Sandra‘s Closet

« The strength of the sea and the brightness of the sky are the elements that I am drawn towards the most when in Pantelleria and that inspired me Acqua di Gio. For Acqua di Giò Essenza, I wanted to create a concentrate of power and sensuality. »

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani has always loved the Mediterranean, and drew his inspiration from the rock-strewn landscape of Pantelleria to create Acqua di Giò in 1996. A fresh, sensual blend that has become a classic men’s fragrance. An irresistible combination of sea’ salty accents, sparkling citrusy notes, musk and woody cedar, this exceptional scent embodies masculinity in harmony with nature, a fragrance of escape and sensuality.

Today Acqua di Giò Essenza opens a new chapter with an Eau de Parfum, a new interpretation of Acqua di Giò, more intense, composed by Alberto Morillas.

Top notes: Cascalone, Sicilian bergamot essence and grapefruit zest.
Heart notes: Paradisone, jasmine absolute from Grasse, basil and sage.
Base notes: Patchouli,  Atlas cedar, vetiver from Haiti, ambrox, animalic ambergris and clary sage.

The result is an incomparable sensuality, the tantalizing lure of the skin.

The bottle shares the same architectural lines as the Acqua di Giò bottle, with the addition of light and technology. An engraved silver-plated plaque embraces the base of the glass like a mirror, to give the fragrance an even greater dazzle. In a click, the new magnetic cap bearing the Armani logo, opens and closes the bottle with a simple, sensual gesture.

The campaign was shot by Bruce Weber starring Simon Nessman.

LoL, Sandra

PRADA presents A THERAPY by Roman Polanski

On Monday, this short movie has been shown within the 2012 Cannes International Film Festival Official Selection – Classics Section, in the presence of Roman Polanski, Nastassja Kinski and Festival Director Thierry Fremont. The surprise screening was an idea by Polanski and Fremont themselves. ‘A Therapy’ was shown before the scheduled projection of the restored movie ‘Tess’.

Roman Polanski explains: “A game, a thought, that through friendship and mutual respect has become true. When I was asked to shoot a short movie for Prada, I did not think that I could really be myself, but the reality is that in the total freedom I was given, I had the opportunity to reunite my favorite group of people on set and just have fun. The chance to dwell on what the fashion world represents nowadays and the fact that it is accompanied by so many stereotypes is fascinating and at the same time a bit upsetting, but you definitely can not ignore it. It’s very refreshing to know that there are still places open to irony and wit and, for sure, Prada is one of them.”

Enjoy this short movie of three minutes starring Helena Bonham Carter, who plays a lady chattering on her society-woman problems, while an increasingly distracted Ben Kingsley begins paying attention instead to her Prada fur coat that’s hanging on a coat rack. Now, we know retail therapy IS the answer!

LoL, Sandra

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Here are finally the photos of the Polyvore Live Runway Show presented by Covergirl during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC that was only modelled by bloggers. It was such an amazing experience to meet all the other bloggers and to be on the catwalk myself. The minute I spotted style icon Giovanna Battaglia front row, my heart beat went up immediately!

For more information on the four designers, I recommend my previous post by clicking here.

The show started off with the elegant, very feminine designs of Vengsarkar Budhu for his label Gavaskar. Lace dresses and floral prints in white and red were the highlights on the runway. In a recent interview, the New York based designer said: “Passion is the only element that keeps me going everyday because I know I was born to design. You have to believe in yourself, your work and never give up.”

I was so honoured to present the final look for Lauren Bagliore. Her edgy designs are absolutely amazing. The so-called Teofilia dress on me can be worn in many different ways. This is her signature: She is the ultimate draper by using fabrics that just fall in the right way and that can be tied easily for a new look. Her eclectic pieces are tailored to make women feel sexy and fierce.

Sweet Lauren told me that her S/S 2012 collection titled “Le Strade della Decostruzione” was inspired by her recent trip around the world in literally 30 days.

We really experienced the daily life of a model with not even five minutes time to get changed into the new outfit and to get a different hairdo for the very romantic vintage-inspired collection by Dana-Maxx. I absolutely adore her designs and was so happy to wear the red chiffon Eliza “La Costa” dress.

The lovely redhead told me that her beautiful S/S 2012 collection was inspired by the vibrant colors and beautiful floral architecture seen in Barcelona, Spain.

The last designer on the Polyvore Live catwalk was Sergio Guardarrama and his Celestino collection. His S/S 2012 collection was inspired by porcelain dolls. Sergio wanted to take women back to a time when anything was possible, to make them feel youthful and beautiful. He absolutely succeeded and came up with a chic couture-like collection.

Here are some photos of the front row guests:

Giovanna Battaglia

Riccardo Pozzoli, Angelo Tropea, and Chiara Ferragni of the Blonde Salad

Stephanie Horton, Head of Global Communications, SHOPBOP and Megan Salt, Director of Communications, VOGUE

And here is the video of the show, enjoy!

Stay tuned for a backstage post to follow…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Polyvore, © Anna Webber

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and Lancôme has come up with a pretty cool idea.

For the launch of “Rouge in Love”, its new range of lipstick, Lancôme sets the web buzzing with a unique video clip directed by Adria Petty and set to music by Brigitte.

“Rouge In Love” is Lancôme’s new it-lipstick. Available in 24 trendy colours and endorsed by the British actress Emma Watson, it will be available from the beginning of February 2012. To celebrate it over the Valentine’s Day period, Lancôme has chosen Publicis 133 Lux and Digitas France to create a film event directed by the New York director Adria Petty, famous for her video clips for Beyoncé and Regina Spektor.

In a demonstration of style and creative daring, the director gives us her vision of ultra-modern glamour in 60 seconds bursting with cutting-edge pop references. Taking you through dynamic, colourful urban environments from London to New-York via Paris, the clip shows women’s lips tinted in pink, red or purple, all singing the same song – “Oh La La” by the popular French duo Brigitte (Aurélie Maggiori and Sylvie Hoarau).

The duo has rewritten the lyrics of its iconic track especially for Rouge in Love. This film, a declaration of love and desire for colour in all its forms, was revealed yesterday worldwide on the web! What is more to say than love your lips!

And enjoy the beautiful photos and the video at the end of this post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: ©Lancôme/2012

Here is your rockstar look:

Satin-trimmed wool-crepe jacket and stretch-leather skinny pants, both by Balmain, printed cotton-jersey tank and skull leather box clutch, both by Alexander McQueen and Masako silk-satin pumps by Charlotte Olympia.

Here is your rockstar scent:

Paco Rabanne Black XS L’Excès and Black XS L’Excès For Her embody the excess of the rock world.

Black XS L’Excès combines top notes of Calabrian lemon and lavender with an ozonic, cypriol and citrus accord and a deep, sensual amber woody base.

Eau de Toilette Intense
100ml CHF 99.00 
50ml CHF 77.00

Black XS L’Excès For Her opens with top notes of neroli and black pepper, leading to heart notes of jasmine queen of the night and rose absolute and a base of cashmere wood.

Eau de Parfum Intense
80ml CHF 106.00 
50ml CHF 87.00
30ml CHF 62.00

Available now!
With a skull on the packaging and the bottle!

Punk rock icon Iggy Pop is the face for Black XS L’Excès and the beautiful Sasha Pivovarova stars in the video campaign alongside Nick Rea, see below.

Now it is time for you to put your rocker face on!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Paco Rabanne Fragrances

Today has been an exciting day. Karl Lagerfeld has officially launched his new highly anticipated clothing line KARL for S/S 2012 all over the world with a personal appearance in Paris.

Karl Lagerfeld and Natalie Massenet today at the launch event in Paris (Photo: net-à-porter)

“I have been dreaming of mass elitism for a long time. I think it was almost my duty to make it possible under my name. This is the road of modernity.”

A visionary, with a unique instinct that allows Lagerfeld to anticipate trends and desires, he wanted to offer a luxurious yet affordable collection, retaining his core values of sharp styling and high quality. It is his first “masstige” collection – a combination of the words ‘mass market’ and ‘prestige’.

I was lucky to have a sneak preview in the morning at the newly opened showroom located in the 7th arrondissement. The collection offers lots of great basic staples as well as gorgeous accessories such as collars and gloves, iconic Karl pieces.

Lots of leather such as this gorgeous Ossie two-tone leather biker vest .

I am completely in love with this white Oralee layered leather biker jacket.

Close to couture: Each of the 5 dresses comes in a limited edition of only 50 pieces.

What do you think of this large printed canvas tote ?

One of the iconic leather collars.

A little gift from KARL: Cutaway leather gloves and the stunning sequined poplin collar .

In the showroom, I also explored the upcoming F/W 2012 Karl Lagerfeld collection which will be available for men and women. The prices will be a little higher than the younger more basic KARL line. The collection includes great accessories such as sunglasses and also some pieces for home. I will keep you posted on that.

While being at the showroom, RTL filmed me for an upcoming TV-documentation on the new line while exploring the pieces.

To shop KARL, just click on the banner below to be transfered directly. But before that please enjoy the awesome video collaboration between Karl Lagerfeld and video artist Barnaby Roper. Have fun!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

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Yesterday in Milan, Paul Surridge, Creative Director of Z Zegna, did the final fitting with Anna Dello Russo for ‘The Eyes of Anna Dello Russo’ project. Here is your exclusive preview! Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Z Zegna

Here is an idea what you could also do with Dior’s smoky palettes. Those eyeshadow trios work great for the perfect smoky eyes look. Each palette contains a base plus a toning matte and iridescent shade. The rich colour pigments stay on very well.

Smoky Black, Smoky Blue, Smoky Nude, Smoky Pink, Smoky Brown, Smoky Garden and Smoky Violet (last two available soon), each CHF 68.

LoL, Sandra

“I loved working on the Lady Dior handbag. Most of my work builds on objects that already exist, which I then transform. I applied the same philosophy.”

– Anselm Reyes

When Fashion meets Art… Dior is collaborating with Berlin artist Anselm Reyle for S/S 2012. The original and vibrant collection of leathergoods, accessories and makeup, currently presented exclusively in a Miami pop-up Dior store during the Art Basel show is a dream and will be available worldwide in January 2012.

Dior has given to the artist total freedom on the creation of this collection and the outcome is vibrant and colourful. I definitely would like to own one of those bags!

ANSELM REYLE’S MAKEUP COLLECTION FOR DIOR

A „Camouflage“ Eyeshadow Palette
Adorned with the „Camouflage“ motif created for Dior, an eyeshadow palette offers a mixed harmony of violet, grey and black. Shiny and matt effects recall the artist’s leitmotifs and compose sophisticated eyes.

High-Impact Nail Lacquers
The nail lacquers are playful complements that set the tone in explosive colours. Bold violet of ultra-violet, deep black of untitled black, vivid pink of pink graffiti, vibrant blue of electric blue and a subtle silver of metallic silver compose an electrifying quintet that brings to mind Anselm Reyle’s passion for neon shades.

Here are some photos of the Dior pop-up store,
Miami Design District, 191 NE 40th Street, Miami, FL

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior

Arlène Bonnant

Caspita is an exclamation of a thousand colours, a name chosen by Arlène Bonnant to launch her line of fine jewelry. Caspita expresses admiration, joy, surprise – literally “my goodness” in Italian. This spirited word came to the designer while reminiscing about her grandfather, who often used this expression of surprise in her presence. The word created a bond between them, in much the same way as a jewel can unite two people.

I like Caspita’s approach of seeing jewelry as something so special, so emotional that it can touch your soul.

For Arlène, her creations are designed to develop a certain spiritual balance – there is a harmony and beauty nourishing every level of being, from its inner strength to its exterior radiance.

My favourite is the Chakra collection that has taken shape around the seven main chakras, stemming from Indian spirituality and designating seven centres of energy in the shape of lotus flowers, each one a different colour. Each chakra represents a world in itself, a sensibility, a colour, an emotion, and a deity…
The choice of one chakra over another is not inconsequential; it is purely a matter of intuition and mystery.

For a closer look on the amazing jewelry, I would like to invite you to view this short movie “Metamorphosis I” filmed in the famous hotel Le Meurice in Paris featuring Caspita’s muse French actress Carole Bouquet and her eternal grace and beauty.

A special treat for my Zurich based readers:

Caspita Haute Joaillerie is delighted to welcome you to discover their collection of jewelry created by Arlène Bonnant at an exclusive private viewing and sale for the first time in Zurich, on Monday, the 12th of December 2011, between 11am – 8pm at Park Hyatt Private Dining Room of the « Parkhuus » Beethovenstrasse 2, 8002 Zurich.

For further information, please kindly contact Mrs Nina Arnold-Shah via e-mail or phone +41 79 768 3723.

LoL, Sandra

Photos and movie: Courtesy of Caspita