Sandra‘s Closet

Strike a pose with Aquazzura as Brown’s, a Rocco Forte Hotel, offers a new, exclusive suite shopping experience in collaboration with the famous luxury Italian women’s footwear brand, the so-called «Head over Heels with Aquazzura» package.

Aquazzura’s story of creating magical footwear, a brand favoured by many celebrities and fashion stars from around the world, including Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Olivia Palermo and more recently featured in the «Sex And The City» spin off, worn by Carrie Bradshaw. Founded by Edgardo Osorio in 2011, the brand will be celebrating 10 years during 2022 coinciding with a yearlong celebration of Brown’s Hotel 185th Anniversary.

Aquazzura store in London

Guests who book the Brown’s «Head over Heels with Aquazzura» can choose either a one or two night stay in one of the hotel’s beautifully appointed suites. During their stay guests will be treated to a variety of bespoke experiences from the dedicated team at Aquazzura’s flagship store on Albemarle Street, just moments away from the hotel. One such experience will include a bespoke in-suite design consultation and shoe fitting. Guests will also receive an exclusive invitation to visit the Aquazzura store after hours for a VIP shopping experience as well as a pedicure at The Spa at Brown’s.

The Donovan Bar

What’s more, The Donovan Bar, Brown’s stylish drinking den, will display three of Aquazzura’s finest shoes from its latest collection, the Tequila Plexi Sandal 105, Temptation Crystal Sandal 105 and the Seduction Crystal Pump 105.

These three pairs of stunning heels will be dotted around the bar allowing guests to admire the shoes whilst sipping on delicious tipples from Salvatore Calabrese’s extensive cocktail menu, one of which is the ‘Tequila Scandal’ – created especially in celebration of this exclusive collaboration. ‘Tequila Scandal’ is a champagne style cocktail, made with Tequila, Calabreses’s Acqua Bianca liqueur and infused with home-made pineapple juice and green cardamom cordial.

As an add-on to the experience and as a last glimpse, Brown’s knowledgeable concierge team can purchase tickets to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, Cinderella, that hit the stage in 2021, at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, a short taxi ride from the hotel.

«Head over Heels with Aquazzura» at Brown’s Hotel starts from £1,300 and is based on double occupancy, valid from 11 January 2022 until 01 April 2022.

Includes the following:
– A one or two night stay from studio suites above.
– Breakfast in Charlie’s or in the comfort of your suite.
– Two ‘Tequila Scandal’ cocktails to enjoy at the Donovan Bar or in suite.
– One ‘Vital Pedicure’ treatment to enjoy at The Spa at Brown’s.
– VIP Welcome amenities including a bespoke gift bag from Aquazzura.
– Bespoke Aquazzura offerings including: 20% discount on any purchase, in-suite personalised shoe fitting, out of hours store visit including champagne to enjoy whilst shopping.

The perfect surprise gift for a fellow fashionista!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Brown’s Hotel, Aquazzura, Janos Grapow
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Last week in London, I stayed for the first time at the Haymarket Hotel which I adored. My avid readers know that I am usually loving the Browns Hotel but sometimes a little change is great. Today, I was supposed to fly again to the UK for a wonderful press trip with Cowshed but had to cancel last minute… so I enjoy those sweet memories.

My comfy look: Black double-breasted wool coat with gold bars by Givenchy, the perfect grey cashmere sweater with suede elbow patches by Saint Laurent, jeggings by Marc by Marc Jacobs, studded biker boots and sunglasses by Miu Miu, Bamboo leather tote by Gucci, diamond rose ring, necklace and Limelight Gala watch, all by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I just spent 48 hours in London that were filled with many interesting events, parties and meetings. Let me get started with the launch party for the ‘Cabinet de Curiosites de Thomas Erber’ 2011.

After his successful collaboration with Parisian concept store Colette in 2010, fashion consultant and former journalist Thomas Erber has brought his cabinet to Browns in London. Showcasing a very interesting selection of pieces including everything from fashion and furniture design, to travel packages, art and photography, Erber has gathered many internationally renowned artists and designers to fill his cabinet with their most unique creations.

My key to “Le Cabinet de Curiosités de Thomas Erber”

Thomas Erber with me

„My quest, has always been to push the limits of creativity, to me it is the only thing that feeds the dream living in each of us. Browns, since the beginning, has been the coolest place in the city to me, it has always defended elegance and most importantly independent designers more than anything or anyone else in London.“

– Thomas Erber

Designer Christopher Kane with me (Love his designs! Click here for a previous post)

Here are my favourite curiosities:

FASHION

Rodarte – The Piece

In 2011, the Rodarte sisters, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, joined with two of the world’s most highly acclaimed photographers, Catherine Opie and Alec Soth, to create the first publication to explore and examine the world of Rodarte.

For Thomas Erber’s cabinet at Browns, Rodarte have collaborated with artist Rebekah Miles on a one of a kind book cover, hand painted with an image from the book.

£ 250

Lulu Guinness – The Piece

Designed to befit the expression, “Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder”, this bespoke bag is characteristic of Lulu’s wit and charm. The cubic evening bag is covered in black satin with a wrist strap and is presented in another larger cube which is hand-embroidered with the designer’s iconic handwriting.

£ 1995

 

Manolo Blahnik – The Piece

“Albero” – an exquisitely delicate shoe. Crafted in crocodile, silk satin leaves encase the ankle, while the foot rests on orange satin lining.

£ 3850 (size 37)

 

Melinda Gloss – The Piece

Melinda Gloss is the in 2006 established label by childhood friends Rémi de Laquintane and Mathieu de Ménonville.

High quality meets high fashion, as a traditional tweed overcoat is given a modern dressing-down by a hooded inner-layer. Raw edging gives the reassuringly weighty material a sense of lightness without compromising its warmth.

The three coats are available in size 50 for £ 1750 each.

CURIOSITIES & ART

I-Woodesign

A unique jewelry box and watch box in Tamo Ash, one of the rarest and most reasured woods in the world. Sleek and sophisticated by design, the rich finish of the wood results in a piece which is strikingly superior in every sense.

Jewelry Box £ 7200, Watch Box £ 6300

Hungarian-born artist Kata Legrady is a very interesting woman to talk to. She has attracted international fame for her iconic series “Guns & Candies”. A former child soldier, she draws inspiration from her childhood memories.

While we were talking, this bag by Christian Louboutin caught her eyes. It reminded her of a bomb, funny enough!

Kata Legrady – The Piece

‘A 47 Kalashnikov, multicolour original gun with applicated “Smarties” covered with Plexiglass’

The internationally celebrated series, “Guns and Candies” was started in 2008, and is a set of colourful and oversized pieces exploring Legrady’s double fascination with war arms and candies. The Smarties are simultaneously enigmatic, alluring and scary, and appear to leave a residual trace on the retina, like a persisitent dream or a meditative vision. Truly popular art in the very Warholian meaning of the word, these images and artifacts are universally accessible and immediately identifiable. They demand only a little empathy from the viewer’s part, therefore investing each beholder with a power to reveal both their symbolic and artistic qualities.

£ 25000

London based designer Paul Kelley

Paul Kelley – The Piece

A stainless steel polished desk/dressing table with a mirror and a blue acrylic lined interior. The handsome yet elegant work boasts solid brass-plated drawers and solid teak interiors.

£ 54000
All photos above: © Sandra Bauknecht

 

TRAVEL

“Riders”, 40 x 60 cm, Silver gelatine print, fiber paper, B & W, argentic print, single copy. Especially made for the Cabinet Of Curiosities of Thomas Erber, 2011 edition at Browns by Elina Kechicheva, £ 1840.

LES VOYAGES DE THOMAS BY KUONI

The Road Trip

A mesmerizing and romantic road trip leads to Uruguay, to the edge of the end of the world, just between the “elder brothers” of Brazil and Argentina, and along the Uruguayan coast – which will slowly unveil its mysteries and wonders in a land that is yet to be fully discovered.

A ten day trip will start approximately at £2150 per person (without flights).

Photographs by Elina Kechicheva also available, £ 1840

The Family Safari

A magical, adventurous family trip to the heart of rugged but soulful Namibia, the “king country”, a jewel located on the west coast of southern Africa. Travelers will venture away from the famous Skeleton Coast to the untouched Namib Desert, where safaris are still real and wild – and will be accompanied by dedicated and knowledgeable local people who will help them to experience the real Namibia.

A ten day trip will start approximately at £ 4285 per person (without flights).

 

The after party took place in London’s newly opened up hot spot: Le Baron.
Here are some photos of the night:

Mark van Huisseling with me

Christian Louboutin and Henry Holland

Mickey got all excited seeing…

…a half naked beauty. 
Photos: © Jean Picou

A real cabinet of curiosties!

LoL, Sandra