Sandra‘s Closet

Zurich gets a new hot spot, or let me say several new hot spots in one. FIVE Zurich will open its doors on 30th of June, 2022. Dubbed the new dining and nightlife destination in Switzerland, the new luxurious lifestyle hotel is boasting 87 luxurious suites with glittering skyline city view or lush forest view. Reviving Zurich’s wild side, the new party and culinary hotspot boasts 7 international award-winning restaurants, a rooftop nightclub and buzzing outdoor social pool. Detox before you retox at the lavish wellness spa with indoor pool.

This stunning hotel overlooks the city center from Zurich’s stunning Uetliberg plateau and is within a 10-minute drive to the city center and main attractions; and a 20-minute drive to Zurich’s main airport. Direct access to public transport within a 2-minute walk.

Recently shortlisted in the inaugural edition of the prestigious Gault&Millau UAE 2022 guide for two of its concepts, Maiden Shanghai and Cinque, FIVE is thrilled to expand its culinary offering to the discerning Swiss audience.

Delectable Dining
With breathtaking views of the vibrant city and magnificent mountains, these exclusive dare-to-be-different dining experiences include soul food meets street art at Soul St., imaginative Chinese at Maiden Shanghai, Japanese bites the FIVE Way at The Penthouse, a lounge for wine lovers at The Vault, a round-the-clock welcome at café and bar at Tune In and Zurich’s only out-of-doors Social Pool showcase a stellar line up culinary delights merged with FIVE’s legendary entertainment offerings.

Soul St.
Discover the art of global street food at this high energy immersive dining experience, which includes an open plan kitchen for guests to enjoy watching FIVE’s chef whip up fan favourite dishes. Diners can discover a selection of baos, authentic street tacos, a Vietnamese beef Pho, Chicken shawarma, the signature Nitro yoghurt bombs, Chicken tikka masala and Guacamole al mortero plated live on the table and a buzzing balcony bathed in fresh air, sunshine and lively tunes. With a vibrant mix of graffiti and art created by the most talked about International artistes such as Pichi Avo and Lau Rodriguez, this popular Instagram hotspot is known for its Global Street Food Party Brunch.
Soul St. Tip: Step into Soul St.’s eye-catching Volkswagen Van for an unforgettable in-van dining experience!

Maiden Shanghai
An MSG-free Chinese restaurant serving gourmet dishes, this 1920’s Shanghai-inspired restaurant boasts a stunning open air terrace, a high energy main dining room and a fun-dining, exclusive private dining room. Home to famed luxury lifestyle events including an award-winning brunch and weekly Ladies’ Night, this venue promises a glamorous take on traditional Asian cuisine with an exhilarating FIVE twist.

The Penthouse (Restaurant and Nightclub)
This day to night concept with evolving seasonal themes is all set to be Zurich’s most-coveted new destination for music and nightlife.
A distinctive venue that transforms from a restaurant serving a heavenly Japanese selection to a vibrant bar lounge and energetic nightclub with a stellar line-up of globally renowned DJs. Visitors can choose to sit indoors and be enveloped in the opulent décor of the fabulous restaurant area and private dining room or venture out on the terrace and marvel at picture-perfect skyline views and capture Insta-gold moments.

As twilight sets in, The Penthouse’s unisex, après hours bathroom bar will be the musical nucleus of FIVE until the early hours of the morning.
Dine on miso marinated black cod, salmon teriyaki or tempting sashimi, sushi and maki platters while sipping on FIVE’s one-is-never-enough signature cocktails such as The Mexican Cartel, Collins 2.0 and Sunset.

The Vault
An eclectic venue, which proudly houses Zurich’s greatest selection of Swiss wines, boasts of an in-house Master Sommelier that will guide guests through the perfect selection to suit their taste. The Vault will be a tantalizing retreat for wine lovers and novices alike along with an extensive cigar collection for cigar aficionados. The Vault’s tapas-style menu will focus on delectable wine and cheese pairings that’s FIVEs’ fun and feisty reinterpretation of traditional fondue.

Tune In
An all-day café and bar where visitors are warmly welcomed when they choose to pop in for a tasty takeaway or opt to sit in for an enjoyable tidbit and sip and watch the world go by from Tune Ins’ alfresco terrace garden. Serving up everyone’s favourite breakfast dishes, sweet treats in the form of luscious freshly baked pastries and scrumptious salads, pizzas and pastas for lunch and dinner, Tune In offers a playful plateful to fulfil any craving.

The Social Pool
Raising temperatures this summer, is our buzzing social pool. Framed by picturesque forest views, this stunning one-of-a-kind outdoor pool will host Zurich’s best pool days with live beats spun by globally renowned DJs, an integrated Jacuzzi space, tantalizing cocktails and delightful poolside nibbles – all served up with FIVE Flair!

«FIVE is thrilled to bring our pioneering dining and entertainment concepts to a brand new audience with the opening of FIVE Zurich. With revenge tourism taking centre stage on the global hospitality landscape, it is the perfect opportunity to build on our existing European clientele. ‘FIVERs’ come to us to indulge in the signature FIVE Vibe, which we’ve been celebrated for in Dubai – and which we will now introduce in Zurich.» – Aloki Batra, CEO, FIVE.

To book call: +41 (0) 44 456 55 55
Email: fzh.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of FIVE Zurich
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This year, for the 20th anniversary of Art in the Park at the Baur au Lac in Zurich, Hauser & Wirth presents five bronze sculptures by celebrated artist Camille Henrot, one of the most influential voices in contemporary art today. The outdoor installation of major bronze works is organized in partnership with the Baur au Lac and Gigi Kracht, curator, collector, writer and founder of the Art in the Park.

With Gigi Kracht 

Born in 1978 in Paris, France, Camille Henrot lives and works between Berlin and New York City. She is married and has two little sons that are 4 and 1 year old. The practice of the French artist moves seamlessly between film, painting, drawing, bronze, sculpture, and installation. Henrot draws upon references from literature, psychoanalysis, social media, cultural anthropology, self-help, and the banality of everyday life in order to question what it means to be both a private individual and a global subject.

With Camille Henrot during the lunch.

A 2013 fellowship at the Smithsonian Institute resulted in her film «Grosse Fatigue,» for which she was awarded the Silver Lion at the 55th Venice Biennale and that was also on show at the Gucci Museo in Florence in 2014. She elaborated ideas from «Grosse Fatigue» to conceive her acclaimed 2014 installation »The Pale Fox» at Chisenhale Gallery in London. The exhibit, which displayed the breadth of her diverse output, went on to travel to institutions including Kunsthal Charlottenburg, Copenhagen; Bétonsalon – Centre for art and research, Paris; Westfälischer Kunstverein, Münster, Germany; and Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, Japan. In 2017, Henrot was given carte blanche at Palais de Tokyo in Paris – a beloved location for fashion shoes – , where she presented the major exhibition »Days Are Dogs,» She is the recipient of the 2014 Nam June Paik Award and the 2015 Edvard Munch Award, and has participated in the Lyon, Berlin, Sydney and Liverpool Biennials, among others.

Next to «Mon Corps de Femme» (2019) displayed in the Baur au Lac gardens

Henrot has had numerous solo exhibitions worldwide, including the New Museum, New York; Schinkel Pavilion, Berlin; New Orleans Museum of Art; Fondazione Memmo, Rome; Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, Japan, among others.

«Undelivered Message» (2016)

In the Baur au Lac gardens, three sculptures from Henry’s Monday series (2016-2017) are on display, as well as the impressive «Mon Corps de Femme» sculpture (2019) from the Attachment series (2018-2022) that is a resembling a body caught between two opposite forces; the rising flames reminiscent of Flamboyant Gothic architecture and the meting, heaviness of a sagging belly.

«Retreat From Investment» (2025)

As every year, Gigi Kracht invited us to her wonderful Art in the Park luncheon in the two Michelin star Pavillon restaurant during which we could talk to the artist. Before the lunch, we had the chance to stroll through the wonderful gardens and preview the pieces beforehand.

With Kenny Schachter, artist, critic and curator based in New York City, at lunch.

The show can be enjoyed at the Baur au Lac garden until July 17, 2022.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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June 9th marks the official opening date for Zurich’s new pop-up restaurant «WOODLAND». Only open until June 25th, guests can enjoy some real culinary treasures. Located in Zurich West, the gastro entrepreneur Nenad Mlinarevic and the watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen are creating a place for unique enjoyment where guests can embark on a very special journey. At the beginning of the project is the new IWC TOP GUN pilot’s watch collection with its striking three colors. These can be experienced comprehensively on Zurich’s Löwenbräu site – from the interior to the cuisine to the sound: a unique experience appealing to all senses awaits you in the temporary restaurant.

Science and emotion come together with IWC’s new TOP GUN collection in partnership with Pantone Color Institute.

Our evening started at 6m with a cocktail reception at the Woodland Bar.

At 7pm we enjoyed the seated diner at the Ceratanium Dinner Space.

From 8.15pm we changed location and had dessert, drinks and listened to the sounds of the DJ in the Mojave Desert Lounge.

LÖWENBRÄU AREA
Limmatstrasse 254, 8005 Zurich
dining@woodland-zuerich.ch

4-course menu including aperitif CHF 120.-
A vegetarian option is available. Two seatings. 6pm and 8pm.

For reservations, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

With Nenad Mlinarevic

Always having the best time with Jacqueline Krause-Blouin

Tanja Bulatovic with Nenad

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography /IWC, Rian Davidson 
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.
@iwcwatches_ch @nenadmlinarevic #IWCWoodland #IWCPopUpDining #IWCxNenad

Before heading to the Dua Lipa show in Zurich as guest of YSL Beauty, I was invited to an intimate cocktail reception by the French Maison on the rooftop of the Kameha Grand Hotel. The dress code said black and gold. Every corner of the terrace offered another fun experience, from photo booth to make-up application, from specially created drinks to a fun claw machine. DJ Rebekah Abdeen warmed up the crowd for the upcoming concert taking place at Hallenstadion.

There is no doubt that Dua Lipa has become a worldwide phenomenon with a million of fans and several collaborations. She is one of the most streamed and celebrated artists in recent memory. Free, powerful and elegant! Three words that suit the British artist well, who had been chosen by Yves Saint Laurent to be the face of the brand’s bestselling fragrance Libre. A scent that evolves around masculine lavender and the feminine sensual, burning notes of orange blossom. It also comes with a good dose of florals and musks.

The concert in Zurich marks a big milestone in Dua’s career as it was her 50th concert.

 Thank you YSL Beauty for having me! Enjoy all my impressions below…

LoL, Sandra

Thank you Dijana Vasiljevic from the L’Oréal Luxe team for the lovely invitation.

DJ Libre 🙂

My plus one was my friend Cat.

With lovely Erica Coimbra from the L’Oréal Luxe team.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht #IamLibre
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Gucci opened the doors to its fully renovated store in Zürich, Switzerland this month at a new location. The boutique spans over 746 square meters across two floors and a terrace and showcases a full array of Gucci’s products including men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, handbags, luggage, small leather goods, shoes, jewelry and watches, silks, eyewear as well as Décor and Lifestyle collections.

With a look that invites customers to feel welcome and relaxed, the interior design is discreet. It is a new concept, first presented in Zurich. Contemporary luxury is suggested not only by the employment of beautiful and idiosyncratic materials, but also through a determinedly spare use of space. In keeping with the elegant and contemporary eclecticism that characterises Gucci’s collections, the store sees the combination of traditional and modern, industrial, and romantic. This reflects in the refined marble staircase contoured by Bronzed aged brass railing and Salvia Green satin panels.

On the terrace of the new Gucci store in Zurich, dressed head to toe in the Italian brand.

The terrace on the first floor pays tribute to the original architectural features of the store. The existing historical window frames are complemented by dark green metal aviaries, inviting customers to take a seat and enjoy the outdoors, surrounded by the greenery. The concept effortlessly complements the product-offer from the House.

The mood within the store is one of discretion, where understated drama is created by the surprising and unexpected combination of materials. Juxtaposition of this sort, where opposites forge a new connection, is repeated ubiquitously: technical, mechanical display contrast with the softness of the rich fabrics that adorn the rooms; round tables offset rectangular ones; Salvia Green and ivory satin panelling elegantly complement the optical marble flooring. Throughout the store, one finds sumptuous chairs and sofas while vintage oriental rugs are layered over each other for a textured effect. The result is a space that entices, surprises and feels personal to Gucci.

Gucci Zurich
Location: Bahnhofstrasse 39, 8001, Zurich, Switzerland
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 – 19:00, Saturday, 10:00 – 18:00

Mark your calendar! The Gucci Cruise 2023 show will take place on May 16, 2022 at 8.00 pm CEST at Castel del Monte in Puglia, Italy. You can watch it live here. It will be full moon and the invitation revealed a cosmological theme, so stay tuned for #GucciCosmogonie. On behalf of each guest, the House has adopted a star and registered it under their name. How cool is this?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci
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This year, Jani Leinonen, a world-renowned artist, is responsible for the impressive floral Easter egg in the Steinhalle of the Dolder Grand. The installation «Seed in Their Pocket» can be enjoyed alongside it, whereby Leinonen implemented themes of current social issues for both the installation and the Easter egg design. The Finn has a long-standing relationship with the traditional Zurich hotel, which made this art coup possible.

Jani and the finished floral egg installation.

He is one of the most sought-after artists in the world and his works always captures the pulse of the times. The Finnish artist has recently completed a particularly special project for the Dolder Grand – he created the design for the annual 2.5-meter-high Easter egg, which can be enjoyed at the main entrance.

Decorated with over 12,000 carnations by the in-house florist team of four ladies over several days of craftsmanship, it bears the incomparable signature of the artist.

«When the Dolder Grand approached me with this Easter project, I was amazed by the fact that it was made of real flowers. These colourful and beautiful organisms are of great cultural importance,» says Leinonen.

Inside the Dolder Grand on display: «Chapel of Remorse» by Jani Leinonen.

120 famous works of art, including Dalí, Murakami and Tinguely, enhance the ambiance of the Dolder Grand. The Finnish artist’s works have been exhibited at the hotel since 2009, and there are currently six pieces on display. Getting the 44-year-old artist to design the Easter egg this year was a major coup, not least because Jani’s unmistakable style and his unique ability to create pieces that reflect societal issues in a provocative way have made him famous across the globe.

«I’m not particularly religious, but I live in a Christian culture and grew up with stories from the Bible,» says Leinonen.

For him, the story of Easter is one of the most fascinating. For Jani, Jesus’ last words on the cross are the most important aspect: Forgive them, for they know not what they do.

«These words are as relevant today as they ever were, as he says these words to the soldiers who are blindly following orders from their superiors.»

He therefore decided to bring across this message on the Easter egg with just a single word: FORGIVE.

The «Seeds in Their Pockets» installation is also on display alongside the egg. It comprises dried flowers the artist collected in war zones, each with a tag bearing the name of the country in which Leinonen found it. On the day Russia invaded the Ukraine, the Finn read a newspaper article and wrote a poem. It is the story of a Ukrainian woman who meets a Russian soldier and tells him to put sunflower seeds in his pocket so that flowers grow at the place where he dies. «For me, this is a really strong image of war. I discovered that flowers grow on many of the battlefields in these war-torn countries, and it’s mostly the national flowers of the countries.»

With lovely Christina (NewInZurich) and Laura (PR/TICULAR) at the lunch.

I had the pleasure to explore Jani’s works and the making of the installation life at the Dolder Grand this week, followed by a lovely luncheon on the terrace in the presence of the artist.

The egg installation will be on display until Wednesday, April 20, 2022.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dolder Grand and © Sandra Bauknecht
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A quick stop in Zurich before heading off to Boston to go to my hair dresser CHARLES AELLEN COMPANY who had just moved location. The new interior is even more breathtaking than its previous one. From a Parisian apartment style interior, it has now more an urban cool New York vibe with always the best floral decoration. I love the atmosphere, the location in the city center and the great music.

Charles Aellen Company
Sihlstrasse 37
CH – 8001 Zurich

+41 44 201 78 10

I only go to the hair dresser twice a year to get my ends cut and to do a deep nourishing SHU UEMURA or ORIBE treatment. Luckily, I don’t have grey hair yet and leave my hair color all natural.

My dream team: Charles to the left, Nathanael to the right.

However, I can recommend Charles and his team for every treatment or cut you can imagine. They are very advanced, always looking for the newest releases or hair trends. They have been working with celebrities worldwide and been constantly booked for photo shoots or during fashion weeks.

Now available at CHARLES AELLEN is the the famous K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask. K18Peptide™ is the patented molecular breakthrough clinically proven to reverse hair damage from: bleach + color, chemical services, and heat in just 4 minutes.

This mask doesn’t just make hair feel healthier, it actually reverses the damage with some pretty powerful bond-repairing science. How does it work? The K18 bioactive peptide is recognized as a natural building block by hair – the perfect, very welcome puzzle piece to reconnect broken keratin chains in the inner-most layers of hair, post heat and chemical services. When you use it, skip the conditioner, put this in towel-dried hair for four minutes, and watch miracles happen.

With my new hair cut I am off to Boston, hopefully leaving all this crazy snow behind…

LoL, Sandra

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

HUBLOT sets out to reconquer the Matterhorn – the world-famous emblem of Switzerland. The manufacture has unveiled a new Big Bang «All Black» model. Swiss downhill and slalom champions Corinne Suter and Tanguy Nef represent its two proud faces.

The Matterhorn is the iconic emblem of Switzerland, and brilliantly captures the contrasting faces of its identity. The mountain’s faceted pyramidal form makes it instantly recognisable among the thousands of other Alpine peaks. It is one of the toughest climbs in the world, yet has become synonymous with Alpine family leisure pursuits. Immaculate white slopes gild the hulking mass of rock, born in the first convulsions of the Big Bang and standing defiant against the ravages of time. To celebrate it, HUBLOT created a limited edition loaded with ceramic, a truly extraordinary mineral material.

Underpinned by HUBLOT‘s «invisible visibility» philosophy, only a Big Bang «All Black» could apply to the unfathomable personality of the Matterhorn. To pay tribute to this complexity, HUBLOT presents two versions of the Big Bang All Black Zermatt. The men’s and women’s models are different yet complementary. They represent the two sides of a single identity, a single horological vision, like two faces of the same mountain.

The 44 mm men’s version is available in 100 individually numbered pieces. The microblasted black ceramic case houses the manually wound HUB4100 chronograph, which is visible through the sapphire case back. The Matterhorn’s identity is captured on the dial side: the small seconds hand at 9 o’clock sits atop a relief rendering in immaculate white. The perfect symbol of passing time and absolute, unchanging eternity, soaring above the Matterhorn without ever altering it. A bold, striking contrast that draws the eye to the centre of the anthracite grey sunray dial.

Faithful to the All Black aesthetic, the timepiece is dressed exclusively in black and grey tones: Anthracite applied indices, two broad hands imprinted with black luminescent material, black resin lugs and a black rubber strap with grey calf inserts and deployant buckle.

The 41 mm women’s version symbolises the opposite face, with the Matterhorn emblazoned at 3 o’clock. Available in just 50 individually numbered pieces, it is distinctive for its bezel set with 36 black diamonds. These also beautifully embody the All Black’s characteristic duality, harnessing the customary snow-white sparkle of the diamond and translating it into the deepest black for this ultra-contrasted version. The model features a manually wound chronograph calibre with a 42-hour power reserve and a date window at 4:30.

Wouldn’t it be such a cute Christmas gift idea to get the watch together for each other?! Or for a proposal in the Swiss Alps… a modern way to say yes to each other.

Personally speaking, I love the watch. It is so versatile, it looks great with sporty looks and adds an edge to any sparkling outfit.

Stay tuned for many outfit posts coming up featuring this new black beauty.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hublot and © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored.
@hublot #HublotCheerfulGreetings #HublotPerfectGift 

While being in Boston right now, I would like to show you the first look from last weekend’s photo shoot at the beautiful Dolder Grand hotel in Zurich. This has become one of my favorite looks for the holiday season. Coated in eye-catching gold, thanks to this unexpected texture the outfit has a modern vibe. It is very comfortable to wear and the padded rubber boots will keep your feet warm during the wet season.

My look: Metallic coated cable-knit wool sweater, pleated metallic coated wool-blend mini skirt, cotton-poplin shirt, and Atelier Shoes 03 Rose Edition 3D rubber knee boots, all by Valentino, The Hacker medium hobo bag by Balenciaga.

LoL, Sandra

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

Do you enjoy skiing in the most luxurious and sought-after resorts in Switzerland? The dilemma of whether to go to Gstaad, or St. Moritz comes down to personal preference. I used to spend my winters in St. Moritz for many years but today I prefer Gstaad.

The beautiful Gstaad Palace is my home away from home and those photos were taken inside the La Fromagerie restaurant that offers delicious cheese treats and other Swiss specialities. The Alpine resort’s blend of glamour, lifestyle, sport and pristine nature outshines everything. However you are far more certain of getting snow in December in St Moritz than Gstaad. Both have a high profile social scene. St. Moritz, touted as the ski resort «on top of the world,» and Gstaad advertises with «come up and slow down». The choice is yours and the look would work for both.

My look: Argyle-pattern rollneck jumper and matching argyle jacquard midi skirt, both by Balmain, St. Moritz Voyage appliquéd embroidered canvas clutch by Olympia Le Tan, Alminette red suede pumps by Christian Louboutin, and classic large Impatiens earrings by Oscar de la Renta.

LoL, Sandra

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