Sandra‘s Closet

Forty internationally renowned experts from the world of fashion (among them Jefferson Hack, Katie Grand, Natalie Massenet, Carine Roitfeld and Patrick Demarchelier to name a few) are to meet thirty applicants to the LVMH Prize during Paris Fashion Week.

They will select a short-list of ten young designers who will go forward to present their work to the jury in May 2014. Entries have already been received from all over the world, including Asia, Africa and South America as well as the United States and Europe, with many more anticipated before the closing date of February 2nd, 2014.

The members of the jury for the first edition of the prize in 2014 are eight creative directors from LVMH Fashion Houses including: Nicolas Ghesquière (Louis Vuitton), Marc Jacobs (Marc Jacobs), Karl Lagerfeld (Fendi), Humberto Leon and Carol Lim (Kenzo), Phoebe Philo (Céline), Raf Simons (Dior) and Riccardo Tisci (Givenchy).

The designers will be joined by Delphine Arnault, Jean-Paul Claverie (advisor to Bernard Arnault and head of corporate philanthropy for LVMH) and Pierre-Yves Roussel (Chairman and CEO of the LVMH Fashion Group).

YOU CAN APPLY HERE! Good luck!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Estée Lauder unveiled Modern Muse, the new fragrance inspired by the intriguing duality of today’s woman, with a spectacular muse-themed party held at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum during New York Fashion Week.

The glamorous event was attended by fashion, art, design, media, and film industry luminaries and their muses and I felt very honored to have been invited.

The highlight of the evening was a performance by The Dolls: Mia Moretti and Margot, who curated an unforgettable musical experience, in celebration of all modern muses, with live vocals by Margot and the debut of their new single “Southern Swing (Ft. The Original Pinettes).”

Enjoy my photos from this amazing night and see all the celebs which were there!

The face of the campaign:

Gorgeous Arizona Muse (Click here to read the interview I did with her).

Designer Olivier Theyskens and his muse Anouck Lepère.

Estée Lauder’s spokeswomen: Hilary Rhoda and Joan Smalls.

Carolyn Murphy

Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director for Estée Lauder, with Carine Roitfeld and the Olsen Twins.

Actress Drew Barrymore

Linda Evangelista

Joan Smalls with me

Talking to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen whom I just saw again in London for an event with net-à-porter. The post will be coming up shortly. So please stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Mercedes-Benz is not only about high end cars, the German brand has become a fixed entity in the fashion world as a sponsor and partner of the world’s most major fashion events, such as the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week or the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich which will be taking place again from November 13-16, 2013. The key visual has been created in collaboration with fashion icon Carine Roitfeld.

This season, the luxury car brand has added a women’s fragrance to their lifestyle portfolio, created by Michel Almairac, who was named Perfumer of the Year 2012.

Mercedes-Benz Perfume is a fresh, floral and powdery scent showcasing the unusual accord of mimosa and violet.

MERCEDES-BENZ PERFUME

Top notes: Bergamot and peach
Middle notes: Mimosa-violet, rose and lily-of-the-valley
Base notes: Patchouli, vanilla and white musk

Available as Eau de Parfum 30ml (CHF 65.00), 60ml (CHF 85.00) and 90ml (CHF 115.00). Shower Gel 200ml (CHF 35.00), Body Lotion 200ml (CHF 39.00) and Deo Spray 100ml (CHF 31.00).

YOU CAN SHOP THE NEW FRAGRANCE BY CLICKING HERE.

Great news for my Swiss readers: 5 of you have the chance to WIN A BOTTLE (60ml) of this fantastic new scent. To participate in the contest, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header “Mercedes-Benz Perfume” to . All entries must be received until October 20, 2013. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules. The winner has to have a Swiss address.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

THE EVENT

Last Thursday, I was invited to attend the prestigious annual amfAR gala at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden Roc, which was probably THE most high profile event I have ever been to. From sitting at Paris Hilton‘s table, having dinner with A-listers such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman and Sharon Stone, enjoying musical performances of the likes of Duran Duran or Shirley Bassey to witnessing Anna Dello Russo‘s best dance moves during the unbelievable ULTIMATE GOLD COLLECTION FASHION SHOW curated by Carine Roitfeld. Everything was superlative. For a ticket price of around €8000.00 it should be, shouldn’t it?!

Below, I put together my very own photo diary of the event with of course some exclusive footage. The invite said that nobody was allowed to take pictures, that if you were seen, the camera would be confiscated immediately. But I managed to get some great shots! Enjoy!

MY OUTFIT

As gold was a dominant detail of the event, I went for a look in this radiant colour.
Python leather dress (every scale is handsewn on this piece) and matching heels by Tom Ford, Twenties stay-up in black by Wolford, Catwalk patent leather bag with crocodile print by Saint Laurent and earrings by Chanel.

THE CELEBRITIES

VIPS in attendance included: Sharon Stone, Jessica Chastain, Carine Roitfeld, Bonnie Wright, Aishwarya Rai, Paz Vega, Rosario Dawson, Goldie Hawn, Janet Jackson, Milla Jovovich, Heidi Klum, Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, Audrey Tautou, Kristen Scott Thomas, Christopher Waltz, Leonardo di Caprio, Dita von Teese, Paris Hilton, Adrien Brody, Zachary Quinto, Thom Browne, Daniele and Roberto Cavalli.

THE COCKTAIL RECEPTION

If you have ever been to the beautiful gardens of the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, you know how gorgeous the atmosphere is. It was amazing to enjoy a glass of bubbly while watching all the celebs arrive.

Milla Jovovich

Golden Girls: Anne Meyer-Minnemann (German Gala magazine) with me

THE DINNER

Roberto Cavalli was the official decor sponsor of the 2oth amfAR Gala 2013 with iconic pieces of his Home Collection. Dinner was a feast for the eyes, but unfortunately not a culinary delight. The food was unpalatable.

THE AUCTION

During the gala dinner, celebrities such as Heidi Klum, Nicole Kidman, Goldie Hawn and Janet Jackson went on stage and gave a little speech. The auction conducted by Simon de Pury included one-of-a-kind items, such as a trip to space with Leonardo DiCaprio that went for 1.2 million euros, a week at Donna Karan’s resort home in Parrot Cay, and a family portrait sitting with Annie Leibovitz. But these were just a few of the items sold at amfAR’s most successful benefit event to date. Cinema Against AIDS XX exceeded all expectations, raising nearly $25 million in a single night, helping amfAR in its continued fight against HIV/AIDS.

Janet Jackson

I was seated at a very fun table with Paris Hilton and her boyfriend River Viiperi…

…model Toni Garrn joined in the fun…

…as well as American jewelry designer Dawid Yurman who was also at the table.

Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (The antagonist in Casino Royale) with me

Paris Hilton

Gorgeous Jessica Chastain (The face of Yves Saint Laurent’s Manifesto).

THE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

After placing their bids during one of amfAR’s legendary auctions, the charitable crowd was moved by musical performances that ranged from Dame Shirley Bassey singing “Goldfinger” to Ellie Goulding and a rare live performance by Duran Duran. As John Taylor and Simon Le Bon, surrounded by swaying models, rocked on the stage, I leapt from my dinner table and began dancing.

Simon Le Bon rocking with Alessandra Ambrosio

Anna Dello Russo was also moving to the beats

Would love to know what Giovanna Battaglia just heard?!

THE ULTIMATE GOLD COLLECTION FASHION SHOW

Personally speaking, the highlight of the event was the fashion show curated by Carine Roitfeld. Forty top models participated in a spectacular runway presentation of one-of-a-kind gold looks with gold jewelry from emerging and established designers. See my favourites below:

Karolina Kurkova in Roberto Cavalli

Joan Smalls in Givenchy

Toni Garrn in Vionnet

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld in Valentino

Ashleigh Good in Chanel

Angela Lindvall in Burberry Prorsum

Anna Dello Russo danced down the runway in Pucci and Bvlgari

…and Pucci’s Creative Director Peter Dundas cheered along with Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld.

After the runway show, Sharon Stone auctioned off this amazing gold collection in a very witty and entertaining way, exhorting the crowd to bid higher and higher. “The bid is a million dollars—I mean euros,” she said. “Won’t someone give more?” Yes, this night somebody did. All the outfits went for 1.2 million euros. You can see the lucky couple below.

THE AFTER PARTY

Moncler was sponsoring the after party that seemed a little boring compared to the gala dinner. Most of the celebrities left and that might have been also due to the terrible weather conditions that had occurred all of a sudden. The wind was beating like crazy as you can see.

I was having so much fun that it felt like I already flew to space with Leonardo. Stay tuned for more upcoming post from Cannes with Chopard!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of LoveGold, © Getty Images and © Sandra Bauknecht

First of all, let me please apologize for my tardiness in posting. My internet connection in my hotel is a nightmare, so slow that I can barely upload all the amazing photos from the last days. Once I fly back home tomorrow, I will surely show you everything.
But here are some more exciting news. Tonight, I will attend the 20th Cinema Against AIDS to benefit amfAR during the Cannes Film Festival at the beautiful Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes.

To celebrate the occassion, LoveGold will exclusively present the Ultimate Gold Collection Fashion Show, curated by Carine Roitfeld, that will feature gold looks specially made for the evening by many famous designers. Here are some sneak previews of the likes of Emilio Pucci and Valentino.

“It’s a tribute to Liz Taylor, that’s why it’s gold,” Carine Roitfeld said about her inspiration.

LoveGold, an initiative of the World Gold Council and online community dedicated to gold jewelry highlighting gold as a precious and inspiring metal. As a proud presenting sponsor, LoveGold has worked with a number of prestigious jewelry designers, including House of Waris, Pamela Love, Hoorsenbuhs, Kimberly McDonald to name a few, to create one-off pieces for the show. These will be available to purchase via LoveGold.com following the runway event. You can also watch the livestream here.

A sneak preview of the amazing House of Waris cuffs specially created for the fashion show.

Now, I have to get ready. Can you guess which colour I will be wearing…of course, gold!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via LoveGold, DesignScene

In 2012, Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld joined forces to curate ‘The Little Black Jacket: Chanel’s Classic Revisited’, which presented stunning photographs of stylish celebrities boasting their interpretation of Chanel‘s timeless and iconic black jacket. Over the last year, the book and exhibition were celebrated in cities across the globe.

Some of those photos were even the inspiration for Karl Lagerfeld’s artwork Fire Etchings, presented at Galerie Gmurzynska in February 2013 in St. Moritz.

This year, a new expanded edition of the book will go on sale (Steidl, Göttingen, 2013, 280 pages. Available in selected bookstores, €78).

For this occasion, Karl Lagerfeld has once again focused his lens on twenty or so international celebrities and close friends of the House, including Keira Knightley, Diane Kruger, Carla Bruni and Carole Bouquet. The photo shoot took place in Paris in the couturier’s studio in January 2013. Taking time out from their busy schedules, the celebrities all enthusiastically reinterpreted the little black jacket in their own inimitable style. Once more Karl Lagerfeld illustrates the universality of the Chanel jacket, one of fashion’s most legendary and timeless pieces.

Here is a sneak preview of how stunning Diane Kruger looks in it:

The exhibition is at the moment in Milan and opening next in Dubai on April 27, 2013. For more information, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Carine Roitfeld elevated the smoky eye to an art form. For her M·A·C collaboration, Carine edits her look into a collection of chic colours and tools for recreating her aesthetic. Full Face Kit contains four Eye Shadows and Cremeblend Blush, Eye Brows in Brunette, Kohl Power Eye Pencil, Fluidline, 49 Lashes and two Mascaras. Tropical Mist Lipstick, Face and Body Foundation, Mineralize Concealer, Nail Lacquer and Brushes create the perfect backdrop for dramatic eyes.

In Switzerland available exclusively at Jelmoli in October 2012.

LoL, Sandra

 

L I P S T I C K
Tropical Mist Sheer translucent nude
CHF 28.00

K O H L P O W E R E Y E P E N C I L
Feline
CHF 24.00

E Y E B R O W S
Brunette Grey brown
CHF 24.00

F L U I D L I N E
Blacktrack
CHF 26.00

B R O W S E T
Clear
CHF 22.00

M A S C A R A
Studio Fix Boldblack Lash
Zoomfast Black Lash
CHF 27.00

F U L L F A C E K I T
Jungle Camouflage
DEW Soft creamy beige (veluxe pearl)
“CAMO” Muted greyish taupe (satin)
BAD LIEUTENANT Blackened deep brown (matte)
CARBON Intense black (matte)
BOOTCAMP BRONZE Soft sheer chestnut
Desert Camouflage
SAHARA DUST Light neutral beige (satin)
CACTUS THORN Mid-tone brown bronze (frost)
DESERT Shimmering warm taupe (satin)
CARBON Intense black (matte)
SAND STORM Soft sheer warm caramel
CHF 72.00

S T U D I O F I X F L U I D S P F 1 5
NC30 CHF 43.00

M I N E R A L I Z E C O N C E A L E R
NC33 CHF 29.00

F A C E A N D B O D Y F O U N D A T I O N
C4 CHF 51.00

A C C E S S O R I E S
Good Luck Star (for body)
CHF 22.00

49 Lash
CHF 19.00

Tweezer/Slant
CHF 54.00

Full Lash Curler
CHF 30.00

N A I L L A C Q U E R
Undercover Nude Sheer clear nude (cream)
Underfire Red Deep blood red (cream)
CHF 20.00

B R U S H E S
266 Small Angle
CHF 34.00
275 Medium Angled Shading
CHF 40.00
191 Square Foundation
CHF 54.00

Photos: Courtesy of MAC and © Sandra Bauknecht

Jean Paul Gaultier‘s S/S 2013 show was the last one taking place Saturday night. In case you were tired, you would have been definitely awake and in an extremely good mood after. Why? Because the show was more entertaining than it was probably setting a fashion statement. The audience cheered and clapped to the French designer’s “homage to all the pop stars of the eighties who have influenced fashion and his fashion with their look”.

And who else could indulge in reminiscences better than the man who produced sculptured costumes for Madonna in her finest hour, starting with her famous cone bra for her 1990 Blond Ambition Tour. Personally speaking, I loved the show very much. It started with some beautiful Grace Jones-inspired looks followed by Hannelore Knuts as Annie Lennox in an iconic pinstriped Gaultier pantsuit to the sound of “Sweet Dreams”. Madonna, David Bowie, Boy George, Abba, Jane Birkin, Sade and others followed.

The last outfit was presented by ageless and famous disco legend Amanda Lear who brought this fun presentation to an uproarious close. “She’s got the look…alike”. With Gaultier’s mantra “be the star you wanna be”, your choice is manifold. Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust or Madonna’s Material Girl, the choices are manifold! I like!

LoL, Sandra

A fashionable drink before the show, Coke Light dressed by Jean Paul Gaultier.

Let the show get started and enjoy:

During the catwalk finale, one model fell down in these hard-to-walk-in heels.

Jean Paul Gaultier

Front row: Arielle Dombasle

After the show: Carine Roitfeld with me
All photos from the show: © Sandra Bauknecht

Givenchy’s Creative Director Riccardo Tisci asked models Stella Tennant, Joan Smalls, Stef van der Laan, Daniela Braga, Simone Nobili, Jarrod Scott, and Rodrigo Braga to come up with their best dance moves for the latest GIVENCHY RAVE ad campaign. Shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott and styled by Carine Roitfeld. The clothes are divine, definitely on my shopping list this winter.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Givenchy

Have a look at the most discreet must-have It-bag of the season: The Carine bag by Tom Ford.

Fashion icon Carine Roitfeld has once again collaborated with the famous fashion designer Tom Ford. They launched for F/W 2011 the “Carine” bag. It’s signature hardware is the fetish-style “shackle” closure, reminiscent of a pair of cufflinks. This shoulder bag comes with an internal zip pocket and is offered in a variety of materials, all of them specially developed for Tom Ford, such as shiny alligator, python, goat skin, nappa leather, patent, or suede. The “Carine” is a style that will be continued within the Tom Ford accessories collection and will be reinterpreted and adapted according to the mood of the season.
A new classic – I couldn’t resist!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht