Sandra‘s Closet

Recently, I visited the Chopard headquarters in Meyrin, that is very close to Geneva. The Swiss brand that is known for its luxury watches and high end jewelry was bought in 1963 by Karl Scheufele, owner of a manufacturing company of the same kind in Pforzheim, Germany. At this time, Chopard had four employees. The Scheufele family brought their knowledge and talents to Chopard and brought the company to what it is today. An established still family-owned business – with around 2.000 selling points around the world – that produces 75.000 jewelry pieces per year, and that makes the mechanical movements and all the gold used for the creations in-house. Today, Caroline Scheufele, a gemologist in charge for the precious stones buying and the exceptional creations, along with her brother Karl-Friedrich Scheufele run the business.

Me in front of the headquarters, wearing a dress and scarf by Gucci, coat by Etro, boots by Balenciaga and bag by Céline.

After a brief introduction, the lovely team showed me around the different manufacturing stations. The photos below are taken in  the room where the beautiful Imperiale collection is made. It is very impressive to see how much work, love for detail and craftsmanship go into one piece of jewelry. And of course, the best part was, when I was able to try the stunning valuables on. My nail polish and dress matched the rose gold and the cushion-cut amethyst of the Imperiale ring (REF : 829221-5039) perfectly.

The Imperiale collection is inspired by ancient embroidered patterns and decorative elements of the East. This pattern recalls the refined craftsmanship and elegant designs of empires past, and lends an exotic twist to the jewelry pieces.

On the way to my favourite part of the visit, I spotted the famous Palme d’Or designed and hand crafted every year in the workshops of Chopard. (Do you remember when I went with Chopard to the Cannes Film Festival last year, if not, please click here).

Chopard’s diamonds have dominated the Cannes red carpet since many years. The high jewlery collections, designed by co-president and artistic director, Caroline Scheufele, are truly breathtaking. Some of my favourites are the Precious Temptations and the Harrods Disney Princesses collections.

At the artisan atelier, I spotted also some made-to-order pieces like this absolutely amazing dog necklace. The goldsmith had several sketches of a dog’s physiognomy and produced a wax model before making the final piece. It is absolutely captivating to watch the passionate craftsmen at work.

The culmination of my imperial day with Chopard was a lunch at the famous Bayview restaurant at the Président Wilson hotel in Geneva. (Remember when I was there with La Mer. If not, please click here.) Such a treat prepared by one of the most famous chef in the world, Michel Roth (MOF and Bocuse d’Or – 1991) who served a feast for the eyes and culinary delight. The dessert in the shape of a ring was so cute. Thank you, Chopard, for that wonderful experience!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

These sandals from Balenciaga‘s Resort 2013 collection feature uber-cute origami bows and are about to become spring’s It-heels.
TO SHOP THE ORIGAMI SANDALS, CLICK HERE!

These golden finger rings that appeared on Balenciaga‘s S/S 2013 runway are absolutely divine. Better call the Paris store (+33 1 47 20 21 11) now to get on the extra-long wait list.

LoL, Sandra

It is official, Alexander Wang is Balenciaga‘s new Creative Director and will replace Nicolas Ghesquière at the French fashion house, who officially leaves today, after 15 years at the helm.

Alexander Wang with me

Rumors had been out quite awhile that the American designer  would be the perfect choice for the PPR-owned fashion house Balenciaga, because Wang knows how to make edgy and groovy commercial. Congrats, Alexander, well-deserved! (If you are interested to read an interview, I did with Alexander Wang two years ago, please click here!)

Christopher Kane with me

Another one, editors were considering for the job, was Christopher Kane, who has just left his position at Versus to focus on his own line.

Gianni Versace Spa follows a new strategic repositioning of the Versus brand. Digital is the key word and under Donatella Versace’s creative leadership, there will be collaborations with young designers, stylists, and creatives from different walks of life, to develop capsule collections, co-branding projects, limited editions. Yesterday, the first designer to create a capsule collection for Versus has been announced: Jonathan Anderson, the designer behind the J.W. Anderson fashion label for men and women. The launch event is planned for March/April 2013 in New York.

Bruce Weber, 1996

For the capsule collection, Jonathan Anderson was particularly inspired by an image from a campaign shot by Bruce Weber with Donatella in 1996. “For me,” said Jonathan, “this iconic image says it all, that’s how I see Versus. It’s all about the relationship between a boy and a girl, a girl and a girl, a boy and a boy. Purity.”

The New York Times is reporting rumours that Nicolas Ghesquière‘s next move might be his own label at LVMH. It seems like this time , the designer carrousel is one where everyone turns out to be a winner.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versus, Style, J.W. Anderson, © Wenn, © Sandra Bauknecht

Today marked the end of an era. Nicolas Ghesquière, Creative director of Balenciaga since 1997, has announced that he will be leaving the company at the end of this month. Abrupt and surprising for the fashion world. Nicolas Ghesquière has been given the label a new lease of life over the last 15 years and is considered one of the most talented designers of his generation.

ABOUT BALENCIAGA
Cristobal Balenciaga presented his first collection in 1937. He opened his doors in Paris, at 10 avenue George V, having an instant success. In 1946, he launched his “tonneau” (barrel-shaped) line, set off with an embroidered bolero. In 1952, the first non-fitted suit. In 1969, the puffball dress…

The years passed and the fashion house forgot the sublime outline invented by its founder. Since his arrival at Balenciaga in 1995, Nicolas Ghesquière has been working to revive the brand. He has invented a style inspired by science fiction. Over the seasons, his designs – a meeting between sensuality and futurism – set the trend.

In 2000, the Gucci Group bought Balenciaga. Consulting the company archives, Nicolas Ghesquière has taken his inspiration from these treasures, reinterpreting them in the ready-to-wear line. He conceived Balenciaga Edition, a collection that draws on original creations from 1930 to 1968. And he has reissued six to eight of these pieces every year. The visionary genius of Cristobal lives once more. Let’s see who will succeed…

Personally speaking, I am even more curious about Ghesquière’s next move!

TO SHOP BALENCIAGA, CLICK HERE!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balenciaga and via style.com

This winter, Ladies, we wear the pants! And to be precise, the cropped ones which draw attention to our ankles. Therefore, it is time to get a gorgeous pair of ankle boots.

Here are some of the most outstanding ones available at the moment:

1 Marychal 100 calf hair ankle boots by Christian Louboutin
2 Suede brogue ankle boots by YSL
3 Suede and snake-effect leather ankle boots by Miu Miu
4 Bi-colour ankle boots by Balenciaga
5 Gisèle suede ankle boots by YSL
6 Palma fuchsia ankle boots by Acne
7 Suede peep-toe platform ankle boots by Giuseppe Zanotti
8 Geometric-heel printed silk-covered leather ankle boots by Nicholas Kirkwood for Erdem
9 Elsa boots by Sam Edelman

I couldn’t resist those beautiful suede and snake-effect leather ankle boots by Miu Miu.
Which ones are your favourites? Happy Saturday Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

Kristen Stewart has officially made the transition from teenage dream to high-fashion icon.

The ad campaign for Balenciaga’s new Florabotanica fragrance features the 22 year-old “Twilight” actress in a floral dress, looking fierce at the camera. I am convinced that the new scent will get a lot of attention with its modern, attractive flacon and unusual ingredients, such as mint, rose, carnation, caladium leaf, vetiver and amber.

Balenciaga Florabotanica will be available in 30, 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum.
In Switzerland from October 2012, exclusively at Marionnaud.

And I have finally a scent matching my floral Balenciaga dress.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balenciaga and © Sandra Bauknecht

Meet Roksanda Ilincic, one of London’s leading ladies. Her creations are the epitome of effortless elegance and the Duchess of Cambridge and Michelle Obama are among her fans.

After graduating from Central St Martins, the Serbian-born, London-based designer launched her eponymous line in 2002 and quickly gained recognition for her utterly modern brand of eveningwear. Choose from column gowns and cocktail dresses in draped-to-perfection silks and satins.

Her must-have piece from the S/S 2012 runway is the über-fabulous Margot lantern-sleeve dress. Roksanda got her inspiration from Balenciaga’s ’50s original bell sleeves and updated the look amazingly (see above).

Available in mustard-yellow and navy at matches.com and in pink at net-à-porter.com.

I went for the pink version. Stay tuned for the upcoming photos.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roksanda Illincic and Balenciaga

Today is a special day for me. It is my birthday and therefore I would like to treat you with this eye candy from the Haute Couture week in Paris. 
Last Tuesday, it was raining like crazy when I went up to the Place du Trocadéro in the afternoon to see Stéphane Rolland‘s S/S 2012 couture show which was absolutely divine.

Stéphane Rolland to the right with his muse for his S/S 2012 show, Yasmin Le Bon to the left and me in the middle.

Meet Stéphane Rolland, the designer behind the eponymous couture label launched in 2007. His vision is modern and original. Considering that he is one of couture’s newest names, it is amazing to see that he is among those that help to keep couture alive. He creates dresses that even young girls aspire to own.

What does make him different and special?

Have a look at his architectural cuts and outstanding embellishments that are more exciting than the usual sequin and crystal work seen at other couture houses. His approach is truly contemporary without forgetting his couture skills that he learnt from scratch. At the age of 20, Rolland joined Balenciaga and became Creative Director of menswear. Four years later, he started his own prêt-à-porter line which he ran until Jean-Louis Scherrer asked him 6 years later to be at the helm of the French house’s Haute Couture line. A position he occupied for the next ten years until 2007, when he launched he started his own couture label at 10 avenue George V.

Rolland is a full member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and therefore his brand can officially bear the “haute couture” label.

Now, I would like to invite you to enjoy the photos I took of the front row, the runway show and backstage where I went after the show.

LoL, Sandra

Front row

Me with a dear friend in Armani Privé

French singer Mireille Mathieu still wearing her iconic hair cut

Let the show begin:

The tri-colour gown is my favourite.

Yasmin Le Bon, Stéphane’s muse for this collection, presented the last look: The red bride in an absolute amazing gown with so much fabric that she needed two helpers to turn around.
I loved it!

Backstage after the show. I loved the sparkling dark eye make-up.

I hope that you have enjoyed this feast for your eyes. A couture show is something truly special.

LoL, Sandra

All photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

On Friday, I went for lunch with the lovely Carolina from the Swedish fashion blog Fashionsquad. Later, she took those photos of me in Florence.

My look: Printed dress by Balenciaga, suede-paneled embroidered wool coat
by Emilio Pucci, lace boots by Valentino, tricolour Trapeze bag by Céline, pocket watch necklace by Dolce & Gabbana and Twenties fishnet stay-ups by Wolford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Carolina Engmann, © Sandra Bauknecht

Are you a dog lover? What is your favourite breed?
Are you more a Balenciaga German Sheperd or a Givenchy Rottweiler?
Let the dog fight begin!

Riccardo Tisci, Givenchy’s Creative Director, chose prints of rabid-looking Rottweilers for his F/W 2011 Givenchy men’s collection that has also attracted many women, among them famous Liv Tyler who showed up in the same sweater as Kanye West during Paris Fashion Week.

I love both, but I am completely thrilled for the Rottweiler. I like the 90’s gangster-style, hip hop attitude that comes with it. But probably it is because I grew up with those dogs even that I have to admit I am not their biggest fan. As for me, there are much more beautiful dogs in this world. But a Golden Retriever would never look as cool and stylish as a Rottweiler!

Riccardo Tisci got photographed by Steven Klein for Interview magazine dripping with blood in a kind of macabre setting.

If you are interested, here is your last chance to get a Rottweiler T-shirt by Givenchy that is even on sale. Just click on the highlighted text!

And if you have a real dog, check out this product:

Aesop Animal

A mild body and fur wash containing botanical extracts to cleanse even the most delicate animal skins and furs. Animal is formulated with the same research, development and care that we apply to our human product range. Enriched with Lemon Rind, Tea Tree and Spearmint Leaf extracts.

500ml, CHF 46 / £23

LoL, Sandra