Sandra‘s Closet

Please accept my sincere apologies for the lack of posting. I am currently at the beautiful Lanserhof Tegernsee in Bavaria, Germany for a clean break of everything. I am talking about digital detox as well as physical detox. It is very challenging for me, an overhaul for your body and your soul. Here at Lanserhof I am treated with the most modern and holistic medicine, which means regeneration and prevention on the long run. Once I am back, I will give you a full report of my stay. One thing that is for sure, it has been absolutely worth coming here.

What I truly enjoy is being in comfy clothes with no makeup just embracing my cleansing, resting and medical routine. And having time to look outside the window and to enjoy the snowy landscape surrounding this amazing retreat. It is a great way to rediscover your inner self.

Get the look: Cashmere sweater jacket with «YOU» logo in mink on the back and matching jogging pants both by Max & Moi, MB Classic silver reflective fabric and white shearling Moon Boot® by Jimmy Choo and Bamboo Shopper large textured-leather tote by Gucci.

Please don’t disturb!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This Sunday, I drove to Colmar in Alsace, France that is well known for its famous Christmas market. I can absolutely recommend this weekend excursion. From Zurich, it took me around one and a half hour to get there by car. Once you have arrived, you will enter the magic of Christmas at its best. First of all there’s the ambiance of the Old Town, illuminated and decorated like a fairy tale.

Colmar town centre is essentially pedestrian, comprises numerous architectural treasures such as monuments, churches, museums and alleys, full of imposing buildings dating from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Enjoy some of yesterday’s impressions below.

My look: Belted shearling coat and studded wool-silk shawl, both by Gucci, Tiger embroidered cotton-jersey sweatshirt by Kenzo, Le Garcon mid-rise slim boyfriend jeans by Frame Denim, suede boots by Prada Sport, boy bag with chains by Chanel, rose diamond ring by Piaget, Pasha C watch by Cartier and Carlina round-frame gold-tone sunglasses by Chloé.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Reminiscent of a 16th century Italian palace, Palazzo Versace Dubai, a Neoclassical masterpiece with subtle traces of Arabian architecture and the most luxurious hotel the Middle East has ever seen, has opened its doors this November. Artistic director Donatella Versace has exclusively designed the interiors and furniture for each of the 215 rooms, bringing the opulent universe of Versace truly to life.

Grande Suite

Every detail is exquisite, from the ceilings hand-detailed in gold, to the finest marbles and mosaics.
Throughout the design run the iconic motifs of the Italian fashion house, such as the Medusa head, the Greek Key and the legendary prints, with many designs created exclusively for the Palazzo Versace Dubai.

The impressive lobby.

The grand lobby features an extraordinary 1000sqm marble mosaic floor, with bespoke furniture and textiles decorated with peacocks, falcons and horses.

Vanitas restaurant

For all-day dining, the Giardino has marble flooring and columns, with the walls decorated in a special edition of the iconic Jungle print from Versace Wallpaper collection. Meanwhile the Vanitas restaurant is like a classical Italian palace, with handmade wall decorations featuring the Grottesche Italiane.

Residence Living Room

Palazzo Versace Dubai will also be home to 169 residences, ranging from one to six bedrooms, each decorated and furnished in the true Versace style.

The pool

Situated in the heart of the city, Palazzo Versace Dubai is at the centre of the new Culture Village, located on a prime waterfront plot with unobstructed views of the Dubai Creek.

Palazzo Versace Dubai Executive Suite

This is the second Palazzo. The first, on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, is the world’s first fashion branded hotel concept. Following the opening of Palazzo Versace Dubai, the next Palazzo will be built in Macau.

Cannot wait to stay there the next time I will be in Dubai.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versace

Hello from New York City where I arrived yesterday. Tonight is the night: H&M x Balmain‘s launch ​party celebration will take place starting at 7pm local time with cocktails, followed by the fashion show, a concert and of course the pop-up store where guests are able to shop the collection before it will officially hit the stores on November 5, 2015.

I will be attending the event tonight and keep you updated on instagram @sandrascloset but you can also watch the live stream HERE or follow the #HMBalmaination hashtag to see whats happening at the show!

Below are some of my first impressions:

Still breathtaking: the first view on NYC when you come from the airport.

My hotel: The Nomo Soho, the former Mondrian Hotel, where I also stayed three years ago for the H&M x Maison Martin Margiela launch event.

The view from my hotel room.

A gift: the beautiful scarf.

Now, I am on my way to preview the collection ahead of the show and to interview Olivier Rousteing, Creative Director of Balmain and the fashion designer with the most instagram followers on earth.

Stay tuned for my report from the event coming up soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of H&M and © Sandra Bauknecht

One month ago, I went to Siena, one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany, Italy, with a historic centre that has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. The Duomo, the Siena Cathedral (photo below), is a masterpiece of Italian Romanesque-Gothic architecture and definitely worth the visit. The Piazza del Campo (see photo above), the shell-shaped principal public space that is regarded as one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares, is filled with nice restaurants and bars. I loved strolling through the tiny medieval streets in my comfy flats. Sometimes, it feels great just to wear a little bit of mascara and be casual.

My look: Multi-coloured printed cotton dress and  green ‘Miss Sicily’ bag, both by Dolce & Gabbana, studded sandals by Alaïa, sunglasses by Céline, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond necklace, both by Piaget and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

Funnily enough, this look seems like being part of Dolce & Gabbana’s S/S 2016 collection that is inspired by the most famous landmarks of Italy. Don’t forget, the trunkshow ends today!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

LOUIS VUITTON‘S CITY GUIDES COLLECTION IS EXPANDING WITH 4 NEW CITIES TO DISCOVER AND THE LAUNCH OF A MOBILE APP

Since 1998, Louis Vuitton has been sharing its unique take on the world through its City Guides, offering a careful selection of addresses chosen with originality and just a touch of bias. November 2015 sees four completely new cities added to the collection: Bangkok, Chicago, Prague and Rome. Fully updated, the Paris volume is packed with new addresses, as are London, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Beijing, Saö Paulo, Sydney, Tokyo and Venice.

This year, for the first time, a mobile App will be available (as of November 2015) to complement the collection of City Guides. Easy to use, in one click you’ll be as well- informed as any local! Special guest contributors, secret addresses, city walks, cultural events: it’s the full City Guide perspective. Fluent, intuitive… Your route to the best possible travel experience.

25 cities available for iPhone and iPad, selected contents free to download, €9.99 (US$9.99) per city from the App Store.

Great news: the Paris City Guide will be downloadable for free on the App Store from November 5th until December 31st, 2015.

A NEW ACCESSORY FOR THE ELEGANT TRAVELLER

To complement the new Louis Vuitton City Guide App, the French Maison has produced a small leather case with the Monogram pattern, designed to protect your iPad and iPhone.
Available for “iPhone 6” and “iPhone 6 Plus“, the new cases come in four extra colors inspired by the city collection: blue for Paris, yellow for Rome, red for Beijing and pink for Tokyo.
An essential fashion accessory, not only elegant but also the perfect way to personalize your iPhone when you are travelling.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton Malletier

Amsterdam has so much more to offer than its famous Red Light District. With over one million residents, it’s the largest city in the Netherlands and a creative, cultural hub. The Stedelijk Museum for example is absolutely worth a visit with its great exhibition of modern and contemporary art as well as design from the early 20th century up to the 21st century. It features artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Wassily Kandinsky, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Karel Appel, Andy Warhol, Willem de Kooning, Marlene Dumas, Lucio Fontana, and Gilbert & George.

Me in front of the Stedelijk Museum

The Stedelijk is located at the Museum Square in the borough Amsterdam South, where it is close to the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Royal Concertgebouw, that are all must-sees when being in the Dutch metropole.

My look: Floral print long cardigan and matching floral print T-shirt, both by Givenchy, Le Skinny De Jeanne mid-rise jeans by Frame Denim, biker boots by Miu Miu, Boy bag with chains by Chanel, diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery, hoop earrings by Dior, rose diamond ring and Limelight Gala watch, both by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

One of the best ways to have some fun in Amsterdam is to get on a bike or vespa as I did and see the city on a set of wheels. I had heard about the city’s famous Red Light District well before my trip. In Amsterdam, both marihuana and prostitution are legal. Leaving nothing to the imagination, some stereotypes about this area are true, there are plenty of sex shops, peep shows, brothels and prostitutes in red-lit windows. The area is bustling with visitors and groups of tourists.

My look to explore the town: Black cotton parka by Balmain, dress with leather and lace appliqué by Saint Laurent, biker boots by Miu Miu, Boy bag with chains by Chanel, diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery, rose diamond ring and Limelight Gala watch, both by Piaget and sunglasses by Marni.

Tulips are also an integral part of the Dutch city’s life and you see them everywhere.
Stay tuned as I will show you more from Amsterdam soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

In Amsterdam I stayed at The College Hotel which I can absolutely recommend. One night, I had dinner with my Dutch friends at Nacional, which is a great restaurant reminiscent of a Parisian brasserie. Afterwards, we had drinks at Bo Cinq followed by some dancing at Jimmy Woo.

My look: Leopard jacquard blazer and Tribute patent-leather sandals, both by Saint Laurent, black jumpsuit by Michael Kors, satin clutch by Prada, diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery, diamond ring and rose necklace, both by Piaget and Amulette necklace by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Visiting Amsterdam, the Venice of the North, was truly a lot of fun. Thanks to its 400-year-old waterways, which are criss-crossed with tons of bridges, the city offers lots of picturesque places to enjoy. Here you see me heading to dinner at Izakaya, a culinary hot spot in Amsterdam, Japanese food at its best.

My look: Studded leather dress, knit cardigan with stud embellishments, Janis embellished suede ankle boots, all by Saint Laurent, Boy bag with chains by Chanel, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring, both by Piaget and diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht