Sandra‘s Closet

Last Friday, HERMÈS celebrated the reopening of its store in Gstaad with a cocktail inside the retail space followed by an after party at the Tennisclub.

After 6 months of renovation and expansion, the shop, that was first opened in 1974 in the internationally renowned Swiss Alpine ski resort, offers a brighter and larger retail space of 165 m² with a new entrance and a second floor. Designed by RDAI, a Parisian interior design firm, the team was particularly concerned with preserving the uniqueness of the typical mountain architecture and selecting exceptional materials that emphasize the natural character of its surroundings.

A newly positioned entrance and four large windows along the facade create a sunlight filled interior and offer a beautiful view of the pedestrian area of ​​Gstaad.

On the ground floor you will find the silk collections for women and accessories, while the ties and perfumes for men are arranged on both sides of the main entrance. Moreover there is a spacious area dedicated to leather goods, watches and equestrian collections.

The second floor, which plays with the design codes of the traditional chalet interior, is dedicated to the ready-to-wear and shoe collections for men and women as well as the collections for the home.

Gstaad – come up and slow down – and shop at HERMÈS.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of HERMÈS and © Sandra Bauknecht

On Tuesday, I hosted a lovely event with Prada at their Zurich store on Bahnhofstrasse to explore the new Resort 2019 collection. In a previous post, I already wrote about the beautiful pieces and how pioneering Miuccia Prada‘s designs for the new season are. In case you have missed it, I invite you to click here for more information.

Enjoying a glass of bubbly while indulging in fashion among friends, do I have to say more? Everything was just perfect. I put together some of my favorite looks and explained how I would style the looks to achieve this interesting kind of twist. Below you can enjoy some impressions and more details about the must-have pieces.

I adore these new shirts so much. It seems to be a traditional striped classic, but if you look closer, you will be surprised by its updated look with brocade ruffles and a zipper.

The new mini suede skirts come with a ruffled hem and are surely among the bestselling pieces.

Here is a look I styled with everything I love from this collection: the ruffled leather skirts, brocade fabrics, knitted loafers and the fun mix of colours.

The knitted footwear also comes as a pointed toe version with a high heel in several colour combinations. To die for!

Everyone loved the headpieces in silk that are available in several colours.

I am also a big fan of the patterns – something Miuccia Prada is famous for.

These trapper hats are the perfect way to stay warm and stylish at once.

The new Sidonie bags – a curvaceous, ergonomic shape, a modern classic rediscovered.
For a previous post, click here please.

A pair of brocade pants will spice up every look.

The new jewellery pieces that I also wore that night are extremely beautiful and easy to wear.

Thank you everyone for coming and Prada for having me!
Everything you see in this post is available now in the Zurich store, pass by… it is worth the visit!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
Photos in collage: Courtesy of Prada, © David Biedert Photography © Sandra Bauknecht

We all have this girlfriend that inspires us constantly and that we admire. Mine is Ljuba Manz.

A life full of stories. Her mother’s family lost their hotel and country estate during the revolution in Russia. The father, an Austrian, fled from the Nazis to Kharkov in Ukraine, where Ljuba Manz-Lurje was born in the middle of World War II. She experiences occupied Vienna and the hardships of the previous years of war – and wants only one thing: to leave this poverty behind her.

Today, Ljuba Manz-Lurje is the most famous hotel entrepreneur in Switzerland and leads in third generation othe Manz Privacy Hotels, which also include the «Hotel St. Gotthard» in Zurich.

Ljuba signing her book at the cocktail reception.

This month, her multifaceted biography hit the shelves and we celebrated it with a cocktail reception two weeks ago. It is a good and inspiring read reflecting on her life in all its details, a great gift for a dear friend for Christmas. You can order the book, published by Stämpfli Verlag, by clicking  here.

With Ljuba at the ASW Winter Weekend in 2016.

It shows a woman who first stands on her own feet as a vedette dancer, then becomes a businesswoman in a male-dominated world, marries the Zurich hotelier Caspar E. Manz and fulfills a legacy after his death: to retain and increase the family-owned hotels. Social splendor and human abysses tend to be close together. The great conductor Paul Sacher brings musicians from all over the world to the «Hotel St. Gotthard». At the same time a plot is hatched against the landlord – she is reported to the authorities as a presumably Russian spy.

Pure joie de vivre: Ljuba on stage at the book presentation with her husband since 2014 Marco Conte and presenter Silvia Affolter.

I am proud of my friend, a strong woman full of energy and joie de vivre, who always did it her way. An entrepreneur and a mother of twin brothers who knew how to combine work and private life during times when the term «work-life balance» was still a foreign word. A woman, we can all learn from. Thank you, Ljuba, for being my friend!

LoL, Sandra

So proud to be in her book! What an honour!

Fashion cannot be missing: An Emilio Pucci outfit on display that she once wore to a gala.

What an experience! I was Ljuba’s guest at the famous Vienna Opera Ball this year.

Many famous people came to celebrate Ljuba, here you see her with Alt Bundesrat Merz of the Swiss Federal Council.

With Raquel Marquard at the book premiere.

On display many memories from Ljuba’s past.

Sabine Hirsch-Avram also joined this wonderful occasion.

Proof that Ljuba counts many fashionable ladies among her friends: those Gucci, Dior and Marco de Vincenzo shoes had to be photographed.

Photos: Courtesy of Ljuba Manz, © Zuza Speckert, © David Biedert, © Sabine Hirsch-Avram and Sandra Bauknecht

If you are living in Switzerland, you will know that fondue and raclette are traditionally served during the holiday season. As these dishes are quite filling and heavy, there comes a time when I am petrified of eating one more portion of melted cheese. Therefore I was positively surprised by this unique winter barbecue experience I had with Terrazas de los Andes, which is part of the Moët Hennessy Wine Division, on Monday at the Park Hyatt Zürich Hotel.

The so-called «Wintergrill at the Park» is an extraordinary culinary winter experience created by Executive Chef Frank Widmer in a specially designed chalet on the terrace of the well known 5-star hotel, right in the heart of the Limmat city. All dishes are paired with selected wines from Terrazas de los Andes, such as Terrazas Torrontés, served in the form of a cocktail with ginger, honey and thyme (so delicious), the classic Terrazas Malbec and the Single Vineyard Las Compuertas Malbec. The winery is located in the heart of Perdriel and at the foot of the impressive Andes mountain range in Argentina.

What can you expect? In the Terrazas chalet, meat and fish are grilled «asado style» according to the motto «rough luxury» and are accompanied by either a delicious winter salad and corn chutney or with pickled pumpkin, hazelnut polenta and Brussels sprouts. For dessert, Frank Widmer pays homage to Swiss apples. A manzana or a dulce de leche with canned and grilled fruit is waiting for you.

The «Wintergrill at the Park» is open until the 22nd of December 2018 for lunch or dinner. Please note that there are only 8 places available in the chalet. Reservations of 6 or more is possible, the dinner experience starts at CHF 150.- per person. Choose between two exquisite selected menus during the Christmas season accompanied by the unique Argentine Terrazas wines.

I loved it and find it a great alternative to fondue for a dinner invitation among friends during the advent season.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Park Hyatt and © Sandra Bauknecht

Celebrating my 9th blog anniversary with LA MER at Jelmoli in Zurich last week was absolutely amazing and I truly would like to thank everyone who came and made it so special, also for the many amazing gifts I got. A big and heartfelt «thank you» goes also to the very professional LA MER team, that is so much fun to work with and to PERRIER-JOUËT for the lovely champagne.

I have been blogging for a long time now, and that evening made me acknowledge just how much happened all these years, and the fact that it all happened because I created a space online to share my love for fashion and beauty, my ideas, inspiration and advice with others. I always believed in being authentic and that staying true to myself would gain success in the long run.

Some of you have been reading Sandra’s Closet since I pressed publish on my very first blog post. I hate the word following. Why? If you see my readers you know they are not followers, they are leading ladies! This was such a rewarding feeling. Seeing all these beautiful, smart women who came from all over Switzerland, from Geneva, Chur, or Basel to Zurich to join me on this occasion. Together we indulged into the luxury world of LA MER and each guest could take home her personally engraved lip gloss.

There were friends who became blog readers and blog readers that became friends. Everyone had a big smile on their face and I was the happiest girl that night! Thank you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography and © Sandra Bauknecht

9 years –  as crazy as it sounds but I have been blogging now for 108 months, which is around 3285 days, and this is my 3829th post which means I wrote more than one per day. I am thankful, Sandra’s Closet has taken me on the craziest, busiest but most amazing ride in my life.

Yesterday at the LA MER counter event at Jelmoli, I was so proud to welcome some of my Swiss readers, confident, beautiful and smart women, who came from all over the country. I cannot wait to show you the photos. A huge thank you to everyone for coming and the little surprises, I truly felt loved.

Sharing an insider tip: best place in Zurich for beauty treatments and massages:
Beauty Care Zurich.

Today, I am celebrating my blog anniversary by treating myself to an Ayurvedic massage by Ramji Lal at Beauty Care Zurich (Strehlgasse 29, 8000 Zürich, Phone: +41 44 212 12 77).

Just as a machine needs to be oiled, the body loves to have its largest organ, the skin, soothed. Anyone who has ever experienced an Ayurvedic treatment, knows its rejuvenating effect. It treats not only the body, but also the nervous system, bringing deep nourishment to all the cells and tissues as well as the mind. As I am pretty exhausted at the moment due to all my travels and projects, it helps me to recharge  my energy levels.

Starting the massage with a foot bath…

Ramji Lal has magic hands and he learnt the 5000-year-old techniques from his mother when he was a little boy. His family produces Ayurvedic oils from home-grown herbs and plants in India’s holy city. Later, he trained at the prestigious Dr. med. Franklin’s Panchakarma Institute in Kerala.

Feels like heaven: an Ayurvedic massage by Ramji Lal.

An Ayurvedic massage is MOST beneficial when combined with an Ayurvedic lifestyle, which means making conscious choices about your nutrition, sleep and more. Ramji for example suggested that I drink a glass of warm water in the morning with one teaspoon of turmeric and one of cumin which has a detoxifying, energy-boosting and fat burning effect.

Have a lovely weekend! And stay tuned… today I am treating myself, during the coming days you will be treated to celebrate the 9 years of Sandra’s Closet!

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I am so happy to share today’s post with you. Next week my blog is turning 9! Can you imagine? Time flies… just to give you an idea of all the work that went into this site. This is my 3821st post and since many years not one day has passed without spotting something new in the world of fashion. I enjoy so much what I am doing and would love to celebrate with you…

Meet me next Thursday, November 22nd, 2018 between 6pm – 9pm at the LA MER counter at JELMOLI in Zurich!

For all my Swiss readers and of course also for those who want to come to Switzerland, meet me next Thursday, November 22nd 2018 between 6pm – 9pm at the LA MER counter at JELMOLI in Zurich for an evening filled with bubbles, beauty and great company.

That night, the shops in Zurich will be open until 10pm and the city’s «Lucy» lights for Christmas will be illuminate the Bahnhofstrasse in a switch-on ceremony at 6pm.

As space is limited and a personalized gift will be waiting for you, I would kindly ask you to sign up latest on Monday, 19th of November. Please send me an e-mail with the header «LA MER», your full name and the time you are planning to come to . First come, first serve. I will send you a confirmation e-mail to confirm your presence.

You will get a lot of special treats – here is what to expect:
Champagne from Perrier-Jouët

Freelance celebrity make-up artist Andrea Kipfer will introduce LA MER‘s amazing Skincolor Foundation. Andrea is the co-founder of the renowned hair & makeup agency Style Council and has done many advertising and fashion shoots. During the evening, she will happily help you to improve your make-up skills and share some beauty secrets with us.

You also get the chance to discover the different textures of the famous LA MER moisturizers. Once you find your favorite, you will be gifted with a luxury size sample of it.On top, each guest will receive an original size LA MER Lip Balm worth CHF 82.00 that will be engraved with a special message.

I am so much looking forward to meeting and spending the evening with you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Andrea Kipfer
© André Hengst – www.on-eyes-photography.ch
#LoveLaMer www.lamer.ch

Last Saturday, I attended the Kispiball 2018 (Kispi is an abbreviation for Kinderspital which means children’s hospital in German) that always takes place at the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich. It is one of my favorite charity events of the Swiss social calendar that raises money for the city’s children’s hospital that celebrates its 150 anniversary this year.

My look: Velvet-trimmed embroidered tulle and satin maxi dress by Diane von Furstenberg, Patsy textured-leather tote by Gabriela Hearst, leather platform pumps and floral silk pin, both by Gucci, Mitza ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie, vintage collier by Dior, and Tonda 1950 Galaxy by Parmigiani Fleurier.

That night, the nightmare for every fashionista came true, someone was wearing the same gown as me. But to be honest, it’s not the disaster you think it is. We had accessorized it completely differently, I had attached a floral pin. So, we both laughed about it, because that’s pretty much all you can do if you don’t want to grab a pair of scissors to alter the dress.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
A few photos in the collages © Sandra Bauknecht

We can say with clear conscience that Perfumery Osswald is one of Zurich’s most traditional and iconic places to shop beauty must-haves. Opened in 1921 at Kreuzplatz by pharmacist Boris Dreiding, it was the place to get products from major brands such as Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein or Guerlain from the beginning. Dreiding also had the formula for Chanel N°5 that he produced for the Swiss market at that time.

The Dreiding family: Boris, Jago, Tamara and Tanja

After the Second World War, his son Jago Dreiding took over the business and moved the location to Bahnhofstrasse 17, where it is still based today. In 1980, he founded the «Salon de Beauté», the beauty spa, in the basement and successfully directed the perfumery Osswald until 1992. Thereafter, his widow Tamara Dreiding continued the business, until her daughter Tanja Dreiding Wallace took over the helmet in 2014. In 2012, the dynamic brunette had already opened the first international branch in New York’s Soho district (for a previous post, click here please). Being based in the US, she talks and e-mails daily with her team in Zurich and flies back to Switzerland at least once every second month.

Tanja Dreiding Wallace with me yesterday in the newly renovated store.

When in the beginning of 2018, the opportunity came up to rent more space in the back of the building, managing director Tanja Dreiding Wallace did not hesitate to give the iconic place a makeover and to enlarge the retails space.

«Today, our customers want more than just shopping. They want you to have an exceptional experience and a perfect 360-degree service to be offered. Thanks to the renovation and expansion of our business premises, we can now fully respond to these wishes.»
– Tanja Dreiding Wallace, CEO Perfumery Osswald

The world’s first La Prairie Lounge in the new design of the brand.

The idea for the interior design came up with the decision to integrate the world’s first and extremely exclusive La Prairie Lounge in the new design of the luxury brand. The premises are designed in warm natural colors and earthy tones, creating a homely yet elegant ambience. The carefully curated offer of selected niche fragrances, makeup products, luxury toiletries and accessories got more space are presented in a sophisticated way inviting customers to stroll through the corridors.

When you enter the store, new launches will be presented on round tables.

 Bahnhofstrasse 17, 8001 Zurich
Phone: +41 44 211 20 30
www.osswald.ch

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Osswald and © Sandra Bauknecht

During the 14th Zurich Film Festival I was invited by Swarovski to the «Women of Impact» lunch at Storchen followed by a thought-provoking evening featuring conversations with high-profile personalities from the film industry and raising the topic: «Why are there still so few women who are successful in the film industry as a director or producer?» This was discussed by the directors Jennifer Fox and Sedika Mojadidi, the producer Alison Dickey and the actor John C. Reilly as well as Shakila Ebrhaimkhel. The event was be chaired by two female entrepreneurs, Nadja Schildknecht and Carolina Müller-Möhl.

Women of Impact: Mimi Mollerus, Carolina Müller-Möhl, Astrid von Stockar, my humble self, Tamy Glauser, Dominique Rinderknecht and Sarah Andrina Schuetz

For my outfit I went for full Swarovski bling. Finally I had the chance to wear my crystal-embellished boots that I adore so much. Following the question raised that night, I thought Dior’s «Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?» tee would take the same line. You see, I really put effort in this combination, taking fashion as a medium to express myself.

My look: Leopard jacquard blazer and Niki Swarovski crystal-embellished leather knee boots, both by Saint Laurent, striped top «Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?» by Dior, leather and jersey leggings by Givenchy, oversize acetate sunglasses with crystals by Gucci, and Swarovski embellished earrings by Prada.

The woman that impressed me most that day: Shakila Ebrhaimkhel, an investigative TV journalist in Afghanistan, who tries to bring corruption to light. Over the course of four years, her life has been documented by Sedika Mojadidi in FACING THE DRAGON. The documentary offers a unique insight into today’s seething Afghanistan and explores the question of whether there is a future there for strong women in this country. Today, after loosing her husband when she was pregnant with her third child, and  threats to her life, Shakila lives in Munich. In only two years, she learnt perfect German and works as a journalist again. A truly inspirational woman!

From left to right: Monika Schaerer, Birgit Berthold-Kremser, Jennifer Fox, Wendy Mitchell, Carolina Mueller-Moehl, Alison Dickey, John C. Reilly and Nadja Schildknecht.

So many inspirational women that day – thank you, Swarovski, for shining a light on women’s empowerment!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Remy Steiner/Getty Images for Swarovski and © Sandra Bauknecht