Sandra‘s Closet

Wherever you are, ragazze, Acqua di Parma‘s evocative scents of summer will put you in a blissed-out state of mind before you know it. And they come covered in LA DOUBLEJ‘s vibration-raising prints (naturally!). In other words, you’ll smell as good as your bathroom looks and your mood? Boosted, babe.

The collaboration is the first between La DoubleJ and Acqua di Parma, but the brands shared interest in the visual, olfactory, or tactical richness of the Italian landscape make them natural partners. Street-style star, journalist and contributing editor at Harper’s Bazaar and Wallpaper* magazines JJ Martin launched La DoubleJ in 2015, initially as a platform to sell her collection of vintage clothing. Soon, she began to create ready-to-wear pieces, working with top Italian textile manufacturers, such as Mantero, to use reissued vintage prints from their archives. More recently, the Milan-based brand has expanded to include homeware, collaborating with expert makers such as Mascioni and Bitossi Home to create patterned linens, porcelain plates and bold tableware.

Through the partnership with Acqua di Parma, La DoubleJ offers 100% Made in Italy terry-cloth towels and sun-burst bathing suits, to an exquisite range of products scented with Arancia di Capri, Bergamotto di Calabria, Fico di Amalfi and Mirto di Panarea, it is an ode to all the soul-satisfying colours and home-grown aromatic delights that Italy has to offer; created and crafted to be enjoyed this summer and for many summers to come.

Great news is that you can also enjoy this pure Italian style during your next summer holidays at the Alpemare Beach Resort in Forte dei Marmi as the Maison symbolising the most refined Italian style and the Brand created by JJ Martin dress up the Bocelli family’s bathing establishment on the elegant beachfront at Forte dei Marmi with the Blu Mediterraneo by La DoubleJ capsule collection.

The wonderful view of the Apuan Alps and the Mediterranean scents of the pine forest on one
of the most evocative stretches of the Forte dei Marmi beachfront, together with contemporary
works of art set out in various spaces, make Alpemare a veritable jewel of beauty and well-being.
Andrea Bocelli himself, the great tenor and Italian singer who is famous throughout the world,
often treats himself to relaxing breaks and even performs here.

The elegant tents that welcome guests on the Alpemare beachfront are even more radiant, with beach towels and cushions from the capsule Collection. The Confetti Blu print, designed by La DoubleJ in blue and yellow tones, creates a bright Mediterranean atmosphere for an unforgettable summer.

In all relaxation areas and collective spaces, from Alpemare’s garden to its exclusive restaurant, Arancia di Capri candles give off the light and effervescent scent of one of the most popular Blu
Mediterraneo fragrances.

The cabins, maintained by Alpemare in their original form, come complete with Arancia di Capri
amenities from the Acqua di Parma hotel line to enhance the resort’s refined harmony for a truly Italian holiday.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Acqua di Parma

There are advent calendars and then there those supersized, super-luxe advent calendars, full of the best in makeup, hair and skincare or even filled with surprises for intimate pleasures. It’s what self-gifting was made for…

Consider them the ultimate, carefully curated «best of» – and everything you need to take you through the holiday season. Click on the highlighted description to find out more… I personally love the small sized products as they are great for travelling.

LoL, Sandra

The Harrods Beauty Advent Calendar by Harrods
Housed in a beautiful navy blue coffret which will serve as a keepsake for years to come, it’s packed to the rafters with twenty five miniature and full size favourites from the famous Harrods Beauty Halls.

25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar by Net-à-Porter Beauty
Counting down 25 days, its drawers are packed with a slew of goodies picked especially by Net-à-Porter’s team of Beauty Buyers.

Glittering Galaxy of Makeup Magic Advent Calendar by Charlotte Tilbury
 Filled with hero products to get you through the party season and beyond.

10 Day Balmain Advent Calendar by Balmain Hair Couture
Balmain Paris Hair Couture brings back the joy of opening advent calendars with this grown-up version featuring 10 haircare products.

 12 Days of Red Carpet Advent Calendar by Rodial
This round-up of miniatures will ensure your skin is looking refreshed and radiant in time for the big day.

Beauty Advent Calendar by Acqua di Parma
Featuring a miniature version of the signature scent Colonia, it also includes Blu Mediterraneo, Le Nobili and Signature of the Sun miniatures.

12 Days of Glowing Renewal by La Mer (coming soon)
Featuring 12 mini La Mer products from the popular Renewal Oil and Treatment Lotion to two 15ml mini moisturisers in the Soft Cream and original Creme de la Mer Moisturising Cream.
In Switzerland available from October 21, 2019 for CHF 440.

Townhouse advent calendar by Jo Malone London (coming soon)
As always, the calendar is filled to the brim with sweet-smelling products, with 24 doors containing small vials of perfume (9ml), candles and body lotion.
In Switzerland available from October 28, 2019 for CHF 490.

Deluxe Advent Calendar by Amorana
In Switzerland available now for CHF 479.90 – for intimate pleasures.

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

While being in Milan for ACQUA DI PARMA‘s launch event for the new home collection, I had the pleasure to meet with Laura Burdese, the Italian brand’s President and CEO, who gave me her tips for her home town Milan and Liguria, where she loves to spend her free time.

After graduating in International Economics and obtaining a Master in Marketing at the University of Trieste, Laura began her career in beauty industry with brand management tenures at Beiersdorf and L’Oreal. In 1999 she joined Swatch Group, where over the course of almost 18 years she held different positions of increasing responsibility. In 2006 she was appointed Country Manager / Managing Director of Swatch Group Italy. In 2012, in addition to this role, she was also appointed President and CEO of Calvin Klein watches and jewelry Co ltd. On October 2016 she joined Acqua di Parma as President and CEO. The charming blonde is married and has two teenage kids.

Your favourite city?
MILAN – it is my home and the most international city in Italy.

Your favourite hotel?
The BELMOND SPLENDIDO MARE in Portofino. It is all about timeless glamour and exceptional indulgence, it is my favorite place on earth. Originally a monastery, the building was transformed into a noble villa and then, early in the previous century, became a legendary hotel, with breathtaking views of the bay. I like it so much that I decided to shoot our Acqua di Parma campaign for the new home collection there.
Via Roma, 2, 16034 Portofino GE, Phone: +39 0185 267801

Your favourite restaurant?
Definitely GIACOMO MILANO. Conceived and designed by architects Renzo Mongiardino and Roberto Peregalli in an evocative setting that recalls the old Milanese trattorias of the early Nineteen hundreds, it is one of the most comfortable places for me.
Via Pasquale Sottocorno, 6, 20129 Milano MI, Phone: +39 02 7602 3313

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
VARIGOTTI – a picturesque seaside town in Liguria, Northern Italy. You have to see this fishermen’s place once in your life. It is a magical place that not many people know. My family has a house there only 50 meters from the sea, I spend my childhood there, I got married there – it is the place of my heart.

Your favourite beach?
VARIGOTTI BEACH – Varigotti is famous for its sea and beaches, particularly the Saracen’s Beach, which is one of the largest public beaches in Liguria.
17024 Varigotti, Savona

Your favourite park?
I love the PARCO SEMPIONE in Milan. Its is a large green-space close to the Castello Sforzesco. It was built between 1890 and 1893 imitating a typical English garden.
Piazza Sempione, 20154 Milano MI, Size: 39 ha

Your favourite shop?
Of course our ACQUA DI PARMA store in Milan that allows you to dive into our universe. We will close it in the end of April after the Salone di Mobile for two months and completely renovate it.
Via Gesù, 1, 20121 Milano MI, Phone: +39 02 7602 3307

Your must-have accessory?
A watch as I worked for 18 years in the watch industry and a fragrance. My favorite is COLONIA PURA. A great fresh contemporary unisex scent – my first launch at Acqua di Parma, my first baby so to say. I have an emotional connection to this beautiful scent.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
At the moment I cannot stop listening to the album of A STAR IS BORN. SHALLOW is my favorite song. I am not so fond of Italian music.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
I read a lot and love contemporary literature, especially by American authors. THE TENDER BAR by J.R. Moehringer is my favorite book – a classic American story of self-invention and escape, of the fierce love between a single mother and an only son, it’s also a moving portrait of one boy’s struggle to become a man.

Laura in three words…
Passionate, authentic and warm-hearted.

Thank you, Laura, for sharing your insider scoop on Milan and Liguria with us!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Acqua di Parma, © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of the different locations

Finally, I am allowed to share with you the official photos of ACQUA DI PARMA‘s new home collection that were photographed at the iconic Belmond Hotel Splendido Mare in Portofino by Guido Taroni in his sister Virginia Taroni.

When I met with Laura Burdese, I asked her about the biggest challenge the luxury industry is facing at the moment. She replied: «Personally speaking, it is to build up a global brand into a world that is splitted in two. We have the Western and the rising huge Asian world. To bring these two universes together is sometimes hard. Masculinity for example is different in Asia than in Eurpoe. What seems probably feminine to us, is very masculine for Asian people. Sometimes you are tempted to do certain things just for one place and you can get lost intranslatuion in the middle. Therefore, the biggest challenge for me is to build up a global brand with the same values, and the same assets, that can be read in the same way through different cultures.»

Launching the new home collection is surely a great step forward into building up one global brand. The home is the place that brings people together around the world. Everyone dreams of creating a space of relaxation, comfort and pleasure. It is the most intimate and personal space. The place that reflects your choices and tastes more than any other. Objects, colours, books, music.

All these things create an atmosphere that defines you, creating a space where you can entertain friends and make them feel at home. A certain ‘savoir-vivre’ that is palpable in the air. Light, subtle tones released into the air by an elegant candle or a simply designed room diffuser, bring the brightest Italian style to every room. The new Acqua di Parma Home Collection lends the final touch to a genuine home.

The brand that is the symbol of Italian lifestyle has produced ten new fragrances for candles and room diffusers. A range of sensory impressions, not just for your personal pleasure but also for the well thought out art of welcoming guests, or for an elegant, carefullychosen gift. Five different fragrances capture the typical moments of Italian living: Luce di Colonia, Buongiorno, La Casa sul Lago, Caffè in Piazza and Oh, L‘amore.

And for those who want to recreate the breath of the unforgettable Italian Mediterranean in their own home, five fragrances inspired by the Blu Mediterraneo line: Arancia di Capri, Fico di Amalfi, Bergamotto di Calabria, Chinotto di Liguria and Mirto di Panarea. Essences that contain ingredients symbolising the magnificent natural landscapes of the Italian Mediterranean.

My personal favorite: Oh, L’amore.

Home Collection from Acqua di Parma lights up your living spaces with a touch of sophisticated Italian style and the sheer pleasure that comes from feeling perfectly at home. The new scented candles and diffusers combine sensuality and design, and further enrich the world of creations conceived for the home, ranging from the Cube to the refined Murano Glass Candles, Powder Soap and Scented Paper drawer liners. All for a sense of light, natural elegance, to experience along with the brand name which has come to symbolise Italian lifestyle.

LoL, Sandra

Scented paper drawer liners are so awesome for your closet.

Photos: Courtesy of Acqua di Parma #HomeCollection

Last week, you could find me in Milan for the launch of ACQUA DI PARMA‘s new home collection. The beautiful event location was next to Arco della Pace, a triumphal arch in the Sempione Park. I will tell you more about the Italian brand’s new scented candles and diffusers, that bring a touch of Italy to your home, next week in detail due to the embargo date. In the meantime, I invite you to enjoy some impressions of the night.

My look: Vintage embellished cropped wool jacket by Prada, Unbridled Tempest asymmetric cutout floral-print silk-blend dress by Zimmermann, Nina leather tote in cognac by Gabriela Hearst, leather platform pumps by Gucci, and earrings by Miu Miu.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Every woman is unique – as is her hair. Tie it up, style it with a brush, leave it loose and wavy, then spray it all over with ACQUA DI PARMA‘s new Le Nobili Hair Mist to envelop your mane in the delicate notes of everyone’s favorite floral fragrances, leaving it featherlight and radiant to ensure you won’t go unnoticed.

The new Le Nobili Hair Mist sensory experience comes in the form of three sophisticated scents: Magnolia Nobile, Rosa Nobile and Peonia Nobile. Each fragrance is enriched with a precious conditioning agent to leave your hair beautifully soft and delicately scented.

Available from February 04, 2019 for CHF 58.00 each.

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Acqua di Parma

Greetings from beautiful Villa d’Este in Como, Italy where I am at the moment with Acqua di Parma for the presentation of their new fragrance Rosa Nobili. The photos of the event will be coming up shortly. Here you see me at the hotel before leaving to the gala dinner.

My look: Black liquid lamé jumpsuit and blue suede fringe shoulder bag, both by Gucci. Tribute sandals by Saint Laurent, diamond rose necklace, ring and Limelight Gala watch, all by Piaget, diamond earrings by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Acqua di Parma‘s GELSOMINO NOBILE is a tribute to a radiant fragrance and a unique flower. This spring it is celebrated for the first time with a special edition in a limited flacon that provides the same, sophisticated shades of the classic from 2011.

The bottle is adorned with an elegant stylised interpretation of the jasmine flower. Hand crafted by skilled artisans in Tuscany, the 24 karat gold decoration is created by an elaborate manual silk screen printing process. Each individual petal is engraved by hand through delicate craftsmanship and close attention to detail.

FLORAL WOODY MUSK

Top notes: Mandarin Orange and Pink Pepper
Middle notes: Orange Blossom, Tuberose and Jasmine
Base notes: Musk and Cedar

Available now as one shot for CHF 236.00 (100ml). To find out more about the wonderful world of Acqua di Parma, please click here for a previous post and an interview with Gabriella Scarpa, CEO and President of Acqua di Parma.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Acqua di Parma

ITALY MEETS ARABIA

Acqua di Parma‘s new Colonia Intensa Oud is absolutely wonderful, something we would like to smell on our men. Bringing together two different worlds, this unique fragrance blends the distinctive Italian freshness of the cologne with the richness of the finest ingredients of the Middle East. The fragrance is the portrait of a man who embodies the best of different cultures, and confident in his own unique identity.

Congratulations! Last month, Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa Oud won the 2013 Fragrance Foundation Award in the Men’s Luxury category in New York.

Top notes: Orange and Calabrian bergamot
Middle notes: Coriander, Amyris wood and Agarwood essential oil
(Agarwood essential oil is known to be a sign of charismatic, ancestral virility in the worlds of incenses, balms, particularly found in male Middle Eastern fragrances)
Base notes: Sandalwood, ceadrwood, patchouli, musk, wood and forest notes

A complete line for those who love this captivating fragrance in every aspect of their lives. The Eau de Cologne is available in 180ml and 100ml sizes, as well as in a Travel Spray 30ml format for those who want to enjoy the pleasure of this Eau de Cologne at any time and place.

Colonia Intensa Oud is now also available as a Shampoo and Shower Gel, Perfumed Deodorant and as a skilfully crafted Cube Candle for those who would love to spread the enigmatic notes of this Eau de Cologne in their daily routine and in their homes.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Acqua di Parma

So many of you have been asking me for more updates from China. I had been chilling for one week at the Mandarin Oriental Sanya, before I flew yesterday to Hong Kong. Experiencing the power of zen, I have become fully aware, here and now, all of my senses alert. I did a lot of yoga classes and enjoyed many Chinese spa treatments which are truly special, absolutely amazing. This exclusive retreat on the tropical island of Hainan Island has got a location on a private bay that offers no equal. I stayed in one of the huge luxurious villas with my own pool and outstanding service. I found new friends, from monkeys to geckos to grashoppers. What a beautiful spot on earth, a hidden paradise and I am truly thankful for the time and enlightenment! A resort that I can absolutely recommend!

Let me show you a little more…

Me on a beach walk before sunset wearing Juicy Couture and my Katie Grand ♥ HOGAN sunglasses.

A warm welcome in my own two-storied villa. Every day, I received a new basket with fresh fruits.

Diving in my own private pool in a Chanel bikini.

In the outdoor shower

Bath room amenities by Acqua di Parma.

If you are staying in one of the resort’s villas, you are having exclusive access to the Cliff Lounge, where complimentary champagne breakfasts, afternoon tea and evening cocktails are served daily. It feels very calm, relaxed and you are never confronted with too many people.

The food was divine. Here you see my daily breakfast.

Next to the beautiful private beach, you can relax at one of the three gigantic outdoor swimming pools. I preferred staying at my own villa where I met some new animal friends…

The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Sanya is one of the best I have ever been to. I had a lot of treatments and each of them was amazing. Try the Chinese Detox massage where herbs are applied to your body, the Lava Sea Shell massage using self-heated shells together with local coconut oil, and the Oriental Foot treatment for the ultimate wellness experience.

The light was very special in Sanya, especially in the evening… a true paradise.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht