Sandra‘s Closet

With love from Saint Tropez … enjoying these carefree days and sporting my Gucci resort exclusive shopper for the first time on Place des Lices. Here, each Tuesday and Saturday, a provençal market takes place that I highly recommend for you to visit.

My look: Mae belted ruffled printed linen midi dress, and matching printed linen-twill bucket hat, both by Zimmermann, slide sandal with Double G, and Saint Tropez striped tote bag, both by Gucci, embellished necklace with coin charm by Oscar de la Renta, Rose Céleste necklace, Rose des Vents and Rose Céleste necklace, both by Dior Fine Jewellery, and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Michael HJ Lopez Photographie / Sandra Bauknecht
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In recent times, traveling has become something special. We are not taking it for granted anymore. Luxury is a way of life. This GUCCI knows very well, that is why the Italian brand has created a tote bag inspired by different summer hot spots in the world.

Crafted in the style of a retro postcard, each shopper is personalized with colors, trims and a leather tag unique to the location it represents. A bag as unique as the memories of that place and your way of showing where you have been besides your Instagram account. My mantra? Bags speaks louder than photos… haha!

Those shoppers are all exclusive editions, there are only a few pieces available of each model, which can only be purchased, of course, in the destination in which they are inspired. The exclusivity and uniqueness of each bag is aligned with its distinguished design, with beachy and somewhat vintage airs. Just a few models can be purchased on the GUCCI website along with some other limited edition ready-to-wear pieces and shoes as well as on NET-A-PORTER.

Cannes, Capri, Ibiza, Mykonos, Phuket, Miami, Rio de Janeiro, Hawaii, among others, GUCCI’s new tote bag travels the world, embodying the essence of different destinations; one of them, Saint Tropez where I have been spending part of my summer. This is the only model that doesn’t carry the main motif of the design, the name of the destination engraved in gold on leather in the center. The sales person at the GUCCI store in Saint-Tropez explained to me that they didn’t get permission of the city to use it. I found this one the most special beause of the exclusion and also because of the stunning color combination of pink and orange which I love.

Summer has been and always will be that invitation to enjoy the little things: enjoy the rays of the sun that become energy for our spirit or a breeze that refreshes our soul. Now you can carry a bag that was part of a summer that will hopefully always be worth remembering.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci and © Sandra Bauknecht
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Greetings from Saint-Tropez! I am so happy to be back in this picturesque town where you can party day and night. This was my outfit that I wore to the birthday luncheon of a dear friend at Gigi Ramatuelle, a new place that I can absolutely recommend. Lovely ambiance, great food, fun music and a fantastic crowd.

My look: La Medusa lace-trimmed printed silk-twill bustier top, La Medusa pleated printed satin midi skirt, Trésor de la Mer silk hat, Trésor de la Mer face mask, Trésor de la Mer gold-tone crystal choker, Trésor de la Mer gold-tone crystal bracelet, and Trésor de la Mer gold-tone crystal earrings, all by Versace, Jodie mini knotted leather tote by Bottega Veneta, Oyster Perpetual 36 with turquoise dial by Rolex, Whisper metallic leather wedge sandals by Aquazzura, and long gold-tone and shell necklace, by Isabel Marant.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht (Thank you, Patrick!)
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Marni takes over the Sunset Beach Hotel on the sands of Shelter Island, New York, Marni-fying the hotel’s outdoor and indoor areas through Marni Marine’s playful and imaginative universe, a celebration of summer. Until Labor Day weekend, the ground floor spaces will be re-imagined through fabrics hailing from the Marni archives, giving a new and vibrant guise to the rooms, embellished with the signature colors, furnishings and design objects of Marni Markets.

Through Marni Marine, the cozy ambience of Sunset Beach Hotel blends with the eclectic and creative spirit of Marni in a place that invites guests to dream, relax and get lost in the idyll of a seaside hideaway.

A combination of warm tones and jubilant prints pervades the rooms while preserving the atmosphere of the hotel. The external façade will be underscored by a sculptural, red metal MARNI logo, finished with baby blue display elements that resemble waves – which serve as home for bags and beach hats – ridden by fishes and boats that pay homage to the sea.

The hotel’s boutique, with revamped orange and yellow walls, will host women’s and men’s ready-to-wear as well as accessories from Marni’s S/S 2021, in a space where red and white striped benches, covered with cushions and featuring maxi dots evoking stones, reverberate their playfulness through to the fitting room curtain and on a glass display case. The maxi dots will also characterize the display cases arranged along the corridor housing pieces for the Marni lifestyle. The walls will be redefined with light brown and pink tones, giving new light to the area.

Inside the game room, cozy sofas will be wrapped in a spring of floral prints juxtaposed to pink and light brown walls. Here, it will be possible to relax on hand-woven Marni chaise lounges, rocking chairs, benches and stools.

The spirit of Marni will also pervade the suite room that will be decorated with Marni Market furnishings, including bird-shaped chairs with an exclusive Marni frisky pink umbrella displayed on the terrace.

The selection of Marni Market design objects and accessories for sale and available in limited edition will also include a series of baskets, vases, magazine racks and sculptures, as well as necklaces, hats, bags – and fans conceived exclusively for the hotel.

The pop-up, envisioned in collaboration with Sunset Beach, will allow guests to immerse into the creative philosophy of Marni. In this experiential place overlooking the ocean, guests can relax and enjoy sun-kissed long days absorbed in summer dreams, getting inspired by the universe of Marni Marine.

I hope that we can travel soon again to the US. I miss it so much.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Marni

Ahoy Capri! I adore this Italian island so much. As one of the Mediterranean’s most glamorous destinations, Capri is famous for many reasons. It has jaw-dropping natural beauty, delicious cuisine and world-class shopping. It’s also a place to see and be seen – there’s a reason why so many celebrities anchor their yachts in Marina Grande, where I took these photos.

My look: Peggy tie-detailed paisley-print linen midi dress by Zimmermann, Spin Me Around elaphe sandals by Aquazzura, J’adior Capri striped sweater by Dior (with motifs of the Dior Around the World inspired by sketches of Roman artist Pietro Ruffo), Devotion mini embellished metallic leather tote, and plissé sunglasses, both by Dolce Gabbana, patchwork face mask by Natasha Zinko, layered silk and multi-stone necklace by Etro, and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Umberto for Sandra Bauknecht
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Today I am on my way to Ischia and Capri for the weekend and I am so much looking forward to being back. Last time I was there was for the opening of the Aquazzura store one year ago. The brand’s founder & creative director, Edgardo Osorio, invited us to the island for a weekend of pure fun that I have only shared in my IG stories so far. Here is my outfit that I wore for the first night. We enjoyed sunset cocktails at the beautiful JK Place Capri. A magical place for Edgardo and his partner Ricardo. Here the name Aquazzura was created during a sunset dinner overlooking the bay. It comes from the words ‘acqua’ and ‘azzurra’, which means blue water in Italian. Edgardo has always been in love with the sea and the sun, and wanted the name of his brand to both evoke his love for Italy and to remind him of Capri.

My look: Cropped button-embellished jacquard-knit blazer (also available in beige), cropped button-embellished pointelle-knit top (also available in peach), and button-embellished ribbed stretch-knit midi skirt (also available in peach), all by Balmain, Jodie mini knotted leather tote by Bottega Veneta, Whisper metallic leather wedge sandals by Aquazzura, earrings by CHANEL, Clash de Cartier ring in 18K rose gold with amazonite by Cartier, and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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This week my favorite hotel, my home away from home, the famous Gstaad Palace hotel opens its doors again for the summer season. Such great news as I cannot wait to be back. We have already booked our stay in winter. Hopefully, the GreenGo club will also be open again by then. Personally speaking it is one of my favorite night clubs in the world and I am looking forward to dancing again to the sound of DJ Jim Leblanc. With its unparalleled design, an unbelievable dancefloor floating above a swimming pool, every night is one to remember. My outfit is definitely ready …

My look: Green double-breasted checked wool blazer, gold-tone, enamel and faux pearl clip earrings, and gold-tone necklace, all by Saint Laurent, Patent-leather and tulle bodysuit, and paneled patent-leather and crepe leggings, both by David Koma, Palmette crystal-embellished suede cross-body bag by Christian Louboutin, glitter face mask by Missoni, and Cha Cha crystal-embellished suede pumps by Alexandre Vauthier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
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At the very tip of Cap d’Antibes in the South of France stands one of my favorite hotels in the world, the majestic Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, which also belongs to the Oetker Collection.

In celebration of the hotel’s 150th anniversary and to pay tribute to its exquisite natural surroundings, the ‘Grande Dame’ has collaborated with Maison Christian Dior on a signature Eden-Roc fragrance – a fusion of two emblems of French art de vivre: the inimitable Parisian elegance of Dior and the sun-bathed luxury of this iconic palace.

«When creating Eden-Roc, I was imagining an arrival at the hotel by sea. The salt, the sun, the rocky shore and the lush vegetation… The sillage is an olfactory image of this magnificent refuge. The accords express the fullness of the Mediterranean: the seawater, the flowers and citrus fruits, the aromatic herbs and maritime pines. The beauty of Eden-Roc under the warm sun is distilled in this irresistible daily ritual. It is a delight of a fragrance, inspired by the serenity of this unparalleled destination and custom designed in its honour.» – François Demachy, Dior Perfumer-Creator.

The Eden-Roc fragrance is a burst of emotion that lingers in the air like a gentle Mediterranean breeze. A bright encapsulation of the Riviera, its balanced blend of mineral and plant essences invoke the feeling of discovery in a landscape of paradisiacal beauty.

To accompany the fragrance, François Demachy has transposed his melodious notes of seawater, wood and floral blossoms into a candle, a liquid hand soap and a body cream. These three essentials are sensuous conduits of simple, everyday luxury. At bath time or simply for a moment of relaxation, each of these creations communicate the sweetness of life in this corner of paradise.

Eden-Roc by Maison Christian Dior is available worldwide in Maison Christian Dior boutiques for  € 220 euros (125ml), € 315 euros (250ml), and €400 (450ml).

Cannot wait to be back in the South of France … soon!

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Dior

Exploration, excitement, a voyage to new territories. Miuccia Prada toys with all the characteristics of a nautical atmosphere – colours, insignias, attitudes – to create a Miu Miu Maritime collection, refracting these archetypal and classic sartorial gestures into unexpected new forms.

Silhouetted against twin expanses of blue – the sky and the sea – the Miu Miu crew of feminine sailors are captured by Johnny Dufort, poised on the concrete ramparts of the Plage de Bon-Secours at Saint Malo – a bathing pool jutting into the sea, man meeting nature. At this point of embarkation, where land meets water, this Miu Miu crew gazes out to the distance in anticipation – of a new beginning, a different season, a different perspective, broadened horizons. As ever, these Miu Miu women are part of a collective, a group – here, they are a fleet, an admiralty, their clothing unifying them, signifying their bond.

The clothes are fresh, spirited, evocative of mariner attire yet exaggerated by the lens of fashion. Traditionally masculine gestures – the flap collar, wide shoulders, an air of utility – are abstracted to be fused with the inherently feminine, with softly rounded sleeves, lace detailing, ruffles, bows. Created for summer, the fabrics are crisp, light, honest: satin pois, popeline, hard-wearing cotton denim – in marine blue, white, palest pink, officer’s red. This visual language, inextricably tied to nautical attire, can simultaneously speak of other worlds – borrowed for children’s clothing and casual attire of the past, today those details evoke, in the subconscious, youthfulness, vacation, freedom.

Maritime speaks of possibilities – the commencement of a journey. The coastline is not the end of the land, but rather marks the start of something new. A collection of hope to enjoy this summer with hopefully a little bit of normality again …

For F/W 2020, Miuccia Prada already showed maritime influences on the runway. I got these two pieces that I absolutely love to wear.
Left: Sailor-collar lambswool bodysuit
Right: Sailor-collar cotton-poplin shirt

If I vetted your appetite for Saint Malo, have a look at the Thermes Marins de Saint Malo. The seaside resort launched their own skin-care line in 2005, that is an alliance of scientific research, naturalness, expertise and modern technology. In Switzerland the products are available at Import Parfumerie. Maritime cosmetics and maritime cosmetics go well together, don’t you think. Beauty, born of the sea…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Miu Miu, © Thermes Marins de Saint Malo
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Even that we cannot travel as much as we used to, we might plan ahead for the time after lockdown. Let’s get ready for space and discover this stunning range of luggage and travel accessories inspired by otherworldly destinations from RIMOWA.

Inspired by far-off destinations, the RIMOWA Mars & Mercury collections celebrate two new versions of the iconic aluminium RIMOWA Original and select special edition travel accessories that captivate the attention, imagination, and spirit of boundary-pushing exploration. Mars, a bright and vibrant orange, and Mercury, a refined, medium grey tone with subtle hints of blue. These galactic-inspired colours will be available on the Cabin and Trunk Plus sizes for Mars, and Cabin and Check-In L for Mercury.

I personally adore the galaxy-inspired space sticker set that helps you to make your suitcase a one-of-a-kind.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Rimowa and © Sandra Bauknecht