most of her works for the French Maison.

Born in 1927 in Tunis, Leïla was a trained painter at the Beaux Arts School of fine arts in Tunis, then the Beaux Arts School of fine arts in Paris, she was a model for Guy Laroche for a while, before entering the Annie Beaumel‘s decoration team at Hermès in 1961.

Window display S/S 1995 with a sculpture by Christian Renonciat

An outstanding dreamer and storyteller, she was the Artistic Director of the windows of 24 Faubourg, the Hermès flagship store in Paris. Her visual concepts never ceased to arouse curiosity, astonishment and surprise to the amazement of passers-by, creating windows that opened to another realm. «Thanks to Leïla, exoticism found a home, happily and permanently, in Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré», says Axel Dumas.

The glass green grotto from 1992 was among of Leïla’s highlights.

In 2017, Hermès à tire-d’aile, les Mondes de Leïla Menchari, an exhibition which celebrated her vision at the Grand Palais, allowed a wider audience discover her unique and poetic universe.
Leïla Menchari has long been the driving force behind the House’s Colours Committee, leaving a legacy through her elegance and her extraordinary sense of nuance evident in the Women’s Silk collection.

Sandy dreams from the land of the pharaohs in 2005.

«Many of us at Hermès have learned a lot from Leïla. She taught us to look at the world through the prism of color. She was a storyteller without equal that enchanted the world. We are infinitely grateful to her for all that she has done for us, that she passed on to us», adds Pierre-Alexis Dumas.

Primary colors in 1982.

An open, generous, resolutely modern woman, she was a woman of freedom. Her passing leaves to all those who had the joy of knowing and working with her, on both sides of the Mediterranean, the memory of a perpetual quest for beauty, a boundless passion for creation and craftsmanship.

Rest in Peace, Leïla Menchari! Below you can enjoy more of her amazing creations that might inspire you to redecorate your home …

LoL, Sandra

Leïla working in the windows on a display.

Photos: © Hermès

Yesterday I really felt gloomy about the future, for the first time while being in quarantine. I was shocked in regards to my work when I received the news that after Net-à-Porter had closed its distribution centre in the US last week, the company is shutting down e-commerce operations for Net-à-Porter and Mr Porter in the UK/Europe/Middle East as well. The only space to shop left is the Asian site. It’s not clear when the websites will be back up and running. At the moment, they are not able to accept customer returns, and have extended the window for product returns to a timeframe of 60 days instead of 30.

For me, as I am working with e-commerce, this decision has hit me pretty hard. Somehow, preparing my posts, doing some online shopping or at least looking at the sites, gave me a sense of normality. Now, not being able to generate revenue as much as I used to, leaves me uncertain of what will be next.

The upcoming men’s and haute couture shows in Paris, that would have taken place in July 2020, have been cancelled and Milan’s next men’s fashion week has been postponed and will be merged with the city’s women ready-to-wear week in September 2020.

The retailers that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 crash.

The question is should the fashion industry skip a season? A question, BoF is asking in today’s article. Many companies have not the possibility to work at the moment on their collections. Some might not be able to afford skipping a season but let’s be frank, what will happen with all the merchandise that is left now, that cannot be sold due to closed shops and shut down e-commerce websites. When stores eventually re-open, there will be so much unsold product in the market that analysts are predicting a wave of discounting similar to that seen in the aftermath of the global financial crisis in 2008.

In terms of my blogging industry, I can see a tremendous shift happening. Some large fashion and beauty retailers have paused affiliate link programmes as the coronavirus pandemic depresses sales, throwing a fundamental element of the social media economy into turmoil. Right now, it is happening in the mass market, with houses like Dillard, Ulta and Macys, but I am convinced others will follow. Is this the end of the influencer era as affiliation programs are driving a lot of our income?

With so many questions arising, I am sure that we will have difficult times ahead, with also lots of new chances popping up. In the meantime, I am wishing you lots of good energy while enjoying yourself at home. I will try to entertain you as much as I can. Isn’t it quite ironic that we got the corona virus from China and now it is only the Asian warehouse that is open…

IF YOU LIKE TO SHOP ON NET-A-PORTER’S ASIAN SITE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Net-à-Porter and BoF
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Great news for my Swiss readers: from now on you can discover Givenchy‘s range of perfumes, fragrances, makeup and skincare products at Sephora Switzerland. Givenchy has been synonymous with avant-garde elegance since its conception. From couture collections to bold beauty products, discover how the house continually defies conventions.

Ever-changing, the signature scents reflect unique style and grace. And don’t miss the three bestsellers of the brand, created by Nicolas Degennes, the Artistic Director for Makeup and Colors at Givenchy, during your next shopping spree:

– the Lipsticks of the Le Rouge collection
From powerful rouge to delicate nude, our cutting-edge lipsticks are made for every shade of you.
CHF 49.00

– the Mascara Volume Disturbia
Application as innovative as the formula. Maximize your lashes for immediate sophistication.
CHF 39.00

– the foundation Teint Couture City Balm
Perfect your skin with the feel and finish you desire. This is covert coverage designed for comfort.
CHF 61.00

Last week, I was invited to try the products and indulge in the world of Givenchy Beauty at Folium in Zurich. Nicolas Degennes, who has been at the forefront of technical innovation and design since the launch of the Givenchy beauty line, is the man responsible for some of the Maison’s most iconic products. Unfortunately, he couldn’t join us personally that night as he was not allowed to travel due to the corona virus situation. Nevertheless, I got a great interview with him via mail that you can enjoy reading below.

Nicolas Degennes, Artistic Director for Makeup and Colors at Givenchy

You are at the helmet of Givenchy Beauty since 99… what has changed during the years?
Everything has changed. Competitors, research evolve all the time. There are more new propositions on raw materials. It has changed and is going to change again.

Make-up now and twenty years ago – what are the biggest differences?
Competition, many brands are on the market today comparing to 20 years ago.
This give to the consumer more choice but it can also give confusion. So we need to be more and more straight to the point, especially for a couture brand like ours, it is fundamental to keep our promises.

Got my Givenchy lipstick engraved with my name that night.

5 minutes of make-up … what is a must?
If you had to choose…Eyes or lips?
Always the lips. Complexion in 3 minutes because in 5 we have time to do complexion, lips, and mascara.
But the more important is to apply a mascara and a lipstick.
If we have no time to apply some mascara, I would recommend just clean lashes with water to give them more density but anyway apply a red lipstick. This will give power and strength.

What are the biggest make-up trends at the moment?
The red lipstick is making a strong coming back. It has been always present in the makeup world but it is becoming more and more powerful.

What will be next?
New textures! These textures will make the colors and I know what I am talking about.

How much do fashion and beauty influence each other?
We constantly observe the fashion trends but in the beauty world, we work 3 years in advance so, obviously we have to look upon fashion and let ourselves influenced.
However, we also have to take our own decisions. However, you will notice that the beauty around the skin and the texture have a real influence on fashion.

The biggest faux pas in make-up?
Not to wear any make up at all. This is a big mistake.

Your icon?
Women, all the women!

Best trick you have ever learnt?
Patience.

Thank you, Nicolas, for your insight into the world of Givenchy Beauty!
Sephora loves Givenchy and we love it, too…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht – © Debora Zeyrek for Sephora
#sephoraswitzerland #sephoralovesgivenchy #givenchybeauty @sephoraswitzerlandPhoto of Nicolas Degennes: © PR, Robert Jaso for PARFUMS GIVENCHY