Sandra‘s Closet

A multisensorial event hosted in Shanghai at the iconic Park Hyatt depicts the Miu Miu world in a glitzy experience, with performances and a fashion show taking guests through a 1940s-flavored glamour bash.

For the occasion, one of the world’s highest hotels, possibly one of the Chinese’s megalopolis most memorable spots, has been completely restyled by renowned Hollywood set designer Carl Sprague.

Giving life to a cinematic fantasy of glamorous abandon, Sprague has created a sensational set for a party held up high in the sky setting the stage for glamorous stars to banter, dine, sing and dance the night away.

Cecilia Cheung

Zhou Dong

The event occupied five of the Hyatt’s fourteen floors. Throughout the evening a dinner, a fashion show and a series of performances and acts brought the Miu Miu world to life throughout the luxurious venue. The Supper Club style dinner, featuring the Miu Miu Fall Winter 2011/12 fashion show (see photo above), took place with models meandering through the tables. Three other floors were turned into the party venue.

Singer Florrie

Performances included London band Florrie in concert and Variety International in a unique 1940s-themed edition of their world-renowned variety show: a jazz club, an illusionist act, cabaret and much more, in a spectacular mingling of song, dance, circus and vaudeville.

Variety International

DJ sessions by Misty Rabbit and Dan Lywood animated the party until late.

The unforgettable experience transported more than 800 guests, for one night, into a parallel dimension of glamorous emotion: a depiction of the Miu Miu world in its lively complexity.

And guess why such an event took place in Shanghai?! I would say because the Chinese are the customers of the future, if not already of today…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

Yesterday, I flew to London to attend two amazing parties. The first event was a tropical summer night hosted by Matthew Williamson and Chantal Kerzner.

Chantal Kerzner, Matthew Williamson and me

Matthew with me

My outfit: Sequined peacock feather skirt, clutch and necklace by Matthew Williamson, blouse by Alexander McQueen, shoes by Gucci, bracelet by Louis Vuitton.

Matthew’s Mayfair store was the perfect location with all its rainforest-like decoration and beautiful wall coverings to celebrate his Escape collection which is also available at One&Only high-end resort shops.

Chantal’s dad, Sol Kerzner, a hotel magnate, launched One&Only in 2002 with seven properties in The Bahamas, Mexico, Mauritius, The Maledives, South Africa and Dubai. Chantal, head fashion buyer for the boutiques, brings an eclectic mix of high fashion and cutting-edge labels to the holiday destinations.

Enjoy Matthew’s beautiful vacation must-haves, available also through matthewwilliamson.com.

Stay tuned for the next amazing party…
Bon Voyage!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

View from the top

The Mandarin Oriental, Paris has officially opened its doors yesterday. The new prestigious hotel is situated in a 30s art déco building on one of the most fashionable streets in the world, Rue Saint-Honoré, surrounded by high end fashion, haute couture and steps from the Louvre.

Rooms

The 99 rooms and 39 suites were conceived by distinguished architect Sybille de Margerie, designer of LVMH-owned Cheval Blanc. Patrick Jouin, who designed Jules Verne and Alain Ducasse at Plaza Athénée, designed the restaurant and bar spaces. 2-star Michelin chef Thierry Marx is in charge for your dining experiences.

The bar

The in-house spa works with Guerlain products and offers an indoor pool and a well-equipped fitness center.

The pool

I’ve just received notice about an exclusive grand opening offer. When booking („J’aime Paris“ rate starting at  €765) between July 17 and August 28, 2011, you will be treated to a €300 voucher per room, per stay or a €500 per stay per suite to be used in the restaurant or the spa.

I love brand-new hotels especially when you are one of the first guests in a room!
And isn’t Paris always worth a visit?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental

What happens when you step into a dream? Or rather, what happens when you dream inside a dream?

Last week when I was in Milan, I stayed at the Maison Moschino. You are more than likely familiar with the Italian fashion brand Moschino and their second line Moschino Cheap and Chic but did you know that they also have a fantastic hotel?

Situated in an old neoclassical railway station on Viale Monte Grappa, 12, the hotel is the result of the creative work led by Rossella Jardini and Moschino’s creative team.

The minute you enter the lobby, you are  transported into a fantasy world. Moschino’s playful language of fashion has been transformed and adapted to design fanciful settings and surreal rooms that each tell their very own fairytale.

Divided into four floors, the 65 rooms and junior suites are all different. Magical and whimsical details reminiscent of Enchanted Forests and children’s favorites like Alice In Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood and Candyland are the themes of some of the rooms. Other elements include walls climbing with ivy, cushions and lampshades covered in roses or ribbons, ballgown beds and mystery keys. The hotel also has a restaurant and a spa. Prices are very reasonable.

Photos: © Maison Moschino

My room could not have been a better match for me. I was sleeping in the closet. Welcome to 404 and enjoy exploring all those little illusory touches.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Greetings from the Hamptons! I arrived here yesterday after a very pleasant but long journey. Baume et Mercier, the well-known Swiss watchmaking company, invited me to experience and enjoy the seaside living in the Hamptons. During those three days, the new interpretation of the house’s famous Hamptons Collection will also be unveiled.

The claim is: Life is about moments. I am pretty sure that I will be able to share many of those with you in the next days. So please stay tuned for more to come.

Baume et Mercier sent me a booklet before the trip with all information needed that included also a very detailed list “What to bring” which I truly liked.

Last night, we started the experience with a lovely dinner at the Surfside Lodge in Montauk, NY. It is a place for surfers to hang out and is full of beautiful little details.

Here you can see me with my interpretation of the Hamptons style. I chose the maritime colour combination: White-blue-red and added some nautical stripes.

Blouse – Prada, Dress, Jacket and Shoes – Gucci, Bag, Earrings and Bracelet – Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

In case that you don’t want to miss the big event, you can enjoy the royal wedding at a royal location and book Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park’s wedding tour.

With special access and hosted tours by first-hand family members and associates of the royal family to Kensington Palace, Chartwell, Spencer House, Althorp and Westminster Abbey, all venues which members of the public have not had access to before, this promises to be the truly majestic stay. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park also boasts the only private Royal Entrance from Hyde Park.

This exclusive itinerary for the Royal Wedding Tour at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is as follows:

Tuesday 26 April

Check in to the hotel. Pre dinner drinks and a welcome dinner, before retiring to a deluxe room.

Wednesday 27 April

A tour of Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s family home in Kent since 1924, with a special greeting from a member of the Churchill family and lunch at the nearby private family home.

That evening guests depart for Spencer House, the home of the Spencer Family, for drinks on the terrace overlooking Green Park followed by a private tour and dinner in The Great Room designed by James Athenian Stuart.

Thursday 28 April

The morning begins with a visit to The British Museum followed by lunch at The Wallace Collection with a special visit with the Director Dame Ros Saville.

Dinner will take place at the home of a member of the royal family, at their private London townhouse.

Friday 29 April

Visit the Institute of Contemporary Art with exclusive use of the venue and roof terrace overlooking The Mall. Guests will have unrestricted views of the royal wedding parade, nestled above the crowded streets and hustle below. Toast the happy couple with a glass of champagne before a sumptuous three course lunch served in the gallery.

After returning to the hotel, guests will then depart for Kensington Palace where the evening will begin with drinks in the sunken garden, followed by a tour by esteemed curator Nigel Arch and dinner in the newly restored Kings Gallery.

Saturday 30 April

Begin the day with a visit to the setting of the royal wedding, Westminster Abbey, with the Dean. This senior church in London is where great coronations, weddings and burials take place, and is an historic Royal Peculiar (a church whose jurisdiction falls directly under the monarch).

The afternoon allows time for a leisurely roam around London or perhaps a visit to The Spa at Mandarin Oriental to soothe aching muscles and unwind tired minds, followed by dinner at one of the hotel’s celebrated restaurants, Bar Boulud, London or Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Sunday 01 May

The day starts with a trip to Northamptonshire for lunch at Althorp, the ancestral home of Diana Princess of Wales’ family since 1508.  A private visit and lunch will be hosted by a member of the Spencer family.

That evening, guests can enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel before departing on Monday morning in majestic triumph.

The Royal Wedding Tour package is priced from GBP 11,300 for one person and GBP 18,800 for two people sharing the same accommodation.  Valid between 26 April and 01 May only, inclusive of Full English Breakfast, exclusive of VAT at 20% and 5% discretionary service charge, subject to availability.  Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly on +44 (0) 207 201 3618, on email or through the direct on-line reservations service, www.mandarinoriental.com/london.

And if you cannot get enough to commemorate this momentous occasion or you are a little insane, I recommend this fancy product: A refrigerator is being unveiled in tribute to the century’s super wedding. GDHA, a distributor for GE appliances in the UK, has launched a 5’9” side-by-side fridge freezer emblazoned with one of the official engagement photographs of the couple.

This is your chance to keep the royal romance fresh! And it is not an April Fool’s joke!

LoL, Sandra

As part of Gucci’s 90th anniversary celebration this year, the Italian fashion house is taking a stylish spin with another titan of Italian design, Fiat.

Gucci creative director Frida Giannini in collaboration with Fiat’s design office has customized the iconic Fiat 500, or as it’s known in Italian, “cinquecento”.

“When the Fiat 500 first hit the road in the fifties it created a style revolution.” says creative director Frida Gianinni. “Gucci’s history has always been about traveling in style so when this collaboration came up, it struck me as the perfect opportunity to create a new modern travel statement.”

Called 500 by Gucci, the special edition car, which comes in glossy black and white, will be presented from March 3rd to March 13th at the Geneva Motor Show. Be the first to shift into high gear by pre-ordering the 500 by Gucci from April 1st to June 30th exclusively on 500byGucci.com. (Recommended list price in Italy €17.000). Road trip anyone?

Throughout the sporty car, you’ll find distinctive Gucci elements starting with the iconic green and red stripe, which runs along the exterior and also appears inside on the seats, gearshift, carpet, and seatbelt. The interlocking GG makes an appearance on hubcaps, and topping off the design is the cursive Gucci signature, which you’ll find on the hatchback as well as the doorpost.

Complementing that statement is an exclusive 500 by Gucci collection of travel accessories, leather goods, track suits, driving accessories and sunglasses, all of which will be available in select Gucci stores and on gucci.com starting this April.

Hit the road in true Italian style!

LoL, Sandra

I left Florence filled with amazing memories and fully inspired. Stay tuned for many great photos and trend reports to be published soon.

When I am flying, I like to be comfy. Therefore I wore my grey sweatsuit by Stella McCartney Cruise 2011 along with my suede flat boots by Louis Vuitton Cruise 2011 and the fur jacket by Prada. Scarf by Matthew Williamson and hat by Balenciaga. As my suitcase was very heavy, I decided to take two pieces of hand luggage, my black Swarovski crystals embellished Balmain cross over suede bag and my leopard print Céline Boston tote.

Daniel from Stockholm Streetstyle took some great photos of me in front of the hotel and posted them on Caroline’s and his blog.

By the way, the hotel J.K.Place was gorgeous. Located in the heart of downtown Florenze, in Piazza Santa Maria Novella, in walking distance of all sightseeing attractions and shopping streets, it is a very special hotel experience. Small with only 20 rooms and suites, it doesn’t seem to be a hotel, it feels more like somebody’s house. There is one large breakfast table to accommodate all hotel guests in the morning. The interior design is very tasteful, contemporary and cozy. The service is outstanding, I have never felt so much at home in a hotel.
The best choice for fashionable people to stay in Florence!

Enjoy the photos, they are a feast for the eyes!

LoL, Sandra

Today, it was a more relaxing day, recovering from last night. I went on a little shopping tour around the city in my galaxy-print dress by Christopher Kane combined with my fur vest by Miu Miu, grey gauntlets by Stella McCartney and studded biker boots by Miu Miu. Scarf by Gucci, bag by Balmain. Below you will find just a few impressions from my walk…

Now I am at the hotel getting some rest for the big party tonight.
Will keep you posted on that.

LoL, Sandra

I arrived in my beautiful embellished silk blouse and the little camel coloured mini skirt, both by Chloé F/W 2010, combined with a shearling waistcoat by Ralph Lauren Black Label and a fur jacket by Prada, both from previous seasons. During the flight, I had perfered staying comfy in my flat suede Louis Vuitton boots from the Cruise 2011 collection. To protect my hair (it is raining in Florence), I put on one of my favourite hats by Balenciaga. Carine Roitfeld loves this one, too as you can see below (Photos: The Sartorialist).

In the evening, I just changed from my honey-coloured „Twenties“ micro-fishnet tights into my new „Rebecca“ tulle-look net tights with small dots, both by Wolford, and finished off my look with my green punk platform pumps by Yves Saint Laurent and my killer clutch by Balmain. Jewelry by Chanel.

Here in Florence, I am staying in a wonderful Junior Suite at the J.K.Place hotel which has a very spacious closet. You see it is quite filled…

I packed 30kg for the weekend. For fashionable days like that, you better be prepared!

LoL, Sandra