Sandra‘s Closet

Gabrielle Chanel was seduced by the camellia. With no fragrance or thorns, it is a flower of simplicity and purity, much akin to the ethos of Coco Chanel. Compared to the opulence of a rose, she preferred the camellia’s sobriety and geometric roundedness, with classic and consistent ordering of the petals, intelligible yet beautiful, like the woman that she was.

It is also a flower of duality, for dandies and courtesans. Androgynous and ambiguous, the camellia has an image of a forbidden flower that resonates with Mademoiselle Chanel’s taste for provocation and seduction. I am a huge fan of the CHANEL Camélia jewelry collection, that is the promise of a unique look for all the women who wear it.

This fall, CHANEL offers new interpretations of the camellia flower on rings, brooches, chokers, bracelets and more, that are available in store from this month. The emblematic flower is reinterpreted through a selection that opens access to the fascinating universe of the Maison’s symbols. Please enjoy your exclusive preview of dream pieces… I already put some on my wish list.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL

GEM DIOR, Victoire de Castellane‘s new collection, celebrates her love of stones by presenting pieces with singular and surprising shapes. This amazingly beautiful line of abstract, 1970s-flavored watches and jewelry features patches of various gemstones — marking the first time the Dior designer has created a watches and jewelry collection together.

Each creation, inspired by couture and Mr. Dior’s colorful fabric samples, is made up of asymmetrical and angular sections set side by side like mineral strata. This collection celebrates natural and authentic beauty through unique, strong pieces.

The new Gem Dior line includes seven watch models with irregular, octagonal faces and clasp-less bracelets, as well as 11 pieces of jewelry — rings, bracelets and earrings, that draw inspiration from the geometry of stones. Additional interchangeable alligator bracelets come for the watches.

I am loving it.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior

This year has taught us to keep it super simple. My dear Carolina Bucci has taken this message further and created K.I.S.S., a collection inspired by a fascination with the inner workings of a watch. In 2016, she launched with Audemars Piguet the famous Royal Oak Frosted Gold. Its shimmering sparkle reminiscent of diamond dust, that I love so much, comes from a surface treatment process rooted in an ancient gold hammering technique, also called the Florentine technique, which is an iconic style element used by Carolina Bucci for her eponymous jewelry line.

In 2018, when she was working with the master watchmakers at Audemars Piguet to finalize the designs for her limited edition Royal Oak, she began to ask herself a hypothetical question: What would these craftsmen and craftswomen create if they were let loose in the world of fine jewelry?

There is a word often used in high-end watchmaking to describe the technical aspects and achievements of the craft: complication. Whereas the word carries a negative meaning in most other areas of life, for the watchmaker, it is something to be pursued and acclaimed. This inspired the K.I.S.S. collection, specifically the balance spring, which is also called the heart of the watch. At Carolina Bucci, gold does things it shouldn’t do. So in this case, gold is elastic. Each bracelet and necklace is at its simplest, one single coil of 18k gold, just like a spring. Its minimalism means you can stack it with a timepiece or other jewelry.

Much as one tells the time on one’s watch, without thinking too much about it, these pieces are designed to be the opposite of complicated… to keep it super simple.

TO SHOP THE CAROLINA BUCCI K.I.S.S. COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Carolina Bucci
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Today is my birthday! I love birthdays, zodiac signs, birthstones and celebrations. Therefore I love this beautiful dainty jewelry pieces by German jewelry designer Saskia Diez.

Each pair of her stud earrings or delicate bracelets corresponds to a birthstone that holds a special meaning and power in astrology. Sophisticated in their simplicity, these single styles have been handmade at the brand’s atelier in Munich.

January / Rose Quartz: Love, emotional healing, compassion
February / Amethyst: Health, beauty, clarity
March / Aquamarine: Intuition, balance, wisdom
April / Rock Crystal: Awareness, amplifying energy, clarity
May / Chrysopras: Joy, healing, attracts love
June / Moonstone: Intuition, sensuality, safe travel
July / Onyx: Blocking negativity, patience, determination
August / Aventurine: Prosperity, well-being, good luck
September / Jade: Harmony, prosperity, healing
October / Turmaline: Love, emotional cleanser, healing
November / Citrine: Brightness, positive energy, clearing
December / Topaz: Centering, remove negativity, grounding

Pick from one of those stones above even if they fall outside of your zodiac or choose one as a thoughtful gift.

TO SHOP SASKIA DIEZ BIRTHSTONE JEWELRY, CLICK HERE PLEASE.
Now, I am off to enjoy my day… stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Saskia Diez
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B Blossom breaks new ground by introducing a fine jewellery collection inspired by the confident woman who leaves a mark in her way.
The star-shaped flower’s iconic design created by Georges-Louis Vuitton in 1896, is reimagined and emboldened in the guise of a stylish spherical stamp to meld attitude with playfulness.
Illuminated by diamonds, the pink and yellow gold range of rings, bracelets and cuffs, earrings, pendants and chain necklaces radiate the iconic flower’s rebirth in an ode to the precious matrix animating the Monogram’s potential for infinity.

Fashioned for the Louis Vuitton’s tribe, the Maison’s new interpretation of its signature Flower presides throughout this fine jewellery collection as the seal of a modern day avatar. Magnified by the power of gold, stones, and diamonds to redefine the signet ring and its play on heritage.

Seven playful rings offer a versatile interpretation of the House’s iconic design. Worn as single rings or stacked, they are available in malachite, onyx, white agate, pink opal, diamonds or plain gold in both yellow and pink gold. Complimented respectively by three statement signet rings, either in carved stone or the other in paveʼs diamonds.

These generous renditions emphasize the ring’s three dimensionality and its value as a statement piece. With the signature, Louis Vuitton star-shaped flower in diamonds set in white gold, these blossoms evoke Louis Vuitton’s unique know-how to heighten the preciousness of the materials, in a testament to elegant craftsmanship and multicoloured refinement.

Other iconic piece of the collection, a sumptuous bracelet in gold with sensual contour, encases in its curves, fives precious pearls paved of diamonds or in onyx. This impression strengthens the fierce beauty of the message in the stones and amplifies the impact of the design.

The collection’s approach to voluptuousness explores the geometric interplay by introducing a bead and a pendant monogram flower, set inside a single walled frame to be worn on short and long necklaces and bracelets. With earrings to compliment the contrasting shapes, these talismans add a minimalist feel to the iconic design, that exalt the sensuality of Louis Vuitton’s jewellery and exploit the harmony in the elements. Exquisitely sculpted mother of pearl, and the expert work on hard stones highlight the House’s approach to diamonds to showcase the essence of femininity. Set delicately off center, on a modern chain, the square frame can be paired with the rounded generosity of the bead to invite a modern interpretation of the monogram’s heritage.

As the adventurer it inspires, B Blossom finds its beauty in a finely nuanced metamorphosis
that encompasses the genesis of the original design, reinterpreted and sublimated
to entrust Louis Vuitton’s signature collection with a bold new attitude.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton

This week, Cartier presented its new jewellery signature line «Clash de Cartier» in Paris. English-Brazilian actress Kaya Scodelario is the face and captures the duality of this collection perfectly. She will next appear in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, a film about serial killer Ted Bundy, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and will be released internationally on May 3rd.

The new collection shakes up the Maison’s aesthetic heritage of studs, beads and clous carrés. Together, they form a singular, ribbed mesh deriving from a clash of attitudes.

Jewellery that’s sharp? Yes, but soft to the touch. Geometric? Yes, but generously sized and feminine. Mechanical? Yes, as all of the pieces are assembled yet free to move. At its essence is opposition: bright, feminine curves and soft contours are contrasted with the nervous tension of a taut structure.

Clash de Cartier possesses an innate sense of proportion that draws on pure Cartier style. In volumes and reliefs, circles and squares, the collection honours the Maison’s penchant for geometry which dates back to the 1930s.

A classic style? No! It’s neo-classical, singular, unisex, whimsical. Bright, flowing, pulsating, Clash de Cartier breaks up the conventional architecture of shapes. The studs are held in place but free to move. This subtle motion entices light to flit and flicker; the metal seems softer. Crafted in 4N pink gold, the rings can be stacked and layered in all versions.

Behind the clean lines and even spacing, Clash de Cartier is a highly complex feat of craftsmanship.
How are the studs interconnected yet mobile? The ingenious articulated mechanism was entirely developed by the jewellery workshops. Each element is mounted and polished. Each step calls for a new technique, just the right tool.

The Clash de Cartier piece is precisely calibrated to magnetise the forces, to hold the studs in place. The buff-top domed clous carrés are finished with a bright polish that is produced over a series of operations. In a final sophisticated touch, the inside of each piece is delicately scalloped for comfortable wear.

In stores now, for more information about the collection and the movie, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Cartier 

Let me introduce you to LOUIS VUITTON Star Blossom – an easy-to-wear jewellery collection that celebrates the Monogram Flower against a background of rose gold and diamonds. A legendary motif, created in 1896 by Georges Vuitton.
Recognisable, simple, current… This star-like flower becomes a talisman. Its four petals form a lucky charm and reappear endlessly in all their elegance and sophistication. Featured on pendants, earrings, rings and bracelets, women can make it their own by wearing, layering and stacking it. A precious and casual way to reveal your personality and change your style to suit your mood.

About the Responsible Jewellery Council
In 2012, Louis Vuitton has obtained RJC certification confirming the everyday application of the moral, social, societal and environmental principles championed by the Responsible Jewellery Council, throughout the lifespan of its watches and jewellery products, from the extraction of the precious stones and metals to their distribution, through their transformation by our craftsmen.
For further information: responsiblejewellery.com

So so beautiful … I am in love and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

“Behind the symbol of travel, we find Christian Dior’s star and the idea of a good luck charm, but also the rose, his favourite flower.” – Victoire de Castellane

From Christian Dior’s garden at Granville to the discovery of faraway lands, with Paris’ 8th arrondissement cropping up along with way, the Rose des Vents collection from Dior Joaillerie, designed by Victoire de Castellane, is a voyage on the four winds through the House’s history. It features Christian Dior’s good-luck star and the rose, his favorite flower.

The new campaign, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, reveals a Dior woman with a natural, timeless beauty wearing the Rose des Vents creations.

This year, the medallion comes in versions with a pavé of diamonds, as well as rose gold and onyx, and has been joined by four pendants and five rings embellished with a little rope of gold that twists around the finger and follows the outline of the jewel. Being reversible, they can be worn either star or stone side out.

I love this fine jewelry collection. It is so much fun to mix and match them… and I really appreciate the craftsmanship behind that you can explore below.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Thursday, Tiffany & Co. celebrated the launch of the brand’s newest collection TIFFANY T in Zurich at the Museum Bellerive. It marks design director Francesca Amfitheatrof’s first line for the iconic house. “The letter T is sculptural and bold and very closely linked to the architecture of New York City,” she explains. The trained jeweler and silversmith reimagined the letter T as a piece of engineering, which you can see in the mechanisms for these cuffs.

The Museum Bellerive was bathed in pink light. Guests enjoyed yummy food and champagne while exploring the new jewelry pieces.

Here I am wearing two Tiffany T bracelets, one in 18k white gold and one in 18k rose gold, both with round brilliant diamonds.

Sport commentator Marcel Reif framed by Gitta Gräfin Lambsdorff, Managing Director Tiffany & Co. to the right and me to the left.

The collection is in stores now and available in different shapes in silver or gold. Personally speaking, I truly love the design, especially many bracelets worn together look really cool.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tiffany & Co. and © Sandra Bauknecht

Valentino’s zodiac cuffs will have a starry future among fashion lovers around the globe. Spotted on the S/S 2014 runway, which was inspired by a trip to the opera, those bracelets are worn one each on each wrist. Get yours now!

I took my zodiac sign and my ascendent:

Aquarius gold-tone bracelet by ValentinoCancer gold-tone bracelet by Valentino

For all other zodiac signs, please click on the name to shop yours directly: Capricorn, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino