Sandra‘s Closet

Last week, I attended an interactive digital event to celebrate the awe of nature with the new Aveda x 3.1 Phillip Lim Holiday Collection.

Barbara De Laere, Aveda Global Brand President, and Phillip Lim, Co-Founder and Creative Director of 3.1 Phillip Lim, shared firsthand the inspiration behind the collection, their favorite holiday traditions, and what they see as the future of sustainability for their respective industries. The event was hosted by Aveda’s Global Advocate for Sustainability, Arizona Muse.

«Our shared values to protect and care for the planet will manifest beauty. It is a beautiful cycle, a cycle of gifts.» – Phillip Lim

Aveda’s collaboration with 3.1 Phillip Lim is inspired by a mutual awe of nature, each element a celebration of botanical forms and expressions. The power of nature is in full bloom this holiday season as those two like-minded brands are bringing the botanical world of beauty to life thorough special-edition accessories and gift packaging created with sustainability at heart. The Aveda x 3.1 Phillip Lim collaboration includes four covetable, limited-edition hair accessories – a hair towel wrap & carrying bag, scrunchie trio, detangling comb, and wooden paddle brush –  as well as special-edition gift packaging, all featuring striking prints that combine the joyful colors of the holiday seasons with those found in the natural world.

Made with no compromises, the detangling comb for example is produced with recycled materials as post-consumer recycled polypropylene, and the hair towel wrap is made from 100% organic cotton.

The most amazing part are the gift boxes that can be reused and are made with 100 % recycled paper.  As they are so beautiful, you don’t need extra wrapping paper. Less layers that make the box a gift itself. The artwork that is featured was designed in collaboration with botanical artist, Sophie Parker.

Available globally beginning November 1st at Aveda salons, spas, stores, select retail partners and online, each element of the Aveda x 3.1 Phillip Lim collection pulses with botanical-inspired graphics and vivid colors from nature for a joyous and unexpected expression of the holiday season.

Botanical Repair Light Set – CHF 68.00
Botanical Repair Rich Set – CHF 68.00
Botanical Repair Strengthening Collection – CHF 84.00
Cherry Almond Softening Hair & Body Essentials – CHF 51.00
Hand Relief & Foot Relief Home and Travel Essentials – CHF 77.00
Moisturizing Travel Trio – CHF 36.00 / CHF 28.00
Feed My Lips Lip Gloss Duo – CHF 24.00

As Phillip said, «it is about the 3 Ps. The people, the planet and the products.»

Happy Holidays!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Aveda, © Sandra Bauknecht

On Friday evening, I celebrated International Women’s Day among my beloved girlfriends at the St. Gotthard Hotel in Zurich where Ljuba Manz and Raquel Marquard hosted an event with Jelmoli filled with everything you can dream of, shoes, a runway show, champagne and laughter.

With Raquel Marquard to the left and Ljuba Manz to the right.

Silvia Affolter moderated the night in a very fun way. First, we all had a closer look at a selection of shoes that would make every girl’s heart leap with joy. Brands such as Alexandre Vauthier (one of my favorites at the moment), Sophia Webster and Charlotte Olympia were on display as well as jewelry by Austrian jeweler A.E. Köchert.

The fashion show – inspired by St. Tropez – included a lingerie part in collaboration with Beldona. Beautiful lace ensembles – one in combination with a lace mask – got the audience in awe.

A young label from Switzerland, only 3 years old, Ina Kess was introduced. Two beautiful sisters, Katharina and Isabelle Staub, who both studied economics, launched the label in order to fulfill their own need. They design pieces that work for the office, for a night out and in which you can also attend your yoga class. Katharina explained how annoyed she was to carry around a bag of clothes to have everything she needed with her.

Katharina and Isabelle Staub of Ina Kess with Silvia Affolter

Ljuba entertained us amazingly with some fun statements how to treat men well.

Jelmoli presented also looks from renowned designers such as Moschino, Missoni, Peter Pilotto and 3.1. Phillip Lim. The so-called «House of Brands» really shifted during the past years under the helmet of CEO Franco Savastano and has transformed itself into a true luxury haven. Soon, the whole beauty department on the ground floor will also go through renovation. Ladies, no need to fly to London or Paris any longer… we will soon have our own little «Harrods» or «Galeries Lafayette» in Zurich.

Franco Savastano, CEO Jelmoli, had every reason to smile that night, being one of the only men allowed in the room enjoying the fabulous show.

Guests of the night were invited after the fashion show to the presidential suite where they were able to shop everything that was presented on the runway. If you like any look or shoe below, just show the photo to a sales person at Jelmoli. They will happily help you.

I am so in love with these Alexandre Vauthier sandals.

The only recommendation I have and this comes on a very personal note, please include also smaller sizes in your buying, as well as half sizes for shoes!

By the way, the gentlemen enjoyed a great dinner and a Patoro cigar at the iconic Hummerbar next door…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sanjeev Velmurugan Photography

You don’t need to be Superwoman to have figured out that patches are trending at the moment along with slogan tees. All super powers are reunited when you also match your scent to your look. Embrace your alter ego with the limited edition Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Eau Fraîche Wonder Woman Eau de Toilette, a floriental fragrance with sugar cane facets.

My look: Superwoman cotton-jersey T-Shirt by Chloé, patch-appliquéd skinny jeans by 3.1 Phillip Lim, Rockstud embellished leather sandals by Valentino, Sac de Jour in green, by Saint Laurent, embellished leather bag strap by Fendi, double wrap ring with tiger heads, Tiger head ring with black enamel, wide band in metal, all by Gucci and Ruota Carretto gold-plated tasseled clip earrings, all by Dolce & Gabbana.

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Eau Fraîche Wonder Woman Eau de Toilette
(from April 1, 2017 for CHF 128.00 / 100ml)

Top Notes: Sugar Cane Juice, Lemon Sorbet
Middle Notes: Orange Blossom, Labdanum Neo
Base Notes: Vanilla, Musk

Bring out your inner hero, ignite your passion for all things daring.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is your green card for the next season. Military coats have been trending since quite a while but this winter they are making a full comeback. This time with the ultimate feminine touch.

1 Double-breasted appliquéd wool coat by Gucci
2 Wool-trimmed waxed-cotton coat by Miu Miu
3 Oversized shearling-trimmed cotton parka by Burberry

Opt for a jacket with a tailored waist, a belt or a ruffled peplum. Wear it with cropped pants and high heels to join fashion’s battalion.

Get the look: Wool-felt jacket by Alexander McQueen, one-shoulder cropped stretch-jersey top by Helmut Lang, cropped nubuck-paneled leather tapered pants by Chloé, suede pumps by Tom Ford and Ames leather-paneled suede shoulder bag by 3.1 Phillip Lim.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

A new trend, yet so old. The traditional Moroccan slippers has taken the runways. So it’s without a doubt that the pointed-toe babouche is the new It-shoe of 2016. Shown in Céline’s Resort 2016 and already in many other Pre-fall 2016 collections, the style comes with an elongated toe and easily slips on.

Worn by the French nobility in the 16th century, as well as by bedouins, this traditional footwear can still be found today in many North African markets in bright colors with ornaments and embellishments. So it might be worth investing in a quick trip to Morocco.

The must-have version is Céline‘s babouche slipper with a single buckled strap across the neck of the foot. In stores now for CHF 660.00.

Or choose from this amazing selection below:

1 Jacno leather slippers by Pierre Hardy
2 Sabine suede and leather slippers by Rag & Bone
3 Lynda embellished slippers by Oscar de la Renta
4 Embellished raffia-trimmed leather slippers by Toga
5 Louie leather slippers by 3.1 Phillip Lim
6 Horsebit-detailed goat hair slippers by Gucci
7 Tian Princetown horsebit-detailed printed coated canvas slippers by Gucci
8 Embellished velvet slippers by Dolce & Gabbana
9 Chips embellished satin slippers by Roger Vivier

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Embellished bomber jackets have been making quite the statement in recent designer collections. There is something special about this style. It is the contrast of the ornate embroidery, the floral embellishments or the vibrant hues on the sporty silhouette that everybody loves about them. And there is no end, the Pre-Fall 2016 collections are already filled with those must-haves.

Here are my favourites that are waiting for you:

1 Cecily embroidered crepe bomber jacket by Jonathan Saunders
2 Oriental Garden embellished crepe bomber jacket by Needle & Thread
3 Metallic leather bomber jacket by Gucci
4 Satin and lace-paneled tulle bomber jacket by 3.1 Phillip Lim
5 Floral-intarsia stretch-knit bomber jacket by Alexander McQueen
6 Lace bomber jacket by Gucci
7 Embellished striped wool and linen-blend and leather bomber jacket by Saint Laurent
(Amazing dinosaur embellishment on the back.)
8 Embroidered cotton and silk bomber jacket by Alexander McQueen
(Gorgeous floral embroidery on the back.)

I love bomber jackets. Here are some previous posts:

Embellished satin bomber jacket by Saint Laurent

Embroidered chiffon and twill bomber jacket by 3.1 Phillip Lim

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands
Photos: David Shama

Give your wardrobe a new season update with a denim bag. An array of different choices is waiting for you. I am in love with those classics that are re-interpreted with embroidered butterflies or flowers. For a night out, denim clutches are perfect when you only want to carry your essentials.

1 Natalia medium leather-trimmed denim shoulder bag by Tom Ford
2 Monogramme medium denim shoulder bag by Saint Laurent
3 The Falabella mini embroidered denim shoulder bag by Stella McCartney
4 My Rockstud embroidered denim and textured-leather tote by Valentino (my favourite!)
5 The Pashli mini denim and textured-leather trapeze bag by 3.1 Phillip Lim
6 Milla denim clutch by Jimmy Choo

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

While the looks and not to forget the accessories are always amazing at 3.1 Phillip Lim, the same can be said about the beauty. NARS and Phillip Lim have a long standing relationship as the beauty brand has been responsible for the makeup at the designer’s New York Fashion Week shows for the past 14 seasons, and now they’re finally teaming up for a limited edition nail polish line.

The collection that will hit the counters on August 1, 2014 includes nine limited edition nail shades inspired by the “colors that exists in the shadows“.

Shades include: Anarchy (Angora), Wrong Turn (Graphite), Shutter (Black Sea Green), Other Side (Bitter Chocolate), Gold Viper (Champagne), Crossroads (African Violet), Hell-Bent (Lacquer Red), Dark Room (Blue Denim) and Insidious (Black Bronze).

TO SHOP THE 3.1 PHILLIP LIM F/W 2014 COLLECTION, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of NARS and 3.1 Phillip Lim

Sportswear is a huge trend this S/S 2014 season and its stroke of sheer genius is mesh, wether it is seen on a sporty top, a sultry dress – or a sophisticated pair of heels. Nothing seems quite as fresh as a this airy material that is revealing parts of your skin. You can dress it up or keep it simple –  yet you will be sure to turn fashion heads this season.

Here are some suggestions for you to shop:

1 Leather, suede and mesh sneakers by Karl Lagerfeld
2 Dunstable techno-mesh coat by Belstaff
3 Bandage and mesh dress by Hervé Leger
4 Mesh-paneled stretch-jersey top by McQ Alexander McQueen
5 Embellished cloqué and mesh top by 3.1 Phillip Lim
6 Suede and mesh ankle boots by Alaïa
7 Embroidered honeycomb-mesh skirt by Lela Rose

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

While being in Los Angeles for the Film Independent Spirit Awards, PIAGET asked me to do a photo shoot with them to sport three different looks that would complement their amazing jewelry and watches perfectly. Here is the first one photographed by David Shama.

My look: Embroidered chiffon and twill varsity jacket by 3.1 Phillip Lim, Nelio printed silk top and black flared mini skirt, both by Tibi, suede ankle boots by Saint Laurent.
Jewelry by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: David Shama