Something for my Swiss and German based readers: Please have a look at the recent issue of SI Style magazine featuring my monthly fashion column. This time, I am telling you more about my trip to the Film Festival in Cannes with Chopard last May.
LoL, Sandra
Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht
The collaboration between Chopard and the Cannes Film Festival turns 15 this year, and once again, the Swiss jewelry and watch brand is set to prove that its precious creations sparkle as brightly as the movie stars who wear them. Reflecting the number of editions of the famous movie festival, this year’s Chopard Red Carpet collection comprises 65 creations by Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard.
For this oustanding one-of-a-kind collection, she has chosen to work with stones such as rubies, emeralds, padparadscha sapphires, tanzanite, and kunzite –without forgetting diamonds, which Caroline Scheufele proclaims as “my favourite stone and an indispensable ally for women on the red carpet”.
As for me, one of the most standout pieces is the apple ring that is adorned by 800 tsavorites and more than 200 brown diamonds totalling 57.2 carats. So delectable with a deliciously tangy radiance, Chopard is taking the Big Apple literally, bound to draw all eyes.
Below, you can see the making of, from the sketch to the final product.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Chopard and © Sandra Bauknecht
PRADA presents A THERAPY by Roman Polanski
On Monday, this short movie has been shown within the 2012 Cannes International Film Festival Official Selection – Classics Section, in the presence of Roman Polanski, Nastassja Kinski and Festival Director Thierry Fremont. The surprise screening was an idea by Polanski and Fremont themselves. ‘A Therapy’ was shown before the scheduled projection of the restored movie ‘Tess’.
Roman Polanski explains: “A game, a thought, that through friendship and mutual respect has become true. When I was asked to shoot a short movie for Prada, I did not think that I could really be myself, but the reality is that in the total freedom I was given, I had the opportunity to reunite my favorite group of people on set and just have fun. The chance to dwell on what the fashion world represents nowadays and the fact that it is accompanied by so many stereotypes is fascinating and at the same time a bit upsetting, but you definitely can not ignore it. It’s very refreshing to know that there are still places open to irony and wit and, for sure, Prada is one of them.”
Enjoy this short movie of three minutes starring Helena Bonham Carter, who plays a lady chattering on her society-woman problems, while an increasingly distracted Ben Kingsley begins paying attention instead to her Prada fur coat that’s hanging on a coat rack. Now, we know retail therapy IS the answer!
LoL, Sandra
Thursday night, the Trophée Chopard in partnership with Variety Magazine at the Martinez Hotel took place. Each year at the Cannes Film Festival, Chopard rewards the talent of two young actors. And the Swiss jewelry and watch brand seems to have a good nose for their awardees. Many gifted performers, such as Marion Cotillard, Léa Seydoux, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Diane Kruger and Gael Garcia-Bernal, have received the Trophée Chopard before.
The exceptional patron in the person of Sean Penn honoured this year’s rising stars, Shailene Woodley for her co-starring (and Golden Globe-nominated) role in The Descendants and Ezra Miller for his performance in We Need to Talk About Kevin, with a beautiful laudatory speech.
Shailene looked radiant in her black silk devore velvet gown combined with the strappy ‘The Egrette’ sandals, both from Jason Wu‘s F/W 2012 runway collection
Ezra Miller gave a very moving thank you speech.
The awardees, Shailene Woodley and Ezra Miller, to the left with Sean Penn and Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, to the right.
After the award presentation, we went upstairs to the Chopard Lounge where the amazing highly exclusive (by invitation only) after party for around 200 guests took place. The terrace was filled with celebrities and we danced until dawn.
Caroline Scheufele in a peach-coloured long gown by Emilio Pucci and Chopard jewelry with me
Eva Herzigova in Alexander McQueen with Bérénice Béjo wearing a pretty polka-dot dress with a cinched waist and paired with a pair of glittering Chopard pearl earrings, of course.
Bérénice Béjo with me
Lana Del Rey in an ivory single-breasted suit by Moschino.
Very sweet Shailene Woodley with me.
Awardee Ezra Miller with me
Famous Spanish actress Paz Vega and face of L’Oréal Spain in a sequined dress from Giorgio Armani‘s S/S 2012 runway collection that reflected the light interestingly and Chopard jewelry with me.
Chinese actress and singer Fan Bingbing with me. Her forest-green fully embellished gown with a plunging neckline by Elie Saab that gave all the attention to her sensational Chopard jewelry looked stunning on her.
L.A.-based film producer, movie studio chairman and co-founder of Miramax Films Harvey Weinstein with me. He came without his wife Georgina Chapman, who is the founder of Marchesa.
Highlight of the night was Lana Del Rey‘s amazing performance. I love “Video Games”…
The singer is amazingly sweet and charming to talk to.
Lana’s necklace from Chopard’s Red Carpet Haute Joaillerie collection, is a one-of-kind piece that is original, unexpected with a tinge of humour. Composed of pink rubellites, diamonds and onyx, it has a maximum magnitude, brilliance and fire.
Lana Del Rey, Caroline Scheufele, Marion Cotillard and Ezra Miller
Eva Herzigova and Sean John Combs (P.Diddy)
This was such an amazing night! I truly love my job! Stay tuned for a detailed post on my look coming up soon.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
The 65th annual Cannes Film Festival commemorates Marilyn Monroe on the 50th anniversary of her death, featuring her on the festival’s posters. Festival sponsor Chopard pays tribute to Marilyn Monroe‘s most memorable movie moment, her famous performance of “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” in the 1953 musical comedy Gentlemen Prefer Blondes with a diamond necklace in honour of the blonde bombshell’s object of affection in the film, featuring almost 200 carats of diamonds.
On this occasion, the Swiss jewelry and watch brand exhibits “Marilyn Forever”, 25 unpublished images, captured by frequent Monroe photographer Milton H. Greene, previewed in the Chopard Lounge at Hotel Martinez. After the festival, it will travel to Chopard boutiques around the world alongside with the Monroe-inspired “Tribute Set”.
Eva Herzigova wore the Marilyn Monroe Tribute set from the Red Carpet collection composed of a necklace in 18-carat white gold set with beads diamonds (151.64 cts), heart shaped diamonds (30.72 cts) and diamonds (18.53cts) with matching earrings on the Cannes Film Festival’s opening night.
I was able to explore this stunning tribute jewelry creation designed by Caroline Scheufele closely at the Chopard lounge. It is truly breathtaking.
Diamonds and glamour: Marilyn Monroe and Chopard were destined to cross paths. Below you can see how the tribute set was created, a piece of art and craftsmanship.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Chopard, © Getty Images and © Sandra Bauknecht
For the Cannes Film Festival 2012’s opening night, the who’s who of Hollywood came down to the Côte d’Azur. Here are the best dressed ladies of this amazing night. Enjoy!
Jury member Diane Kruger looked amazing in a mint green sheer couture gown by Giambattista Valli.
Eva Longoria wore a flowing, feathered train gown by Marchesa in which she had quite some problems walking on the red carpet.
American singer Lana Del Rey was wearing a classy black long dress by Alberta Ferretti that gave all the attention to the 18-carat white gold necklace set with a 31 carats yellow pear-shaped diamond by Chopard.
Eva Herzigova, the Czech model, was wearing a lace gown by Dolce Gabbana combined with the Marilyn Monroe Tribute set from the Red Carpet collection composed of a necklace in 18-carat white gold set with beads diamonds (151.64 cts), heart shaped diamonds (30.72 cts) and diamonds (18.53cts). Earrings en suite. All by Chopard.
Actress Tilda Swinton, who stars in Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom, wore a bronze gown by her fashion friend, designer Haider Ackermann.
Slumdog Millionaire actress Freida Pinto wore a strapless beaded bodice gown, with a peplum pink satin skirt by Michael Angel, accessorized by Chopard jewelry.
The legendary Jane Fonda, wearing Chopard jewelry, looked absolutely stunning at 74 in a form-fitting metallic gown from Stella McCartney‘s new evening collection I saw her during the day at the Chopard lounge and was overwhelmed by her charisma.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: ©VALERY HACHE/AFP/GettyImages, ©Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images, ©Rex, ©Lia Toby / WENN
On Wednesday evening, the opening night of the 65th Cannes Film Festival (May 16 to May 27, 2012), I was invited by Chopard to this year’s first “Montée des Marches” at the Palais des Festivals. (Each night there is the legendary black tie “Montée des Marches”, the famous red-carpet, by invitation only, where the 22 films in competition are screened.)
It is an amazing feeling to climb up those famous steps, the stairway to heaven. There are hundreds of people waiting behind the barriers to spot their favourite celebrities. The minute I got out of the limousine, I was absolutely speechless and full of emotions.
My look: Gown by Roberto Cavalli, fur stole by Blumarine, Pyramide bag by Prada (In case you are wondering why I didn’t choose a little clutch, I wanted to take my big camera with me.), earrings by Chanel, ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.
This year, the Cannes Film Festival kicked off with the screening of Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom.
Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, the movie centers around two young kids (Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) who fall in love, and run away together into the wilderness, but the adult cast is pretty well-stacked in the acting department, featuring Hollywood stars like Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Jason Schwartzman.
Personally speaking, I am not the biggest Wes Anderson fan, but I have truly liked that movie. It is different and moving, featuring the best of Anderson’s iconic comedy whimsy. Moonrise Kingdom will be released later this month.
Bérénice Béjo, the Artist star, hosted the opening ceremony in a stunning gown by Louis Vuitton that blended in well with the red carpet. She introduced the audience to this year’s president Nanni Moretti and his A-list jury that includes Diane Kruger, Jean Paul Gaultier, Alexander Payne, Ewan McGregor, Raoul Peck, Hiam Abbas and Emmanuelle Devos.
During the 12-day movie marathon, they will choose from 22 competition titles to give out the coveted Palme d’Or prize on May 27.
Beth Ditto opened the festival with an amazing performance of ‘Candle In The Wind’.
Very funny, the famous singer was hurrying to get a photo with the jury:
Stay tuned for my best-dressed list of this night!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Greetings from the Croisette in Cannes. My last days were filled with amazing parties, events and I met many celebrities. It is such a busy time, please accept my sincere apologies for the delay of posting.
On Thursday, I went to the beautiful Chopard lounge, located on the 7th floor of the Hotel Martinez, to explore the stunning Red Carpet Haute Joaillerie collection, which I will show you in the next days. Cannes is crazy those days. There are so many people on the streets waiting to spot some celebrities. If you don’t have a bagde (Thank you, Chopard!), you will have no chance to come anywhere close.
My look: Leather jacket by Prada, pleated top and skirt, studded Pyramide bag, all from Prada‘s S/S 2012 runway, sandals with coral shape heel by Chanel, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline, cuff by Stella McCartney and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.
Stunning view of the Croisette.
Lunch at the beach at Z Plage.
Later, I went for a little shopping spree on the Croisette and spotted…
… Ben Stiller and Chris Rock gathered for the photo call for Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes. (By the way, this is my favourite terrasse to have a drink).
Sacha Baron Cohen‘s Dictator embellishes the entrance of the Carlton Hotel.
I hope that you have enjoyed the impressions of the Croisette. More to follow soon!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Yesterday, I left for the Cannes Film Festival, a truly amazing adventure for me. I am invited by the famous Geneva-based watch and jewelry company Chopard, the official partner of the Cannes Film Festival for the 15th consecutive year.
The Palme d’Or, created every year since 1998 by Chopard’s craftsmen
In 1998, the President of the Festival asked Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, to redesign the prestigious trophy, the Palme d’Or. Ever since, Chopard and the Cannes Film Festival have remained inseparable.
Caroline Scheufele drawing the Palme
You can see the details of my look on the arrival day below.
Printed satin-jersey harem pants by Balmain (please click here for a post on the print pants trend), white T-shirt
by J.Crew, collarless leather jacket and studded Pyramide bag, both by Prada, black shopping bag by Chanel, studded ballet flats by Gucci and printed skull scarf
by Alexander McQueen.
Stay tuned for some amazing photos of the opening ceremony last night. I could totally get used to walking on the red carpet. What an amazing event! Now, I am off to new adventures…
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Chopard and © Sandra Bauknecht
At the 63rd Cannes Film Festival, another premiere took place. Gucci is breaking into the rarefied world of couture with the launch of Gucci Première. But the Florentine luxury goods house does not intend to show haute couture on the catwalk, the capsule collection that will be renewed twice yearly by Creative Director Frida Giannini is more a response to the rising demand for outstanding red-carpet outfits and will only be available on a limited basis to their top clients and celebs.
No wonder that sultry actress Salma Hayek debuted the new line at the opening night Wednesday as her husband François-Henri Pinault happens to be the chairman and CEO of Gucci`s parent company PPR. But she has been beyond question a good get for the Italian luxury house. She kicked off Cannes and Gucci Première at the Robin Hood premiere in a slinky burgundy one-shoulder dress. A real showstopper!
The next evening at the premiere of Wall Street: Money never sleeps, Salma Hayek wore another one-of-a-kind gown from Gucci`s new couture division – a result of beautiful craftsmanship. The designs are executed in Parisian ateliers, the traditional home of the couture.
And Salma was not alone this time, Kate Beckinsale looked like a fairytale princess in her antique-white dress with a silver embroidered belt and bow from the Gucci Première line. So radiant with a subtle sparkle, that one was my favourite.
As couture houses have been dying out in the last decades, Gucci`s modern approach might create a new dimension and lay the foundation for their raison d`être. Taking Gucci to Hollywood is definitely an interesting advertising concept as there will be a lot of press about their red-carpet wear in the future.
Giorgio Armani has lead the way and is probably the most successful with his couture gowns. Let`s see Gucci do that…
LoL, Sandra