Sandra‘s Closet

When you come to London, I don’t want you to miss this season’s Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley, the legendary designer afternoon tea inspired by the world of fashion, that sees the iconic designs of Christian Dior take to the cakewalk for an unprecedented solo show inspired by the exhibition I told you about earlier this week – Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams at the V&A Museum.

The Dior Couture Collection transforms landmark pieces into exquisite biscuits, bakes and fancies. From the Junon Dress worn by Theo Graham at Le Pré Catalan in Paris 1949 to the Bar Jacket which has been synonymous with Dior since it took to the catwalk in 1947 as part of the «New Look,» each piece this season takes inspiration from Dior’s fashion history.

Your tea also includes a flavoursome collection of miniature savoury skewers, taster spoons, elegant canapés and tea sandwiches. To drink, choose a loose leaf tea from the hotel’s extensive collection.

Email: dining@the-berkeley.co.uk
Call: +44 (0)20 7107 8866
Please note that the Dior Couture Collection will be served until 29 September 2019.

Prêt-à-Portea is priced at £60.00 per person.
Champagne Prêt-à-Portea, with a glass of Laurent-Perrier, £70.00 per person.
Signature Mocktail Prêt-à-Portea, with a glass of a refreshing Mango & Rooibos mocktail, £70.00 per person.
Couture Champagne Prêt-à-Portea, with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Rosé, Bollinger Rosé or Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, £76.00 per person.

We had such a great time and I hope that you will enjoy it as well!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

If you’ve been to Verona and you’ve fallen in love with the city like me, you will like today’s outfit post. Besides the famous Arena di Verona Opera Festival, the picturesque Italian town has a lot to offer, from beautiful restaurants, little piazzas and many historic monuments to visit. Furthermore, Verona still feels like its Shakespearean legacy, and it is possible to recall the main moments of the timeless love story of Romeo and Juliet. When you overlook the city, you realise that there really could have been no other place more perfect than Verona to have set the story.

My look: Appliquéd denim jacket, Ace embroidered low-top leather trainers, and square-frame glitter sunglasses, all by Gucci, Allure ruffled silk-chiffon blouse by Temperley London, printed stretch-cotton wrap skirt by Mira Mikati, Kan I leather shoulder bag, flower fur key fob, ABClick letter key charm and embellished leather bag strap, all by Fendi.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This dress is one of my favorites from the S/S 2019 runway collections that I wore to several occasions. It reminds me of a ballet gown and Marilyn Monroe’s most iconic outfits – the way the pleated skirt of this dress moves calls to mind, the famous scene in ’50s film, The Seven Year Itch.  Here you see me shooting it on the terrace of my suite at the COMO The Halkin hotel in London. Located in the city’s Belgravia district, it is an amazing place to stay. The healthy food, the yummy ginger tea infusion (not to be missed!), the service and the beautiful rooms make it an absolute insider tip.

My look: Lace and pleated chiffon maxi dress by Christopher Kane, cropped blazer by Saint Laurent, silver-tone, satin and crystal choker by Miu Miu, Cha Cha crystal-embellished suede pumps by Alexandre Vauthier, printed metallic leather box clutch by Dolce & Gabbana, and cuff by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I love going on vacation by car as you can pack as much as you like. On the other hand, with the right hand luggage, flying can be also very convenient. For me, there is nothing quite like my new chic Lexicon Hardside Global Carry-On by Victorinox to induce that sense of wanderlust. The champagne coloured trolley is not just impossibly pretty, but also unbreakable and packed with lots of smart features. These include an interior compression system which allows you to make the most of the space inside, TSA-approved lock, built-in battery pocket for charging your USB devices, as well as premium 360° wheels for a smooth, easy roll.

My look: Appliquéd cotton-twill jumpsuit by Mira Mikati, pink satin bow hairband
by Prada, vintage white black rasoir cut-off cat-eye sunglasses by Miu Miu, faux-pearl tassel earrings by Oscar de la Renta, silver-tone beaded choker by Isabel Marant, Ace sneaker with crystals by Gucci, and Shopper Bistrot Panier S straw tote by Balenciaga.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Do you remember when fashion lovers around the globe were craving for the limited edition pieces, such as the Book Tote, that were only available in DIOR‘s Mykonos pop-up store (for the previous post, click here).

This season, DIOR presents DIORIVIERA, a new capsule collection created by Maria Grazia Chiuri, that celebrates the beauty, leisure and art of farniente. A bright and sunny wardrobe, like an invitation to travel, dedicated to the most delightful Mediterranean getaways, the promise of an eternal summer, from Forte dei Marmi, Capri to Mykonos, from Marbella, Saint-Tropez to Ibiza. Great news is that the beautiful items are this season all available online and of course in the respective local holiday boutiques.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior
#Dior #DiorRiviera #DiorCruise #MariaGraziaChiuri #PamelaHanson

A must for every fashion and ballet lover. This upcoming Saturday and Sunday will see the performance of Svetlana Zakharova’s program MODANSE of two one-act ballets: «Come Un Respiro» (Like Breath) and the premiere of «Gabrielle Chanel» at the Bolshoi Theatre on the famous historic stage in Moscow.

Inside the famous Bolshoi Theater.

The latter is the creative work of the congenial trio of Yuri Posokhov (choreography), Ilya Demutsky (composition) and Alexey Frandetti (director and writer) who created an homage to the life and work of Coco Chanel, her role as a revolutionist in the industry and her rise to become the queen of fashion. The main role of the late designer was created especially for the prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theater and the Milan Scala, Svetlana Zakharova by the production company MuzArts and is tailor-made for her. Among the dancers are Denis Savin, Jacopo Tissi, Mikhail Lobukhin, Vyacheslav Lopatin, and Ana Turazashvili.

Hotel Metropol Moscow, seen from the Bolshoi Theater.

If you want to visit the ballet in Moscow, I recommend staying at the Metropol Hotel that is located on the opposite side of Teatralnaya Ploshchad (Theatre Square) from the main building of the Bolshoi Theatre. Following the traditions of the founder of the hotel, the patron of art Savva Mamontov, the Metropol Hotel Moscow supports another world premiere of the MODANSE series and hotel guests have the unique opportunity to buy tickets for the best seats.

Inside the newly renovated Metropol Hotel Moscow.

Reading the last autobiography of Coco Chanel, I got to know that she was a true philanthropist by providing significant financial support to the Diaghilev ballet. Like this, she truly showed her admiration for talent and art.

Coco Chanel with Ballets Russes dancer Serge Lifar.

The new ballet about Coco Chanel will be performed not only at the Bolshoi Theatre, but also in Paris, the city that cherishes the memory of the legendary Frenchwoman.

Two dancers of the Ballets Russes in costumes by Coco Chanel, from 1928. 

While you are reading this, I am on my way to London to see «The Mother», a powerful narrative dance production based on Hans Christian Andersen‘s dark tale, choreographed by Arthur Pita and starring Natalia Osipova, the famous Russian ballerina, who is currently performing as a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet in London. So excited…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hotel Metropol, Bolshoi, CHANEL and Sasha/V&A Images

My favorite way to fight the rainy weather last weekend in Saint-Tropez was a visit to CHANEL‘s seasonal summer boutique at the La Mistralée townhouse that is such an eye-catcher in an exclusive décor inspired by the codes and the spirit of the House. The S/S 2019 ready-to-wear collection, the COCO BEACH de CHANEL line, the accessories, the perfumes and pieces of jewelry and watches are displayed in a serene atmosphere bathed in natural light.

This season, CHANEL has chosen to combine classic interior design with ultra-modern furnishings. A floor paved with beige travertine welcomes the visitors and accompanies them with every step through the different spaces of the boutique. The unity of the floor is reinforced by a sense of infinity created by a game of antique mirrors positioned like high skirting boards, climbing walls painted in an understated white. Large black rugs contrast with this luminosity all while alluding to CHANEL’s signature black and beige two-tone.

On one side of the entrance hall, almost like a prelude, a lobby presents a selection of eyewear and perfumes. The following room opens onto two series of large frames in a rust-hued metal. Set up in a chevron pattern, they carry the elegant yet casual S/S 2019 ready-to-wear silhouettes, inspired by the theme of the beach. In the midst of these frames we find large mobile panels, also in rust-coloured metal and double sided: their perforated plates dressed with a diamond quilting on one side and a mirror on the other.

Bathed in sunlight, the conservatory is home to the accessories, the bags and the shoes of the season. As if in a dressing room, two large cabinets furnish the room. Quilted and perforated, through the transparency you can guess at the accessories displayed there: their shadows encouraging you to open each door and to peacefully discover each accessory. A blue suede sofa, poufs in tweed or suede are there for comfortably trying on the summer mules and sandals. Finally, several alcoves exhibit the CHANEL watches, including the J12 and the BOY.FRIEND watch as well as one of CHANEL’s iconic jewelry lines: the COCO CRUSH collection.

The garden at the La Mistralée is a veritable haven of tranquillity. Large black and white rugs are installed around the swimming pool. A long bench and big scatter cushions in black, navy and white tweed are an invitation to enjoy some farniente. Chairs, tables and big poufs in tweed covered with cushions in leather add to this ambiance of summer-time lounging. The pool house, painted entirely with a layer of thick blue rendering, illustrates a Mediterranean summer. Inside, the white walls, the blue of the floor and the floating lacquered furnishings, as well as the resin console tables all add their nuance to this palette caught between the sky and the sea. Here, once again, a dressing room has been installed: its sophisticated drawers opening to reveal pieces from the COCO BEACH de CHANEL collection, swimsuits, espadrilles as well as straw hats…

Like a breath of air in the heart of the effervescent village of Saint-Tropez, the new CHANEL seasonal boutique embodies all the relaxed elegance of the House, serene and radiant beneath the Riviera sunshine.

CHANEL’s seasonal boutique in Saint-Tropez will remain open until October 2019.
CHANEL BOUTIQUE
1, avenue du Général Leclerc
83990 Saint-Tropez, France
+33 4 94 49 07 47
Monday to Sunday: 10am – 1.30pm / 3.30pm – 8pm (4.30pm to 9pm in July and August)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL / Marie Liskay

As I told you before in my travel insider about São Paulo, I was warned that tourists can become the target of scams and robberies while visiting the largest city in South America. Therefore I wanted to to blend in as much as possible in this urban metropole, and took note of how not to look like a tourist while being in town. In order not to flash my valuables, I didn’t wear any jewellery, watch, handbag or logo. I went for a pair of cargo pants that has several pockets that I filled with credit cards, money and my iPhone. I prepared some cash in one of them to be fast in case of a robbery.

In the end, I felt very safe, probably also because I was well prepared… if you get the chance, please visit São Paulo, it is such an amazing city!

My look: Printed denim shirt by Saint Laurent, ribbed jersey tank by Derek Lam, cargo pants by DKNY, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Celine, black leather belt by Prada, and sneakers by Prada Linea Rossa.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
All photos at the pool were taken at my beautiful hotel: PALÁCIO TANGARÁ

For this year’s Easter weekend, I flew to São Paulo and I cannot wait to share my experiences from this amazing, vibrant city. Here you see me at Zurich airport stretching a little before the long flight. When I am flying, I love to stay comfortable and in this case, I also went for a shirt with pockets to store the most important things close to my body. Everybody warned me how dangerous São Paulo is going to be but I have to admit I experienced it completely differently. Clean and safe. More to come soon….

My look: Fringed wool-jacquard cardigan by Etro, black oversized jersey dress by Miu Miu, oversized cotton military shirt by Balmain, Helda stretch-scuba leggings by The Row, Soho mini textured-leather shoulder bag by Gucci, vintage Muse Large leather tote by Yves Saint Laurent, and Triple S sneakers by Balenciaga.

Flying for 3 days to São Paulo and back can be challenging for your skin. My avid readers know my secret weapon: LA MER’s The Concentrate that helps with all sort of skin irritations. If you are shopping on the Swiss website, don’t forget to use the promo code sandralamer that has been extended until April 30, 2019. If you spent more than CHF 150, you will receive a LA MER Pouch with a Deluxe Soft Cream 7ml (CHF 45.00) and a Deluxe Cleansing Foam 30ml (CHF 30.00). PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE ONLINE SHOP DIRECTLY.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week, on the eve of the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, MONTBLANC introduced its brand new Montblanc x Pirelli collection of new lightweight trolleys created in partnership with the Italian motorsport pioneer.

«Mobility, performance and design are essential when it comes to business travel,» says Nicolas Baretzki, Montblanc CEO. «With this partnership, two European icons come together, striving for utmost innovation driven by the pioneering spirit of our founders. We would like our customers to experience our expertly designed travel companions in every step they take to stay connected with the world.»

Built for today’s most discerning and demanding globetrotters who expect efficiency and reliability, the trolleys feature high-performance ball-bearing wheels, a precision handle bar and a functional interior. The sleek aesthetics are enhanced with elegant details inspired by iconic Pirelli design cues including its distinctive tyre mark and an eye-catching yellow colour on the tag.

The Montblanc & Pirelli is limited to 5000 pieces each. Personally speaking, I love the color combination and design of these pieces. Both, the cabin with pocket trolley (CHF 890.00) and the cabin trolley (CHF 750.00) are in stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Montblanc